Holiday Greetings to You, Father Solo

Date: December 3rd 2025
Location: Swansea, Wales
Word Count: 213

Dear Avery,

I was overjoyed to find your letter this morning. The house has been quiet lately without you and Dylan around. I wake up every morning to find no one else up for another few hours. You and your aunt were the early risers. Even Dylan if you could get him to get out of bed.

I have missed you more than words can express. Work has been keeping me busy, but when I have the chance I think of you and how much I regret my actions from over the summer. It was not in my place to threaten you like I did. I was being selfish and you deserve to have a life to spend with friends instead of just sitting here in the dark.

Your grandfather has been slowly degrading in health over these past few months. Since my last letter, he has weakened greatly and now rarely gets out of bed. If he makes it to Christmas, I do not know. I am only telling you this because I know you are old enough to understand and handle the news.

I took, look forward to the day we shall meet again and I hear all the news. I expect that you will have much to share.

Sincerely,

Father

Date: December 4th 2025
Location: Hogwarts
Word Count: 217

Dear Father,

So that is all? What is wrong with him, father? You and I both know that you're hiding something. What is really wrong? Is it dragon pox again or something worse? Far more deadly? You can't leave me in the dark. Not again. You have no idea how much I struggled this past year when I was supposed to be spending time making friends. I'm thirteen now. I deserve some respect.

Your enthusiasm wasn't as great as my own. I could tell that alone just from how you wrote your letter. You and I both know that you're braver on paper than face-to-face. I shouldn't even try with you because guess what? I've been doing all I can to repair the relationship that you broke, and all that I get is a halfhearted can't wait to see you again.

That hurts, father. A lot more than you realize. Though I do count down the days until I see you, will you even be around? You said yourself you're busy with work. Are you too busy to even say hello to your one and only daughter? Wow. Just writing this makes me realize how much you're like mom. Don't you realize it's been over a year since I last saw her?

Your daughter,

Avery

Date: December 4th 2025
Location: Swansea, Wales
Word Count: 214

Dear Avery,

What is wrong with your grandfather is not something to speak of over mere letters. What your grandfather has is something far deeper than I plan on writing. It would be a waste of paper to explain it all to you in depth. You will just have to wait patiently. I know that it is hard for an eager girl like you are, but patience is key.

It wounds me that you say such horrible things. Though I admit my enthusiasm is limited. It has been exhausting balancing the care of your grandfather and work. I understand how you feel, but I assure you that I am excited for you to return home and I promise I will be there to pick you up at the station.

I realize that your mother has been absent as of late. Do you not realize that I too have lost something? I have lost my wife to her work. I acknowledge that you suffer more without a mother, but still. You have me. Is that not enough for you? Why must you be so self-centered and selfish?

This will be my last letter to you. May we meet again soon, my daughter. And remember. I'm still here even though your mother isn't.

Sincerely,

Father

Date: December 5th 2025
Location: Hogwarts
Word Count: 228

Dear Father,

Well, I don't know why my grandfather's health and well-being is worthless to you, but I'll leave it there and await the day I finally get a clear response. I've been waiting for a few months now, so what's a little longer, right?

You and I both know that you have never out loud admitted what you nearly did over the summer. My point proven exactly that you're afraid of admitting it to the world. As if your entire being would be scarred forever. A simple apology is all I ask for. I can't stand thinking every day of how you nearly hit me. It's like a personal torture.

How could you call me selfish and self-centered only for wanting my mother to be a mother for once? Being a girl with only a father to confide in is hard. You don't understand me in the way that she does. That is why I want my mother to come home and be a mother for once. I know how she feels of me and that she doesn't care, but that doesn't change how I feel.

May we meet again soon, father and a holiday greetings to you. I will be counting down the days until I can come home and will be expecting you to wait for me at the station.

Your daughter,

Avery