nothing | brigh

[addilyn elara slater]

am i better off dead?

am I better off a quitter?

January 14, 2026
BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH

A new year, a new term, and Addy was already feeling the small bit of pressure. It was her final term at Hogwarts, and she’d mostly made up her mind finally about what her career might be, but she hadn’t declared anything. She had to be absolutely sure before committing to it fully with her studies and her NEWTs. But, it had been so difficult to concentrate, and she was frustrated with herself as she flipped through her Magical Theory book lazily. There had been an essay to complete on advanced charms and transfiguration, but Addy had already completed them but was finding solace and comfort in the quiet of the library. There was a barely audible buzz from the surprising amount of seventh-year students crowded in here, and Addy had scared off individuals looking for a spare chair with her usual sharp glare as she didn’t want to move her bag and books. It seemed she wasn’t the only one feeling the pressure.

Her main distraction was a face with a very easy-going smile and friendly brown eyes that kept popping in her head when she focused on her academic work. It annoyed her endlessly, and really after suffering through that hangover on New Year’s day, they hadn’t spoken all that much though she’d forced herself to try and recreate their usual dynamic in the train with their other friends. For the first time in a long time, the five of them were together, which had helped immensely. Addy had been actively ignoring every glance, look, elbow nudge, and attempt Brigh had at catching Addy’s attention regarding a certain McLaggen they endearingly called Cheese. And that included any chance Brigh got at physically putting them nearby of one another. Addy had stubbornly stuck to what they had both said, or rather, Cheese had said on New Year’s Eve about nothing ever happening again. She’d thought the sinking feeling in her stomach then and after had been because of all the whiskey, but it never had quite left either. Plus, she’d been focused on answering her parents' questions about her future career along with insisting that New Year’s Eve had been plain and boring.

She flipped a few more pages, only looking up to see a small commotion at the table next to her where an inkpot had spilled over a newly finished essay and the Librarian shooting them a scathing look for all the noise. However, she seemed to have given up trying to silence the crowd at this point.

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[BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH]

Brígh had resumed her casual memory mapping of the halls of Hogwarts as she had been prone to do over her formative years. It was not strange at all being back - it was like waking up after a proper sleep, feeling completely refreshed and rejuvenated. It was her final term, though she knew her heart would never truly leave Hogwarts. The school had melded her into the person who she was today, stoic and forgiving. It had brought her her closest friends, who she would most certainly be willing to die for. Hogwarts had given her something worth fighting for.

As Brígh wandered the corridors, she wondered what the rest of the Alphabet Gang was up to. Perhaps Addy and Cheese were off practicing Quidditch which Brígh had translated into shagging in a broom cupboard. Eggy and Dickie would likely be in their respective common rooms, revising for the upcoming exams they all had. As that thought struck, Brígh knew where Addy would be - in the library. She preferred to work here rather than the common room because for the most part, Addy couldn't stand her housemates. Sometimes Brígh wondered what the sorting hat had been thinking, placing her in Slytherin.

Brígh entered the library silently, arching a brow at the librarian who recognised her as a trouble maker, but said nothing. A quick scan of the oversized room laden with bookshelves, and Brígh deduced that Addy was most likely hiding behind a particular stack of books. She approached the table, ignoring the conundrum of a spilled ink pot at the neighbouring table, and slid into the seat opposite Addy. She said nothing for a moment, waiting for Addy to address her. But chatty as she was, Brígh was not a patient person. "Revising instead of practicing Quidditch?" said Brígh with a smirk, folding her hands on the desk in front of her as she spoke in hushed tones as to not bring about the ire of the librarian.

addilyn elara slater

[addilyn elara slater]

am i better off dead?

am I better off a quitter?

January 14, 2026
BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH

Slytherins were a unique bunch, they did befriend one another relatively easily, but one still had to watch your back at times. Maybe that was why she was the only one in their little group, which Hufflepuffs outnumbering the rest. Still, Addy could respect most of her classmates for their individual ambitions or at least the competition they gave her. She liked to win, after all. But in the end, she liked the balance, her steady and consistent ways compared to her friends' tendencies to go with a current that quickly changed. At the moment, she pondered her future career prospects. She could go into Curse Breaking, but as she had mentioned before, she might as well be an Auror with those qualifications. Neither career really stood out to her or inspired much joy—if she was being honest. But she had to decide soon.

