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[alt_severus]

I have been remiss in my correspondence as of late. This time of year is particularly trying, particularly as Vector remains uncertain of her status and her remit.

Minerva: I will repeat that, should you think the opportunity is ripe, it would be an excellent idea to angle for reinstatement as of September. Should you not, I have little doubt several members of our faculty might make their play for the position of either Deputy or Head; I would not put it past Dolohov to seek either, for instance, and this past year's events might bestir Slughorn out of his comfortable ensconcement. I would not wish to see the results of either.

Mind you, I suppose the possibility of Albus campaigning for the role is out of the question. Pity.

Alice: I will be arriving at Moddey as soon as I've set the castle to rights. No later than end of month. I will provide you with an inventory of the materials Stephen and I are likely to require.

Black: much as the prospect is no doubt repugnant to us both, I must once again request to use the laboratory space at Grimmauld for our research, at least part time. The facilities at Moddey are adequate for household brewing, but should not be trusted for more complex matters; Stephen has made an adequate showing, but a properly-equipped space is growing more necessary.

Mr (C) Weasley: I will remind you I am still in need of dragon blood, should some become available, in whatever quantities you are able to obtain. Dragon eggshell would likewise be of use.

Mr Potter, Miss Granger: if you have further information about what will be expected of you both this summer, I will repeat my wish to have Miss Granger assist us in our Potions research. Miss Parkinson, as you are likely able to move about with less oversight, you would be welcome as well should logistics permit, though I suggest you first consult Miss Granger for a thorough accounting of my standards of laboratory discipline and decide whether you are willing to acquiesce to my demands. Do not think I will be as tolerant of sloppy laboratory procedure as I was over Easter holiday.

Those of you whom I am tutoring in Occlumency: as I will be spending what time I might arrange away from Hogwarts in research, it is unlikely we will have time for lessons until Hogwarts reconvenes. I expect that you will continue applying yourselves diligently.

Comments

Private Message to Draco Malfoy and Hydra Lestrange

[alt_severus]

To answer your questions, however belatedly:

Mr Malfoy, I cannot answer on Macnair's behalf, but I suspect you have the right of it. Far be it from me to libel the departed Weasley patriarch and his success at directing the herd of fractious erumpents this organisation tends to be, but his focus was occasionally overly narrow and his sentimentality was easily engaged. As well one might expect from a gathering of Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs, one supposes.

It seems we have, at least, finally reached the consensus that removing the Dark Lord from power sooner rather than later is an organisational goal, no matter how much some of our more tenderhearted members might quail at the methods that will no doubt be necessary to achieve that end.

I cannot possibly speculate about Black's sordid little domestic arrangements, nor would I wish to. Should you decide to ask him yourself, however, do arrange to do so when I might observe his reaction.

Miss Lestrange: Black's upbringing, and the circumstances of his turning away from it, left him particularly disinclined to believe the best of any who come from similar familial circles. You must admit that from the outside it appears as though your mother has you thoroughly cowed; you have done an excellent job throughout the years at feigning such.

Although to say that I dislike the man would be a considerable understatement, I do not think he will continue his distrust of you once he gains the chance to know you better. One might think that, given his own history, he would be sympathetic to another who reached the same realisations as he did, but I have found in my dealings with him that he is exceptionally slow to change his assessment of someone once he has formed an opinion. He does, however, fancy himself as open-minded despite this, and given evidence of your sincerity, he will come around eventually lest he lose face in front of the others.

[alt_pansy]

Thank you, sir. I'll talk to Hermione right away.

[alt_alice]

Poppy, we might look to the Department of Mysteries for black market dragon blood as well. Minerva, you've had contact with Mundungus occasionally -- is he still floating around? I have a feeling he'd be of use here.

[alt_poppy]

I've kept my irons in that particular fire and will continue to do so, but so far to no avail.

If anyone does turn up our erstwhile friend, Mundungus Fletcher, I should like to have a word with him myself.

[alt_hermione]

No one's said much about the summer yet but we've been talking about going to Grimmauld some of the time, and anyway, no one notices much if I'm around or not, and even if they do have CCF or something it's not like I'll be able to go with them. So I think I should be able to come to Grimmauld most days.

Only, I wouldn't have to help you every day, would I? I mean, that would be all right if you really need the help but I was hoping I'd be able to practise other magic, too, since it's not like I could spend every day in the secret room. So I'd really like to take other lessons as well, if they're being given.

[alt_severus]

I would not hold you back from lessons in other subjects should lessons be given.

[alt_hermione]

Oh, well, that's all right then! And don't worry, I'm happy to work on potions when we're not learning real magic.

(Also, the Lord Protector is really disturbing to look at now but he's always seemed to prefer that people not look at him, anyway.)

[alt_severus]

I will spare you the lecture on how potions are certainly 'real magic' until it might be delivered in person.

And no, I cannot imagine the Dark Lord's appearance to have been improved by a nasal deficiency.

[alt_sirius]

Guess we'll have to see if we can set things back up for you by month's end. I'll check with Kreacher - I think we had to dismantle the distillation apparatus because Bea was getting in. And the second copper cauldron got repossessed for a bongo drum, I think.

But we should be able to cobble something together for you.

[alt_severus]

For everyone's sake, I will hope that you are attempting an ill-timed and poorly-thought-out joke.

[alt_sirius]

Wasn't poorly-thought-out at all; did just what I thought it would do.

Relax. Everything's just as you left it.


Moony, you owe me a Galleon.

Private message to Padfoot

[alt_lupin]

I really thought the bit about the bongo drum would give away the joke.

[alt_severus]

So good to know that you find the life and death of millions of people a joking matter. I would hate to think your alleged sense of humour had changed in the past twenty years.

[alt_sirius]

At least I have a sense of humour. Too bad you can't blame that one on the Dementors

Anyway, Bea much prefers the sound of the smallest cauldron. The little brass one.