A/N: This chapter is a just for fun filler. I've decided to cut Bethany some slack and let her try and collect some of her strength back. Friends can always do that for you. Well, I hope you enjoy this little bit of fluff. Thanks for reading and please let me know what you think. :::Jo:::

Chapter 7: Strength in Words

Thursday October 21, 1976

Today I received an owl from my best friend. I mentioned earlier that my friends all graduated last summer, well she was one of them who left me here to fend for myself at Hogwarts. She was a Hufflepuff…I miss her. I have spent little time, aside from classes, outside of the girls' dorm. I just haven't had it in me to deal with all those people who are still talking about Saturday…and Remus, that little show with him…I've been trying to avoid that too. Well, here's the letter, I'm going to fuse it in here. She's always given me that strength I needed just at the right time, not to mention some really fantastic news.

Hey B!

Top of the morning to you! I got your owl just today, I thought you'd never write me back. I miss you like crazy. It's really strange being back in Ireland to stay. My mum was happy to have me back home though. I heard about what happened last weekend with Crouch. And I was sorry to hear it. They are all uptight at the ministry lately, I heard from Frank…he's working there now, with dad. He got accepted into the AurorSchool. I miss him too. To be fair, I miss all of Hogwarts…everything about it. Anyway, I know you're parents ran off…mum says your staying with us over Christmas Holiday. You know my family loves you, and they hate to see you go though anything less than perfect. Mum was really mad, she wrote an angry letter to Crouch…but it probably never saw his desk, you know how that bureaucracy goes.

So, Lily Evans and James Potter are dating huh? That's strange because last time I checked she couldn't stand him. She thought he was a haughty Quidditch dick, her words exactly. I guess everyone falls for the athlete after awhile, including myself; remember Frank was the Gryffindor Keeper for those last three years. He said James isn't that bad, and he was glad to hear Lily gave him a shot. Now if someone can just tame that irresistible Sirius Black. I must admit Gryffindor has the most beautiful men anywhere, but to be fair Slytherin's got some handsome guys too – you and Lily are lucky. As for me, I was stuck with some not so gorgeous men…but nice ones. Ravenclaws weren't so bad either, if I remember correctly.

Remus Lupin huh? I'm not surprised, well I must admit, I am a little. He's a beautiful piece of man meat. He's a pureblood right? I think he is. Either way, it doesn't matter now since you won't have to get Mom and Dad Spence's approval of anyone. That's nice. I know you're wondering why I'm surprised, well it's because he's a Gryffindor. I never really thought you'd go for a Gryffindor, not because they are a bad choice but I thought if not a Slytherin a Ravenclaw…he had to be someone who would have good sense. Bethany if you looked around the school you really could capture anyone's heart you want to…I know you're rolling your eyes right now, but it's true. Frank even says so, they all notice you…you just don't notice them noticing you. Anyhow, I'm a little not surprised because he is the scholarly type…if you were going to pick any Gryffindor it would have been him. Not a bad choice though, however you might want to consider that Sirius – he's luscious too.

Okay, I can't stand it any longer! He asked me!!! Bethany he asked me!!! He asked me to marry him! Frank! And I said yes. I wanted to wait until Christmas so I could tell you in person, but I couldn't wait…I had to tell you. I hope you are as excited for me as I am…I know you are. I can't wait to see you at Christmas. Mum said she'd take you up to YOUR (all yours) house in London if you wanted to do something there over the holiday, she even offered to take you down to the Terra property if you wanted to go there. Just let me know when we need to be at the train station.

Hope to hear from you soon,

Take care of my best friend while I can't (give her a hug from me, and I'll give one to hers),

Cheers,

Alice MacManus (soon to be Longbottom)