Almost there

[alt_sinistra]

I'd like to take a moment to thank everyone who's worked hard to make the CCF trials this week work as smoothly as they have.

Of course, my thanks must begin with our Headmistress and other staff (including Madam Pomfrey, who's been kept quite busy this week) for rearranging plans and space on short notice, and likewise to the various examiners and Ministry staff who have assisted in testing. My thanks also go to our students, who've met the challenges of this week with remarkably good grace.

This testing has also given the opportunity for various Ministry departments to give a trial run to new methods of guiding people towards the roles in which they can best serve the Protectorate, and I believe the results of these trials will benefit all of us in years to come.

I know that parents may have some questions as students return home, about the decision-making process. While some material has been delivered by owl, I or the CCF programme coordinators (listed in the material sent home) are also available for additional questions.

(For myself: I'll be at Hogwarts for a day or two, and then am taking a quick few days to visit with family, before we dive into the summer YPL programme planning for the younger students. My journal is likely a better way to reach me than owl.)

Comments

Private message to Arca Sinistra

[alt_sinistra]

Mum -

We're almost done, thank Merlin. It has been an incredibly difficult few weeks, as I'm sure you can imagine, and the recent chaos barely made a dent. I will be very glad to get the various examiners (all of whom have their own pet theories and interests, none of which coordinate well with any others) out of my hair.

I need to stay here through Saturday night or maybe Sunday to wrap up loose ends, but then I am very much looking forward to a few quiet days with you and Dad at home. If you can keep a lid on the rest of the family, it'd be much appreciated.

And no. I keep telling you to get through Diane's head: Raz and I are friends, nothing more. The date he refers to is, as I have told you, a date to mark and share amusing bits. (All right, and a bit of a drink.)

Private message to Rabastan Lestrange

[alt_sinistra]

Raz -

I'm so sorry I'm not likely to be able to stop by today, or until everyone's gone away finally. There's a lot of tedious wrangling about the final disposition of places, and every examiner seems to have an entirely different idea about what should happen there.

I am planning to take a few days at home with my parents - if I don't, I think I might do something horrible to someone out of sheer nerves.

Are they going to let you go somewhere more pleasant to recover? (And surely, you won't be in trouble for what happened while you weren't able to keep an eye on your charge. I hope?)

I've a few days of time in New London that need to happen for planning and related shopping, but otherwise, I'll probably be back here mostly except when I'm at the YPL weeks.

Rory

Re: Private message to Rabastan Lestrange

[alt_rabastan]

They tell me I should be able to leave the castle tomorrow or Sunday, so long as I have someone to check on me daily for a while. As you can see, my hands are working better now. I'm trying to ween myself off the pain potions, too, though I can't say it's much fun at all.

I haven't yet decided where I'll go. I'm sure either Barty or my brother will offer to take me in, though. Or insist, rather.

And don't worry at all about not being about to get away today, I managed to entertain myself very well. Did you know there are three hundred and eighty three little tiny pockmarks on the stone slab above my bed? It's positively riveting.

But now I'm even more entertained at the thought of you doing something horrible. What on earth could that be, I wonder? Pushing one of the examiners off a moving staircase? No, nothing surely so violent as that...

Hmm. Well, it will give me something to wonder about as I bear down for my first night of tossing and turning, sans potions. Wish me luck!

-R

Re: Private message to Rabastan Lestrange

[alt_sinistra]

Oh, that's excellent news, that you get a change of scene. As to the tiny little pockmarks - I had a bout of being miserably ill when I was a student and did much the same thing, though of course, once I'd counted them, I started making them into little tiny constellation groups. (It at least extended the distraction a little...)

As to my doing something horrible - well, I admit, I am not practiced with that sort of thing. As you say, pushing someone off the stairs is not my style, but I have had fantasies of making the examiners have to pass their own tests and trials at wandpoint. Or having to sit through interminable meetings about the fine points of some topic that has no lasting value. (Perhaps I am too wrung out for any good plots, so I welcome your far more inventive mind...)

Oh, Merlin. They're starting up again on the arguments about what the color choice tests reveal about loyalty and leadership ability. I must look thoughtful and attentive. I'll come by tonight when everyone's off and away, at least.

-R

[alt_padma]

Thank you very much, Professor, for all your hard work. We all appreciate it.

[alt_sinistra]

Thank you, Miss Patil.

[alt_zacharias]

Yes, thank you, Professor. I'm sure it's very rewarding to see the YPL flourishing and I know I speak for all the Hufflepuffs when I say that it's down to how you lead us. Even if we don't all make the CCF we really enjoy YPL.

[alt_sinistra]

Thank you, Mr Smith, that's much appreciated.