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
Zach would make a wonderful father, in Rosie's opinion. How he treated her children, how he treated the children that came to his bookshop. She was sure that he would certainly know what would bring joy to a child.
"It is. Perhaps next summer will bring some travel. It would be good to see the world." If their little family lasted that long. Perhaps some travelling would calm Hugo down.
Zach nodded at that, "Yes, that would be wonderful. Where is it that you would like to travel to, do you think?"
He thoroughly enjoyed his travels to find rare books or to transport those that wouldn't make it through the mail for one reason or another. It was always refreshing for the places in his books to suddenly become real in his eyes.
"It depends on what you prefer. The sea? The mountains? The city?" He'd been to a fair amount of places, but there was quite a lot of the world he hadn't yet explored. He hoped to change that soon.
The topic seemed to bore him, which wasn't something that she intended. "I'll keep that in mind. Do you have some interesting tales from your travels?" She had heard a few, but of course she couldn't know every single thing he'd ever done.
Zach didn't seem bored. He nodded, trying to decide which tale to tell. He couldn't ever keep track of whom he had regaled with what adventurous story. "From the mountains? I suppose, yes. My associate in the Alps nearly caused a landslide while trying to curse a snake," His mouth upturned in an amused grin. The man had decided to take him on a walk about and had become absolutely petrified when a snake crossed their path. "My, uh, life might have flashed before my eyes a little bit."
Rosie's insecurities were tugging away at her mind. Especially when it came to Zach. She didn't know what to do around him, and couldn't tell how he felt at times. Did he grow bored with her? But she smiled and listened attentively as he spoke.
Rosie's silence felt tense, and her demeanor had been strange for the entire conversation. This wasn't exactly how he though his visit would go. Then again, he'd thought they'd probably be having lunch with the children. Not sure what to say or how to answer, Zach's awkwardness caught up with him, and he glanced at his pocket watch.
"Ah, I'm...afraid my lunch hour is dwindling. I am due back at the shop." If things had gone a bit differently, he might have extended the time, but it seemed they would remain strained. Best to not prolong it. He did have quite a bit to do before he traveled.
No matter how much she tried to hide her emotions in situation like this, the disappointment seemed determined to make its way onto her face. Things were awkward and she hated it. But could things every change? She was stuck in a loveless marriage, and he was as free as he was going to get. She didn't even know if even felt that way about her, and could she really blame him if he didn't? "Oh, yes. Well, I do hope that the rest of your day isn't too stressful."
Zach wasn't fully aware of Rosie's lingering feelings, but he did clue in to the constant awkwardness that bubbled up when the two of them seemed to be left alone. It had been nineteen years since Rosie and Hugo were wed. Nineteen long years for his yearning to fade into a faint echo. Every time he looked at her, he was reminded of what could have been, but he knew it could never be. Nor did he want it. Not anymore. Zach had started to realize what he felt for Rosie wasn't love. His heart felt that for someone else, or, well, he wasn't fully cognizant of that fact, yet.
"And yours. I will let you know how it goes with mother and father. Though, I think you'll likely hear about it from mother before it comes from me." He smiled at her, and nodded. "Until next time." With that, he turned and headed for the door.
She watched him for a moment. Why couldn't she tell what he thought? Couldn't she have just a hint? But then again, would she really want the answer? What could have been - what should have been - would likely have been best for all. Hugo would have found a wife that was all too happy to climb to different social circles with him. Rosie could have possibly wed Zach, or at least someone whom she could bond with. Zach? Well, if anything he could at least not have to listen to his own sister-in-law complain about his brother.
"Until then." She said softly before the door shut behind him, leaving her in the fate that she could only wish wasn't her own.
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