The chief difference between a Wizarding estate and a Muggle one is that one can never see a Wizarding estate’s house; instead of being positioned atop a hill barren of anything but lawn and manicured garden, a Wizard’s Manor is instead placed in the centre of a natural or magic-made cirque (called corries in Scotland and cwm in Wales), ideally positioned over an underground source of water, surrounded by a Grove that is usually centuries old. In this sense, as Muggles eroded the natural landscape of Europe, the grand estates of Pureblooded families became the only surviving examples of the original biome. But that is not the topic of this paper.
The Wood that surrounds a magical great house is carefully tended, and often contains at least one of each of the trees of great import in pre-conquest Britain: oak, ash, elder, yew, apple, hazel, and alder—but, often there are many more than one of these. Groves of clonal quaking aspen, evergreens, and fruit and nut trees are also common. It is rare to encounter a tree not native to the area in which it was planted. These woods are not merely decorative, but serve as a defence, source of food, and temple. With only a few notable exceptions, Pureblooded families of Britain still maintain traditional pre-Christian practises of worship, including the honouring of the Gods of the Grove. Even those who worship other gods maintain their wood and pay respect to these localised gods, which the Muggles now call Fae.
Magical households did not do away with servants at the turn of the 20th century, as Muggles did; the serving class is still alive and well, something which increasingly discomforts Muggles that find out about it. They would be far more discomfited at the presence of the other part of a wizarding household, one far younger than servants; in fact, a part of the household that did not come into being until brothels were made functionally illegal in Muggle Britain in 1751.
There has always been a strong connection between sexuality and magic, and for hundreds of years, British magical society evolved to make use of sex work as an easy way to attend one's sexual needs, should one’s tastes run differently to one’s spouse, or if one was simply not well-suited to finding a partner socially. Brothels were one of the traditional liminal spaces, where the Statute of Secrecy was thin. When Muggle society stopped tolerating sex work, the world they knew nothing about was thrown off a precipice. The Diet of Man happened in the winter of 1752, and the details of what happened are still largely unknown, except among Pureblooded families. What little is known is that a solution was found, and resentment and hatred of Muggles rose sharply after a period of growing peace.
The secret of the Diet of Man is that the threat of open warfare with Muggles was avoided by allowing the taking of slaves for sexual purposes under specific practises and procedures. Individual viking raids are still used to acquire new slaves, and targets are chosen with caution, avoiding not only magical and Muggle authority, but also specifically targeting what most Pureblooded families see as The Enemy: Christians. The Wizarding understanding of who Christians are is somewhat ethnic (they still largely believe only white-skinned people are Christian), and coloured by distaste for doing anything that Muggles have also done. To this end, people of colour are markedly avoided in these raids. Many Pureblooded families call those that do these raids The Wild Hunt. Notably, the development of the Imperius Curse in 1867 led to some staggering changes that were not predicted by the otherwise strict outlines negotiated in the Diet of Man.
The serving class is comprised mostly of families that arose from abandoned muggle children, which muggles referred to as ‘changelings’ and blamed on the Fae, leaving them to die of exposure in many historically sacred sites to wixenkind. Thus, when the children were found, wixen would take them in as foundlings and give them to the household staff, raising them Downstairs. Even after muggles stopped doing such directly cruel things to unwanted children, many Pureblooded families still take interest in muggle institutions, and recruit servants from the muggle population of unhoused or orphaned muggles that are abandoned by their own people.
It’s quite common and traditional for wizarding houses to have a vampire in the rôle of butler. Vampires are considered ideal due to their immortality and attention to detail, as well as their skill in managing underlings.
Service is about the best position a squib could ask for; most of the magic used in service is not wandwork—many servants barely ever use their wands. Magic for household work is largely contained in potions and devices. Many household and domestic tasks are still done by hand, such as sewing, or are only partially automated, such as weaving with enchanted shuttles, or using washtubs with self-agitating functions.
A position that arose from grooms of the chamber, valets and lady’s maids, and still occupies a similar rank in the household, the keeper is responsible for keeping the slaves of the household, seeing to their welfare, and knowing exactly what the slaves need in terms of training style, discipline, and is also responsible for the maintenance of any equipment used on the slaves, as well as making sure ongoing modifications to slaves are consistently applied, such as cleaning piercings, grooming and bathing, administering potions, changing out weights or plugs, and monitoring chastity devices. They report to the master, usually daily, on the state of slaves, and good ones anticipate which slaves the master will want at what time and in what location. Some households have a separate slave-keeper for the Master and Mistress, depending on how divergent their tastes are. Answers directly to the Master and Mistress, just as valets and lady’s maids do.
