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 hope this does not come across as too unexpected, for I was charmed by our conversation last night. I am a little new to this whole arrangement of calling upon ladies after an evening and so I thought a letter might be alright as well? It seems quite forward to show up at one's home unannounced. I fear as though I have not enough training on such subjects. Clearly young ladies know all of the ins and outs and I simply do not. If I asked my mother, I would get a lecture, of which I am also not keen on?
How was your morning? I unfortunately had to run into the office, which also prevented me from stopping by. I have included some flowers, of which my younger sister tells me is customary. The white hyacinths are quite aromatic, I hope you like them.
She smiled to herself when she saw the name, the memory of his own handsome smile coming swiftly to mind. This, Eury thought, was her element: how well she might present herself, without the burden of her affliction making her seem the dullard!
And oh—he had sent flowers. Her aunt had informed Eury brightly, signified purity and loveliness. She wondered if Mr. Harper had picked them out themselves for this meaning, or if the same sister he mentioned had aided in the selection. Regardless, the gesture was a kind one, and the witch found herself rather giddy—not at all a usual sensation for her.
23rd June, 1894
Mr. Harper,
Your note was welcomed, I assure you—though you do yourself a disservice, suggesting that you lack 'training'. While your mother might deliver a lesson (calling it a "lecture", I assure you, would not be welcomed by a lady!) if asked, I am sure that you would find you know already a great deal more than you believe! I hope you will not begrudge me my candidness in admitting I enjoyed our time together, however brief, the other evening.
My day passed in the usual manner, though was brightened greatly by the arrival of some beautifully-smelling flowers. Your sister has steered you right in this regard.
I wish I had the opportunity to bandy about things like 'run to the office'—I expect it makes one's day less predictable. I did watch a young lady shove a gentleman into the pond in Padmore Park which was rather a deviation from the typical order of the day. I wish only that I was privy to the gossip of her motivation.
Eury thought carefully upon her next words. That she had managed to charm him in spite of her affliction was something only just shy of a miracle; did she dare orchestrate another face-to-face before ensuring, with quill and ink and parchment, that she had solidified her position? And even if so, how deliberate was too deliberate?
The debutante decided to err on the side of caution. First impressions were immediate, but second impressions could take their time. Hers, Eury knew, would likely be the better for it.
You must tell me—is it true that in Britain, they still play quidditch with small birds instead of a snitch? My cousin insists that this is the case, but though we are only briefly acquainted, I have quickly surmised that he is something of a jokester. If anyone might be able to prove or disprove his claims, I thought that you must be the prime candidte.
Your note was welcomed, I assure you—though you do yourself a disservice, suggesting that you lack 'training'. While your mother might deliver a lesson (calling it a "lecture", I assure you, would not be welcomed by a lady!) if asked, I am sure that you would find you know already a great deal more than you believe! I hope you will not begrudge me my candidness in admitting I enjoyed our time together, however brief, the other evening.
My day passed in the usual manner, though was brightened greatly by the arrival of some beautifully-smelling flowers. Your sister has steered you right in this regard.
I wish I had the opportunity to bandy about things like 'run to the office'&mdash:I expect it makes one's day less predictable. I did watch a young lady shove a gentleman into the pond in Padmore Park which was rather a deviation from the typical order of the day. I wish only that I was privy to the gossip of her motivation.
You must tell me—is it true that in Britain, they still play quidditch with small birds instead of a snitch? My cousin insists that this is the case, but though we are only briefly acquainted, I have quickly surmised that he is something of a jokester. If anyone might be able to prove or disprove his claims, I thought that you must be the prime candidte.
Mother would be pleased to know that I my manners have not suffered too poorly. If you were to know my mother, you would know that anything you ask, does in fact come with a lecture, and I feel like she would have made an excellent professor at Hogwarts for it. I am pleased to hear, at least, that the flowers were enjoyable, I thought them quite the lovely silhouette, in addition to the fragrance.
