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alt_severusYour assistance in brewing for Moddey these past few weeks has been considerably appreciated. I would not have been able to take on the additional work had you not both risen to the occasion.
Miss Parkinson: the results of your benchwork have proven acceptable in practise. If you are able to free yourself from the pressures of your social calendar over holiday, you would be welcomed in the laboratory, but do not arouse suspicion if your absence would be noted. Over holidays, consider carefully whether your schedule will continue to accomodate our work; if you wish to continue, knowing as you do now the exceptional pressures upon your time it will entail and the exacting nature of my standards and requirements, I am willing to further your tutelage upon return to Hogwarts in January.
The exact nature of that tutelage is up to you: I am content both to teach you just as much as you would need to know to brew only the potions that we require, or to go beyond instruction in mere brewing mechanics and delve more deeply into the underlying theory. The latter is a far more fraught proposition. You would never be allowed to claim the experience I am offering to any representative of the Guild. Should you be interested in a further career in potioneering, you would need to repeat that work under more recognised aegis — likely stultifying, and possibly dangerous should anyone realise you have been studying under a Master of whom they do not approve. I would urge you through the bulk of the NEWT curriculum as quickly as possible, rendering your classes with Slughorn no more than review and requiring you to conceal your experience from him as much as possible. There are undoubtedly other disadvantages I cannot immediately call to mind.
Should you be interested in the proposition despite these disadvantages, you ought first ask Miss Granger about the precision, commitment, and attention to detail I require from an apprentice, and carefully consider whether you are willing to make the sacrifices that would be necessary to enter into such an arrangement. I am an exacting man who does not suffer fools gladly, has little patience with anyone who enters the laboratory with anything less than full commitment, and does not accept mediocrity no matter what the reason. If you are willing to overlook those failings and commit yourself to the learning, however, I believe you to be teachable.
Miss Granger: should Miss Parkinson wish to continue working with us, whether in the capacity of apprentice or merely as brewer, I am minded to turn over the majority of the standard medicinals to her, once she has achieved adequate skill, and begin you brewing the more complex draughts with which you have only assisted thus far — I see no reason why you ought not be able to take over sole responsibility for the brewing of Lupin's Wolfsbane, for instance. Doing so would allow me to return to the matter of unravelling the Sleeper potion, which research I fear has fallen by the wayside without Stephen with whom to collaborate and with the necessity to assume primary responsibility for supplying Moddey's needs having come to land upon our shoulders.
Though it continues to be wholly unjust that no Protectorate authority recognises your birthright, much less your apprenticeship, you remain a student of whom any Master would be proud. I trust you realise I would not push you as fiercely, nor as quickly, if I did not believe you capable of far more than even the more advanced work I am proposing.
Miss Parkinson: the results of your benchwork have proven acceptable in practise. If you are able to free yourself from the pressures of your social calendar over holiday, you would be welcomed in the laboratory, but do not arouse suspicion if your absence would be noted. Over holidays, consider carefully whether your schedule will continue to accomodate our work; if you wish to continue, knowing as you do now the exceptional pressures upon your time it will entail and the exacting nature of my standards and requirements, I am willing to further your tutelage upon return to Hogwarts in January.
The exact nature of that tutelage is up to you: I am content both to teach you just as much as you would need to know to brew only the potions that we require, or to go beyond instruction in mere brewing mechanics and delve more deeply into the underlying theory. The latter is a far more fraught proposition. You would never be allowed to claim the experience I am offering to any representative of the Guild. Should you be interested in a further career in potioneering, you would need to repeat that work under more recognised aegis — likely stultifying, and possibly dangerous should anyone realise you have been studying under a Master of whom they do not approve. I would urge you through the bulk of the NEWT curriculum as quickly as possible, rendering your classes with Slughorn no more than review and requiring you to conceal your experience from him as much as possible. There are undoubtedly other disadvantages I cannot immediately call to mind.
Should you be interested in the proposition despite these disadvantages, you ought first ask Miss Granger about the precision, commitment, and attention to detail I require from an apprentice, and carefully consider whether you are willing to make the sacrifices that would be necessary to enter into such an arrangement. I am an exacting man who does not suffer fools gladly, has little patience with anyone who enters the laboratory with anything less than full commitment, and does not accept mediocrity no matter what the reason. If you are willing to overlook those failings and commit yourself to the learning, however, I believe you to be teachable.
