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.
As the fire crackled in the hearth and the scent of roasting chestnuts filled the room, Elladora pulled out a letter that would change the course of her life before the new year arrived. She had received it this morning but for whatever reason had waited to read it till lunchtime – since then she had been absorbing the contents privately, silently and with a large glass of mulled wine to help digest the news.
Now though, sitting quietly with Ursula, the children and Phineas absent as they always were, she thought it best to mention something. There would be a necessity of relaying the news soon, of course, but it felt only appropriate that she tell Ursula first. (She would unpack that detail later, when more wine had been consumed.)
"I received this earlier," she announced, quite calmly, to her fireside companion. She opened the letter and read the words again, as she had been doing since she had received it; there was no use beating around the bush. “My mother died yesterday.”
Like constellations imploding in the night
Everything is turning, everything is turning
Ursula was flicking through a booklet of fashion plates with great interest and hoping not to be bothered by one of the younger children (unless it was Belvina, that was acceptable). Of course the children had emptied out a little while ago and there was no real risk of that, although one might reappear at any given moment seeing as routine had gone out the window for the festivities. Her second son, for example, might well make an appearance just to spite her. In the end it was Elladora who disturbed her which, similarly to Belvina and Sirius, was an acceptable interruption.
At first she only lowered the booklet to her lap, but it was shortly after relocated entirely to a table. Oh. It took her a moment to fully switch her brain from organza and ornate sleeves, to the news that Elladora had just delivered. Oh, I am sorry, Ella. How awful. Ursula was genuinely trying to be empathetic, although she couldn't claim to be terribly bereft herself. She hardly had a close relationship with her mother-in-law, the woman had spent most of Ursula's married years abroad (she envied her that) and when she'd been a young bride she'd found her more than a little intimidating. You must be upset? This was said less for Ella's benefit and more for Ursula's because she honestly wasn't sure how serious this was for her and she could hardly ask outright how attached she'd been to her mother. Outfit | Tag: Elladora Black | Notes:
Was she upset? Elladora searched her heart for something that was comparable to the feelings she assumed most people felt upon the death of their mother, but she found herself mostly perturbed by the thought that she would have to go abroad again this year. (The possibility that Phineas might perform these pragmatic last rites for their mother never entered her mind – he was quite capable, of course, but it ought to be her this time.)
Truthfully, Ella Max was not a woman that had inspired too much affection. She had done her duty admirably, retired gracefully and was, altogether, a woman to be admired. But loved? Even by her own daughter? Elladora sniffed and carefully put away the letter, keeping it neatly folded and precisely where she could find it again at a moment’s notice: there were others to tell, after all, and a prop was so useful when one was unsure.
“There was no suffering,” she said by way of an answer. “Or so her maid says. It was she who wrote, by the way.” Ella added, gaze not quite meeting Ursula’s. “There was no one else with her.”
Like constellations imploding in the night
Everything is turning, everything is turning
Ursula contemplated the information for a few seconds and then, naturally, turned her thoughts towards herself instead. She wouldn't die alone... would she? She'd had Elladora at her side the last time she'd brushed with death, but Phineas had left her for dead. What if Ella died first? Then who would be there? She couldn't imagine Sirius abandoning her, but then he'd inevitably have an important role in wizarding society like his father, and supposing he was Minister of Magic, he might not be able to get away to sit at her bedside. Belvina would surely want to, but she might be in school, or married and unable to escape her undeserving husband. Arcturus...? The rest she'd prefer not to have anywhere near her deathbed for she'd only wish to hasten her departure with them around. Next time she tried to die she was sure Phineas would only show up at her bedside to measure her for her coffin.
It suddenly occurred to her that Ella had faithfully sat at her bedside and yet offered no such service to her own mother. That made her feel rather self-important. Whether Ella had ever been given any opportunity to go sit at her ailing mother's bedside was neither here nor there. She opened her mouth to make a very self-centered comment and miraculously caught herself just in time with enough self-awareness to shut her mouth before any of it slipped out. She tried again. That is... sad. Outfit | Tag: Elladora Black | Notes:
