Welcome to Charming, where swirling petticoats, the language of flowers, and old-fashioned duels are only the beginning of what is lying underneath…
After a magical attempt on her life in 1877, Queen Victoria launched a crusade against magic that, while tidied up by the Ministry of Magic, saw the Wizarding community exiled to Hogsmeade, previously little more than a crossroad near the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. In the years that have passed since, Hogsmeade has suffered plagues, fires, and Victorian hypocrisy but is still standing firm.
Thethe year is now 1895. It’s time to join us and immerse yourself in scandal and drama interlaced with magic both light and dark.
Complete a thread started and set every month for twelve consecutive months. Each thread must have at least ten posts, and at least three must be your own.
Did You Know?
Did you know? Jewelry of jet was the haute jewelry of the Victorian era. — Fallin
September 1st, 1888 — Ravenclaw Common Room, After the Feast
@"Acacia Ruskin"
Archer was overwhelmed. That fact was incredibly clear by the way his eyes had seemed to take on a permanently widened shape. First, he had to sit through a sorting where everyone had stared at him, and then he joined the Ravenclaw table full of chattering people whose conversations made his head spin. When the rest of the students swept him off to the common room, Archer found himself retreating toward a space that appeared to be less populated.
Overstimulated, he basked in the relative safety of the tucked away space. Thinking he was fairly alone, the boy let out a very long breath and murmured to himself, not realizing he was speaking aloud. "Boy, there's a lot of them."
Another year at Hogwarts. What was supposed to be her last year. Acacia couldn’t help her mixed feelings of coming back for another year after this. She did love Hogwarts, and she was sure that it would be magical. However, all of her dormates would be gone next year. At least she would have her sisters, and her grandfather.
Having spent her time with her friends while at dinner, she had decided to sit alone in the common room for a little while. It was always good to take a breath and relax for a moment. The sorting ceremony could be overwhelming for anybody, even if they weren’t getting sorted.
Looking over when a young new first year spoke, she gave a sympathetic smile. “Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it.” She said politely. She remembered her first year, and Orinda’s first year even more. It was overwhelming, but the mixed feelings would settle.
Archer's ears started to turn pink, having not realized he had spoken aloud. He turned to the much older student who had spoken and sputtered out what he hoped was a mostly coherent sentence. "I...I hope so." The boy flattened himself against the wall a bit and took a good look at Acacia. It probably seemed like he was staring at her a bit, but it was more out of being unsure what to say than anything.
"I'm Archer. Archer Belby." He finally piped up with, deciding he should be polite and at least try to make friends. Or at least not make any enemies. He was a sweet boy, really; he just didn't quite know how to socialize. At least he tried. "What's your name?"
Poor boy, the first day of Hogwarts could certainly be an overwhelming one. "Classes will help. That'll bring a bit of normalcy to all of the change." She responded. Perhaps that advise would help him get through his first week, and then his first year.
"I am Acacia Ruskin. I have a sister who's a year ahead of you, so she'll be in your classes. She's also in Ravenclaw and her name is Orinda." She said in hopes of helping to ease his mind. It seemed to help when one knew a few people soon after they entered a new situation.
Archer nodded, expression hopeful. "I-I hope so." He was eager for classes, but his thirst to prove himself made him nervous he would be a failure. It was especially worrying since not only his sister was present at Hogwarts, but his mother was, as well.
"It's a pleasure to meet you," he responded with a small, hesitant smile. He was never the best at making friends, but he figured he should try. "Orinda," he repeated, committing the name to his memory. He would keep an eye out for her. "What year are you in?" It was a curious question.
The hopeful expression made Acacia smile a bit brighter. It seemed that he was a natural Ravenclaw. "If you need any help, feel free to let me know." Help was always good. Especially on the first year of school. As well as the big testing years. Though she wouldn't be there to help him for that.
Giving a friendly nod to his statement, she was glad to be able to offer someone help. "It is a pleasure to meet you as well." In a way... he slightly reminded her of Dunstan. Doing her best to ignore the thought, she never let it show. He'd be a first year as well. Would he also be in Ravenclaw? While it was hard to admit, she always saw him as being sorted into Hufflepuff. "I am in my sixth year. Don't worry, the OWLs tests aren't as bad as other students might have you believe." She ignored the fact that her statement might not be true for all.
"Th...thank you." He murmured, appreciative to find at least one friendly sort of person. It would take him a lot of talking to himself in order to actually ask Acacia for help, but he appreciated the offer more than he was able to articulate.
His eyes widened a bit upon learning which year she was in. Sixth year felt like a lifetime away, not to mention OWLs tests. However, he seemed suddenly interested and asked, "What classes are you taking in sixth year?" He was curious, of course, wondering what she might want to end up being outside of school. However, he wasn't sure he should ask that question to someone he just met, so he did the roundabout thing and asked about her classes instead.
Helping others was like second nature to Acacia. If she could, she would help anyone that had the right intentions. But it was hard to do so when there were plenty who did not trust those like her. What a real shame, in her opinion.
First year had certainly felt like a lifetime ago for Acacia. So much has changed. So much has happened. If she had stopped to think about it, it would overwhelm her. "Well, I am taking astronomy, care of magical creatures, charms, defence against the dark arts, herbology, potions, and transfiguration." It was listed off as if she had memorized it. Which she had... for the most part. It was easier to recall when one asked her what her classes were. Made her think about it.
Archer nodded slowly, listening to Acacia's list of classes. Most were ones he was also taking, but he knew they were at a much higher level. He tried not to wince when she mentioned astronomy, as it was the course his mother was now teaching. He wasn't about to reveal that on his first day. She would find out in time, of course.
"W..which one is your favorite? Potions sounds very interesting."
If Acacia really thought about it, she might make the connection between Mr. Belby and Professor Belby. But that was not the case at the moment. She was certainly more in the conversation more than in her own thoughts of each of her professors.
"Potions is interesting, though I prefer transfiguration and herbology. My favorite class is art, but that isn't tested."
Archer raised his eyebrows with interest. When he'd asked his family members and others he knew which classes they enjoyed most at Hogwarts, none had said art. It was a subject he didn't currently take, as he had chosen music instead, but he was a curious sort, so he asked, slowly starting to feel a bit less awkward.
Art was Acacia's favorite thing in life. It was the main gift that she gave to her family members and friends. She also was able to relax the most when concentrating on her art rather than the constant worrying that rushed through her mind.
"Mostly painting and sketching. I also write, though some might not call that art. I do." She said thoughtfully.
"Well, people who write poetry are often called artists. And those who write stories, so I think writing definitely is an art," He concluded, awkwardly scrunching at his robe.
"M...maybe, someday, I could see some of your art."
Smiling a bit more, she nodded to his words. "You do have an excellent point." She commented.
"I would like that. I do paint often, so you might see me outside or in the common room while I do so. Feel free to come look at my work. I don't mind."
Archer grinned and commented simply, "I'd like that."
With a barely suppressed yawn, he glanced toward the stairs that lead up to the dormitories. He had been dreading heading off to his new room, too nervous to properly meet the boys he would be bunking with while at Hogwarts. It seemed, however, he wouldn't be able to delay it any more.
Starting to move in that general direction, he smiled at Acacia, "It...it was wonderful to meet you, but I think I must head to bed. I'll...I'll try and see your art sometime."
Acacia was glad to have helped the young boy. Making friends was difficult, and she was glad to make new friends as well. "Good night then." She said kindly, smiling back at him.
![[Image: kBOqnap.png]](https://i.ibb.co/Vx9tvsb/kBOqnap.png)
