TM Prompt 188 - Two Letters
The first letter has no yet reached its owner; worn and creased, it hides in a battered envelope in a private drawer. Perhaps it never will.
Severus,
This isn't about that 'prank' that Sirius pulled - I had no idea what he'd planned, and I was quite furious when I found out. I didn't show it as much as I might have, however. I was so very grateful to have friends at all, you see, that I would have forgiven them anything.
That is why I never interfered with their bullying. Sometimes I told myself you deserved it - that you were a nasty bigot more interested in the art of harming people than knowing them. Sometimes I told myself that it would be a futile gesture, and only end in us both being hurt.
Sometimes I remembered, very keenly, what it was like to be so alone. What it was like to be scorned for being different.
You didn't deserve the torment, the jeering, the isolation. You were a boy, just like us, and even if you made bad choices later on… Well, sometimes I wonder if you would have, if someone had offered companionship instead of ridicule.
I understand why you hate me. I'd just like you to know that I never hated you, and that I'm sorry I never did anything to help.
Sincerely,
Remus Lupin
The second is pristine, tucked neatly in an envelope bearing a shining seal.
Dolores Umbridge, Senior Undersecretary:
I would like to address the matter of your newest legislation concerning werewolves.
I am certain you realise that this makes it almost impossible for those with such a condition to gain employment. Perhaps you believe that this is reasonable, that it protects people.
That, I must tell you, is rubbish. I'm sure you've good intentions, but werewolves are only dangerous several days out of the month, and most take serious precautions. In an age of Werewolf Support Services, Wolfsbane, and ever increasing knowledge, this measure makes very little sense.
I, quite intimately, understand the stigma surrounding werewolves. However, this only feeds into casual prejudice, and it harms many innocent people who only want to live decent lives. Please reconsider.
Thank you for your time,
Remus Lupin
Neither of them help very much.
Severus,
This isn't about that 'prank' that Sirius pulled - I had no idea what he'd planned, and I was quite furious when I found out. I didn't show it as much as I might have, however. I was so very grateful to have friends at all, you see, that I would have forgiven them anything.
That is why I never interfered with their bullying. Sometimes I told myself you deserved it - that you were a nasty bigot more interested in the art of harming people than knowing them. Sometimes I told myself that it would be a futile gesture, and only end in us both being hurt.
Sometimes I remembered, very keenly, what it was like to be so alone. What it was like to be scorned for being different.
You didn't deserve the torment, the jeering, the isolation. You were a boy, just like us, and even if you made bad choices later on… Well, sometimes I wonder if you would have, if someone had offered companionship instead of ridicule.
I understand why you hate me. I'd just like you to know that I never hated you, and that I'm sorry I never did anything to help.
Sincerely,
Remus Lupin
The second is pristine, tucked neatly in an envelope bearing a shining seal.
Dolores Umbridge, Senior Undersecretary:
I would like to address the matter of your newest legislation concerning werewolves.
I am certain you realise that this makes it almost impossible for those with such a condition to gain employment. Perhaps you believe that this is reasonable, that it protects people.
That, I must tell you, is rubbish. I'm sure you've good intentions, but werewolves are only dangerous several days out of the month, and most take serious precautions. In an age of Werewolf Support Services, Wolfsbane, and ever increasing knowledge, this measure makes very little sense.
I, quite intimately, understand the stigma surrounding werewolves. However, this only feeds into casual prejudice, and it harms many innocent people who only want to live decent lives. Please reconsider.
Thank you for your time,
Remus Lupin
Neither of them help very much.