Violet Tillyman
Chapter 58
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Violet Tillyman was a pure-blood witch that lived during the 19th century in Suffolk. She was married to a wizard named Albert Tillyman who was highly abusive towards her. Although she was not necessarily a straight-laced saint of a woman, often engaging in neighborhood gossip and a glass or two of sherry, her husband’s actions were certainly not merited. In 1855, Violet and her husband quarreled and she got so worked up she walked into the fireplace and asked it to take her to her mother’s house, but through her sorrow her words were mispronounced and she ended up in the home of Myron Otherhaus in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk. Even through her tears and messy appearance, Myron and Violet fell in love right then and there.
Violet never contacted anyone about where she went, causing the public to think she went missing. Posters were hung and articles in the Daily Prophet were published but no one admitted to seeing her. Her disappearance temporarily caused a bit of panic and distrust of the Floo system, as it was assumed she had disappeared into thin air or perished, though eventually people forgot and continued to use it as a method of transportation.
It was only twenty years later, when Albert's obituary was publically published that Violet chose to resurface and share her story. Violet and Myron got married legally and celebrated with a phenomenal wedding. Although a popular myth states that Violet gave birth to seven children, in reality they had seven cats by the names of Empress, Maurice, Bigglesworth, Raven, Damon, Babushka, and Clawdia.
The portrait of Violet Tillyman is placed in the small chamber located beside the Great Hall. It is thought that her portrait was painted at the time of her living with Myron while she was still a beautiful young woman. She is often seen drinking with The Fat Lady on special occasions and Christmas break as well as gossiping with her on the regular.