As is tradition, Mr Vauquelin is a vampire, and has been employed by the Malfoy family since 1396, when the position was called Steward. Observant and, like the Malfoys, very calm. He’s well-liked by the rest of the staff.
Wand: Silver Lime & Acromantula Gossamer
Though he trained in Paris, Sauveterre is from the Gers region, and speaks Occitan in addition to Parisian French. Refers to Cookie as his sous chef, which pleases her very much.
Wand: Apple & Veelahair
A fat, merry soul, Cookie is native to Wiltshire and has a West Country accent, as many of the staff do. Like most of the kitchen staff, however, she can at the very least understand Occitan. Cookie can also speak a few sentences, being a woman who understands it as the French equivalent of the West Country dialect, and quite liking that Sauveterre, despite being French, is from the same region she is. She is unmarried but has three children.
Wand: Pear & Unicorn
A boy of nineteen, Mel is passionate about his job, which is a departure from the usual attitude, and thus has not ascended the ranks, despite being tall enough and handsome enough to be a footman. But he loves washing dishes and is protective of his position, not wanting to have any other. He has his own personal set of dishes, which he spent his wages on; they are quite fine china, and everyone knows not to touch them or use them for else, as Mel won’t eat off of any others, particular about shapes and textures as he is. Clashes with authority and does best left alone. Vauquelin is disappointed he has no ambition, as if he did he’d easily be able to rise to the position of butler someday—or so Vauquelin thinks.
Wand: Hornbeam & Unicorn
Mother of Basil and Avis, sister to Kit. At 56, Queenie is only a little younger than Cookie, and in practise is respected as much as her in the kitchen, particularly when it comes to her speciality, which is sweets. Not even Chef can do what The Queen can do with sugar and chocolate.
Wand: Pine & Dragon
Swift is Honeywood’s twin brother, though neither of them speak much on it, and do not look anything alike, with Brice taking after their mother, and Swift taking after their father. Swift is an accomplished saucier, and enjoys that Chef constantly calls him this when referring to him. Is good with fire magic, a boon in the kitchens.
Wand: Red Oak & Unicorn
A dreamy sixteen-year-old, Rowena is gifted with decorating, and is the decorator of any cakes, cookies, or other small delights. She dreams of being a slave to the Malfoys, being filled and tormented, but tells no one, not even writing it in a diary. Hangs on every word about the slaves, but never dares to sneak off to watch them. A little nervous, very shy. Well-liked. Her wand belies her hidden depth.
Wand: Vine & Phoenix
A fourteen-year-old whiz when it comes to knifework, Alfie is Chef’s little darling. Very excited about everything. Likes to sing. His wand is a bit unusual in the wood, but matches his sunshiney nature.
Wand: Orange & Unicorn
The acknowledged but unofficial ‘chief’ of the Footmen, Grover is also the tallest, at 6’8”, and the only red-haired one, with his strawberry-blond hair always pulled back in a neat servants’ braid. Spends his free time playing the piano and fucking Honeywood stupid. Is the one that goes shopping with Lucius.
Wand: Spruce & Dragonheart
A fairly new addition to the Malfoy staff, Lokisson’s mother was found dead, curled around her infant child, in a snowdrift, on the north shores of the MacNairs’ Nairnshire estate, having apparently gotten to Scotland on a very small boat. It is unknown for what reason. He was named Lokisson by the MacNairs, who have Norse-Scotch heritage. He’s quiet and doesn’t like the cold, or water. Very tall at 6’6” and very blond.
Wand: Spruce & Phoenix
Shaw is the same height as Lokisson, at 6’6”, with black hair and keen hazel eyes. He and Lokisson are Narcissa’s favourite to take shopping. First to volunteer to help when he sees someone in difficulty, silently or otherwise. In love with Lokisson, but hasn’t said anything yet.
Wand: Alder & Unicorn
Hale is 6’4” and has brown hair and green eyes. A bit mischievous, and quick to a joke when things are hard. Draco is fond of him for this habit.
Wand: Dogwood & Dragon
Perry is also 6’4”, with brown hair and grey eyes. He and Gaz are often bookends.
