#ursula hartford

[potionboy3]

Character profile

► basics; Full Name: Valentin Raphael Hartford Birthday: 25th August 1965 Pronouns: he/him Sexual Orientation: bi Hogwarts House: Hufflepuff Blood Status: pureblood Nationality: English

► personality; Personality type: INTJ Personality: Often times vain and a bit of know it all. Also very charming and wants to do the right thing always.

► magical info; Wand: Beech wood with a dragon heartstring core, 11 ½ and unbending flexibility

The true match for a beech wand would be, if young, wise beyond their years, and if full-grown, rich in understanding and experience. Beech wands performed very weakly for the narrow-minded and intolerant. Such wizards and witches, having obtained a beech wand without having been suitably matched (yet coveting this most desirable, richly hued and highly prized wand wood), had often presented themselves at the homes of learned wandmakers, demanding to know the reason for their handsome wand's lack of power. When properly matched, the beech wand was capable of a subtlety and artistry rarely seen in any other wood, hence its lustrous reputation.

Patronus: Pheasant

Pheasants are noble birds known for their beautiful plumage. They are regal and often symbolize virtue and refinement. Unlike peacocks, they make no show of their feathers but hold themselves to a high standard of etiquette in all situations. They can be a bit proud, which might lead to trouble, but deep down, they care greatly for family and comfort.

Patronus Memory: when Harker laughed for the first time Boggart: Juno dying during a job or during the war Specialized/Favourite Spells:  Expelliarmus

► background;

Place of Birth: London Home: flat in London near the ministry Pre-Hogwarts: Valentin spent his childhood in his family's home on the country side. He aspired to become an auror since young age admiring his uncle. His parents were strict but loving and he had a good relationship with his sister. Their family was safe during The First Wizarding War because of his father staying so neutral, but they did have to cut ties with his favourite uncle who was more vocal for few years there which disappointed him greatly and made him want to become an auror even more so he could take actions. 

► physical;

Faceclaim: Lauri Tilkanen Eye Color: blue Hair Color: brown Height: 178cm

► story;

Valentin started school during The  First Wizarding War but felt fairly safe in Hogwarts. He did want to follow his uncle's example and become an auror when graduates so he could take more actions on the matter and in general protect people. He spent his school years trying to reach the goal. He was hardworking but still had time to become popular in school. After graduating he applied for the auror program and got in easily. On the program he met  Juno Creed. The two solved a tough case on their first trial run and after that it was settled that the two would be work partners.

He never wanted a family but after working for sometime  he was met with a surprise when one of this one night stands greeted him with a baby. Valentin thought of giving his son up for adoption but in the end after spending time with baby Harker, he decided against it and became a single father with a very busy job. During the second wizarding war: Valentin’s fought against the ministry falling during the start of the war but after it eventually happened, it led to his uncle’s death. He was shocked and scared but pretend to be neutral about it to keep his family and his muggleborn boyfriend Juno Creed safe. Juno had to disappear from the ministry and Valentin stayed behind in hopes of keeping at least some things in order. He secretly worked with the Order Of Phoenix and took part on the actual war fighting later. 

► relatives;

Son: Harker Hartford Born 1989, Harker came with a name. He was 4 months old and had the token blue eyes that ran in the family. Valentin raised him and the two are very close. Harker thinks of his father as a hero, although he grew up to be very different from him. Harker is more shy and lives head in the clouds. He wants to be a poet one day. Harker is eventually sorted into Hufflepuff like his father. Face claim: William Franklyn Miller

Father: Gilbert Hartford

Valentin is closer with his uncle than his father. Gilbert  works in the ministry but he is on the international side and travels a lot and the two never formed a close relationship due to that but do get along fine but don't often have deep conversations. His father doesn't always understand his life choices. During the first war, Gilbert stayed neutral publicly but was gone on international war business for the most of it. Valentin hated this and saw his father as a bit of a  coward, wishing to be more like his uncle who took actions. It was only during the Second Wizarding War, when he had his own son that he started to see why his father made the choices he did and could relate to it. Face claim: Dougray Scott

Mother: Calla Hartford Calla is a hardworking and ambitious woman. She was always supportive of Valentin's dream of becoming an auror and wasn't so glad when she found out about Valentin's son. She thought that he was wasting his dream, starting a family right when his career was starting to take off but in the end, just like her son, she fell in love with the child and also often took care of him. She used to work as a secretary on the auror office but later quit her job there and now writes a column for The Daily Prophet from home.