It was a welcome distraction to her other thoughts and at least something she could figure out and not feel so lost in. Addy didn’t like that feeling of not knowing what to do or where to start. Addy had quickly looked away from the table next to her and back at her book when she heard the chair in front of her move, the legs squeaking against the old floor. Alas, she had been found—not that she was trying to hide, or she would have stayed in the Common Room. Slowly, she looked up first her gaze and then her face as Brígh looked at her with a knowing expression. ”I don’t have Quidditch practice until next week.” Addy commented, knowing very well what Brígh was getting at but absolutely ignoring it. ”Shouldn’t you be working on your Transfiguration essay?” Addy asked, continuing to be as obstinate as ever on this particular topic. And fortunately for Addy, she was known to have an incredible amount of patience.

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[BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH]

In her formative years, Brígh had spent most if not all of her free time roaming the castle. She only had one term left to perfect the enormous map in her head, to mentally mark each twist and turn, to turn stones and discover secret passages long forgotten. All the while, a monologue of songs and random tidbits of facts swirled through her head. She found herself passing through the entrance to the library, warranting a sharp look from the librarian who knew Brígh to be a noisy troublemaker. But Brígh said nothing, uncharacteristically quiet as she swept through the shelves, finally spotting her favourite blonde.

Brígh slid into the chair across from Addy, waiting for her best friend to address her. When she did not, Brígh spoke in a low tone. As was to be expected, Addy deflected. Now that Brígh was fully aware of her secret, she wouldn't let it go. The pestering was repayment for trying to keep a secret from her in the first place. Brígh fixed Addy with a glare as Addy sidestepped her accusations. "I thought you liked to practice every day," said Brígh, pressing on despite the voice in the back of her head telling her to drop it. She'd never known when to stop before, and she was sure she had grated on more than a few nerves. However, this voice (that sounded suspiciously like Addy, actually) had drawn her to a stop more often than not recently.

Addy mentioned her Transfiguration essay and Brígh sighed. "Actually, I need a bit of help from you," said Brígh, dropping the subject of shagging Cheese. She withdrew her essay from the confines of her bag and rolled it out before her. "I was practicing on myself right? But I can't get the intent right to get the lenses of my eyes quite right. Luckily, Monday helped me put it right but I still can't quite get it..." she murmured. They'd been working on human transfiguration for the past week, specifically transfiguring the eyes to help see in the dark better. While lumos was elementary and useful, improved vision kept the element of surprise for the spell caster.

addilyn elara slater

[addilyn elara slater]

am i better off dead?

am I better off a quitter?

January 14, 2026
BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH

Seven years and Brígh still thought she could challenge Addy’s obstinate nature, she would always try, and Addy would win. It wasn’t even a difference in houses at that point but just a common trait in the Slater family. Though Addy tended to take after Claire more than she did Grey in these things. That determination and pushing through while pushing aside what didn’t matter in the moment. It gave the impression that Addy might have hated them, but that wasn’t the case. Her stubbornness made it hard to let go of certain events and such, but it would be false to say that Addy really hated anyone at this point. However, Brígh was walking a fine line with her persistent pestering the past few weeks since that discussion in the hot tub, but Addy would stand her ground. In typical fashion, she took a stance, and this is the hill she would die on.

Addy returned Brígh’s gaze, her expression unchanging as she tried again to push through the unusual wall that Addy placed against her closest friend, or at least when it came to the particular topic of a boy they both knew. ”I had homework to finish.” She replied flatly, looking back down at her book. Quidditch had taken on a whole new meaning this year, at least for Brígh, while the definition had shifted for Addy and Cheese the previous year. Addy didn’t want to admit she missed how easy it was to exist around the boy without the slight tension that existed now. Some days were better than others, but she focused on literally anything else. Addy missed the feeling of her head against his chest since she had grown so tall and the smell of his soap and that easy smile. But, it had been made clear—it was nothing and wouldn’t happen again, and Addy did what she did best and pushed through. There wasn’t room for a failure of her own emotions when she had essays to write and NEWTs to work towards.

