Author's note: This chapter has been edited since it's original publication.
Part Fifteen
December, 1953
Five years later.
It was a rather wet, blistery night in London. Christmas lights decorated most storefronts and homes, and you could even find an occasional menorah dazzling in a few windows.
Everyone was in high spirits, for the most part. How could you not during the most festive month of the year? Women's heels clicked on the pavement, children's laughter filled the air, and coat tails fluttered in the brisk wind. Snowflakes began to fall around 9 o'clock.
Most people were preoccupied with window-shopping and counting their money to notice a small band of oddly dressed men in cloaks glide down the street. One of those young men was Marden McKinnon. Well, Marden was no longer what you'd consider a young man. He had since grown out of that description. Marden was to turn thirty in just a few weeks. He stood a bit taller, and he had filled out somewhat in his complexion. His same, piercing blue eyes carried a hint of knowledge and wisdom, as well as the misfortune of seeing a many disturbing things in his short time. Dark Wizard catching was not a job for the faint of heart.
He was no longer the wide-eyed apprentice, but a well established and highly respected Auror. He was an incredibly skilled wizard, and rumor has it he was currently being eyed as the next deputy Auror. But, that was all in speculation. Much had changed about Marden McKinnon, and mostly for the better.
When Marden and Ailene broke up, Marden spent three weeks in total isolation. He went to work, but would immediately come home and not answer to anyone. He barely came down for dinner, and he had not spoken to his parents once. The only person he spoke to was his sister, who was incredibly supportive through this difficult time.
Then, Marden woke up weekend, got dressed and paid a visit to Gringott's bank. He requested a vault for his very own use. Extra secrurty was placed around his vault. He told the goblins that no one else was to access his vault but him. Not his parents, not his sister or brother-in-law, not even the Minister of Magic.
He had accumulated a decent amount of gold during his time short time as Auror. So much so, that he could support himself.
In the next few weeks after this, he met a Wizard in Derbyshire to inquire about a cottage at the end of a grassy lane. It was no bigger than Ailene's flat, but it had high windows, a thatched roof, a stove, a fireplace, and a cozy, tucked away atmosphere.
"I'll take it." He said to the wizard, tossing him a decent sized purse of Galleons. Marden then immediately went home, packed his things, and moved out. He did not say a single word to his parents. To his surprise, they took the news quite well, knowing that sooner or later, he'd leave despite their best efforts to fulfill tradition.
Within the next five years, Marden dated occasionally, but a spark was never lit with anyone, never the way Ailene had sparked his fire. He had maybe a handful of one-night stands, and perhaps two flings that only lasted for a few weeks or so. Marden has come to terms with the fact that he will never love another woman the same way he loved Ailene. No one will compare to her, no one will care for him, hold him, laugh with him, or make love to him the same way. No one would ever make his heart soar, or his eyes well with tears the way she did. What's the point in even going through life trying to search for another companion like her? No one could be Ailene Hastings except for Ailene Hastings.
To be quite honest, he'd rather be alone than love someone else.
It was a Saturday evening, and Saturday evenings were spent at the Leaky Cauldron, where the band of Aurors fresh off their shift could drink away and not care about what time they came home or what time they got up the next morning. The small band of wizards talked loudly amongst themselves about various things, the state of the Ministry, supervisors, the new apprentices coming in, and of course, girls.
They stopped at a corner and waited for their chance to cross over to the next block.
But that moment didn't come for Marden. Across the bustling street, walking in the opposite direction was the very woman he had wanted to see again after all these years.
But was it her? He couldn't tell. She was wearing rather heavy make-up, red lips, long lashes, her blonde hair tucked neatly into curls that bounced around her shoulders. She wore a long, heavy coat that came past her knees, and she walked gracefully in pumps. If it was Ailene, she was not how Marden had remembered.
"Micks, where you going?!"
His feet had a mind of their own. He walked briskly to keep up with the woman on the other side of the street. He didn't watch where he was going, slipping passed people and barely missing them. Marden's eyes were glued to what he could only hope was Ailene.