Face claim: Lisa Chappell

 Sister: Ursula Hartford Ursula is Valentin's younger sister, a very social hufflepuff woman who's working as a secretary in the auror office. She knows all the gossip going around the office. They siblings very different from each other but have always gotten along well. Valentin is protective of Ursula. She is also the godmother of his son Harker and often takes care him when Valentin is busy with his job. Face claim: Lindsay Heather Pearce

Uncle: Raphael Hartford

Raphael, is Valentin's biggest hero and also his boss at the auror department in the ministry. Raphael was famous for his cases and loyal to his job. He and Valentin were always close and he loved him like his own son. Raphael was strict but had a good sense of humor and a talent for eye rolling and gently judging his workers personal life choices,  but in the end he was always a fair boss and very professional. During The First Wizarding War Raphael was vocally against Voldemort, not enjoying the changes that were happening in the world around him and he got in a lot of trouble for it with the death eaters. He died during The Second Wizarding War after he publicly disagreed with what was happening in the ministry after it fell under Voldemort’s will. Valentin saw this happening and it shook him to his core and forced him to make different choices in order to protect the rest of the family and his loved ones. He had no choice but claim he didn’t agree with Raphael and feared that the man died disappointed in him. Raphael never had children or a wife. 

Face claim: Dylan McDermott

Pets: Juno and Valentin adopted a crup called Hope before the war

► relationships; Love interests: Juno Creed Juno and Valentin went to school at the same time. Valentin didn't remember Juno from the school years, being so "busy" and popular himself. They didn't get along at all at first when paired up for their job, being very different from each other but after working together in many cases, they became good friends and later boyfriends. Juno also became a big part on Harker’s life and eventually helped Valentin raising him.

Things got dark and complicated during The Second Wizarding War for the two. Juno being muggleborn got him in trouble and he had to leave the ministry. Valentin stayed behind and tried to work on the situation from the inside. They also worked with the Order Of Phoenix- Face claim: Hayden Christensen

Clea Malfoy

Clea and Valentin had  a one night stand that never really grew into anything real. She did end up pregnant and gave birth to their son Harker. She didn't want to stay in the picture and left the baby for Valentin's care so he could make the decision for himself if he wants to keep the baby or not. She was not part of either one's life until later... Face claim: Deborah Ann Woll

Friends & Dormmates: Up for some friends and dormmates! (Goes to school: 1976-1982, basically during the first wizarding war...)

Allegiances: Hufflepuff house, Aurors, the ministry of magic, Order Of Phoenix Enemies: Voldemort, death eaters, criminals

 ► misc;

Hobbies & Extracurriculars: duelling club Favourite Subject: defense against the dark arts, charms Professions: Auror

#valentin hartford #juno creed #harker hartford #ursula hartford #clea malfoy #raphael hartford #hp golden era oc #golden era #character profile mine #open for friends #auror oc #golden era auror oc

[alexracheltravel]

Island Paradise

We awoke to our first island resort. While we only had a brief stay in Koh Samui, that didn't make it any less beautiful. We enjoyed breakfast beside the beach, sipping coffee and dipping our toes into the yellow sand. Stray dogs walked beside our table. Signs told us deliberately not to feed them. We've seen a lot of wild/strays on our trip in each country we've visited.

Although we were staying in the Gulf of Thailand, our plan was not to stay on the larger island of Koh Samui, but on the more remote, secluded island of Koh Tao. The only way to get there is by ferry. We purposely checked into a hotel in Koh Samui because of its proximity to the ferry. The ferry was smooth and quick. We traversed 60km in an hour and a half, including stops. The television screens on the ferry advertised tourism in Thailand. Some of our favorites included:

-A influencer-style travelogue of a couple (westerners, possibly Australians) who spent two days in Bangkok and then in Phuket. We noticed they omitted jet-lag, getting sick, and financial concerns. We were also pretty sure they were actors. Not even a real couple.

-Some sort of "discover Thailand" series of commercials, stylized in movie commercials. The first imagined discovering Thailand as a sci-fi/horror film. It did not make us want to visit Thailand, but they were innovative.

At last, we arrived at Koh Tao, where we will ring in the new year! Our resort, Jamahkiri, is incredible. It is at the top of a hill on the south end of the island, overlooking an inlet called "Shark Bay." We have our own villa with an incredible living room with multiple couches, dining room, and full kitchen with doors that completely open onto our private deck with private infinity pool overlooking the ocean. One of the more beautiful views we could have asked for. 

We ordered an easy room service, Alex got a spicy green curry and Rachel got laarb and both got a coconut cocktail. We spent the day relaxing in our pool, reading in our covered outdoor couches, and generally relaxing. Rachel booked an in room massage for tomorrow and we both decided to call it a night early, but kept our shades open so we could see the stars from our floor to ceiling windows. 