Finally, Brígh seemed to drop the subject and onto something that Addy could talk about easily. She looked up, softening her expression in the process but then giving Brígh an incredulous look when she noted she had practiced on herself. Addy paused. Seventh-year transfiguration was not an easy class, and neither was human transfiguration particularly. ”Let me see your wand movement for the spell. This one is a bit tricky…especially since it's cast on the eyes.” Addy closed her charms book, opened her backpack, and placed it neatly between her books for Arithmancy and Defense Against the Dark Arts. Toward the side of her back was her Transfiguration book. Placing it in front of her she flipped to a chapter about three quarters into the book and skimmed until she found the section she was looking for. ”You’re lucky you didn’t blind yourself, you know.”

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[BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH]

Addy built a mental wall between herself and Brígh, throwing the latter girl completely. They had always been open and honest with each other, even if Addy had always been stubborn and Brígh troublesome. The unfamiliarity of so whole heartedly disagreeing and keeping things from each other hurt Brígh more than she would have readily admitted. But if Addy wanted to play this game, fine. She'd only tried to nudge the pair into accepting whatever it was between them, only for them to increase the awkwardness and the distance. Brígh had thought that their revelations in the hot tub over new years would lead to a more open approach, but had unfortunately been totally wrong.

As was typical for the youngest Slater girl, Addy kept her stance strong. Brígh exhaled sharply, trying to get her staggering temper under control. It was nearly impossible, with her ferociousness preceding her. Brígh snapped when Addy insisted that she'd had homework to finish, completely brushing off Brígh's gentle prods. Brígh snatched her charms book, and smacked it against Addy's arm. "Will you come to your senses!?" she whisper-shouted, the dull thud of book hitting flesh resounding around their little corner of the library. "You're going to keep denying things and you're going to ruin all of our friendship," seethed Brígh, firing up at once. "And what will be left of it after all? You will have your pride. Is that worth ruining seven years of friendship for?"

Brígh shot up from her chair, wringing her hands together and pacing as she tried to rinse the rage from her system. Sharp breaths finally slowed, turning into carefully measured deep inhales and exhales, the anger slowly seeping from her. When she felt she had managed to get herself under enough control, Brígh slid back into her chair, and slowly asked for Addy's help with a charm, fighting to keep the ire from her voice.

None of them had gotten in a proper fight before. Brígh didn't want to start now, but if Addy and Cheese kept up this dangerous dance, she knew it would end up as such. She dropped the subject of Cheese, but knew it would linger in the back of her mind until the problem was properly sorted. She asked Addy for help with transfiguration, which had never been a hugely strong point of hers. It was less straightforward than charms, especially human transfiguration. She waited patiently as Addy informed her that it was indeed a tricky bit of magic to perform. "Imagine just being able to lurk about and see things in the dark. Like a cat. Or a rat. Or a dog," she muttered, offering her best friend a half smile. "Would rather blind myself than have to look at the devil herself's ugly gob again," said Brígh with an unkind chortle.

addilyn elara slater

[addilyn elara slater]

am i better off dead?

am I better off a quitter?

January 14, 2026
BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH

There was a pause after Addy answered her friend, and though she knew that Brígh would never just drop it like that. If she had, Addy would have presumed she was under some kind of enchantment because that was just wasn’t how she was. They were both incredibly stubborn in their unique ways. Addy’s was more like a stone wall one tried to push over with their bare hands, while Brígh was more like a steamroller. For the most part, they complemented one another, but it had become clear since Term had begun that this situation was different. Their natural reactions were doing nothing but causing obvious tension. Not that it was easy, Addy found it difficult to not confide in her closest friend about this issue when she was the one who had her obvious opinion about it. And it involved her other close friend, who she obviously couldn’t talk to, and she assumed Eggy knew by this point, but Addy just wanted to forget about it and focus on graduation.

