This time when Merlin returned to her, he was an obscure shade of purple. Poppy caught the poor little thing as he huffed and puffed his way into the room and couldn't help a delicate laugh that bubbled up and out. She hoped her cousin hadn't done this to the poor creature on her behalf. She cradled Merlin close, petting him in his exhaustion as she read the letter. Atticus was such a dear. Pressing her finger over the scratched out words 'you're a Foxwood' Poppy finally felt tears betray her. She hid her face in Merlin's purple plummage and cried for a good while, letting all her guilt and self-pity come rolling out. She couldn't believe she'd hurt her own family; she couldn't believe how understanding Atticus was; she couldn't believe how angry or concerned he and Aunt Viola would be when she finally admitted her failure! And, despite all this, they would support her. As they always had, and as she knew they always would.
Atticus,
I love you all, more than you or Basil or Aunt Viola could ever know.
thank you,
Poppy
Poppy
Atticus Foxwood (FYI Viola Foxwood)
© Fox