Maeve Macmillan liked to write.
It didn't matter if it was writing her thoughts in her diary, short stories in a journal, articles for newspapers, essays for homework, letters to her parents, simple reminders on her hand, quotes on parchment to st...
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-------------------> THE NEXT NIGHT, Maeve found herself seated on one of the four chairs of a small wooden table. She was surrounded by busy House Elves who paid her no mind, used to her presence by now. Her head was bent down and her forehead possessed a crease as she concentrated on penning down a letter in one of her many journals in the dim of the candlelights to pass the time after her prefect patrols while she waited for Regulus Black to arrive.
Dear Barty,
Your boundaries are indeed still necessary even with people who do nice things for you or are really nice to you. I know sometimes when someone is really kind to you or you feel like you don't deserve the kindness you get from someone, it makes you want to violate your own boundaries out of gratitude for them or because you're afraid it will make them treat you differently. But in the long-term, this is only more harmful.
Your boundaries are not an act of unkindness and are always relevant. And people treating you with respect and kindness is the bare minimum you deserve from others. Don't let someone's kindness or favours or respectful treatment make you abandon your self-worth and your needs to please them.
Toxic people will shame you for pointing out their poisonous personality and make no apologies for polluting your peace. Beware of these snakes because the only antidote for their venom is your distance.
You are not responsible for everyone else's happiness and well-being. You're doing your best to be a good friend and loved one to those around you, but you can only do so much. You don't deserve to feel guilty if there's something you can't fix. Sometimes just being there as support is enough to help people get through tough times on their own. And anyway, you shouldn't stretch yourself thin to try to appease others. You can't help anyone if you feel drained yourself. You're important too.
Love,
Someb
"—Maeve!"
Maeve jerked out of her writing trance at the call of her name, halting her movements and snapping her head up to gaze at where James, Sirius and Remus were strolling in through the entrance of the kitchens.
"Where were you?" Sirius asked at the same time as Remus noted, "It's been so long since we've seen you in the kitchens."
"I've been visiting the kitchens before patrols rather than after. That must be why we keep missing each other," Maeve explained. A smile flickered across her mouth as she set her quill down. "Hello," she greeted them formally before her brows creased. "Where's Peter?"
"Asleep," Remus responded, sitting on the chair across from her.
"Poor Peter," James empathised as he sat beside Remus. Sirius navigated around to sit beside Maeve. "He had a two-hour detention today right after dinner. We didn't have the heart to wake him up."
