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.
I did not believe it when I first heard it, but my step-mother mentioned in passing that you were one of the many who took part in the expedition into Irvingly! I was obviously going to write and inquire about your wellness, but then she told me you were among the group that saved the villages of Irvingly and Hogsmeade!
Of course, now i must know everything you can possibly tell me. My life has been such a bore; I cannot imagine that the museum exhibits can begin to compare to the wonders you laid eyes on.
Are they to give you any awards beyond the galleon prize? I'm of the opinion that they should award you all with the Order of Merlin, Third Class (at the very least)!
I assure you I am absolutely fine, no worse for wear for a little bit of adventure though Miss Cramming assures me that the sights we saw were only a portion of what is to be seen in Egypt, so I am far from being an expert! There was a pyramid, the inside of one at least, and hieroglyphs and the sort of traps the ancients set for grave-robbers. Then of course there was the sphinx. Do you know what one is? I know you have not begun your Care of Magical Creatures studies just yet but I would like you to look it up and tell me what you would have done if face to face with such a creature.
And the galleons are quite sufficient a reward, I assure you, though it is kind of you to think so highly of us all. Miss Cramming, another of the group, will be a teacher this coming September and though you will not get to enjoy her expertise for a few years she will be an excellent addition. And of course Professor Darrow will no doubt have plenty of tales to tell you all.
I hope you’ve been working hard on your summer homework? Life may be tedious but surprises come when you least expect them in my experience.
I would have absolutely dreaded to be there, but I commend you on your bravery. I have looked up information regarding the sphinx and am now resolved to carry a book on logic and riddles with me wherever I go. If I had been faced with it, I'm sure I would have survived - but only, perhaps, after hours of having my temper tested. What sort of riddles did it ask? Were they terribly difficult, or something an girl of my education level could have managed?
And this Miss Cramming: what will she be teaching? I presume it is an elective of some sort; that could be the only possible explanation as to why I won't be able revel in her knowledge and experience this coming year. Would you, perhaps, be able to introduce her to me? There is nothing I love more than learning! My homework has been going well, though I cannot say the same for my sister; I sometimes feel her writing is as unpolished as her logic.
Though I will admit to considering you a young lady of intelligence I assure you that there was a reason the Ministry expressly forbade those that weren’t of age. Please don’t misunderstand me, it isn’t a matter of intellect, purely of experience. I look forward to seeing which of the riddles you have managed to decipher: with enough time I’m sure all of them will become clear, however, I know from experience now it is much harder with the cold eyes of a sphinx upon you.
Miss Cramming will be teaching Ancient Runes and I hope for your sake she is still teaching at Hogwarts when you are old enough. To hear her speak about her work is quite mesmerising and I am sure that without her expertise on our team we would have failed miserably!
That is an answer I can live with. Experience has been my main barrier throughout the course of my education; all the topics I wish to study are too advanced, or the books are too complicated to comprehend. Do not fret, though: I doubt I will soon find myself with a sphinx in close vicinity - and if I do, I'm sure you'll be there to save me.
I shall see you at Hogwarts. Please stay safe in the meantime.
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