PV Meet the Silvertons Closed

@Howard White

Sitting in her room, staring at herself in the mirror, the minutes were going by drastically fast. It was almost time for Howard to meet her at the end of her block, and she was going to bring him to her family. The twist? Only her mother knew she was dating someone, but no one knows what he is.

Although Bloom came from a progressive family and would vote for all people to be equal, they were still traditional in the matters of humans and creatures cohabitating together. In other words, Bloom, a human, and Howard, a Damphir, was not something they would take lightly about. Alas, tonight was the night to shatter that state of mind (hopefully).

*KNOCK* *KNOCK*

Bloom turned around from looking at her chocolate eyes in the mirror to see her mother open the door and walk into the room. "Dinner is almost ready," she said, and paused, looking at her middle daughter. "Something is troubling you," she said with curiosity. Bloom looked down and shook her head. "All is fine, Mum. I'm just a bit nervous, you know?" Bloom held back her troubles with a bit of a white lie. Her mom stared at Bloom for a half a second too long, and then turned around, closing the door. Bloom, who did not realize she was holding her breath, let out a sigh of relief.

Bloom looked at the time and saw that it was a minute past the time she and Howard agreed to meet. Bloom, dressed modestly, grabbed her white winter's coat with fake fur trimming and ran outside. She could feel the chill from outside as she was speedily zipping up her coat. Seeing him made her racing heart slow down. For a second, she felt like everything was going to be okay. The gentle kiss on her cheek was just the cheery on top.

"Tonight is the big night...," she nervously said. No matter how many times Bloom would dream up of scenarios of how tonight would be, it would always end up with her father angry. It was just what it was going to be whether anyone liked it or not. Bloom went for his hand as a way to calm down, ignoring the iciness in touch and the nails that his Damphir genetics show. "Dinner is going to be my parents and my younger siblings, Adam and Bella," she planned out for him.

"Are you ready?" she asked him, making sure that he can handle anything that goes their way. In a way, she was giving him an out. If he wanted to change his mind, now was the time. She could just come up with some excuse with her mother of why he was not coming.

Bloom looked a dream as she approached Howard. She could dress to the nines or simply wear a modest winter coat, his heart would still flutter every time he saw her. His crimson eyes connected with her chocolate brown and it would provide a brief moment of reprieve from the stress and anxiety of the situation they were in. The gentle kiss he offered her cheek was a loving gesture, but also one he hoped inspired some courage they both desperately needed. “Yeah, freaking huge night.” The nerves touched his tone as well. Their hands would find each other, a clear physical representation of what tonight meant. His hands were cold, pale and his fingers ended in discolored and elongated nails. Hers were warm, the pigment of her flesh showing all the signs of life that one would expect. Howard was a Dhampir, Bloom a human witch. The world would say their union could not be, but his heart would never be convinced.

Bloom explained that it would be her parents and two younger siblings for dinner tonight. Perhaps with the children there it would keep things civil enough, but there would be no telling what was to come. Then she asked the three words that would bring the point of no return. “Are you ready?” It would be a lie if Howard said he was 100% certain. All he had to do was say no and he knew she would understand and cover for them. That she would allow him the out if he wanted. Perhaps it would be for the best. They could just have their own life and keep family separate. Yet as the though entered his mind, he rejected it right away. His eyes would find hers again and Howard knew that he wanted all of her. Her heart, her soul, her family. He wanted the life they deserved together and would never ask her to sacrifice anything. “I’m ready, Bloom.” Howard squeezed her hand tight in reassurance. “Whatever comes of this, I can handle it. I want to spend my life with you. Through easy times and the tough ones too. If you’re ready, let’s go.”

@Howard White

Her heart had beaten incredibly fast when he said the words of wanting to spend the rest of his life with her. She knew that they were meant to be, but to hear the words actually being said aloud was surreal to her. She squeezed his hand and a small smile appeared from her lips. Deep down, she hoped that luck was on her side.

Hand still in his, she began to walk him towards the front door of their home. Her open hand reached for the doorknob and was about to click it open when it opened on its own. Appearing before them was Bloom mother, Ashley. A mother always had an instinct and since Bloom wasn't in her room, she checked the front door to see if she were to have met with her boyfriend. Mrs. Silverton was right, but what she expected was the unexpected. Her eyes could not help but to stare at Howard for a split longer than usual. She then looked at Bloom wanting an explanation.

