tonight tonight [ABC gang]

[Raphael Caelan McLaggen]

31 December 2025

Gloucestershire 

So Raphael was running late, but was that really a surprise? He’d packed and unpacked his bag a million times, second-guessing what he would need and exactly how much of his photography equipment he should bring with him. He was tempted to bring along enough to set up his own mini-studio, but…they were going to go all out for New Year’s and he didn’t want to risk breaking anything. Still, choosing among all his favorites was agony, and by the time he had finally finished, he’d almost missed his Portkey. Addy and Brígh were sure to be waiting for him, but if they weren’t expecting it after 7 years of friendship…then what were they even doing here?

It was going to be the best New Year’s of all time. For starters, he was going to see Brígh again! It had been basically a year, and so much had changed since then – starting their final year of Hogwarts, Addy fuming over losing out on Quidditch captain, and Rafe gaining basically a foot and a half in his long-awaited and highly-overdue growth spurt. He and Addy were best friends of course, but there had been a noticeable absence in their life without the third member of their group. They were also going to be without parental supervision for the first time in forever – Raphael wasn’t sure how the others had swung that, but it had been easy enough for him. He was technically an adult now, and his parents had never really taken much interest in what their youngest got up to. But at any rate, he was sure it was going to be a night to remember.

As he approached the place they had all chipped in for, Rafe adjusted his bag on his shoulder, then got out his phone and started recording. This was their big reunion, after all, and he didn’t want to miss a second of it. He fiddled with the settings for a while before he was happy, then kept the phone propped up with one hand while he used the other to push open the door. As expected, Addy and Brígh were already there and standing together (which was all the better, since it meant he wouldn’t have to stop rolling to arrange them in the shot). “Aaaaaaand finally back from her self-imposed exile, it’s Brígh O’Dalaigh! How about some amazing first words to record for posterity?” he suggested, using his self-dubbed 'narrator voice.' His tone was laced with excitement, even as he kept his concentration centered on his phone -- keeping it level and pointed straight at the girls.

addilyn elara slater
BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH

[addilyn elara slater]

template by punki of adoxography

Don't stop, just keep going on

I'm your shoulder, lean upon

December 31, 2025
BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH , Raphael Caelan McLaggen

New Year's Even, finally, Addy felt marginally relaxed after an interesting holidays with her family. It seemed to be the only time the three slater siblings were in the same room together anymore, Christmas. However, she didn't linger on that thought and instead focused on her current joy and excitement at seeing her best friends. Unfortunately, Brígh hadn't been at school since partly through sixth year. And while she put on a brave face going to glass and Quidditch and doing all the things that seventh years do anymore, she'd felt that void. Fortunately, she hadn't been alone, and she had another longtime best friend Raphael--Cheese at school, but she knew he had missed Brígh as well. After sending Brígh letter after letter, they'd agreed to spend this holiday together--to catch up and also Addy wanted to see her friend's reaction at seeing Cheese post-growth spurt. Addy had long grown accustomed to literally looking to her best friend, but it had taken some time.

The other perk of this was that she was sure that Raphael was tired of hearing her complain about Quidditch. It was Brígh's turn to offer a listening ear. Addy had arrived precisely on time, and she was sure she'd almost wholly knocked over Brígh with the velocity of how fast she had sprinted to hug the red-head. It was good to see her, and she was glad that her father had recovered, but she'd missed her friend terribly. Her phone buzzed, and she pulled away to check the incoming message. Raphael was on his way--late as usual. Addy rolled her eyes. These two seemed to be the epitome of easily distracted when she wasn't around to remind them to do their homework or make sure not to miss their portkey. "No surprise, Cheese is running late." She smiled and dragged Brígh to the entrance of this little place they had rented, knowing very well that pictures were going to be taken first to commemorate this reunion. "So, you excited to come back to school?" Maybe not for the homework, but Addy's social circle would feel complete again.

The door opened, and Addy heard Raphael's familiar voice, already filming, of course, and she smiled brightly at the device that he held in his hand. The question had been directed at Brígh, so Addy kept quiet for a moment to let her speak first.

[BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH]

31 December - cw maybe?

The moment had finally arrived. Brígh was going to see her best friends again. When she'd met Addy in that first year potions lesson, she knew immediately that they would be close friends. Something about the pair of them had just clicked. And when Raphael - Cheese, as they had so affectionately dubbed him, had come into the picture quite literally, an inseparable bond had formed between three unlikely students. The fact that they were all three in different houses, from vastly different backgrounds made no difference. They were the Alphabet Gang. ABC, after their names (and nicknames). Brígh had convinced her mother to let her rent this house with some of the money she'd had saved up - as an adult in the muggle world as well, there was no problem with her renting this cottage smack in the middle of the Cotswalds. And the best part? There was a hot tub.

Brígh was predictably the first one to arrive. She dumped her rucksack in the bedroom at the foot of the massive, four poster bed. She considered the bed, wondering if they would all squeeze into the bed. They were all small enough. Even Cheese was on the runty side. She was sure that no matter the arrangement, they would find a way to pass out at some point in the night. Brígh dug through her bag to retrieve the massive bottle of firewhisky, pack of Guinness (didn't want anyone to forget her true heritage) and a loaf of bread. For health purposes.

