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
Crystal was debating on if she should start going by her full name again. Even if, for the most of her life, hadn't gone by 'Chrysanta' to anyone besides Acacia. And maybe her parents, at some point. It didn't matter, in the grand scheme of things, but she didn't know if going by a childhood nickname made her seem... childish. She had a few more months until she was seventeen, and she wanted to be prepared to Adult™ when her birthday came around.
'Cia!' she scolded her cat as it leaped up onto her lap, covered in snow, and laid there. She scowled at the stupid animal. At least it wasn't Lisa. She had been perfectly content on reading over her finished -- but not yet due -- assignments.
Snow was a delightful thing. While it didn’t offer much in ways of creativity, it was still a nice thing to paint. And with Acacia’s assignments all finished and ready for her professors, she had a good amount of time to do just that.
Looking around the courtyard, she flinched at hearing an awful nickname that her sister had tried to give her while they were little. "I do hope that you are referring to your cat." Her statement was paired with a glance to her sister as she carried her art supplies out and then glanced around once more for a place to set up.
Crystal looked up when she heard her sister's voice. She gave her older sister a wicked smile. 'I know how much you hate nicknames.' she replied as she struggled to put the assignments in her bag. Her cat refused to help by getting off her.
Once she finally got her papers away, she glared at the cat. Bloody thing refused to move. Just because they were outside, in the cold, didn't mean she wanted the water from Cia on her. She didn't need to get sick.
There it is, the Slytherin smile that Chrysanta had perfected. When she was a first year, it had been hard to imagine her as a Slytherin. Acacia blamed Miss Whitledge for the change. Not that it was bad. But still different.
Acacia simply rolled her eyes at her sister. Goodness, at least she wasn’t like Orinda. This cat was the one that Acacia approved of for Chrysanta. It wasn’t a rabid stray. And it wasn’t named after their mother. "I will be painting the snow filled courtyard."
Reluctantly, Crystal started petting the cat on her lap. While she'd never shown any interest in taking up painting, like Acacia, she had taken up singing. But, she wanted more things in common with her older sister. Or, at least, more reasons for them to talk (because being siblings wasn't always a good enough reason). Mostly, she just wanted excuses to bother the Ravenclaw. If she picked up a new skill at the same time, all the better.
'Do you think you could teach me how to paint? Just basics.' she added the last bit as an afterthought.
It never did seem like Acacia and Chrysanta had much in common. They were sisters, and went to Hogwarts. That was about it. So when Crystal asked to learn how to paint, Acacia was rather surprised. "Really?" This was the only thing that she could think of to say in response.
Hearing the surprise in Acacia's voice - and one worded response - brought some mischievous joy to her soul. 'Really.'
Mid-pet, Cia jumped off Crystal's lap and scampered off. The Slytherin frowned at the cat. It was such a weird once. At least it wasn't an ugly stray like Lisa was.
This was certainly a surprise. But who was Acacia to say no. "Alright. As long as you keep up with your school work of course." How would she teach her? Acacia had no clue.
Brushing the snow off her lap, Crystal stood up and made her way over to where her sister was. Well, she didn't have any art supplies and it appeared like Acacia didn't have extras. She would just have to watch her sister paint. Hopefully that didn't make the Ravenclaw uncomfortable, having someone literally watch over their shoulder.
She probably wouldn't be any good at this form of art. Ever. Maybe if she'd started when she was younger, but she hadn't. But there wasn't any harm in watching Acacia's brush movements. She could at least learn what to do when painting and learn what not to do whenever she actually started practicing.
Painting snow was not an easy task for a beginner. There were lighter and darker shades that were clost to white that had to be taken into consideration. A basic flower or a fruit bowl would be a good start. Still, these were not current options. So she got to work.