Addy could hear the frustration, feel it emanating across the table though she looked up with wide eyes with she felt a pain on her arm. Noting what she had felt, the broad and solid strike to her arm and the book in Brígh’s hand…she had just hit her with a book. ”What the—Brígh!” She angrily whispered, remembering they were in the library and she wasn’t going to get detention over her best friend physically assaulting her. Addy felt the heat rise in her face as she angrily looked at her friend with an unblinking stare as she placed her hand on her sore arm. ”What do you think you’re doing.” She asked angrily through gritted teeth. Addy was never the type to be quick to anger, she prided herself on her ability to pause and take a moment, but at this very second, she was tempted to throw her own charms book at her friend’s face or at least walk away and avoid her entirely.

Brígh whisper-shouted in return, commenting on the ‘relationship’ between her and Cheese. The boy she had always been so close to but even closer this past year. Addy continued to glare at her friend before looking away for a moment, the muscle in her jaw clenched as she listened. ”Why aren’t you bothering him about this? I’m not denying anything. You heard him at the cabin, ‘it was a mistake.’” ”It didn’t mean anything.” Addy’s gaze returned to her friend, the stubborn anger in her eyes as she tried to hide the slight pain. They were both still talking in loud whispers, and she tried to focus on the anger she felt instead of the hurt from repeating his words from the cabin, despite that moment still being unfortunately seared into her brain. Pride was just a part of it, and Addy wasn’t short of that. She’d been weak and let herself fall into a situation that she hadn’t been able to control, that wasn’t like her, and she wasn’t about to do it again.

It would have been foolish to think that the group's normal dynamic from their sixth year would ever return. Addy’s friendships were important to her but so were her goals, and that wasn’t something she knew how to trade-off. ”Brígh.” She spoke with a quick but sharp tone. ”If you ever do that again, I will hex you and make it look like an accident.” Anger was supposed to be something she hid. To never show one’s hand or show the loss of control. Addy took a long and deep breath and sat back in her chair, her hand still on her arm where she’d been so violently attacked. ”We are friends and that is all it will ever be.” Her tone was less angry but just as serious and sharp as Addy had made up her mind about this issue, and that was that as far as she was concerned.

Fortunately, Brígh dropped the subject when she returned to her seat, and Addy was grateful as they fell back into their usual homework and studying routine. She’d never thought about what it would be like to transform into an animal or be an Animagus. It was advanced magic that could have consequences that could go wrong quickly. Though Addy was quick to respond with a chuckle and a smile at the comment about her housemate. ”I’d join you, but then I wouldn't be a very good Chaser now, would I?” It was something she couldn’t quite let go of, but she’d at least mostly accepted it. There wasn’t much else to do at that point since not accepting the fact would mean she wasn’t playing well with her team. ”Professor Ashcroft was saying that if your wrist is too straight, it can actually have the opposite effect.” Addy paused and looked around. ”It’s too bright to practice in here, though.” This much light on sensitive eyes would be uncomfortable. ”Let me see your essay.” Addy reached for the unfurled scroll across from her and began to skim the contents.

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[BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH]

Brígh couldn't handle the denial from Addy any longer. Her anger bubbled over, resulting in her swiping her book from the desk and swatting Addy with it. The blonde needed sense knocked into her! Addy gripped her arm and Brígh rolled her eyes - she hadn't hit her that hard. "What am I doing? What are you doing?" she demanded in hushed tones. Brígh had rarely seen the ire that lit Addy's eyes, and never had it been directed at her. Addy tried to deflect once more.

"I have been asking him! And he's just as obstinate! Besides, you're here now. We're talking about you!" said Brígh, springing to her feet and wringing her hands. "Deny, deny, deny. All you two do is deny. You're not acting like friends! You've made it all weird and uncomfortable. Both of you! Either accept your feelings or accept that you both ruined our friendship. And I prefer the former and I know Cheese feels the same!" lamented Brígh, breathing sharply in a valiant attempt to calm down. It was a small miracle that the librarian didn't sweep through to their table and shush them, but Brígh was content to take the tiny wins. She glanced at Addy, and could read the dejection in her face. But Brígh knew in her bones that they were stronger than this. That they would get through this. "Just talk to him..." murmured Brígh, finally sliding back into her seat and taking Addy's free hand. "Please. Please talk to him. And tell him the truth. Because I think there's something missing," said Brígh, her eyes shining with sincerity. "I want you both to be happy, and neither of you are."

