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 1894. It’s time to join us and immerse yourself in scandal and drama interlaced with magic both light and dark.
December 29, 1888 - Ministry of Magic; Richard Addle's office
The talk with her siblings hadn't been perfect, but also not as bad as she had imagined. Even after all of these years, of course they would want answers. And their was certainly a difference between a sad sister seeking answers and a department head searching for the truth. One was far more official... and might actually lead somewhere. If Henrietta wasn't mistaken, she assumed that she had seen a bit of hope in a few of her siblings' eyes. Perhaps.
So now she had been sent a letter and was currently in the Ministry to meet with Mr. Addle once again to discuss the case. While it would possibly lead to answers, it might not. But even if it did lead to answers, what would those answers be? And did she really want to know? … Yes, she needed answers. And she waited patiently to hear whatever news was to be heard.
Richard hadn't figured out much yet, but there was still a few staff members that the investigators had not yet tracked down. The young Mr. Urquart and his grandmother did not seem very helpful, but he had suspected it. A women of her age probably did not speak to staff, and the boy must have been too young to remember anything, because he had not been helpful at all. Richard thought he was a bit stuck up, but he assumed a lot of the upper class was like that.
He looked into Miss Davis' eyes, regretting that he had not been able to find much out, that his information was lacking. The guilt was evidenced in his eyes. He felt someone like Miss Davis should be able to have her hope. She was interesting to talk to, and he found it fascinating that she had her own theories for what may have happened to her brother. "Unfortunately, Miss Davis, I was unable to find very much. The Urquarts deny knowing anything, and the servants that my investigators have even been able to talk to do not remember your brother very much, if at all."
Seeing the look in Mr. Addle's eyes was not promising. But she did remember that she had gone on for years with nothing and still held on to her hope. That's what she needed to do now. Cling to hope. Perhaps all was not lost with a bit of bad news. "My siblings didn't have much to go on either. Though I have some names of friends of his that Wilhelmina and Jacob could recall. Perhaps these people might remember something." She said as she handed a piece of paper to Mr. Addle. There weren't many names, as it had been so long. While some had kept in touch as friends of the family, other's drifted away. Some probably drifted away because of their own sadness at the loss of her brother.
Richard sighed, his eyebrows are pushing together. If he's being honest, it doesn't look good, and he knows it. They haven't found any leads, or they're not going anywhere with them. First, the Urquarts, next, a few of the staff, at least now they even had some friends. "Thank you, Miss Davis." he said. He admired her persistence, and finding so much based off of so little. "And thank your siblings as well." he added, to be polite. Next, he accepted the list and viewed it. It wasn't long, but maybe these people would know about Mr. Davis. "I should ask you, Miss Davis, how you're doing with all this. It must be very stressful for a young lady like yourself."
Perhaps Henrietta could look for clues in places that she hadn't before. London perhaps? She would need to convince the twins that it was worth the time. Might have to wait a week or two. Who knows. It was different than meeting with a Ministry professional. She was sure that the boys understood that more. "Of course." She said with a nod. Why even have a need to thank her? This was for her benefit, to find her brother. Nodding once more as he added in the mention of thanking her siblings, she made a note of sending letters to them to do so. Her eyes softened when he asked how she was doing. "Better than I have been. This is the most hope that I've had since he disappeared."
Richard gave a sympathetic nod. He knew it was a lot of work going into the search, but he usually forgot how much traveling and speaking the average young lady did. He reminded to himself that he did feel a little out of touch, to get out a little more, maybe talk with his sister about it. "I'm glad for that. I know it can be tough to lose someone, or, perhaps, in your brother's case, to lose track of someone." he remembered his coworkers taking days off work right after disastrous events took their family, friends, even lovers. "I must say, Miss Davis, that I am very impressed. You even had reasons for your own suspicions and such." While the Urquarts hadn't been useful, Richard was sure that one of their staff who had worked with Aubrey would turn up and give them something new.
It was nice to know that at least someone didn't think that she should just let it go. How could she? How could anyone let such a mystery over a loved one go? Perhaps most would move on, but she had never felt that urge. At least not enough to let herself let go. If she had answers, something, then maybe. But she had nothing. No answers, no one who could say what had happened. And that was the most frustrating part. Even if it was revealed that he was... gone, she would still want to know. Instead of always guessing as to what happened. "Thank you. It is hard. I just hope that we can find some answers." Whether that be of where he is or what happened.
Richard was always fascinated by how people could endure so much and still have their hopes up, and still cling to what seemed to be impossible. He had never been in that situation, except, perhaps, when he was waiting for his scholarships to Hogwarts, and searching for a missing person was much more risky than scrounging up money for school. "I do as well. However..." Richard trailed off before saying "I know that these cases can go one of a few ways, but right now, it does appear that we don't have too much on your brother." He didn't want her to be too excited for something to happen, only for them to not be able to find anything.
It wasn’t like she hadn’t heard similar words before. From family, friends, and even now she couldn’t let that get to her. She was grateful that he was still willing to help. "I understand. But that will not stop me from trying." She couldn’t give up on him. Not with even the smallest hope that… maybe… he might still be alive and in need of help.
Richard blinked. The determination that Miss Davis had was refreshing to sisters, mothers, wives who would just cry, and cry, and cry if told that there was not much hope. In spite of himself, he smiled. "He's lucky he has someone like you out there to find him. There are many who would just give up."
To be fair, Henrietta had done her fair share of crying. Mostly as a child. But she knew that she had to move past such things if she was to get anywhere. Perhaps it was that she was a Hufflepuff, as they were known for their hard work and loyalty. "I've never really been good at giving up." She admitted.
Richard nodded at her comment. If anything, determination was something he found a lot of people lacked, though he thought it was quite easy to have. "It is truly an admirable quality for one to possess." he smiled. Hardworking people who worked for what they wanted reminded Richard of himself. Which was probably why he felt compelled to help.
Some might say that she was a bit too dedicated to finding her brother. That it was unhealthy for her mind. But she learned to ignore that. What good would such words do for her? And here this man was, complementing her on such qualities. "Thank you, Mr. Addle." She smiled back. She truly was grateful for his help.
Richard nodded, "I'm always glad to help someone like you, Miss Davis." he said, truly meaning it. If there was hope, it was nice to find it in those who needed it most. He just hoped that she had enough supporters in her life to help that hope shine through.
She would forever be grateful to Mr. Addle. Even if answers were not found, he had decided to help her even though it had been years since the disappearance. He listened to her. She would always be grateful of that.
