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 am pretty certain that I am going mad. I have not left Wellingtonshire for what feels like years, and it feels like everyone needs something from me every second of the day. I know we spoke about me coming to visit you at your estate in November, but we could never quite align our schedules, given the holidays that were coming up. Please tell you are doing something interesting in France so that I may live vicariously through you for a few moments? Suki is busy with a committee setting up donations, so it will just be me, and Merlin, unless Poppy decides to steal him again to send letters.
My dear cousin, how is it I can't remember the last time we've spoken? It must be a long time since you've ventured out of your hidey-hole. Come visit me at once; I'll send the appropriate doctors note to whomever you need to escape or a portkey directly. The winter days here are long and lonely without Lucy and the boys, and Reginald seems to be determined never to step foot on the estate (though I can't imagine why). As for Mathilda well-- Mama has her fully under grasp for the season and I cannot honestly be bothered to fight with them about it even if I do feel a lady should use her winters to rest and recover from the whole charade.
News here is always exciting. We've imported a new plant specimen from Italy to establish some aesthetics about the finished guest house. They're sturdy enough to withstand even the harshness of snow if you can imagine, and bloom all through the spring and summer. I have to say my anxieties seem to have alleviated much since their arrival, my mind lightened of a load, which speaks volumes as to my own wits. Please, you'd be doing me a favor to come and provide real, human company again. (Not to disparage Gigi in any way, she is my absolute love. The only woman in life whose whims I am duty-bound to cater.)
If you'd like to bring our delightful Ms. Dashwood along, feel free. I know as your shadow she would be furious to miss the opportunity, but rest assured there will be no peace for her here. I have been practicing my lawn games in solitude and will not be made a fool of again!
socially destitute and desiring of your company, A.
November I believe, when you stopped by the visit, although you didn't stay too long. Christmas was a blur with everyone running around and I'm not sure if we spoke more than a few words of hello and goodbye, given how chaotic everything was with all the children running around. At least Edmund and his wife weren't a surprise this year because I don't think my heart could have taken it. I will be happy to accompany you for a few days, and bring back whatever trinkets you wish for the boys to have. I haven't spoken to Reginald in quite some time, although he appears content living with one of the Prewetts. I think he would be opposed to being brought home a trinket though. Mathilda is alive at the very least, I saw her and your mother not too long ago, shopping for a dress for the first ball of the season.
The new plant sounds interesting as I've never heard of one that is used throughout all the seasons. I suppose Lucy found it, as I don't see yourself making the guest house aesthetics on your own, not that it matters. It won't be bothered while I am there, and perhaps it will work some of its magic on me to alleviate some of the stress. Perhaps I shall not bring Merlin, as I fear he might have a twinge of jealous toward GiGi, and the last thing I desire is for him to peck at her, or for her to ruffle his feathers. (Although we both know that he would start the fight, but she is much larger than he is.)
Poppy is busy courting, but I shall play (and beat) you on her behalf. I can only hope there is peace for me there, because if there is not, I think I shall find somewhere else to go. Please, tell me what dates you are available and I will clear my schedule to come visit.
Oddly enough, I thank you for the rundown on my siblings. It seems I am remiss in keeping up to date with their whereabouts, save for Lucy. It feels strange to me, their current state in life. (Is it bizarre for Reginald to be living with a Prewett? Is he happy at the very least? He never writes to me! Or answers when I initiate. To hell if he doesn't want a trinket, he's getting ten! Maybe then he'll acknowledge the only brother has has on this Earth.)
I do not recall exactly how this plant came into being either actually. It just...appeared one day, the gardeners quite eager to get planting. Perhaps you're right; perhaps Lucy did select it. Seems like the type of thing she'd very much have insight into, splendid as it is. As for Merlin, I read your words and hear only that you do not wish for my cat to beat your owl. A fair assumption, a triumph I take in stride. Muahaha.
I wish Poppy all the best of luck in this exciting time and have a plethora of questions on the topic that I shall reserve for your visit. Nosy older cousin that I am. Do not mistake me-- we shall have plenty of time to chat while I beat you soundly.
My calendar is fairly open this week and the following. I have work to attend to in Paris one or two days, but perhaps I can introduce you to the gentlemen at my club and you can amuse yourself for a time. There is much to see and do in magical Paris that I would daresay can cure any woe you might bring from Briton.
Reginald is a lot like Basil, both the good and the bad, although I suppose you already know that. They are too focused on their own lives to be bothered to pick up a quill, (although I surprised that Reginald ignores you, given that he always had a quill in his possession) and only come around when they need something. It is, I fear, the downfall of being the eldest. They have a lot less responsibility and as such, lead lives that others would frown upon. I can't speak upon if he's happy, but he spends a lot of time with the Prewett boy, but the do work together as well. Crime and Politics - I guess you did scare him away from Quidditch. Collect whatever trinkets, and I will deliver to whomever. The boys are interested in adventure stories. (I would lump your brother in with the boys in this instance.)
Your cat would beat up Merlin for no reason. I will bring him, and we will see who is victorious. He has quite a bite to him, and he is not a gentleman in the slightest when it comes to females, unless of course she is female and has treats to feed him. He has lost a bit of weight.
I will bear news, I promise, but I shall save it for when we are in person. This week works perfectly. Send a portkey, and I will be there on the morning on Friday, after breakfast. Paris sounds like a treat, and I look forward to seeing how it compares to London, and what I may find in Paris that keeps its hold on you.
Basil and Reginald? I suppose the two are quite a bit alike. Though I hesitate to assume either of them lead lives to frown upon. At least they contribute to society, Basil as the guiding light of a new generation and Reginald to the Prophet. As for scaring him away from Quidditch, it was his own doing. He has every ability to be an impartial party if he so choses. Let the others talk. He comes from an affluent, successful pedigree-- there is bound to be discussion of his having a job at all! (Though I do applaud them for it.)
As for your mongrel of an owl, (whom I suppose I adore dearly), we shall see. Genevieve is the epitome of ladylike so unless he provokes her, there may not even be cause for war.
I send the portkey herein. After breakfast Friday works splendidly!
They are just alike in that they shy away from responsibilities purely because they are younger, but no, neither has caused an detriment to the family names yet.
We will see. I don't trust your cat not to antagonize him when we can't see.
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