» little sister, private

[Viola Prince]

Dear Mother, is it strange that I should feel so guilty, as if I have failed someone, one of is one my own flesh and blood? I have socialized with my cousin, Mother; the cousin on Father’s side, Helena, and it has made me realize that I did not treat her as if she were my own younger sister, like Matilda….

Lying her quill down upon the polished, oak-wooded desk, Viola gave a little sigh of weariness. Ever since she and Helena had departed for their respective homes the previous two weeks before, Viola could not restrain her thoughts from wandering to how certain occurrences might have been had she benefited her young cousin after her father had landed himself in Azkaban. Of course, Viola had been so young to have not given much thought to her paternal family whilst she had been so focused on ensuring her siblings comfort and happiness throughout their motherless childhood, but she rather felt that that was no excuse to have not ensured that her aunt by marriage and her cousin by blood were not sufficiently cared for. However, there was also the matter of her lower-class cousins on her mother’s side, the Filches’. If she recalled correctly, her maternal eldest cousin was only a year her senior and had just recently turned twenty, but it would not be fair to become a benefactor to the unfortunate Prince family whilst her Filch cousins’ lives were possibly worse than Helena’s.

Staring at the yellowing parchment before her, Viola wondered if she could possibly be able to assist both of her families? Well, of course she could! The Prince fortune was ample enough that if spent half upon both families, the Prince fortune would still be sufficient enough to accommodate dowries for both hers and Matilda’s dowries and leave enough for Victor to spend upon improving the household and supporting his family. But Viola was not an unwise young woman, and she was sure that her father would react negatively to her suggestion, and she would not dare submit to anything her father would disapprove of; she was a good daughter, if anything.

Raising her head to gaze at the grandfather clock situated in her lavender and white themed chambers, Viola recognized the time of day as the afternoon and most known as tea time. Now that her siblings have returned home for the summer, the Prince household was decidedly more bustling and noise. Her younger brother, Victor usually had more energy to burn than any young lad she had ever set sights on, and was usually being chastised by one of the maids or Great-Aunt Dosia for running in the hallways or being distracting by his childish play. Of course, Victor seemed to have matured some in Viola’s eyes, but she could decipher the energy and youngness of a boy of nearly twelve. Matilda, on the other hand, was definitely more subdued in her manners and a little more reserved around Viola, but she enjoyed her younger sister’s company for Aunt Dosia’s was becoming vexing and tedious. It was also evident in Matilda’s figure and behavior that she had matured, as well, and Viola could not excuse the pride she felt in seeing how mature her beautiful younger sister truly was.

Having departed her room, Viola now entered the Sun Room where she usually took tea during the spring and summer months. The room was decorated in light, breezy colors that was usually beautifully illuminated by the large windows adorning the walls. Viola’s fondness for the room stemmed so far as to spend nearly most of her weeks recovering from her bout of Yellow Fever within the room’s confines. At least the large windows in the Sun Room gave off more sun than her own quarters did, and it was no secret of how much Viola enjoyed the warmth of the sun, but was slightly weary of the sun’s ability to considerably tan her due to how she was tan already.

After having ordered the maid to bring a tray of tea and finger sandwiches, Viola also demanded of the maid to inform her younger sister that her elder desired her presence. Settling into one of the chairs at the small, white wooden table, Viola awaited the tea and sandwiches, as well as Matilda’s entrance.

tag: Matilda | outfit: here | notes: none
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[Mathilda Prince]

Mathilda was sitting in her room, trying to focus on her homework when one of the households maids softly knocked on her door, and a little annoyed over being disturbed, she allowed her to open the door. The maid told her that Mathilda’s sister, Viola, wanted to see her in the Sun Room for tea, and Mathilda told the maid to continue her work and that she would be down in the Sun Room in a few minutes. The maid quickly nodded and closed the door behind her, while Mathilda took the lid of her ink and closed, even though they had a reasonable amount of money, she didn’t see any reason to waste them on things like buying new ink, just because the old one dried.

Mathilda rose from her seat behind the desk, and looked in the mirror standing in the corner of her room, to reassure that her dress was sitting perfectly and her hair wasn’t looking odd. She liked to act like an upper-class girl, after all she hoped that one day she would marry an upper-class man, and get some of the family name respect back. After she was sure that she looked perfect, she started to walk towards the Sun Room.

When she entered the Sun Room she quickly found Viola, not that it was so hard. She walked towards her and sat down in the empty chair on the other side of the table. ”You wanted to talk with me, Viola” she said softly and looked at Viola, waiting for the reason to get dragged away from her studies.

