Remember me, daddy... (Armen, Inv only)

Dear dad,


you know I love you. More than anything. You were the best daddy I could ever wish for. You were there, when I got in trouble. Even with Hannibal. Your accepted my life choices and never criticized me for them. Even if you most likely knew they were stupid and would never work out. Bill is the biggest example of them all. And because of all this, I am writting you this letter in hope, that you will respect this choice as well. And I'm terribly sorry for everything.


When Bill left, I thought I can work it out. I still had Hannibal, you and mom, why wouldn't I be able to, right? It hurt. It hurt beyond everything. Even more, than when Dec died. Probably because I knew Bill was still alive. He is going to meet another girl, give her what I was supposed to get. And have future that he always wanted, yet could never have with me. But I was willing to get over it. I really wanted to. And that's why I beg you now, please don't blame him. It's not his fault. Nothing ever was his fault.


But I learnt something terrible a few days later. I had a fight with mom. You know, one of those silly, pointless fights of ours. You used to roll eyes at them. She snapped and accidentaly gave away something, she didn't want any of us to know. She was sick, daddy. Very sick. In pain, constantly. And when I asked her how long she got left, she told me that not even a year. Full of pain she so perfectly hid from all of us. I couldn't stand that. I couldn't see her everyday, see you everyday, not being able to tell, because I promised her not to. I couldn't stand the idea, that one day, I will have to look into your eyes and either lie about me knowing it the whole time, or tell you the truth. And I couldn't stand the idea of third person leaving me in such a short time.


I love my son. But I cannot be the mother he needs. I cannot be the parent you and mom were to me. I am sorry, that I, of all people, have to be the failure. But I can't go on. I can't walk this World alone. I cannot raise my son, my treasure, in pain of past that would haunt me forever. So, I decided to gather what was left of my strenght for this letter. For my goodbye. I wish I could hug you. I wish you could tell me that everything will be alright. I wish it would be truth. But I know it wouldn't. And that's why I have to leave. Mom doesn't know she won't wake up in the morning. She doesn't know you will find this letter. And she doesn't know I won't wake up either. She will probably give me hard time down in hell, because after all, we will have lot of time ahead of us, waiting for you to join us.


I miss you alredy. But I want you to stay strong. To go on. Make Hannibal what I could never be. And remember me, daddy. Please, just remember me. And one day... maybe... maybe you will forgive me for what I've done.


I love you, always,
your Misha


Misha closed the pen and folded the paper with her goodbye letter before her tears would make it impossible to read. Her mom was alredy asleep in her bed. Her heart was going to stop soon. Misha hated herself for doing this. But she knew it was something her mother wished for. Somewhere deep inside. "See you soon, mama," she looked at her one last time before she lied next to her, holding her hand and closing her eyes for one last time, suddenly feeling the pills to kick in.

Armen stepped into the house carrying a bottle of wine, his wife's favored vintage and a bag of groceries to make her favorite meal. "Sarah" his warm voice resonated as he walked through the kitchen. He heard a cry and said "beloved can you hold Hannibal? I need to start dinner" putting down the bag he began taking the vegetables out and rolled up his sleeves. Hannibal still cried and heard "MAMA!"

Armen turned "Hannibal?" rushing down the hall he turned the corner into the master bedroom and felt his heart stop. His grandson was sitting besides his little girl sobbing shaking his mother his tiny fists wrapped in her soft blue sweater. "Misha?" his voice shook a bit as he walked to the edge of the bed and picked up the letter his daughter held softly in her pale hand.

The words on the paper whipped away what was last of his soul, the little boy turned his sobs into his grandfather's chest. Looking at the two women he leaned over his wife and kissed her cheek "Sarah...i love you..my angel..my queen.." he whispered softly.

Two Weeks Later

Storms raged outside the small hut and Armen sat with his grandson as the potion for sleeping he gave the two year old took affect. Finally asleep he stood and tucked the boy in before he opened a bottle of bourbon and sat by the fire, flipping his favorite knife between his fingers. A gift from his wife on there fifth anniversary, made of bone and stained in blood. He treasured it...as he did love her.

Sophie was just on her way to Wolfclaw dorms after the whole, tiring day when the storm came and all hell broke loose. Rolling her eyes, she decided it may not be the best idea getting all her notes completely wet, so she decided to try her luck and knock and groundkeepers door. She didn't know much about the man. He was always quite a mystery to her. But she knew hevisited her mama quite a few times, so he probably wasn't what people thought he was. And also she knew he lost his wife and daughter not long ago. Which was why she was slightly nervous about this idea.

Knocks at the door startled him as he turned on instinct throwing the knife, it spun handle over blade before piercing through the door. Getting to his feet he opened the door letting in the storm, taking in the sight of the girl his lip curled as he pulled the knife from his door "What do you want"

Sophie looked at the man and could tell he was in no mood for company. Who would blame him after all? "Shelter? Until this mess ends. After that, I promise I will be gone. But I love my notes and there would be nothing left of them before I would get back to Wolfclaw dorm," she said honestly, not sure what this brings her. After all, it sounded only like a pretty stupid excuse. But Sophie really wanted those notes to last. Or she would fail miserable. And miss Amelia never takes failures.

Turning he left the door open and picked a beer from the cold case in the corner and sat down by the fire drinking it. He watched the girl walk in and contemplated killing her, already sizing up what he would need to make her into a stew, but before she sat down he threw out the idea, but did not avert his critical gaze.

"Thanks," she said as she sat down, facing the man for a few short second before she looked down. She didn't know what else to say. He didn't seem like a man who would accept condolences. Not from people who could hardly know how he feels anyway. And Sophie didn't know. She didn't feel much for her biological parents. Nothing but curiosity. Of course she probably wouldn't admit that to Harry, but to herself, she didn't have to lie. On the other hand, she could relate to his daughter. It must have been hard to leave her dad this way. It would be hard for Sophie. Despite the fact her dad drifted away past year.

Looking into the fire he lit a cigar and took a long drag of the acrid stick "You remind me of her, my misha" he said after a long silence "i know your father is in the castle girl, why are you not at his side this night? his other two off spring are with him. He is teaching, i know this to be so because he has made arrangements for me to come get the bodies when he is done"

He was sad when he spoke of his daughter. It made Sophie look at him again. And frown as he continued. "He doesn't seem to be very fond of me lately," she replied a bit angrier than she wanted to sound. But it was making her angry. Her mama never did anything to make her feel out of the family. Her siblings were however much more talented and priviledged everywhere else. And Sophie hated to think that now even her dad loves them more. Simply because they are his.

He looked down at her, he could sense her anger and almost chuckled "And why do you think that is dear girl"

Sophie wasn't sure why was he asking her this. The answer was humiliating and it took her a few seconds to gather courage to answer. "Because I am nobody. I am weak Potter girl. Always in the shadow of all my possible and impossible siblings, that's why," she half hissed.