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
Just a little over a week left at Hogwarts and the Ruskin girls would be heading home for the holiday. Orinda wasn't sure if she was glad to escape the uncomfortable eyes that followed her now and then, or saddened that class couldn't just keep on. She'd never get anywhere in the Ministry if she didn't start by proving herself at school properly. If society kept their chokehold, it would be worse - she'd be lucky if she even got married. Unfortunately, those were the two options available to women who wanted to make a real difference. Either marry someone of greater means, or excel at academia and achieve a position in the government.
"Crystal," Orinda sighed, "what are your plans? You know, when you've been recognized as an adult, as am official member of society?" The courtyard was glittering bright with snow, a sight Orinda was saddened by. She loved the warmth and brilliance of summer and spring, and longed to be able to sit comfortably in the sun again.
Crystal felt a little more relaxed than she had in a while. After spending a few days painting, she felt like she was decent enough to give Acacia her best one yet. Which wasn't all that great, aside from the fact that it actually had more shape to it instead of pure abstract. She'd work on it a few more days, and hopefully by the time Christmas came along, they'd be able to not have to imagine what it looks like and just be able to see it.
It was a nice day, and spending it with her sisters -- she'd been focusing on her extracurricular activities, socializing, and school work more than she had in the past. -- made it even better. She glanced over at her youngest sibling (the thought still sent a jolt of pain through her) and pondered the question. "I don't know, Ori." she replied, fiddling with a loose strand of hair.
"I haven't really thought about what I want to do after school's over." It was a lie. She was thinking about working in the Ministry. Specifically, she was thinking about continuing on in the classes for her to be a Auror. But she couldn't tell her sister's that. Acacia would probably be horrified that she'd been thinking about such a brutish job.
"What about you, Ori? What do you want to be after you leave school for good?"
It wasn't easy, adapting to being the absolute youngest. It was just them and Father now, and if they all married, their branch of the family name would end with them. It was honestly a frightful thought, and one that Orinda pretended didn't exist.
"I'd like to make a difference," she admitted, glancing up at Crystal with a slight smile. "Maybe go into law. Nothing violent, but perhaps a position as an investigator or an Obliviator. Something like that to start with, something that could lend to advancement." Of course, all that depended on several things - like being permitted to continue her education at Hogwarts, or, you know, actually getting hired. With the political climate the way it was lately, they'd be lucky if they could even get married by the time they'd graduated.
"You'd make a good lawyer, you know, Crystal," Orinda laughed. "You certainly know how to argue your way out of things!"
It seemed that no one wanted to actually ask Acacia what she wanted in life. Not that she said anything. Simply listening to the two of her sisters chat about their futures. School had been a priority for her ever since they had begun Hogwarts. Having always felt a need to prove herself. Only now did it feel like her fears that she would need to prove herself were quite true. Even after all of the years of working hard, she began to work even harder on her academics. Which meant little time with her sisters. It saddened her, really. But if she wanted to prove her worth, she was going to have to work for it. Still, it was nice when she could find the time to relax with them.
She was proud of Chrysanta's work with painting. It was a hard skill to learn at such at their ages. Best begun when one was quite young. The red head was proud that her sister was working so hard and hadn't given up. Perhaps Orinda will follow such an example. She did wonder what either sister did want to do after school. It came as a surprise to learn that Chrysanta didn't have any plans. As the Slytherin of the family, it seemed all too unlikely. Raising an eyebrow and glancing at the blonde, she was silently informing her 'I don't buy that'.
"I was considering becoming a Mediwitch when the ban happened. But I have been wanting to be a healer before that. I would have had to wait for my OWL scores anyway. Now I can try to be a healer. I heard that the Hogsmeade Hospital had hired a full vampire during summer! While there was no magic! If they were willing to do that without magic, perhaps they would hire someone like us." She finally said hopefully. Honestly, she would simply be glad if her sisters were able to find employment and live comfortably. That was the main thing that she hoped for.
Crystal was surprised at her younger sister's idea of becoming a Lawyer. Honestly, the thought hadn't even crossed her mind. Nobody would want to hire a half-vampire to defend them, except maybe other half-breeds. Still, it was an intriguing thought. Even if they did want a half-breed as a lawyer, they probably wouldn't want one who had to redo her fourth year (not by choice, mind you). She'd probably have a better chance of becoming an actress.
She felt mildly uncomfortable with Acacia's knowing look. She hated that look, the one that said her older sister knew she was lying about her plans for after school. She didn't think Acacia knew exactly what she was debating on going into. She knew she should probably get a concrete idea, and soon, for it was almost time to choose her NEWT courses.
She listened to both her sister talk, and found that for the first time she actually just wanted to listen, and reply when it was actually called for. But, alas, she wouldn't be able to. She was already in the middle of the conversations anyway.
"Anything in law would be good for you, Ori." she replied with a small smile. "You'd probably make a better Lawyer than I would." she glanced over at Acacia, "And you would make a fantastic healer. A Healer, Acacia, not a mediwitch."
It was true that Acacia couldn't read minds, but she could tell when her sisters were lying or not telling the whole truth. But she didn't know exactly what was going through Chrysanta's mind. Only that she was lying about not knowing what she wanted with her life. Perhaps it was being a big sister, or a motherly figure to her younger sisters from lack of an actual mother. Either way, she had a certain instinct when it came to people being truthful or not. Most of the time, anyway.
Looking between both sisters, she thought about the options voiced regarding job options. "Don't be so modest Chrysanta. I'm sure you would be one of the best lawyers in the Ministry. Orinda, you'd be good as an investigator. Looking into cases, finding the truth. You both could help a lot of people." If Acacia was going to be concerned over her sisters being in a violent career, their reputation would not be the main reason why. The very idea of loosing another sibling made her blood go cold. Not something that she was thinking now, but it had crossed her mind every now and then.
Smiling at Chrysanta's reaction to her statement regarding healer vs mediwitch, she was glad that someone thought such a thing. "Yes, that is what I would like for myself. As long as I get good NEWTs, that is the path I will attempt to take. And I will certainly be making that point of a vampire having worked at the hospital while there was a lack of magic. If they try to reject me due to our blood status, that is." Hopefully it wouldn't get that far.
Crystal knew that her sister was probably right; she could do whatever she wanted and if she wanted it enough, then maybe she could exceed anyone's expectations. But, she wasn't sure if that was a good idea for her. If it wasn't a good idea – but it was something she wanted – did the risks that came with it, really worth it?
"I am sure it will not come to that, Acacia." She said in response to Acacia's last words. She didn't didn't think that the Hospital would reject the elder Ravenclaw on blood-status alone.
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