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[alt_alice]

I am so very pleased to announce that we have decided to adopt Terry into the Longbottom family.

Terry, love, when I first became engaged to Frank, Augusta took me aside and told me to be prepared, as Longbottoms are 'stout hearted, stubbornly principled, and generous to a fault.' Wise words indeed! I'm incredibly proud and pleased to welcome you into our family. You've held a special place in my heart from the moment I first saw you write in these journals, and although it's been a difficult and winding road for you, I am so glad that road led you home to us.

We'll be having a celebration of sorts and the formal proceedings on Sunday afternoon, and anyone who wants to is more than welcome to come for cake and to stand as witnesses.

Comments

Private Message to Terry

[alt_alice]

This makes me so very happy. I have the four best children in the world. I'll see you on Sunday, dear heart.

All my love and more.

Re: Private Message to Terry

[alt_terry]

Thanks, Mum. Love you back.

[alt_frank]

(Many congratulations, Professor. I managed to catch Dursey and Finn after the training session at Sherwood today, they said they'd spread the word to the rest of the crew there, and that they'd be sure to make the party.)

[alt_terry]

Oh, good, thanks!

[alt_evelyn]

I'm very much looking forward to Sunday, Terry.

[alt_terry]

I am, too.

Private message to Evelyn Longbottom

[alt_terry]

I've been thinking a lot about the sister I lost this week. Sophie, her name was.

I'm glad--it just seems right--that I'll have a sister again.

Re: Private message to Evelyn Longbottom

[alt_evelyn]

Oh, Terry.

That's really quite lovely.

We might visit her tree on Sunday, you and me.

I'll do what I can to tease you properly, and make sure you smile now and then, because that's what little sisters are best at. And you'll have to occasionally fuss about my boyfriend (who is very sweet, you'll be meeting him properly by the end of summer if I have any say in it), and give me compliments. It's your duty, after all.

I've been thinking

Well, I call Nev Pete sometimes, and he calls me Lindy. And Kevin's Tiny, of course. I suppose it'll be really quite funny once he shoots up to be as tall as Nev is.

Neville said he told you about it once, when we were passing messages back and forth to mum and dad to let them know we were all right. The names were his idea, really, and when he shared all of mum and dad's letters, we were sitting around and joking about how if Kev was Tiny Tim, then obviously, Nev was Peter, and I'd have to be Belinda because she was the little sister.

(Isn't it so very wonderful now we're all in the Order together, by the way? I think it is.)

Anyways. It's just one of those things. And you need something too, don't you? It's a good thing the Cratchits had loads of kids.

Would it be too weird if you were Marty or Matty or something? I think it'd suit you, because you'd be the eldest.

Re: Private message to Evelyn Longbottom

[alt_terry]

Marty? Oh...you're thinking of the oldest daughter, right?

Actually, that's kind of fitting, because if I remember the book right, it said about her she was 'out in service.'

I like Matty.

(I'm going to end up with more names than I know what to do with!)

And yeah, I'd love to include a stop at the trees in the garden for my family with whatever we do on Sunday. I bet if I practise the next couple of days, I'll be able to conjure a bouquet of flowers all right, and we can lay it there. I'd like that.

Re: Private message to Evelyn Longbottom

[alt_evelyn]

Yes. I'm glad you think so.

Matty it is.

And we'll be sure to pay them a visit.

Re: Private message to Evelyn Longbottom

[alt_evelyn]

We spent such a very long time without mum and dad, without being able to talk to them, or see them, and it's only recently that we can just pop over to Moddey when we're on hols now that Neville can Apparate. (I'm so very close to getting it, I just know I am!)

So this family is new to all of us too, you know.

It's wonderful, and more than I ever could have imagined it would be, and I'm so glad I get to share it with you.

[alt_neville]

I think it's utterly brilliant that you said yes.

Private message to Neville Longbottom

[alt_terry]

I was sort of gnawing on a worry this week, and then I decided I was being stupid about it and I should just ask you.

Will it bother you that you won't be the oldest anymore?

Re: Private message to Neville Longbottom

[alt_neville]

Oh, right, because I really lord it over my younger siblings, don't I?

Don't be daft; of course it doesn't matter!

[alt_gredforge]

What an excellent idea, except we should have thought of it first. Never mind, Mum has more than enough of us to keep track of, and we'll happily settle for being the favoured best friends.

Congratulations, Professor! Oh...will it be Terry Longbottom now, then?

[alt_terry]

I'm going with 'Terry Boot Longbottom.'

[alt_gredforge]

Brilliant!

[alt_molly]

Oh, Alice, what a wonderful idea.

I'll certainly be there. I'll bring a celebration pudding of some kind.

Private message to Alice Longbottom

[alt_molly]

I still feel dreadful that the Ministry wouldn't allow us to foster Luna. Instead, she went to that dreadful Brown family, and I know they don't understand her at all.

I consider myself her honourary mother, anyway but it'd be lovely to have it officialised.

Re: Private message to Alice Longbottom

[alt_alice]

Oh, Molly. Yes, that's so very hard. Family takes many forms. You love her, she knows that you do, and that's the important piece.

[alt_kingsley]

That's really excellent news. Congratulations to all of you. Dorcas, Carodoc and I will be there.

[alt_lupin]

Congratulations from all of us. (To all of you.)

[alt_jeremy]

Chiming in late here, but hearty congratulations all round. See you tomorrow.