In a big castle somewhere in Britain the screams of two girls can be heard.
"Huff* Huff* Helena!... Helena! wait for me!"
"But you're such a slowpoke, hurry up or I'll leave you behind!"
Two girls can be seen running in the hallway. Both of them look exactly alike except that the one behind has a mole just below her left eye. Their long and wavy black hair cascades down their back.
The girl at the back, the younger sister is wearing her hair tied up with a lint and is wearing trousers and a blouse. The older sister Helena is wearing as most nobles would, a dress. Even though she is wearing a dress, Willow can't keep up with het older sister.
"Why are you running! It's only 6 in the morning!" Willow yells as she is trying to keep up with her.
"Exactly! Everyone is still asleep, so we can open our presents without them noticing!" Helena smiles as she runs towards the living room.
"Can't we just wait till dinner? I wanted to sleep some more" Willow says as a yawn escapes her. Tears fill her eyes as she looks at her sister with begging eyes. Helena furrows her brows as she looks at her younger sister. 'How can they look so alike, but act so different'.
Since they where born, Willow liked to sleep, eat, play with animals and read in her free time, while some times she would sneak out thinking no one would notice. While Helena spends most of her time reading and exploring in the woods for plants. Most creatures would avoid her as if she had the plague, she had protecting charms of her mother casted upon her, so even if they'd attack, she would be safe.
The woods is the only place where she won't be disturbed by the lowly servants and ignorant people roaming the castle. Only her weird sister would interact with creatures and people alike. And somehow she would win the favor of those creatures, even when she'd ignore them.
This pisses her off more than her carefree behavior. No matter how hard Helena tried, animals just didn't like her. Even their family ravens would avoid her. With that thought in mind she would look with eyes full of disdain at her little sister. While born the same, everyone loved her more than her. Even though she has less talent than her, they loved her more, but what can she do?
Even though she didn't like her sister, she didn't hate her. For her sister was the only one who would always stay with her. Would cry with her, and share their happiness.
Helena turns around and stops as she looks at her sister with eyes full disapproval. She shakes her head and reaches out her hand as Willow finally closes in. Her hand grabs the top of her head and squeezes hard, making Willow grunt in the process.
"Just how stupid can you be" Helena smiles "You just have to watch me open the presents. You don't have to take the blame with me. I'll tell them you tried to stop me, so just follow me. I just don't want to open them by myself" Helena whispers the last part in the hope her sister wouldn't hear her.
"How can I let you take all the blame. We'll always be together, in happiness and sadness. So let's open them together, after all we only turn 10 once" Willow smiles as she grabs her Helena's arm and pulls her towards the living room, where a pile of presents await them.
*
The sound of paper tearing could be heard from the hallway as the lady of the house sneaks towards the door of the living room. She slowly sticks her head around the corner as a smile creeps on her lips. In front of the table there are two girls sitting on the floor while covered in foam.
How could she let them have their ways that easily? Last night she made sure the presents would be boobytrapped with a little harmless curse. Once opened before 10 AM the person would be covered with foam till the cock would strike 12 AM. She walks into the room as she made her presence known.
"HELENA AND WILLOW RAVENCLAW!!! WHAT MIGHT YOU TWO BE DOING!"
The two girls turn their heads around as their faces turn pale. Two feet could be sees poking out beneath a dark green dress. As they look up, pitch black eyes are severely looking at them. They could feel the room turn colder as even their souls where frozen stiff.
Before them was the one person they both would like to avoid at all cost, their mother. For she would always scold them for even the smallest weakness. For wisdom and pride are the most important. And the preaches would always end with that one annoying saying their mother loved so much. 'Wit beyond measure is men's greater treasure'. They heard is so many times their ears would fall off.
"It was all my fault mother, I couldn't wait till 10 AM" Willow whispers as she covers for her sister.
"Truthfully Willow, are you sure it wasn't your sisters idea?" Rowena looks with knowing eyes as the looks at Willow.
"Would I ever lie. It was all my idea..." Willow counters as she looks at her feet, making sure their mother wouldn't see trough her lie. But how could she not know. After all their mother was smart enough to start a school of her own, with a little bit of help.
Rowena opens her mouth to start the preaching, but before a word could leave her lips the door swings open. Loud footsteps could be hears along with loud laughter.