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'm sure by now the others have informed you about the incident at the Black Lake. They're all a bit faster about spreading news than I am. I do wish you had been there. We could have used your medical expertise and calm demeanor. Though, I suppose there shall be a few other fires to douse come the next school year. I'm fairly certain Gillenwater would have given Bixby a piece of his mind if her family hadn't came to take her home.
I do hope they return in September in better spirits than they were last year. I think I shall need your assistance reigning them in more than ever for I have been chosen to be prefect. I don't wish to take house points because they can't contain their tempers. I'm unsure who thought choosing me was a good idea, but it shall certainly help ensure that Anne will be all set financially come second year. I have yet to tell the others the news.
Are you and your family well? Do you have any exciting plans for the remainder of the holidays? I know you can't always make it out to Hogsmeade during the summer, but it would be lovely to see you nonetheless.
First and foremost, congratulations on making prefect! Of course they chose you! Who else? Mr. Selwyn cannot tell his head from his shoes, and Mr. Gillenwater ... well, you know how he can be.
Unfortunately, yes. I've heard about the events at the lake. What on Merlin's Green Earth possessed you lot to investigate a capsized boat alone?! The girls were all chaperoned as far as I heard, where were the adults? Were you not there with your reliable recollection of events I'd almost wonder if they were all hallucinating. With that said, are you alright? Cameron is sick, Sloane too. Did it get you too? Eating raw garlic cloves helps with the stuffiness.
I shall do my best to referee their arguments before it gets too out of hand. They go off at the lightest touch, as you well know, so it'll likely be an everyday event. Perhaps if you take points away enough they'll take the hint to simmer down. It may be the only way ...
We're all doing well and have no plans for the summer as far as I'm aware, aside from the harvest of course. Mum says we'll need to go school shopping soon, so perhaps I'll be able to ask for an afternoon with friends.
I suppose that makes me the lesser of a few evils. I will do my best to try an ensure we don't come in dead last for the House Cup.
I, foolishly, thought we would proceed into the water after formulating some sort of plan, but Bixby had other ideas. At least the rescue mission wasn't in vain; there was a kitten trapped in that water. The girls were all chaperoned by their siblings who are, as you well know, not the best choices, but they at least retrieved help when it was direly needed. Thank Merlin Miss Potts doesn't live far from the lake so as to retrieve her broom, or I'm not sure we all would have made it out safely.
I didn't get sick, but I was quite sore for a few days. Raw garlic? I've never heard of such a thing. I wish I wrote to you earlier in the summer when I was actually ill. A few potent pepperup potions from a woman down the street did the trick.
Yes, perhaps you are correct. Taking away enough points may end up being the only way for them to rein in their brashness. I do hope that will only end up being a last resort, but we shall see what the new year brings. It seems as if Bixby and Gillenwater might have made amends, but we shall see how long that lasts.
I hope the harvest goes well. I would offer to assist, but that is woefully beyond my skill set, as you well know. Herbology is not my strong suit; I'm afraid I have, what one might call, a black thumb.
My family will be out and about Hogsmeade all summer, so just let me know if you find yourself there.
I'll be sure to coerce our friends to do every extra credit assignment to give our house more of a buffer, too. No promises there. It's already torture trying to get Sloane to do her homework.
Well, at least the kitten survived the ordeal. And I'm very glad you made it out safely. I don't think I could manage our lot on my own for very long.
Muggle remedies are my favorite to try first. Some are foolish, but the garlic truly works. I mince it and eat it on toast too. A taste of bread makes the strong garlic taste easier to stomach.
Thank Merlin for small mercies. I'll continue to keep my fingers and toes crossed in hopes that our small group has no further catastrophes or drama for the summer. It can't be too hard a feat seeing as how we're all separated for the summer.
The offer is appreciated nonetheless. And, should you ever wish for a day in the quiet countryside you're welcome to visit here as well. Hopefully we'll see one another before school starts again.
I think our friends will stage a mutiny if you try to coerce them to complete extra credit assignments. Convincing Cam to be serious about his studies, especially potions is nearly impossible. I think we might just have to encourage them to do good deeds for people, maybe assist a few first years. Hopefully, they can handle that.
