Alice,

Ohh Alice, you worry to much. Bridget is only 14, let her be a child still. You know well enough the batch of us will keep an eye on them all just as I said in my last letter. We'd never let anything happen to them. At least you know that means they've settled in well if they find themselves to busy to write.

I'm kinda glad you can't see my face right now. Somehow you manage to make me sheepish with your lectures even if they are over letter. See, ir is like nothing has changed.  I'm not sure they would've grown much more. To me it seemee like the flight was of one species and most were already adults. Some form of miniature dragon. Though I will admit they were just as aggressive as I've heard some off the larger species to be.

For the most part the castle was kept clear unless someone opened a window but they had to cancel herbology and astronomy. (Oh am I overjoyed to be rid of sleepless nights memorizing star chats.) They postponed tryouts and practices as well. And just as much as dragons were were overwhelmed by ministry officals trying to rid of them. I even saw some of the people I worked with over the summer at the zoo! They stopped to say hello. I wonder if they got to keep any four the zoo that I might get to work with then if they allow me to return? I'd be fascinated to see if they do get any larger.

Honestly when it come to Daffy... I don't know. I've always thought we were quite close but she really kept these whole thing under wraps. She didn't really tell me anything other than she had a project if you want the truth.  I'm not sure if she told momma and pappa more than I. I'm kind of glad to return to the castle as it felt really odd at home without her. But really! Don't misunderstand. I am really happy for her that it is going well for her. I guess I just don't know how to feel about the whole thing so I'm choosing not to think about it.

Maybe I'm childish but I really can't imagine moving out of home. Sometimes it feels like I'll be there forever especially when I've never really seemed to have much interest in boys or marriage. And I'm not sure if I could do what Daffy did. I mean, maybe if I lived with a handful of friends? I guess momma and pappa won't want me around forever. With being in sixth year this year and you leaving it's sort of been weighing on me. The real world is suddenly coming up real fast and I'm not sure I'm ready to be an adult yet even if you don't really get a choice.

School is... something. I may have less classes but that doesn't mean I have less on my hands. The professors have increased the difficulty and workload by five fold. And I've never realized how much work there is behind being captain. Hopefully competing against Cam this year doesn't cause any issues.

Don't worry about it, Alice! I'm sure you'll work your way up. You are the new girl. They always make the newbie do the dredge work. It was that way at the zoo. So much cleaning. But are you learning? How do you like interacting with the patients. I don't know how you don't get overly invested in every case. What's the most interesting stories you've heard so far? If you can pick,  that is!

But if you find you aren't as excited about it, I've heard of a place where they let you do your NEWTs outside of school. You can always save up to do if you want.  Besides what can be better learning than hands on. Really I think you'll be learning far more than us.
your friend,
Calla