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.
There's nothing wrong with Slytherin house! I love both my mother and brother dearly and would have no issue donning green and silver for my seven years there.
I don't consider myself brave enough to be a Gryffindor — bold, perhaps, but far too self-preserving! Who knows, though? Perhaps the Hat knows more about us then we know about ourselves and who we're meant to become.
I'm not sure how many Hufflepuffs we have in our family overall; apart from my mother and father, I know my Uncle Beckett was a Gryffindor and he's the heir to the Longbottom family! I'm not judge each house by their stereotypes, for people of all sorts come out of all four houses!
As usual, my brain has spoken without thinking things through. I did not mean to imply that there was something wrong with Slytherin, not at all. My family is full of Slytherins, as is Mabell. I merely thought that you were not going to be a Slytherin due to your abundance of qualities that would better suit you in Gryffindor.
Maybe the Sorting Hat will see right through me and you both and place us somewhere we've never considered. Perhaps you will be in Hufflepuff and I will be like Mabell and be in Slytherin. I suppose, we will have to wait for September and see. How are you holding up outside of Hogsmeade? I dearly miss you.
Yours,
Arya
made by the LOVELY MJ!
July 24, 2018 – 1:53 PM
Last modified: July 25, 2018 – 6:07 PM by Flora Mulciber.
I'm not sure anything could be said that might convince me Gryffindor is where I belong. You are right in one thing: only the Sorting Hat will be able to tell us where we belong!
The Sanditon is nice, but I dearly wish to go back home and be with you and our other friends! There's such a lack of children nearby — save for a few I've befriended during my stay.
I wish this cursed fog would dissipate. Mother has taken to keeping me in even more than she had before. She gets worse as the fog continues. I do have one bit of exciting news to share, I met my uncle. My dead uncle. Turns out he died coming to see me when I was born and has been floating around ever since. He was rather curmudgeonly, but I imagine as a ghost it is hard to not be.
I am afraid to tell Mother though, I don't know how she will react. Maybe she will be happier, maybe she will be mad. She's so hard to read.
I wish you were here in person, it would be easier to talk about it face to face. Claire Benet and I had an adventure, we found our way to the Hog's Head! It was quite exciting.
Truly yours,
Arya
made by the LOVELY MJ!
July 25, 2018 – 6:06 PM
Last modified: July 25, 2018 – 6:08 PM by Flora Mulciber.
You mindless, stupid girl! The Hog's Head is for the lowliest beggars and the slum-dwelling criminals! And Claire Bénet? She recently ran off to join the journey to Avalon like the little trouble-maker she is! I cannot believe you would partake in such tomfoolery — it is so unlike you!
You must tighten on that head before it flies off your body to chase your senses! How foolish!
I know, I shouldn't have done it. My governess found us and righted our wrongs. Claire was fun, but she is a bit too wild for my good senses. I feel like this fog is affecting my head. I cannot think straight without seeing the sun all day. I will be glad when it finally dissipates.
Besides, when the fog leaves us, you will finally be able to return home and we can have sensible play dates, just like the old times. It won't be long before school starts, only one more month and a few days. If the fog isn't gone by then, I hope they will find a way for us to get to Hogwarts. I am beyond ready to go and see what the fuss is about. Mabell goes on and on about it in the evenings when we're in the sitting room. Alphonse is a lot quieter though. I guess we'll see one day soon!
If you continue to make stupid decisions — or worse, if knowledge of them finds their way to the public eye — my mother will never allow to associate with you again! We will be forced to walk alongside each other in the halls of Hogwarts as complete strangers for the sake of keeping face. Do you want that? Do you not want us to be friends?
Stop being foolish and stop making foolish decisions!
Oh goodness! Flora, do not speak of such things! You know that my mother would never allow news of whatever we did to get out into the public eye. I made one mistake, please do not dismiss me as a friend. If it makes you feel any better, I have not seen nor spoken to Claire since then. And if it means staying your friend, I will avoid her at school as well.
Your mother's secrecy skills matter not if someone spots you and spreads it around town! You act as if people have no eyes, no ears, and no tongues to speak ill of you, Arya! I would advise you cut your acquaintanceship with Miss Bénet until her reputation recovers from her ill-advised summer adventure!
If you feel it is best, I will leave Claire alone. I imagine she has enough friends plus her sister that she will not notice I have stopped talking to her. And you are right, Flora, I did not think about those who could have seen me with Ms. Benet. At least my governess found us and we went to the toy store instead. If we had actually gone into the Hog's Head Mother would have had an apoplectic fit.
I'm glad you see my way and have chosen to take my advice. While the loss of of Miss Bénet may be painful at first, it is not as painful as the loss of your reputation! Besides, you will have me to keep you company.
If I were your governess, I would have seen Miss Bénet home the moment she led you astray.
Yours,
Flora
August 4, 2018 – 11:37 PM
Last modified: August 4, 2018 – 11:39 PM by Arabella Wood.
It would not be as painful as losing you as a friend, dearest Flora. After all, we have been playmates since we were in diapers. Claire, I mean, Ms. Benet, and I only had a few play dates when we were slightly older. They had not happened in a few years, which is why when I saw her, we decided to reconnect for old time's sake. I had not even heard of her escapade trying to go to Avalon.
But now that is over, and I am still here pondering when the fog will dissipate. Much longer and I am afraid I will go stir crazy. I know I mentioned to you that I have a ghost as an uncle, and now I am contemplating taking him to meet Mother. Could you imagine her face if she were to meet him? If he was as cantankerous as he is now, I can only imagine her face would be bright red.
I write to you just as news has arrived that the fog in Hogsmeade and the surrounding areas has finally lifted. Do tell me it's true; I've longed to return home ever since I've arrived here at the Sanditon.
How does your mother not know her brother is a ghost? While they may not be as loud and public as humans, they're not completely invisible. I'm of the opinion that she already known and has chosen to keep it a secret, and to introduce him to her might cause her undue pain. Please tread carefully in your efforts and do not act too brashly. It never ends well for anyone.
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