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 told myself I would wait a bit longer to see how your return to Hogwarts was going, based on the circumstances, but I'm afraid I have misplaced the Cat. Splash was left in my care and I hadn't had any problems keeping track of her until the first of the month. Did she happen to make her way to the school? I wouldn't be surprised. It is the only thing I can think that is different, the start of the school year.
The Cat aside, how is the new term going? Seventh year seems like a while ago, but still a very vivid memory. I've sent along some sunflowers from the Potts' shop (the cat isn't there either). They were Sloane's favorite and I thought they might brighten the space in her absence. I hope anyway. If that is not the case, please toss them.
First, please rest assured that Splash is safe here at Hogwarts. Calla and myself were quite surprised to see that she had returned to school with us. We did not notice it until the carriage was halfway up the path to the castle. I apologize for any undue worry this has caused you, I should have thought to have written earlier. I was laboring under the impression that perhaps you had sent Splash with us to comfort us. As it is, the Cat, as you have called her, has brought us an immense amount of comfort. She takes turns spending time in the Gryffindor rooms and the Hufflepuff rooms and has become quite spoilt by all of us. I even caught Calla feeding her bits of chicken from supper the other night under the table in the Great Hall.
Second, and of no less import than the first, thank you so very much for the flowers. They bring a bit of brightness to the dorm. When I see them for a moment I'm reminded of Sloane's smile and it feels almost as if she is here. Sunflowers seem like the perfect flower to remember her by.
I am sorry I was unable to call this summer to show you my sketch for Sloane's Coming Out Gown. I've enclosed it in this letter for you. I tried to bring elements of things she loved into the gown, especially flying. I wanted to make something as unique and beautiful as she was. Selfishly, I hoped that it would entice her to attend the ball with me.
But before my words become maudlin I should address your final question.
As is expected, seventh year has begun even more bittersweet than I had anticipated. I suppose there is no true way to give you a candid answer without a touch of maudlin, so I hope you shall forgive me that. I have been keeping myself busy, however. Appointments to perfects and head girl and boy were delayed to the opening ceremonies this year and as such I did not have time to anticipate the additional duties. Classes have picked up much as if there had never been a break at all. There is comfort in settling into a routine, but it is a bittersweet comfort knowing this shall be the last time I can do so.
Oh, please do tell me of your seventh year. If the memories are so vivid I should think they are very happy ones.
It was a great comfort to hear from you, if I may be so bold as to say so. In that vein, I shall press you to write back and tell me of your seventh year - if the memories are so vivid I should think they are very happy ones. Or tell me of your sketches. Have you had time to focus on landscapes instead of portraits?
I do hope you and your family are well.
The other girls are ready to head down to breakfast so I shall stop here as I wish to set you at ease about Splash as soon as possible.
Yours Sincerely, Miss S. Thompsett
Thank you Bee <3 Your magic has made Sisse bloom
September 20, 2023 – 1:41 AM
Last modified: September 21, 2023 – 1:18 AM by Alvin Bixby.
What a relief. She has a tendency to wander and I thought perhaps she had gone to visit one of your other friends here in town, but erring on a week and I was a little nervous. I'm glad she is where she ought to be and is providing the comfort you describe. Truthfully you are much better equipped (and probably better liked) to take care of her. We have not gotten on well in our time together, but I suppose that is to be expected.
I am equally, if not more relieved to hear that the term is going well so far and that the flowers did their job. I did not realize you had been named Head Girl, congratulations! Keeping busy, I find, is the only way to keep some of the sadness at bay. It sounds like you have plenty to keep you going. I remember it being bittersweet myself, obvious differences aside, so I have faith you will continue on as you always have.
As for your sketch, it is quite stunning, despite my lack of knowledge concerning fashion. The lines are clean and I can certainly see the broom in the sketch. I have the feeling you would have won her over and she would have been proud to wear it. My mother was breathless looking at it and would like to know if you are wanting it back or if she could frame it and keep it? I could duplicate it magically if that works for you?
In regards to my seventh year, I'm afraid that what young men get up to in their spare time is not a tale for young ladies. I will say that it was a year full of fun with friends, challenges at school, but something I wouldn't have changed for anything and I hope you are able to experience the same.
