Neatly manicured nails combed through the thick long locks of brown hair, expertly securing the strands into a bun which was held in place by an elegantly crafted wand. Grey eyes closed as Maureen took a deep breath. She felt far more exhausted than she had in years, so out of touch with the world that surrounded her. The witch's mind drifted back to simpler times, to the moments where life and love had been all that mattered. She wished she could say that she was unaffected by the tragedies of her past but the O'Dwyer twin knew the truth. She knew that those small moments completed her, even if her heart was fractured. Optimism and hope had long since left her, there was no room for such things when the world was cruel and only made pure by the falling rain or a blanketing of white snow. She sighed softly as her owl made a soft sound of contentment at seeing the fresh food waiting for it. Grey eyes opened to start at the reflection looking back at her, the exhaustion was there hidden behind the intensity of her gaze.
The sound of her red bottom heels echoed around the otherwise quiet that filled her home. She’s moved from her flat and took to a home away from the bustling sounds of city life. Her pin skirt clung to her frame it’s hem stopping just above her knees, the crisp blouse she wore complimented her naturally elegant appearance. She thought back to the news of the dome that surrounded Hogwarts, of the reports of the death of children. She could remember the sickness that took lives as well and how magic had slipped from the world. Her hand moved to smooth the non-existent wrinkles from her skirt as she moved to the kitchen, lifting the kettle before it could whistle and pouring the hot liquid into the glass for her tea. The Irishwoman still shook her head of the rumors that surround Durmstrang, a crazy head mistress who attacked children, the world was ever changing and Maurie was sadden by the dark way in which it was doing so.
Life had never been easy but it had never been overtly cruel either. Yes, she had suffered by so had many other people it as a guarantee of life, as certain as death. She longed to find company in those closest to her but had taken to closing herself to the world. She was escaping but it wasn’t cl just what she might be running from. The only person who knew where she now rested her head was Declan, he knew all her secrets. Aside from being her brother he was her best friend and she found that confiding in him always calmed the distress on her heart. He had seen her broken and beat down and he had seen her as she rose to success and took the challenges of life graciously. She was no longer that person, hadn’t be for quite some time but it was nice to be reminded. The warm glass was held between her delicate hands as she moved to stand in front of the window staring out at the trees off in the distance.
“Another ending to get another year.” She whispered softly as the days inches closer to the new year. She had fallen I’ll during the flu like epidemic and the witch had lost her ability to use magic as well. She had fear dying when she had never feared it before. She had known what it was like to be muggle and vulnerable to the dangers of the world and Maurie never wanted experience such a pain again. Magic was what made her whole, what defined the small pieces of her that never changed. Magic was all she had ever known and it stood strong next to her knowledge of potions. Her gaze shifted to the door as she heard the knock and her eyes moved to the clock before her heels echoed once more. The door opened before she reached it, the bracelet on her wrist chiming as her hand gave a wave to allow it to do so. The smile the curved her lips touched her eyes and for the first time in what felt like forever she was calm. “Hello, brother.” Her freehand rested on the door as she made room for him to enter, “I do hope you didn’t h much trouble finding me.” The wards she had up were strong, unbreakable she only hoped. She’s forgotten to lower them for his arrival but then her mind was drifting off to the memories of the past. “Come in.” The elf appeared, arms held out to take Declan's belonging as the door clicked softly at its close.
“Would you like a cup of tea?” she stood near the door and for some reason her heart was pounding in her ears. “I’ve cleared the day, so that we could….catch up.” She just wanted to being his presence even if they only spoke a few words. “I trust life has been far kinder to you than its been to others.” She thought back to the moments she might die and her neat brows twitched ever so slightly. “Shall we have a seat.” She moved from the door and her steps were measured to stand behind a chair and the witch made no attempt to sit. “I’ve missed you.” She admitted softly, lifting the glass to her lips to shield her from his view. The sadness of life had taken hold of her and she fought hard to keep her own emotions at bay.
@Declan O'Dwyer
