minatheemeraldwitch

[minatheemeraldwitch]

The Good Witch Series

Ch 1

Mood board for Lily lake House found here

Mood board for Y/n style found here

Mood board for Gardner Manor found here

[minatheemeraldwitch]

The Good Witch CH1

Hello Loves! Here is the first chapter of The Good Witch, please leave your thoughts and reviews down below! I need all the constructive criticism I can get so don’t go easy on me! I hope you enjoy the world building and allow yourself to be immersed in my version of the wizarding world! XOXO-Minatheemeraldwitch

Waking up was never an easy feat in the Gardner household. From the moment she opened her eyes to the curtains being drawn back by a house elf, she felt a pang in her back that only served as a reminder that with the start of a new day comes the rest of her grandmother's lessons. Sitting up in bed only does further to remind her of the most recent lesson, perfect posture in every circumstance possible. Sitting at the dining table, walking through the gardens, riding astride a horse (side saddle, the only way a lady should ride she’s told). She's surprised she has not yet made her attempt to balance a book on her head while riding a broomstick at this point. Not that she even knows she owns a broomstick, it’s a secret between her and her Father.. 

Finally mustering up the strength to face the day, she swung her legs out of bed and into het bed slippers. Patiently awaiting the next task of the routine. “Good Morning Miss y/n, breakfast is to be held in the gardens this morning, followed by your morning lessons with Professor Litt, weather permitting you’ll be able to have your riding lessons just after midday meal, your grandmother wishes to continue you lessons with her in the afternoon over tea and until you must get ready for dinner at 6 o’clock” her maid, a middle aged women with dark hair starting to gray at the roots, Lucy, spills as she begins setting out the dress and robes she’s no doubt spent the better half of the hour ironing before y/n was awake. 

Lucy, like all the other maids and butlers employed by the Gardners was a squib, she grew up with a knowledge of magic but did not possess the ability herself. The employment under the house of Gardner allowed for them to maintain a position within the wizarding world without having to perform magic. 

y/n smiled at Lucy before getting up and putting on the house robe which was always hanging on its hook besides the bed frame. “It's good to know that my grandmother still has the energy to continue teaching me even into the late hours of the day” she jested, moving to sit at the vanity placed facing the window. Lucy merrily shook her head with a laugh “ Aye, yes, your grandmother would rather dine with a muggle than slow down in her ways Miss”. The two entered into soft conversation as Lucy began to brush and style her hair. 

"Is there any more gossip in the kitchens about the Parkinson and the Goyle?” y/n asked, slightly wincing as Lucy swiftly twisted her hair up into a bun atop her head. “Aye there is Miss, apparently Mrs Parkinson and Mr Goyle were found alone in the Nott’s gardens, walking rather swiftly from the veranda. The maids jest that Mr Parkinson was happening by with an unmarried Ms Royce on his arm” she giggled. y/n lightly smiled as Lucy pulled out some hair to frame her face. “ I feel for Pansy and Gregory, the two of them must feel embarrassed of all this going on” y/n said softly, eyes drifting off thinking of  her friend Pansy fondly. 

Lucy rested her hands on y/n’s shoulders, assessing the work she’d done on her hair. “Perhaps they are used to such behavior Miss, however I’m sure Miss Parkinson wouldn't mind an invite over to see you. I’m sure the two of you could use some time to play before preparations for Hogwarts begins” Lucy suggests, a twinkle in her eye as she leans down to whisper in y/ns ear “ I’ll have the elves prepare lots of sweet cakes for the day”. Y/n couldn't help the smile that broke out over her face. “ I’ll ask my mother during breakfast. Thank you, Lucy”. “Of course, Miss. Now, let's get you dressed for the day, shall we?” Y/n nodded, eager to see what she’d chosen for the day. 

Most of her clothes were the colors of her family crest. The crest was printed, stamped, engraved, and burned on just about everything in the house. She’d have to say that their crest was one of the better ones she’d seen, a silver wand with dark green vines and thorns wrapped around the base of the wand leading up to a dark purple rose protruding from the tip. Most of her friends have animals, more wands, and swords in their crests. She thought theirs was the perfect representation of her family, thorny yes, but magic doing what it does best, creating something beautiful.

Lucy had chosen a dark purple dress with a corset lace up built into the front. Not that the corset had anything to hold up or cinch in yet, she’s only 11. The sleeves of the dress had silver vines embroidered down them with little clear beads intertwining throughout. The cloak she was to put on later during her riding lesson was black with the same silver vine pattern along its edges. 