Driven as ever, Addy intoned that she could help with Brígh's troubles. She offered a cruel joke at the expense of Wednesday Weekly, to which Addy begrudgingly grinned. "You've got four other senses, and magic. Just pointing out the considerations," said Brígh with a giggle. She picked up her wand and held it, trying to loosen up the joints around her wrist. "Like so?" She thought perhaps she had gone the opposite way in the manner of a straight wrist. Hers was nearly bent at a right angle. "Does this mean we can practice in the forest, oh well behaved one?" asked Brígh, her eyes glinting with mischief. At her friends request, she slid over the essay then dropped her wand on the table, replacing her chin in her hand and peering innocently at Addy.

addilyn elara slater

[addilyn elara slater]

am i better off dead?

am I better off a quitter?

January 14, 2026
BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH

Addy was livid. She had made up her mind on this issue, and yet Brígh persisted. And the more she did, the more Addy dug her heels in. Not to mention Brígh was just as enraged by this as Addy was. It was a good thing they were in a part of the library that the Librarian did not frequent in her walkthroughs as it wasn’t exactly front and center, and they weren’t in detention for potentially causing a scene. It wouldn’t have been the first time Brígh saw Addy visibly angry, although fights between them had been far and few in between and hardly on this scale. She wasn’t sure what she would do if Brígh kept pushing on an issue Addy was done discussing, but it wasn’t going down a positive path for them. ”Well clearly he and I are on the same page.” She spoke through gritted teeth. Addy told herself that there was no future in that path and why pursue it when there was no guarantees or certainty. No way to prepare or calculate.

She closed her eyes and let out a frustrated sigh through her nose. ”And you think that bringing it up every five minutes makes it less weird?” She returned. How was one supposed to forget and move on if it was shoved in their faces constantly? It was irritating. Addy looked away from her friend, trying her best to calm herself down. It wasn’t worth making a scene and ending up in detention or letting her anger get the best of her—which was rare for her. However, she looked back when she felt Brígh’s hand grab her own. A sincere gesture, one from a best friend. There was a pleading in her eyes, and Addy looked away in thought, chewing slightly on the inside of her lip. There was that nagging feeling in the pit of her stomach that told her that Brígh was right, but Addy wasn’t about to be wrong.

Looking back at Brígh, she stopped chewing on her lip and put on a resolute expression. ”Brígh—let it go.” She pushed down certain feelings that were threatening to come up. At least her willpower was good for that. ”What went on between Cheese and I…it was just physical. That’s all.” Surely, she didn’t need to also explain that she had to focus on her school work, on Quidditch, she had Chess Club to manage and then figuring out a suitable career to fall into graduation. There wasn’t room for feelings in that. She doubted her parents would accept the excuse of personal happiness when she didn’t return as many NEWTs as Claire and Grey. Addy focused on looking adamant in her decision, in her statement, and hoped she was as convincing to Brígh as she was to herself.

Fortunately, there were other topics to talk about that didn’t involve feelings and how Addy was suppressing everything that she couldn’t control at the moment. She laughed a bit, despite everything Addy would admit, albeit reluctantly, that Wendy was doing fine as Captain and had always been a good Chaser. ”Yes, I’m sure the Quidditch Leagues are actively in search of their first blind Chaser.” She commented in her naturally sarcastic tone. Brígh focused on holding her wand and the angle of her wrist, Addy’s brow furrowed. Human transfiguration had complex casting movements. It was one of those subjects that one almost had to have a knack for at times or the discipline to practice it. ”A little less…” She reached out and gently moved her hand, so it was closer to a sixty-degree angle. But immediately, her expression shifted to one of a bit of annoyance. Seven years and she was still trying to get Addy into the forest after hours. ”No.” She said, no hint of humor in her tone.

Addy began to read her essay. ”You can always practice in detention.” She commented, why Brígh’s first instinct was to break the rules—Addy would never understand.

