Marlene Jane McKinnon

[Marlene McKinnon]

“We've all got both light and dark inside us. What matters is the part we truly choose to act on without… influence. I finally figured out, that's who we really are.”
- Marlene McKinnon to Sirius Black, 1978.

General Characteristics

Name:
Marlene Jane McKinnon

Appearance:
Blonde curls, tall and lean. ‘Squirrel’ like nose. Honey eyes, wide smile. Perfected eyebrows and nails, always. Usually tan. Slender, long fingers. Gangly and waif like through puberty before filling out just enough.

Other Names:
Marly, ‘Lene.

Alternate Forms:
No animagus.

Blood Status:
Pureblood. Not sacred 28 due to MacDonald taint.

Theme Song:


Wand:
Holly, Dragon Heartstring, 14 ½ inches, unbending flexibility.
Wand Meaning: As a rule, dragon heartstrings produce wands with the most power, and which are capable of the most flamboyant spells. Dragon wands tend to learn more quickly than other types. While they can change allegiance if won from their original master, they always bond strongly with the current owner. The dragon wand tends to be easiest to turn to the Dark Arts, though it will not incline that way of its own accord. It is also the most prone of the three cores to accidents, being somewhat temperamental.

Holly is one of the rarer kinds of wand woods; traditionally considered protective, it works most happily for those who may need help overcoming a tendency to anger and impetuosity. At the same time, holly wands often choose owners who are engaged in some dangerous and often spiritual quest. Holly is one of those woods that varies most dramatically in performance depending on the wand core, and it is a notoriously difficult wood to team with phoenix feather, as the wood's volatility conflicts strangely with the phoenix's detachment. In the unusual event of such a pairing finding its ideal match, however, nothing and nobody should stand in their way.

Patronus:
Erumpent

Affilitation:
- Death Eater until father’s death.
- Order of the Phoenix.
- Gryffindor Quidditch Team.

Personal Characteristics

Birth Date: 30.03.1960
Death Date: 1980/81
Age at Death: TBC
Death Place: TBC
Manner of Death: TBC
Last Words: TBC

Primary Objective:
To make up for her mistakes, by doing good and committing fully to the fight against Voldemort.

Secondary Objectives:
Keep Dorcas safe from the Death Eaters seeking them out. Find a way back into Sirius’ heart.

Priorities:
Family. Love. Survival. Friends always slot in after the three.

Motivation:
Protection. Survival. Marlene’s two reasons for doing the things she does clash furiously throughout her life. Lord Voldemort played her two biggest motivators against one another, protecting her friends and family vs. surviving.

Accomplishments:
Securing a place on the Holyhead Harpies.

Greatest Achievement:
Getting a large delivery of JUST hazelnut liqueur flavoured Bertie Bott’s beans directly from Bertie Bott himself.

Failures:
Failing her father.
Failing James.
Losing her place on the Harpies.

Biggest Failure:
Not seeing her father for who he truly was and blindly following him.

Self-Confidence:
Marlene is not lacking in confidence on the physical front, but has carefully constructed walls around her mental state, as that’s where she’s most vulnerable.

Traumas:
Watching her mother kill her father, to save her life.
Not being with her mother when she died.
Feeling responsible for the deaths of many at the Death Eater’s hands.
Betraying James (and Sirius and Lily.)
The cruciatus curse at Voldemort’s hands.
Watching Sirius take a near death beating from Remus.
Being heartbroken.

Afflictions:
N/A.

Embarrassments:
Marlene doesn’t get embarrassed. She owns whatever she does, whether it’s by reinventing herself or flaunting her sexuality. She accepts things as they are, then tries to change them.

Worries:
That Dorcas will leave her too.
That she won’t save the McKinnon name.

Soothers:
Sirius.
Doc, her house elf.

