![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Order Only: Private message to Draco
Mar. 16th, 2014 10:17 pmAre you well, or were you distracted by your housemates? I was expecting you sometime today.
I did not think to say so in as many words earlier, but it occurs to me you deserve to hear it: I am exceptionally proud of your achievement, and you ought be as well.
At your convenience tomorrow, stop in to see me. I have something I wish to give you in recognition.
At your convenience tomorrow, stop in to see me. I have something I wish to give you in recognition.
Order Only: Private message to Alice
Feb. 4th, 2014 10:24 pmKindly tell me it would be counterproductive of me to petrify Albus and drop him in the lake.
Order Only: Private message to Albus
Feb. 4th, 2014 03:17 amAs you know, I have been working with the Malfoy boy in preparation for the rôle as double agent he proposes to adopt. I do not fear his ability to be chosen in this farce, nor do I fear his commitment to seeing matters through to their inevitable conclusion. Nor do I question the necessity of one of the children adopting such a rôle; I am well aware of how badly we suffer for lack of insight into the Death Eaters' ranks, and I am forced to admit Minerva's utility as double agent is long since spent.
What I fear is the priceI am we are asking him to pay. I fear we are sending another child out to barter pieces of his soul, fleck by fleck, for scraps of advantage that might very likely prove nothing. I fear — I know — I am readying a bright and sensitive boy — far more sensitive than he would wish known, or indeed would admit to himself — to torture, rape, and kill, and in doing so present the lie to the Dark Lord that such monstrosities are his deepest desire.
Did you know what you were asking when you
I have thus far honoured your desire to remain sequestered from us all, but can no longer countenance your pretense that everything will work out better for your isolation. If you wish to command from the shadows, that is your right. I blame none but myself for having played my hand poorly and I am well accustomed to being used for strategic purpose. Still, even chess pieces must be encouraged, and command from the shadows necessitates the shadow-master issue the occasional command.
Tell me that you have a plan.
What I fear is the price
I have thus far honoured your desire to remain sequestered from us all, but can no longer countenance your pretense that everything will work out better for your isolation. If you wish to command from the shadows, that is your right. I blame none but myself for having played my hand poorly and I am well accustomed to being used for strategic purpose. Still, even chess pieces must be encouraged, and command from the shadows necessitates the shadow-master issue the occasional command.
Tell me that you have a plan.
Order Only: Private message to Alice
Jan. 12th, 2014 12:05 amI have checked my journal to discover it being posited that I should not only babysit yet another teenager but to act as though I am overjoyed to share what little privacy I have been able to claw my way into with a four-footed mangy mutt with the mind of a teenage boy.
I will do it if it is strategically necessary. Kindly assure me it will not be.
Malfoy and I have spoken. He will do.
I will do it if it is strategically necessary. Kindly assure me it will not be.
Malfoy and I have spoken. He will do.
While the past several years have given me a unique appreciation of the attention span of the average teenager, I do expect you to be capable of visiting the toilet without forgetting to return. You are fortunate both that Miss Granger noted your absence before your cauldrons exploded and that the Burn-Healing Paste does not require any of the ingredients of which we are exceptionally short and cannot afford to waste.
I do not expect immediate perfection and you will undoubtedly ruin many more batches of what I set you to brewing. I will not, however, tolerate mistakes made because of inattention or distraction. If there is something you would rather be doing other than brewing, you need but say so; I have neither time nor ingredients enough to spare in indulging a student who is not prepared to learn.
I do not expect immediate perfection and you will undoubtedly ruin many more batches of what I set you to brewing. I will not, however, tolerate mistakes made because of inattention or distraction. If there is something you would rather be doing other than brewing, you need but say so; I have neither time nor ingredients enough to spare in indulging a student who is not prepared to learn.
Your 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.
Alice: Black and I find ourselves in a quandary.
The latest variation upon the Dark Arts mitigation potion does indeed function to lessen the euphoria provoked by casting Dark spells — or at least, it sufficed with the limited range of spells Black was willing to allow me to cast upon him — but it does not remove the response entirely, nor does the potion's effect last much longer than half an hour or so. Likewise, it must be ingested before the magic is to be cast; ex post facto consumption merely makes the drinker violently ill.