My goodness! That sounds like quite the splash indeed. I too wondered what caused the kerfuffle then. Do you suppose he had vexed her? Tried to get too close? Perhaps he had foul-smelling breath? I can imagine several different reasons, but none of them quite warrant a full shove into the pond.
Your cousin is undoubtedly trying to fleece you; snidgets have not been used in the sport for several hundred years after their near extinction in the 1200s. We only use the snitches now. Much easier, less messy. More humane as well. I have however, seen some in person, they are impossibly tiny and fast, so I can understand the inspiration for the snitch. Speaking of, work will tie me up quite a bit over the next few weeks, unfortunately I will be unable to find a time to call during normal hours. I hope that is alright.
Her own mother had never been the sort to lecture—but Eury had learned relatively early that her aunt, kind enough to host her and her sister, was prone to musing aloud about the things she wished to see. Indeed, that very morning she had wondered aloud if Eury might promanade soon with the Mr. Harper who had sent flowers; Eury had rolled her eyes and left the prompt hanging in the air of the parlour as she had set about replying to that same gentleman.
26th June, 1894
Mr. Harper,
I should not be surprised by your response, though will have to conjure up some way to get revenge upon my cousin. Mandira—the school at which I attained my magical education—had a small menagerie that included a pair of the same golden snidgets; our own quidditch teams, though, never used the lovely little creatures for sport, so I really should not have given him any credence, even privately. I hope you will not think me too gullible!
To the matter of the young lady, I can of course only speculate, or place myself in her shoes. I think it would take something very dire indeed to merit such aggression—broken promises? Or perhaps he had it coming, spun her a yarn to trick her into believing things that were not true...
I jest, of course! My cousin's comeuppance shall be more subtle.
You are forutnate, I think, to have a mother who speaks her mind—even if it is at length. I expect you are the better for it, and though you may try to hide it, I can see even upon the parchment that you are fond of her.
One's work is important and I should never presume to begrudge you for it. I imagine that the summer months are quite busy ones for the quidditch league. I am to attend a Wimbourne match (my uncle's preferred team) next week; I shall be sure to write to you of my impressions after the fact.
Your note was welcomed, I assure you—though you do yourself a disservice, suggesting that you lack 'training'. While your mother might deliver a lesson (calling it a "lecture", I assure you, would not be welcomed by a lady!) if asked, I am sure that you would find you know already a great deal more than you believe! I hope you will not begrudge me my candidness in admitting I enjoyed our time together, however brief, the other evening.
My day passed in the usual manner, though was brightened greatly by the arrival of some beautifully-smelling flowers. Your sister has steered you right in this regard.
I wish I had the opportunity to bandy about things like 'run to the office'&mdash:I expect it makes one's day less predictable. I did watch a young lady shove a gentleman into the pond in Padmore Park which was rather a deviation from the typical order of the day. I wish only that I was privy to the gossip of her motivation.
You must tell me—is it true that in Britain, they still play quidditch with small birds instead of a snitch? My cousin insists that this is the case, but though we are only briefly acquainted, I have quickly surmised that he is something of a jokester. If anyone might be able to prove or disprove his claims, I thought that you must be the prime candidte.
I am quite invested in your revenge now. Family always has a way of getting to us. I have heard that there was a hatching of some at the zoo in Irvingly. Have you ever been? Mandira, I guess I did not realize you were educated abroad. What an adventure that must have been. May I ask what it was that brought you to this side of the world then? I must admit I did not do too much extensive traveling, only to the continent really, upon my own graduation, but I did enjoy it.
It is nice to know my comments about my mother do not come across as complaining. While she can be a little overbearing sometimes, she does it out of love, so it is hard to hold it against her. I would much rather have somebody be straightforward with me than try to dance around situations. She is unafraid to tell me like it is, and I am grateful for it. I do not quite hold the same sentiments for my sisters, both of whom have inherited this trait. It is something else entirely to be told off by your younger sisters time and again.