[Viola Prince]

As Viola awaited the entrance of her younger sister, she could not help but notice the fading quality of the Sun Room’s curtains were. Viola had honestly saw no reason to update the house’s décor every year, but now that she was beginning to notice the signs of wear upon some of objects the Prince household possessed, she began to acknowledge the fact that she must speak to her father about updating the furniture that truly needed replacing. However, then a thought had occurred to her. Why spend money upon new furniture when she could use magic to turn it anew? Besides, is that not the education she had received from her governess as a young girl? How to keep and update a household’s needs? With that thought in mind, Viola began to scheme. One day that week, she would go about the house and fix the house’s needs.

However, upon hearing the creaking of a door opening, Viola turned her gaze away from the fading quality curtains to give a warm smile to her younger sister, whom she realized was appearing her best as only Mathilda could. Her dress was neat and wrinkle-free as usual, and her thick, wavy hair arranged in the perfect bun atop the crown of her head, and Viola found it difficult to acknowledge the fact that her younger sister was no longer the sweet, innocent babe she cared for and entertained after their mother’s passing. It saddened her that Mathilda and Victor were growing up, and now that Mathilda was nearly fourteen, she began to become acutely aware of her unmarried status. If she married well, she could introduce gentlemen to Mathilda so she could possess her own impeccably arranged match and she may be well settled, as well.

“Indeed,” she informed her younger sister with a warm smile and a motion of her hand to sit across from her. The tea was soon brought in before Viola could responded once more to her sister, “I was a trifle lonely, and I did not think you would mind joining me for tea. You were not occupied with something too important, I trust?” Her cinnamon-brown eyes took on a sparkle of concern as she daintily took a sip of her tea.

tag: Mathilda | outfit: here | notes: none
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[Mathilda Prince]

Mathilda couldn’t help but notice the signs of all the years passing, but she couldn’t exactly do anything about it until she was seventeen, she had to wait three more years until she could do anything, without the ministry would know about it.

Mathilda had decided not to care too about a future marriage. She counted on her father to find someone for her, but with his history of marrying down for love, she didn’t count too much on it. Maybe Viola could be of more help once she got married, but Mathilda would never ask her directly.

Mathilda took a cup of tea herself and sipped it before she even considered answering Viola. She wanted to tell her back, but she really didn’t want to get into a fight with Viola right now. ”Not really, I was just looking at my summer homework, trying to get some of it done, so I could, I do not know, maybe go the festival and meet with some of my friends?” she answered politely, hoping to show that she was acting right.

Mathilda quickly spotted a small wrinkle on her dress and brushed it away, her dove-blue dress was amongst her favorite when she was not in school, but even though it was her favorite, she tried not to wear it too much, trying to save it for special occasions, but she seemed to think there was a lack of those things.

tag: Viola Prince | notes: none
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[Viola Prince]

Viola could clearly recall her recollections of when she herself had been a meek little Ravenclaw during her years of Hogwarts, and she could not honestly confess that there were anything truly special. Of course, most young girls did not possess the opportunity to admit that they were taught a certain lesson by their father, but Viola had always found the classes her father taught a little straining due to the acknowledgement of their strained relationship. Of course, she excelled in Herbology as she did all of her core classes, but her father had confided (a rare thing indeed for any of the Prince children) in her that she nearly earned an ‘Exceeds Expectations’ rather than an ‘Oustanding’; it was only one fortunate question that she had answered correctly to spare her of receiving as such.

To be honest, having her father as a professor for one of her core subjects was a trifle awkward for Viola. It made her strive to appease him by excelling in his class so as to gain his favor and attention. She hadn’t a clue of how her siblings handled their father’s teaching methods, but she was aware that she herself had difficulty in learning from him due to her wanting to appease him, make him smile. Viola had only been a mere little girl when her mother had passed, but she could recollect her father’s grievances from the very day Adelaide Prince née Filch had unexpectedly passed due to his potions to the present where the memories of his beloved wife taunted him everyday, and his daughters whom so resembled his wife were not proving matters either.

Though her cherry-red gown was noticeably wrinkle-free, she smoothed the soft material of her gown to occupy her jittering hands. There had always been a reason why Viola felt so awkward around her youngest sister that she could not decipher. She believes that perhaps she was afraid that one day Mathilda would inquire of their mother’s favoritisms and how she behaved when, in truth, Viola could only recollect snippets of their mother. She recollected her mother’s dark hair that so resembled the Prince sisters’; she could recollect her mother deeming fairytales inappropriate for both children and adults since they only brought refurbished homes to be crushed once again; she could recollect sitting upon her mother’s lap and reading to her a childish story she had written, and last but not least, she could recollect her mother singing her to sleep at night with her father standing in his eldest daughter’s doorway, a fond smile upon his face as if he were at peace.