As Mr Weasley's distress at his reactions to using the Dark Arts is considerable, and that distress is undoubtedly exascerbated by the physical and emotional reward mechanism for casting such magic, it might be best to provide him with a supply of this version of the potion for use now with the understanding it is meant as a supplement only. On the other hand, as you have mentioned Weasley has placed a great deal of hope in this venture's success, a partial solution might prove worse than no solution at all, particularly as it might lead him to believe he might cast with impunity — a belief that would no doubt lead to future issues, particularly in one so subject to the Dark allure.
Black and I shall continue to refine the formulation further, in hopes of rendering the issue academic; in the meanwhile, recognising that we ought not keep arguing the question lest tempers becomeeven more engaged, we have agreed to cease debating and allow you to decide the next steps instead.
The latest variation upon the Dark Arts mitigation potion does indeed function to lessen the euphoria provoked by casting Dark spells — or at least, it sufficed with the limited range of spells Black was willing to allow me to cast upon him — but it does not remove the response entirely, nor does the potion's effect last much longer than half an hour or so. Likewise, it must be ingested before the magic is to be cast; ex post facto consumption merely makes the drinker violently ill.
As Mr Weasley's distress at his reactions to using the Dark Arts is considerable, and that distress is undoubtedly exascerbated by the physical and emotional reward mechanism for casting such magic, it might be best to provide him with a supply of this version of the potion for use now with the understanding it is meant as a supplement only. On the other hand, as you have mentioned Weasley has placed a great deal of hope in this venture's success, a partial solution might prove worse than no solution at all, particularly as it might lead him to believe he might cast with impunity — a belief that would no doubt lead to future issues, particularly in one so subject to the Dark allure.
Black and I shall continue to refine the formulation further, in hopes of rendering the issue academic; in the meanwhile, recognising that we ought not keep arguing the question lest tempers become
Alice: Black's work on the potion for Mr Weasley having proceeded to the point where he believed, and I agreed, it was ready for human trial, today we met briefly to conduct safety and efficacy trials. While it passes on safety, I regret to report it does not have the desired effect.
Black: I recognise my immediate observations were minimally useful; I must apologise. I shall provide you with more detailed trial notes at earliest opportunity. I do not believe the project is a lost cause — I perceived a slight alteration in the experience of casting — but this variant will not suffice to ease Mr Weasley's troubles.
I shall consult the library here and offer suggestions for further revision.
Black: I recognise my immediate observations were minimally useful; I must apologise. I shall provide you with more detailed trial notes at earliest opportunity. I do not believe the project is a lost cause — I perceived a slight alteration in the experience of casting — but this variant will not suffice to ease Mr Weasley's troubles.
I shall consult the library here and offer suggestions for further revision.
Black: the most recent variation you sent up, with Miss Granger's alterations, appears to have solved the problem with the salamander oil going inert after cooling. I hesitate to declare victory prematurely, particularly given the travails already experienced, but all testing indicates this particular variation may finally be safe for human trials.
Do let me know when is convenient.
Miss Granger: your work with this project has been impeccable. Should this succeed, Mr Weasley will owe you considerable thanks.
Do let me know when is convenient.
Miss Granger: your work with this project has been impeccable. Should this succeed, Mr Weasley will owe you considerable thanks.
Order Only: Occlumency practise
Sep. 4th, 2013 08:23 amChildren: Whilst I am quite aware the beginning of one's sixth year leaves one wondering whether one will be left with time to sleep and eat in between academic obligations, we ought arrange your extracurricular lesson times. Do let me know when is convenient for you.
Whilst I was working this afternoon, and thinking aloud, Miss Granger said something that prompted a realisation. I cannot call the page we were working from to mind closely enough: when speaking of the verbena, does the receipt call for "1⅓ʒ" leaf of verbena, or "1⅓fʒ" leaf of verbena?
If it is the latter, or could possibly be read as such: the author may intend for you to pulverise the leaf, and add only the juices.
If it is the latter, or could possibly be read as such: the author may intend for you to pulverise the leaf, and add only the juices.
Order Only
Jun. 14th, 2013 06:11 amI 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.