Brígh sauntered back into the main room, looking around the quaint cottage. There was an iron fireplace in the corner, a well-loved leather sofa and matching armchair as well as a small oaken table with chairs. She dumped the alcohol on the table and whipped around when she heard the door open again. It had been Addy's and Cheese's incessant letters that hat gotten her through such a tough time. She beamed as Addy shot through the door, making a beeline directly for her. Brígh almost fell over at the force of her hug, and squeezed her fiercely back. "I missed you heaps, you pest," said Brígh affectionately. She'd left her phone in her bag, and peered over Addy's shoulder as the message from Cheese came through. "I don't know what we expected. Firewhisky?" asked Brígh, slinking over to the cabinets to find three glasses. She poured a generous measure of amber liquid into each.

"Honestly, I can't wait to go back. Love me mam and dad and Bran but spending every waking moment with them was a bit much. Can't wait to have you breathing down my neck for all my assignments ," she added with a mischievous grin. The door opened once more, and a somewhat familiar voice drifted through. In the back of her mind, Brígh knew that it was Cheese coming through the door. She picked up two glasses of firewhisky and was about to offer one to Cheese when she froze. She must have looked quite comical, the gobsmacked look on her face.

The glasses slipped from her slackened grip as Brígh took in the form that was Cheese. "What the fuck, Cheese?" was the only thing she could get out. The tinker of broken glass didn't even deter her. "What the fuck, when did you get hot?!" Brígh exclaimed, her mouth still agape. The last time she had seen Cheese, he'd been apparently pre-pubescent and around the same height as Addy and herself. But now, he towered over the both of them and had really grown into his height. She shook her head, rousing herself from her trance and whipped out her wand to repair the glasses. Unfortunately, there was no recovering the whisky within. "You bloody bastard," she muttered, turning away from Cheese and glaring at Addy. She could have been warned! Brígh busied herself pouring more firewhisky, keeping her face away from them to hide how red she'd gone.

Finally, she was able to regain her composure. She turned back to her best friends, a smile plastered on her face. "Can we do another take?" asked Brígh, knowing her reaction had been comical at best. "Only joking. But honestly, what in Merlin's name happened while I was away? How did you get your hands on a bottle of skele-gro?" She held out the firewhisky glasses to her friends, before taking one for herself. "Sláinte! To an unforgettable night - or not." There was a twinkle of mischief in her eyes at the idea of the plans they had in store.

Raphael Caelan McLaggen addilyn elara slater

[Raphael Caelan McLaggen]

Rafe broke out into a slight smile as he caught sight of his two favorite people in the world, and he felt a warmth in his chest at the thought that they’d finally be able to celebrate together again. He didn’t have that many people in his life – Ella had mostly disappeared since her decision to leave pro Quidditch and join the circus, and he didn’t see her much anymore as a result. The age gap between him and Mickey meant they’d barely spent any time together after starting Hogwarts, and Rafe was just shy enough that making new friends was hard to do. So Addy and Brígh had been his almost constant companions since first year, with the small exception of other Art Club members that Rafe occasionally spent time with. He and Addy had needed to figure out a new dynamic once Brígh had left, and he’d been worried the vibe would be different with her coming back.

But they were as predictable as ever! Raphael lowered his phone slightly so he could center them in the shot, and he gave Addy a nod of approval at the bright smile she shot at the camera. She was the responsible member of the trio, and definitely the only reason he was passing most of his classes. She was driven, and focused, and made sure he was the same whenever they were together. Still, as much as Rafe relied on her to be a strong pillar of support, he hoped she’d be able to relax tonight. And then Brígh…well, it was just like Brígh to add an extra dose (or ten) of drama to any moment. Raphael blushed furiously at her exclamation, and he winced slightly as she dropped the glasses of firewhiskey. “Brígh!” he squeaked, his voice cracking in embarrassment (until he hit the octave she was probably more familiar with). He stuttered a nonsensical response, unable to find any words until he finally whined, “You ruined my shot!”

Then he realized he was still recording, and even worse had caught the whole exchange on camera. Rafe quickly stopped recording and slid his phone into his pocket, face still burning from Brígh’s discovery that he wasn’t the Cheese she remembered. His brother had been the same way – a late bloomer until he finally shot up past six feet. Still, the excitement of seeing Brígh again overrode the embarrassment and he dropped his backpack by his feet and rushed forward to scoop her up in a hug. And yeah, he lifted her up a little so he could spin her – just because he could now. “I missed you,” he said simply as he gently set her on her feet again and grinned at her. “Addy must’ve started slipping Swelling Solution into my pumpkin juice. She’s gone off her rocker since you left.” He wouldn’t have the guts to say that to (or about) just anybody, but there was nobody he was more comfortable with than the rest of the gang. He watched Brígh hold out new glasses of firewhiskey, and Rafe’s face brightened at the idea of another filming opportunity. “Hold on, say that again in a second.” He held the glass in one hand and propped his phone up with the other until the shot was centered around the three glasses of firewhiskey. “Okay, take 2, starting at ‘unforgettable night.’ Try and keep it together this time, Brígh,” he teased as he started recording again.

