Charming is a Victorian Era Harry Potter roleplay set primarily in the village of Hogsmeade, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and the non-canon village of Irvingly. Characters of all classes, both magical and muggle — and even non-human! — are welcome.
With a member driven story line, monthly games and events, and a friendly and drama-free community focused on quality over quantity, the only thing you can be sure of is fun!
"Are you always this forward?" He asked teasingly since it would be a very short thread if he just ignored her entirely. — Tobin Cartwright in Take A Peek
Did you know? Churchgoers and worshippers had to endure a foul stench during prayers due to the amount of bodies often stored within the vaults of churches and chapels.
"They are adorable," Ophelia agreed with a sage nod. She'd never really thought of herself as the kind of person who would have an area of expertise, because she wasn't much of an academic, but if she were to have one, adorable magical creatures would probably be it. "The only thing about the lambs is their hooves--a little less cuddly than you'd think," she pointed out. "Either one would be find for wandering Muggles, though--some kneazles look almost just like cats, and the lamb obviously wouldn't be a problem. The lamb is a little more unique, I think," she said with another nod. "But that means you might have to wait longer to get your hands on one. How soon is your mother's birthday?" Was it even a birthday that he was shopping for? Ophelia had just assumed, because they were still a little early for Christmas presents--particularly if he was thinking of getting a pet, since he'd have to take care of it and (more to the point) keep it hidden in the meantime. She supposed it could have been a spontaneous gift--wouldn't that make him quite the doting son indeed!
Roberto supposed she had a point about the hooves. Besides, kneazles seemed like they would be a little more self-sufficient. "In the next month," he replied. "I think perhaps, I will get her a kneazle. A month should be more than enough time for the license application to be approved." And he had no doubt it would be. What was the use of being rich if you couldn't get a kneazle license for yourself in the name of your mother?
Meandering over to the kneazles, he looked in at a litter of half-kneazle kittens. Yes, those would blend in well enough among the normal stray cats that sometimes wandered about. "Which one looks the most appealing to you?" He asked, hoping the young lady wouldn't mind him imposing on her time for a little longer.
If there was anything Ophelia absolutely did not mind, it was being detained by an attractive gentleman who wanted her to spend time looking at kneazle kittens. She was clutching Bartholomew to her chest but had honestly rather forgotten about cuddling or distracting him as she approached the kneazles. This led his attention to wander, and as she approached the kittens he started to squirm, apparently keen on getting closer to something he'd caught sight of. Ophelia, not taking much mind, merely squeezed him more tightly against her chest.
"They're all lovely," she said with a nod. "Such beautiful coloring! But if I were to choose--" she said, pursing her lips and surveying the litter. There seemed to be a kneazle of every color, though that was probably an exaggeration, particularly since there were only five present and colors tended to come in a lot of different shades. Her eyes settled on one orange one, with prominent black spots, who was prowling near the back of the cage, setting up for an attack on one of his brothers. "I think I'd choose that one," she said, pointing. "He seems spunky."
As she gestured, two things happened. The first was that the kneazle she'd pointed out pounced on his sibling, a black and white striped kitten, causing the two to tumble over onto their backs and start an adorable little wrestling match. The second was that Black Bart, still wriggling, managed to free himself from her reduced hold, and tumbled the very short distance down into the kneazle's little arena-like holding area. "Oh!" she cried as she felt the niffler leave her arms. He was off as soon as his feet hit the ground, dashing off to the far edge of the cage where, Ophelia realized, he could see the glitter of something shiny dangling from one of the nearby shelves.
What was she to do now? She couldn't cause trouble before she'd even purchased him, or else she'd never be allowed to take him home (though whether the pet store employees would have prevented her or whether it would have been Armando, she couldn't say). She had to solve this problem, without getting an employee involved--and hopefully without distressing the kneazle kittens too much! She could have pulled him out easily enough if he'd been at the right side of the case, but he was so fixated on the bauble that Ophelia wasn't sure how to get his attention again--
And then she had an idea. Turning to Mr. Devine, she asked with a flush, "May I see your ring? Only for a moment--please, sir!"
Roberto nodded in agreement as Miss Dippet commented on the different coloring of the kneazles. He smiled as she selected one and he had to agree. It would do his mother some good to have something else to worry about instead of her sons progress on the field of matrimonial prospects.