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.
It occurs to me that you, of all our recent initiates, might find certain aspects of the information to which you now have access unpalatable.
While I cannot pretend to be practised at offering a comforting shoulder, if there are aspects of the material you are no doubt poring over that you find overly full of the foolish sentimentality that is the inevitable hallmark of any organisation so populated with Gryffindors and those deemed blood-traitors, I will offer what skill I have in explaining and contextualising the Order's efforts, their successes, and their failures. Please do also extend that offer to Miss Perks and Miss Parkinson; I thought it more suitable, given your familial connections and the reality of past discussions, to write you, but I am well aware you four may find yourselves struggling with the comparative lack of subtlety presented herein.
Allow me to say I am pleased that the induction of your cohort will offer a much-needed perspective to an organisation whose ideals and scruples occasionally, alas, outpace their execution. Though it can be nothing but bittersweet, and while I am certain the next several months will be a period of exceptionally difficult adjustment, you are welcome.
While I cannot pretend to be practised at offering a comforting shoulder, if there are aspects of the material you are no doubt poring over that you find overly full of the foolish sentimentality that is the inevitable hallmark of any organisation so populated with Gryffindors and those deemed blood-traitors, I will offer what skill I have in explaining and contextualising the Order's efforts, their successes, and their failures. Please do also extend that offer to Miss Perks and Miss Parkinson; I thought it more suitable, given your familial connections and the reality of past discussions, to write you, but I am well aware you four may find yourselves struggling with the comparative lack of subtlety presented herein.
Allow me to say I am pleased that the induction of your cohort will offer a much-needed perspective to an organisation whose ideals and scruples occasionally, alas, outpace their execution. Though it can be nothing but bittersweet, and while I am certain the next several months will be a period of exceptionally difficult adjustment, you are welcome.
I spent an hour with the twins earlier today, examining them as closely as I could. They are still feeling aftereffects from the spell, but there is no immediately-obvious damage — just small, lingering difficulties, mostly in the forms of memory lapses and a sudden shift away from their tendency to think and speak in plural fashion.
It is possible that a visit to a specialist in curse damage and mind-magic at St Mungo's might prove helpful, but it is equally possible that it would not — this sort of thing is an extremely idiosyncratic school of medicine that cannot be predicted in advance. What keeps me from recommending that course of action is twofold: first, that any specialist would, by definition, need to apply Legilimantic techniques that would almost certainly betray the Order, and second, that if you removed them from the school prior to NEWTs — even for a medical appointment — it is likely Umbridge would not permit them to return, effectively expelling them and refusing them the chance to sit their exams.
If I believed the remaining difficulties could be cured by attention from a specialist I might still advise the risk, but as there is very little guarantee such a course of action would be of any use, I cannot count the risk worth the potential reward. I have pinned down Albus for a consultation, and he agrees with me.
At the moment, the most likely course of therapy involves drills to strengthen the basic skills affected by the memory lapses, plus as much avoidance of stress and excitement as possible. Albus and I will do everything we might.
It is possible that a visit to a specialist in curse damage and mind-magic at St Mungo's might prove helpful, but it is equally possible that it would not — this sort of thing is an extremely idiosyncratic school of medicine that cannot be predicted in advance. What keeps me from recommending that course of action is twofold: first, that any specialist would, by definition, need to apply Legilimantic techniques that would almost certainly betray the Order, and second, that if you removed them from the school prior to NEWTs — even for a medical appointment — it is likely Umbridge would not permit them to return, effectively expelling them and refusing them the chance to sit their exams.
If I believed the remaining difficulties could be cured by attention from a specialist I might still advise the risk, but as there is very little guarantee such a course of action would be of any use, I cannot count the risk worth the potential reward. I have pinned down Albus for a consultation, and he agrees with me.
At the moment, the most likely course of therapy involves drills to strengthen the basic skills affected by the memory lapses, plus as much avoidance of stress and excitement as possible. Albus and I will do everything we might.