addilyn elara slater
BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH

[addilyn elara slater]

Don't stop, just keep going on

I'm your shoulder, lean upon

December 31, 2025
BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH ,
Raphael Caelan McLaggen

Addy couldn’t remember the last time she had felt so happy. Considering the rough start to the year, she’d been looking forward to this immensely. Raphael was a good friend, and she was grateful, but she knew they’d both been feeling that void. One didn’t spend all that time with the same group of people and did not feel the absence so profoundly. Fortunately, they’d been able to write though Addy didn’t yet realize she had failed to mention something incredibly obvious. For a while, they had all lingered around the same height, but over the summer and when school began, Raphael had shot up an entire foot. Addy still wasn’t entirely accustomed to it, but she knew that his older brother was still even taller than he was now. Addy had quickly noticed the curious eyes of some of the more dimwitted girls in their class glancing in his direction but had managed to ward them off with a solid glare. Brígh wasn’t surprised either. Their friend was always a few minutes late—which Addy had failed miserably at helping him fix over the past six years. She wondered if he got distracted by something that he felt he needed to take a picture of.

She looked at Brígh and paused a moment before nodding ‘yes’. Her instinct was to say ‘no’, but then she remembered they weren’t at school. There wasn’t homework todo, Quidditch practice to attend, or a Chess Club meeting. They were on break, and this was cause for celebration. Addy rolled her eyes, she never felt that she hovered all that much when it came to her assignments, but Brígh and herself were in most of the same courses, making studying easier. They were all intelligent kids, some just more easily distracted than others. Addy held on to her goal—the same goal every year, she wanted to be at the top of her class, mostly since she hadn’t been made a Prefect or Head Girl. ”Well, I’m sure Cheese will appreciate me paying less attention to his homework when you’re back.” She replied with a playful expression. They both heard the door open and headed toward the familiar voice. However, Addy’s smile and happy expression turned to one of amusement when Brígh absolutely froze.

She jumped back slightly as the glasses hit the ground and shattered. ’When did you get hot?!” Addy burst out into laughter and when Cheese’s voice cracked a bit she couldn’t help but giggle even more. She couldn’t help it, it seemed to have been the typical reaction for the entirety of September—herself included. Just because she was best friends with the boy didn’t mean she wasn’t blind. When she managed to catch her breath, she walked over to Cheese and gave him a quick hug despite his comments. ”I’ve done nothing of the sort.” She insisted it was more that he was getting all the attention about homework and grades usually shared between the two. ”I was hoping your brain would grow, but your skeleton seemed to instead.” Before Addy could grab the firewhiskey Cheese insisted on setting up a shot, she didn’t fight it as she’d learned long ago that it was futile to stop their photographer friend just as much as it was useless to get in Addy’s way when she had a goal in mind. Addy retrieved her glass and toasted with her friends ”To an unforgettable night!”

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[BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH]

Brígh felt her heart soar at the sight of her two best friends in the world, together again with her. Once she'd gotten over the initial shock of seeing a brand new Cheese - did that name still qualify?- she proposed a toast. "Wait, can we still call you cheese? Or should we call you hot Cheese? Like... baked camembert or something?" It was a rare thing for Brígh to be thinking of anything other than food. Her mind processed only three topics - food, her best friends, and the recent addition of sex. She'd have to get into that a bit more with Addy later. She would spare Cheese at the start, but she felt like quite a lot had happened in their separation.

Eyeing the two before her, Brígh couldn't help but beam at her best friends. "The alphabet gang back together at last. Feel like we should have like, an ambulance on call or something," she joked her eyes twinkling. She felt a surge of emotion at the fact that she would regain her normal life so soon, but nothing was quite as precious as these moments in between with the two people she trusted with her life. Cheese lifted her up and spun her around, and Brígh screeched with fear and joy. "Merlin, Cheese, a bit of warning!" said Brígh, her cheeks hurting from the huge smile still stretched across her face. "Suppose we best get all the squeezing out of the way, or we'll be sick all over each other," she said leaping onto Cheese's back as he and Addy embraced. She loved a three-way.

Brígh poured fresh firewhisky, and passed around the glasses, proposing a toast. She rolled her eyes when Cheese insisted on getting the perfect shot. "You'd think someone cast a permanent sticking charm on that thing, with the amount you use it," she teased, but obliged. "Sláinte! To an unforgettable night - or not!" She tapped her glass against Addy's and Cheese's before knocking the whole measure back in one. Her drinking habits had improved in her homestay. Was it an improvement though? Brígh couldn't be bothered to care. She poured more for the three of them without asking permission. "How was that, Cheese? Will you cast me in a melodrama? Think I've got the right stuff for it," said Brígh, leaning against the table. "Oh, did I mention there was a hot tub? How many drinks have we got to go through to get in there because I am already itching to get in," said Brígh, glancing between Cheese and Addy. "Also, need to inspect this new form you've taken on, Cheese. Can you recommend a good cocoon for growth? Always thought I could do with a few more inches. Thoughts, Addy?" asked Brígh, twirling around as if to show off her figure.

