March 29th
Miss Scrimgeour,
I've remembered your name! I really had no chance of forgetting it, as no fewer than three people have mentioned it to me in the past few days, usually followed by some sort of question about whether I've any imminent plans to carry you off into the sunset.

I don't, you'll be relieved to know. You're quite fun and all but I'm not much of the carrying into the sunset type. Hopefully I didn't manage to mislead you to such a terrible degree that you were expecting anything like that.

If you've gotten into any troubles with your family or anything over the rumor I'd be willing to vouch that our conversation was all quite above board and that we've no plans of eloping. Unless you think that would make it worse, in which case I won't do a thing except offer my apologies.

The offer to buy you a drink in the future sometime stands, if you think the town gossips could bear it.
Reuben Crouch

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Parchment probably looks like it's been origami'd multiple times because #stress

02 April, 1888

— Mr. Crouch —
Unfortunately your name's not be forgetting for a while, as the whispers have caused me a fair bit of paranoia. Luckily whispers can only do so much harm at this point; Witch Weekly's has spent the last year slandering me on various occasions, and there are lots of stupid people who believe it without question.

From what you told me, I got the sense that you had no intention to marry anytime soon, and I assure you I have no intention to cling to you if that's what your concerns are.

I've already had a field day arguing with my family over the matter, and I have no desire to send the man in question to talk to them. They're already insufferable enough as it is.

To answer your question? Yes, I'd love a drink sometime. Preferably not in the middle of a crowded pub or crowded anywhere, though.

—Miss Scrimgeour —

  

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— MJ is MAGICAL —

April 4th
Miss Scrimgeour,
You're really being quite unfair to crowded pubs; they're lovely places to spend time except that they tend to be full of witches and wizards who recognize you. I quite enjoy drinking in foreign pubs, though, which tend not to have that problem, and when impromptu trips abroad are not within easy reach (as, alas, is currently the case, unless you've a few hidden portkeys up your sleeve), Muggle pubs are almost just as good. I know a place or three that are close enough to the nearest public floo to be convenient, but more than far enough away not to be suspicious, if you're inclined. Can you apparate?
Reuben Crouch

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MJ made this <3

06 April, 1888

— Mr. Crouch —
Muggle pubs seem like the best alternative; I'm fairly sure that my father would know someway, somehow that I've run off to Spain or something. Even Ireland would be pushing it (I've never actually been there, so).

And of course I can apparate — can't you? I can't imagine taking the floo or portkeys everywhere. I thought it was a staple of magical society that you just poof in and out of existence at will. Anyways, if you give me a time and place I'll see if my boss will let me tweak with my schedule.

—Miss Scrimgeour —

  

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— MJ is MAGICAL —

April 8th
Miss Scrimgeour,
Obviously I can apparate; I was just asking to be polite. The last time I was hanging around with a lady who tried to apparate she lost a finger, and I had to play knight in shining armor and go off on a quest to find said finger, and while it does make for a good story something like that would put a severe damper on what might otherwise be a fun night in a pub. That, and I hate having to side-along anyone.

The place: The Boar's Head Inn, Greyabbey, Ireland (it really had to be Ireland, if you've never gone; I am appalled to find a proper young lady so poorly traveled as to have never been to Ireland before). As for the time, I can be available any evening next week, if you let me know when you are free — best not to mangle your work schedule if the goal is to avoid giving people something to talk about.
Reuben Crouch

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MJ made this <3

09 April, 1888

— Mr. Crouch —
Your life sounds far more exciting and dramatic than my own, which is something I never thought I'd say to anyone.

Leaving the country (technically) should be the moment I reconsider my accepting your offer, but I must admit I've always wanted to go to Ireland. I've always believed they refused to take me anywhere for fear of having me run off while their backs are turned. It's hard to run off if you have no where to go, right?