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[BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH]

Brígh glared at her best friend. "It's every seven minutes, thank you," seethed Brígh, the ghost of a smile playing at her lips. She didn't want to fight with Addy - not really. She was already deep enough in it with that Weekly girl. That took up all of her negative energy. Addy asked once again for her to drop it, and with one last withering glare, Brígh did. After all, it really was a matter to be resolved between those two. There would be no way she would pick a side if it all went to shit, but that was a bridge to cross at a later date.

Instead, Brígh requested the youngest Slater's help with their transfiguration homework. She decided it wouldn't be so bad to be blind, so long as she never had to look at Wednesday Weekly's face again. She also pointed out that it was likely the Quidditch leagues were looking to diversify, and there were other senses she would be able to use in order to play. "Didn't know you were considering going professional. You're gonna have so many jobs, and none with me," said Brígh, glancing over at her best friend. She stuck out her bottom lip in a pathetic pout. If Addy was so undecided, why wouldn't she just let Brígh decide for her? It made perfect sense in her own mind.

Brígh demonstrated her wand movement, then modified it to soften her wrist. A bit too far. Brígh was a girl of extremes. Brígh offered to guide Addy into the forest to practice. It was much darker there. Humourlessly, Addy declined. "C'mon, Ads. Live a little," chided Brígh with a grin. "I marvel at our friendship every single day. How can two polar opposites get on so well?" asked Brígh, passing her essay over to Addy. "Wait." She tapped her wand on a line of text, and the words rearranged themselves to make a more cohesive sentence. "Ok. Thoughts?"

addilyn elara slater

[addilyn elara slater]

am i better off dead?

am I better off a quitter?

January 14, 2026
BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH

For a moment, it felt like a bit of a stand-off. Addy standing on her hill while Brígh tried everything to push her off the side. She didn’t want to fight, Addy didn’t see the purpose or worth in that, but she was never going to be the first to bend. Being incredibly stubborn was a central part of her foundation as a person and her existence. But a bit to her surprise, Brígh finally dropped it. But Addy would have been foolish to think that it would be the last she would ever hear about it. This was probably a noble and valiant cause in Brígh’s mind which already brought tension to Addy’s shoulders at the thought of this conversation again in the future.

Again Brígh brought up the topic of their future careers, the ones they would start in less than six months. She was set on Curse Breaking, which Addy had briefly considered but knew it wasn’t the right choice for her. Her instinct was telling her that perhaps being an Auror was the correct route, it seemed to work fine for Claire, but it also reminded her of her true passion. In a vain attempt to not think about New Year’s Eve events over the holiday break, she had managed to take apart her phone and put it back together prior to the beginning of the term. She’d been proud of herself, using tools she had collected over the years, including the toolbox Claire had gifted her one year. Addy had assumed it had been an unspoken show of support at what was clearly Addy’s passion.

She shook her head. ”No, I don’t think professional Quidditch suits me. What if I get injured? What do I fall back on then?” It had been on her list of considerations, but as confident as she was in her abilities as a Chaser, even she had to admit she hardly had the reputation of a Potter or even a Weasley when it came to the sport. ”Claire said the Ministry now has a department that works on creating new magical technology.” She paused. She had begun to mention her father's topic and had brought up articles she had seen in the paper about the positive impact. It wasn’t as glamorous as being an Auror, but it seemed a better fit.

”Balance.” She responded to Brígh’s question. They truly did have very different styles and views on things such as rules. It was more likely that Addy would talk Brígh out of something before Brígh could talk Addy into doing something. ”I have plenty of excitement in my life that doesn’t risk detention.” She spoke sarcastically but also seriously. Addy skimmed the essay after Brígh rearranged the letters. She mentally noted some grammatical errors, but otherwise, the concepts were there just as had been taught to them in the lecture and from reading the textbook. Addy tried to not act so surprised as she finished her initial skim of the essay. ”You got everything, but you should mention the Animagus reversal spell since you mentioned Animagus.” Maybe her friends did listen to her academic advice after all.

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[BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH]

It was rare for Brígh to ever concede. However, during her time taking care of her father, Brígh had learned much, and valued her friendships more than just being right. She made a mental note to mention this to Addy later, when she wasn't fuming. She didn't have to take after Claire so much that she would pick fights with her closest friends just for the sake of stubbornness. She loved Addy, to bits and pieces. Possibly more than she loved anyone else in the world - including Albus. And yet what Addy failed to grasp was that Brígh was only looking out for her. She wouldn't advise something that would end in regret and failure. But it was a battle for another time, thought Brígh as she instead asked Addy for help with some transfiguration work.