Raphael Caelan McLaggen addilyn elara slater

[Raphael Caelan McLaggen]

“Please don’t,” Rafe begged as Brígh started to wonder out-loud about new nicknames. “Cheese is great. It’s perfect. We don’t need adjectives!” She had already been the one to come up with Cheese, all the way back in first-year when his first introduction to most people had been instructing them to ‘say cheese’ for the camera. He’d gotten used to the silly nickname– but if he blushed any harder now, there wouldn’t be anything left except an embarrassed puddle on the floor. Thankfully Addy came to save him with a quick hug. Raphael swallowed thickly at all the usual signs that she was nearby – heart pounding furiously, clammy hands – although he’d learned to ignore them because it just wasn’t going to happen.

He was worried he’d do something stupid, since it seemed to be his signature move, but he was saved by Brígh throwing herself onto his back. He had to let go of Addy to support the dramatic redhead, and he laughed breathlessly at the sudden weight. “As if we’re even close to done,” he joked, straightening slowly so Brígh had to decide between clinging to his back or standing on her own feet again. He accepted his glass and set up his phone for the shot, shooting Brígh a small smile at her usual complaint about the near-constant presence of his camera. It wasn’t a real complaint, since they were both used to his antics, but it didn't matter anyway because wow he’d missed Brígh’s constant monologue and impulse to share her thoughts on everything. “To an unforgettable night!” he echoed, peering into his glass before taking a sip. The firewhiskey burned his throat and he coughed in surprise, although his mouth dropped as he watched Brígh knock back the whole glass with a straight face.

“You’ve been holding out on us, Red,” Rafe accused as he watched her refill the glasses. He took another sip, ignoring how his eyes watered, because he wanted both hands free to stabilize his phone, which was still recording. He ended that video and started another one, just in time for Brígh to start a new stream of thought about the hot tub. Raphael felt his smile widen until his cheeks began to hurt. “How can one person talk so much? Where do you store the air?” He let the camera pan over Brígh’s small figure to emphasize his point. Her question about her height had been aimed towards Addy, but Rafe had perked up at the thought of a hot tub because – that was going to be outside, and he wanted to check out the view. It would look amazing as a backdrop, especially if he fished out his other camera from his bag…so anyway, he wanted to get on that, so he thoroughly ignored all the additional comments about his growth and responded quickly, “Come on Brígh, you look beautiful. Now who’s gonna show us around?” His camera was like its own person to him, so his best friends would be super familiar with his habit of saying 'we' when it was out. Almost subconsciously, he had angled the phone to rest on Addy again. When he got distracted in the middle of a photography session, she always seemed to end up in most of the shots. 

addilyn elara slater
BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH

[addilyn elara slater]

Don't stop, just keep going on

I'm your shoulder, lean upon

December 31, 2025
BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH ,
Raphael Caelan McLaggen

Addy chuckled as Brígh suggested upgrading Raphael’s nickname. She wasn’t sure if it would replace the unique nickname they had bestowed upon him unwillingly back in their first year. Then again, her friend had a point—he was…much different now. Brígh’s very blatant observation that he was now ‘hot’ had not gone unnoticed by Addy either, but she’d had time to grow accustomed to it—among other things. Cheese seemed to be on a similar wavelength that he did not require a new nickname. ”I don’t think there’s a need for that much change, isn’t it enough he’s three feet taller now?” Addy chimed in, moving away from him when Brígh decided that she was going to leap onto his back. While things were still…strange, they seemed to be in an okay place as friends for the moment. Ever since the summer, it had been a slightly turbulent pattern between them. Awkwardness for some time until they felt comfortable again and then things would happen and then back to awkwardness.

She drank her whiskey and grimaced at the taste and the burn. It wasn’t something she regularly participated in. Sometimes she’d seen it in the common rooms, but with her schedule, she didn’t need a hangover getting in the way. But, this was Christmas break, and they weren’t in school and just three friends enjoying the last day before the New Year—just good times, right? She thought about what her brother and sister might say at the sight of her throwing back firewhiskey and trying not to show her inexperience so much. Before she was even over the initial burn of the first drink, Brígh was refilling their glasses again, and she laughed at Brígh’s exuberance. She could only shake her head and give a warm smile. ”Merlin, did we miss you.” Her energy was more than the other two combined at times and very noticeable when missing. Addy looked at the whiskey in her glass and slowly took a sip, it didn’t taste very nice, and she wasn’t used to the burn, but she pushed through.

Brígh mentioned a hot tub, and Addy thought it might be a nice idea. She took another sip of whiskey. She almost inhaled it down the wrong pipe when Brígh suggested they ‘inspect’ Cheese and asked her thoughts about something—she’d missed it from trying not to let the whiskey into her lungs. Coughing a bit, she regained her composure. ”Sorry, what?” Addy felt her face go a little warm though she wasn’t sure if it was the whiskey, choking on whiskey on the mental image of Cheese in the hot tub. But, the last thing she needed was Brígh to figure out something was amiss. She wasn’t sure even when or how to bring up the major events she had missed this past year. Addy smiled and laughed at their banter. Despite everything, she was feeling good and happy. It felt normal to be all together again. ”Yes, give us the tour.” She agreed with Cheese. ”How much whiskey did you bring, Brígh?” She asked curiously.