As we reflect on 2022, which, aside from this trip, was not the best year, we decided to talk about the things we did love from this year. So, instead of our usual conversation, we decided to think about some of our favorite things from 2022. Read our rankings of our End of Year Best lists:

Movies/TV

A

1- Inu-Oh

2- Mad God

3- Cha Cha Real Smooth

4- Cyberpunk 2099

5- Neptune Frost

R

1- Severance S1

2- Heartstoppers S1

3- Sex Education S4

4- Sex Lives of College Girls S2

5- The Rings of Power S1

Books

A

1- Dilla Time

2- Life Ceremony 

3- Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands

4- Shuna's Journey 

5- It Was All a Dream: Biggie and the World that Made Him

R

1- Hook, Line, and Sinker

2- Princess Trap

3- Get a Life, Chloe Brown

4- Heart stoppers v4

5- From Blood and Ash

Albums

A

1- Kumoyo Island - Kikagaku Moyo

2- Renaissance - Beyonce

3- Hyper-Dimensional Expansion Beam - The Comet is Coming

4- Motomami - Rosalia

R

1- Renaissance - Beyonce

2- Harry's House - Harry Styles

3- Special - Lizzo

Food/Meals

Note: for fairness we're not including any meals from this trip. We'll do a final ranking of our favorite Honeytrip meals next week!

A

1- whole roasted cauliflower from Zohara in West Hartford

2- vegan burrito at Ursula 

3- pan seared soup dumplings f om Dumplings House in SF

4- An epic reast at Skewers by Miriam with Lyndsi, Alon, Leo and Vicki

5- Turkey Ramen made by Mr. Alex Moser (probably the best thing he's cooked this yr)

R

1- Pan-seared soup dumplings from Dumpling House in SF

2- whole roasted cauliflower from Zohara in West Hartford

3- turkey ramen made by Mr. Alex Moser 

4- Strawberry White Chocolate Layer Cake - Clementine

5- New Year's Charcuterie Board Upstate (might have been 12/31 but who's counting)

Honorable Mention: Dairy-free Boursin (shout out to Wine Squad for this epic discovery)

Happy new year, family and friends. Onward to year 2566 B.E.!

[rattlerpublishin]

The End of an Era has Come

Tonight in Hartford Connecticut David Rattler of Rattler Publishing ended the autumn tours. The 50yr old controversial community activist, organizer, artist, ends the era at a pack house and to a standing ovation. In what will be considered the most explosive speech of the century, the artist did say he wouldn't retreat completely retreat from public speaking but would only speak at select venues. When asked why he responded by saying "as all things we too must evolve and embrace the next evolution" Tomorrow Rattler Publishing returns to Bangor Maine for a day of rest and then on to New Finland for a corporate retreat with Rattler Publishing and Gemini Management. The owners of the two companies then will retreat to discuss the next evolution of Rattler Publishing, Gemini and Melanated Community Radio.

Since unofficial leaks surfaced early in the tour this may the final autumn tour and the last time Rattler Publishing will tour, more engagements were added, and the major concern quickly became not only keep David safe but healthy as well. Although; he has lost a considerable amount weight he's remained in good health, but is in desperate need of the upcoming retreat.

Setti Ali head of Rattler Publishing Ground Security Said: My biggest worry has always been the death threats, but truth about people of colour has always has a way of pissing whites off any way. But despite the threats and even attempts from known enemies, we pushed back with a veracity, a defying challenge and a brutality not even they expected from us. Over the past years its been a privilege and an honor to guard the man that gave me a second chance."

Ursula Turray President of Rattler Publishing said: "Its always sad but I worry that he feels the tours has little impact on people of colour, but was please he decided not to continue this part of the journey"

Nasrene Muhammad VP & Co-Owner of Rattler Publishing and Gemini said: "Its been a long journey to this point. At first it was only him, then it was us, and it always amazes me the strength, power, and passion he has, but I'm sure the journey will continue."

Stephen Crichton Chief Operations Officer of Rattler Publishing said: "For a man that's put his heart and soul in uplifting people of colour; I'am overwhelmingly honored to have been a part of the journey"

William Malisett Executive Officer of Rattler Publishing said: "Despite all the creditable death threats exposed by Rattler Publishing, physical and cyber security; it's like enormous weight has been lifted from me knowing I didn't capture his assassination on film."

Tonight was the first time Gemini executives attended the speech and there wasn't a dry eyes among them. I must agree with Nasrene about the ending of an era, but I must also agree with David that we must not become stagnated but must evolve into the next evolution of our existence.

I have known David for thirty years, I have watch a 19yr old transform and mature into a inspiration for many people, some he will never know their names or meet personally, but all caught up in his whirlwind in some form or another.

I once asked him what is this magic you possess? and he said. "Welcome to the Beautiful"

Recalling how I met him 30 yrs ago he is a comet leaving a beautiful fiery trail across the night sky, and although we know the comet will be gone in dawn's light, the experience leaves you changed forever.

