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Laura was sitting rod strait at her desk, working on her summer homework. Her father had told both her, and Viktorya, that they needed to get their homework done before they went wasting their time away. Laura knew that Viktorya was most likely not going to adhere to this 'command' but that didn't mean that Laura herself was allowed to ignore it. It frustrated Laura how Viktorya seemed to be able to get away with so much more than she did, but Laura knew better than to complain about it. She also knew that if she just got the work done, she really would be able to just enjoy her summer, without it weighing on her mind.

When Laura had sat down to work on her homework, she was reminded that she was running out of ink. With a sigh she walked over to Viktorya's room, and knocked. When nobody answered, Laura opened the door, and walked over to her sisters desk. She rummaged until she found a bottle of ink, and sighed. Why was Viktorya always so unorganized? Laura had a place where everything belonged, and it was always in it's place. Viktorya on the other hand, always seemed to live in a cluttered mess. Of course it really wasn't too messy since the girls had a maid that came in and made sure of that, but it just annoyed Laura that her sister could live with things not having a proper place. Shaking her head, Laura found a piece of scratch parchment, and quill. Grabbing both she scribbled a note to Viktorya.



Laura's writing was the same neat, all caps that it always was. She had just wiped off the quill, and place the parchment on a part of Viktorya's desk where she would see it, when the door opened, and Laura turned to see if it was Viktorya, or just a maid. Not sure if she wanted it to be her sister or not since if it was, the girl might flip that Laura was there, but Laura could also let her know in person. Not that Laura thought her sister would miss an ink bottle in this mess.

Laura didn't question who it was anymore when the door was shoved open like that. Why had she questioned in the first place? A maid or butler would have knocked before opening the door, and definitely wouldn't have opened the door like that. When Viktorya started yelling at her, Laura glared and jumped to her feet. "You can't get after me for coming into your room when you come barging into mine!" She snarled out. Both girls were speaking in Russian. It was while she was home that Laura realized she had developed an English accent to her Russian since she was the only one that spoke it at Hogwarts, and she wasn't about to disrespect those around her by speaking in a language they didn't understand. That was how Viktorya was. Not Laura. "I at least knocked, and waited before entering. I had no idea where you were, and I sure as hell had no idea how long you were going to be. Papa ordered us to do our homework Viktorya, and that's what I was doing. Papa may let you get away with defying things like that, but not me. I needed the ink. At least I left you a note. That's more courtesy than you would have shown me, and I would have noticed the missing ink bottle since I actually have a place where it belongs."

Laura's temper was rising. It was the first day the girls had been home, and Viktorya was already finding a way to fight. Laura had no idea what it was about her sister, but she was the only one that could get her flustered like this. No matter how annoying, or rude the student was, he or she could never get under Laura's skin, and get her to break protocol, but when it came to her sister, her very own twin, Laura could control nothing. Her temper was too hot. When Viktorya started bashing Hogwarts Laura grabbed the water glass she'd been drinking from off her desk, and chucked it at her. Laura had a habit of throwing things when she was angry. She was satisfied to see the glass hit her door, shatter, and douse her sister with the ice water. "So I mixed up a few letters. It happens Viktorya. At least in my school we learn something. All they teach at your filthy Durmstrang is how to act superior while they beat you until your brains fall out." Laura snarled out nastily. She hated how Viktorya always acted so inferior, even towards Laura herself. Laura was as much of a pureblood as Viktorya, so what gave her the right to be so snotty? Laura knew that if their father heard them fighting yet again they were really going to be in for it. Laura had been in the clear. She had done the correct thing by knocking and waiting before answering, and then even leaving a note. But Laura knew that if her father heard them, they would both be in for it.

Laura was braced for her sister to attack her. She usually did. That's actually how almost all of their fights started. They would start yelling, but that was an every day basis, Laura would throw something at Viktorya, usually breakable, and Viktorya would tackle Laura. It would then lead directly to this scene. Viktorya on top of Laura, trying to punch her lights out, and Laura protecting her face. Laura was strong, and could handle anyone, but her sister knew her weak spots. Laura screamed in pain when her hair was pulled. Viktorya ripped her bun apart as she pulled at Laura's hair, and Laura kicked and punched. When Viktorya started grabbing Laura's arms to punch her, Laura felt the fists connect with her nose, and blood started flowing. Laura didn't give up however, instead she reciprocated with a punch of her own, giving Viktorya a black eye. Laura got one more punch into Viktorya's jaw before she saw a muscular arm wrap around Viktorya's throat, and pull her to her feet. Without any assistance, Laura jumped to her feet and flew to attention. "Good Morning Sir!" She screamed it as she had been taught with all of her training. Her blouse was torn, her hair was all over, blood was all over the floor and flowing freely from Laura's nose, and bruises were visible, but she stood perfectly strait and unmoving. She knew they were both in some serious trouble. Her father wasn't blind to Laura's faults, he would see the shattered glass on the floor and know that Laura had thrown something at Viktorya. Laura throwing things was her undoing every time. Laura would be perfectly behaved, do everything properly, but then she would lose her temper, and throw something. Her father had told her time and time again not to throw things, but she just didn't listen. Her temper would get the best of her, and the next thing she knew, things were flying, and she was in trouble.