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[BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH]

Brígh's suggestion at an upgraded nickname was firmly declined. She frowned, feeling every so slightly put out. But it wasn't really that big of a deal, considering she had suggested the name Cheese in the first place. "Mmm, yes, okay. We will stick with Cheese. But blimey, Cheese... I can't get over this. How did you hide it from me this year?" she exclaimed, trotting in a circle around her friend. The trio separated, and Brígh topped up their drinks.

Brígh launched into a monologue, posing for Cheese and chirping what she hoped were Earth shattering couplets. She went on about her acting prowess, and about the cabin in general. She wasn't sure how much investigating the pair had done on their own when she sent them the booking, but Brígh felt inclined to inform them of the hot tub. It was honestly the best part of the place. Finally, her speech came to a close, and she bared her teeth in a feral grin at her two best friends.

Cheese's quip about where she stored all the hot air didn't throw Brígh at all. "Easy, Cheese. Thing is, I've got no brains up here. It's all air," said Brígh with a giggle. She bowed her head as Cheese insisted she looked beautiful. "Even more so in the glow of you two nutters," she added, tipping back some firewhisky before resting her head on Addy's shoulder.

Brígh had always been the energetic one of the group. Addy was the brain, the one who ensured they didn't get killed or worse expelled. Cheese was the heart, capturing moments in which they would revel in forever. And Brígh was the soul, ensuring a positive and chipper attitude even in the darkest days. She was delighted to resume her role after faltering whilst dealing with her da's illness. It was lucky he had made a full and miraculous recovery. It would have been hard to dig out that positivity if things had gone awry. Brígh arched a brow at Addy as she nearly choked on her firewhisky. She'd only mentioned inspecting Cheese. She figured Addy wanted to know the secret behind her stretching jinx, which certainly laid under his clothes. Brígh felt nauseous at the idea of seeing Cheese fully naked though, and frowned.

Cheese slunk off, probably to go set up a film shot, leaving Addy and Brígh well enough alone. Brígh turned to Addy. "Just one bottle of whisky. But luckily, I've been practicing my refilling charms," said Brígh, snatching her wand up from the table where she had discarded it upon entering the cabin. "Tour after hot tub. Now, get into your swimmers," she directed, taking over for Addy at being the bossy one for once. Brígh had worn a black swimming costume under her clothes, and peeled them off easily. She darted through the main room of the cabin out the back.

Brígh froze, taking in the back patio with awe. The host had turned on the hot tub for them before handing over the keys to her. Steam rose in lazy spirals from the heated water, a blue light within creating a mystical and ethereal environment. Fairy lights were strung around, casting a warm glow over the entire scene. Beyond the hot tub, a forest sprawled, tree branches swaying in a nearly non-existent wind. Shivering, Brígh snapped herself out of her reverie and glass in hand, swung a leg over and settled herself amongst the hot tub steam.

Raphael Caelan McLaggen
addilyn elara slater

[Raphael Caelan McLaggen]

“Yeah,” Rafe echoed happily at Addy’s statement about how much they had missed Brígh. He’d almost forgotten her crazy energy – the way she could fill any room with her presence, her ability to smooth over awkward patches and replace them with snarky little quips and her running commentary instead. The dynamic between him and Addy had felt off since summer. Sometimes it felt like nothing had happened at all, and other times the tension was palpable between them while they resolved that it wasn’t going to happen again…at least until the cycle started all over again. He couldn't deny that it was taking a toll on him -- being this close to the girl of his dreams without really being with her. Brígh had a way of cutting through all that to the good times – and he was hit with a wave of nostalgia at the reminder that, despite everything, they were still the gang, together forever since first year. He only shrugged slightly as Brígh wondered out-loud how she had missed this kind of news – it didn’t really surprise him. He’d sent her plenty of photographs of Addy, but he tended to be missing from pictures because…well, he was usually the one taking them.

Brígh’s neverending chatter gave him the opportunity to walk around and investigate, leaving the girls to chat while he lifted his camera to take in the whole room at once. Raphael had the most steady presence of the three of them, less prone to fits of passion – whether it was Brígh’s squeals of excitement or Addy’s temper whenever something went wrong with Quidditch. At least, until he got flustered and suddenly seemed to lose control of his mouth. But he hadn’t stopped smiling since he’d first arrived, and Rafe let his mind wander as he walked the space of the room and experimented with the different light settings. It would be better to cover these details now as opposed to later when he would be too buzzed to care.

