The Lone Witch (Open)

Baylee awoke, her thoughts awry, a single sweat drop sliding down the left side of her forehead. She wiped it away, taking a deep breath, closing her eyes and clearing her thoughts. She hadn't stopped thinking about her mother since she received the owl advising her that she had gone missing. It was messing with Baylee's mind. She was unable to concentrate in class, not that anyone had noticed. She could do their classwork in her sleep, and that wasn't a secret.

She slipped out of the covers, remembering that it was due time for Hogsmeade. It was something Baylee loved dearly. To her, it symbolized hope, because no matter the evil that swept the likes of England, it was still joyful to attend and made all your horrible thoughts disappear, until the return to the castle that is.  

As she dressed, slimming down her robes, her brown hair softly bouncing with every slight move that was made, she heard a call for the trip to Hogsmeade. There was no time for breakfast at this stage, and she would simply eat at the three broomsticks upon arrival. 

Baylee entered Hogsmeade, taking in a deep breath as her closed her eyes. She was opening up her senses, taking everything in until the next visit could be made. Oh how she adored the smells that were present. 
As if on a mission, Baylee made her way directly to the Three Broomsticks, as it was apparent by the sounds of her stomach, that it was much needed. The night sleep before was a little too restless. 

The door swung open, and Baylee entered, ordering a butter beer and slice of pumpkin pie as she sat in the corner, deep in the shadows. Baylee liked it this way. She was able to observe, and not converse. That was something she was never good at... 
She looked around, taking in her surroundings, and after a minute or so, her eyes landed on a young woman. A woman she knew. The school Matron. Thoughts began to flood her mind. Would she know anything about her mother? If it had anything to do with the evil surrounding them, would it be discussed between staff members that they had taken a student's parent, leaving them mother-less? Would it even be appropriate to ask? Would the matron tell on her and would Baylee get in trouble for prying, for blaming.... 

Baylee shook her head. No matter what, she needed to know. 

As she downed her butter beer, she slowly, awkwardly, walked over to the woman. She played with her nails, looking at the floor until she reached the table ahead. 
Without looking up, Baylee found her words. 

"Did you know, the brain operates on the same amount of power as a muggle 10 watt light bulb?"

Baylee mentally kicked herself. What was she thinking?

Baylee stood there, uncomfortable in her own right. Had anyone heard her? Was she that foolish? Many people would think so. 
Maybe it would serve her good, she could find her mother, they would take her to the same place right? And then they could bust out together. She refused to come to the acceptance she may have perished at the hands of the very thing that made Baylee special, magic.

Baylee finally looked up as the nurse spoke. Even she realised Baylee's mistake. 

It seemed the nurse didn't recognize her, but Baylee didn't blame her. The last time Baylee was in the Hospital wing was in her 5th year when her Felix Felicis potion had taken a turn for the worst. She just wanted to get some confidence to talk to a boy she liked, and instead, ended up in the hospital wing. She has not since tried to concoct the time consuming potion. 


Baylee took a seat as per instructions, he eyes directly on the table. What was she supposed to say right now?
Just come right out and say it? Ofcourse not. That would be silly, would be foolish, and would be out of line. 

Finally, Baylee looked up, her brown eyes wide with curiosity. 

"I need to find my mother" Baylee blurted quietly, quickly. 

'There goes that plan, Baylee. Play it cool... Yeah, as if she could ever play it cool.' 

Baylee sighed. What was she doing? She was taking this too far. What wold the school nurse know?
Baylee fidgeted in the chair. She looked up once more. She liked the nurse. She liked how she helped people. Something Baylee admired. 

"I'm sorry. I have been a little crazy since term started..." Baylee announced, a small smile coming to her red lips. 

She looked out the window and watched as people walk past, some were busy, some were just catching up, laughing as if they didn't have a care in the world. 

"My name is Baylee by the way. Baylee Linton. My mother has disappeared... My father is distraught. I just didn't know if maybe there was some talk about recent captures or such around the castle. I just want my mind at ease, but I doubt that will happen..." Baylee said, looking down at the table as soon as she made eye contact with a stranger outside. 

"I do apologize... I'm not very good at the social scene. You'd think I should be after being at Hogwarts for so long, however, I'm slightly inept..." Baylee sighed. 

"Can I get you another drink? Or something to eat at all?" It was the least she could offer after being so rude... 

Baylee was  quite parched. Maybe it was the nerves. She hadn't really conversed much, especially with the Nurse, but she seemed like a lovely lady. Baylee wouldn't mind getting to know her, maybe even a bit of training off her in Baylee's spare time. That would be quite a treat, after all, Baylee was certain she wanted to help people for the rest of her life, and maybe Nursing would be it. 

"May I ask.... How did you get into Nursing?" Her eyes curiously peering at the woman sitting in front of her. 

A sweet smell flooded Baylee's nostrils as she took a drink. She knew what she was getting herself into, without a doubt. Deep down, she knew her mother was never coming back. Deep down, she knew her mother was probably, her father knew this too. 

She hadn't heard from her father in a few days, and she assumes he was out looking for her mother. 

Baylee felt a calm fall over her whilst she was talking to the Hogwarts Nurse. Really, Baylee admired the woman. She did what a lot of people couldn't, and she gave so much to help others out. Like her mother, Baylee wished she could be half the woman Madam Conniford was... 

The nurse spoke, and Baylee was intent on listening to her every word. Her head fell slightly as though the words the nurse had spoken had cut her like a knife. Baylee knew the nurse was right about her mother, but saying the words aloud made everything real. 

She fought to keep the tears back. The memories Baylee help close to her... 
She looked to the nurse, her eyes clearly fighting back the tears... She whispered barely audible. 
"I know..."

She smiled as the nurse explained the interest in Nursing. 

"That's beautiful... What you do I mean..." She explained, her voice small, but admirable. 

"I think it's amazing... You wouldn't happen to need any help around the Hospital wing would you? I simply love studying, and it's coming to my last year... I haven't decided what to do after Hogwarts, but I know I would love to help others..." Baylee explained, fully expecting the nurse to decline the suggestion. 
Baylee felt as though she needed that woman role, and Madam Conniford reminded her much of her mother, in the sense of helping others. 
In all honesty, Baylee needed the presence of a strong woman, and Baylee had admired the nurse since her first year... 

Baylee showed admiration in her eyes, but quickly looked to the table. 
"I'm sorry. That's probably not allowed. I just, I don't know... I've been quite lost lately..." Baylee admitted. She seemed to be quite fond and comforted with the nurse, something Baylee hadn't felt for awhile..