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.
Perhaps you won’t find these news as sorrowful as I do, considering how things turned out in the family. In which case, I’m only happy for you. There is enough grief in the Boyle family already.
Our dear father - Jesus have mercy on him - has left us.
Please don’t mistake this for an invitation to the funeral. The wound you inflicted on the family reputation still stings, and some may not react well to your presence. But if you ever want to pay respects to our passed away father, I can tell you how to find the grave.
You will, I hope, forgive me my delay in responding. To say that I was surprised to hear from you is something of an understatement, and I needed some time to adjust to the news brought to me by your owl. I rejoice only to have heard from you, for though Father and I had our differences—to say the least—it is not in my nature to wish death upon anyone, particularly when there are still those who do love them.
Though the circumstances are sad, I do hope that you are well. I think of you—and of Amos, and Mother, and even Father—more often than I care to, and wonder how you are all making your way through the world. I do not know if you think of me, and do not wish you to feel guilty if you do not. If you do, however, I hope you do so without concern, for I have found a position in the Ministry of Magic and am, in spite of all that has happened, doing well for myself.
I thank you for taking the time to write, and welcome further correspondence.
Please don’t worry about the delay, I understand your need for time. And several days is nothing after years of silence.
I’m sorry for thinking you could be so unforgiving, I didn’t mean to offend you. Maybe deep inside I hoped that at least someone would be happy.
While I was still living with ourmy our family, our departed father rarely spoke about you, and never in presence of guests. And although the rest of us didn’t mention your name at all, I think we all thought of you sometimes.
I did.
And now I’m glad you’ve found a place in this world. And I hope the man you eloped with is worth such family complications. I wish you both luck.
With regret, I must reveal that I remain unmarried still. My darling Mr. Gower was lost in the line of duty just a week before our nuptials were scheduled to take place. I did think, then, of writing to the family—Mother, in particular—but decided I could not rightly return to those who so ardently dismissed my feelings, even if they would have had me. Some days, I do wonder what life might have been like had things been different, but I am happy in my life the way that it is.
Please, tell me something of your own life in the years that we last spoke. I hope you are not yet married, for if you pardon my saying so, you would be quite young to do so, but hope also that you have found yourself in a career that might offer you similar fulfillment. I am, as you might imagine, rather starved for news.
I’m sorry for your loss and for reminding you about it. Jesus be my witness, it wasn’t my intent to bring up this tragedy. Please accept my sincerest condolences. Not everyone can pass such a test of faith go through difficulties of such magnitude and maintain a good outlook on life. And I’m happy and proud that you’re this strong.
I’m indeed not married, although I was considering it at some point, as my finances became less of a concern. Which brings us to my career. It pays well, it’s reasonably challenging, and it benefits people a lot. When I think about it, a healer is definitely the best job for me. After all, Jesus was an accomplished Healer, as well, among other things.
As for other news, I could probably write for pages and pages. Anything in particular you want to hear about next?
And what about you? You mentioned working for the Ministry, but that’s ambiguous, considering how many completely different departments there are. I hope you didn’t follow in your bethroted’s footsteps and become an Auror. Although it would likely give us many opportunities to meet doing our jobs, but those are not circumstances I would like to meet you under.
You mention "Jesus" in your letters. Surely you haven't gone off and found religion?You say that you have begun to consider finding a wife. Is there a woman in particular, or is it merely still in the hypothetical? To hear that you are a healer warms my heart; it seems so true to your nature, at least as I recall it. It is also quite an important calling, as all of us will find ourselves in need of such attentions at some point in our lives. I am glad to learn that you find it so fulfilling; I wish the same could be said for my own post.
I work as a secretary in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. It is not at all what I would have expected to see myself doing, but my superior, Mrs. Skeeter, is of an able mind and fair disposition; we get along very well indeed. It is, quite decidedly, an occupation rather than a calling—but we cannot all be so lucky as to see our life's purpose fulfilled!
I should like very much to see you face to face Do you remain in our mother's house still, or have you found your own place in the world? To do the latter is a very important step if you are considering finding a wife, as you claim to be.
Such an interesting coincidence! Just like your job, mine is also associated with magical creatures and potential harm they can do. Although you specialize in preventive measures, while I deal with the consequences, as I mostly heal creature-induced injuries. Perhaps it was Jesus’ will to keep our family united, albeit in such an indirect way.
I moved to my own place just recently. With family’s help, of course. I wouldn’t manage to afford it myself yet. It’s definitely for the best, as, to be honest, I found myself annoyed by family guests more often than not, while not being sure my own guests would have a warm welcome. Although they would probably have such a welcome. But goodbyes could be cold. After the moving I considered marriage but soon realized I shouldn’t hurry and rather establish myself as an expert first, while I can still focus solely on my job.
And what about you? Do you stay with the Gower family? And if so, do they treat you well?
I have a modest flat of my own near the Ministry headquarters; I did consider moving to Hogsmeade—a quieter life is to my tastes these days—but found the neighbourhoods within my means to be rather more dour than I would be comfortable with. I have a lovely flowerbox outside of my sitting room window, and only two staircases to climb to return home at the end of the day. One of my fellow secretaries lives in the same building, so I have a companion to travel to and from work with each day. It's a tidy, simple life, but I like it a great deal.
Though I do not wish to pry, I must ask—what sort of friendships have you found that you came to think your guests may be unwelcome in the family home?
Although it puts a greater distance between us, I wholly agree with your decision against moving to Hogsmeade. As someone who sees multitude of injuries at the Hospital and someone who was taught to recognize sin, I can tell both of those come from southern districts. And it would be a pain to know that my sister was caught in that web of vice which are Pennyworth and Slums. I know people who live there and yet hold to their virtues, but I imagine it’s an everyday test of their resolve and a gamble on their safety.
I myself would be content with the life you describe. It’s nice and simple, something that very few people appreciate. Jesus didn't enjoy many luxuries, so maybe it's not something we should focus so much on.
As for my unwelcome friends, the Lord's wisdom about the nature of Muggleborns may elude our family, and its members are too eager to hate everyone who attempts to challenge their views. While at the family home, I keep it to myself, but most of my friends are rather open about their faith's teachings, thus I avoided inviting them.
It pains me to realize how similar I was to the rest of our family just years ago. And it pains me even more that I once gave you this same treatment. I hope you forgive me.
Yours,
Clifford
You specifically mentioned a lovely flowerbox. Do you have floristry as a hobby now? What kind of flowers are those?
How could I not forgive you? Whatever your past sins, you are still my brother, and I would be lying if I said it did not warm my heart to hear from you now, regardless of the circumstances. I must hope, however, that you keep your wits about you; do not allow your pride to force you down the path that I have taken. For all that I am content with my life as it is now, the road to get here was neither easy nor enjoyable.
I am still not much of a green thumb, but I do have a thriving box of marigolds. Sometimes I wonder if one of my neighbours does not give them a bit of care to make up for my own shortcomings as a gardener!
![[Image: 2mryxw3.jpg]](http://i66.tinypic.com/2mryxw3.jpg)