take it easy }{ [open]

[marlene edith mckinnon]

As Marlene nodded off over her toast, she contemplated how the person who scheduled Defense Against the Dark Arts in the first period must be absolutely evil. Especially since after DADA, Marlene was free until Transfiguration at the end of the day. Actually, let’s just call the whole schedule awful and be done with it. Marlene had no desire to go to class after having the afternoon and most of the morning off, and, if possible, she had even less than no desire to get up for one class when the following one was hours away. It seemed like a waste of clothes.

The sixth year was lucky she was getting to eat at all, for the only thing worse than DADA at 8:30 in the morning was DADA at 8:30 in the morning on an empty stomach. The night owl’s alarm had gone off at least four times that morning, with Marlene slamming the snooze button every time. She should really invest in an alarm with snitch technology; she had heard that they floated out of reach, forcing you to get up to turn them off. The only thing stopping her was that it sounded a bit disastrous. What if she couldn’t catch it? It would probably be even more annoying for her dorm mates than four or five snoozes in a row. Which seemed to be pretty annoying since someone, finally having had enough, had chucked a black flat at her bed. The thump of an item against her curtain had startled Marlene awake enough that she could sit up and stick her head out of the curtain, looking for the culprit. Everyone had looked suspiciously innocent, or asleep. Hmph. Managing a weak scowl, for Marlene was more grateful than upset, she had washed quickly [because why shower when she was only going to go back to bed in a few hours anyway?], carelessly tossed on her uniform, plaited her hair, grabbed her DADA supplies and wand, and gone down to breakfast.

And here she was, half asleep again now that the adrenaline of having a shoe attack her curtain sanctuary had worn off. Unsurprisingly, the Great Hall wasn’t too full. There was still half an hour before class started, so the rush should start soon, with everyone looking to grab toast on their way to Charms or Herbology, or whatever. Some days Marlene was just as rushed, but she found that she really needed some time to sit and actually eat in order to wake up. It seemed that only a few people were the same way, and of course the first years. They were always so excited at first, sitting down to breakfast in groups, giggling and chatting about all the magic they were learning. Oh, that would fade in a few weeks. After a Transfiguration essay or two.

hey it’s, finished!
cause you’re awesome, open
they’re all, 473
i love them, template @ + stockholm syndrome / lyrics @ the script *live like we’re dying
just letting you know, “(:”

[rita colline skeeter]

come gather 'round people wherever you roam and admit that the waters around your head groan and accept that soon you'll be drenched to the bone. if your time to you is worth saving, then you better start swimming or you'll sink like a stone. for the times they are a changin'

[/i][/size][/center]

When you didn't exactly have class early in the morning it was odd to see you in the corridors before ten that day. Rita, however, was just bursting at the seems to get this year going. She rarely slept in late and never went to bed early, there was just so much to accomplish in so little time. The sixth year had been through all stages here at Hogwarts, but this year was seemingly the most important. She silently cursed herself for ever sleeping in late her third and fourth years, knowing full well that she could have been further up the food chain if she hadn't done so, and she berated herself for laying in bed sick most of fifth year too. How could she succumb to such fragile moments, she was strong, proud Rita. Of course that pride wouldn't let her run into anyone looking like a mess so she was up promptly at seven each morning for that vital time in front of the mirror.

She put on her Ravenclaw robes first, straightening the tie and lifting the skirt ever so slightly. She wore tights instead of stockings, and black pumps with a silencing charm on their heals. No need to sound too prissy when all you wanted was that secret that everyone was hiding. She fixed her hair in a loose bun and applied the basic make-up to just give a generally pretty look. She kissed the mirror and left for breakfast, passing no one in the corridors on her way to the great hall. A very slight rumble emitted from the great hall, and peering in quickly before waltzing onwards Rita took in a handful of familiar faces and a couple gaggles of first years enjoying the butterflies in their stomach and worries filling the brain. The house colors waved above their respective tables, but Rita disregarded them, spotting a much more interesting Gryffindor to chat with this morning.

