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.
It seemed that every other day Matthew's mother was writing to him stating that she had found 'another possibility' to be his bride. In the decade since he had left Hogwarts, he couldn't remember Mother writing to him more. It seemed as though he was only really of interest to her now that he had reached an age at which many men get married.
The lucky- or unlucky, depending on your point of view- was a Miss Adelia Lovegood. Matthew was sure he had heard her name at least once before and, since he had rejected his mother's last options and he felt she was going to go slowly insane if he didn't say yes to at least one of them.
So the meeting was arranged. In a way, Matthew supposed that he was lucky that Miss Lovegood also resided in Hogsmeade- it meant he wouldn't be too far from his home should the meeting be a disaster.
"Miss Lovegood," Matthew said jovially, after all the formal introductions had taken place. He was not, after all, going to sully his good reputation by not following the proper procedure when meeting a lady. "I do hope that I find you well."
It may not have been the most interesting conversation, but it was a start. Matthew always felt awkward at these meetings for some reason. He didn't want to mess up, he supposed, especially when it was not only the lady, but the lady's chaperone with him, and between them they would most definitely have a large circle of influence.
While formally set up meetings weren't really something Ada put much faith into as far as finding a spouse, or even really enjoyed for it seemed awkward and staged to her, she did feel as though she ought to put herself out there when the opportunity presented itself. Her predestined husband could be around any corner, denying an opportunity might be blocking fate. Then there was the fact that she felt she owed it to her older brother to at least try to find someone, she didn't want to be a burden her entire life.
So it was that she was to meet a Mr. Leigh whom she didn't know a great deal about, only that he was a gentleman and he worked for the Ministry. "Indeed, I'm very well. I hope the same can be said of you?" It was only right to be polite, even if she thought he looked very hearty just from looking at him. Of course there was also the looming presence of chaperone, Mrs. Daye, who would surely chastise for any poor etiquette. The longer Ada was exposed to society, the less she liked the restrictions and rules of it, at least the ones that made stimulating social interaction a challenge.
"I believe you work at the Ministry?" Hardly the most exciting sort of talk, but maybe he had an exciting job within it - such as an Unspeakable. For all Ada knew that job was very tedious, but it at least sounded mysterious and exciting to an outside observer.
It could not be denied that Miss Lovegood was indeed attractive. She had an aura about her which greatly attracted Matthew to her and the thought that perhaps this introduction may not have been the worst idea in the world had certainly passed across his mind. His mother had informed him that she was approaching spinsterhood but, never having put too much faith in that label, this fact did not deter Matthew in the slightest.
The pair didn't know much about each other, and it was this that was causing Matthew to be so awkward. He didn't want to seem overly familiar, but he also did not want to cast the aspersion that he was cold and distant. Indeed, he found it difficult to decide which extreme was worse than the other.
"You would be correct in that assumption, Miss Lovegood. I am indeed well. Very well, in fact. Some would say never better." Matthew said with a smile, wishing he had something more interesting to say. Despite usually being confident and friendly, he was feeling increasingly self-conscious, and he wasn't entirely sure why. From the little information that his mother had given him, Miss Lovegood was pleasant enough, and he was certainly enjoying her company. It, therefore, seemed that the source of the problem must have laid with himself.
"I do indeed!" Matthew said, glad of a topic that he could actually respond to. He absolutely loved his job, and was very serious about it, so work was always a good topic of conversation for him. "Just this year, I was promoted to being the head of my office- that is, the Improper Use of Magic Office. It may sound like it's boring, but it is really quite the opposite. The sort of people we get in from time to time! Just last week, we-" Matthew faltered, attempting to regain his composure. "Ah, but you wouldn't want to be bored with the details."
A wave of relief poured over her when he took her question and began to run with it. What better way to break the ice than to stumble upon a topic one could discuss comfortably at length? Except he suddenly stopped himself. Ada couldn't say that Ministry goings on were exactly the most interesting thing in the world to her as a general discussion topic, but there were exceptions within it - the Auror department was exciting to hear about, as was speculation regarding the Department of Mysteries, and she was sure there were others. Possibly the Improper Use of Magic office could be one? Not that she'd find out if he didn't continue on.
"Please go on," she encouraged. Even if his story wasn't particularly thrilling, if he recounted it passionately then that would make up for any mundane details. Fortunate was the man who truly enjoyed his job! It was nice to see, Ada thought, she had seen far too many men who thought of their occupation as a way to pass the time or to satisfy expectations, neither had much passion or enjoyment for the work they did. Ada was glad she had never had to take up an occupation she didn't like, not that she had ever had an occupation, period. "I promise I'm not so easily bored."
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