Issue #34 - Hogwarts' Coming Out Ball Cancelled - Now What?

[Witch Weekly]

  

[Witch Weekly]

Surviving the season! The cancellation of the Hogwarts Coming Out Ball will have knocked many young ladies for nine and has gotten the season off to a shaky start! However, that is no reason for any young lady not to enjoy herself and flourish in society, and may also grant her a few weeks’ more preparation for what the season entails! Whilst some events, like balls and dinner parties, will hopefully be familiar to debutantes, it is the more unfamiliar aspects that can cause difficulty. The schedule | Once a debutante is properly out, her schedule is non-stop! The late morning and early afternoon may be spent paying calls or attending breakfasts and luncheons, followed by a dinner party or a visit to the theatre, to be followed by up to two or three balls a night! Most nights a debutante can’t expect to be returned home any earlier than midnight at the soonest, so it is no wonder she should take breakfast just before noon, usually in her or her Mother’s dressing room, before the whole cycle starts again! A debutante can reasonably attend 50 balls, 60 parties, 30 dinners and 25 breakfasts each season. Attire | Describing a fashion in detail is futile, for it shall surely be out of fashion within a week, but a lady should still abide by several set rules when dressing. Her appearance should be clean, neat and flattering, as fashionable as she can afford. Brashness is to be frowned upon- modest dressing is far more appealing. The only jewelry worn during the day should be simple- a bangle, brooch, simple earrings or a locket- and jewels should never be worn before dinner, under any circumstances. You should not sacrifice your health for the sake of a frivolous fashion- tightlacing can permanently damage a woman’s body at worst, or make her embarrass herself in a fainting spectacle at best! Your health | With such stresses, it is important to keep an eye on your health so you do not appear sickly or fail to enjoy yourself. Such late nights will be enormously tiring on young debutantes, but keeping yourself hydrated with water or fruit drinks will help, as will making sure you eat enough to sustain you. A rosewater wash to the face each morning will help rejuvenate your skin, and it is essential to make sure all dancing slippers fit perfectly to save you injuring your feet and leaving you limping!

Breakfasts | A formal breakfast may be the event that a new debutante is most unfamiliar with. Whilst most breakfasts will be taken with her Mother in the very late morning, formal breakfasts take place around midday, a few hours before luncheon. A young lady should wear her prettiest visiting dress and arrive no more than half an hour before the specified time. It is advisable for a young lady to eat a breakfast prior to attending a formal one, lest she prove her appetite unladylike and ravenous in her need to fill the hunger, having not eaten since the previous day. Fruit will be served with toasts and occasionally scones, and cakes will also be provided but should be avoided unless you wish to appear gluttonous. A biscuit is far more acceptable, but delicate eating of half a slice of toast and a few berries is far more attractive, and leaves you free to hold a conversation. Alcohol | A delicate matter, but prior to their season, many girls are only accustomed to a glass of wine with dinner, and the free-flowing champagne of the season can prove to be too much for the composure of many first time debutante. Most girls should not have more than one drink for every three they have of the non-alcoholic variety, and if she should feel her senses slipping, she should stick to water or fruit drinks for the remainder of the evening, which are provided at all respectable parties. It is also hugely advantageous to have a close friend or family member who can excuse you to the dressing room should your senses truly suffer, preventing further mortification, or worse, somebody attempting to take advantage of your situation. Safety | Whilst polite society may be free of criminals, a lady has to still ensure the safety of her reputation. A lady should never be left alone in a ballroom, nor venture out unchaperoned; she should keep her wits and sense about her at all times and seek the advice of a sensible friend or family member any time she feels like she may act rashly. Only people with whom you are friendly ought to comment on your dress or skill, and only close friends or family should make more personal comments about your manners or beauty. Any stranger- no matter how dashing!- should be treated with suspicion if they say such things rather than simple small talk on the size of the attendance, the beauty of the room or how the season is progressing.

  

[Witch Weekly]

