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
I had hoped you would reach out to me at your convenience, but after hearing the news, then reading the news, I fear there will no longer be a convenient time at all to ask how you are doing. I have many questions of course, but that is the first and most important. How are you? The second question is if we might remain friends or if your fiancé will think that quite strange
Hope you stay safe with the incoming cold temperatures and, I suppose, congratulations.
I'm sorry for not writing. I suppose I might have done "at my convenience" but I haven't had any convenience in sight since it happened... but more seriously, I did think of writing you but could not determine what to say. I hope none of this has made things difficult for you? I should hate to think it's left you in an awkward position with regards to rumors, or inquiries from your family, et cetera.
I am doing my best to handle everything — as you can imagine there is a lot to be done very suddenly, and to be doing it all under the scrutiny of the Public Eye has not been helpful — I'm sure we will all be glad to be through to the other side of it, if only so that everyone will move on and find something else to talk about.
Ford Greengrass
He read the letter back to himself before sending it. Not quite enough, he decided. In a slightly cramped hand, to fit above the signature he'd already added, he appended to the end of the final paragraph:
And to be finally married, of course! I hope you can meet Miss Farley soon, if you haven't already.
I’m sorry for not writing. In truth, I wasn’t sure if it would be appropriate to write to you again. For what it is worth, I quite enjoyed the first weeks following your engagement. My father left me alone, assuming I was quite heartbroken and all, so I was happily devastated for quite some time.
It’s just that I hoped everyone will have moved on and found something else to talk about, as you said. And they haven’t, have they? Witch Weekly is only ever half true, it’s outrageous that such garbage is put to print. Only half of it is even close to true. The trouble I have, though, is that I know which half of the article was false. What does this mean for the other half of what was written? As a friend, albeit a strange and now distant one, I admit I am a bit worried.
Sincerely,
Miss Chang
On second thought -- Ida frowned as she read and reread her letter. The witch then penned a bit more, neatly and narrowly written above her signature.
Though I am certain there is nothing to be concerned about. I would be delighted to meet Mrs. Greengrass, if she’ll have me. I can write to her, if you think it is a good idea.
You don't have to apologize for not writing, rest assured I was far too busy to begrudge a lack of letters from anyone (though I'm pleased to hear from you now — it would have been a shame if you hadn't written again). I'm glad you were able to get some good traction out of the situation, at least; I could imagine it might have made things uncomfortable but you seem to have played it well. I suppose this means we won't be able to keep talking at parties and things, though, doesn't it? If you're assumed to be heartbroken, et&.
I admit I haven't seen anything from Witch Weekly lately; I assume I know the long and short of it but if there was anything especially interesting included you may have to enlighten me. Even if I actively read it I would be inclined to stop for the next few months at this point, until they've well and truly moved on. In the meantime the best I can do it give them nothing else interesting to remark upon, so that is what I am endeavoring to do.
To that end, our honeymoon was quiet but actually quite lovely. My biggest concern at the moment is making sure my wife is adjusting comfortably — even without adding the rumors and Witch Weekly and all to the equation it's a big shift, and my family can be a bit much even at the best of times. To that end, I appreciate your offer — a few kind words could certainly do no harm for her, and perhaps she would be grateful for an opportunity to act a hostess with comparatively low stakes. Do you think I ought to
He hadn't even finished the sentence before realizing what a monumental misstep it would be to ask Ida Chang's opinion on what he should tell Jemima about their supposed attachment. It would hardly give the impression he was very much in love with his wife if he let on that even now, weeks after having married her, he had never brought up or expounded upon his connection to a girl half of society had assumed him smitten with. If he had been actually involved with Jemima prior to marrying her, she would have already known the extent of things with Miss Chang. Tycho had known before Miss Chang and Ford had even agreed to it.
Which meant, he supposed, that he needed to find an opportunity to bring it up and explain it to Jemima before she had Miss Chang over for tea sometime. That was much easier said than done, of course — Tycho could understand why Ford might be inclined to appear involved with someone who he didn't want to marry. Jemima... probably couldn't comprehend it, unless he made up a reason. Something other than the real reason. Real reasons. Something that was entirely opposite to the truth and yet still mildly plausible. Hmph.
But only if it's not too much of an inconvenience for you. I know you're busy with your studies and all, so if it's not easily managed I'm sure she won't be put out. Anyway — Looking forward to seeing you, maybe, if it works out.
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