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 1895. It’s time to join us and immerse yourself in scandal and drama interlaced with magic both light and dark.
Complete a thread started and set every month for twelve consecutive months. Each thread must have at least ten posts, and at least three must be your own.
Did You Know?
Did you know? Jewelry of jet was the haute jewelry of the Victorian era. — Fallin
I write with a brief query—my ancient studies professor last week mentioned a text published last year. It was not on our supply list, but he said it would be immensely helpful to give us a better appreciation of the historical contrast between magic and the divine in the eyes of muggles. As you know This course is one that I am quite interested in, and anything that might help me better appreciate the subject matter is always ideal!
The book, S. W. Eatling's Of Gods, Mortals, and Muggles: A Survey of Magic, Non-Magic, and the Interweaving Thereof is available at Whizzhard Books, but given its price tag (understandable, given the pop-out living dioramas!) it is rather outside the budget provided by my pocket change. Might you be able to purchase it on the family accounts and have it sent to me at Hogwarts? I should be ever so grateful.
I confess I cannot imagine what would be so entrancing about a book such as this, but then I never had any interest in ancient runes. I asked [housekeeper] to go fetch a copy* but it seems your professor's recommendation must have had quite a wide spread, as they said the demand over the holiday season outstripped the supply and they're not sure when new copies might be available. Perhaps another classmate has a copy you could borrow, or it can be found in the library? If not, I'd be happy to take you by to check on your next Hogsmeade weekend in March to see if they've restocked it.
What disappointing news! I did hear back from Flourish & Blott in London shortly after dispatching my owl to you, however, and they assure me that they have a number of copies in stock! Might you be able to pop by on your way to the club some afternoon, or whilst attending to business?
You know quite well that the club has a High Street entrance and I always floo to work at the Ministry, so a trip to Flourish and Blotts is not half so convenient as you pretend.
You could simply send away for it on credit—it is not half the nusiance that you pretend, I am sure! After all, this is my education, which is of the utmost importance.
Unless your Ancient Runes professor is an eligible gentleman you're intending to woo with your vast depths of knowledge on the subject, I can't imagine it is half so important as you think.
Using my full name when you're asking a favor is a strange tactic. Let's see how it works out for you.
Ford is being dreadfully obstinate, so I wonder if you might do me a favour. I need a book procured and sent to me at Hogwarts for the benefit of my studies: S. W. Eatling's Of Gods, Mortals, and Muggles: A Survey of Magic, Non-Magic, and the Interweaving Thereof. I should be ever so grateful if you could acquire it and have it sent to me!
I hope that you are well and look forward to seeing you on my next Hogsmeade weekend.
Your book should be with you tomorrow morning so look out for it when the mail arrives. It's a very nice book, isn't it? You'll have to show it to me when you're back home in the summer.
As to your brother, I'm sorry he didn't understand how important it was but I hope you won't hold it against him. It's no small feat taking care of us all, he's got a lot on his plate and I know he's trying his best.
I suppose you must think you're terribly clever, and I hope you've received and are enjoying your book. I also hope your professor doesn't decide that anything else is a necessity in the near future: I'm stopping your spending money until Easter.
If you removed the broomstick from your behind you might
— SENT —
11th February, 1891
Brother,
I do think myself clever, but I do not believe it to be in the way you suggest. You had indicated to me that it would be inconvenient for you to oblige; though I did not particularly like it, I respected your position enough to find an alternative. You did, after all, say that we might acquire the book when next I am home, and so I cannot see how I have placed myself in the wrong. If you did not wish for me to have the book, for whatever reason, you really ought to have said.
It is rather unjust, I must say, for you to penalize me when you were unclear at the first.
