My dearest Maeve,

I am truly sorry it has come to this but I feel at the moment we can only really communicate through written word, where tempers can be measured and neither of us can interrupt the other. I fear we are too much alike sometimes but your father says its our differences that make us a mystery to one another at time. For once I think he might actually be speaking sense. When was the last time we really listened to one another? Certainly not since you learnt to speak I’d wager.

But my darling girl, I need you to listen to me now: this is not what I wanted for you. I know I pushed you, and in the dark part of my soul I am petrified that you went down this road only to please me, but I never, ever wished for your compliance at the expense of your happiness. You are my greatest accomplishment, my finest mark upon the world and your misery cuts me deeper than anything I have ever known.

Whatever it takes to be rid of him, do it. If it brings ruin on the family name, do it. If the Minister of Magic himself insists you remain wed then send him to me and I will change his mind for you. If I thought for a moment he gave you any joy then I would put up with him but my darling I will not turn a blind eye to his nature any longer.

In the New Year we will be friends again and I will do anything-