Sister, Are Apologies Sweet?

[Sweetie Whitledge]

June 24, 1887

Darling,
First, I must take note that this is in no way a love letter, and must point out that this is truly one of the many reasons as to why mother should never had been the one to name us. Though, that was clear from a very young age.
With that made clear, I must express that I am deeply upset that you left. I couldn't bring myself to write a letter until now. It feels that our siblings blame me. Did you speak to them and not at all to me? Did you say something to them to make them hate me even more than I assume they already do?
I still avoid Honey, and no, I don't want to hear how I shouldn't and how nothin is her fault.
In words that I could never say to you in person, I miss you. Please don't let others read this, I can't stand the thought of being a joke in my own family. Our very names make us a joke to everyone else.
I'm not sure when either of us will be comfortable with living in the same room again, but I don't think it's soon. Though, our siblings might yell at me if they were to read this.
In truth, I am stressed, and more so with the absence of Honey. I feel her to be robbed from me, and that you robbed her. I'm... I'm sorry I feel this way. I'm not sure if it is school, or just life in general, but I'm starting to realize that I am more snippy than usual, and thus realize that I am usually snippy. I don't know why, or what is wrong with me, but I'm sure that you'd rather read a letter from anyone but me right now, so I won't write any more to this letter.

From,
Sweetie

@'Darling Whitledge'

  

[Darling Whitledge (Hymn)]

25 June 1887

Dear Sweetie,

Thank you for writing to me. I must confess that I was surprised to receive a letter from you. I thought you hated me. I'm glad to know that I was wrong.

I'm sorry for leaving unannounced and that our siblings are blaming you for it. It was never my intention for anyone to blame you. I just thought that it might be better if I wasn't home. I thought maybe it would help somehow. And I thought a quiet departure was best. I thought if I had made a to-do about it, it would only make you angrier with me.

The only sibling of ours who knew of my leaving was our brother Handsome, but that was only because I had asked him to make the arrangements with our aunt and uncle. I did not disclose the reason as to why. No one knows what happened. I guess, only that something happened.

I won't tell you how to handle the situation with Honey. That business is between the two of you and I won't interfere unless asked.

I promise not to show this letter to the others. If you should like to write again, please know that your letters would be most welcome and that I promise to respond promptly.

Lovingly,
Darling

  

[Sweetie Whitledge]

June 25, 1887

Darling,
I must ask, which uncle and aunt did you end up being shipped off to? I hope that our siblings are treating you fine. They'd probably be better at interacting with others than I'll ever be, as you clearly see.
Honey and I have a burning bridge on our hands. The challenge will be up to the both of us to put the fires out, before the bridge is nothing but ash. But it'll take more than just me to do so, and I'm afraid that due to my stubborn nature and her anger, it might be too late once we even try to reach for the water.
To be honest, I always avoid Handsome, or at least try to. He upsets me, and I feel that if I were to be genuinely upset for a true reason, he would still never support me. Though, that is my own opinion, and you may have your own about him.
Thank you for agreeing to not show these letters to others. I prefer for others to not know, and thus not take advantage of. ...Feel free to visit, and you are welcome in our room, you always were, even if I didn't seem to show it.

From,
Sweetie

@'Darling Whitledge'

  

[Darling Whitledge (Hymn)]

25 June 1887

Dear Sweetie,

I've come to stay with Uncle Winston and Aunt Frieda in Hogsmeade. Aunt Frieda always has left us an open invitation to visit, so I decided to take advantage of it. It's been to be back in Hogsmeade and I've enjoyed spending time with our cousins.

Did you know that Glow is very much like our Knightly? It's funny to see the parallels between them.

In regards to your relationship with Honey, I encourage you to not delay too long in “reaching for the water”, as it were. I know that you both are fond of each other and I should hate to see it all fall apart because of a Sorting. (I promise that's all I’ll say on the matter.)

I will insist that our brother isn't so unfeeling as to ignore if you were truly upset. I do believe he would act with you as he would with Cuppy, Honey, or me.

Thank you for letting me know that I am welcome. I think I shall stay in Hogsmeade until the month is out. If there are any changes to my plans, I shall let you know.

Sincerely,
Darling

  

[Sweetie Whitledge]

June 25, 1887

Darling,
Might I ask, how are our cousins doing? It's even harder to spend time with them then our own siblings, especially with being in different villages.
I dread the very thought that Knight has, in a way, a 'twin'. With one being so stiff, two in a room for hours sounds like a nightmare.
Sister, I fear that it is not just sorting, it is how we both handled things. I also must not be the only one to talk things out, and I feel that if I try to talk first, it will now be her that shuts me off, as I have done with her.
I must say. He's seen me cry, and in front of others who were also insulting me after tripping me and ripping my dress, and he had called me unladylike. With the fact that he treats you much kinder and with less known cause, it deeply hurts me. If I were to ask the same as you had, I'm sure he would only call me childish and dismiss me... or even disown me.
I may just flee to hide with you if all of the drama at home were to escalate, or if Knight grows to be even more dull.

From,
Sweetie

@'Darling Whitledge'

  

[Darling Whitledge (Hymn)]

25 June 1887

Dear Sweetie,

Our cousins are doing well, though I confess I spend most of my time with Gleam. Though I have played a few games of practice Quidditch with Glisten when Glimmer had declined to play.

Glisten is very serious about Quidditch! I wonder if he'll become a professional once he graduates? Although he's very clever, he doesn't seem to have a specific aspiration.

Glow isn't particularly stiff. He's very quiet though, and he reads a great deal. I suppose that's good, but he doesn't seem particularly interested in interacting with others, especially Glisten. Their relationship seems… quite strained, to be honest.

I think if you should start talking to Honey, it would open a doorway to conversation. I don't think Honey would be adverse to making up with you. You just need to be honest with her. She will listen.

I'm sorry that he responded in such a way. I could speak with him about it, if you would like. I don't think it unfair for you to desire similar treatment from him as he gives me. We are, after all, only a year apart and I don't think it's childish for you to want to have the same affection and attention he gives to the rest of us.

I'm sure that should you like to stay for awhile, our aunt and uncle would be happy to accommodate you. Let me know if you'd like me to speak with them.

Love,
Darling

  

[Sweetie Whitledge]

Set after this.
The paper has smudges from tears, and trickles of dried blood. Words on the page are slightly more messy than normal.

June 26, 1887

Darling,
I'm sorry to not reply to most of the conversation that we have been having, but I write this to you as briefly and as best as my hands will allow me. I hope that this mess of a letter does not upset you, but my hand is badly cut and I am rather emotional. I must ask that the request of joining you becomes much more urgent. I am much too upset to discuss details, but when I have calmed, I shall explain more, and perhaps we shall continue the discussion that we have been having if you'd like. Please get back to me as soon as possible, I cannot be in the same house as Handsome, or speak to him in any way.

From,
Sweetie

@'Darling Whitledge'

  

[Darling Whitledge (Hymn)]

26 June 1887

My dear sister,

I have spoken to our aunt and uncle. They are more than happy to have you. They already have a room ready. Magic is quite a wonderful thing for maintaining a house.

We wait to hear from you. Uncle Winston said he'll be happy to come and pick you up if you need a chaperone.

Love,
Darling