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.
You and I have never met, but I know of you. A woman from wealth, who seeks to spend her life helping people.
I, too, am a young woman of some social standing, and I have wished for some time now to become a healer. Simply out of a desire to help people, you understand. My father has secured a betrothal for me, with a marriage deadline of the age of twenty. I have yet to even speak to the young man, however, and know nothing about him save that he is "a proper match, of wealth and breeding." So Father says.
Your letter was most unexpected, but certainly welcome.
I do not consider myself exceptional, it is only my family's standing that makes my decision noteworthy. I commend your own wish to heal. I would gladly encourage your questions and pursuit, but I cannot encourage you to go against your father's own plans. Have you discussed your wishes with him? I know it uncommon, but not all men are opposed to their wives holding a profession, at least in the early years of marriage, so I have witnessed.
Regardless of your father's position on the matter, if you would like to continue correspondence, I am more than happy to do so. I only ask that you consider the potential ramifications in your life with your family.
Father is...traditional, I regret to admit. Does not believe women should work at all, though I will shortly be writing a letter to my future husband regarding the matter. It's such a strange thought, really, To think that I am expected to wed a man I've not once spoken to yet in my life. If Father does hold him and his family in such great regard, perhaps he will listen if my future husband is amenable.
Still. Father has given me a deadline for marriage, and I intend to keep it, and wish to spend my time before, and hopefully in the earlier years, as a healer. Something to occupy myself. He really shouldn't have any objections. Healing is a charitable sort of pursuit, and the money coming from it can be set aside. A little savings is a good thing.
In your field, you surely run across a variety of interesting tales. How did you decide on your specialty?
I must stress again that I cannot advise going against the wishes of your father. In my case, the combined support of my mother and brother helped turn my father's opinion. I believe it is that and knowing that I have never been prone to fantasies. I was enchanted by healing, and the academic rigor required, from a young age. It meant the world to me and I believe my father understood this.
What I can advise is to put your whole being into your studies now. I admit I am not the best at remembering the ages of all in our social sphere yet to debut, but I do believe you are still at Hogwarts. I hope you have identified your strengths and weaknesses and, when you find a shortcoming, shore it up with the help of tutors, mentors, and friends. There is no shame in making your education a social experience or drawing on the strengths of others.
My specialty came organically from my studies. I have had an affinity, if you will, for creatures magical and otherwise as long as I can remember. I have also seen injuries and strange wounds that seemed perplexing until one could identify the source of the injury. I find the endless possibilities and combinations fascinating, the ways to help both humans and creatures endless.
It is not always joyful work. Unfortunately, there are some wounds no magic can heal and I have witnessed life lost to such injury. Rarely do I blame the inflictor of the wound, not all creatures think and reason as we can, but that cannot negate the pain felt by the afflicted.
If you feel called to this work, truly called, then I will do my best to assist you.
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