Alice,

Ohhh what is a Halloween without at least one incident caused by Peeves? This year I think he decided to go all out and somehow managed to vanish one of the staircases up from the dorms to the great hall. Neither we nor the Slytherins could get to breakfast - or practice - until one of the professors was summoned to... find it? Unvanish it? I'm not sure but it was a mess. Everyone was hungry and you could just hear Peeves laughing down the hallway. I just wanted food. I wonder where he'd put the staircase?

Ohhh that bread is so good! I can ask the house elves for the recipe if you would like me to. I wouldn't be surprised if they were flattered you miss it and be happy to share.

Yeah, they can be a little bit temperamental at first, but I'm sure the professor or the school would never allow the class to use a truly dangerous animal. The pair are really quite sweet once you get to know them. A few extra treats never hurt year but tell me one living animal - humans included - that treats wouldn't work. Mmmmm I miss Honeydukes. It has only been two months now but I like her well enough. It was kind f really nice to have a woman professor for that class so you don't have to deal with the whole 'women are too dainty and weak to handle animals' mentality. And while I do miss some of the old professors - not just this one - it has been interesting over the years to see all the different perspectives. Especially if something gets brought up again.

I get that... the not wanting to be too familiar. It is so odd seeing the inside of our clients' homes. Sometimes it feels invasive though I'm not sure if it is better or worse if I know someone in the family. But this seems different. I don't think you are prying. I just think you are concerned and want to make sure your patient is okay. But maybe I'm being silly.

Oh, that could work! I would love to show you around. But really, no demiguises? They are so weird they are cute! They make me think of mop heads with big eyes. But what was your dream? If you don't mind me asking. But let me know when we get closer to December. I think it might be easier for me to account for your shifts than the other way around.

I think the stars at your farm would be beautiful.

Ohhh that is an idea. You could cater to short-term leases who are only around for part of the year - like if someone is visiting for work or to see family but can't stay with them. Plus then you'd have extra income on top of work - money you could put towards that school or something. For myself, I'm still not sure. It is such a new idea. Unless momma knew them, I'm not sure she'd let me move out right away. Daffy is 22 after all. She's been out of school for four almost five years. She did graduate after our first year. But maybe if I saved up enough from work and went in with a group of girls I knew I might. I think it could be fun. Like it could make up for all the nights I missed when you guys all lived together in the Gryffindor dorms and I couldn't join. I'd miss my sisters though - even if some of them I've barely ever lived with truthfully.

I think my opinions of marriage are something I've thought about even less. It seems so far away still, though I guess it really isn't. I turn 17 next week I mean. I'll be an adult - at least legally. I could've already been married truthfully. But here in the castle, that all seems so far away. But beyond that - if I have to wait, so do you, Miss Dawson, because I certainly detect something you aren't telling me.

I don't want it to, Alice. I know that sounds childish of me but I really don't. I miss those early years when everyone got along despite their differences. When things like money or futures were shoved aside for the now and there and you could be friends with anyone you wanted. I hate it, Alice, I really do. I hate it that we all have to grow up and things like that matter more than the bonds we shared and the memories we made. Maybe I was naive but I really thought that would be enough to hold us together. That we'd be eighty-five and all sitting around still laughing and talking like we used to. I hate that the world makes us care about those kinds of things. Or that people don't have enough empathy to relate to those who do not live the same life they do. It is all so stupid. You are all my friends - all precious - and I don't want to lose that. Maybe I'm foolish or silly or immature but I don't.

I'm okay. I'm just busy. Classes are in full swing and I'm busy with quidditch now too and the gardening club. I've no clue how some people add being prefects to all of that. Sometimes I feel as if I barely get any sleep at all. I had to drop my art elective. It was just to much for me to keep up with. But I think I'm doing okay in my classes. It is nice to no longer sit through the ones you don't really care about anymore. With what I've everything is far more hands-on. No more droning lectures that last the whole period.

You'll have to come over sometime before or after your shifts and we can just spend time in the greenhouses as well. I'll kick out my sisters and you can tell me all about everything outside the castle.
your friend,
Calla