Instigators:
Evan Rosier – after it came out that Evan played Marlene just to please the Death Eaters, he now triggers Marlene. He knows too much about her and that’s not something she’s comfortable with even for her friends, especially not enemies.
Lucius Malfoy – he betrayed her father’s trust, weaving her into the web of the unbreakable vow.

Earliest Memory:
Her mother removing a piece of a china tea cup from James’ arm, after Marlene threw a magically charged tantrum having had one less marshmallow than he in their hot chocolate.
Fondest Memory:
It's a tie between three.
1. The first time she met Dorcas at the Gryffindor table, after being housed straight after one another.
2. A vague, drunken recollection of dancing on the snow spattered Quidditch pitch with Sirius. (and falling, then laughing.)
3. When she received her Hogwarts letter, while on holiday with her family and the Potters and her father told her he was proud.

Worst Memory:
The chill that enveloped her body as Voldemort magically bound her and her father’s fates.

Favorite Dream:
She and Sirius ran away to the Caribbean, the night they said they would, and nothing bad happened to them or their friends.

Worst Nightmare:
Voldemort finds her, the death eaters behind him, each one of them carrying one of her friends’ heads. All chanting: ‘All your fault.’ She never discusses this nightmare with anyone, but has it recurringly.

Desires:
It's shallow, but it’s Sirius.

Wishes:
A family of her own, with no blood status requirements or traditions. Just freedom.

Regrets:
Marlene wishes she could have taken the advice of Dorcas and gone to Dumbledore, and told James what she as asked to do.

Secrets:
Her (and Dorcas’) brother was created for a purpose, as a weapon for Grindelwald.

Confidantes:
Dorcas.
Doc the house elf.
Formerly James.

Soft Spots:
Fashion emergencies.
Beauty emergencies.

Cruel Streaks:
Incompetence, in whatever form.
Pureblood supremacists with Death Eater ties.

Musical Instrument:
Marlene was in the choir, but no musical talent. She can’t read sheet music.

Quirks:
Her flaws far outweigh her strengths, but it creates who she is.

Mental Characteristics

IQ:
Average-range in terms of academic ability, but clever and witty within social circles.

Known Languages:
Anything scathing. (kidding.) English and French.

Lures:
Pretty, feminine things.
Sunshine, the stars and heights.

Memory:
Marlene remembers traumatic things well, however isn’t one to recall every single conversation unless something that was said meant a significant deal to her. Good example: Could never remember what she and Dorcas were fighting about, but remembers whenever Dorcas cries.

Phobias:
Marlene fears death and isolation.

Savvies:
Well… Marlene knows her way quite well around a certain Gryffindor seventh year boy.
Brilliant flyer, great hand eye coordination.

Ineptities:
Herbology.
Empathy.

Temperament:
Sanguine

Hobbies:
Quidditch
Reading Witches’ Weekly (religiously)

Pet Peeves:
Unkept nails
Peter Pettigrew

Intellectual Characteristics

Logical-Mathematical:
Marlene’s version of logic is quite different to others, so she’s not typically seen as logical. She finds logic and reason to justify her actions, rather than use it applied to a full situation.

Spatial:
Marlene has a great imagination, used for anything from fashion, to art, home-needs or sexual fantasy.

Linguistic:
Marlene’s best offense is the way she cuts people down mentally. With limited duelling capability (other than protective charmwork), it’s best for her to shatter confidence in people before it gets to that point. She’s been known to make anyone from first years to teachers cry.

Bodily-Kinesthetic:
Marlene knows her way around her body and she knows how to use it. Quidditch obsession/training lends to this.

Musical:
Marlene couldn’t tell the difference between tones, but can match pitch just fine. She simply stood where she was meant to and sang when she was told in the choir. (Until sixth year.)

Interpersonal:
Marlene is difficult to interact with if you know little of her or her story, she can behave in two different ways: Indifferent to your presence, or whatever you wish to discuss or fully invested in whatever you have to say or whatever outcome you want to reach. However, she doesn’t understand other people well as she processes her own feelings first.