Marlene McKinnon was in Rita's year, and a wonderfully intriguing personality. This one girl had so far managed to escape Rita's quill and she sadly hadn't ended up in any gossip filled story of fiction in the Hogwarts Press. Such a waste of perfectly good female emotion. Rita scooted her way towards the girl and started placing odds and ends on her plate. A small pastry here, a less than serving of eggs there, and a full goblet of pumpkin juice were the energizing jump start to a day full of classes and relationships. Hogwarts wasn't all about wand work, there was all kind of magic firing in teenage bodies, and all kinds of ruckus to enjoy. Rita glanced over at Marlene and gave a friendly, early bird smile. "Good morning. You must not be used to being up so early, what brings you to breakfast?" She spoke, looking her up and down and finally landing a glance at her tousled hair.

[/font][/justify]

four ninety one words
the early bird gets the worm

[marlene edith mckinnon]

For a few brief seconds Marlene was quite confused. Had she sat down at the Ravenclaw table by accident? The Gryffindor manage to pull herself out of her stupor to glance around the great hall. The banners were all the in their usual positions... The rest of the people at the table had scarlet and gold ties... Nope, she was sitting in the right spot. It was Rita who was confused.

Or, you know, looking to cause trouble. Perhaps both? Rather uncharitable thoughts from someone who’s name had never been dragged through the mud by Miss Skeeter and her friends, but Marlene had watched her cut a path of destruction through the school. Her pen was indeed mightier than a sword, and she had managed more public scenes and moments of embarrassment than the Slytherin quidditch team did whenever they so much as mounted their brooms. No small feat. Yes, Marlene was indeed insinuating that the Slytherin team was awful. This early in the term, that could be a sign of extreme confidence, or extreme delusion.

The Gryffindor cracked a smile, not because she was happy to see Rita, but because she was pleased with her comparison. The smile was quickly wiped though, and replaced with what Marlene considered a pleasantly neutral expression. She looked friendly enough, but Marlene knew better. Rita’s reputation preceded her. It was too early to match wits with the writer, and Marlene would have really liked to tell the Ravenclaw to sod off back to her own table. But, well, it was so early in the term. She didn’t want to spend the rest of her sixth year with some awful rumour dogging her. If she kept the conversation to pleasantries, Rita wouldn’t have a thing to go on. But if she sent the Ravenclaw away, the angry writer might cook up some sort of unimaginable lie. She was a Ravenclaw. They were good at that stuff.

“Good morning, Rita,” Marlene replied politely, ignoring what was probably a jab at her rumpled appearance. It was early! Even if Marlene found wannabe death eaters sexy, which she didn’t, she wasn’t going to get dressed up to learn about werewolves and vampires and unforgivables with a bunch of Slytherin idiots. “I have defense at 8:30,” the simple explanation was punctuated with a yawn. Marlene sincerely wished they stuck to theory this morning, she didn’t feel like mock duelling anything today. “And yourself? What is it this morning, potions?” Marlene grimaced. Such a hated class. She didn’t know how people like Lily could excel at something that required one to sit still for such long periods of time, in a poorly ventilated room. “You’re awfully cheerful, was it cancelled?” If defense was cancelled, Marlene would be in bed so fast the portraits left in her wake would be upside down. But, uh, other people had a bit more restraint than Marlene.

hey it’s, finished!
cause you’re awesome, rita skeeter
they’re all, 483
i love them, template @ + stockholm syndrome / lyrics @ the script *live like we’re dying
just letting you know, “haha, marlene doesn't like worms, so rita is more than welcome to the lot. (:”

[rita colline skeeter]

come gather 'round people wherever you roam and admit that the waters around your head groan and accept that soon you'll be drenched to the bone. if your time to you is worth saving, then you better start swimming or you'll sink like a stone. for the times they are a changin'

[/i][/size][/center]

Marlene responded nicely to Rita's presence, something that almost never happened around the school. Be warned all future reporters, by about sixth year you'll be judged before you even put quill to parchment. Rita smiled casually back at the girl, thanking merlin for her good luck at finding someone who would trade words this morning, and she took small bites of her pastry. A few more students found their way to the great hall, chatting about and ready for classes. Rita was just enjoying the morning, excited for the free period that followed. "I'm actually free for a while, thank goodness, time to relax before classes start." She flipped her hair back and glanced down at the table covered with food.