Shaking herself out of her recollections of the mother she had lost, Viola took another small sip of her tea and considered her sister’s words. Why had Mathilda not informed her that she desired to attend the festivities of Hogsmeade second Summer Solstice Festival? If she had been sure that her younger sister had desired to join, she would have taken Mathilda the same day she had taken Victor a week previous. Clearing her throat, her startling realization somewhat diminished, though her eyes were still wide with concern, “Mathilda, why did you not inform me that you wished to attend the Summer Solstice Festival? I would have offered for you to join Victor and I when I had taken him last week; you know that I would do anything to make you happy.”

tag: Mathilda | outfit: here | notes: none
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[Mathilda Prince]

Mathilda took another sip of her tea, trying to keep herself busy so she wouldn’t end up saying something stupid. That was how she got through most of her classes, even though she answered some of the questions in most of the classes, but when it came to Herbology, she really tried to do something so she wouldn’t answer a question from her father or get scolded for talking with her friends.

Unlike Viola, Mathilda hardly thought about their mother, the biggest reason was because she had trouble remembering her, because she had only been three years old when their mother passed away. It was also the main reason, is you asked Mathilda, that she was closer to their father than Viola was. But that was just Mathilda’s thoughts.

When Viola told her they could have gone together along with their brother, Mathilda sighed silent, hoping Viola couldn’t hear it. ”I guess I didn’t thought about it. And I want to go with my friends, so..” it came from her, hoping Viola wouldn’t be angry about her answer

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[Viola Prince]

Since a fairly young girl, Viola had been in the thorough belief that family bonding ought to come before the socialization with friends, a belief that was still in practice at present and Viola had taught to her younger siblings. Victor, it seemed, took her advice to heart and always attempted to either civilly socialize and bond with his elder sisters, but Viola became aware of Mathilda’s frequent absence from the dinner table or when their father had arrived for a rare visit with his children, and she became disappointed with her younger sister’s lack of involvement amongst their small family consisting of she, Victor, and Mathilda herself. The Prince children had been bereft of genuine affection when Icarus Prince had left the raising of his children to governesses and nannies due to the everlasting mourning of his beloved wife, and as the eldest daughter and child, Viola felt as if it were her duty to ensure that she and her siblings were well cared for and beloved. Is Mathilda’s nonchalant phrases and tone of voice an indication that she has failed in her duties as an elder sister, as well as an advisor and confidante?

Gently setting down her teacup which created a small ‘clink!’ as it hit the china plate underneath, Viola observed the young woman before her. Was this truly her younger sister; the woman whom appeared to be devoid of sibling affection and possesses the strong desire to flee from her elder sister’s very presence, as if Viola unsettled or vexed her? In silence, Viola continued to assess Mathilda as the recollection her younger sister’s birth unfolded within her conscience. Viola had been aged five years when her younger sister had been brought into the world, and had been ecstatic when she had learned that her mother had produced a younger sister whom she could companionably play and socialize with, but soon after her mother had passed and Mathilda had matured, Viola had soon realized that the sisterly bond between them would never be as she had imagined it when she had been a young girl. Though the realization had immensely saddened her, Viola attempted to come to terms with her sister’s nonchalance and indifference, but had always told the young girl that should Mathilda ever desire her presence for anything that she should call upon her, and Viola would come to her aid in an instant.

“Of course,” Viola acquiesced in a tone void of emotion, attempting to conceal her hurt, but she could not resist adding, “I had not realized that your friendships overcome your family; I apologize for not having noticed sooner.”

tag: Mathilda | outfit: here | notes: none
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[Mathilda Prince]

Mathilda sighed, she really hated not acting like her family expected from her. Even though there only was 5 years between her and Viola, they had never been really close. She could feel the disappointed from her sister, flowing out in waves, but Mathilda tried to keep it away from her feelings.

Especially when Viola spoke to her, Mathilda could feel the disappointment. “Viola, I spend almost all of my time from my vacation here, making my homework so I can be a good student so father can be proud of me, so you can be proud of me and I can be a good example for Victor. When I finally want to spend some time out of the house, then of course I want to be with my friends.” She said, looking a little annoyed at Viola.