Intrapersonal:
Marlene understands herself just fine, thank you very much. Is exactly what she would say. Truth be told, she’s lost and searching for growth with no role model to aid her. She knows she must move past whoever she is now, but without her parents and the security of the family home to always fall back on, Marlene isn’t sure who she is on her own.

Naturalistic:
Marlene hates dirt, unless it’s on a Quidditch field. She doesn’t mind being exposed to the seasons, but she’s not about to become an adventurer away from alleyways and cobblestone streets.

Existential:
Marlene ponders her own purpose a lot, especially after the events of 1977. She finds it curious that things happen in certain ways and wonders often if there was ever another way they would have fallen. If an alternate universe could ever be possible, especially knowing the intricacies of time turner users being unable to interact with their past selves.

Philosophical Characteristics

Morality:
There is no clear divider in Marlene’s definition, but she gauges someones alignment with their desire to harm. If they want to hurt other people for their own gain, bad. If they want to align themselves with the purpose of the bad but not hurt others, or align to protect: grey area. If they want to protect others, good.

Etiquette:
Marlene is never clear with her alignment or morals, so it could be said her etiquette is consistently neutral with the exception of interacting with Death Eaters themselves post 1977.

Attitude:
Impatient and determined. Marlene’s courage presents itself as sly interference, but it’s usually when she’s subjecting herself to her own fears to aid or serve another.

Outlook on Life:
Life used to be easy, now it seems vast and unforgiving.

Perception:
Marlene pities herself and her situation regularly. But she doesn’t drown in self pity, instead she considers ways to change it. This will be a strong area of growth for her over the years to come.

Philosophy:
“it’s no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then.” – Lewis Carroll.
“but a desperate heart will seduce the mind.” - Mitch Albom.

Taboos:
Use an unforgivable curse.
Cheat on Sirius (bizarrely.)


Spiritual Characteristics

Religion:
The Creators. (The magical beings that first created the world and instilled their magic into creatures and humans alike which in turn led to the universe to create, flourish. Wizard equivalent of God.)

Devotion:
She prays to Merlin far more than the Creators. So barely devoted. It was simply past down the pureblood line.

Superstitions:
Marlene was instilled with a variety of pureblood superstitions, but tends to fight against her conditioning. She would struggle dating a muggle-born for fear of a squib child, however.

Virtues:
Marlene exhibits Charity (in paying for the Order.) That’s it.

Vices:
Marlene’s biggest vices would include lust and pride. Perhaps wrath as well. No doubt she had exhibited all of the eight at one time or another.

Highs and Lows

Likes:
Hazelnut liqueur Bertie Bott’s every flavour beans
Quidditch.
Short hemlines.
Tanning.
Fresh roses.
Charms.
Flying.
Rating Hogwarts boys over lunch.
Fucking with people’s heads.
Dorcas.
Sirius.
Perfume.

Dislikes:
Bertha Jorkins.
Evan Rosier.
Travers.
Broccoli.
Tulips.


Favorite Animal: Hippogryff.
Favorite Band: Anything more rock than pop.
Favorite Book: Witches’ Weekly.
Favorite Color: Red.
Favorite Country: France.
Favorite Drink: Whiskey.
Favorite Excuse: “I can’t, I’m washing my hair.”
Favorite Food: Berries on pancakes. Hazelnut liqueur Bertie Botts beans.
Favorite Pastime: Sunning on the astronomy tower.
Favorite People: Dorcas Meadowes.
Favorite Place: None. McKinnon House burned.


Apparel

Dress Style/Wardrobe:
Marlene is always well pulled together and suits what the occasion calls for. Her wardrobe would have been (it all burnt) more expensive and expansive than most people’s home contents.

Most Prized Possession:
Whatever she truly loved she lost in the fire with her father's pensieve.
Otherwise, a hair clip that was Dorcas’ to begin with and is now in Sirius’ possession.

Most Valuable Possession:
The key to her Gringott’s vault.

