I need you

[Mathilda Prince]

Dear Viola

I finally found enough calmness in my frustrated head to write to you. I am really sorry for letting so much time going without writing to you. Can you forgive me?

Well, I should probably explain why I am so frustrated.

Two weeks ago father wrote to me that his coming marriage with Miss Potter had been cancelled, but made a betrothal for me. I am not wife material by any means. You on the other hand will be the perfect wife for someone.

I have written to my betrothed, but have yet to meet him. His letters are short, but I guess being on the national quidditch team gives him a good excuse.

His name is Samuel Echelon-Arnost. Does the name ring any bell to you?

How is life to you? Any special male yet that I need to know about?

love,
Mathilda

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[Viola Prince]

9th March 1883

Dearest Mathilda,

Of course I shall forgive you! I cannot fault you for being shocked at the information you received about your betrothal. I should have been rather astonished, as well, had I been in your position. It is with relief that I learn that the betrothal between Father and Miss Potter had been dissolved, but I must confess that I am now rather sympathetic due to what terrible fate that was in store for her.

I do not believe myself capable of being the perfect wife, dearest. I expect too much from a man (and I am not speaking of wealth), and should we marry, he may find me highly vexing and hard to please. Is it so wrong to desire a man who will tolerate both my intellect and expectations? I suppose that in this day and age - especially where women are concerned - it is rather ridiculous of me to wait for "the right one".

Mr. Samuel Echelon-Arnost? Well, I am not at all acquainted with him, but I am aware that he was a year my senior in school and hails from the Slytherin House. Beyond that, I do not know much about him. Tell me, from what little correspondence you have had with him, does he seem a good man? I would write to him myself, but I have a suspecting feeling that that would be terribly awkward.

My life is the same as it has always been. I work at the bookstore, find company in Aunt Dosia (I believe that until I am properly married, she shall be a permanent fixture within our home), and attempt conversation with Father. If there is any new man in my life, you'd be the first to know, dearest.

On another note, how is Father and Victor? So little can be interpreted from a mere letter.

Much affection,

Viola

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[Mathilda Prince]

Dear Viola

Imagine being the first to hear about the betrothal between father and Miss Potter. I was truly surprised myself when I first found out. Surprised enough to tell father that I considered taking Potions to NEWT level.

I know, it was a stupid thing to say, and I truly regret it, but I have already promised him not to and I intend on keeping it. Even if it will be painful to hear my dorm mates and year mates talk about the potions. I truly love the subject.

No one deserves a fate such as the one Miss Potter got, I am sure that even if father had been forced to marry her, we could deal with her. I mean, she is (was) sister to the minister, it could give all three of us, you, me and Victor, good opportunities for our future. I can only guess that as the only reason why father would even consider a new marriage.

You have got to be kidding me, Vi. You are always so kind and friendly, you will be the perfect wife and the perfect mother one day. I just know it. And you deserve the best of the best, mother would have wanted that for you. I support you in your search for æthe right one'. Do not settle for second best if it means you will end up in a future where you regret anything.

It is hard getting anything out of the letters he sent me. Try look for yourself. I felt so awkward writing the first letter to him. What was I supposed to write? æHello, I am your betrothed'? It was something close to that I wrote if I remember correct, but I tried to make it much more polite.

You should be used to aunt Dosia by now. It is not like father can just leave you alone at home without a decent chaperone, and since mother is not around, Aunt Dosia is the closest unless you want a hired one?

If it helps, even though I am at Hogwarts with Father and Victor I hardly see them. Believe it or not, father wrote me in a letter about the betrothal. I am not sure if I found it wrong. I wish he would have told me in person, but with my immediate reaction, I am actually a bit happy that I learned from a letter.

From what I know they are both well, and I guess no news is good news.

love,
Mathilda

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(attached: the two letters from sam)

  

[Viola Prince]

9th March 1883

Dearest Mathilda,

Oh, that was very tactless, Mathilda! You are perfectly aware of how that particular subject affects him, but I am quite pleased to hear that you realized your error and apologized. Father has only good intentions when he forbids us from potioneering, but I am sympathetic to your plight considering that I am rather fond of potions, as well. However, it is honorable that you are to uphold your oath, and I must admit how deeply I respect you for it.

I know Father does not outwardly display his affection for us children, but he does truly care for us. The love he harbors for his children is the only conclusion I could come to that would prompt Father to remarry. Indeed, combining our family with the most influential family within Hogsmeade would have introduced us to wonderful opportunities, but I have realized that I am rather content with my station in life.

I thank you wholeheartedly for your kind compliments, Sister. However, I do not quite believe you. Mother would wish the same for both yourself and Victor, as well. She had always confessed to me when I was very young that society meant very little if one was as deeply in love as she was with Father. However, I am not so much concerned about love as I am about finding a man that I can be content around.

Oh dear, the awkwardness is quite obvious. If only the both of you could have a true conversation face-to-face rather than through written correspondence, then I am sure that you would learn a bit more about each other. For a man who had approached Father for a betrothal between you and he, he does not seem to put forth much effort into knowing the woman he is to marry - no matter if he is busy or not; this was his doing, after all.

I can care for myself, but I appreciate your concern. I have been watching for myself since the age of nine, so surely I can care for myself now. However, I must admit, without Aunt Dosia's company, I would be rather lonely. Father wrote you in a letter about your betrothal rather than tell you in person? That would not have been course of action I would have taken were you my daughter, but much like you had stated, he was merely concerned about your reaction. I also do not believe that your earlier words about attending N.E.W.T Potions lessons had fully escaped his attention, even though you did swear not to meddle with potions any longer.

I sincerely hope that what with your new betrothal upon your mind that it has not been interfering with your studies. I would not be surprised if it has, but education is quite important, and when a woman is granted the chance to fully educate herself, she should accept it without complaint.

Much affection,

Viola

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[Mathilda Prince]

Dear Viola

I know, I was surprised and I guess a bit angry, I would never have told him, but it just came out. I still regret it, but I have to deal with it now and things are not as bad as I had feared. Holding the promise is the least I can do, I might keep alchemy, but I am not sure. It might make it harder all together.

I guess a part of me know that he loves us, I am just bad at remembering it when I have to. If you find yourself becoming a spinster, and without a job, you are going to be the governess to my children. Trust me Vi, I hope it never comes down to that, because you truly deserves a man that loves you and wishes to make you happy.

They did marry out of love, we all know that. I am happy for them, there are truly too few people that marry out of love, I wish that all people would marry out of love. I see how affected father still is after her death, it must be true love and it is really sweet. Like novel sweet.

I know, but one: I am not a huge fan of quidditch players, never have been, never will be. Two: he is busy with quidditch practice for a good reason, so I do not wish to insist on a meeting. Three: Because of the whole awkwardness I begin to doubt that he approached father. There might be something more with the whole Miss Potter suddenly no longer being betrothed to father. A love interest that tried to buy her back by offering a brother to one of us?

Okay my thoughts are clearly out of line here. But it suddenly hit me when I read your letter.

A betrothal would not have made me change my promise, I will still keep it. At least I am not the only one to find it a bit awkward that father wrote me in a letter. You are probably right about father still thinking about it, but once I reach my sixth year I will show him that I am serious about my promise.

I try not to let it interfere, but I am only a fourth year, it is not the most important tests I will face, but I try my best. School is a good distraction from the whole betrothal, and it is still long until I am out of school, so I try to think of it as little as possible, but it cannot help but enter my mind every once in a while.

love,
Mathilda

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