Why couldn’t she see how much Mathilda fought small battles, trying to become a daughter their father, mother and the rest of the family could look at with pride in their eye.

tag: Viola| wordcount: 170|notes: none
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[Viola Prince]

With a sigh of vexation and shame, Viola’s brown eyes swiveled towards the large Sun Room glass window when the sun peaked from behind a stray cloud, and Viola saw, with some forlorn, that it could very well rain. However, she could not be too forlorn of this inevitable occurrence as the month of July had been vexingly dry and humid; a little rain could not hurt in the least.

But the thought of impending rain was not upon Viola’s whirring thoughts as she stared expressionlessly out of the large glass window before her. As a former Ravenclaw, she could understand the need to excel and focus upon her studies, but (this could be aimed at the fact that, as the eldest of three, it was her responsible to ensure that the younger two were properly cared for and assured that they were loved) it was impossible for her to focus upon her studies for too long as the thought of her siblings always crept into her mind, distracting her from said studies. Perhaps it was just a habit, but she had always believed that family possessed stronger enough friendships, so she hardly ever needed various friendships to rely upon. However, she had to remind herself, which perhaps Mathilda’s study habits and socializations did not occur much like hers does, and that’s when a hint of shame settled within her being. She was judging her younger sister for faults (if they were as such, which Viola must admit that aren’t truly blunders on Mathilda’s part) when she should be encouraging her to continue with her studies and relieve herself should studying become tedious to amuse herself with the company of her friends; just because Viola’s school years passed with only one true friend did not mean Mathilda’s school years must progress the same.

Shame strongly evident in her cinnamon-brown orbs, Viola said softly, “I apologize, Mathilda. I did not mean to imply that you cared naught for your family, as that is far from the truth.” Viola paused to emit a nearly silent sigh of weariness and resignation, “I suppose I just do not understand the value of friendships, and the wonders of it. You, Victor, and Aunt Dosia have been my constant companions for all of these years, and I suppose I had forgotten what it feels like to have a friend, a true friend…” By this moment, Viola’s gaze wandered from her younger sister’s turquoise-clad form to the outdoors displayed from the large parlor window, and her gaze never once looked away as a red cardinal swooped down amongst the roses, alerting her that, even in spirit and patronus form, her mother was still with her after all these years.

tag: Mathilda | outfit: here | notes: none
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[Mathilda Prince]

Mathilda looked around, she liked the room, but it wasn’t good when she was studying, to many things and people to disturb her. “I care about the family, I just don’t know how to show it, except trying to make you proud and be a good example for Victor. But if you want a friend, why don’t you try and contact one of your old friends from school. It’s not that long ago since you graduated.” She said, hoping this tea-time and talk soon was over. She hated being around her sister, she always made her feel unsure of herself and her actions, and she preferred to know what she was doing, know where she stood in the relationship, and most of all, know where she was in the society. She only wished to make her family proud of her, hoping she could find an upper-class that would accept her as a suitable wife.

tag: Viola| wordcount: 154|notes: none
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[Viola Prince]

“I suppose I could…,” she acquiesced after Mathilda had mentioned that perhaps she could contact one of past friends, but however much she wished to deny that she had any that would truly wish to be in her company, she said nothing of the sort and continued her gazing of the thickening rain clouds above. However, she had been speaking the utmost truth. She had somewhat neglected her societal duties after she had graduated from Hogwarts. Of course, Aunt Dosia (as her constant chaperone) and she would attend a society function or two, but the functions must be interesting and pivotal enough to pique the two women’s interests before they accepted the invitation.

To say the least, Viola was honestly confessing the utmost truth when she says that she had not many friends to speak of; acquaintances, certainly, but a friend? It was highly unlike that any of her old friends would have time enough upon their hands to take tea and socialize with her. Since their marriages, Viola has contacted and received replies from both Lady Etherium and Mrs. Malfoy in slow frequencies, and she could only assume that their sluggish correspondence must stem from the fact that they are wives, they have less time to spend upon writing. For this, she can forgive the two women. At least they were settled in advantageous marriages, whereas she and her father were still coming to an agreement to which man of her father’s choosing she would prefer.

In Viola’s opinion, she rather felt that she should count herself a fortunate woman, as what woman’s father would allow her to collaborate with him in choosing her own future spouse? Not many father’s would be so fair and just…, she thought as she swiveled her brown-eyed gazed back towards Mathilda. Surveying the young woman before her, Viola came to the conclusion that once she is married, she would inquire of Mathilda of what sort of man most appealed to her, and she shall attempt to search for her sister an advantageous marriage, whether it be Upper Class or Upper-Middle Class. Much like her father before her, she only wanted the best for her younger siblings, and they shall receive the best, even if she has to marry for convenience rather than civilization.