"Mum... This is Howard," Bloom introduced while still being out in the cold with Howard. Bloom's mother did not utter a word but instead stepped aside while Bloom was making her way into the house, her hand still holding Howard's. Mrs. Silverton closed the door behind them and slowly turned around. Bloom was uncertain what was going on in her mother's head. Was she going to alert her father right away? The fact that she let them in was a big first step.

"Dinner will be ready in a couple minutes. Please, have a seat here and I'll call you both in when it's ready," she said formally. Bloom watched as her mother, with her hands clasped together, made her way into the kitchen. Only until then, Bloom felt a sigh of relief. Had she not been breathing this whole time?

Bloom led Howard to the living area where they were able to wait together. It wasn't until she heard the stompings of Bella who was making her way down the hall and towards the kitchen. She stopped suddenly when she saw the living area and couldn't help but to show a big smile. "OH! You must be How--," Bella paused when she saw Howard's red eyes and pasty skin. "Sorry, I--," she stumbled. Bloom's cheeks began to redden. First her mom did not acknowledge his presence and then her little sister acted like a twit. She knew it was only going to go downhill from here. She squeezed his hand to signal that she was sorry so far of everything happening.

@Bloom Silverton

Howard’s heart rate matched Bloom’s as he spoke of spending their life together. He had of course thought it before, but to say it aloud was a whole other thing. The young man meant it of course. They had been going together for a long time now and he couldn’t imagine a future without her. She would offer a squeeze and a smile in return. A wordless affirmation that she loved him that much too, but there would be many hurdles they’d have to survive if they were going to make it. The first one starting now.

Bloom would guide him towards the Silverton residence and just before she reached the door it would swing open. Howard’s hand in hers would noticeably flinch as her mother appeared in the entryway. His crimson eyes stayed locked with Mrs. Silverton’s for an awkward moment too long and the way she then looked at Bloom did not seem positive. Howard swallowed hard as his mouth all of the sudden felt incredibly dry, but as Bloom introduced him he would do his best to keep an upbeat tone. “Hello, Mrs. Silverton. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” However, Howard’s words would not be reciprocated as they entered the house, yet he did his best to remain calm. This was to be expected, this was going to require time and patience. She had at least allowed him into the house and that was the first step down.

Ashley would then instruct them to wait while dinner preparations were being finished. The pair would let out a collective sigh as they gained a moment before meeting the rest of the family. “Hey, she let us in, right?” Howard tried to smile and reassure Bloom. “Just you wait, I can win her over.” That’s right, stay positive. Loud footsteps would draw their attention to a newcomer and based off appearance it could be no other than Bella. Howard smiled big as Bloom’s younger sister seemed excited to meet him and even offered a wave with his free hand. However, the next moment would bring hesitation from Bella as she looked him over. This was the moment he had dreaded. If the siblings turned against them they stood no choice with the parents. Bloom squeezed his hand in an apologetic way and his heart slumped. They were surely doomed. But no! Howard squeezed back in an almost defiant way. He would not go down easy.

“Hey, you must be Bella. Bloom has told me so much about you.” Howard spoke in a gentle tone. “It’s ok though. I know I look a lot different than most people, but I’m still just a person. It’s nice to meet you.” Kill ‘em with kindness. They could stare, they could judge, but he would stay the high road.

@Howard White

Bloom could not help but to notice the optimism that Howard gave for every little thing. The fact that her mother allowed them to come in surely is a bright side. Then again, her mother would not be someone to let her daughter and a guest stay out in the cold. Her father on the other hand... Now that was something she did not want to think about. His want to win them over was strong and she hoped that he would be able to do just that.

Now was the first contestant to the game show: Bella. Unfortunately, Bloom did not know her sister as well she could have. After leaving her to go to Hogwarts and not really being around her when she entered Hogwarts herself, they never crossed paths. In a way, Bella was like a complete stranger. Bloom had no idea what was about to happen next. Was she going to go to dad immediately? The seven-year-old-Bella would have bolted in an instant, but here she was standing still.

