copper wires [keir]

[BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH]

17 May 2026

Like a flurry of fire and lightning, Brígh flung open the front door of the cottage that she had grown up in. There were so many memories here, mostly pleasant but some painful. She remembered being in the same sort of frenzied state over a year ago, when she’d first returned back to care for her father. Since then, they’d argued, fought viciously, made up and cried. Emotions surged through Brígh as she realised the last time she had been here, she’d thought only of her freedom. Not the cost.

As Brígh stood in the doorway, her dark eyes scanning the vacant corridor before her, emotion surged through her. The past two days had passed in a rush of confusion, fear, hope and relief. The fire that had broken out at Hogwarts had stolen many lives - so many too soon. But the ones that Brígh cherished most had made it out. She felt for her friend Simon, who had lost his twin in the fire. But most were safe. James had warned her in time, giving her and Addy and Lily the chance to evacuate the castle. Brígh was certain that the professors did as well, but she hadn’t seen them, apart from Blaise. She’d hung around Hogsmeade long enough to ensure that Aidan was unharmed by stray curses, then promptly been shipped off to St Mungo’s for observation and a check-up. They’d let her go only an hour ago, and Brígh’s first stop was home.

The house seemed silent, but Brígh knew her father had to be around here somewhere. He was working overtime in the aftermath of the fire, but breaks needed to be taken. They knew she would be coming home today, and Brígh knew as well her father would want to make sure she was alright after everything.

There was a sudden rustle of sound from the study down the hall, and Brígh drifted towards it, her feet silent on the ground. She pushed open the already ajar door, and the hulking figure of her father hunched over his desk befell her. The last time Brígh had seen him, she’d spat venomous remarks at him, ungrateful and childish. Before things had changed. Before people had died. ”Da,” she managed to sputter out, rushing to him and embracing him tightly - afraid that if she let go, he would crumble again.

@keir

[Deleted]

Keir had been in a fairly foul mood ever since he'd learned Hogwarts was on fire. At first he'd been worried sick about his daughter but as soon ashe at least knew that she was alive, that worry had been less. He trusted the healers at St. Mungo's and believed she'd make a full recovery in due time. After that the rage had slowly started to creep in. Every news article had been read and he'd been working around the clock. The constant presence of his wife (no matter how much he loved and adored her) was even starting to grate on his nerves, as he could see her concern and worries that he was going to push himself too much. He was only just recovering from an undiagnosed illness after all. It was terribly frustrating and he'd taken to locking himself up in his study for most of the day.

He'd already packed a bag at this point that he kept underneath his desk. As soon as Brigh was home, well he'd take off for the office. There was too much work to be done and despite his many efforts, it was near impossible to get even half the work done from home. He'd made a point out of ensuring that the rescheduling of the exams was a first priority and he'd owled several international schools already and was awaiting their replies to see if they were willing to take in the Hogwarts students in the coming term. He had high expectations for at least Ilvermourny, as Hogwarts had helped them out after they'd lost their location. It seemed only fair that the same courtesy was extended now. He worried most about Durmstrang, as the school still had a bit of a notorious reputation and he expected more than a few clauses to make that work. Like them not opening their doors to the muggleborn students or adding classes they deemed unworthy to their curriculum. It was a headache before it even got started on that end.

He'd been trying to figure out what the best plan was for rebuilding once the remainder of the castle had been cleared of rubble and was simply getting frustrated. Some very obnoxious architect bureaus had already been sending him multiple designs and one of them was so insane that he'd just crumpled up the entire pack of suggestions and thrown them into the bin in frustration. He needed to deal with the important things first! He didn't have time to look over sixty different design options, the one more ludacris than the other.

The door let out the faintest creak as it opened and Keir thought it was his wife for a moment. He knew that Brígh was coming home today but he hadn't expected her until... He glanced at the clock, realising it was much later and the person in the doorday most certainly wasn't his wife. He barely had time to get to his feet before his daughter almost tackled him in an embrace. He slowly wrapped his arms around her, holding her securely, but not tightly in case she wanted to escape. The last time he'd seen her she'd been quite angry with him and he didn't really expected that it had cleared. Possibly pushed aside momentarily by the events that had passed in the last few days. Still, he was grateful to get a moment where she at least seemed glad to see him again. "How are you feeling Brígh?" He asked calmly and gently as he pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "What did the healers say? Rest, I presume?" He needed to know, because he needed to be sure she'd follow the advice of the healers, even if he himself could be quite stubborn. He'd worked too hard to get the job he held now and he wasn't going to lose it. After work today he'd head into the office, knowing his daughter was okay. She most certainly wouldn't need his ever increasing temper around during her recovery.

BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH

[BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH]

Brígh’s greeting to her father was far beyond the one she had given him all those months ago when he’d pulled her from school to tell her to get her shit together or face the consequences. It seemed so long ago, hexing Wendy Weekly, only to find out she was her friend from the internet. But it didn’t matter now - the pair had fallen out of touch when Wendy had left school. It had been nobody’s fault, but Brígh had a suspicious feeling that Wendy couldn’t get over her incessant bullying. And Brígh couldn’t make excuses for herself. And so she’d focused her anger on something entirely different. Learning to fight back. This had paid off immensely when the Purifiers attacked Hogwarts, and Brígh and Addy had led the charge on behalf of the students. The rescue effort had been immense, but in the end they’d come out victorious. The victory was bittersweet, as so much had been lost.

Squeezing as tight as her arms would allow, Brígh rested her head against her da’s chest, inhaling deeply to capture his scent in her memory. She had felt so silly and small, holding such a grudge for such a tiny thing. Brígh’s anger with her father’s incessant meddling had evaporated the moment the school crumbled in flames. ”Like shit,” said Brígh brightly, pulling back to look her da full in the face. ”I just want to sleep all the time. But I’m also buzzing with unspent energy. I’m glad I didn’t get burned by fiendfyre though,” she added after a moment. She scrunched her nose. ”Rest, fluids, no duelling, keep exertion to a minimum.” She shrugged. Brígh hadn’t had the chance to see Aidan since ensuring he was safe after the fire, having gone straight from St Mungo’s to home. He hadn’t had the chance to get away to visit her, though he had sent her a bouquet of all the things that reminded her of him - lavender buds and red roses, combined in an artful way. Even if she had been able to see him, she wouldn’t consider their activities overly… active. They’d not graduated from kissing, though Brígh was keen - she respected Aidan’s desire to take things slow. For him, she’d do anything.

Brígh tilted her head inquisitively, appraising her da. ”You need to rest too, you know. You’ll work yourself to death,” she observed, a smile playing at her lips. ”Have you seen much of Bran recently?” she added after a moment.

@keir

[Deleted]

She obviously wasn't feeling great, as she instantly responded that she felt like shit. Not the best sign, but she seemed cheerful enough while saying it. It had a bit of a confusing effect, but Keir had to admit that all the constant work made him a little too tired to worry at this moment. It would be fine, or it would not be. It was hard to say, but he needed to accept both his children were adults now and they'd find their way in this world. Whether or not they involved him in that was their own choice. He'd tried his best, but he wasn't sure if it would be enough. Sometimes, in moments like this one, he at least dared to dream that it had been. He nodded as she described the unspent energy, even if all she wanted to do was sleep. "I'm sure you'll find a way to keep yourself busy. If nothing else we can always go out to karaoke." He was mostly joking on the karaoke part. He didn't really have time for that, but he was sure he could find a moment if he tried. If that was what Brígh wanted.

He also was sure that his wife would already be trying to figure out the best way to keep Brígh properly hydrated. It could easily mean she would be bombared with tea, lemonade and various kinds of soup and broth. He just hoped that his wife wasn't trying to keep Brígh homebound too much. Now that he was due to leave for the office he worried more about his family, although he trusted they'd find the right balance between them. His wife had always had the gentler hadn of the two. It was possible that was far more effective with Brígh currently anyway.

He sighed and rubbed his brow as she correctly observed that he too needed rest. "I know Brígh. I can't rest yet, or at least not until after everything for the NEWTs has been arranged. While cancelling the end of year exams for the younger students is easy enough the ones that are due to graduate shouldn't have to wait until after summer to chase their careers." Especially with how many could get summer jobs during the vacation to at least give them a little work experience. "I'm sure you'd rather start your curse breaking career sooner rather than later." He said gently with a bit of a smile. There was a lot of responsibility on his shoudlers now, more than he'd anticipated when he'd taken the job. "I'm heading over to the ministry this evening. I just wanted to make sure you were fine again before I ran off to other responsibilities." He told her with a patient smile on his face. He was trying his best, but balance felt impossible to achieve for now.

She asked if he'd seen Bran lately and he shook his head. "I've mostly been cooped up in my office here, trying to make arrangements for the students next year and the OWLs and NEWTs this year. There's a lot of bureaucracy and paperwork involved in all of it and I've already been badgered about rebuilding efforts for Hogwarts as well." He shook his head slightly at the madness. People needed to prioritise better. While a swift start on the rebuilding was better, it wasn't like it was possible to get it done over summer without sacrificing more important aspects that he wasn't willing to compromise on. So he had put it on the backburner for now, first the exams. "I'm sure he'll be coming around soon now that you're home again, though." He said, hoping that would reassure her a little.

BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH

[BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH]

Brígh was sure that her da knew her almost better than anyone. That she was his daughter, the child of contradictions. She could feel one way at one moment, and completely another the next. Her temper swayed like the wind, and Brígh often likened herself to the Whomping Willow. One wrong touch, and she could lose it. But as she clung to her father, inhaling deeply, Brígh felt nothing but relief. None of them had been hurt in the fire. Brígh rattled off instructions she'd heard numerous times as to how to feel better, though her father countered with karaoke. She tilted her head back, her eyes bright at the suggestion. "Yes."

Brígh suspected that her father hadn't been entirely serious when mentioning karaoke, but she tucked the tidbit away for use at a later time. Instead, she reluctantly released her da and leaned against his desk, crossing her arms over her chest. She suggested that her father ought not to work himself to death, but his response was a sound one. It didn't however stop Brígh from scrunching up her face in distaste. "Can't we just have automatic passes? We went through a crisis, after all," she said, knowing that her resistance was futile. Brígh opened her mouth to protest her father leaving again this evening, but he shut her down quickly. What could she say? Forget everything and pay attention to her? As she had had to do for an entire year? But no, her situation was nowhere near as dire as her father's illness.

Bran had been mostly absent in the days since Brígh had come home, and her shoulders sagged as her da said he hadn't seen much of him either. Frowning, Brígh shrugged. "I dunno. He loves chasing birds," she replied morosely. "You know I love you, right?" said Brígh suddenly, struck by the sudden importance of imparting those words on her father.

@keir

[Deleted]

Keir hadn't quite expected any enthusiam from his daughter about the idea of going to sing karaoke with him. She seemed to no longer be as worried about him embaressing her as she'd once been and while it was nice, it also made him realise just how fast she'd grown up. He still remembered singing her to sleep when she was barely out of diapers and when she'd been sick. She'd needed him then, just as much as she didn't need him anymore now. She was a grown up, apart from that one piece of paper she was ready to go out into the world.

Yet as soon as he heard her argument on getting an automatic pass due to a crisis he couldn't help but chuckle, amused and still full of love for his daughter. "And what would your diploma be worth at that point, Brigh? As much as that of any that did nothing the entire year and would certainly have failed, if not for a crisis. Yet if you need more trauma councelling before you're ready to tackle the exams I'll make sure to make it an option to apply for a delayed exam for you and your peers. Plus, of course, one extra attempt on top of the regular attempts to succeed if you should fail. Otherwise I fear extra schooling is required." While he understood her sentiment he also didn't want her hard work in her last year to go to waste by pretty much making her diploma lose all it's value because she and her peers got it for free. He considered it lenient enough that he allowed the lower years to pass without exams. Anybody that wanted to be treated like an adult needed to take the responsiblities of one.

Bran seemed to universally be busy, something that Keir didn't really mind. He wanted his children to spread their wings, no matter how much he'd miss them. So he didn't comment further on the current absence of his son, choosing to pay attention to his daughter in stead. She, who was so much like him that it had certainly gotten him a few grey hairs over the years. At her sudden declaration of love he looked at her, a mixture between amusment and joy on his features. "I love you too Brígh." He replied simply. "And while I know you love me, it's very nice to hear you say so, especially after a rather tumultuous time." He didn't just mean the attack on her school, but also the constant fighting they'd seem to have been falling to. He kissed the top of her head lovingly, glad that they seemed to be making amends between the two of them now. Or at least burrying the hatchet for today.

BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH

[BRÍGH ENNIS O'DALAIGH]

Shrugging, Brígh said nothing for a moment. But she was not the sort of person to hold her tongue. "Well, they won't accept people without a diploma! But it's so silly, just a piece of paper, you're right! I learned everything." She huffed out a sigh. She ran her fingers through her copper hair, glancing around the study. "No, I think I'm ready. Really, I do. Putting them off would help no one. I think we all just... want to move on," said Brígh, her voice becoming very small as she remembered the night of the fire, the ash that poured from the sky, the soot that stained her own and Addy's clothes as they rushed through the castle, trying to evacuate everyone they could.

Bran was frequently off gallivanting, and though Brígh missed her brother and their adventures, she knew he was doing what he loved most. Bagging birds and studying dragons. What a life of adventure he led. But she smiled to herself - she was more like Bran than her brother would like to admit. And they had both taken after their father, of a sort. At least before he had settled down at the ministry. Suddenly, it became very important for Brígh to remind her father that she loved him. The words spilled from her lips, though she did not regret them. Her father shared her sentiment, and she beamed at him. "Just got to keep you on your toes," said Brígh, wrapping her arms tightly around her father as he kissed the top of her head. "I'm going to go for a walk. I'll see you later for dinner?" she added, peering up at him.

"See you soon, da."

@keir
end brígh