Contrition Without Absolution
Dear Mum and Dad,
Word Count: 560 Saturday, March 7, 2026 Letter: Home
I haven't been writing lately. I guess I haven't written at all. I thought to for the longest while, wanting to tell you all about my new school and the things I've been up to.
I've been staring at this parchment for what feels like hours now. That's what they use here, instead of paper most times. But, you probably don't care about that. That's why I never wrote; I didn't think you'd care about any of it or want to know. I shouldn't have assumed. My friends tell me how they write to their parents all the time and how happy their parents are just to know they're alright. Their parents get excited to know what they're up to and feel better after receiving their letters.
I never gave you that chance, and I'm sorry. Sometimes, I think you'd rather not hear from me at all, but that wasn't my decision to make. I guess that's why winter break was so quiet. Neither of you seemed particularly happy to see me, and I guess... I had my own part to play in that. I think I must have hurt you both, letting you think I'd forgotten all about you when I got into this new world.
Moving forward, I'll do better. I promise. If you really do want to know how things are going, then...then I want to share. I'd... I'd actually love to. It's all been so much – both good and bad.
I haven't only written to apologise for not writing.
I haven't been truthful, and I suspect you were able to pick up on that while I was home. I never lied, I swear, but there's a lot I left unsaid. I was worried you'd be angry with me when I'd been desperate for a normal Christmas. But it was wrong of me, and I need to confess even though I suspect...you already know.
You're both always saying you can't receive forgiveness until after you've apologised.
I've been practising magic, and I'm sorry. I know it's something neither of you is happy about, and I think that might have been another reason things were so...uncomfortable back in December. You knew and were waiting for me to confess, but I didn't. I told you I wasn't doing well at school, hoping you'd think it meant I wasn't partaking or was outright failing. It was deception. I treated you both like you weren't smart enough to figure it out.
It's hard not to while I'm here. Almost all my classes and professors want me to, and they keep teaching us new things. I know it's not an excuse and that I should try to be stronger. I'll try, I promise. I just...don't want things to be the way they were when I come home for Easter break.
It took me a long time to pluck up the courage to write this, but I knew I had to because it's important. Things haven't been the same since my Hogwarts letter came, and that makes me real sad. My not writing hasn't helped, and me breaking your rules has made it even worse.
All I can really say is that I'm sorry, and I hope that's a good enough start. I'll try to be better.
The daughter who still loves you,
Poppy XOXO
Reducio
OOC: In case it wasn't clear, the two instances were her prolonged silence (not writing her parents) and then her perceived moral failing of using magic, which is something she knows her parents are against and something she knows has made them uncomfortable. I tried to make it clear, but just in case it wasn't!
Encyclopaedia ✿ Metamorphmagus ✿ If the sun shines, that's reason enough.