Severus Snape

I had hoped that I had made it clear that I neither invited, nor expected, birthday greetings.

That said, I acknowledge that most who sent gifts understood that potions ingredients are always appropriate.

As to how I spent my day – far away from the prying curiosity of my colleagues. A present to myself.

Lupin,

I expect your notes on the Wolfsbane potion at your earliest convenience.

It may not be a new formulation, but it is imperative that I learn what the results of holding the process in the midst of brewing were.

Others,

Miss Granger is working out well.

So far I have not met with Milland's factor. There have been no signs of trouble otherwise.

If most of you had given the matter even five minutes of thought, it would have occurred to you that my nose is no longer in any way distinguished. Owls addressed to the 'big-nosed berk,' therefore, will go unanswered. Continuing to send them will only frustrate the owls involved, and cause unpleasant scenes at the breakfast table.

I am settling in.

Madam Pomfrey, if you require a brewer for Pepper-Up potion or any similar draught, you need only apply to me. I realise that Horace Slughorn undoubtedly finds the task beneath him, but I do not. Milland complains of lumbago in his journal, which should be excuse enough for you to visit.

Miss Granger. It occurs to me that since there has been some question of whether you should truly be observing all of Mr Marvolo's classes, a request that you aid another during those hours might be granted. If you would like to receive some tutelage in potions-making, I am led to believe that you are not as large an idiot as the average fourteen-year-old witch and therefore might benefit from it. I shall formally request your assignment to me on a part-time basis.

I have not yet met with Milland's superiours and do not know when I will be asked to do so.

Finally. I have put my notes in order at last. There has been no breakthrough in the case of the blood magic. The animagus transformation, thus far, appears to be the only method of successfully erasing the runes.

Minerva,

If you would like to preserve your cover, it would be best for you to meet me in the caretaker's quarters immediately.

Bring Milland's personnel file. Assuming that you are not entirely incompetent and he has a personnel file, of course.

All others,

I certainly swore an oath to Minerva McGonagall. The contents of the oath were that I would obey the head of the Order of the Phoenix. Unless there has been a coup, I believe the head of the Order of the Phoenix remains -- and always will remain -- Albus Dumbledore. He may order me out of Hogwarts at any time he cares to present himself.

I will be quite busy for the rest of the evening. No need to leave me irritating notes.

Lupin -

I need an exact description of how the latest Wolfsbane formula has affected you thus far. If you have suffered a continuance of the aforementioned adverse affects, I need the date and time of day on which they occurred, as well as a thorough description of their endurance and severity. I hope, for your sake, that you have been taking notes. Be precise - I would prefer not to chase you down for elaborations on statements like "it hurt" or "afternoonish." These final few days are the most crucial, as you are already aware. Keep me notified.

-S.S.-

Walk today 14:05-16:37, some success with willow cuttings, less with acquiring proper cauldron. Supplies needed: silver knife (sterling) and sharpening stone, mortar and pestle (granite) and decent cutting surface. Would greatly prefer somewhere underground. Contamination from humidity and insects intolerable. Continued close monitoring and fatuous questions intolerable.

Subj. runes, lacking proper references am forced to practise from memory. Need access to library. Smaller experiments successful - patched deficient cauldron, reinforced clothing against tearing and, theoretically, cutting (am apparently not yet allowed sharp objects in manner of child or madman, most flattering.) Useless, of course. Runes sequences must be brief and memorable while still providing material protection and influence. Wish could access works on blood runes, but for lack of access to Restricted section as well as excess of hysteria from P & co. Useful sequences in event of being imprisoned useless in current situation as even sufficient warning alarms guards. Mention to M among many other things.

For T and H, as well as inclusion in Draught:
- Make person wearing rune seem unimportant, specifically forgettable (others to make them seem friendly or threatening depending on purpose.) Ideally painted, can be sewn.
- Rune to weaken surfaces to be made breakable by ordinary force (is over nine characters long, too complex? Test on stone of various thicknesses as well as wood, mortar, metal, etc.) Carved or painted.
For T specifically:
- Recall that the boy has a wand, according to Order readings - can therefore perform wand-traced runes sequence as found in Wartime Runes of Ancient Britain (procure copy for confirmation) which toughens internal structures from traumatic damage. Be sure to list side effects (slightly lowered core temperature, constipation) and give detailed instructions for erasing.
General:
- Incendiary no, too much potential for abuse and backfiring, cannot have them running around alight
- Rune to be placed on intended victim, attracts undivided attention (malicious? benign? amorous?) of local fauna - good for purposes of diversion and harassment, and few characters necessary in either of above cases. Sewn or woven onto frame.
- Certainly too complex for most, but would remiss not to list - to shield a domicile or other hiding-place from notice. Difficulties: shields from all notice, even those who leave briefly with intent of returning. Very long and very easy to confound. Less complex is rune sequence which makes those seeking to find the marked place become lost, i.e. sequence used against Muggles on Hogwarts grounds, but same problem as with first in that it effects all equally (Be explicit about the undiscriminating aspect of runes in introduction)