The Heart of a Witch

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About the Images

A magical portal is about to open…

The Wizarding Faire returns to SL on August 4th through August 18th, and you’re invited to step into a world of spells, sparkle, and enchantment! Sponsored by the beloved Harry Potter roleplay community Mischief Managed, this annual event brings together some of SL’s most enchanting designers for two weeks of wizarding wonder.

This year, the Wizarding Faire is casting a spell more potent than ever—a spell of love, hope, and healing. All proceeds raised from the event will benefit The Trevor Project, a real-world nonprofit that provides life-saving mental health services, crisis support, and suicide prevention for LGBTQ+ youth. As you explore, keep your eyes peeled for rainbow-colored donation cauldrons scattered throughout the Faire. Every galleon you drop is a spark of light for someone who may be struggling in the dark. Prefer to donate outside of SL? You can do so by clicking THIS LINK.

In today’s post, Serena—er, Sable Silverthorn—is seen preparing for her return to Hogwarts in true magical fashion. She’s wearing the Theodora outfit, by new-to-me designer Rakshasa, which includes a coat, shirt, vest, skirt or trousers, along with an optional scarf and hat (not shown here). I especially love the golden brocade vest; such a regal touch!

Other items of note from the Wizarding Faire:

Sable’s shimmering eye makeup is from darkmoon’s Magical Shadows pack, which comes in a spellbinding set of ten colors.
Her poses are by Olivia Golden (OG), from the I’m Up to No Good pack. The set includes six playful poses (with mirrors and head variations), and a wand prop to boot! Note: the wand is unrigged, so you’ll need to adjust it manually for that perfect magical moment.
Finally, the enchanting shopfront behind her is the Old Street Backdrop by HopScotch. You’ll also spot their whimsical Puff Pods in violet and rose, and the delightfully odd Wild Haggis, which come with a HUD for changing fur and face textures. Be warned, though… they are not housebroken.

So, dust off your robes, polish your wand, and make your way to the Wizarding Faire tomorrow. Magic awaits!

Full credits are below the story. Store and event SLurls are available on the Store & Event Links page.

The Story

The late afternoon sun cast a golden glow on the cobbled streets of Diagon Alley as Sable Silverthorn stepped out of Flourish & Blotts, her wand arm full of new schoolbooks and a small potted Puff Pod plant that purred gently whenever it was stroked. Her long rose-colored coat swirled around her, and a delicate spark of light still flickered at the tip of her wand—she’d been practicing a charm to keep her wild haggis pets from scurrying off into shop windows.

They were peculiar creatures, her haggises, round and furry, with mismatched legs and twitching snouts. One was attempting to chew the corner of her suitcase, which was stamped with her initials: S.M.S. They never behaved unless distracted by food or magic. Or both.

She had just reached the steps of Scribbulus Writing Implements when the air shimmered oddly, and a gust of wind sent parchment pages from a nearby cart whirling into the air like startled birds. Something—no, someone—brushed past her shoulder with a strange, cold ripple. The hairs on Sable’s neck stood on end.

That’s when she saw it: a shadow flickering between the buildings. Slippery, quick. Like smoke trying to decide whether to be solid. It darted behind the lamp post and then lunged toward her.

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Her wand was up in an instant. “Protego Maxima!”

A flash of brilliant gold exploded from her wand tip, scattering parchment and sparkles in all directions. Shoppers ducked and shrieked, dropping bags and Butterbeer as the spell arced across the alley and struck the smoky figure square in the chest.

It yelped.

And then… it howled.

Sable gasped. The shadow twisted and took form: a creature made of ink and paper, with hollow eyes and long claws scribbled in black. A forgotten doodle from an old spellbook brought to life by accidental magic, likely from Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes.

“Back!” she shouted, flicking her wand again. “Incarcerous!”

Ropes of golden thread burst from her wand and snared the creature mid-air, wrapping it like a parchment mummy. It thudded to the ground in a heap of scribbles and began twitching violently.

The haggises squeaked and hid behind her legs. One of them accidentally peed on her suitcase.

Moments later, as Sable caught her breath, a stern voice barked, “What’s going on here?”

A tall, dark-robed figure approached through the dispersing crowd. It was Madam Marchbanks from the Ministry’s Improper Use of Magic Office, a clipboard already in her hand. “Miss Silverthorn, care to explain why half of Diagon Alley is glittering like a Yule Ball?”

“I—I didn’t mean to!” Sable stammered. “There was a creature. It attacked me. It looked like ink… and paper?”

The older witch raised a brow and knelt by the still-wriggling mess. With a quick flick, she poked it and muttered, “Expected as much. Animated marginalia. Someone’s been fooling around with rogue enchantments again.”

She turned back to Sable with a grudging nod. “Good instincts, Silverthorn. A little flashy, but effective.”

“No one was hurt, I hope?” Sable asked quietly, lowering her wand.

“Just a few frizzed robes and some ruffled pride,” Madam Marchbanks said. “Go on now. Get your things and try to keep those haggises in line. And stay away from enchanted quills.”

Relieved but still trembling slightly, Sable turned back toward her pets. The haggises were busily trying to eat a flower pot.

As she bent to gather them, she spotted one final page fluttering in the air. It landed softly at her feet. Scrawled across it in untidy handwriting were the words, “The heart of a witch is not measured in spells, but in the courage to cast them.”

Sable smiled and pocketed the page.

Hogwarts would have to wait just one more day. Today, Diagon Alley had needed her. And she’d been ready.

CREDITS

Sable Silverthorn

TRUTH Twisted
Angel Eyes Messy 26 Hairbase (NEW @ Uber)
IKON Lucidity Eyes
darkmoon Magical Shadows (@ Wizarding Faire)
Glam Affair Lune + Blush & Lip Toner
Tutti Belli Sunkissed Freckles
CAZIMI Basic Stud Earrings
Yummy Birthstone Initial Necklace (@ Collabor88)
Rakshasa Theodora Coat (@ Wizarding Faire)
Rakshasa Theodora Shirt (@ Wizarding Faire)
Rakshasa Theodora Skirt (@ Wizarding Faire)
Rakshasa Paula Shoes (@ Wizarding Faire)
Kibitz Luna’s Rings

Poses

Olivia Golden I’m Up to No Good (@ Wizarding Faire)

Scene

HopScotch Old Street Backdrop (@ Wizarding Faire)
HopScotch Wild Haggis (@ Wizarding Faire)
HopScotch Puff Pods Plant (@ Wizarding Faire)
Apple Fall Monogram Suitcases
Apple Fall Flora Lanterns
Botanical Vintage Porch Mailbox
JIAN Halloween Gifts ’22 Broom
KraftWork Farm Lane Post Light