Author's Note: This one is a little different from the rest, mostly because it's not a particular event. But I hope you enjoy it! Don't forget to review (:
Childhood
Marlene McKinnon grew up as the youngest in the family. She had three brothers, Max, Mark, and Michael, who were seven, five, and three years older than her respectively. Being the old girl she was often spoiled, and being a member of a very powerful wizarding family, her parents had a lot to spoil her with. Her brothers always made sure to keep her in check by frequently beating her up and including her in their rough activities. Looking back she felt like she owed them for that, actually. But the McKinnons were a relatively normal and happy family and Marlene was grateful for that.
You could almost say Marlene had four brothers, because James Potter was a frequent visitor to the house and a constant companion of Marlene. Mr. and Mrs. Potter were a few years old than the McKinnon parents, and while they had just known each other in Hogwarts their relationship had strengthened over the decades like most do not. Marlene supposed she owed them a great deal for giving her a best friend.
Marlene's life had been handed to her on a silver platter. Her parents gave her everything she wanted and more, and she did as she pleased. After all, her parents spent a vast majority of their time working and her brothers practically raised her when they were home. But a harsh reality sunk in upon arriving at Hogwarts. There was discipline and work and lots of rules. And most importantly not everyone had it as easy as she had. But it resulted in a laid back attitude and resistance to do work, so finding company in the Marauders was natural. Lily Evans was always there to save her if things got too out of control, thankfully. Trouble didn't really start until she was fourteen, and had grown into an exceptionally pretty girl with a party reputation and lots of attention from the older boys. Everything always sorted itself out though, and there was always someone to protect her if she needed it (which sometimes she did).
Looking back, Marlene realized how much she missed her childhood, when the world was at her command and she could do anything. It was a simpler time (most notably there was no war) and maybe if things stayed like that, she thought, she wouldn't be running for her life at twenty one.
