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.
While there are so many various drinks we could have selected to put in this issue, the Loving Cup is a classic that was once stated to be the best cup that was ever made! Just the same, Milk Punch is so versatile and refreshing that you may even believe summer to be right around the corner, which is a welcomed thought given the bleak weather patterns we have been witnessing!
Drink Recipes to Start the New Year Off Right! As the month of January has already begun, times of celebrations ensue simultaneously. With any celebration, of course, comes a toast, and what better way to enjoy such a tradition than with a wonderful glass of "Loving Cup" or "Milk Punch"? These beverages have ranked among our favorites for decades and will surely be yours after you take your first swill!
Enjoy a cold drink with friends and family this season!
Loving Cup:
Ingredients:
One bottle of scotch ale
One pint of sherry
A quarter of a pound of sugar
One bottle of soda-water
A small piece of toasted bread
Grated nutmeg
Four slices of lemon
To start, melt and strain you sugar. Place the sugar in a cup capable of containing three quarts, then stir in the wine and ale until fully combined. Just as you are about to serve, add the soda water and, on the froth, grate your nutmeg gently. Atop, place the toast and lemon. This drink should be consumed immediately as it will not keep for very long and the toast will become soggy!
Milk Punch:
Ingredients:
Two quarts of French brandy
Eighteen lemons
Three-quarters of a pound of best loaf sugar
Three pints of new milk
Two quarts of water
This recipe is rather simple. Combine the brandy, lemons, sugar, and milk with the water. Strain this mixture through a jelly bag until the consistency is clear and fine. It is recommended that you make this two to three days before your event and to bottle it off.
We hope you have enjoyed these recipes and will use them in the near future. There are endless possibilities for either, so feel free to spruce them up as you see fit or adapt them to the tastes of your guests!
Let's hope goblins aren't suddenly allowed to carry wands, who would feel safe in their beds at night knowing goblins have wands?
Heard Around Town!
A new year brings new rumors and gossip ripe for the plucking! It seems 1888 is starting off with an air of mystery after a spate mistletoed madness!
~ * ~
“I have it on good authority that Mr. Dawlish — yes, the Chief Warlock Mr. Dawlish — has gone missing. I heard someone else say he was dead but that's idle speculation. I bet he's gone off to sulk somewhere without telling anyone all because he lost the election.”
~ * ~
“Are you aware that the Electoral Ball has been funded entirely by goblins? First the school reverses its ban on half-breeds and now I suppose our new Minster is for sale already to any politically minded non-human! Disgraceful.”
~ * ~
“It would seem Mrs. Black is leaving the country at the end of the month for an unspecified amount of time. I'll wager it has everything to do with her sister-in-law's flagrant love affair with Mr. Zhao.”
~ * ~
“That awful mistletoe stunt was apparently pulled off by The Florist Potts as a way of promoting the place. I suppose it's a creative way to draw people in...”
~ * ~
“I've seen a man about who looks exactly like Mr. Orpheus Parkinson only he has no hair — not a one! Could he really have cut off those lovely curls?”
While previously said to be engaged to be married, it appears that the engagement has been quietly called off for some time now.
Taking both his age and position into consideration, Mister Baxter Keene would make quite the catch to the woman that can keep him engaged!
Meet Baxter Keene, the new Hogsmeade Hospital Director! Recently Hogsmeade Hospital saw a change in leadership when a new director was selected following the retirement of the previous one. The man chosen to take on the mantle is none other than Mister Baxter Keene who had previously been the healer in charge in the Artifacts Incidents ward.
Mister Baxter Keene is a handsome man indeed with strong features!
Mister Baxter Keene was born to Albert and Beatrice Keene on the 8th of May, 1850 which makes him a Taurus. He has a sister and two brothers as well, all younger, making him the eldest of four children. A little before his start at Hogwarts, Mister Baxter Keenes father passed away, making him the head of the household, quite a responsibility at a young age and from all appearances, one he carried quite well! During his time at Hogwarts, he was sorted into Hufflepuff.
Mister Keene graduated and began his healing internships within St. Mungos in the year 1868 and was within the creatures-induced injuries department. When Hogsmeade Hospital opened up in 1877, Mister Keene was among the healers that shifted over and he switched to artifacts incidents, the department that he would prove to stay in for several years. He was promoted to assistant head of the department in 1882 and then to Healer in Charge in 1884.
Now he has been promoted to Director, a position usually held by experienced healers that have had at least twenty years or more of experience under their belt. Mister Keene has been promoted before reaching this threshold which speaks volumes of his skill and intellect. It has been noted that Mister Keene has always been a hard worker - not altogether surprising considering he was a Hufflepuff during his time at Hogwarts! - and thus not many people were surprised by the promotion.
We wish Mister Keene the best in his new position and have no doubt that the hospital is in very good hands. We look forward to seeing what changes he might have in store.
On the subject of magical abilities, the ability to turn into an animal at will — officially known as being an animagus — is known as one of the rarer ones. While any witch or wizard is technically capable of mastering the ability, much fewer have the willpower, strength, and patience to perfect such an advanced magical art. While becoming an animgaus is a pride in the eyes of much of magical society, few have ever taken a moment to reflect on what the actual purpose of perfecting the art of animagi insinuates about the desires and habits of a young woman (and more importantly, why it directly conflicts with society's values).
In magical literature, the animagus is used as a plot device to allow a character to to move in a way that they're incapable of being caught by the authorities or seen by the enemies. The allure is undeniable: why wouldn't wish to be able to hide from people who are trying to track them down? The issue this poses in society, however, is the fact that women — especially the unmarried variety — are expected to be monitored and watched at all times to ensure their safety and purity.
How might a woman be viewed in the eyes of society if her ability to turn into, say, a rabbit, is used all too frequently?
What many people don't realize is the act of a woman becoming an animagus insinuates that she wishes to run and hide from those who are supposed to be watching her. It insinuates that she may be running off to see a potential suitor (scandalous, I know!), or that there mere presence of a chaperon annoys her and she needs a method to subtly escape them.
Perhaps the Ministry of Magic (and the Hogwarts professors who provide assistance, as well!) should think twice before allowing young, unmarried women to be given the proper materials to achieve the goal of becoming an animagus. No women of good breeding should be given tools — or in this case, skills — that allow her to leave the presence of those attempting to protect and watch over her with no means of effectively tracking her down!