I find it hard to believe that Splash and you do not get on. I should say that is quite in poor taste on Splash's part. I shall try to encourage her to be more amiable when she returns home. Or at least as much as one can encourage a cat. Mine has never taken well to encouragement. I used to be upset that mother would never let me bring her to school, but since mother passed I feel that she brings some small measure of comfort to my father and brother and have not put the matter forward even as a suggestion.
Thank you for your congratulations, I was quite surprised by the appointment. It has done much to keep me busy however. Several of our first years this year seem to collect accidents like others collect gobstones. I should perhaps not admit this, but one bold Gryffindor seems to have taken quite a shine to me. I'm almost certain he injures himself only to have me take him to the Hospital Wing. He also seems much inclined toward long monologues from Shakespeare. Perhaps you will think me uncultured, but I will admit I've never been terribly fond of Shakespeare.
It may surprise you to learn, or perhaps shock might be the better word, that I am rather more aware of what young men get up to than most. I do, after all, have two brothers of my own and did spend a great deal of time with Misters Mooney, Gillenwater, and Hatchitt over the course of the last six years. But as I am a lady I shall allow the subject to politely drop and shall endeavor toward a year much as you had. Although, I should admit that it is not only Sloane's loss I am feeling this year, but that of the previous mentioned friends. It feels as if every year there is one more person who is confined only to quill and paper. It is a feeling I rather dislike.
You are much too kind in your praise. I shall be honored if your mother wishes to keep the original but I shall not turn down a duplication of it.
I should focus on my Charms essay, Professor Ruskin wasted no time in asking us for a rather lengthy report on nonverbal magic. Speaking of Charms, I suppose Professor Ruskin taught when you were here as well. Did you take N.E.W.T. level Charms?
I hope all is well with you. Hopefully your evening is rather more entertaining than explaining the importance of wand movement versus incantations. Did you know at Uagadou School of Magic they don't even use wands? What do you think the Misters Ollivanders think of that?
I have never been much of a cat person, I had an owl during my time at school. Having a creature that flew seemed to make sense at the time, now I see why. I think Splash will be much more content to be spoiled and roam at Hogwarts than she was lurking around the house and Hogsmeade. She seems quite made for adventure.
I'm glad to hear your new appointment is going well. Sounds like your fellow students trust you, as clearly, do the staff. I know not a lick of Shakespeare, your secret is safe with me. I've never been much of a reader either, if I'm being honest, don't sit still well for long periods of time.
I have enclosed your original drawing, having made and framed a duplicate for my mother. She plans to hang it in Sloane's room, which is otherwise untouched. Nobody really goes in there much, perhaps I shall try to convince her to hang it elsewhere. Somewhere it can be appreciated more often.
Your knowledge of what young men get up to is a little surprising, but perhaps in retrospect, expected, given the company I know Sloane also used to keep. Still, I cannot bring myself to share what a fool I was in my youth. Stick to your Charms essays and wandless magic. I did take NEWT level charms, as I thought I would need them for broommaking, and I was right. Therefore I did about Uagadou. I always thought it would be rather fascinating to try, but fear mixed results. It would be handy for someone like myself, no pun intended.
I had begun another letter in response to your own before supper yesterday, but then the news arrived in Hogwarts of the attack on London and it felt as if brevity were more pertinent to ensure you are all well. Are you and Mr. Wallace alright? And your parents? I know they work at the Ministry and that your work often takes you to London.
I have scare had any news of my friends who reside in London and hate how helpless I feel stuck here in Hogwarts .
Yours Most Sincerely, Miss S. Thompsett
Thank you Bee <3 Your magic has made Sisse bloom
October 7, 2023 – 6:51 PM
Last modified: October 7, 2023 – 6:51 PM by Alvin Bixby.
There are no words that I could put to paper that would adequately explain how your words affected me. You and your family have been through so much and my heart aches at this latest news. I shall pray for his recovery..
Please do not apologize on my behalf, I am here for you when you need a moment to think on other matters or dwell on such thoughts as may be difficult in withholding in times such as these.
Please do let me know if anything changes, I shall await your next letter anxiously, not only for news of Wallace, but also of yourself, and your parents and brothers. I do hope that there may be some solace for all of you soon.
