All of these remain unsent:

March 25th, 1890

Dear Dororthy,

I'm sorry. I miss you terribly.

Melody

March 29th, 1890

Dear Dororthy,

How are you? I hope you're enjoying your final days of school. Soak in every detail, these are the days you'll want to remember.

Have you been preparing for your NEWTs? I can send you some study materisls if you need.

I'm sorry for what my marriage has done to your reputation. Please know —

March 30th, 1890

Dear Dororthy,

How are you? Are you enjoying your last days of school? These next few weeks are going to change everything for you, are you excited?

Reuben and I will be returning to Scotland this upcoming weekend. I was hoping you might spare an afternoon following graduation. We can have tea. I miss your company terribly.

I'm sorry.

Melody

Dorothy Finch an fyi

The following 1 user Likes Melody Crouch's post:1 user Likes Melody Crouch's post
   Acacia Darlington

---

beautiful set by mj

These are among the most recently unsent letters, there have been more previously:

March 2nd, 1890

Dear Mel,
I don't know why I have not heard of you, though I'm sure you wonder why you have not heard from me. I'm scared that father will see these letters and be so angry. I miss you more than you could imagine. Is Mr. Crouch treating you well? Are you two happy? I'm nervous of next season. Mostly if father will let me even have one! I don't blame you Mel. I just wish -

With Love Care,
Miss Dorothy Finch

---

March 9th, 1890

Dear Mel,
I just want to know that you are OK. Please send word soon. I can't stand this silence.

With Love Care,
Miss Dorothy Finch

---

March 14th, 1890

Dear Mel,
My coming out ball approaches with every passing day. Please be there. I don't care what mother and father say. Mother has not talked about having a private coming out ball for once I graduate. I doubt one will occur.

With Love Care,
Miss Dorothy Finch

---

March 17th, 1890

Dear Mel,
Please divorce him. I'm sure society would understand. Perhaps mother and father would even allow you to come back home. I know it's selfish, but I miss you so much.

With Love Care,
Miss Dorothy Finch

---

Sent:

March 31st, 1890

Dear Mel,
Will we ever see each other again? I miss you so much. I know what everyone else thinks, but we are sisters. Who could blame me for wanting to see you again?

With Love Care,
Miss Dorothy Finch

  

---

Magic by MJ

March 25th, 1890

Dear Dororthy,

Of course we'll see one another again! Arranging a visit will prove difficult considering my relationship with Father, but we will figure it out. As you said, we're sisters. We will find a way.

I'm sorry I never reached out to you, it was cowardly of me. You should know Mr. Crouch is a kind husband — far kinder than Mr. St.John-Black would've been. He was horrid, Dorothy. Treated me most unkindly when around others. I'm so grateful to have found a loving husband in Mr..Crouch.

We will be returning from Paris in the next few weeks. Perhaps we can arrange an impromptu meet on a Hogsmeade weekend?

Your Loving Sister, Melody

  

---

beautiful set by mj

April 4th, 1890

Dear Mel,
Oh Mel, it's so good to hear from you. I'm sorry I didn't write sooner as well! Every time I tried, it didn't feel like the words fit.

Father might be trying to arrange a marriage for me. The very thought rattles my nerves. Part of me was looking forward to a season. If for some of the more magical parties, if nothing else.

I would love to meet with you during a Hogsmeade weekend. May 10th is the last one. Oh goodness, I will be graduating soon! Did you hear? One of my fellow seventh year girls became an animagus this year. I wonder how many suitors she'll attract. Though she doesn't seem very enthused about the whole thing.

I'm sorry, I'm rambling. Would you like to meet in Honeyduke's? I want to see if I can get another Merlin card from one of the chocolate frogs. I seem to keep getting them, and it makes me curious if I'll actually get anything else.

With Love Care,
Miss Dorothy Finch

  

---

Magic by MJ

April 10th, 1890

Dear Dororthy,

I understand, it was quite the same for me. Have you any news of Maisie? Has the baby come yet?

Should Father arrange a marriage for you I believe in my heart you should abide by him. This path I'm walking is hazardous and lonely, and all doors which used to be left wide open for me are now firmly closed. Most of my friends pretend not to know me and whisper horrid lies behind my back. The path of obedience is the easier way. Should you choose to disobey Father you should be aware of the consequences.

