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.
As promised, here is my letter to you. I'm sorry for leaving as abruptly as I did. Perhaps sometime we can actually enjoy our beers together instead of getting on morose topics. It's a nice thought, anyway.
The house arrest is lifted, but I'm still not cleared for work. Because, why would anything be that bloody simple? You were right that nothing is normal, I keep going back to that. Do you think we'll ever have a sense of normalcy again? Even if you do settle, will that be your normal? Or will it be a new-normal that never quite sits right?
So much for avoiding the morose topics. I'm going a little stir crazy here.
I couldn't judge even if I wished to. I think my mother's beginning to worry I'm becoming a recluse; I've left dinner early all week. It gets a bit much to be reminded of everything you're trying to avoid, I know.
I'm glad you're allowed to leave your home. I almost wish I wasn't. I'm sure people are expecting me to say something, or make some decision. I can't. I don't feel like myself anymore, and that I'd admit that shows I'm not. I've always tried to show apathy and indifference, but it comes a little too easy nowadays. I care about everything and nothing all at the same time. It's eerie. So to answer your question: no, I don't think things will be normal. I think this is the new normal, at least for me.
(You're in a better position. You'll go back to work eventually, and you'll be reminded by everyone around you that every auror goes on some dangerous mission during your lifetime. You just had the misfortune of having that adventure in the middle of the ice with a quidditch player who'd just killed someone. At least you'll have a chance of normalcy, at least by auror standards.)
I agree it's a bit much, and I don't fault you for escaping early. This new normal is bizarre and uncomfortable to get accustomed to. I wish your family understood more for your sake.
The choice is yours to make when you're ready to. No one can force or expect an answer you don't have to provide. You know I'm in no position to give advice on these matters considering the truths I shared yesterday, but apathy won't allow you to move forward. You'll suppress and ignore it all until there's nothing left to do but feel. Feeling isn't the worst thing to do, Lachlan.
I'm ignoring your comparison of us. It isn't a competition.
I don't think they could understand what we've gone through. I don't think anyone will, unless they've been in a similar situation. I guess that's why I compare us: not because it's a competition, but there's no one else to compare myself to. I know how much you worried about me, but you should know by now that I worry about you, too. Comparing us is my way of trying to convince myself that you'll be fine in the end, even if I'm not.
You're going to be okay. Somehow or another the world will right itself again, and we'll both be able to forget what happened.
Do you want to come over instead of this back and forth via letters? We can talk about literally anything else. I don't have beer but I do have whiskey.
I'd be glad to come over, but only if you can promise me that I'll be able to come in and out without causing a commotion. Do you have the floo network connected to your flat?
Beginning to think my owl is leaving these letters in the abyss somewhere. Probably the tundra. Where are you? My fitness test is tomorrow, if I'm reinstated I will find you somehow. You know I have the resources.
I'm back at work tomorrow and will be finding your address from the old case file. Enough is enough. Just tell me that you're okay and you'll never have to hear from me again.
