My dearest Nora,

I can hardly contain my delight! I am to be married.

I know, I know. I know exactly what you're thinking. I know I have not mentioned any man having taken any interest in me this season, nor has there been any official courtship of sorts, but I hardly need to go through the grandeur displays at my ever-advancing age. I was beginning to think there was no hope for me and that I was destined to die a lonely spinster, maybe even as the governess of your children one day.

I know—a horrid thought indeed. But fate had other plans for me.

Sometime (next year, presumably, maybe in later winter) I will become Mrs. Aldous Crouch.. I don't know him too well, but I know not a single bad word has been spoken against his character to any person who I've acquainted myself with. He is a department head at the Ministry, the eldest of three brothers, and he has a sister who is married to Mr. Gaius Malfoy. It is an advantageous one, I think.

His only shortcomings are not from any fault of his own. We all know about Reuben Crouch, but it seems he's settled into adult life with a wife and child now, so I hardly think he'll cause any problems for the family in the future. Mr. Crouch also walks with a cane, but I can hardly rule that a strike against him—and at least it means I will never be forced into a rigorous dance with him that would reveal my own ankle's weakness.

I do expect you to visit soon. I need your good sense to stop me from wearing my nerves out.

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