Spotlight on Private Coming Out Balls The Hogwarts’ Coming Out Ball has been cancelled — what now? Some young ladies will have been robbed of their debut altogether, and may have already have pursued a future from themselves with some manner of career but others will make their debut into society nonetheless with a private coming out ball in the next few weeks and months. Witch Weekly has featured several of these lovely young woman and has gathered together details of their exciting coming out balls for the perusal of our good readers! Miss Fiona Prewett The youngest daughter of Mrs. Harriet Prewett, Miss Prewett spent a year under the instruction of Mrs. Pendergast at her prestigious school where she is believed to have excelled. Miss Prewett enjoyed her debut from Mrs. Pendergast’s School on June 5th which was attended by family and classmates, and Miss Prewett herself was a vision of loveliness in a cream gown designed by the House of Lytton. Miss Prewett is expected to a second event at her family’s Wellingtonshire estate in July in a garden party which will no doubt be attended by all manner of notables. Miss Annette Fontaine, Miss Roesia Fontaine and Miss Elaine de Lisle Though a coming out ball is usually a celebration of one young lady, it is not unusual for several relatives of a similar age to experience such a milestone together. In this case, three! Cousins, Misses Annette Fontaine, Roesia Fontaine and Elaine de Lisle are set to debut on June 17th in a dazzling glass greenhouse in Kent which has been specially constructed for this very occasion! The glasshouse will be decorated with small floating lights and golden roses which will be imported from France, and all three young ladies will be wearing gowns crafted by the House of Lytton. Photographers from Shutterbutton’s Studio have been hired to capture the event.

Miss Darcey Umbridge The only daughter of Mr. Geoffrey Umbridge, Miss Darcey Umbridge, a Slytherin alumna who recently graduated from Hogwarts, is set to debut on June 10th. The ball, a small, intimate celebration, will be held at the Umbridge’s Wellingtonshire estate and will be attended by families such as the Prewetts, who are rumoured to special guests of Mr. and Mrs. Umbridge themselves! Miss Umbridge will be wearing a gown which has been painstakingly fashioned by the House of Lytton — a popular choice by this year’s crop of debutantes — and the floor of the ballroom is rumoured to be charmed into a dazzling night sky. Miss Rosalind Pendergast The daughter of Mrs. Olivia Pendergast will debut precisely where one would expect; in the ballroom of the Pendergast School for Young Roses Ballroom! And as can only be expected from an event arranged by Mrs. Pendergast herself, Miss Pendergast’s debut will no doubt be an elegant affair, attended by the most notable members of wizarding society including the Earl and Countess Etherium. Miss Pendergast’s gown is rumoured to be the product of considerable labour by Miss Twilfit and Mrs. Tatting and will no doubt be a work of art! Miss Pendergast will debut on June 19th. Miss Fairy Carmichael Set to debut on June 15th, Miss Fairy Carmichael, also a graduating Pendergast Rose, will be making use of her former school's ballroom for what will surely be a lovely, understated affair! The room is set to be decorated with white welsh roses, and in a similar vein to Miss Carmichael's Welsh heritage, her gown, made by Miss Twilfit and Miss Tatting and fashioned from aerophane, will have Welsh knots worked into the fabric of the skirt. All of her fellow Roses are invited to the relatively small affair, as is her cousin, Mr. Orpheus Parkinson, who will no doubt be sporting his consistently charming curls!

  

[Witch Weekly]

Alternatives for Would-Be Debutantes Many were disappointed--and rightly so!--by the cancellation of the Hogwarts Coming Out Ball. We understand that many young ladies may be feeling a bit lost now as to what to do, but never fear, gentle readers! We are here to help! Here are some respectable alternatives! Private Coming Out Ball. We realize, of course, that this is not an option available to everyone, but for those it is, a private debut may be more beneficial! After all, at Hogwarts, you would have had to contend all of the other young ladies, but at your own ball, you are the center of attention. Certainly, there is no better day to be this than on one's own debut! Additionally, you can be assured that the gentleman you meet are appropriate for you, and are gentleman your family approve of, both of which are extremely important considerations. Of course, a coming out ball does not guarantee immediate success in finding a husband, but it can certainly not hurt to make a good first impression on your entrance into society! Finishing School. Many young ladies choose to attend finishing schools before making a proper debut. It can be very helpful, and give a woman the necessary skills she will need as a socialite later on. After all, your forays into society do not end when you get married!

Employment This, of course, depends on many factors, but if it proves to be an available option, it is an entirely respectable one! Many well-respected ladies worked before marriage, and it is not unusual to see women take posts in the Ministry, Hogsmeade Hospital or St. Mungo's. And of course, one should never discount the value of finding a husband in the work place! Not only does it imply shared interests--an important factor in compatibility--you will be assured of your future husband's hard work and ability to provide for you. Spinsterhood. This is, naturally, something of an extreme choice, and most would argue not a choice at all. However, there is no denying that not every debutante is able to make a suitable match. Such women can be, and very often are, very respectable, and surely find some measure of contentment in their lives. While ultimately the goal of every young lady is find a husband and have children, it is not, tragically, the path everyone is able to take, and there is certainly no shame in accepting one's lot in life with grace! Regardless of what choices you make in the coming months, it is most important to not let this set back slow you down! Remember that the Hogwarts Coming Out Ball is not the end of any debutante career, and persevere!

