Post by Dare Blackwood-Hardt on Oct 9, 2008 21:13:11 GMT -5
Dare sat beside Michael, grateful for his continued touch and that brief kiss. He looked at the rolled letter for a minute, then took a deep breath and slid his hand free of Michael's to work free the ribbon wound around it, black in continued mourning of his mother's death. Dare set the ribbon aside on the arm of the couch, paying no real attention to it as he turned his attention to the letter, unrolling it and holding it so that Michael could read with him.
The letter was written in a firm, tidy hand, very unlike Dare's loose scrawl. It was longer as well, four paragraphs to Dare's one. Dare paid no notice, but began to read.
Dare's face had dropped before the first paragraph was over. He'd continued reading, his breathing shallowing as emotion threatened to overwhelm him. His father was disappointed. Dare was ready to cry, ready to succumb to the carefully worded guilt trip, when the final paragraph cut a swath of anger through his growing shame. Adolescent relationships are notoriously short-lived...help you move into a more traditional light...take your appearance into consideration...
Dare's jaw tightened, and he stared down at the paper, watched as it grew blurry, and couldn't think of a thing to say. You were my hope for the future of the Blackwood name.
The letter was written in a firm, tidy hand, very unlike Dare's loose scrawl. It was longer as well, four paragraphs to Dare's one. Dare paid no notice, but began to read.
Alasdair,
Whether the Daily Prophet exaggerated or not is not at issue. I am trying to rebuild ties with a family which disowned me nearly two decades ago, and your appearance in the paper, despite whatever claim of truth you might hold, is detrimental to my efforts. I love both my sons, but you must see that with Sylvester's condition, you were my hope for the future of the Blackwood name. If you choose to walk this path, you are choosing to have nothing to do with the Blackwoods, and you are harming my standing with them as well.
Your mother always encouraged freedom of expression for you and your brother, and I never once argued, as both of you were successful in your own rights. However, I begin to wonder how much freedom was too much. Perhaps I should have spent fewer nights at the American Ministry. Perhaps I should have shown more of my approval for your female friends. Whatever the reasoning, I cannot help but feel that I have failed you in some way.
This is not a reflection on Mr. Hardt's character, but his broken ties with his own family bear no positive effect on the situation, either. The Hardt family is well respected, and though the Blackwoods broke ties with myself years ago, this incident will cause strain in any political connection still remaining between the Blackwoods and the Hardts in England. I regret not having spoken more of the Blackwoods, as you can have no concept of the levels of power at work, nor the difficulties this will cause.
I will advise you to write a letter of clarification to the Daily Prophet. Let them know that things are not as they appeared, and apologize for any misunderstandings. The Blackwood family depends on this being done quickly and properly. Adolescent relationships are notoriously short-lived, and one slip-up will likely be overlooked. There are likely many young ladies at Hogwarts who would be pleased to help you move into a more traditional light. You might take your appearance into consideration as well.
Your devoted Father,
Adair Spencer Blackwood
Whether the Daily Prophet exaggerated or not is not at issue. I am trying to rebuild ties with a family which disowned me nearly two decades ago, and your appearance in the paper, despite whatever claim of truth you might hold, is detrimental to my efforts. I love both my sons, but you must see that with Sylvester's condition, you were my hope for the future of the Blackwood name. If you choose to walk this path, you are choosing to have nothing to do with the Blackwoods, and you are harming my standing with them as well.
Your mother always encouraged freedom of expression for you and your brother, and I never once argued, as both of you were successful in your own rights. However, I begin to wonder how much freedom was too much. Perhaps I should have spent fewer nights at the American Ministry. Perhaps I should have shown more of my approval for your female friends. Whatever the reasoning, I cannot help but feel that I have failed you in some way.
This is not a reflection on Mr. Hardt's character, but his broken ties with his own family bear no positive effect on the situation, either. The Hardt family is well respected, and though the Blackwoods broke ties with myself years ago, this incident will cause strain in any political connection still remaining between the Blackwoods and the Hardts in England. I regret not having spoken more of the Blackwoods, as you can have no concept of the levels of power at work, nor the difficulties this will cause.
I will advise you to write a letter of clarification to the Daily Prophet. Let them know that things are not as they appeared, and apologize for any misunderstandings. The Blackwood family depends on this being done quickly and properly. Adolescent relationships are notoriously short-lived, and one slip-up will likely be overlooked. There are likely many young ladies at Hogwarts who would be pleased to help you move into a more traditional light. You might take your appearance into consideration as well.
Your devoted Father,
Adair Spencer Blackwood
Dare's face had dropped before the first paragraph was over. He'd continued reading, his breathing shallowing as emotion threatened to overwhelm him. His father was disappointed. Dare was ready to cry, ready to succumb to the carefully worded guilt trip, when the final paragraph cut a swath of anger through his growing shame. Adolescent relationships are notoriously short-lived...help you move into a more traditional light...take your appearance into consideration...
Dare's jaw tightened, and he stared down at the paper, watched as it grew blurry, and couldn't think of a thing to say. You were my hope for the future of the Blackwood name.