He only snapped back to attention as Brígh ordered them to put on their swimsuits and head outside. “Yes ma’am,” he responded playfully, ending the recording and going to pick up his backpack. Addy was usually the bossy one, but either way – it was too much trouble to do anything but do as they said. Life was just easier that way. Rafe slipped into the bathroom – he was mostly sure he’d have privacy, but he was still a little suspicious about Brígh’s earlier comments about ‘inspecting’ him. Swim trunks on, bag tossed by the couch, and phone in his hand. Addy should be proud of how organized he was. And the back patio – yeah, they had made an amazing choice. Brígh was already slipping into the hot tub, and Rafe shot her a teasing look and gave a low wolf whistle – mostly to let her know he was there, because Jimmie Blishwick’s accusations that he couldn’t photograph people without their consent was still rattling around in his brain. He pulled his shirt over his head and wasted no time sliding in as well, keeping his hands (and phone) clear above the water. He kept his gaze fixed entirely on his phone, because – well, that was much easier than thinking about Addy in her swimsuit. “Okay, give me your best ‘look how cool I am in a hot tub’ expression,” Raphael ordered, switching to picture mode. He continued in a mischievous tone. "Maybe I can forward it to Albus Potter. Let him see what he's missing." He didn't engage in the 'girl talk' - that was very much Addy's domain, but he'd have to be deaf not to hear about Brígh's obsession with him. Might as well milk it for all it was worth.

addilyn elara slater
BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH

[addilyn elara slater]

Don't stop, just keep going on

I'm your shoulder, lean upon

December 31, 2025
BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH ,
Raphael Caelan McLaggen

Addy thought a moment how it had slipped her mind to tell Brígh that their friend had grown so tall and had just changed—physically anyway. Regardless, she was up to speed on the changes at least most of them. Addy was like your average teenage girl, though focused on her studies and extracurricular activities. She noticed the cute boys throughout the years, whether they had been in her year or older. Cheese had just always been her friend, and Addy hadn’t lumped him into that category. At least she hadn’t until this past year. Brígh’s energy filled the room and it left a feeling in her chest that could only be described as happiness. While nothing had been terribly wrong, she had missed her friend and her person to talk to. Not that she couldn’t talk to Raphael, but girl talk was never quite his area of expertise and especially when she had needed to talk about him.

Early in the term, when they had spoken, and she’d thought they had moved forward from what had happened over the summer, it inevitably had happened again. She’d been mad at herself if only because she wasn’t impulsive. She planned things and only took a risk when it was calculated as best to do so. This was new territory for her and made her nervous, but at the same time, she had been more than willing. Brígh leaned her head on Addy’s shoulder. ”We felt so incomplete without our favorite airhead.” If there was an impulsive one in the group, it was Brígh and not Addy or Cheese. Brígh drank more whiskey, and Cheese wandered off to take a better look at the place, and Addy followed him for a bit with her eyes until she couldn’t see him. She let out a small sigh. ”Things were certainly different this year…” In so many ways, but in ways that Addy had yet to tell Brígh about, and she wasn’t sure how to approach that if she decided to at all.

As far as Brígh knew, Addy had a summer fling with a nameless but tall, kind, and athletic boy. When she’d received Brígh’s letter in response, she could almost hear her friend’s girly squeal. Soon orders were barked to change and reconvene in the hot tub. She heard Cheese respond and Addy felt her heart race a little bit. She was nervous. Even she could admit that had there not been this thing between them then seeing her best male friend without his shirt off would not be a big deal. It wasn’t as if she hadn’t seen him before. Addy watched as her friend skipped into the back, and she grabbed her backpack and walked into the bedroom, noting that Cheese wasn’t changing in here. She wanted to avoid anything that might bring up that awkwardness. They always seemed to be weighed down with until they weren’t.

She changed and made her way into the back, already hearing the two conversing, and approached with her own whiskey glass in hand. She’d arrived right when Cheese mentioned Albus. ”If this doesn’t get his attention, then he’s an idiot.” She added, slipping into the hot water out of the cold. She glanced at Raphael but then decided it would be easier to focus on Brígh and not the tall and athletic boy next to her. "We do need an updated group photo now, we don't have one for seventh year yet."

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[BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH]

Brígh smirked. "Well, next time I feel you two getting complacent with my company I'll just disappear without a word for at least three months," she said airily. Brígh glanced up at Addy from her lower vantage point just in time to see the stolen glance at Cheese, noting the longing within it. Hmm, that was strange. This whole reunion was supposed to be about her, seeing as these two had had a year to themselves. A year to themselves... Brígh stopped that trail of thought before it was allowed to go any further. There was no way Addy would allow something so wildly out of her control to happen.

Commander Brígh made an appearance, and she barked the order for her troops to change into their swimmers. She as always had come prepared. She dropped her clothes to the ground and pranced off into the back garden, careful not to drop her wand or spill her whisky. She settled herself into a seat in the hot tub, letting her red hair fan out int he water around her. She placed her wand on the side of the hot tub, and gripped her glass with both hands. Brígh took a thoughtful sip, her thoughts turning back to that clandestine look from Addy. She recognised the look, as it matched the way she had looked at Albus Potter for years. That look had led to something, and Brígh couldn't help but wonder if that something had fizzled out so soon. She knew that not all relationships were forever... but theirs had barely even started.

As Cheese joined her in the hot tub, Brígh hitched a grin on her lips. And the giggle that escaped her at Cheese's photo suggestion was genuine. She shifted about, rising slightly out of the water and tilting her head so her damp hair fell artfully across her pale skin. She placed a hand on her shoulder and tried to make her eyes smoulder, her lips parting as she counted to five, holding the pose. At last, Brígh couldn't handle the seriousness anymore and dissolved into giggles. "Would serve the boy right! I don't even know if he wants me as much as I want him!" she exclaimed. "Oh merlin, imagine if he knew just how much I went on about him," she added. "Yikes." She drank her whisky until there was but a drop left, before magically refilling the glass. Oh, this was a useful spell.