Anyways, I can be there on the 13th of April at 7 o'clock in the afternoon if you have no objections. I'm curious to see if Irish pubs are as wild as the Celtic Fair suggested they were.

—Miss Scrimgeour —

  

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— MJ is MAGICAL —

April 10th
Miss Scrimgeour,
It's a date, then. Hopefully the Irish pub doesn't disappoint you — though I think I can find a way to keep you entertained, should you at any point be in danger of becoming bored with the experience.
Ben Crouch

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MJ made this <3

April 16th,
Hey, Rebel.

So we can keep our stories straight.
Ben Crouch

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[included: a copy of this letter and Ben's response to it]

The following 1 user Likes Reuben Crouch's post:1 user Likes Reuben Crouch's post
   Bella Scrimgeour

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MJ made this <3

18 April, 1888

— Mr. Crouch —
I have no idea where my father would get such suspicions from. My Aunt Laverna (my current guardian) treated me no differently than usual the next morning. Perhaps he's bluffing with the hopes of an admission of guilt.

Don't you dare speak of Ireland to anyone in the meantime.

— Miss S. —

  

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— MJ is MAGICAL —

April 19th,
Miss Scrimgeour,
Don't worry. I'm not the sort to kiss and tell.
R. Crouch
PS: Back to last names? Cold.

(I'm kidding. I get it.)

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MJ made this <3

19 April, 1888

— Mr. Crouch —
If you had any fear that my father would seek you out, I can now assure you that it is me he plans to visit. I must confess his intentions to do so have me afraid; our relationship has never been near amicable. I cannot even muster the courage to speak your name to my friends regarding last month's rumors out of fear he'll catch whiff of something.

— Bella —P.S. My name will have to suffice for now.☺

  

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— MJ is MAGICAL —

April 20th,
Miss Scrimgeour,
I know a handful of quick and relatively painless ways to leave the country on short notice. I think most of them are legal.

In all seriousness, though: I know what it's like to have less-than-ideal relationships with your family, but at the end of the day, he's still your father. He won't do anything unreasonable. Probably best to keep Ireland on the down-low until after he's come and gone, though — people do tend to talk, even friends, and you don't want him to hear half the truth from someone else.
R. Crouch

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MJ made this <3

Writing is scribbled in a panic

22 April, 1888

— Mr. Crouch —
My relationship with my natal family has never featured any semblance of familial loyalty. It would be difficult for you to understand; I imagine you've known your family your entire life. It would by no means be unreasonable to believe he would do something unreasonable.

And would you honestly think me daft enough to verbalize our escapade to my friends?

I will contact you after April 25th. If you don't hear from me (or worse, if news break that I've met some "tragic fate" by accident), you'll know what happened.

— Bella —

  

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— MJ is MAGICAL —

April 26th,
Little Rebel,
I thought you were just being melodramatic with your last letter but if that's the case you seem pretty dedicated to the charade. Everything okay?
Ben Crouch

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MJ made this <3

— the following are unsent —

27 April, 1888

— Ben —
I wish it was all just a charade.

— Bella —

27 April, 1888

— Ben —
 They've put me on notice at work because of my absence, and I'm not sure how to handle that situation.

— Bella —

29 April, 1888

— Ben —
At this point I'm fairly sure I'll never send you this letter, but I'm sitting at the MacFusty home in the Hebrides recovering.

I'm sure you wouldn't find me very pretty at the moment; Tilda's been trying to heal some of my wounds, but some of them seem like permanent scars. Do you know how many curses can leave permanent scars? I'm not even sure, and I'm too afraid to ask.

I don't see any point of returning to the public eye anytime soon. I received a letter notifying me that my employment at St. Mungo's had been terminated due to my absence. What am I supposed to do now?

— Bella —

  

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— MJ is MAGICAL —

01 May, 1888

— Ben —
You're the only one with a lead regarding my fate. Do with that as you wish.

— Little Rebel —

  

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— MJ is MAGICAL —