Roberto could only watch as the young womans newly selected pet went tumbling into the cage with the kneazles. Thankfully, none of the kittens seemed to have taken it into their minds to attack the poor thing. He watched the niffler, worried for its safety. The thing seemed to be completely worry free, however, as it seemed to be trying to get at something on the other side of the cage.
He was a little startled when he was asked for his ring but he complied willingly enough, pretty sure he had an idea of where the womans mind had gone. Anything he could do to help her get the little bugger back safely into her arms was fine by him.
Ophelia flashed a smile at her new acquaintance as he quite willingly parted with his ring. Well, if the debutante thing didn't work out, perhaps she and her new niffler could make a successful go of it as con artists. Not that she needed any money, but that did seem far less boring than living out her days at Armando's house, collecting dust.
But she had other things to worry about now, and no intention of stealing his ring, besides. Leaning over the side of the open-lidded arena (and inadvertently putting her bosom rather more on display than her guardian might have liked, had he even been paying enough attention to have noticed she was in a store and not still plodding along behind him on the street), Ophelia tapped the ring lightly on the base of the glass wall. The persistent percussion was enough to draw the niffler's attention, and Ophelia held the ring out on the palm, as though offering him a treat.
Bartholomew darted for it, and Ophelia had to move quickly to grab him, standing on her toes to keep from losing her balance and ending up half in the kitten pen herself. "Gotcha, little brat," she admonished lightly as she lifted him out of the kennel, his legs kicking uselessly at the air as he struggled against her hold.
"Oh, honestly," she said wryly, moving her hands around so that she had her pet held up against her chest with one hand, like a tiny toddler, and she had one hand free to tap him lightly on the nose. "You only have to behave for a few minutes, we'll get you home soon enough. Now, Black Bart, what have you done with this nice man's ring?" she asked, peering at him critically. He was a sneaky little thing--she'd only had the ring out for a second! There was only one place it could be, she realized.
With a mischievous smile, she set to ticking the niffler's stomach. He started to squirm and eventually leaned back, arms flailing helplessly--which caused the glint of the ring to appear, poking out of his stomach pouch.
Roberto watched the young woman as she tapped his ring lightly on the base of the glass wall. If his father was here to witness the act, Roberto figured the man would probably come as close to fainting as the elder Mister Devine was ever apt to get. Roberto darted his gaze away, however, when he realised the ample view he was now getting of her ... assets. Not that he minded, he was a man after all, but it was hardly gentlemanly.
Luckily the niffler fell for the young womans trap and he watched as Miss Dippet ended up quite a bit in the kitten pen herself. The sight was almost comical and it certainly would be a long time before he forgot who this particular young woman was, if he did at all.
Roberto watched in idle interest as the young woman admonished her pet. The sight was quite endearing, really. He chuckled as she tickled the niffler and soon he was able to nick his ring when it poked out of the creatures pouch. "Perhaps this will tide him over," he said, pocketing the ring and pulling out a shiny coin. It was nothing of sentimental value to him (aside from its monetary value, obviously) but it was shiny and glinted as the light hit it.
It had taken Armando a long time to realize that Ophelia was missing. He had continued walking down the street and even gone into the apothecary to buy some potions ingredient on his shopping list. It wasn't until he had paid for said ingredients that he looked around the small, dingy shop and found no sign of his granddaughter. It didn't take him more than a quick glance really for unlike many girls her age, Ophelia didn't really blend in to the scenery, she wasn't what one might call meek and mild and full of grace. Brash and lively on the other hand...
Clutching the brown paper bag containing his purchases, he exited the apothecary and began the far too familiar hunt for his granddaughter. "Ophelia!" Obviously no response, not that it was the most audible 'shout'. He checked the nearest dress shop or whatever it was - there were frills and things and a parasol, he assumed that was the sort of place Ophelia would find herself. No Ophelia.
The most logical thing to do was to retrace his steps and check every store on the way. Urgh. It was at least not too long before he found his way to the pet shop. He doubted he'd find her there, nay he hoped he wouldn't find her there because he didn't want strange creatures roaming his house or his future school.
And then he found her there, with a man, and she was- What was she doing? "Ophelia?!" he called out in surprise and admonishment, mostly surprise though.