Trinkets:
A two way compact mirror, shared with Dorcas.

Social Characteristics

Communication:
Verbally, through death glares. By the rate at which her footsteps move toward them.

Criminal Record:
Phew, where to start. Conspiring against the Ministry (technically) by working for Lord Voldemort. Manslaughter of some 100 muggles, without direct implication. Aiding and abetting known criminals. Withholding information on investigation.
However, Marlene was never testified against, therefore never charged and released as a manipulated minor.

Discriminations:
Marlene still carries issue with certain muggle-borns, despite her desire not to. She has no issue with them as people, but battles against her years of conditioning and social standing within pureblood circles when interacting with them in the wizarding world. She means them no ill will however and recognises that they are also exceptionally talented witches and wizards.

Dominance:
Marlene is a dominant person, who gets her way 99% of the time. She likes order and structure, mostly exercised at Christmas, which her friends follow to keep the peace so long as it’s not harmful.

Ego:
Marlene’s ego is complex – while physically she knows she is stunning and uses it to her advantage, she also feels she has little to offer someone beyond that. She’s unsure of who she is beyond her sexual nature.

Emotional Stability:
Marlene is resilient, that’s for certain. But once darkness plagued her thoughts it began to show through erratic actions and unstable emotions, mostly expressed through anger or impatience.

Expression:
Marlene is blunt, but she also uses the way she dresses as a communication tool. Few see her in track clothes or makeup free, but there’s an implicit trust expressed when they get to see her at 4am on the Pitch, or hitting the pavement.

Humor:
Marlene is dry and sarcastic, she likes witty repartee. She loves seeing the marauders and Prewett’s pranks, but could never think up something like that herself

Liveliness:
Marlene doesn’t sleep much – she has too much to do. She’s lively but not hyper active or over exuberant. She knows when to play it cool and when to be enthusiastic.

Mannerisms:
It depends on the social circle, but Marlene can appear rude or tolerant. She would very rarely be seen as kind by specators, but could be seen as loving, if they say her with the right person in the right environment.

Patience:
Marlene is impatient, she needs full control over things and needs them to happen on her schedule.

Reputation:
Marlene is respected simply because of the persona she projects, not because of the person she is. She is a typical popular girl in school, but the real world will create a sure shock and personal growth.

Sociability:
As an extrovert Marlene feeds and recharges from interaction with others. Isolation is one of her fears, so she prefers to not be alone whenever she can help it. Hence the parties she and Dorcas used to throw.

Status:
Popular. Marlene is one of the most popular and simultaneously feared girls at Hogwarts. People want to be her, but not particularly too near to her, except for the rub off effect of being accepted by the Queen of the Gryffindor rich kids. Regina George of Hogwarts.

School and Work

Average Grade:
Marlene will barely pass her seventh year, on the okay from Professor’s, after failing two subjects and barely passing some others with an acceptable. Marlene has the potential to be great academically, but doesn’t apply herself. Surprisingly, she would have done well in the department of mysteries with her grasp on charmwork, magical theory and runes however she does not have the qualifying outstanding in DADA or transfiguration as required. Marlene may find her charmwork and fascination with jewellery and fashion could serve a productive future in enchanted accessories. After a troublesome year I do solemnly wish Marlene finds her feet and will be available should she ever have need.
– Minerva McGonagall, 7th year report written to Grandmother McKinnon.
Herbology: D
DADA: EE
Transfigration: A
Charms: O
Potions: A
Astronomy: EE
History of Magic: A
Magical Theory: O
Study of Ancient Runes: O

Education:
Seventh year of Hogwarts.

Extracurricular:
Choir.
Gryffindor Quidditch Team.
Chess club (for one term in second year because a guy was cute.)

Study Habits:
Marlene studies sporadically; whenever Lily would pressure her to get an assignment done, or whenever there was nothing better to be doing. 7th year saw her researching a lot more, but little to do with school work.