Now Rita wasn't much one for pigging out, but she didn't exactly starve herself either. Blessed with a high metabolism and an active lifestyle, she usually ate to her hearts content at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Still her small figure stayed manageable and boys were happy to take her out on dates. She wasn't one to order water and a salad. Marlene looked just as thin as Rita, and just as pretty if she allowed herself a little extra time spent on looks. Pointing to the pastries, bursting with jelly, Rita nudged Marlene. "These are wonderful. You should try one." She grabbed the pastry and set it right o the edge of Marlene's plate, and gave her an encouraging smile. "Trust me, it's not too fattening."

Rita could sound vain many times, and just plain rude others, but she generally didn't mean it. Part of her realized that people put up with her just to stay on her good side, but she insisted that she wasn't a bad person. Marlene could be chubby and Rita would still treat her the same, or at least relatively the same. And that counted for any girl at Hogwarts. This year there were more pressing matters than weight, boys, and classes though. Leave it to Rita to try and focus on the small things too. The rest of the great hall was enjoying their meals, but some were worried about classes and some were worried about death eaters. Rita couldn't say that she was always cheerful, though Marlene and others often noticed that optimistic disposition, but she could say that she tried too look on the bright side. Chances are she wouldn't have to do anything brave or dangerous, but she would be there to help spread the word. Rita was one of those sit on the side-lines type of people, but somehow she found her way into to the center of attention when people read her work. Right now it was just the Hogwarts Press, but eventually it would be something bigger. She could see it now, Rita Skeeter, world class writer. And it was all starting with the here and now, with Marlene, maybe her next subject.

[/font][/justify]

four eighty six words
oh thanks : P

[marlene edith mckinnon]

Some of it was Marlene being a tad too idealistic, but also she was arrogant. Not so arrogant that she wasn’t guarded around Rita’s poisonous quill, but arrogant enough that she really thought Rita wouldn’t be able to touch her. There were no romances floating on Marlene’s horizon, no boyfriend, as far as she knew she wasn’t fighting with any friends. She was even making rather decent grades. Unless Rita suddenly turned into a blood purist, there really wasn’t much to write about. And even then, it wasn’t anything Marlene hadn’t heard before. Some of the Slytherins had an imagination for insults that no doubt caused many of the witty and imaginative Ravenclaws to drool.

The first hurdle had already been jumped. Marlene had refrained from telling the journalist where she could shove her quill. If she stuck to simple conversation and continued to be friendly enough, Rita would eventually have to admit defeat and go off in search of her next victim. Maybe Marlene could even point her in the direction of someone... Holden, perhaps. He was always doing something awful to someone, somewhere. Yes, if the opportunity presented itself, Marlene would vacate the hot seat and shove a Slytherin on it faster than you could say, “Gryffindor!”

Marlene smiled again, quite pleased with her plan. She even visibly relaxed ever so slightly as she focused her limited attention on the Ravenclaw next to her. “Not too fattening?” the Gryffindor echoed, slightly confused, now tense again. Well, it was nice while it lasted. Was Rita calling her pudgy? Marlene was a highly active individual, what with quidditch and all. She also ran for fun, even though everyone told her it was hard on the knees and a pretty muggle thing to do. Witches and wizards didn’t need to run, they could just apparate! Silly people with wands. One didn’t run to go places, one ran because it felt good. Like the high from smoking marijuana, except you had to get sweaty. Plus, it helped her keep in shape between quidditch seasons.