Laura let no emotion escape her as her father screamed at her and her sister. She held perfect Military Bearing as she waited to be told her punishment. When asked if they thought that fighting was model behavior she screamed "No Sir!" When asked if she thought it would get her ahead in life she screamed "No Sir!" When they were told they were under confinement the entire two months of break Laura forced herself not to break bearing as she screamed "Aye Sir!" How was she supposed to get the things she needed from town? Like ink to do her homework! How was she supposed to get away from Viktorya and keep her sanity if she wasn't allowed to leave the house? She couldn't fight it though. It would turn into solitary confinement and she wouldn't be allowed out of her bedroom. When her father screamed that they were under solitary confinement the entire time she suddenly felt extremely nauseous as she screamed "Aye Sir!" She'd go crazy being locked in her room for two months. What was she supposed to do that entire time? The only up side to this was that Viktorya couldn't annoy her without breaking confinement. Through all of this, Laura held perfect position, no matter how sick she felt. Upon hearing the Viktorya would be going to Hogwarts however, Laura's stomach lerched, and she threw herself at her father. "Papa, you can't." She cried out in Russian as she held on to him. It took a fraction of a second for her to realize what she had done, but she was already past, so she might as well continue on. "Papa please don't send her with me. Put us under solitary confinement all you want. I don't care that it means I won't be able try for the base drill and swim teams, just please don't send Viktorya with me." Laura spent half her time fantasizing the summer drill and swim teams. At first hearing about confinement she had thought of nothing but those dreams going out the window. Now however, she would sit in the Russian brig all summer if it would keep her sister from being sent to school with her.

~Laura S. Brechkovsky~

Laura fell back in place when her father yelled at her to stop her nonsense, that she wasn't trying for the swim and drill teams, and that Viktorya was going to Hogwarts. She guessed they had really blown it this time. She had been about to argue again when her father said that if they did he would cut their meals to one a day. Laura didn't know why but she was always famished come meal time, and had absolutely no problem cleaning her plate. "Yes sir." She muttered softly before sitting on her bed. She watched her sister spit on the floor and shut the door on her. Laura was not in a good mood, and she knew that that would only get her into more trouble. For right now she just had to calm down. Viktorya blaming her made it that much worse. Laura had done right by knocking first, and then even leaving the note. It was Viktorya that had taken it from there. Sure she knew that she needed to be punished for throwing that glass, but 2 months solitary confinement, and her sister blaming her? Wasn't that a bit much. Laura lay on her bed and looked at the wall, just staring at it and thinking.

Laura's maid came up, having been sent by her father, and cleaned the girls room, and cared for her wounds from the fight. Laura's maid 'Abbey' was kind of like Laura's friend and mother combined. She would listen to Laura, but she would also scold her. She knew her place however so it was "You shouldn't let her get to you like that mistress. It never ends well, and only gets you in trouble. You also shouldn't throw things mistress. I'm sorry mistress, but your Papa's right in punishing you at least somewhat." that Laura listened too as Abbey healed her with her wand. Laura said nothing, but just let Abbey chatter away and fix her, and her room, up before saying she would see Laura with her supper as soon as she was permitted. As soon as Abbey was gone, Laura lay on her bed again. She wondered vaguely how much food they would be brought up. Laura always ate a lot. She knew if Abbey was permitted to make the tray freely, she would bring it up full. She wasn't sure if there would be restrictions however.