Addy suggested they take a group picture, since they hadn't gotten one for seventh year. "Yes!" She agreed wholeheartedly. "You sit on Cheese's lap and I'll scrunch you both from behind. Cheese, make it a selfie, you've got long arms," she directed, moving her best friends into position, feigning innocence all the while. The photo was snapped and Brígh lounged backwards, settling back in the seat across from Addy. She fixed the pair with a knowing stare. "So, Addy. Are you going to fill me in on this handsome hunk of man you nailed this summer?" asked Brígh sweetly. If she had put two and two together correctly... silently she was fuming at the gumption of her two very best friends hiding this from her. But she had to know.

Raphael Caelan McLaggen
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[Raphael Caelan McLaggen]

Now that he was entering photographer-mode, it was much easier for Rafe to keep track of his things. Glass of firewhiskey perched on the edge of the hot tub alongside his wand (he’d originally had a goof moment and left it behind, at least until seeing Brígh’s), and a careful grip on his phone because it would be a tragedy if something happened to it. He was careless with a lot of his things, but never with photography equipment. Raphael was prepared to direct Brígh into the right sort of pose, like he always did, so he lifted his eyebrows in surprise as she chose her pose herself. In many ways, Brígh was exactly how she’d always been – cheerful, spirited, a chatterbox with no equal in this world. And yet, there were some stark differences. Because she wasn’t entirely how he remembered her. That Brígh hadn’t been able to knock back firewhiskey with a straight face, and she certainly didn’t know how to smoulder at the camera like she was going to eat him alive. “You’ve definitely been holding out on us,” Rafe muttered, mostly to himself. Poor Albus. He had no clue what was coming for him.

He barely needed to do anything to modify the scene, so Raphael took a few photos before Brígh predictably lost her concentration and began to talk again. But this time he shot her a sympathetic smile. There would always be an unequal balance in a relationship of who wanted who, but it was worse when there wasn’t even a relationship to speak of. Then it was all just in your head, and Rafe knew he certainly couldn’t trust his own feelings to distinguish what was real and what he wanted to be real. “Well, then he’s missing out on a real catch.” It was so much easier to say these sorts of things to Brígh than to Addy, because with Brígh he could be fully honest and supportive while with Addy the only thing he felt was a burning jealousy at the thought of her chasing after another guy. But he meant it sincerely. His best friends were the best people in the world, so Brígh deserved a guy who could see that about her.

Addy must’ve heard part of the conversation, because she chimed in with something similar. Rafe turned to agree with her when the words died in his mouth. Because she looked…wow. His brain started generating static instead of any coherent thoughts, and he just stared at her for a moment, failing to resist the urge to look her up and down. His face burned as he caught himself and turned to fiddle with his phone absentmindedly. Addy suggested a group shot, and Raphael relaxed. But he gave an offended gasp when Brígh immediately took over in arranging the group, because – that was his job! Still, after a few moments when he finally began to process what she was saying, Raphael repeated dumbly, “…on my lap?” The thought made him blush, especially because he was hit forcefully with two very different impulses. One voice in his head was immediately for it – like, yeah let’s get that going! The rest of him knew that was an absolutely terrible idea. He couldn’t seem to produce any other words, so he just sat stock still and mechanically lifted his arm to take the selfie. He shot an uncertain smile at the camera, still completely flushed, and immediately moved away after the shot before a situation could develop. That was probably going to be the worst photo he had ever taken.

Okay, hard part over. Now it would just be smooth sailing for the rest of the night while they celebrated Brígh’s magnificent return. Rafe leaned back in the hot tub, although Brígh’s next words made him shoot straight back up, face hot with embarrassment. “Handsome hunk of…what?” he asked in a strangled voice, caught between the urge to sink into the hot tub forever and bury his face in his hands. Because…there was no way that was about him, right? There was no way Addy would have shared any of that with Brígh, right? This had to be some other guy, literally anyone else. Raphael fixed a horrified gaze on Addy, screaming a million questions at her with his eyes. He seemed to have lost the ability to do anything except echo the most shocking things Brígh said.

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BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH

[addilyn elara slater]

Don't stop, just keep going on

I'm your shoulder, lean upon

December 31, 2025
BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH ,
Raphael Caelan McLaggen

They were all in complete agreement on the topic of Albus. However, Addy felt she could impartially say that he could only be so lucky to find someone so loyal, wonderful and spirited that was interested in his brooding nature. The group picture was something they always did, and it was nice to have the memories in that form and reflect over the years. Sometimes it felt like yesterday they were ending their first year and making big plans for second year and beyond. Now in less than six months, they would graduate and be let loose in the world. It meant separation for them, which always brought a sinking feeling for a few reasons—namely not seeing her best friends every day. And this….whatever this was with Cheese if it wasn’t resolved one way or another by then? Addy didn’t look at Cheese though she very much felt his eyes on her. She couldn’t stop the very slight blush from rising in her face. In her mind, she wanted to remind him that it wasn’t as if they’d ever been in a similar situation with about the same amount of clothing or less.