I love you old friend and welcome to the dawn of the next evolution.

Anujia Hatal

[jalicea1650]

#Ursula #Disney #chez #pride (at Hartford, Connecticut)

#ursula #disney #chez #pride

[mode-esther]

Book review: The House at Riverton by Kate Morton

Summer 1924

During a society party, a young poet is found dead by the lake of a grand house owned by the Hartford family. The only people to witness his death, the Hartford sisters Hannah and Emmeline, will never speak to each other again.

Winter 1999

Grace Bradley, 98, once a housemaid at Riverton Manor in the early twentieth century, is visited by a young director making a film about the poet’s suicide. Old memories resurface, ghosts awaken and Grace’s shocking secret she has kept to herself for decades begins to slowly emerge.

This is the second book of Morton’s I’ve read, which I learnt was her debut novel. I can see now, from reading both The House at Riverton and The Forgotten Garden, why her books are such a hit. The former was both alike and unlike The Forgotten Garden; similar in themes (grand Gothic house, doomed family, the literary world and a secret that has never been discovered) but ultimately, more tragic. I’m not going to spoil the book but tragedy is at the very heart of the book. Set against the backdrop of the Great War and the decadent twenties, the Hartford family are coming to terms with the death of Victorian ideals, etiquette, society etc, and of the beloved family members they lose along the way. It questions where loyalties lie, whether secrets can ever remain secret and what you would die for. 

Reading The House at Riverton was very different to the way I read The Forgotten Garden. I liked it, of course I liked it. The writing was gorgeous and while it didn’t have the same sort of grip on me as The Forgotten Garden did, it was still able to pull me in and not let me go. I was curious, desperate to know about Robbie - the poet - and his fate, and what Grace’s secret is, why she feels guilty. I felt like a voyeur as I read because it was through Grace’s eyes that we see what happened, she is the only survivor from Riverton who was a witness to everything, and whose bond to Hannah kept her in close proximity to the events that were to unfold. It’s almost as if she’s deliberately watching and eavesdropping on the most private and intimate matters of almost every character in the book, passive and quietly.

It isn’t just Grace, Hannah, Emmeline and Robbie at the forefront of the book, there’s the film director Ursula, Grace’s daughter Ruth and grandson Marcus (who’s missing but is the catalyst for her secret confession), the girls’ brother David and their father Mr Frederick aka Lord Ashbury and Hannah’s husband Teddy. The last three all have a contribution to the events that occur within the book, and they all seem to have their secrets. David is only seen in a few scenes but is kind and adores his sisters, Mr Frederick is somewhat withdrawn and aloof and I found Teddy completely unlikeable, which is why it’s so surprising that Hannah marries him - he’s a sexist pig and concerned only about money and reputation. Hannah is wild and longs for adventure whilst Emmeline seeks the glamorous life. Grace, in retrospect, is half hidden - almost invisible, much as she is bidden to be when she first starts housemaid duties at Riverton. In 1999, it’s much the same: she is just another resident at a care home and her daughter Ruth is distant with her due to the nature of their relationship over the years.

What I loved about the book was the way every scene was exciting, from the moment Grace enters service, the first time she meets the Hartford children, her discovery of her own parentage, when Alfred flirts with her and of course, the lead up to Robbie’s death by the lake. The way Morton writes is exquisite, she captures the Edwardian period perfectly, from costumes to music and entertainment. The descriptions were lush, providing a gloomy yet beautiful scenery for the setting of Riverton Manor, and the characters are well-rounded, bouncing off each other well. Much as I liked Hannah, I would’ve liked more access to Emmeline, whose version of events would’ve been very interesting to read. I enjoyed the moments where older Grace linked the present and past together when Ursula brings her to the film’s set, or Riverton Manor to see what it’s become; to see it after the events that occurred, to watch Grace return to the past with rose-tinted eyes, it offers a supernatural, haunting touch. The way the book shifts between the nineties and the twenties was magical, it was like stepping back in time and shows how much time has passed, how many years have gone by but haven’t erased Grace’s guilt. I liked the bond between the Hartford children, and the hints of romance everywhere, from widowed Mr Frederick, to Grace and Emmeline’s amours. It’s described as a mystery and love story; the mystery is always there yet the theme of love bounces from familial love to romantic love, which asks this question: which is most important between the two? 

If you haven’t read a Kate Morton book, you should. Buy this book, buy any of them (I have three more to read) - it will be a truly magical read. The mystery, the romance, the historical elements are all so crucial and the twists and unexpected turns it takes will leave you wondering why and how it all happened. You’ll never forget it. I still haven’t. 4/5

#the house at riverton #kate morton #books #book review