Wand: Elm & Unicorn
Dudeman is 12, and loves poetry. Already quite tall and growing fast. Slytherin.
Wand: Oak & Unicorn
10. Hopes to be a footman like his big brother someday. Likes very much to be a messenger, as it means he gets to pretend he is a pony and trot around. He does not tell anyone this, because he is ‘too old’ for pretend.
Wand: None yet.
A very serious 13-year-old, Avis, like Mel Cook, is protective of his position, and doesn’t want another. Is very passionate about the care and keeping of shoes.
Wand: Hornbeam & Unicorn
A pudgy man with a mouth shaped to easily smile, Evers enjoys his job a great deal, and got the position of Slave-Master when his father and mother retired from being the previous Slave-Masters to Lucius’ parents.
Wand: Silver Lime & Veela
A good teacher, Honeywood trained as a tailor before realising he was better at serving one gentleman, not a list of gentlemen. He loves Lucius in a professional capacity, but wants nothing to do with his employer’s sex life, though it doesn’t disgust or frighten him. Has an unrequited pash on Angharad Schade and an ongoing Arrangement with Grover. Hennas his dark hair and has dark eyes. Fond of colouring his nails, a luxury Lucius allows with enthusiasm. Loves doing costumes and masquerades.
Wand: Cypress & Phoenix
A French squib Draco met on holiday in Grasse, Follet was the son of perfumers with a passion for fashion, not scent. As Draco is as much of a dandy as his father, he offered Follet the position once he grew old enough to employ a valet. While Draco was in school, Follet spent the schoolyear shadowing Honeywood to learn the trade.
Wand: None.
A silver-haired woman sharp as a knife. A good protector of the maids. Has an almost supernatural sense of when someone is going to wake up. A bit motherhenning of the Malfoys, though as she is the Housekeeper it isn’t something they witness. The rest of the staff knows she fusses over them though. Crochets, lives in a cottage on the grounds with her ‘husband’ and a three-legged, havier roe deer named Lucky.
Wand: Cedar & Dragon
A very important position in a Wizarding household, as she is responsible for growing, picking, preparing and preserving potion ingredients. Bug was hand-picked by Snape, who was her teacher. She is not talented with making potions per se, but she is very skilled with ingredients, which is something many potions masters aren’t. Bug is Shaw’s little sister. She is quite tall for a girl, and very strong, as she has to go out into the wood with her machete often to retrieve ingredients, which are often up in trees or other inaccessible places, so she has grown strong from years of work. She often wears pants, and keeps her hair short after an incident where her hair got caught in thorns while she was fleeing a boar, and she nearly got gored. Has been adopted by the Groundskeeper and outdoor staff.
Wand: Elder and Phoenix
Senior Housemaid. 48. Jan and Dudeman’s mother. Very proud of them both. Convinced Dudeman will become a footman just like his brother. Followed around by a grey tabby cat everyone calls Missy.
Wand: Pear & Unicorn
A 15-year-old perfectionist that is nonetheless quick to smile, Amber takes the most pride in cleaning windows, particularly the stained glass. Feels a little pressured by people who hear about her wand and say they expect Great Things of her. She does like to invent spells and use extant ones creatively—to clean things better. Loves Coral Hale and wants to marry her, but feels she has to “do better, first.” is unsure what she even means by this, but feels inadequate. Slytherin.
Wand: Pine & Phoenix
15. Pearl and Coral are mirror-twins. Pearl is the better with Charms, which is why she is among the housemaids, and particularly tasked with cleaning the very delicate, decorative and magical items. They have identical wands in all but the core. Slytherin.
Wand: Laurel & Unicorn
Amber’s 9-year-old sister, Millie is cheerful and always singing to herself, which is, strictly speaking, inappropraite to do on the job; but the Malfoys don’t mind, as Millie has a pretty voice, and have provided Grover with music appropriate to Millie’s range, so that she can learn more songs to sing. There is talk of training her for opera, especially considering her wand.
Wand: Ebony & Phoenix
The housekeeper’s 14-year-old son, Amicus has a head for interior design, and a talent for repairing furniture, and constantly forgets where he left his wand—but he never forgets his sketchbook. Is doing really badly in school and hates being there, “because I can’t work with my hands unless I’m cooking potions or cutting up plants.” Is thinking mutinously of just dropping out. Ravenclaw.