Discreetly, the sixth year pinched her side furthest away from Rita. It didn’t feel any fatter than usual. Was Rita just trying to mess with her? Marlene stared at the pastry before deciding that she shouldn’t show any weakness in front of the Ravenclaw. She’d only pounce on it, like a lioness. Besides, those pastries were really good, so it’s not like it was some sort of huge sacrifice on Marlene’s part. “The house elves are fabulous cooks aren’t they?” Marlene responded evenly but a bit coolly, before biting into the delicious jelly pastry.

“So...” Marlene was at a loss for words. She wasn’t sure she had anything in common with the Ravenclaw, especially with the sly insults Rita kept sending the Gryffindor’s way. She just knew she had to pick a safe topic and stick to it. “You’re a morning person then?” Lame, McKinnon. She could only blame the early hour for her sluggish observations and questions.

hey it’s, finished!
cause you’re awesome, rita skeeter
they’re all, 500
i love them, template @ + stockholm syndrome / lyrics @ the script *live like we’re dying
just letting you know, “XD Haha, you're welcome!”

[rita colline skeeter]

come gather 'round people wherever you roam and admit that the waters around your head groan and accept that soon you'll be drenched to the bone. if your time to you is worth saving, then you better start swimming or you'll sink like a stone. for the times they are a changin'

[/i][/size][/center]

Try as she did to scour Marlene's voice, expression, and stance for some sort of interesting tid bit, Rita wasn't finding anything. The morning was dragging on, breakfast turned from peaceful to annoying, to out right dull, and there was Rita just jumping full of energy to find something to spy on, something to write about, something to at least inquire into. The jelly pastries and early morning classes were so far the only thing on their tongues, but at least they weren't talking about the weather. Rita couldn't get over how boring that was and how thoroughly horrid it is to write about. Rita was one for gossip and scandal, or the hot issue at hand, never the featured article about some owl that made it over seas, or the professor who retired at age three hundred and two. She sat up right and looked awkwardly around the great hall. People were eating jelly pastries everywhere, and Rita was officially out of creativity.

Marlene initiated more conversation, and Rita plastered a polite smile on her face. She tilted her head a little to the left and gave a curt nod. A few strands of wavy blond hair fell into her eyes, and she swept it back slowly. The mumble through out the Great Hall was dying down as most of the students started leaving early for their classes, too anxious to be sitting full of worries and anticipation. A few of the more sluggish older students came in, grabbed a roll, and left again. And there Rita sat perfectly still, only her eyes watching everything happen and then sliding back to look Marlene dead in the face. The silence that ensued was certainly awkward and strange for Rita to be stuck in. It was as if her words had failed her. She didn't have a question for Marlene, or an insult, or any other little interesting fact. Marlene was clean. Perfectly, squeaky clean. She had good grades, worked hard at quidditch, and seemed to avoid scandal at all cost. Was she just dull? Or was Rita losing touch. Heaven forbid the journalist would get writers block.

[/font][/justify]

three fifty seven
sorry it's a little short.

[marlene edith mckinnon]

Oh, Marlene would be deeply hurt if she could read Rita's mind. The sixth year was a lot of things, some of them bad, but none of them uninteresting. She was Marlene Edith McKinnon! There were lots of interesting aspects of her personality! How many female beaters did one come across? There was just Kyndrick! Well, and every beater ever for the Harpies, but still! She loved animals! She could usually be found outside! Marlene partied with the best of them, and often got detention because she liked to skip class for other, more interesting pursuits. Surely there was something, anything, there that might appeal to a gossip hound like Rita.

Of course, if Marlene could move past her indignation [but she wouldn't because Marlene Edith McKinnon was not boring], she would be relieved. She was throwing Rita off her scent, there would be no rumours about her and Bilius floating around, thank Merlin. It was embarrassing to be accused of secretly dating your teammate, especially when he was your fellow beater. Sure, the rest of the blokes, and Ollie, were her teammates, but Bilius was her teammate. Beaters just tended to have even more camaraderie. And no fights would be started between Marlene and her friends because Rita wasn't interested. Surely this was a good thing? And it was a good thing, but Marlene had Gryffindor pride, and pride isn't always, or ever, rational.