Lucy stood back once she was dressed, further assessing her work. With a quick nod she deemed her fit for the finishing touch which she procured from the jewelry box situated on y/ns vanity. A necklace with the pendant being the family rose, made of amethyst. A gift from her father the day she received her Hogwarts letter on her eleventh birthday. “ You look perfect Miss” Lucy said with a sigh “I have half a mind to berate you for growing up so fast, I’ll need a promise from you that you won’t age a day when you're off at school. I can’t bear to miss seeing you grow up” she adds, adjusting y/n's necklace. “I’m sorry I can’t promise that Miss Lucy” she says, feeling herself tear up a little. “I could never break a promise I make, especially to you”. Lucy gave a quick nod, swallowing her own emotions before giving y/n a quick hug. “Off you go Missy, I’ll see you after your morning lessons” she said, waving her off and out of her bedroom.

Y/n started making her way downstairs, passing old family portraits conversing with one another or giving their greetings. The Gardener Summer Manor, Lilylake, was beautiful in the morning, it had large windows which let in the light, Tones of light oak and green made up most of the color palette, a touch of purple made its way through every now and then. 

Exiting out of one of the doors leading to the garden she stopped and allowed herself to take a breath. Smelling the roses and rich soil that are tended to religiously by the gardener Mrs. Cripps, she's a very skilled witch in herbology.

“Good morning darling” a deep voice says behind her. She smiled before turning to face the owner of the voice, her father. Eric Gardner is his name. He has dark brown hair that is now starting to gray, and deep green eyes that match hers. He is quite handsome, many maids and other ladies of magical families giggle and blush over her father, but he has eyes for none other than her mother. A good thing too, she is quite the jealous type. 

“Good Morning Father” she answered softly. He offers her his arm with a warm smile and off they go into the dew covered garden. 

“Did you sleep well my dear?” he questions. “Yes father I did, although I did wake up sore from grandmother's lessons yesterday. Did you sleep well Father?” she returned his question. He chuckles “Why yes I did my dear. Although I am fortunate enough to not have any soreness due to your grandmother, just due to my old age” he jokes. “I’m sure you can find a potion remedy for that father. Perhaps a youth potion” she teases lightly. He puts his free hand to his chest as if wounded, “You my dear hurt me with your teasing, I’ll have you know I have plenty more time before I resort to dire measures. Why I’m still in my prime”  he boasts, egged on by her soft giggles escaping. 

They enter the glass house that sits in the center of the garden. Y/n's mother, Margaret, is already seated at the round table across from her mother in law and y/ns grandmother, the Matriarch of the family Lilliana Gardner. 

Her mother has dark blonde hair that has lighter streaks in it due to the time she spends outside helping Mrs. Cripps with her gardening or when she feels particularly adventurous enough to join y/n in riding. Her eyes are a deep blue, while they don’t have the same eye color the mother and daughter do look quite alike. Y/n received her hair color and most facial features from her mothers side.

 Her grandmother however possesses the same green eyes as y/n and her father.  While her hair is gray now, it used to be a soft brown like y/ns fathers. Her face looks aged with a stern crease in her brow but knowing her grandmother it is not caused by any mean spirited attitude, but by her stern stubbornness. 

Sitting at the table between her mother and grandmother they both pass polite greetings to her and her father before returning to their conversation about which table cloths should be used for upcoming dinners or whatever other events those two plan constantly. 

The breakfast spread in the Gardener household might be y/n's favorite meal of the day, besides tea time when the elves make extra sweets. Their elves never hold back on a hearty breakfast. Each member of the family has their usuals though. Her father prefers a full english, her mother simple porridge with fruit and honey, her grandmother poached eggs on an english muffin with sauce on the side, and y/n, usually just scrambled eggs with toast and jam. 

As she starts to pile her plate with a helping of eggs her grandmother turns to her “Y/n darling, I want you to be honest with me, how sore is your back today?” she says with an almost sing-songy quality to her question. y/n politely pause in her movements letting her hands fall into her lap and giving her full attention. “My back was only a bit sore Grandmother, however I suspect it is only because your training is becoming a habit in my bones. Any amount of pain is worth the end result.” she answered. “Very good my dear, polite, politically correct, and dutiful, you are turning into a fine young lady” she assesses. “All thanks to your teaching grandmother” y/n responded, lowering her head with a shy smile.

They both turned back to their breakfast as the family butler Edwin came in with the mail. “The paper for you Mr Gardener, as well as some letters. A letter for you Mrs. Gardener from Mrs. Malfoy. And finally, a letter for you Mrs Gardener senior, correspondence from your sister in florence” he finished, delivering the last letter to her grandmother.

