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 must admit this may be wildly out of character for me, as I do not typically read Witch Weekly but one was left open and your letter caught my eye. I do suppose I would like to inquire as to what about a companionship that will not lead to marriage is what you are looking for? It is something I have often thought about for myself as well, but being a young woman did not think would be afforded to me without much scrutiny. My situation is... unusual, but that could be why your advertisement struck a chord. I find myself lonely, but not for romance, simply for someone to talk to.
Witch Weekly is pleased to inform you that your recent submission to our Lonely Hearts article has generated a response. Witch Weekly is devoted to providing help to all of our readers, no matter what their social disadvantages, and we are delighted to provide this service to the lovelorn in our magical community. We hope that you will be able to create a happy ending with our help, instead of being doomed to a tragically lonely life.
Please see the enclosed letter and advise us whether you will need your advertisement repeated in further issues of our magazine.
Forgive me if some of this comes across hamfisted — I've tried to draft this response a few times now. It's odd that something that I feel so strongly can still be so difficult to put into words.
I find myself lonely, too. Our society seems only designed to support one type of bonding, for apparently eligible men and women, and that's courtship with a view towards matrimony. I decided a long time ago, for reasons that are personal but very strongly held, that I would make a poor parent and a poor partner. I don't think I could in good conscious ask a woman to marry me when I would be unable to share my full self with her, and unable to satisfy the desire most women have to start a family. And it follows then that I couldn't, in good conscious, make any efforts to get close to any woman of my acquaintance, knowing that I could not someday propose.
But that doesn't mean I can simply shut off the desire to have a genuine connection with someone.
I won't ask for any specifics of your own situation, if you're not comfortable sharing them, but if you're in a situation where there's anything you'd like to get off of your chest — well, I think the anonymity of letters where we are unlikely to ever meet provides a sort of security for sharing confidences.
In any case, I'd love to hear more about you. Anything you want to share.
I can understand your struggle probably better than I would like to think, or could put into so many words myself. Though I have not crossed a family firmly off the list, it is not something I think I should do. Which I suppose is not too far off from your thoughts on the matter, it seems.
For me it feels almost irresponsible, as I have traits a child would certainly inherit, traits I struggle with, and something I would hate to force upon to a child like it was forced upon me. It gets better with each generation however, and I am often alone in my perception of the circumstances from those like me, so it is hard to truly commit to a certain future over another. I find myself content, fulfilled even, by my work, so perhaps it won't even be an issue of the future, instead, stuck in past, learning from previous mistakes and heartbreak.
It all sounds quite contrite, now that I read it back to myself, but I agree the anonymity provides a sense of ease. Indeed letters circumvent my biggest struggle. I hope it isn't too confusing.
What is it you would like your aromantic connection to look like, given the chance?
Everything you've written seems a parallel to my own feelings on the matter. It's not an exact correlation; I don't have anything hereditary per se. But people who grow up in my family tend to make certain choices — choices I made too, and later regretted — and I don't want to bring children into that. It might not be forced upon them the way you describe, but asking children to make choices without the full context of what they're choosing doesn't seem much better, to my mind.
Re-reading this paragraph I worry that you'll come away with a devilish view of my family. They mean well. They're supportive and loyal. I didn't have a bad childhood. They're just misguided on certain things, and it seems unlikely that will ever change.
As for what I want... I thought I was content with my life, too, until this summer. Then something happened that made me realize how much I was missing. I want conversations with someone that go deeper than the pleasantries we exchange at balls and garden parties. I want someone who would tell me about their bad days and care to listen to mine.
What are you looking for?
Inquisitive
*author's note: sent in the morning, before dragon attack news — but feel free to have her not reply for a while!
My apologies for the delay in response, I am certain you can ascertain as to why, but considering my profession is in the healing arts, it's been a busy week. A long, traumatizing, existential, week.
I relish in the distraction of your letter, even if it is only temporary. Families are complicated. I can relate there as well. At least you feel as though you belong with them, I cannot say the same. My father of course, adores as much as he can, but my stepmother and half-siblings are another story. It is perhaps why I do not think passing this curse along is wise, but also why I spend so much time at work; at least there I am useful.
I think I too would like the opportunity to have an outlet for the more in depth discussions. I enjoy the speed with which letters allow one to think before putting quill to paper and phrase exactly what it is they would like to say, rather than the immediate response required in conversation.
As it seems we are in agreement on the matter, I should think I would like to go first. All I have known since graduating is my work, it keeps me going. The attacks on the Thames have me questioning everything about it. I was an utter disaster, I was completely overwhelmed by the chaos and the sheer volume of patients and I lost my decorum. I do not work in an emergent ward typically, and if there are emergencies it is one at a time. I have known resources, my colleagues, my wits about me. How am I supposed to call myself a healer when I cannot do it in such situations like that? It leaves me questioning my direction and my usefulness in the future.
I hope I have not started out too intensely, but it feels better getting it off my chest.
![[Image: Tabi-MJSig.png]](https://i.ibb.co/PzkZ1DX/Tabi-MJSig.png)