Miss Granger: should Miss Parkinson wish to continue working with us, whether in the capacity of apprentice or merely as brewer, I am minded to turn over the majority of the standard medicinals to her, once she has achieved adequate skill, and begin you brewing the more complex draughts with which you have only assisted thus far — I see no reason why you ought not be able to take over sole responsibility for the brewing of Lupin's Wolfsbane, for instance. Doing so would allow me to return to the matter of unravelling the Sleeper potion, which research I fear has fallen by the wayside without Stephen with whom to collaborate and with the necessity to assume primary responsibility for supplying Moddey's needs having come to land upon our shoulders.
Though it continues to be wholly unjust that no Protectorate authority recognises your birthright, much less your apprenticeship, you remain a student of whom any Master would be proud. I trust you realise I would not push you as fiercely, nor as quickly, if I did not believe you capable of far more than even the more advanced work I am proposing.
no subject
Date: 2013-12-19 04:07 pm (UTC)It's certainly something to give thought to. I don't think anyone has expected much of me before, at least when it comes to my having some sort of vocation, and I'd like very much to be of use and do something worth while. My father had talent, but he considered himself a hobbyist when it came to his potions work. I'd like to consider doing more. Thank you for your offer. I know it would require additional time and energy on your part, which you have precious little of. I also understand the need to keep separate the techniques you are prepared to teach me.
Although I cannot stay at the castle over hols, I may be able to come on a regular schedule. I might need help coming and going from your laboratory without attracting notice. I'll double-check my social calendar, but it could very well be possible that I could come for at least two afternoons a week if not three without much trouble.
no subject
Date: 2013-12-19 04:38 pm (UTC)wished tohad a chance to do. Regardless, do not compromise your security nor give anyone a reason to suspect you; while your assistance is welcome, it is neither urgent nor time-sensitive. Better to spend two weeks conforming to what is expected of you, then return and begin in earnest.Your father had a fair amount of raw talent and utterly lacked the discipline necessary to transform that talent into actual skill. It was not fashionable then, nor is it fashionable now, for members of your social class to have a vocation; at most one is allowed an avocation as a charming quirk, provided one does not take oneself too seriously. I trust I need not hold forth on what a waste in which these restrictions result. If I were asked to categorise your flaws the way I have admitted to my own, foremost would be that you have internalised too much of that teaching and are too eager to win the approval of those who will only be satisfied when you have resigned yourself to being less than you are otherwise capable of being, and likely not even then.
Regardless of which option you choose, I will not allow you to settle, and I will not accept anything less than your utmost. I am not interested in pretty words and propitiation; I am offering you a chance to determine whether or not you have passion for the work, and if so, to develop it in an environment in which that passion is an asset, not a detriment. If you are unaccustomed to adults having expectations of you, you may find the process disconcerting. Expectations are one thing I do not lack.
no subject
Date: 2013-12-19 04:58 pm (UTC)I'm often at loose ends over holidays, and I have a feeling I will be even more so this term without my typical extended visit at St James. If you'll be at Grimmauld, you can anticipate my regular assistance.
Private Message to Hermione
Date: 2013-12-19 06:03 pm (UTC)And
I hope you didn't take offence at the talk of expectations. I know you have more than your fair share.
no subject
Date: 2013-12-20 01:13 am (UTC)Re: Private Message to Hermione
Date: 2013-12-20 01:26 am (UTC)serioussober about everything, I'd think he's having me on. I'm not ready to brew Wolfsbane, even with him supervising!But don't worry. Did you know he actually did teach for a year or something, before everything happened with Harry's parents? I'm sure he can work with both of us without a problem.
Only, he really does mean it when he says he's not well tolerant of anything less than full concentration. So be sure that you're really prepared for him to demand loads.
Re: Private Message to Hermione
Date: 2013-12-20 03:03 am (UTC)Besides. Didn't you brew the Polyjuice potion when you were twelve or something? You're better than all the NEWT students in our year, you know, and you're most likely better than the seventh-year students too, and I wouldn't be terribly surprised if you'd be a fair match for people in their first year of potioneer training at least.
no subject
Date: 2013-12-20 04:28 am (UTC)I can assure you that you are more than capable.