A/N: Hello, and welcome to my story. I hope you enjoy it, and that I can represent my ship in a way that is as exciting to you as it is to me.

To the man who made me but never wanted me,

I know that you are, more likely than not, expecting nothing but abuse from me over your actions, but that is not why I'm writing. While I admit that your absence has left a hole in my life that I at times struggled to fill, it also taught me some far-reaching lessons. I believe that the most important ones were that emotions like anger and bitterness only worsen when they are left unchecked, and that obsessing over the things we cannot change only hurts us in the end. The aforementioned lessons are what finally catalyzed this letter.

As bizarre as this might seem, I would like to formally begin this letter by thanking you. From what I have gleamed through the years, the people around you often find themselves embroiled in unpleasant situations that have equally unpleasant resolutions. This isn't particularly difficult for me to believe, given my existence. I thank you because I might have been a victim of your blatant disregard for others had you not shirked your fatherly duties. While this was given without your knowledge or consent, the peace and freedom you granted me by removing yourself from my life are worth more to me than any gifts or last minute trinkets I might've received from you. My childhood has been happy, and greatly uneventful when it comes to tragedy. It would be remiss of me to not admit that your absence was- still is- to thank for this.

Your anonymity was also beneficial once I was of school-age. It is much easier to navigate the murky waters of adolescence when you are not being scrutinized by the entirety of the world. Most importantly, my achievements were not attributed to my pedigree. My triumphs weren't spun into someone else's legacy. I have never been showered with undue praise or blatant favoritism from my professors. My schoolmates don't see me as an amalgam of what made my parents great, and I've never been vilified for it. To them I am just another student, and this has helped me form close bonds with people outside of my house, regardless of our banner's colors. This life I have carved out for myself outside of home has been good to me, and I don't think that would've been possible with you by my side.

I also don't believe I would've been quite as well-adjusted as I am had you taken the time to be a father. It certainly doesn't seem to be the case with my half-siblings. I understand that the Wizarding World has little to do besides Quidditch and gossip, but I still find it unsettling that they all chuckle whenever the actions of your unruly children are mentioned. I don't find chaos and destruction nearly as amusing as they do, I'm afraid. I believe I would've struggled to coexist with them in any space. We're too different, you see. Truthfully speaking, I am relieved to not be forced into any social situations with them, or to deal with awkward visitations and arguments over my less than cordial behaviour towards them. That is one thing you and I have in common, I suppose. We don't like who we don't like, and I just so happen to not like my siblings. I would rather have no memories of you than unpleasant ones. Life is less tedious this way.

Do you know what else I'm exceedingly grateful for? Despite having you for a father, I was somehow given a mother that I'm thoroughly convinced I do not deserve. Nothing I do in this life will ever be enough to repay her for everything she has done for me. She has sacrificed more than you can ever imagine to provide me with a stable life. Her hard work and perseverance in the face of adversity has shown me just how selfless love can be, and if I manage to become even half the person she is when life decides to hand the reins of parenthood to me, I will consider myself a success.

I could forget about the grievances I'm meant to jot down on this letter and go on about mum for ages, but there is not enough parchment in this world to describe just what she means to me. It's not just the taxing hours she works to provide us with the gifts that find their way into me when I least expect them, either. It's the warm embrace that covers me when nothing in the world feels right. It'd the way her eyes twinkle with love and pride whenever she looks at me. It's the encouraging letter she always places at the bottom of my trunk before I depart for Hogwarts each year, and the things she knits for me before winter to keep me warm while I'm away. She has been by my side through the good and the bad . She has been there for every milestone in my life. You weren't there for me, but you weren't missed. Her hand was always there to hold, and that was more than enough for me.

This wasn't always the case. There were days when the lack of contact from you hurt. I felt displaced in my home, in my life. Discovering you were my father made me feel hollow, and abandoned. I had everything I wanted, but not the one thing I should've had. It took some time to accept just how misguided I was for thinking I was somehow less without your acknowledgement. The table at home had always been full, not one person short. I realized I did not need you to face the trials and tribulations life sent my way. I didn't need you to hold my hand when I was afraid. I didn't need you to soothe me when I was in the throes of night terrors. I didn't need your reassurances when I botched my first attempt at flying. You weren't there, but I didn't need you. I had mum.

You're probably wondering if she's ever said anything about you. She hasn't. I would've forgiven her- celebrated, even- if she had said anything negative about you. I sometimes wish she had. I dreamt about her accidentally blurting out horrible things about you sometimes. It would've made it easier for me to hate you. I just needed one thing. One thing to cling to in order to excuse all the bitterness I had bottled inside me when it came to you. But she never spoke ill of you. Instead of listing mistakes that I believe could encircle Hogwarts several times over, she decided to make sure that I avoided all the pitfalls you so loved diving into during your youth

Well, I think we can safely assume that she succeeded in her endeavor. Perhaps I'm biased, but I truly believe myself to be better than you ever were at my age, I'm not as impulsive or unsympathetic. I am less willing to judge others, and more willing to assist those in need. I'm capable of logically assessing a situation and reacting accordingly. I am and always will be a kind person, no matter the circumstance. And while you don't get to take credit for the man I am becoming, I still think this is something you should be proud of.

I suppose I should end this letter by thanking you one last time.

By giving me nothing, you really gave me everything. I wouldn't have been blessed with this wonderful life had you not denied me the chance to be part of yours. Your absence has shown me that I can thrive without a surname to pave the way. It taught me to make better decisions, and it's made me a better person as a result. My world was not stunted the day you left, and I will continue to flourish without you.

I sincerely hope you have found some semblance of happiness with the couches you've made- because I've found mine besides the one choice you never fought for.

Forever Grateful,

The Undaunted

A/N: As always, feedback is appreciated. For any notes on the story, warning, etc, head on over to my profile. Feel free to PM me with any additional questions or thoughts you might have via pm! And thanks to the lovely Dramione writer, Mrs Ren, for helping me with this project. :)