“Thank you Edwin, we will let you know if we wish to respond” Eric says as he motions for a cup of tea to be poured. Picking up his paper he begins to read out any headline that stands out to him, not caring if none of the women at the table are listening to him.

Y/n's mother carefully breaks the seal on the letter sent by Mrs. Malfoy, reading silently while fiddling with the table cloth. “Narcissa has accepted my invitation to lunch tomorrow” she announces to the table with a smile. 

“Oh,that's lovely dear!” Lilliana exclaims “Now tell me, is she the one with the son who we like? Or the one we don’t like?”

“Mother, I believe you like Draco, remember? He’s Lucius’ boy” Eric said calmly, not even glancing up from his paper.

“Ah yes, I always get those Black sisters confused. One is a disgrace, one is locked up and completely mental, and one is perfectly normal. I guess the third time's a charm when it comes to that family.” Lilliana chuckled to herself.

Y/n adjusted in her seat uncomfortably, “Mother is this to be a family affair ? Or just a visit between you and Mrs. Malfoy?” she questioned.

Margaret smiled warmly at her daughter “Now y/n darling, it will be good for you to befriend more children your age especially before you leave for Hogwarts. Draco is a very kind young boy who I don't doubt will be quite a fine young man in a few years. He may help break you out of your shell”

“Margaret, there will be no young boys, nor men breaking my darling daughter out of her shell anytime soon” her father quips from behind his paper.

“Hush Eric, don't pretend you and Lucius have not jested over potentially being in laws one day once you found our children were the opposite sex” her mother taunted.

“Touche, my love” Eric responds, dropping the subject.

Y/n was not unfamiliar with the expectation of having an arranged “coupling”. The more modern term for arranged marriage. Most families of high status took part in the practice, it ensured that the bloodlines stayed pure and that the high class wizarding society remained separate from the lower classes. 

Y/n had not met many children her age yet, especially boys. Pansy was her first friend her age, they had known each other since they were in nappies. Gregory Goyle she had met briefly because his grandmother knew hers, also because of the gossip constantly surrounding his father she knew more than she’d care to admit. 

The idea of a coupling didn't scare y/n, her parents and many others that she knew of had found success in the matches. However the failed few in society did make her wonder if maybe the ritual was not for everyone. 

She was only 11, which meant that there was no rush to even begin the courting process. The earliest some start is 13, the close proximity at school helps to weed out any doubts you may have about a person. While some got privately engaged at 16, it was not publicly announced until the couple reached the age of 17, by then the wedding was most likely planned.

   As the family finished breakfast, Y/n remembered what she had been told to ask her mother “Mother, can I invite Pansy over before school starts?”

“I don't see why not, dear, have her over sometime next week. Not on Thursday or Friday though, we leave for home on Thursday and go school shopping on Friday” Margaret answered, carefully dabbing the corners of her mouth with a napkin.

“Yes mother, i’ll send a letter tomorrow” Y/n said laying her hands on the table “May I be excused please?”

“Yes darling, you may. Have fun at your morning lessons,” her father answered looking up from his paper. 

Y/n got up swiftly and rounded the table giving each member a kiss on the cheek before making her way back thru the gardens and into the house, mentally preparing herself for what was to come.

[minatheemeraldwitch]

Coming Soon/ The Good Witch

All her life y/n had been tasked with the responsibility of being a good witch. In her family's mind, being a “good” witch did not mean having the morals of a saint and doing no harm. No, being a “good” witch meant you carried yourself with grace and would not allow any other witch or wizard to question your power.

  The Gardner family was a formidable force of magic within the wizarding world. Apart of the sacred twenty eight families and even tracing their lineage back to the days of the first witch. Members of the family had dined with the great Merlin himself, waltzed with the founders of Hogwarts, and had backed the most evil and disturbing wizards of all time all in the pursuit of maintaining their image of power. 

Being a young witch in the house of Gardner meant that y/n did not have the option of choosing what type of witch she wanted to be. From the moment she took her first breath her fate was sealed, she was the heiress to the dynasty past witches and wizards had worked so hard to leave her. It is not some simple task of inheritance, it is a duty, a responsibility, it must be done and done correctly in order to uphold the family honor, if the name shall die with her marriage, then the power behind it will not.

This fic will start out in yr 1. As the characters age up so will the rating ;)

[minatheemeraldwitch]

Masterlist

Started Oct. 11th 2024

The Good Witch Series