But, it didn't matter, because Marlene couldn't read Rita's mind. Though she did sense that Rita was quickly losing interest, and who could blame her? Marlene knew she was being terribly lame. She wasn't prone to gossip, nor was she naive enough to treat Rita like a bosom buddy. The aspiring journalist stared at Marlene, and the Gryffindor stared unblinkingly back. What was going on in the Ravenclaw's head? "Er..." Marlene felt naked under Rita's scrutiny. She knew the other girl couldn't read her mind, but that piercing gaze was a little off putting.

"So, I hear you're starting a journal with Grace Davies. How's that going?" Marlene squirmed in her seat, still uncomfortable. She didn't really care how the journal was going, although she knew Grace was spectacularly dim, so surely there was a story or three there. "Did you hear about Kyndrick's party?" Cowardly, perhaps. But the simple deflection was harmless enough, and wouldn't be bad publicity for Kyndrick.

hey it’s, finished!
cause you’re awesome, rita skeeter
they’re all, 396
i love them, template @ + stockholm syndrome / lyrics @ the script *live like we’re dying
just letting you know, “<3”

[rita colline skeeter]

come gather 'round people wherever you roam and admit that the waters around your head groan and accept that soon you'll be drenched to the bone. if your time to you is worth saving, then you better start swimming or you'll sink like a stone. for the times they are a changin'

[/i][/size][/center]

A journal with Grace Davies...it had happened, now the world knew that Rita was the one writing those things about them. She thought back to the past few days and all of the meetings she'd had with other students in the corridors or the common room. It made sense now, they generally feared her, and that's why people were acting so strangely. Rita sat up a little taller, proud of herself for creating such a wave of emotion across the student body. And then it hit her, and her shoulders slumped back down, and her smile dissolved, and she realized that it wasn't better to be feared, it was better to be loved. Rita looked down at her lap and took to biting her lower lip. "Yeah, that's true."

Rita swallowed hard that lump of worry that settled in her throat, so tiny no one would ever notice it. She smiled at Marlene, that devilish smile she carried around in her pocket for when she came too close to breaking down in front of someone. Rita had grown up to believe that strength was always honored, and never weakness. She shrugged her shoulders. "I didn't know anyone knew about it, but it's going well. I like writing a lot..." Of course she liked writing, it was Rita, everyone but the whining first years knew that, and she patted herself on the back every time she found out an older sibling had warned them about her reputation before they even stepped foot on the Hogwarts Express.

Her eyes lit up at the mention of Kyndrick's party. If Rita Skeeter hadn't learned about this event then her journalism career was on the fast track to failure. Rita clapped her hands and giggled before Marlene, letting into that truly geeky side of her that got excited over things like this. Things like this were chances to move up on the totem pole, they were chances to talk to Holden Avery, they were chances to dig deep into people's personal lives and broadcast it. Rita always wanted to be wherever the news was, no matter what kind of news it was, so that she could spread the word to those pour unfortunate souls that couldn't attend the party of the year. "Yes I have. It'll go unmatched all year. Well, unless she throws one at the end of term too. Do you think she will?!" Rita chiseled away at the block, she'd have a successful publication yet.

[/font][/justify]

four fourteen
she gets so excited ^__^

[marlene edith mckinnon]

“Well... Isn’t that...” Marlene paused, searching for the right word. She didn’t want to lie, but she didn’t want to be a complete bitch. “Interesting. I’m sure it will be very interesting.” Marlene wasn’t a Seer, but it didn’t take any sixth or seventh senses to know that at the very least, the newspaper would be very interesting. You know, in a train wreck sort of way. Where one couldn’t look away, because the carnage was swift and violent. Rita probably knew exactly what she was doing, but Marlene had to question the sanity of the rest of the people involved. Gracie Davies was notoriously dim. Marlene recalled a conversation from fifth year Defense Against the Dark Arts, where the Hufflepuff had insisted that the Astronomy professor was an assassin. Just remembering the conversation made Marlene want to laugh. Professor Valter. An assassin.