Bella sat down at a single couch seat to the side of them, her eyes were locked on Howard. Bloom chimed in after Howard's explanation of how different and relatable he was. "Howard is a Damphir," she said with as much confidence as she could. Maybe putting a title on it could allow Bella to understand it more. Bella nodded slowly. "Got it. So you're alive, but also dead?" she asked, her head cocking to the side. She moved on from the awkwardness of his "living" situation and focused on Bloom. "Does Dad know that you've been with a... Damphir?" Bloom looked down at her knees and then back up at her sister shaking her head no.

Another moment passed by and immediately a little boy, about seven years old, comes in with their little plastic airplane. Austin, Bloom's youngest sibling and adopted brother, started to run around the room. "Can't you see we're talking here?" Bella chirped to him. Austin stopped playing and looked at who was in the room. His focus went straight to Howard. "Whoa! You have red eyes. Does it hurt?" he asked innocently. "When I have red eyes it's because I went swimming in the pool," he explained. "But it's not like that. You must go swimming all the time!"

Bloom put a head on her face, almost like a face plant. This was definitely going well. Her sister questioned his ability to live and her brother is pointing out the obvious with good intentions.

"Is Claire coming?" Bloom asked, wondering what else to prepare herself for. Both of her siblings shrugged their shoulders. It was uncertain if her older sister was coming or not. She was in her early 20s and living her own life. Family gatherings were now optional and not a requirement when reaching her age.

With that thought, Ashley Silverton came out from the nearby hallway looking slightly frightened. Bloom was sure that it was not because of Howard, but rather what was to come with her father's reaction. Her father was strictly against creatures and humans eloping. It was a big thing happening in the Wizarding World now of people wanting them separate. To already have creatures attend Hogwarts was a huge battle to have lost.

"The table is ready, come...," her mother said, and she looked at Bella and Austin. "Wash up, you two," she said, not forgetting that she is a mother first. With that, she turned around and went back to the dining area.

Here was the moment of truth... The moment they had been waiting for.

@Bloom Silverton

Howard smiled and nodded in confirmation as Bloom put a title to the explanation of what he was. Dhampir. It was a word that had felt like a curse for a long time. Like some chronic disease with no treatment or cure, but over time Howard had come to accept it. And not only that, he had come to love himself for exactly what he was. He was a being of this world just like any other and he deserved his place within it. Many may look to him like a mistake or nature gone wrong, yet he hoped to prove that he was a representation of just how much good could come from tolerance and unity.

“Ya know, Bella. That is exactly right.” Howard said with a bit of a chuckle. Children had a way of being brutally honest without meaning harm, but she had pretty much nailed the text book definition. “But I like to say that I am one part human and one part what we call, undead.” He paused and looked to Bloom fearing he may have made a mistake. Undead meant that he had died and come back from to life. Bella was old enough to know what dead meant, but explaining in detail that he was attacked and had technically died may be too much for her. Perhaps Bloom would elaborate or explain another time, so Howard left it at that.

Howard did his best not to grimace as young Bella asked the question everyone was fearing. Did Dad know? Yikes! The fear of what was just about to come shook Howard’s confidence, but fortunately the arrival of another would keep him from slipping too far. Little Austin came zipping into the room and his youthful energy brought a smile to Howard’s face. As soon as they made eye contact the youngster would burst with excited questioning as he looked over his features. Howard laughed again at the inquiry. He nudged Bloom with his elbow gently as she let her face fall into her hands. “It’s fine, love. He’s just a boy.” There really was no offense taken. “That’s right buddy. I do have red eyes. They don’t hurt though and it’s not from swimming. They are that color all the time. Come see!” Howard opened his eyes big and stuck his tongue out a little in a funny face hoping to put Austin at ease.

Yet the time for joking would soon be gone as the mention of Bloom’s older sister and the reappearance of her mother set the tone straight. Ashley had a concern expression that Howard couldn’t quite read, but regardless, it was great. He stood as they were instructed to follow to the dining room. The moment was here and as scared as he felt, he was also determined to make this work. He held out a hand for Bloom, but then bent his elbow. What was more acceptable? Hand in hand or him escorting her on his arm. Bloom’s family could question his nature, but they would not be able to doubt his manners. “Here goes nothing, babe. I love you.”