It was close enough to the things his dad would point out in one more speech about how they didn't know hardship that Jamie had to grit his teeth to let her finish because he knew she wasn't trying to give him the same lecture. At least, he hoped not. He knew he and his siblings had been given a much better life than what his parents, especially his dad, had been given. But, better wasn't always good, not in the ways that mattered, anyway. "It's that nice Hufflepuff girl persona," he teased weakly. "Takes them off their guard."
Jamie sighed again and sat back. "I get what you're saying and I know the training he gave us wasn't like growing up in a war. Contrary to what he seems to think, I do understand that things aren't the same, that might problems aren't on the same level as his problems. And, maybe their entire generation is fucked up. But, those three are a class of their own. It's more than just thinking they always have to fight. It's the fact my aunt and uncle never question him. It's the fact Uncle Ron's answer to any problem is to pass Dad the firewhiskey. I'm not sure, even in our time, they would be able to admit he has a problem. Grandma Molly certainly won't. He can do no wrong." He pinched his nose briefly, cutting himself off.
"So, I'm not like him, but I'm doing the same thing he is?" Jamie asked with a raised eyebrow. "You're right, it wasn't my job. It was theirs. Mum and Dad should have been the ones to stick up for Al when he was sorted to Slytherin. They should have been taking care of Lilu's scraped knees. They should have been the ones to step in and deal with the press and keep them from looking too deeply into the family skeleton closet. But, you've lost me at the part where I decided what my siblings want to do for me? I've never stopped them from doing anything. Do I think they shouldn't have to do some of these things? Yes. But, I've never stopped them. I have done what I could to protect them and give them some semblance of a real family. But, I have never made their decisions for them. About anything."