Order Only: Hogwarts
Apr. 21st, 2013 08:19 pmI apologise for my unavailability this afternoon; I was pressed into service to stand at the ready for MLE and could do nothing to call attention to myself. As you have no doubt seen, they have given up the search for Miss Fawcett, and are declaring her dead. Alice, please pass along to the girl that I will likely be called upon to remove her belongings from her room: while I am unlikely to be able to redirect them all, if there are any items she feels particularly sentimental towards, she should provide a list and I will do what I might to obtain them for her.
Mister Jordan, if the Messrs Weasley are still in distress and you believe they cannot wait for the spell to wear off naturally: I cannot think of any reason for Milland to make an appearance in the Gryffindor dormitory, but if you can bring them to Milland's office surreptitiously, I will examine them to see if it can be broken without risk to them.
Mister Jordan, if the Messrs Weasley are still in distress and you believe they cannot wait for the spell to wear off naturally: I cannot think of any reason for Milland to make an appearance in the Gryffindor dormitory, but if you can bring them to Milland's office surreptitiously, I will examine them to see if it can be broken without risk to them.
Order Only: Security
Apr. 15th, 2013 12:45 amI have just returned from once more addressing Mr Weasley's memory problem, after he reported an intense feeling of déjà vu at the Baddock/Moon wedding festivities this weekend.
After significant work I was able to determine the reason for that sensation was the presence of Dominic Selwyn and his clerk conferring with each other. Exceptionally careful, painstaking examination of the period immediately preceding Mr Weasley's missing minutes indicates both men were present when Mr Weasley was obliviated. That we were using legilimency allowed the emotional flavour of Mr Weasley's state of mind at the time to shine through even though the actions themselves were lost: I was able to recover an intense fear that Mr Weasley was being entrapped into saying the wrong thing, followed by a very brief flash of the two men looking at each other warily, Mr Weasley's sudden realisation that he was not being entrapped, and Selwyn drawing his wand.
Most troublingly, though I could not retrieve any memory of the conversation itself, nor of the spell Selwyn cast, the emotional resonances immediately took on a familiar euphoria: that of the Imperius victim.
I spent perhaps longer than I should have in attempting to retrieve more information — Mr Weasley, you would be wise to play off the aftereffects tomorrow as a particularly vicious hangover — but was unable to obtain any additional clues.
One thing is certain: it is well past time for you all to reinvigourate your Occlumency practise if you have allowed it to fall to the wayside. Mr Weasley's skill goes beyond rusty and into the realm of criminally negligent. I am certain I would find the same of at least several others in the Order. It is hypocrisy in the first degree to arrange for the children to possess the skill while neglecting to keep your own mental houses in order.
After significant work I was able to determine the reason for that sensation was the presence of Dominic Selwyn and his clerk conferring with each other. Exceptionally careful, painstaking examination of the period immediately preceding Mr Weasley's missing minutes indicates both men were present when Mr Weasley was obliviated. That we were using legilimency allowed the emotional flavour of Mr Weasley's state of mind at the time to shine through even though the actions themselves were lost: I was able to recover an intense fear that Mr Weasley was being entrapped into saying the wrong thing, followed by a very brief flash of the two men looking at each other warily, Mr Weasley's sudden realisation that he was not being entrapped, and Selwyn drawing his wand.
Most troublingly, though I could not retrieve any memory of the conversation itself, nor of the spell Selwyn cast, the emotional resonances immediately took on a familiar euphoria: that of the Imperius victim.
I spent perhaps longer than I should have in attempting to retrieve more information — Mr Weasley, you would be wise to play off the aftereffects tomorrow as a particularly vicious hangover — but was unable to obtain any additional clues.
One thing is certain: it is well past time for you all to reinvigourate your Occlumency practise if you have allowed it to fall to the wayside. Mr Weasley's skill goes beyond rusty and into the realm of criminally negligent. I am certain I would find the same of at least several others in the Order. It is hypocrisy in the first degree to arrange for the children to possess the skill while neglecting to keep your own mental houses in order.
I have just returned from a day full of following Madam Umbridge around the castle while she performed searches of staff quarters. (I had hoped to be bringing you good news right about now, but alas, Madam Umbridge displayed the faintest hint of a self-preservation instinct and did not include Lestrange or Dolohov's quarters in her remit. Pity; I would have been quite interested to see certain of their protections in action.)