Yours Most Sincerely, Miss S. Thompsett
Thank you Bee <3 Your magic has made Sisse bloom
November 2, 2023 – 1:12 AM
Last modified: November 15, 2023 – 9:16 PM by Alvin Bixby.
There hasn't been much to report. The healers do not know if or when Wally will wake up. His injuries are extensive, and life changing. If he does wake up, it will be to an entirely different world view.
The rest of us are about as alright as one could expect. Mother is struggling, understandably. Father and Rufus are trying to hold everything together and making an admirable effort. Harry and I, well, we're hanging on. The house is very quiet these days and it's unnaturally weird. I've been alternating my time between the hospital and the Potts greenhouse just trying to keep my thoughts at bay. Everything seems so very out of turn, we're not even sure which way is up anymore.
Thank you for your letter. I have been worried about you and your family since I last heard from you and I appreciate that you took the time to write to me, despite any changes in the situation.
I pray that he shall recover with as little change to his life as possible, but most importantly that he does wake. I am sure that even though he may face many changes to his life when he does you will be able to lead him through such difficulties and challenges.
I wish there was something more that I could do for you and your family. If there is you mustn't hesitate to let me know. I shall endeavor to lighten your mind with two things, first, attached you shall find a watercolor that I did of the courtyard this week. The first of the trees have begun to change colors - something that I always love to see. Second, and please do not mistake this for undo levity, but I thought that perhaps I would share some stories of my days with you in hopes that it might distract you and help you find a sense of grounding when the world seems to be twisting so rapidly for you.
I had mentioned the first year who is prone to dramatics in one of my letters earlier this month, but I do not believe I shared the details of how I came to meet him. It was the second day of school and the lad was bemoaning how hungry he was, waving his arms around and acting as if he were in a production at the theatre. He tripped as he loped backward down the stairs - as you recall the stairs are rather treacherous when one is walking down them the right way, let alone backwards or acting wildly, but I digress. He landed on his knee. As I was directly behind the group of first years I escorted him to the Hospital Wing. It turns out that he told the nurse that he had been attempting to save a frog (or toad, as I was not there for this conversation I am left to hearsay which is rather divided on this matter) from committing a leap of faith into the air and falling from the staircases to his death. It turns out he merely bruised his knee, but he inquired if he would need to have it amputated. Given how much limping he did on our way up to the tower I would not have been surprised if that had been the case. He was walking right as rain by that evening, however, no limbs lost and from my vantage point at supper I could see that the misadventure had done little to dampen his enthusiastic persona.
Perhaps you might be so kind as to share a story, even a simple observation of something that has made you smile in previous days? I should think that it should help ease the burden from your heart. That burden shall never go away, of that I am very much aware, but if simply observing the world helps you find which way is down than I even though I am limited to my help through the power of quill and parchment, I should feel as if perhaps in some small way I helped you right yourself.
I'm afraid there isn't much of anything that anyone can do until we know for certain what the future will be. It is trying, but we are holding on.
It is fortunate you were there for the first year, sounds like he could use some guidance with that flare for dramatics.
Please accept my apology, but I am not in the right frame of mind to reminisce. It's hard to think about what was when we are faced with what currently is. I do appreciate the attempt at cheering up, I am just a little too far afield for it to properly work at the moment. Your kindness does not go unnoticed however. Your letters are a something to look forward to, which helps keep me going.
I am glad to hear they are a comfort. I sometimes worry they are an unwanted nuisance, if they become so you must let me know immediately.
Is there any change in Wallace? I think of him often and hate that I am bound by letters only to try and assist. If there is anything I can do at all, please let me know.
There is a small courtyard beside the greenhouses at the top of the cliff that I enjoy spending time at. I'm not sure if you recall it or ever stumbled upon it. When you first walk into it you are greeted by wildflowers and if you travel closer to the greenhouses you find a gateway that leads to a smaller courtyard below. It is such a peaceful spot with a beautiful view of the lake below. I often go there when I need a moment of peace from the rest of the day. The first of the trees have begun to turn and from my spot on the bench I can see them across the lake, catching in the late afternoon sun. I think it may be one of my favorite spots in the world, I shall miss it when I graduate. Did you have any such spots when you were at school?
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