Ophelia smiled widely at Mr. Devine, but didn't have time to respond to his rather generous offer (which Bart had already nabbed deftly) before she heard her name being called, simultaneously with the bell of the door opening. "Grandpapa!" she said, turning to face him with genuine surprise. At this point she'd assumed he'd forgotten her and she'd have to just floo herself home when she was done here. Instead, here he was now... Ophelia smiled brightly at him as he entered, though inside she was steeling herself for the Battle of the Niffler. She was going home with this pet no matter what he thought about it!
"I'm so glad you caught up! Look, isn't he dear?" she gushed, angling the little black rodent in his direction. "Mr. Devine helped me pick him out," she continued--an exaggeration, since there had only ever been one niffler, but she wanted to rope the stranger into her side of the argument before it had a chance to begin. "We've decided to call him Black Bart--like the pirate!" she announced gaily.
Roberto chuckled as the niffler snatched up the coin and his attention shifted to the older gentleman that entered the shop. If he wasn't mistaken that was indeed the man he had wondered might be linked to the young lady earlier in their encounter. He watched as Miss Dippet showed off her new pet.
Wondering what her chaperons opinion on the niffler would be, he kept his attention on the older man. "Pleased to meet you, sir, I'm Roberto Devine," he said in introduction as he extended his hand for a shake.
Armando didn't really think it was 'dear' and he certainly didn't it cute, sweet, adorable, or any other synonym of the word. It looked like a deformed mole though Armando knew it to be a niffler, he also knew what trouble a niffler's propensity for the shiny could cause. He definitely didn't want it in his house. However, he also didn't want to cause a scene in front of the conveniently acquired gentleman that had just introduced himself. How could one young woman cause such strife in his life?
"Are you now?" He returned the handshake with vague firmness - his had never been a strong handshake even in his youth - and looked between the two of them. He didn't know what was going on and he didn't think he wanted to know, what he did know that this was a great bother. "Armando Dippet." Now he was trapped in this social situation and while he didn't mind socializing particularly, he hadn't planned on it for right now. "I've been looking all over for you, Ophelia."
"Nonsense," Ophelia insisted dismissively, shaking her head. "I told you right where I was going. I thought you were going to follow me straight in," she said--whether this was true or not was rather debatable. She'd certainly said something to her grandfather before coming inside, but now she couldn't remember what. Not that it mattered, since Armando was unlikely to have heard her, and even if he had wouldn't be likely to remember. In any case, she probably ought to have made more of an attempt to tug him along when she went inside, but wasn't it supposed to be his job to chaperone her?
"But Mr. Devine has been excellent company in the meantime," she said, with a sly smile towards the other gentleman. "I was just helping him pick out a kneazle kitten, for his mother's birthday. Since he was so helpful in naming my niffler," she said with a wide smile; hopefully sliding the possessive into the sentence (my niffler) would give Armando the impression that the purchase of the little creature was a foregone conclusion, and he'd give up on fighting her on it.
Greetings and introductions done with, Roberto stayed silent as the young woman spoke to her guardian. "Yes and she has been the most excellent help," Roberto added on when Miss Dippet informed Mister Dippet that she had been helping him pick out a kneazle kitten. He'd rather made up his mind on the spunky one since he figured it could both tend to itself but also give his mother something to fuss about as she seemed to enjoy doing.
Now seemed to be a time to extricate himself though and cease taking up the young womans time for the time being.
Armando couldn't understand why anyone would want to keep a kneazle either, but there was no point in mentioning this. "I'm glad she has not troubled you, Mr. Devine." Ophelia certainly had the capacity for it. "We really must be going, Ophelia, I need to pick up a few bottles of ink and some fresh parchment." He hoped it went without saying that she'd be leaving the niffler behind. "It's been good meeting you, sir," he added in Roberto's direction.
OCTOBER 8, 1886 | @'Ophelia Dippet' @'Roberto Devine'
"Right after we pay for Bartholomew," she agreed, so confidently that she left no room for argument. She smiled quite genuinely at Mr. Devine; she didn't relish the idea of being pulled away from a handsome gentleman to go ink and parchment shopping, but if she was going to get a niffler out of it (which she was, so help her) she could hardly complain. "It was a pleasure meeting you, indeed, Mr. Devine!" she said brightly, "But as you can see, my grandfather and I have an absolutely thrilling afternoon ahead of us. I hope your mother likes her kitten!"
She didn't dare wait for his response. She had to tug Armando over to the cash register before he could either start for the door or start in on complaining.
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