“Oh, I’ve been talking to Kenny,” Marlene shrugged casually. “He said it would look good to the Prophet if he snapped some photos for a school newspaper?” Marlene wasn’t sure how it worked. Doing anything artsy in the magical world was a mystery to her. She knew that NEWTS marks were very important for any career she might be considering, curse breaker, dragon tamer, magizoologist... But NEWTS couldn’t judge someone’s ability to draw, or play a musical instrument, or take photographs. “Well, with everything that happens around this place, I’m sure you’ll get plenty to write about. Even if you’re just covering quidditch games.” Would Rita even cover quidditch games? Marlene couldn’t say. Maybe just the fighting leading up the event, when tempers were running high and Slytherin’s inferior team members were worrying about looking bad next to the other, more fabulous and sporty houses.

But there was no need to think about Slytherin and their underhanded tactics, because Marlene had said the magic words to Rita. Though she should have worried, the way Rita’s eyes lit up about Kyndrick’s party only made Marlene laugh. The Ravenclaw looked like a kid in a candy shop. Marlene was excited, too, but probably for different reasons. An opportunity to hang out with the other Gryffindors, and her friends in other houses, drink too much firewhiskey and make some mistakes. Mistakes that Rita would only be too happy to capture. “Well, I can’t see why not, but even if she doesn’t, I’m sure someone will throw one. It is Hogwarts, after all. It will be Gryffindor’s turn next, and then Hufflepuff will probably throw one. Quidditch parties... I think it will be a successful year, party wise. It’s also Kyndrick’s last year, so she’ll want to make sure she’s remembered.” Mar loved the Hogwarts party scene, and always tried to make an appearance. Most of the Gryffindor gang did.

hey it’s, finished!
cause you’re awesome, rita skeeter
they’re all, 459
i love them, template @ + stockholm syndrome / lyrics @ the script *live like we’re dying
just letting you know, “I adore Rita. (:”

[rita colline skeeter]

for the times they are a changin'

[/i][/size][/center]

Marlene's nonchalant comments were one thing, but a nonchalant comment about Rita's dearest Ivan were a completely different story. This wasn't just your run of the mill journalism, this was a scandal, hot off the presses! Rita bit her tongue, ready to spat out all kinds of awful things about the kind of couple Marlene and Ivan would make. See Ivan had that way about him, extremely romantic and charming, and all the wonderful things a lady would want, and Marlene wasn't going to snag prince charming from under Rita's nose. Not if Rita had anything to do with it. Kyndrick's party was now far from Rita's ever turning gears, parties would come and go the way this place was run, they were old news.

She slapped her hands on the table and gave a large beaming grin in Marlene's general direction, though her eyes peered of past her ear. She couldn't stand looking into those eyes right now. "Ivan! Oh Marlene you have to come with me!" She stood up, flattening out her skirt in a rush as it had flown up and given the entire great hall a two second flash of her laced, white knickers. She giggled, running a polished hand through her hair, and pulled on Marlene's sweater. "It'll be quick, I'll make sure you get to class on time, but I just had this brilliant idea!" She had a brilliant idea of course, one that made her feel all rejuvenated about this nasty Ivan business. She was going to do Marlene a small favor, and herself an even bigger one.

The girls bathroom wasn't far off, and Rita was already itching to accio her hair supplies and a bundle of make-up. Ivan of course fell for girls just they way they were, which was the greatest and most romantic thing about him. So Rita thought she'd stay herself and she'd show Marlene a thing or two about make-up. If all went well, well Rita would find herself in Ivan's lap, laughing about the latest photograph he took of them snogging. And Marlene would look so far from the girl he had crushed on that he wouldn't even think twice about it. And the Hogwarts Press would broadcast the many troubled relationships of Hogwarts right along side the good ones. It was the plan of the century, if only Rita had stopped to realize that Ivan didn't base his life on looks.

