Though it has been some years since this writer provided an insightful gossip column, dressed in a stunning red dress and a custom designed robe, Saffron Macauley – of the Anti-Cheating Quill Macauleys – cut a fine figure entering Hogsmeade Wednesday afternoon.
The Crimson Fang has been a long standing staple of many underground visitor to Hogsmeade however the new appointment of bar manager, Charlotte Merle, sees The Crimson Fang rise again. Madame Crimson herself has always remained an elusive figure within Hogsmeade leading some to whisper that is why The Crimson Fang had started to see an early demise. Fear not though, however, as Charlotte Merle plans to drag The Crimson Fang from the gutter and back to prime evening entertainment where it once stood.
Charlie, as she prefers to be called, had just finished her set upon this writer’s arrival. Surrounded by feathers, glitter, and plenty of adoring customers, she took me to a small table to begin our long awaited interview. From a side act with Le Cirque de Sorcières, Charlotte Merle has come a long way. Though she finds the sudden change surreal she appears to be settling well;
“I’ve been used to performing; having the directions given to me and all that but being in charge now… well it’s intense. Everydays a bit different, but it’s been brilliant fun to learn the ropes!”
To most, however, Charlotte Merle was seen as an exceptionally talented Quidditch player – some say one of the best Gryffindor has seen in decades – bringing Gryffindor the cup in her final year and doing so entirely undefeated. I asked her if she ever had plans to go into Quidditch instead which she assured me could easily work well with her current career path.
“I haven’t ruled it out! I love Quidditch but my first love has always been singing, and dancing (so first two loves I guess!) Really the dream would be singing the national anthem at the World Cup, then hopping on my own broom and smashing a bludger into the other team’s head but suppose I’ve got to start small for now”
Moving back to the topic at hand, Charlie has great things planned for The Crimson Fang with themed nights and special events being her ‘go to.’
“I want this to be where people are dying to get in…like we’ll need to get a bigger trap door!” she told me. “The Three Broomsticks and the Leaky Cauldron you go for a drink and some food with the family…I want this to be where you come to be entertained…”
Rumours have swirled around Miss Merle and Hogwarts, with some whispers coming to this writer’s ears that Headmistress Aoife O’Keeffe plans to ask Charlie to attend Hogwarts to act as entertainment for this year’s Winter Ball. Though Charlie would not confirm or deny such rumours, here’s hoping for the enjoyment of Hogwarts students that it is true!
Though Charlie assures me she has no aim to employ the famous Va-Va-Veela Sisters as her backup dancers any time soon she thankfully doesn’t rule the idea out entirely! Definitely a sure-fire way to get more visiting the infamous speakeasy which this reporter will definitely be doing on her next day off.
- Saffron Foxclaw