Humming her approval, Brígh replied. "Yeah, true. And like... what's interesting about Quidditch anyways? Like, you get really fit right, but where's the adventure, how do you engage your mind? Doesn't seem like a very Addy route," she replied evenly. Addy mentioned that Claire said there was a ministry department that specialised in technology, and Brígh had to make a conscious effort not to roll her eyes. To her friend, everything Claire said was law. But Brígh knew Claire was far from perfect, if she encouraged this childish stubbornness from Addy. "Mhm," she said simply, straining to keep the annoyance from her tone. "Working for the man at the ministry. Thought you'd want to do something more worthwhile... why not set out on your own?" Brígh replied. She wasn't particularly against the ministry, but she knew that falling under Claire's eye, no matter what department, would only lead Addy to become more and more like her sister. And Brígh couldn't bear to see that, not after the stubborn display from earlier.

Brígh enquired how two opposite people had become so close. Her and Addy were completely different, yet complimented each other so well. She snorted, opening her mouth to comment on how shagging Cheese was breaking the rule of friendship, but snapped her lips shut tight in order to avoid another standoff. Addy scanned her paper and intoned her approval. Brígh stared boredly at the ceiling, contemplating the topic of the essay. She glanced down at her friend, smirking. "Yes boss," said Brígh, scratching a note in the corner of her paper to add the reversal spell. "You ever think about becoming an animagus? I don't think I could keep my gob shut that long," she mused.

addilyn elara slater

[addilyn elara slater]

am i better off dead?

am I better off a quitter?

January 14, 2026
BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH

Addy stuck to the new topic despite where her thoughts actually were. Talk of their future and careers was more important, obviously, and she wasn’t going to chance bringing up Cheese again without Brígh would take the opportunity to open that topic once more. Addy had made up her mind, where she had been indecisive before. Though the events in that hot tub had helped her come to her decision and the hangover the next day. The awkwardness would pass. It always did—she figured. Life went on. Addy nodded lightly. Brígh had a point. Plus, even she had to admit that it seemed a bit routine to just play Quidditch all the time. While it seemed fun, it was likely mundane against Addy’s true interests.

One point in life where Addy and Brígh completely disagreed was on the point of having some independence. Addy was following in the footsteps left by her older brother and sister—well, to a point. Her parents would have loved nothing more than for her to follow in Claire’s footsteps, and she was sure her sister would have been thrilled as well, but Addy wanted something a bit different. It was a challenge to look at other paths that ran parallel to hers and even think about taking a step there instead of on the path in front of her. But it was a process, and at least she felt her siblings supported her in their own way, Claire having bought her tools for her persistent tinkering one Christmas. It was the same anxiety and doubt when it came to Cheese and that specific path of uncertainties.

”Well, I’m not going to be an Auror—as much as mum and dad want me to be. I know I’d have the NEWTs, but it’s not what I want to do.” Addy admitted. It wasn’t about fear or anxiety. She just couldn’t picture herself in that field. ”I have to start somewhere.” She thought about Brígh’s words—venture out on her own? What did that even mean or look like? Certainly, something to possibly plan for, but in the long term. She shot Brígh a look when she called her ‘boss’, it was her habit whenever it came to homework as if Addy was actually her Professor and not a classmate in the same subject. ”No.” She responded, pausing a moment. ”I don’t think you could either, I suspect you might actually explode if you tried.” She looked over the last part of the essay as she added her sarcastic commentary. The rest of the essay was acceptable, and just in time, it seemed. ”Well, I have Magical Theory to get to. I’ll see you at dinner?” Despite what had transpired in their short time in the Library, not even Addy could stay mad at Brígh for very long—even with the bruise forming on her arm.

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[BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH]

Brígh fixed Addy with an appraising stare. Finally, she relented and gave her friend a grin. "Yeah. See you at dinner," she said, settling in to finish some revision on her charms work as Addy slunk from the library.

[END THREAD]