[/font][/justify]

four hundred and eight
Rita just thinks too fast haha.

[marlene edith mckinnon]

Oh dear. Poor Marlene, caught up in some sort of morbid love triangle that she still didn’t know existed! Of course everyone knew that Ivan Kendell and Rita Skeeter were friends, best friends in fact, and that Rita’s two co-writers, Grace Davies and that other one Marlene could never remember, were also in that little group. But, Marlene honestly had no idea that there was some sort of attraction there. Not that it would have stopped her if there had been. Marlene was very much of the opinion that if two people wanted to be together, it would happen. There was none of this dibs stuff. Take James Potter and Lily Evans. Sure, Lily had that thing with Severus Snape, but James had been so convinced that Lily was the one for him, he had relentlessly pursued her, and pretty much shunned the other girls who might be interested in him. It wouldn’t have made any sense for another girl to try to date James, not while his feelings for Lily were so strong!

Er, not to insinuate that Marlene was in love with Kenny or anything. Love was the furthest thing from Marlene’s mind. She wasn’t even dating the bloke for Godric’s sake! They had been exchanging some notes while in the library together, and they had made plans to meet up. There hadn’t been a date yet, though if he asked, Marlene already knew she’d say yes. She quite loved going on dates, either with a boy or with friends. It didn’t matter. Although, perhaps Kenny would eventually be more than a friend. He really did fascinate Marlene; he was completely reserved, but so direct and open with his intentions all at the same time. The combination made for some interesting conversations.

“Yes, Ivan, why – “ Marlene was going to ask why that warranted an exclamation, but Rita was off like a rocket. Was that a flash of knickers? What in the world? “Why do I have to go with you?” Rita and Marlene were not the best of friends, and Marlene was instantly suspicious of going anywhere with Rita. What if this was one of her broom closet interviews? Marlene wasn’t signing up for direct quotes! “What’s the idea?” Still pretty reluctant, Marlene brushed away Rita’s hand and even recoiled a bit.

“I’m not sure that’s a good idea, Rita... Why do we need to go to the loos?” If Marlene didn’t know about Rita’s crush on Ivan before, well, she was certainly slowly cluing in. Rita’s instant about turn was a little suspicious, and sending off alarm bells in Marlene’s head. “DADA’s kind of far away, and I really don’t want to be late.”

hey it’s, finished!
cause you’re awesome, rita skeeter
they’re all, 448
i love them, template @ + stockholm syndrome / lyrics @ the script *live like we’re dying
just letting you know, “Haha, Mar's going to need some convincing of this one.”

[rita colline skeeter]

for the times they are a changin'

[/i][/size][/center]

Rita, for a moment, bit her lip in uncertainty. How was she going to convince Marlene that she needed to not only follow Rita but play into her palms? After all, the girls had never spoken to each other before that very morning, and Rita assumed Marlene was still kind of hoping their relationship could stay on a...we've got nothing to talk about basis. Of course, if Rita's good friend hadn't been in the picture she'd be right along that same track. The eldest Mckinnon had plenty of shocking news stories to make up for her younger sister, and Skeeter was so busy, she barely had time to think up another feature article. This, however, was outside her normal rein of editor and chief, this was real life.

Rita fussed with her hair and her skirt and her hands, she hadn't thought this through and that was probably showing through. For some strange reason, plans and schemes always fell apart when it wasn't for her paper. Rita could get the quote, watch the quidditch match, and spill the tale that James Potter had lost the match on purpose to please his new best bud Kentwood. But she couldn't sabotage a relationship and not put it in writing, she couldn't even wrap her mind around why she wanted to. Ivan had always been a friend, and only just a friend. Rita was okay with that. She talked to him like normal, and didn't have to be treated like the scum of the earth for some journalism mistake she made two years ago -- though Rita made a lot of mistakes in those early years. Ivan was her buddy, the photographer. He added spice to her articles and spice to her life, and it wasn't until he was almost gone from her that she realized he might be what she's been wanting. She shook her head, Ivan and her, together? It was a little strange to think about, but then again, she usually forgot to count her heart in the process.

