Friday, Oct 7th
Tristan stepped out of the castle with a sense of dread knotting his stomach. He saw his father standing by the foot of the stairs and approached him. Julian didn't even look at his son as he started to walk towards the lake, expecting the boy to follow him.
When they reached the shore, the man stopped and clasped his hands behind his back. The Slytherin stood a few steps behind him. Julian stared across the water and took a deep breath.
"We need to talk about your behaviour, Tristan." DuLac said quietly. "I don't ever want to get one of those messages again. That my son had collapsed in a graceless heap in his dorm. You will take care of yourself from now on. Do you understand that?"
Julian turned his head a little and glanced at Tristan who was looking at the ground. "Did you hear me, Tristan?" he said a little more forcefully and took a step towards the boy. "I don't like to repeat myself. I thought you'd have learned that by now."
"I have." Tristan said and raised his head to look at his father. The Slytherin was tall but was still shorter than the older man. "What do you want from me? I told you I'd do anything you want. Anything to make you happy."
"You think this is about making me happy?" Julian growled, making Tristan flinch and grabbed the boy by his arm. "Do you really believe that I've enjoyed the last sixteen years? That I had nothing better to do than to worry about my brainless son who can't keep out of trouble for a second? I have done anything humanly possible to provide you with a safe future, boy!"
"Have you really?" Tristan's eyes flashed with anger. "Have you ever considered my wishes? If I actually wanted all the things you've arranged for me?"
"Your wishes?"Julian's hand tightened its grip and pulled his son towards him. "How would I have known about your wishes? Not once have you vocalised them. I am not a mind reader! Judging from your behaviour I never assumed you'd have a single intelligent thought inhabiting your pretty little head at all!" The man's eyes were dark with fury. "Since we have a little time on our hands now, why don't you tell me what you want? What might be the hopes and dreams of a useless little boy like you?"
The Slytherin stared at the older man and swallowed. "Why do you do that all the time? Why do you hate me so much?" he whispered and blinked furiously. "I've tried to be a good son but nothing that I do is ever good enough for you. Believe me, I'd do anything to make you... I even tried to get Elanor to like me as you wanted... It doesn’t matter…" His voice broke and he averted his eyes. “You won’t have to worry about me anymore.” A barely audible whisper.
Julian’s eyes narrowed as he heard the last words of his son and grabbed the boy’s chin, forcing him to look up. “What is that supposed to mean?” he hissed. “What have you done now?” Tristan whimpered and looked into a pair of eyes that looked like his own. “I’ve seen myself die.” He watched how shock and pain flickered in his father’s eyes and was surprised to see the older man’s face soften.
A sad smile curled Julian’s lips as he relinquished his hold on the Slytherin’s arm and jaw. “We failed.” He said it more to himself than to his son and turned away to look across the lake. Tristan was confused and waited for his father to elaborate. He hadn’t expected that reaction. Anger, rage, physical violence, yes but not this silent defeat.
“Father?” Tristan called out softly and reached out his hand touching the other man’s shoulder lightly. Julian turned around and looked at his son thoughtfully. “It’s time to let go.” he finally said and pulled the boy into an embrace. Tristan’s head was swimming and he felt like suffocating. His dream… Before he could say anything, his father let go of him and walked away, leaving Tristan alone by the lakeshore.