She turned the corner.
He crossed the street instinctively, disregarding policeman whistles and car horns that billowed at him.
His heart was racing and his ears were roaring. He was now only a few paces behind her. He was ready to call out her name when she slipped into a large crowd that waited on the side walk. They were dressed similarly to her, men and women clung to each other's arms to keep warm. They were clearly waiting in line for something. Marden walked into the street and saw they were waiting to get into some sort of theatre or hall. A man at the door was collecting money. He was desperate to go in and see her, but he had no Muggle money of the sort, and he didn't feel like giving any more Muggles golden galleons.
He faltered for a second before continuing down the road a bit, then found an alleyway. Instinct led him down into the darkness, and he found a door onto the side of the building. It was some sort of club, and Marden reached down to open the door, but it was locked.
He quickly looked over his shoulder before drawing his wand and whispering a simple "Alohomora." There was a click, and with that, he slipped inside easily with no detection.
He was greeted with darkness and lots of distant chatter. Chinaware and glasses clinking together. He could see a bright light ahead, and he quickly realized he was backstage. Men dressed in black suits were assembling their instruments, flipping through their music sheets and getting into their respective seats. The curtain had not drawn yet, but Marden stayed close to the walls, where it was still dark. He crept behind a second, black curtain and came around to the other side of the room. There was no sign of Ailene or the woman that resembled her. He then decided to slip down a ramp to an exit. Down below, he quickly melted into the crowd and no one would detect that he didn't belong. Most of the chairs and tables were gathered at the back of the large room, with a large empty space in front of the stage. Marden made for one of the farthest tables against one of the walls when the lights suddenly dimmed, and he stopped dead in his tracks.
The crowd suddenly dispersed to the dance floor, each with a sweetheart on their arm, and gentle music began to fill the room.
The curtains lifted.
There she was.
She was in a white dress that dazzled in the spotlight, illuminating her. She was absolutely exquisite.
Her voice filled the entire room and the all of the pairs below swayed to her voice.
A little love that slowly grows and grows
Not one that comes and goes
That's all I want from you
A sunny day with bolts up to the sky
Her voice was angelic, it floated to the ceiling and fell on your ears like a feather. Marden had never known that she could sing, and sing so beautifully.
Marden's heart swelled in his chest, a warmth filling his lungs.
He was rooted on the spot, his eyes watched the way her body moved along with her voice, her breathtaking smile and her bright chocolate eyes.
A kiss and no goodbye
That's all I want from you
Don't let me down, Oh show me that you care
Remember when you give, You also get your share
Marden felt the urge to run up to the stage, grab her and kiss her. But he didn't move, he couldn't move. He was in a trance, absolutely paralyzed by her voice.
He had to have been under some spell, a trap to lure him in and take him out. Or perhaps she was a Veela. There was no way a woman could possess his heart the way Ailene had done.
Don't let me down, I have no time to waste
Tomorrow might not come, When dreamers dream too late
That's all I want from you
Marden was shaken out of his daze by the loud applause. Ailene curtsied gingerly before retreating backstage and letting another young woman take to the microphone.
Marden's feet moved again. He ran backstage and saw her disappear down a small hallway. His feet picked up the pace, but then a strong hand seized his shoulder.
"What you think your doin?" A rather large, burly Muggle twirled Marden around on his feet. "You aren't allowed back 'ere."
"I was hoping to speak to Miss Hastings. I'm an old friend."
"I don't care who you are or what you do. You aren't allowed back 'ere and she's not to be bothered. There are too many of you blokes comin' and botherin' her. Out with ya!"
Marden restrained himself from using magic as he was picked up briskly by the arm and tossed out the same door he came like a rag-doll. Marden was lucky to land on a few garbage bags.
"Wait!" Marden called after the large Muggle just as he was about to close the door. He stopped and looked down at Marden with an annoyed look.
"Tell her, tell her that Marden McKinnon thinks her voice is beautiful. Please tell her, please." Marden begged. He was given a pathetic snort before the door slammed shut.