"After Defense then!" Rita looked up at Marlene, a look of hope dancing in her eyes. She could have been talking to a girl in their third year, asking to hang out like normal friends, but she wasn't. She was talking to a threat, in their sixth year, with the brains to think and act for themselves. It would be too late to make friends now, and it would be too late to turn out as anything close to normal. Rita was hoping that Marlene would fall for it, take the bait, follow Rita into the dark. Rita was hoping she could keep it under wraps. "Please Marlene, it would mean a lot to me." She said, her voice quavering in nerves but sounding as if it was quavering in loneliness.

[/font][/justify]

four hundred seventy
^__^

[marlene edith mckinnon]

Marlene felt that she was starting to get the picture. Minutes ago Rita had seemed bored out of her skull, and on the verge of running off and publishing the headline, ‘Marlene McKinnon: The last boring Gryffindor.’ Now, the Ravenclaw was consumed with a sudden desire to get Marlene alone. In the toilets no less. It had to have something to do with Kenny. Marlene was no genius, nor was she particularly intuitive, but this was a little obvious. It was like Kenny was some sort of magic word that turned Rita into a madwoman.

Was it possible that Rita was so upset because she didn’t think Marlene was good enough to date her good friend Ivan? What! Now Marlene was quite indignant. The idea that maybe Rita had a thing for Ivan briefly crossed Marlene’s mind, but she immediately batted it away. They would be dating by now, surely. They had five years, possibly more. Wasn’t it true that the pair had known each other outside of Hogwarts? Marlene frowned at Rita, trying to see beyond the journalist persona. Marlene could be quite self-absorbed at times, not that she ever realized it. Now was one of those times. She tried to be reasonable. The Gryffindor took to a deep breath and tried to force herself to remember that being concerned about one’s friends wasn’t terrible. It probably wasn’t anything personal [except it felt personal]!

Marlene forced herself to remember that she would probably want to question someone dating her beloved sister, and anyone interested in her friends. It really wasn’t working, but she tried anyway. She wasn’t close friends with Lily at all, but she had still worried when the other Gryffinndor spent so much time with Snape. Slytherins just couldn’t be trusted. Yes, Marlene would even worry about idiotic cousin Ludo if he ever branched out and dated someone other than her best friend, Dorcas.

But still! This was Marlene McKinnon! Not Bellatrix Black or any of the other Slytherin slags. Marlene brushed her fingers through her hair self-consciously. The conversation had lagged briefly as both girls lost themselves in their respective thoughts. But now Rita was talking again, and looking at Marlene with those sad doe eyes, and her voice quivering just right. It never once crossed Marlene’s mind that perhaps Rita Skeeter was acting. Marlene was neutral on Rita, sure she gossiped a lot, and caused so many fights, but... Kenny liked her, so she couldn’t be so bad, and certainly wasn’t malicious. Right?

Right?

Marlene sighed deeply, and against her better judgement nodded her head. “Sure. I’ll, uhm, meet you in the bathrooms after Defense. Then we can discuss... whatever it was you wanted to discuss.” If this was supposed to be a good deed, then how come instead of feeling good, all Marlene felt was an impending sense of doom?

“The fourth floor toilets? Then we won’t have to deal with Moaning Myrtle.” So much for that nap Marlene had been looking forward to.

hey it’s, finished!
cause you’re awesome, rita skeeter
they’re all, 448
i love them, template @ + stockholm syndrome / lyrics @ the script *live like we’re dying
just letting you know, “Oh dear. Her arrogance and indignation is making her underestimate Rita. I hope Rita goes for the throat. XD”

[rita colline skeeter]

I moved us. Here So we can do the bathroom bit lawl.