“Well,” she began as she swirled her creamy, lukewarm tea, “I suppose that if you truly want to finish your schoolwork, I’ll give you leave to do so; however, before you depart, please eat a little. Focusing upon your work on an empty stomach may affect how well you do, and I do so yearn for your success.” With a warm smile that only an affectionate elder sister can bestow, she leaned forward to grasp Mathilda’s hands as she said, “I believe that you can accomplish anything, Mathilda, that you can far; so much is changing in the world of women, and by the time you graduate, perhaps there is gentleman that came to appreciate the value of a hardworking woman, and he may allow you a freedom that other women shall seldom receive.” With a wistful sigh, she said in a hushed, quite tone, “Ah freedom…how lovely that word rings when spoken…”

tag: Mathilda | outfit: here | notes: 533 words
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[Mathilda Prince]

Mathilda sighed a little, if it meant that she was free from having to talk with Viola all the time. She knew she should send her letters from time to time, they were still sisters, but they had never been very good friends. Mathilda made a silent vow to herself; she was not going to lose touch with her friends from school after she had her coming out ball. She would not end up like Viola, sitting in the house all day long.

Mathilda hoped that she would end up in a good marriage. She did not exactly have the best looks or the best future in sight unless she married up, but most of the upper-class family would only accept other upper-class into their family, which meant her chance of marring an upper-class man was pretty low. She was not going to give up even though, she still kept her eyes open for any possibility.

Mathilda was happy for the chances she had in her life, but she still wished she could do something to make the entire family feel better. She wanted to help the family with money and wanted to help Viktor to find a good wife, even though it was none of her concern. She could just not imagine herself unmarried and stuck in the middle-class. It had never been a part of her future, not as far as she could see.

Mathilda looked at Viola with surprise when she grasped her hands. “If I get hungry I will find something to eat, do not worry about me.” She said, deciding to let Violas words about freedom. Mathilda was happy for the freedom she had, but she would much rather have a good life where she felt safe.

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[Viola Prince]

When Viola observed her younger sister’s soft sigh of what she believed to be relief, she was then aware that it was not just she whom felt the awkwardness and distance between them. Of course, they sent one another letters inquiring of one another’s health and over the subject of Victor from time to time, but it was a true fact that the two Prince Sisters were neither particularly close nor comfortable in one another’s presence. We can be so similar, yet so divergent from one another…, Viola inwardly sighed to herself as she continued to stir the creamy remnants of her tea.

Their father had once been an influential man, and therefore, still had remaining acquaintances of his previous rank, and he had even confessed that he has sought out many of his Upper Class acquaintances whom displayed an interest in courting his eldest daughter. Viola has yet to come into acquaintance with any of the men her father spoke of the previous year in November, but she sincerely prayed it was soon. She was already passed her nineteenth birthday, and she was still unmarried whilst her female friend’s weddings occurred the previous year before or immediately after their graduation. She was slightly impatient with she and her father’s lack of progress, and she has been considering searching out her own husband instead of letting her father handle the situation. If my father is to ever pay any mind to my unmarried status, I may be spinster before he does, which means I possibly have to take matters into my own capable hands…which, once again, I have been doing for many years, she thought to herself as she released Mathilda’s hands. She should have realized how startling her actions must appear to her sister; the two never truly displayed any amount of affection for one another, let alone had a civil rather than strained conversation.

Nodding silently to Mathilda’s words, she attempted not to blurt out the fact that she could not help but be concerned for her; she has spent many a year excessively concerning herself over the wellbeing of her younger siblings, and it has been a practice she was unable to ungrasp, often times making her come across as a slight maternal figure in her siblings eyes. “Indeed,” she acquiesced softly, and with the gesture of her hand towards the door, Viola continued with an attempt of a warm smile, “I give you leave, my dear Mathilda.”

Then she swiveled her gaze towards the impending gloominess of the day, and observed the red cardinal chirping and splashing in the limestone birdbath. After a few moments, however, a single drop of rain splashed into the bird bath’s water, and after a few more raindrops, the red cardinal spreads its ruby wings and flies off into the pouring rain, seeking a better accommodated shelter. Viola smiled to herself, and wondered why she never noticed the beauty of cardinals before.

tag: Mathilda | outfit: here | notes: 491 words
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