  

[Witch Weekly]

Dealing with Depression, Disappointment, and Drama

With the mysterious lockdown leading to the cancelation of the Hogwarts-sponsored Coming Out Ball, a great many young ladies have suffered an extreme disappointment. Most ladies of the upper crust of society will either be given private balls or attend a year or two in a fine establishment such as Pendergast School for Young Roses in Irvingly (founded and overseen by the impeccable Mrs. Olivia Pendergast), many other girls are left in a lurch as their plans for entering society in such a fashion are dashed. While there are of course those who are able to easily pull themselves up and continue on with another plan, other young ladies are struggling with their disappointment and seeking to move on. If you or one of your friends has been so affected, it is important to pick up your spirits so that you can continue to progress in life instead of stagnating in a pool of disappointment! Can you tell which lady is faking her despair? In the case of friends and sisters, it is important first to determine whether or not your dear friend is faking her upset. The most common sign of this is that she may go from being cheery to dreary in the blink of an eye, especially when her woe gains her something. If she is only upset around a specific person (unless that person has caused some upset!) then she is likely using her dramatics to some end. Never out such a lady, but do not worry much over her, either! While some crying and bemoaning her fate is normal — and should be met with sisterly comfort and solidarity! — it is important to intervene if you or a friend falls into depression and despair. The signs of this include unusual distance, apathy, and apparently unprovoked (or minimally provoked) crying. If you are or know someone in this state, there are steps that can be taken to improve matters before intervention at an asylum is required.

First, fresh air and sunshine help a great deal with such a dismal mood. A walk of at least an hour two to three times a week is advised, and more often in extreme cases. Simply being outside in the natural beauty of the world can do a great deal to improve a young lady's mood. Unchecked, depression can grow serious enough to require commitment in an asylum. Take care to counteract it with social interaction and cheer! Setting goals may also help to give a young lady things to look forward to and a sense of purpose. Things may not currently be going according to plan, but by making new plans (even small or short-term ones) a young lady may refocus and put her disappointments into perspective. In addition, simply interacting with good society may lift the mood of a dour young lady. Who can be morose in the company of joyful friends and good entertainment? Balls, parties, and even trips to the theater can do a great deal to repair a woman's happy demeanor. If one is suffering from such an affliction of mood, then sleep is very important. A young lady should get eight to ten hours a night, and any more or less than that may damage her mood further. If these methods fail, a young lady may with careful advice from an herbalist or apothecary turn to the use of herbs to lift her mood. St John's wort, golden root, and Peruvian ginseng may all assist in stemming the tide of a dark mood. It is best for all to improve their own mood, and the moods of everyone around them. Remember that a smile is always your finest accessory, and that men do not want dour wives. A happy young lady is far more likely to find a husband than one who is letting herself be lost in dismay.

  

[Witch Weekly]

Avoiding Spinsterhood One of the main concerns of many girls who cannot afford their own Coming Out is that, after the cancellation of Hogwarts’ coming out, they are unfortunately and irrevocably doomed to become a spinster. This just isn’t true! There are many ways to ensnare a husband without ever having an official Coming Out Ball. 1. At Work. If you choose to seek employment, keep in mind that the workplace is an excellent location to find a single man whom you can convince to like you! Many women meet their husbands in the workplace, and this way it doesn’t really matter whether you’re out or not. 2. Leave. Do you have relatives abroad? Are you not very attached to Britain? Leave! Go somewhere else, and pretend that you had a Coming Out ball back home! It’s not the most efficient method in the world, and you do risk the chance of getting caught in your lies, but ths may be your chance to become a proper debutante! Take a chance and get out of this country!

3. A Betrothal. Your family may have family friends with a son the appropriate age to marry you! Though many girls may find that a betrothal takes the romance out of things, we here at Witch Weekly think that betrothals are very good at taking the uncertainty out of things. Your future will be entirely set, with just a little effort on your father’s part! 4. Find Somewhere A Good Man Goes. And go there all the time. This may not be subtle, but if you are pretty and there, a man who sees you frequently in his workplace or even in Padmore Park is sure to take an interest. It’s more work than the other methods listed here, but is sure to get you somewhere eventually! You must, however, be very careful not to waste time waiting for a man who is uninterested. Make conversation to test him out. Hopefully these - or a combination of these! - will help you find a man to marry, without Coming Out, and allow you to avoid the admittedly horrible fate of spinsterhood.

  

[Witch Weekly]

  

[Witch Weekly]

  

[Witch Weekly]