Wand: Mahogany & Dragon
Senior Laundrymaid, Quartz is Amber’s elder sister. Leads the work-songs and has a strong voice and memory. Quick to smile and tease. Damn good at her job and at teaching new maids.
Wand: Oak & Dragon
One of Caractacus’ two niphlings, Aisling is 16 and loves most to re-dye things. Slytherin. Excellent at potions.
Wand: Elm & Unicorn
15. Coral and Pearl are mirror-twins, which is auspicious. Coral is better at potions, which is why she was put in the Laundry. She makes the best soaps and blueing. Is in Slughorn’s sights. Their wands are identical in all but core. Slytherin.
Wand: Laurel & Dragon
A brawny, strapping lad of 24 years and 6 and a half feet, with a missing eye from a duel in his youth disqualifying him from being a footman (‘not that I mind, being a footman is very dull!’). Can do the laundry, but largely happy to just carry things, move heavy loads, and generally be used for his strength by the other maids. Adores the various eyepatches the maids make him from scraps, and happily wears them all the time.
Wand: Fir & Dragon
The distant cousin of the housekeeper, Narcissa paid for her education while they were still at school, making sure her ladysmaid was in clothes befitting her station as the highest of maids. She has been Narcissa’s companion since school days, and enjoys serving Narcissa. They have a very close relationship, though Narcissa’s sexual tastes mean it will never be a sexual one, and Angharad’s station means it will never be an openly romantic one. She is content with that, however, as Narcissa reciprocates with praise and gifts, and respect for her feelings, returning them but maintaining the distance their classes demand of them.
Wand: Elm & Unicorn
The Groundskeeper keeps her grey hair short, like many of the outdoor staff, to keep it from tangling in branches and brambles. Mrs Schade’s “husband”, and often referred to as ‘he’, she is a burly woman from Yorkshire, quick to laugh and quicker to help. Missing a few bits of finger here and there. Always has an axe on her belt and her trusty walking-stick in hand, unless she’s doing a specific task. Very attentive to all the hedges, which are centuries old and surround the Grove, as well as the Pasture. Likes to watch the cows but rarely has time. Recognisable from a distance by her big panama hat.
Wand: Sloe & Unicorn
The father of the Shaw family, Marc is a grizzled bear of a man, with a gentle growl of a voice and gentle hands, whether they’re healing or killing. As wixen don't have a tradition of hunting, his job is more akin to that of a ranger or wild animal vetrinarian. He and his husband live in a house deep in the Grove, which is surrounded by a garden of shaped and woven trees, his husband’s passion-project. The set of furniture in the garden is made of shaped trees, and has pride of place. Marc has a tame raven, Hermione, that he raised from chick, that follows him in his work, and has learnt to copy his husky laugh.
Wand: Alder & Dragon
Golden-haired and tall, Archie was once a footman in his youth, but quickly discovered his love of and talent for Herbology, particularly caring for trees. He keeps the trees of the Grove healthy and thriving, and is joined in his work by a two-legged fox named Prancer.
Wand: Oak & Dragon
In charge of not only the wellspring that supplies the manor’s water, but also the various brooks and streams all over the grounds, as well as the plumbing. Like most with this position, Hale is best at water magic, and his unusual and custom-made mangrove wand attests to this. He had a Hazel wand in the past, but it always fought him, despite Hazel’s profound affinity for water magic. The Malfoys supplied him with a wand made of wood even more suited to water magic, though Ollivander does not work with Mangrove, and the wand-wood, and core, had to be specially retreived from the Caribbean.
Wand: Mangrove & Meralicorn
Friendly and Deaf, Kit uses WSL and is very sensitive to infrasound, which means the Manor and grounds are very quiet. Does speak, mostly in vocables. Hums and noises to self, enjoys the vibrations.
Wand: Mahogany & Phoenix
Responsible for the bulk of the workaday care for Narcissa’s cows—feeding, bathing, monitoring their health, making sure the pasture is clean, seeing to the security of the hedgewalls, everything but the conditioning and milking. Aubrey is sadistic enough to enjoy watching the Mistress break new calves, drain their identities and put them through distress; but she would never think to harm or torment the calves herself. Yew wand, which is markedly unusual for a servant. She is Caractacus’ oldest neice, at 27, and learned from shadowing him.
Wand: Yew & Phoenix