Still, Addy hadn’t expected Brígh to take charge of arranging the photo as well. The time away from them had apparently made her bolder than she’d already been. ” I—what—” And before she knew it, she had been shoved on Cheese’s lap. Addy could feel herself blush the second she felt his skin make contact with hers, it felt so familiar to be close to him, but it was hardly the right time or place for this. She grinned as convincingly as she could despite being wholly distracted. However, when the picture was done, Cheese pulled away rather quickly, and she found herself feeling slightly bothered by that, but she kept her expression even. As much as she was overjoyed to be here and reunited as a trio, she disliked this lack of control she was feeling. It wasn’t how she ran her life or pushed forward. The lack of a plan or direction, nothing to make calculated decisions on—it was leaving her in a headspace she wasn’t accustomed to.

Sitting back against the wall of the hot tub, she grabbed her glass of whiskey she had placed down next to her wand and drank a very hearty amount trying her best to ignore the burning sensation in the back of her throat and all the way to her stomach. Now she was starting to understand why people drank so much when they wanted to stop feeling what they were feeling at that moment. But, now hopefully they could get back to more normal things. But even that seemed too much to ask for the past few months and for right now—normal. Addy placed the almost empty glass back next to the hot tub’s edge though if she had decided to drink three seconds later than she had, she would have inhaled the whiskey literally as she had earlier already. Addy opened her mouth to respond, but no words came out. Dammit. She hated being caught off guard, so unprepared. She felt a mix of annoyance and unease that wasn’t helped by Cheese’s small outburst in an octave higher than normal.

Trying her best not to cringe, she looked at Brígh with a nervous smile. Addy had purposefully forgotten to tell Cheese that she had written to Brígh about their summer fling but without his name, of course. Perhaps it hadn’t been the smartest thing to do, impulsive even which was uncharacteristic of her, but she’d been desperate to talk to someone about it. ”I-uh—I mean, there isn’t much to tell…” She quickly reached for her glass again and drank the remaining liquid. She wished it had been fuller so she could stall further. Addy wasn’t one to shy away from tough situations or a challenge, but in this moment, she wished she would disappear. Especially since her question just brought back all the memories of not only the summer, but all the other times, and she knew she couldn’t stop from blushing. ”It’s just what I told you—that’s it.” She glanced at her empty glass again. ”What’s that refilling charm you’re using?” Somehow, it wasn’t one that Addy was very familiar with and hopefully would provide a distraction from this subject. It was just a reminder that being impulsive only lead to uncontrollable situations. Her whole family had spent her entire life warning her of this, and yet here she was.

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[BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH]

Brígh wiggled her eyebrows playfully. ”A lady never tells her secrets,” she said, as Cheese asked her where she had learned to pose like that. In truth, she had spent much of her free time at home reading fashion magazines. When she wasn’t doing homework, or reaching out to a member of her harem, she studied the clothing and poses. She’d never really been interested in fashion before, but it was an interesting way to spend her time. She had noticed that many of the clothes models looked like broken dolls, and she’d tried to echo that in the pose of her body. In the close up perfume ads, the models looked like they were seeing right into her soul, their lips parted as if to whisper a secret. At least she had an alternative career path if being a cursebreaker didn’t work out. Cheese had taken enough photos of her for a portfolio.

Not at all innocently, Brígh directed their little photo opportunity. This was an excellent way for her to deduce why exactly Addy was looking at Cheese so… wantonly and why Cheese was acting like he wanted the ground to open up and swallow him. Both were exhibiting unacceptable behaviour for this being the first time they’d seen her in a year. If Brígh was correct, they had seen much more of one another.

The trio separated into their own corners of the hot tub, Brígh slinking down so that just her nose and eyes were above the water’s edge. She appraised Cheese and Addy silently, watching for the stolen glances. Now that Addy had practically given it away, Brígh could almost feel the electricity crackling between the two of them. A moment's silence was all she could give the pair, before she surfaced and spoke.

Predictably, Addy and Cheese sputtered their indignation and tried (and subsequently failed) to throw her off the scent. The horrified look Cheese shot Addy, the stuttering non-answer that Addy gave. It clicked into place. Brígh’s face drained of colour, before flushing a deep red under her freckles. Her immediate reaction was to explode. How could her two best friends - since first year! - hide this from her? What did they think that she was going to do? So Brígh swallowed her anger at their deceit, and narrowed her eyes.

”What sort of friend do you take me for? You two are more obvious than Hagrid being a half giant,” said Brígh. ”You could have told me, you know.” Brígh frowned, a feeling of hurt washing over her. She ignored Addy’s question, instead turning away to grab her wand and perform the charm herself on Addy’s glass, and then Cheese’s afterward. She was silent for a beat more, then forced a smile on her face. ”Addy, I expect a full report later on. I’ll take the couch tonight,” she said genially. ”If only Albus was here to keep me warm!” she lamented in a feeble attempt to lighten the weight that had settled over them. She knocked back the rest of her whisky, a comfortable buzz settling over her. She rolled her shoulders, trying to ease tension. ”I studied fashion magazines. I know. Me. Muddied and torn clothes. I’m trading up,” she said, in response to Cheese’s earlier question.
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Raphael Caelan McLaggen