It's the not-too-distant future.
A newly elected governor has turned the populace, leading them to fear magic. The people live in fear, always on their toes and watching for witches that might be hiding among them. New laws forbid witches from using magic.
Soon enough, witch hunts have started and spies, state police, and angry magic-haters have been tracking down and arresting those who practice the craft.

 

The Halliwell sisters have hidden their book of shadows at Prue's office in a safe and packed all of their potions and scrying cristals in boxes. They use their attic only to store unused furniture. The "M" word is seldom spoken inside the manor. The Charmed Ones have given up their fight against evil temporarily. Evil beings have been made to hide their magic from the public as well, so there are fewer threats than there used to be. Only such a threat would be enough of a reason for the sisters to use magic again, but they have not run across an evil being or an innocent in danger in a long time and have not yet faced the choice of whether or not to reveal themselves as witches.

Prue is at the height of success with her auction company. She gets paid to boss her employees around, but she also cares about her company and the work they do and doesn't have time for much else. Her telekinetic powers have advanced to amazing proportions.

Piper spends most of her time worrying about her daughter, Melinda, who's father is Leo. Piper and Leo have been split up for awhile. She has enough magic to 'freeze' as many people as she can see, but she hates to use her power at all for fear of being caught with it.

Phoebe does her best to stay out of trouble and to keep the biggest secret of her life. She still gets her premonitions but she has also recently acquired a new, deadly power.