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.
4oz self-raising flour
2oz shredded suet
1/2 tsp salt
a little water
a tablespoon of fresh chopped parsley or a generous teaspoon of dried parsley can be added to the dumplings
1. Season some flour with salt and pepper
2. Toss the diced beef in the flour. (You can miss this step and brown the meat with no flour but your finished stew will be thinner)
3. Brown the beef in a deep pan
4. Chop and add the onions and herbs if you are using them
5. Soften the onions
6. Add the stock and stir well
7. Peel and chop the carrots and parsnips. Add them
8. Bring the pan to the boil so the flour thickens the stew.
9. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 30-40 minutes. (For cheaper cuts you may need to simmer for longer)
While the stew is cooking, you need to make the dumplings
11. Add the flour, salt and suet into a dish
12. Add the chopped parsley, if you are using any
13. Add a little water, a tablespoon at a time, stirring until you have a slightly sticky dough
14. Divide into 4-6 even pieces
15. 20 minutes before the stew is ready, remove the lid and add the dumplings
16. Push the dumplings under with a spoon and then re-cover. It is important to leave the pan covered or the dumplings won't cook properly
17. After 20 minutes remove the lid and serve hot
It is very simple to keep you and your family safe!
Protecting yourself and your family: Hag Edition We recently have been inundated with letters concerning the increase in activity from Hags within the boundaries of Hogsmeade- a most alarming change for any wife and mother, though with some simple precautions, you can be ensured of your family’s safety!
Caution is the best policy around hags!
The simplest way to keep your children safe, of course, is to see that they’re never allowed out alone, even to play with other children. Sending a governess or trusted maid or manservant should serve to deter hags. Make sure that anyone who takes your children out knows several defensive spells or jinxes- hags have their own magic, though fortunately enough this is particularly weak. Of course, staff cannot always be trusted to remain on guard- as seen in Miss Madeline Bell’s case- so particularly fretful mothers may find they only get peace of mind when accompanying their child themselves- though of course, poor Mr Ambrose Bell is quite the widower, so was left with little option. Lochrin’s Protective goods also stocks several charmed ribbons, brooches, and cuffs that parents may find of use.
Women should also be on guard within their own homes! Hags have been known to be deceitful enough to use beautifying potions to seduce men, worm their way into their homes, and then attempt to take their children! Wives are warned against allowing their husbands to take out children on day-trips with a rather lovely but new acquaintance, and if a governess or nanny is a new hire without references, or with the tragic deaths of any wards in their pasts, it may be excusable to slip some revealing potion into their tea, just to be on the safe side.
For the right woman, working after marriage and motherhood can still be a possibility!
Working Mothers: Mrs. Louisa Shacklebolt Most women, we are sure, are quite content with simply being a mother--and would likely agree that raising children is work enough!--but there are those enterprising ladies who choose to enter the workforce, or otherwise remain there, after the births of their children, and we would like to feature one such lady today!
Mrs. Louisa Shacklebolt
Mrs. Louisa Shacklebolt was born Miss Louisa Griffiths in 1861, and attended Hogwarts as a proud member of Hufflepuff house. Considering her years on her house's team, it is no wonder that she went on to play for the Holyhead Harpies after graduation! It also seems that Mrs. Shacklebolt remains an avid supporter of her old house, as she was spotted this past fall attending the first quidditch match of Hogwarts' season!
Despite her less than conventional career choice, Mrs. Shacklebolt seems to understand her duties well, as she married Mr. Kingston Shacklebolt, a fellow quidditch player, in 1882. The couple have a daughter, Miss Rosanna Shacklebolt, and we are sure that it is only a matter of time before she is joined by more siblings! Mr. Shacklebolt also recently took up the position of coach for the Chudley Cannons, following the former coach's quite shameful dismissal, so unconventional or not, one can at least say that quidditch is something of a family business for the Shacklebolts!
We are always happy to hear feedback from our readers!
Letters from Our Readers Dear Witch Weekly,
I want to thank you for last week's advice from Miss Aidsworth. I--and my children's governess!--have long struggled to discipline my eldest son properly, as little else seems to have helped. I hope that the threat of being dressed in his sister's clothes will at last do the trick! My younger son is just getting to the age when he can be so easily influenced by his older brother--I don't want to risk a second catastrophe.
That said, I think there are probably quite a few mothers who would appreciate similar advice for their girls!
![[Image: 34io9kw.jpg]](http://oi67.tinypic.com/34io9kw.jpg)
![[Image: 29ncyzc.jpg]](http://oi65.tinypic.com/29ncyzc.jpg)
![[-]](https://old.charmingrp.com/images/collapse.png)
Caution is the best policy around hags!
Mrs. Louisa Shacklebolt