Laura lay there for about half an hour, silently repenting for her misdeeds. After half an hour however, she decided she really needed to talk to her father. It might cost her for breaking solitary confinement, but it would be better than sitting here wondering lost for 2 months. With a sigh Laura got to her feet, looked in her mirror to make herself presentable, and then opened the door walking down to her fathers office. She knocked three times before stepping back to await his reply. When he called out 'enter' Laura entered and stood before her father. "Papa, I want to appologize for earlier, but I also want to know if you blame just me. You see, I was working on homework like you ordered, but I'm out of ink, so I went to borrow some from Viktorya. I knocked but she didn't answer, so I entered, took the ink, and left her a note explaining I'd pay her back when I was able to get into town. I'll send Abbey into town to get some tomorrow if it's alright with you Papa. Well Viktorya came storming into my room yelling at me for being in hers. She started bashing Hogwarts because I got the 'y' and 'a' backwards in her name. I threw my water glass at her, and insulted Durmstrang. I know I was wrong there Papa, and I deserve your punishment, but that's when she attacked me. When you left Viktorya said it was all my fault she was stuck in her room for two months. If you think it's my fault as well Papa, please let Viktorya go. I'm the one that entered her room, I'm the one that threw the glass."

~Laura S. Brechkovsky~

Laura listened to her father tell her that Viktorya was also to blame, and nodded as relief flooded through her. When he commented about her not wanting Viktorya to go to Hogwarts however, Laura shook her head. "No sir, I'm done fighting for that. You ordered me not to, so I'll just do my best to accept it. I just didn't want you to place Viktorya under Solitary Confinement for 2 months if I was the only one to blame." She heard her fathers order to go back to her room, and not come out again. This was when she hated having a bathroom in her bedroom. She gave a curt nod however. At hearing she couldn't even come speak to him, she winced slightly, but winced again when he told her he'd drop one of her meals if she didn't get right back to her room, or if she came out again. She gave another curt nod, took a step back, exclaimed "Good afternoon sir." about faced, and marched out of her fathers study, shutting the door behind her. She didn't see her sister, but marched directly to her room, and rang for Abbey.

When her maid came up she waived her hand at her 'you rang mistress' and curtsy. "Abbey, I've told you time and time again not to do that." She sighed. Abbey quickly straitened, looking apologetic. 'Sorry Mistress, I forget.' "It's alright Abbey, just work on it. Now as you know, I'm on solitary confinement. I'm not allowed to leave my bedroom, let alone this house." She saw Abbey nod, and sighed when she heard 'You deserve it mistress, throwing that glass at your sister.' Laura shook her head in frustration. "Shut up Abbey, I've heard, and I'm not complaining about my punishment because I deserve it. Now listen, I need you to run into town for me. I need you to pick me up some ink and parchment. Also pick me up some sweets, and pick up a bottle of that dark green ink that Viktorya loves so much, as well as some new reading material, and a few sewing patterns and material. Only the muggle shops will have those, so you'll have to go to Gringotts and get some muggle money. I'll need thread as well." Laura handed Abbey a list of the items she had just named. She then opened her hand purse, and took out some galleons which she gave to Abbey. "Keep the change Abbey." She saw Abbey's shocked expression and waved her hand before sitting at her desk to start on her homework. "Oh, and Abbey, when you get back I'll have a list of homework assignments Viktorya will need for going to Hogwarts. I'll have you give one to Viktorya, and one to my Papa. That way he knows what she's supposed to be doing." With that Laura went back to her work.

~Laura S. Brechkovsky~

As soon as Abbey left Viktorya's room she walked down to get Laura's tray of food. She took it to Laura who accepted her immediately, thankful to be able to eat. She handed Laura the velvet green pouch, and explained that Mistress Viktorya didn't want it. Laura's face fell slightly. She was just trying to apologize to her sister, and she had promised to replace the ink she had borrowed. Why wasn't Viktorya accepting it? Laura sighed. Viktorya would probably claim that Laura hadn't tried to replace it, and so had just stolen it, so that would land Laura in more trouble. Laura decided to keep the ink as proof that she had at least tried, and Abbey could testify if needed. As Abbey left, Laura started eating her supper, having no clue that Abbey was on her way to speak to her father. Just over Winter Holiday, Viktorya and Laura had gotten into another fight. They had each had their own maid, but their father got angry, and had decided they would share a maid. Laura's maid had also come up pregnant, so Viktorya's maid, Abbey, had started serving Laura as well after Alexei had dismissed Laura's. Abbey being used to serving Viktorya was why she was so formal with Laura.

