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 will not waste your time by pretending that I am looking for a marriage of love - respect, care and admiration would be an appropriate basis for any marriage that I would seek to strike through this process. I admit that I am not a reader of Witch Weekly, and that your letter came to my attention through my sister.
I appreciate that it is rude to ask a lady her age, but as this would be my first marriage it would only be fair to both of us to ensure that our ages would not make us a poor match.
I am sure by now your Father has already informed you of my ad for you in this week's Lonely Hearts (we both know you will overreact, so I shall save myself the ink by asking only that you do nothing foolish). I did this for not only your sake but for young Kirk’s as well – he needs a man in his life now more than ever, especially one of good breeding to teach him how to be a proper upper class gentleman.
And, honestly, Ottoline, you need a man back in your life: any interested suitors replying to you ad will surely help your reputation and standing amongst the other upper class families, as I stressed the import of appropriate station and breeding. Not to mention your father and I are also eager for more grandchildren and your siblings aren’t rushing to fulfill our wishes - though, how you and your late husband didn't conceive before his untimely, albeit noble death is a mystery to your father and I.
That aside, enclosed is a reply to your ad! I am truly ecstatic for you, darling daughter of mine; with that in mind, however, please do not squander this God-given opportunity – despite coming out on Valentine's Day, I am unsure of how much interest you will receive.
Lovingly,
Richa Foerstner
Balls, an actual reply. This had to be handled… carefully.
Maybe, in this case, their middling reputation could be boon and deter any further interest… Yes, they would work under the bold assumption that this wizard kept up with rumor mills and the reputation of the people in Hogsmeade’s upper class; if he did then he would see their name, probably blanch in utter horror (his poor upper class sensibilities rattled) and maybe write a short letter in return about incapability. If not, then there’s always my age, they huffed, running their fingers through their curls – the majority of high society men were after younger, prettier things to warm their martial beds and, at 34, Otto was well past their “prime”.
Dear Mr. F,
I, myself, am not a frequent reader of Witch Weekly either – similarly to this ad reaching you through a family member, my Lonely Heart section came to be in the paper by my mother's hand; it is, in all actuality, not of my own making.
And I fear, good sir, that my dearest mother’s… wording mayhaps have led you astray in regards to who I am - you know how mothers are, seeing only the best in their children... Thus, first and foremost, I shall apologize for my mother’s brazenness in regards to my lack of love life. I do not wish to assume you lend your ears to rumors about other's reputations, but if you fit my mother's criteria for interested suitors, then standing will likely matter to you and so it feels best to simply introduce myself: I am Ottoline, sponsor to the Holyhead Harpies.
I appreciate your straightforward manner of reply and hope that you find mine similarly candid.
I appreciate the candor of your message, and indeed I credit you with knowing my preoccupations very well. You were braver than I in identifying yourself so quickly, and not to be outdone, I am Thaddeus Flint, of the Flint institute.
Like you, I also have family expectations to meet and while I'm sure your family is a noble and worthy one I am unsure if any consideration of a relationship between us would make either of us, or indeed our families in the longer term, very happy.
I do hope that if we were to meet in the future we might avoid any awkwardness or unpleasantness for either party.
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