Don't worry, I think I would come back as a ghost just so you wouldn't have to manage them on your own. That would be a cruel fate on your part.
I shall remember the garlic trick for next time I fall ill. Or Anne.
I hope you are correct that we shall remain drama-free. A quiet summer would be the rejuvenation we all need to face the year ahead.
Oh, don't I know about Cameron and his hatred of potions. He asked me to accompany him to London last week to purchase the supplies for a coughing drought. (I still don't understand why he didn't simply purchase one from a healer, but I digress.) He made all sorts of repulsive expressions at just the ingredients, nevermind the actual act of brewing. I hope poor Madeline was able to make it correctly. I should check in with her.
You're right, though, about the extra credit. Would it be terrible of me to complete it for them? I'd hate to see any of our friends fail their OWLs and be unable to come back.
Even in ghost form your assistance would be most appreciated. Sisse is a great help, too, but few listen to she or I as they do you.
A refreshing summer would be most delightful. However, I'm now afraid that we've jinxed it in our letters. Let's hope the universe doesn't decide to lay waste to our few remaining weeks.
Now that must have been an interesting excursion. I'm glad he's at least having Maddy brew it. Can you imagine if he did it himself? Not to sound dramatic, but I fear we might have had to visit him at St. Mungo's. I'm surprised he didn't ask you to brew it instead.
I'd hate for them to fail, as well, but I'm fairly certain cheating would get both you and them expelled. If only it were that easy. I suppose we will both just have to be more vigilant about their studies this year and next.
Yes, Sisse is very level-headed. She has very good advice and a good heart. I wish they would listen to her more. I'm not so sure they listen to me more. You both give much better advice than I do. However, they do only listen to you when they're sick or injured. I am eternally grateful for you taking on that particular mantle.
Merlin, if we have jinxed it, perhaps I will be taking up your offer to escape to your place.
Interesting just about covers it. Cameron was convinced a magical remedy would be better than a muggle one, but was put off by the magical ingredients. Beggers can't be choosers and all, you know? He seemed confident in Madeline's ability. I would've brewed it for him had he only asked. I, too, am grateful he didn't try it himself. There were some ingredients that mixed in the wrong order could've worsened his cough.
London is such a busy city. I must admit I quite prefer the quiet of the country. Hogsmeade is a happy compromise, I suppose, but even that is a tad chaotic on the weekends for my taste.
Explusion would be regrettable, wouldn't it? We'll just have to redouble our nagging efforts, maybe get Calla and Sisse on it as well. Four against two is a sure win.
Sloane and Cameron are both so stubborn that I'm still amazed they defer to me for any matters. I suppose in-house healing is better than being trapped in the hospital wing, but even so! It's always a great accomplishment when they don't fight us, ha.
You're welcome to visit at any time. Just give me a day's notice so I can properly warn Mum.
Your Friend, Ms. Alice Dawson
September 2, 2020 – 11:53 PM
Last modified: September 3, 2020 – 12:28 AM by Edison Moony.
Yes, I'm not the biggest fan of London, either. It is quite loud, and crowded. At least the people of Hogsmeade offer a 'pardon me' when they jostle you. Hogsmeade has some peaceful spots, especially during the week or when all the students are away at school.
Four against two might be our best tactic. Let us hope we come out victorious.
Would you care for a visitor a little later in the month, then? I'm sure Anne will be able to handle my absence for a day. I picked up a book at the Literary Festival last month about potions. It has a pretty large section on healing potions. I could bring it by for you to borrow, or you could keep it if you'd like. It's very secondhand, but you and I don't worry about such things like the others do.
I've never experienced Hogsmeade outside of our weekend breaks. I imagine it's much quieter without the excited kids bouncing about everywhere. Perhaps sometime this summer we can arrange another group outing. Hopefully one less disastrous than the first.
We would love to have you (and your sister, if you're so inclined!) Does just after the quidditch match work for you? It should be quiet around here then and we'll hopefully have all our school shopping done. As for the potions book, I'd be delighted to look through it if you don't mind. Only to borrow, though. You'll likely need it for your OWLs this year.
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