As soon as Abbey left Laura's room, she walked quietly over to the General's study. She took a deep breath and knocked timidly 3 times. The General was so big, and he absolutely terrified Abbey. When she was told to enter, Abbey cautiously entered, before saying what Viktorya had told her to say. "Mistress Viktorya wishes to let the General know that Mistress Laura is trying to bribe Mistress Viktorya, and get a lesser punishment than Mistress Viktorya. Mistress Laura sent me to town this afternoon, and asked me to buy Mistress Viktorya some of her favorite green ink. Mistress Laura says that it's too replace the ink she borrowed from Mistress Viktorya this morning, but Mistress Viktorya claims Mistress Viktorya claims Mistress Laura is trying to sabotage her." Abbey stood silent waiting to hear what the General would say. She really didn't think Laura capable of trying to sabotage Viktorya, but then again, those girls were down right cruel to each other. When she finished speaking she handed some parchment to the General. "Mistress Laura instructed me to give a copy of this to you and Mistress Viktorya. It's a copy of the homework assignments Mistress Viktorya will need for attending Hogwarts."

~Laura S. Brechkovsky~

Abbey calmly repeated what the General asked her too, and nodded at her orders from the General with a curtsy. "It's not my place General, but I don't believe Mistress Laura is trying to make Mistress Viktorya look bad. It's just how Mistress Laura is, and Mistress Laura will be perfectly content to finish out her punishment. Mistress Laura is the one mature enough to at least brave the General to explain, and then try to make up with her sister." Abbey ended there knowing she was out of line anyways. She nodded at being told to go into town again and pick up books for Viktorya. "Sir, would it not be wiser to let her borrow Mistress Laura's books since both girls will have to get new books for the new school year in a month? If the General wishes however I can get the list of required books from Mistress Laura and get books now, and when the list comes next month." When Abbey finished she curtsyed at her dismissal, and went to Laura's room. "Mistress Laura, your father says not to give Mistress Viktorya gifts when you know she won't be at all thankful. I also need a list of the books that Mistress Viktorya will need to do her homework." Abbey got the list from Laura, and then left. She picked up both girls' trays. She then ran to town again, and just before the girls were to be in bed, Abbey knocked on Viktorya's door, entered, and handed her the items she would need. "Mistress Viktorya, your father sent me to pick these items up. He also says that Mistress Laura does not try to sabotage you, and I must agree that he is right. Mistress Laura is just trying to be kind, and replace the ink she borrowed from you Mistress." Abbey knew she shouldn't speak to Viktorya as freely as she spoke to Laura, but she really was a free spirited woman. Abbey had served Viktorya since she'd been taken on as a maid, but she had long since wished she could be through with this brat, and serve Laura. Well she'd gotten half of her wish, she was serving Laura, but she still had to serve Viktorya. Abbey knew better than to say anything however, it wasn't worth losing her job.

Laura heaved a deep sigh once she had finished her meal. Why was Viktorya so petty and mean so much? Laura started on the sewing pattern that Abbey had picked up for her, as she played with the idea in her head. Laura had tried to make up, it was what was expected, and Viktorya just threw it in her face. Did she think that Laura was only doing this to try to get out of solitary confinement? Well that would be nice, but that wasn't how her Papa worked. He had said the girls had 2 months of solitary confinement, and two months they would serve. No matter what Laura, or Viktorya, did, that punishment would not yield. Once her Papa said it, it was law, and the only changes that were possible, were punishment being added. If Viktorya had any brains, she would be nice to Laura, like Laura was trying to be nice to her. Eventually the General was going to get sick of it, and take meals from either Viktorya, or both Viktorya and Laura. Laura then started thinking about what her father had told Abbey to tell her. Laura had just got the ink to replace what she had used of Viktorya's. It had been the right thing to do, and if she hadn't, Viktorya would have turned it around and told their father Laura had just kept the ink, and not paid for it. "Stupid Viktorya." She muttered as she cut the pattern. "Why can't she just grow up for once?" Laura sighed and looked out her window. A tear escaped as she thought about how this was going to be a long 2 months.

Laura worked on her pattern until the sun set in her room. She then got up and showered. She took her time showering tonight, realizing just how good the hot water felt on her shoulders. When she was finished she lay back down, and cursed herself for not being able to sleep after the sun came up. She got up and got dressed, and smiled when Abbey entered her room moments later with a tray of breakfast. "Your breakfast Mistress Laura." She set the tray down, curtsied, and left. Laura had already tidied her room, and made her bed, so there was no reason for Abbey to stay. As soon as she was gone, Laura started eating her breakfast, wishing she was down at the dining table eating with her mother and father. Laura suddenly remembered her muggle radio, and turned it on. At least it provided some distraction, and she figured that her father wouldn't mind what they did in their rooms so long as they didn't leave, and it wasn't breaking any of the normal rules.