Your classmate is very lucky. Becoming an animagus is a tremendous feat.

In hindsight, I don't think it's wise for us to meet in public so soon before your debut. I apologize for misleading you, I simply worry only for your future. Perhaps after graduation we may meet again.

Until then.

Your Loving Sister, Melody

  

April 12th, 1890

Dear Mel,
Not yet, but healers have said that the babe could come at any day now. She seems more ill this time around. It makes me wish I could be there for her. Mother writes often regarding that. I think she's trying to keep focus off of what happened.

If he's a nasty man, may I at least sneak away to visit you when I can? Though, perhaps he'd be kind. Perhaps father will take how you felt in consideration for any future matches.

Miss Whitledge is a very determined girl, from what I've heard. I think she secretly lives in the library. Which I don't really judge. Must be better than the cold common room that I've heard the Slytherins must live in.

I understand, but I do miss you very much. Tell Mr. Crouch that I say hello, and he best treat you right. You deserve happiness, Mel. I know others might say otherwise, but don't listen to them.

With Love Care,
Miss Dorothy Finch

  

---

Magic by MJ

April 15th, 1890

Dear Dororthy,

She's still ill? I remember hearing how the first few months had tormented her, I had hoped she would be better by now. Hopefully the babe will come soon and she will have relief. Mother is right to keep the focus off what happened. It's the best path for any sort of reconciliation, though I doubt it will happen before you and Penny are both married off.

My door will always be open to you. Should your husband be of the unfortunate sort we will figure it out. But please, don't fight Father. The harder you fight the further he will dig his heels in. How do you think I got stuck with someone like Mr. St.John-Black?

Reuben sends his regards. We will see one another soon.

Your Loving Sister, Melody

  

---

beautiful set by mj

April 18th, 1890

Dear Mel,
I do hope that mother is simply over exaggerating when she writes. That things aren't that bad. But I have not been able to see for myself.

I won't upset father, I promise. Though you might find yourself with many upset letters from me if I am matched with someone I do not prefer! Fair warning.

I must be honest, I did write to your former fiancé a while back. At the time, I did feel a bit of sympathy for any upset he might have felt. Oh, but the responses he sent! I'm glad he is not your husband. Even with how complicated things turned out, one would think that writing a letter would give one time to think before sending such mean words.

With Love Care,
Miss Dorothy Finch

  

---

Magic by MJ

Unsent:

April 18th, 1890

Dear Dororthy,

What the fuck were you thinking?! Did Father encourage this?! For fuck's sake. Stay away from him!

Sent:

April 19th, 1890

Dear Dororthy,

You wrote to Samuel? And were surprised when he was unkind? Dorothy, do you not realize the grievous harm I caused him and his family? I eloped four days before my wedding to him! His sister is set to debut soon, and his reputation is smeared in scandal. What were you thinking? Did Father encourage this?

You have to be smarter, Dorothy. Navigating Society is much like playing chess — you have to think five moves ahead of everyone else if you want to make it out unscathed. Your own reputation is already damaged by my actions. Do not cause yourself more harm by being a bloody fool. Samuel St.John-Black is not your friend. He cares not for you or our family. We were a business transaction for him and we reneged on our half of the deal.

Perhaps allowing Father to arrange a match for you would be in your best interest.

Your Loving Sister, Melody

  

April 20th, 1890

Dear Mel,
I suppose we can't all be the all knowing Ravenclaws of the family. I felt sorry for him. You had just left him. I wanted to apologize for your behavior.

And to be clear, your former fiancé had said the exact same thing in regards to an arranged marriage for myself. Perhaps you really had been a perfect match. Too bad your all knowing senses couldn't realize that.

With Love Care,
Miss Dorothy Finch

  

---

Magic by MJ

April 21st, 1890

Dear Ms. Finch,

Do as you will. But never apologize on my behalf to that man again.

Good luck with your Season, you're going to need it if you have this little common sense.

Sincerely, Mrs. Melody Crouch

  

---

beautiful set by mj