Your patience is most appreciated. It is never a dull moment around the league, which is good, for I do not sit well. The busier the better. I look forward to your evaluation of the Wasps, it has been a while since they have been in good competition, perhaps this will be their year. I have sent along some yellow calla lilies in hopes that they will hold my place until I am available to call.
The matter of education... it was a sore spot with Eury. She had been—still was—a bright and clever pupil, and it was only her affliction that had seen hre taken prematurely from the halls of Mandira. In comparison to her Felicity, she knew she was fortunate to have attended at all, but the rest of her family just seemed to have so much more. Even Concordia, who had settled into the life Eury had always been destined for, that of a wife. Eury did her best to keep these sentiments from the ink swooshes of her handwriting.
3rd July, 1894
Mr. Harper,
I did indeed attend Mandira, and have, in fact, been in Britain only a few months. From my cousins, I gather my education was similar to that of Hogwarts in many respects, though differ in some electives. Philosophy and 'older', for lack of a better term, magics are offered as well as things like charmwork and herbology. Courses might be taken in English or in Hindi, too—I recall taking astronomy in the latter, so that I would not have such late nights before an early morning! I was fortunate to be able to choose in this regard; not all of my siblings were quite so lucky!
My own mother passed on two years ago. I would love very much to be able to complain of her again, even in ernest. You are blessed to be able to still do so in jest, and I think your comportment, such that it may be discerned by letter, is a credit to her. It was my mother's sister that brought me here, figuratively and more literally; the chance to meet more of my mother's family and see where she spent her earlier years. Aunt Ismene has been kind enough to sponsor both myself and my younger sister for this Season, as our father—though a lovely man—lacked the desire to return to Britain.
I have, indeed, had the opportunity to visit the Podmore Zoological Gardens, and my aunt has mentioned there is, too, a menagerie at the Sanditon Resort, which we are to attend later in the month. The yellow lillies, I am told, are very much the colour of the Wasps' uniforms; perhaps I shall wear one in my hair to the match tomorrow, to better support the team.
I did indeed attend Mandira, and have, in fact, been in Britain only a few months. From my cousins, I gather my education was similar to that of Hogwarts in many respects, though differ in some electives. Philosophy and 'older', for lack of a better term, magics are offered as well as things like charmwork and herbology. Courses might be taken in English or in Hindi, too—I recall taking astronomy in the latter, so that I would not have such late nights before an early morning! I was fortunate to be able to choose in this regard; not all of my siblings were quite so lucky!
My own mother passed on two years ago. I would love very much to be able to complain of her again, even in ernest. You are blessed to be able to still do so in jest, and I think your comportment, such that it may be discerned by letter, is a credit to her. It was my mother's sister that brought me here, figuratively and more literally; the chance to meet more of my mother's family and see where she spent her earlier years. Aunt Ismene has been kind enough to sponsor both myself and my younger sister for this Season, as our father—though a lovely man—lacked the desire to return to Britain.
I have, indeed, had the opportunity to visit the Podmore Zoological Gardens, and my aunt has mentioned there is, too, a menagerie at the Sanditon Resort, which we are to attend later in the month. The yellow lillies, I am told, are very much the colour of the Wasps' uniforms; perhaps I shall wear one in my hair to the match tomorrow, to better support the team.
My condolences on the loss of your mother. Life is never quite the same after a loss like that. I am not quite sure what I would do without mine, even as a grown man. You may borrow her whenever you like, she would have enjoyed more daughters. I'm glad you have your aunt to support your endeavors in you mother's stead, if that is what you were hoping for. How are you finding Britain now that you have been here for enough time to form an opinion? I am always curious to know what others think.
I have yet to visit the Sanditon's menagerie, I should find a time to do so. I enjoy the Podmore Zoo quite a bit, it is always interesting to see the creatures from different parts of the world. I was enthralled by the class at Hogwarts and it has always been a source of fascination. Unfortunately not something I could pursue as a career, but enough to find reasons enough to visit the zoos.
I'm sure your yellow token will bring them the best of luck. I will be there, but unfortunately incredibly occupied. I hope you enjoy the match!
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