Learning Type:
it depends on the day.

Occupation:
Marlene doesn’t have a job; she counted on being a professional Quidditch player.

Transportation:
Apparition or broomstick. Train, at times. Rarely floo – it frizzes hair.

Wealth
Class: Upper upper.
Debt: None.
Dependents: The Order of the Phoenix.
Funds:
Bank: 9,785,687,542 galleons, 765,843 sickles, 1,435 knuts.
Personal Funds: 150-200 Galleons.
Income: 54,002 galleons per year from previous business investments and interest. (The McKinnons own a portion of the Leaky Cauldron and have majority shares in various wand wood companies.)

Intrapersonal Connections

Immediate Family:
Leonard McKinnon – father (deceased).
Kathlene McKinnon (nee Leroux) – mother (deceased).
Broderick Fawcett -half-brother.

Close Relatives:
Phineas McKinnon II – Great Grandfather (deceased).
Arabelle McKinnon (nee MacDonald) – Great Grandmother (deceased.)
Cepheus McKinnon II – Grandfather (deceased).
Elladora McKinnon (nee Honeylock) – Grandmother.
Tiberius McKinnon II – Uncle (deceased).
Phoebe McKinnon (nee Flint) – Aunt (deceased).
Falcon McKinnon – cousin (deceased).

Distant Relatives:

Scarlett Honeylock is a distant cousin.
Mary MacDonald's great something something is the woman who ruined the McKinnon pureblood sacred 28 status.
All pureblood families are interrelated somehow. Grindelwald, Longbottom and McKinnon have been tied in since the earliest records.

Ancestors:
The McKinnon history is interesting and filled with dark witches and wizards. Some have biographies filled in on FamilyEcho.com (login: maraudersera). Eg: Twins that were lovers and therefore murdered by their older brother. Marlene's great-grandfather murdered his wife after finding out she lied about her blood status.

Acquaintances: Remus Lupin. Peter Pettigrew.
Allies: Order of the Phoenix.
Enemies: Antonin Dolohov. Travers. Lord Voldemort. Lucius Malfoy. Death Eaters.
Followers: Minella & Arabella Turpin
Friends: Doc the House Elf, Dorcas Meadowes, Sirius Black. Formerly James Potter and Lily Evans.
Heroes: Female Quidditch Players. Leonard McKinnon (before his dark reveal).
Inspirations: Kathlene Leroux (the witch BEFORE she married Leonard McKinnon.)
Pets: A cat. (deceased).
Rivals: Hestia Jones.
Role Models: Mr & Mrs Potter.
Subordinates: The Turpin sisters. Whoever else is in her path.



Combat

Signature Move: Disillusionment Charm.
Specialty: Charms.
Strengths: Charms; Defensive/Protection spells.
Weaknesses: Physical combat; Offensive spells.

Physical Characteristics

Nationality: British.
Skin Color: White, naturally quite pale, but tans on the astronomy tower.
Height: 178cm
Weight: 64kg
Scars: Temporary vow markings; fading scarring from McKinnon House fire.
Piercings: Ears
Tattoos: N/A

Health and Fitness

Abnormalities: N/A
Addictions: N/A
Aids: N/A.
Allergies: N/A
Diseases: N/A
Disorders: Likely narcissistic
Medication: N/A
Vulnerabilities: N/A
Fitness: High during Quidditch season, slackens during off season. Gets fleshier around thighs.
Hygiene: Impeccable.
Martial Arts: No experience.
Maximum Load: Dorcas Meadowes.
Posture: Straight back, shoulders back, breasts forward and chin high.
Scent: Strawberries and vanilla… berries. Feminine. Flirty. Floral.


Sexual Characteristics

Gender: Female
Orientation: Straight
Sex Life: Seemingly promiscuous, yet slept with only three people.
Virginity: Lost to Gideon Prewett at 16.
First Love: Gideon Prewett.
Love Interests: Gideon Prewett, Evan Rosier, Sirius Black.
Marital Status: Single.
Significant Other: N/A.

