𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐊𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐃𝐀𝐘 . 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐎𝐃𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐓

𝐋𝐈𝐀𝐈𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐃𝐄 𝐅𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐄.

1994;

The air in her room was thick, rich with the scent of her smoked cigarette and the ivory candle. The aroma was almost intoxicating, like a boozy trance she wanted to drown in. And the soft sofa, decorated with cream and pale green pleated fabric, invited her to sink into its welcoming embrace. There, her sleek black cat sat, purring in contentment, as she enjoyed the stillness of the room.

As a reward for her good performance in school, Viola's grandmother gifted her a beautiful black cat with an inky coat, and jade green eyes. Viola, without hesitation, named the cat Ivy, recognizing the cat's stunning beauty. The name was fitting.

A knock came from her door, and Viola quickly turned towards it, expecting simply another house elf. "Come in."

Filsy the house elf, who belonged to the family in a state of servitude, reluctantly stepped inside Viola's room. Her dress, which was a rag more than a proper garment, bore the stains and grime of years of use, indicating the harsh and unfair conditions of her lot in life.

"Mrs, Victorie has requested Filsy to summon Miss Viola downstairs," Filsy said in her quiet and reserved manner, keeping her boney hands behind her back.

"Downstairs?" asked Viola, absently stroking Ivy's soft fur. "Is there a visitor?"

"Mrs, Cicely Rosier has arrived, Miss Viola," Filsy announced, her tone reserved as she awaited Viola's instructions.

Cicely Rosier—formerly known as Cicely Yaxley—had wed Victorie's deceased brother, her marriage to Axel having been planned since their toddlerhood. Upon Axel's death, Cicely inherited his fortune, including the gold and her son Leon, who had completed his Hogwarts tenure only that past year. She was a wealthy woman, and had married into Victore's family primarily for this very reason, but also because she did so without choice.

"I'll be downstairs shortly," Viola responded, spraying some of her perfume and carefully fixing her longer hair, which had grown over the course of the summer.

"Filsy will now leave Miss Viola's room," Filsy's footsteps were quick and precise as she left Viola's room.

Without hesitation, Viola left her room, ensuring the perfection of her dark blue short tweed attire.

With its immense size, the stairs could comfortably fit a whole village, yet Viola effortlessly made her way down it.

"Ah, Viola, darling," Victorie, her seat at the head of the table opposite Ceicly's, declared as she took a long drag from her cigarillo. Leon, with his light locks styled neatly, sat beside his mother, "How thoughtful of you to join us," Victorie continued, exhaling the smoke in an outward puff.

"Of course, Grand-mère," Viola responded with a pointed look on her face and a small, yet fake smile. "And how is our dear aunt Cicely?"

"I'm doing quite well, Viola," Cicely said, sipping her white wine. Not even bothering to ask about Viola's well-being, it was these little details that revealed Cicely's self-centerdness and indifference. "Victorie has told me all about you, though she conveniently left out your remarkable beauty," Cicely added, a subtle hint of jealousy lurking in her words.

"You flatter me, aunt Cicely," Viola replied, her smile now more confident and proud as she took a seat on one of the wooden chairs at the table.