Journal Entry - August 25, 1998
I was pulled out of the infirmary yesterday with news that I had a visitor. I immediately thought of my parents - the last time I'd had a proper visitor was when my father had come to pick Mum up back in July, a few weeks before I was bedded with Phunnel Pox. I was half right - it my my father. I had written home that I would be staying at Hogwarts to redo my final year and take my NEWTs, which had of course made them happy and proud, but my father had another concern.
Apparently, thanks to my efforts in the war, the Macmillan name is now associated with those of other blood traitors - I had single-handedly changed the family's blood status.
And my father didn't like it one bit.
To put it mildly, my father has always been the most traditional of his family. He's the oldest of five, and because my three aunts changed their names upon marrying, only my father and his brother were left to continue the family name. And when I was young, my uncle was sent to Azkaban for being a Death Eater, something none of us ever mention if we can help it... So that leaves Dad, and me, his only child.
I'd always thought my parents weren't like all the other pureblooded families, that they were all right with Muggleborns and Half-bloods. And in theory, they were. They were happy with my friendships with Hannah and Justin, and had never blinked twice at my bringing them home for supper or sleep-overs in the summertime. The first hints that things weren't quite as I knew them, however, came when I was dating Megan. I only know what happened because I overheard my father, and spoke later with my mother about it all. He hated the fact that I was dating someone who wasn't pureblooded. Apparently, he even contemplated trying to find a pureblooded girl and somehow force me into a betrothal... but Mum was able to talk some sense into him before he could find anyone 'suitable'.
So perhaps it shouldn't have been a surprise when he came to see me, demanding that now that the war was over, it was time for me to do my proper pureblooded duty and act in a way that would restore our blood status. My answer? Well, I believe there were four-letter words in there somewhere, as well as several other things that would have earned a hex from my mother for even daring to speak them to my father. But, I couldn't help it - I was just so angry! I'd risked my life in a war to help those I care about most - Justin, Hannah, Michael... - and here he was demanding that I turn my back on all of that because of his stupid ideals for blood purity! We had a shouting match right there in the halls until he finally grew tired of it and left.
I'm glad he left! I'm still so mad, and I can't believe he did that! Merlin, and I never even told him about Michael... I can only imagine what his reaction would have been if I'd revealed that not only was I dating another Half-blood, but one who was male - meaning the possibility that the family line would end with me. Not that I don't want kids eventually, I do, have always wanted a family, but... if things work out with Michael, we aren't exactly able to have them together, you know?
It doesn't matter. My father has made his point of view clear as day - I just don't care. He may not respect it, but I'm not the boy I used to be. I've grown up, and I have a mind of my own.
This is my life, and if he can't accept it, then he doesn't have to be a part of it.
Apparently, thanks to my efforts in the war, the Macmillan name is now associated with those of other blood traitors - I had single-handedly changed the family's blood status.
And my father didn't like it one bit.
To put it mildly, my father has always been the most traditional of his family. He's the oldest of five, and because my three aunts changed their names upon marrying, only my father and his brother were left to continue the family name. And when I was young, my uncle was sent to Azkaban for being a Death Eater, something none of us ever mention if we can help it... So that leaves Dad, and me, his only child.
I'd always thought my parents weren't like all the other pureblooded families, that they were all right with Muggleborns and Half-bloods. And in theory, they were. They were happy with my friendships with Hannah and Justin, and had never blinked twice at my bringing them home for supper or sleep-overs in the summertime. The first hints that things weren't quite as I knew them, however, came when I was dating Megan. I only know what happened because I overheard my father, and spoke later with my mother about it all. He hated the fact that I was dating someone who wasn't pureblooded. Apparently, he even contemplated trying to find a pureblooded girl and somehow force me into a betrothal... but Mum was able to talk some sense into him before he could find anyone 'suitable'.
So perhaps it shouldn't have been a surprise when he came to see me, demanding that now that the war was over, it was time for me to do my proper pureblooded duty and act in a way that would restore our blood status. My answer? Well, I believe there were four-letter words in there somewhere, as well as several other things that would have earned a hex from my mother for even daring to speak them to my father. But, I couldn't help it - I was just so angry! I'd risked my life in a war to help those I care about most - Justin, Hannah, Michael... - and here he was demanding that I turn my back on all of that because of his stupid ideals for blood purity! We had a shouting match right there in the halls until he finally grew tired of it and left.
I'm glad he left! I'm still so mad, and I can't believe he did that! Merlin, and I never even told him about Michael... I can only imagine what his reaction would have been if I'd revealed that not only was I dating another Half-blood, but one who was male - meaning the possibility that the family line would end with me. Not that I don't want kids eventually, I do, have always wanted a family, but... if things work out with Michael, we aren't exactly able to have them together, you know?
It doesn't matter. My father has made his point of view clear as day - I just don't care. He may not respect it, but I'm not the boy I used to be. I've grown up, and I have a mind of my own.
This is my life, and if he can't accept it, then he doesn't have to be a part of it.