Residential Characteristics

Abode: Mansion
Citizenship: English
Culture: Pureblood.
Hometown: Godric’s Hollow
Traditions: All ended with her parents deaths.
Sleep Patterns: Sleeps 9pm-5am, with a rigorous fitness regime in the mornings. Then returns to bed 6.30am-7.15am. Takes regular naps during depressive episodes.

Vocal Characteristics

Accent/Dialect: Bristolian, same as James.
Impediments: N/A
Laughter: Marlene has three types of laugh: A slight, smothered laugh when she doesn’t want to find something funny. An airy, girly laugh that hides her total lack of disinterest in whatever you’re saying. Thirdly, a loud, clear laugh with the occasional thigh slap when something is truly funny. The third is reserved for only the closest of friends.
Pitch: Marlene’s pitch changes with her mood. It can be low and calm, or it can be high, shrill like when enraged. Generally, quite middle ground.
Range: From banshee to normal in .03 seconds.
Volume: Unless purposely commanding someone, Marlene’s voice is actual quite low. It doesn’t carry.


Development

Personal: Marlene’s personal growth is ongoing as she suddenly finds herself alone in a vast world she thought she understood but doesn’t. She has to adapt to her new way of life – and the causes within it – while making amends for the actions of her past.

Social: Socially Marlene has always been at ease, for social engagements mean pretend faces of happiness and polite banter, or alcohol fuelled drama. She’s always been quite fine with both, although she is attempting to become more gracious, however boring it might be.

Physical: Marlene went from braces and frizzy, untameable long blond hair, to a gorgeous, smiling curly blonde over the summer between fourth and fifth years. She also began to fill out properly during fifth year, just as Dorcas did. Now as she reaches graduation she is considering which direction to take – the gracious, classically presented path of her mother, or set a new one in which she shows who Marlene McKinnon is, the fast moving, unpredictable, leather loving girl.

Spiritual:
Marlene has no spiritual connections, but she finds herself talking to empty space when missing her parents.

Defining Moment

Marlene is yet to find her defining moment, for all things that have transpired are not WHO she is, but what she has come from.

Biography

Infancy:
Marlene was spoiled with material objects by her father, and openly loved and spoiled by her mother with affection and kind words. Her mother left her career in the Department of Mysteries behind to raise Marlene.

Childhood: (What was your character's life like from age 4 to age 12?)
Marlene grew to appreciate only the things people could give or do for her. She became a stereotypical silver spoon baby as an only child. Her parents were not the openly loving type like Mr & Mrs Potter, but they were not cold or indifferent either. A well timed kiss to the cheek was affection in their household and so Marlene learnt to appreciate things in place of actions or gratitude. Marlene was inspired as a child but her father’s knowledge of the world and magic, yet thoroughly disheartened whenever her mother would not discuss things of the same calibre with her. (Dept. of Mysteries is truly confidential after all.) Because of this, and her father’s constant work absences, Marlene connected more with Doc their house elf, simply out of spite. She learnt to express her disdain and boredom in fiery tantrums, which would be subsided by her father whenever he came home. She grew to idolise him, her fondest memory was stepping in his footsteps to the door, through the snow after long winter trips away.

Adolescence:
Marlene was at Hogwarts, and a normal spoilt pureblood until the age of 16. She attempted to love openly but began harbouring secrets.

Through the summers Marlene and Dorcas were -unknowingly- being preened by Leonard McKinnon for a purpose far greater than they could comprehend.

Adulthood: We’re yet to see. She imagines a property someplace, with homey blankets and candles, rock records in the background, ashtray by the window and much, much smaller than the mansion she once adored. The sound of the city, or the sea… she isn’t sure yet. Maybe with a dark haired boy tangled in the sheets, his motorbike parked out front. It’s all a fantasy for her at this point in time.

Seniority: N/A.