Pomona, I am sorry to say that the woman poked through everything, though I did offer to take the work out of her hands. While she did not find anything of note in anyone's quarters, I believe this has only infuriated her further. I would be extremely cautious upon your return.
Alice: I have sent anonymous owls to each of the staff whose quarters were searched, taking reasonable precautions of course, on the chance it will further inflame them against Umbridge's usurpation.
Pomona, I am sorry to say that the woman poked through everything, though I did offer to take the work out of her hands. While she did not find anything of note in anyone's quarters, I believe this has only infuriated her further. I would be extremely cautious upon your return.
Alice: I have sent anonymous owls to each of the staff whose quarters were searched, taking reasonable precautions of course, on the chance it will further inflame them against Umbridge's usurpation.
Order Only: Return
Apr. 7th, 2013 08:16 pmHaving been back at Hogwarts for two hours, I would like to recant anything I may have muttered about the annoyance of tutoring teenagers; I would gladly spend another month cleaning up cauldron explosions and correcting chopping techniques if it meant I did not have to deal with that woman. (She is infuriated today: from listening to her ranting at supper, she appealed to Selwyn's department for authorisation to read all private messages coming into or out of Hogwarts, and was resoundingly denied.)
Poppy: I leave further tutoring in your hands. We concentrated this week on the Draught of Peace and the Wit-Sharpening Potion. For the remainder of the holiday I suggest you concentrate on the medicinals that are on the curriculum; I left those for your supervision. I suggest you attempt to hold Mr Weasley accountable for his lax attitude towards his studies, as I clearly have not succeeded in impressing upon him the seriousness of his study.
Black: I do not know if you are aware that several of the children have got into your library. You may wish to ensure none of the books walk away with them.
Minerva: I will contact you as soon as I am aware of a time that Dolores will be out of the castle for an extended period so that we might enter your office to check the book.
Poppy: I leave further tutoring in your hands. We concentrated this week on the Draught of Peace and the Wit-Sharpening Potion. For the remainder of the holiday I suggest you concentrate on the medicinals that are on the curriculum; I left those for your supervision. I suggest you attempt to hold Mr Weasley accountable for his lax attitude towards his studies, as I clearly have not succeeded in impressing upon him the seriousness of his study.
Black: I do not know if you are aware that several of the children have got into your library. You may wish to ensure none of the books walk away with them.
Minerva: I will contact you as soon as I am aware of a time that Dolores will be out of the castle for an extended period so that we might enter your office to check the book.
I am at liberty the first week of the upcoming holiday. I had thought to use that time to work on analysing the potion sample you obtained; however, further consideration causes me to admit doing so at the school would be extremely unwise, and my laboratories here barely afford such a title. (As well, if I remain in residence, I have no doubt Dolores Umbridge would lay claim to whatever of my time I did not defend vigorously, holiday or no.)
You have previously invited me to Moddey Dhoo several times. While I still believe the knowledge of the sanctuary's secret should not be spread indiscriminately, I find I must throw myself upon your hospitality, should your potions master in residence not object to sharing his laboratory space.
I would be willing to tutor the children — both in Potions and in continuing their Occlumency lessons in a slightly less fraught environment — in return, save that if lessons are to be held at Black's hideaway, I doubt that would be wise. While I am willing to declare détente in our perpetual tensions to the best of my ability and in service to our goals, I do not imagine the same courtesy would be returned, and I cannot guarantee my ability to retain my composure in the face of the endless provocation of Black and his harem.
You have previously invited me to Moddey Dhoo several times. While I still believe the knowledge of the sanctuary's secret should not be spread indiscriminately, I find I must throw myself upon your hospitality, should your potions master in residence not object to sharing his laboratory space.
I would be willing to tutor the children — both in Potions and in continuing their Occlumency lessons in a slightly less fraught environment — in return, save that if lessons are to be held at Black's hideaway, I doubt that would be wise. While I am willing to declare détente in our perpetual tensions to the best of my ability and in service to our goals, I do not imagine the same courtesy would be returned, and I cannot guarantee my ability to retain my composure in the face of the endless provocation of Black and his harem.
