14th February 1891

Dear Henri –

Happy Valentine's day, Henri! Maybe next year we'll both be celebrating this holiday with husbands or fiances to call our own. Wouldn't that be lovely? I know I sound repetitive but I find the fact we have a holiday dedicate to expressing our love for others absolutely delightful.

There is a garden party later today I'm to attend and I've heard that the men are to act as knights and fight of boggarts like the men in the tales fight off dragons. We've been told the ladies will be allowed to grant favors - I thought I might bring ribbons, but the invitations say they will be selling flowers. How brave must they be to do that! They are also going to be dueling on broomstick which seems quite silly! I'll have to tell you how that goes. I imagine it must be hard to balance. Maybe I'll find someone to be my knight in shining armor. Or find someone who I think might be a good match for you as well!

P.S. I heard you were staying with Miss Scamander right now, so I've included a card for her as well. Your cards each have your name's on the wrappings. I've not painted them myself I'm afraid. I've never been quite as well off as you are with art skills, my talents lay elsewhere. But I find they are quite cute none the less. Maybe they'll at least be able to bring a smile to your faces.

sign off,
Octavia Rose

Henrietta Cartwright

  

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Lady makes such lovely things.

2.14.1890

Dearest Octavia,

How terribly kind of you to think of Helga and I during the holiday, and to send such happy wishes for the future. I cannot imagine I will be so lucky as to marry after one season if you did not, particularly after that magazine had such lovely things to say about you. But it's been so long since we spoke properly, and I must know: do you have any serious prospects? I heard when Mr. Abbott proposed to your sister it was terribly romantic. If you suspect a proposal before the season starts, will you promise to invite me even before I've debuted? I would rather like to see such a spectacle!

Affectionately,
- H -

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Rune made this! <3

14th February 1891

Dear Henri –

Oh, don't think that! I'm sure there is a chance you might. I know I certainly wasn't putting as much effort into doing so this year. I got so caught up in helping Di with planning her wedding this summer. But that only means next season we shall go husband hunting together!

I wasn't there for the proposal myself, but Di told me afterward that they were actually friends at Hogwarts as well. He was a few years above her. How sweet is that? I can't imagine anything like that happening for me as I did not have many male friends at school. No, I don't have any prospects but I certainly have a few I might like - ones I know my Mother would approve of as well. But if something was to happen, I would most certainly invite you. All of my friends regardless. And if Mother doesn't approve, well then we can have our own garden party as well.

But hopefully, you debut sooner rather than later! Do you have a date set for your ball yet? As soon as you do I shall mark it down in my calendar and will ensure that there are no other plans made then.

your friend,
Octavia Rose

  

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Lady makes such lovely things.

2.16.1890

Dearest Octavia,

It is terribly sweet that they've been friends so long, but discouraging, too — like you I have no friends from Hogwarts to call on for affection, and I dare say that even if I did they should not be in a position to marry for at least several years... Even my brother is only twenty-four, and I think it's more usual for men to wait until twenty-eight to marry, don't you think? But you must tell me about your hopefuls! And you know, if you are very hopeful about them you might take advantage of Madam Synastra — I saw an advertisement for her divination services and Helga and I wrote to her and she told us all sorts of things about the men we were destined to marry (though no names, unfortunately), and she said if we had a particular gentleman in mind she could do a tarot reading just for that pairing and see if it was favorable or not. You ought to write her and tell me what the cards think! I can't help but imagine you'll be whisked away so soon, even if you were distracted last season...

I don't know the date for my coming out yet, but I suppose I ought to write Holden and ask about it — I'm sure they must already be planning things, since they're meant to be such large spectacles? But of course I've no experience of it. I'll write and let you know the date as soon as I have it!

Affectionately,
- H -

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Rune made this! <3