Order Only - Private message to Alice, Frank, and Evelyn Longbottom

[alt_sinistra]

Alice and Frank, one piece of news I hope will please you.

I've been running Evelyn through segments of past OWL exams over the past few weeks (three different complete exams, plus a sampling of questions on other topics that they did not include.) She's earned an O on all of them.

I've documented it thoroughly, including charms to make it clear it's all her work, so that should she need to demonstrate her credentials to others, it will be easy. (Evelyn knows where my files about her training are in my book trunk.)

Congratulations, and Evelyn, this means we can move onto much more interesting things with an entirely clear conscience now.

Comments

[alt_evelyn]

Oh!

Truly?

I just thought all that was getting ready for it.

...Really and truly?

Thank you, Professor.

[alt_alice]

Well done, lovie.

Thank you, Siz. That's very good to hear.

[alt_evelyn]

Thank you, mum.

[alt_sinistra]

Quite truly.

If you insist on sitting one more now you know, I won't stop you, but it might be a little silly.

I can go through and show you how I marked everything, when we get a chance.

[alt_evelyn]

I'd like to know what I was a little soft on, certainly.

I didn't think I'd ever get the chance to sit for any of my OWLs. And you took so much care with it, and it's just

it's very lovely of you.

Thank you. So much.

[alt_sinistra]

Of course I took care with it. And you deserved every bit.

Half a dozen reasons why, that.

I don't have the same kind of test repository for Arithmancy, but you've been working through plenty there too, you know.

Private Message to Professor Sinistra

[alt_evelyn]

Ich bin sehr dankbar.

Ich werde das in meinem Herzen für den Rest meines Lebens zu halten.

Vielen Dank, Professor.

Re: Private Message to Professor Sinistra

[alt_sinistra]

Bitte, bitte.

Es ist wirklich alles deine Arbeit.

Ich stellte du einfach zu den Sternen.

[alt_frank]

good work, sweetie.

that's my brilliant girl.

[alt_evelyn]

Thanks, dad.

[alt_frank]

stargazing tonight sound good to you?

we can bring kev along.

[alt_evelyn]

Yes, please!

Private message to Alice and Frank

[alt_sinistra]

One other thing, please.

Should anything happen to me, I would like my books and astronomy materials to go to Evelyn. There's a note for her with the other files, and some other information about personal effects and things.

I still feel like I'm not earning my keep sufficiently at all, but she is a pleasure to teach, and I'm very grateful for the chance, whatever else.

Re: Private message to Alice and Frank

[alt_frank]

understood.

jude and laura both think the world of you. don't see how they were managing before you came along.

and Al and me can't thank you enough for what you've been able to do for our evie.

that's worth plenty in my book.

Re: Private message to Alice and Frank

[alt_sinistra]

It's nothing compared to the Fidelius work, or the camps or a dozen other things, and I know that.

I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't teach.

Getting to teach someone as gifted and passionate about it as Evelyn is - well, the thing that keeps getting me out of bed some mornings. Just, I know most people think astronomy's useless, or at least useless to most people.

I am working on something that might give us a direction about the first wards, or maybe the portkey problem. Maybe. Be a few weeks at least before I can even say if it'd help.

Re: Private message to Alice and Frank

[alt_alice]

And giving you the time and space to sort all of that out is valuable, and necessary.

Right now, we're looking at months if not years to sort all this out. It won't happen over night. But when it does, it'll be due to a small number of dedicated people working very hard, and I count you among them.

Re: Private message to Alice and Frank

[alt_sinistra]

So long as you're sure.

I am very good at diligent research, if nothing else.

Oh, I might as well say: I'm working through my own Master's old journals, as I think she may have consulted on parts of the initial wards.

It's all very opaque - think research notes with about three layers of intentional obscurity on top of it. But I keep finding hints. Enough to suggest further lines of exploration, anyway.

And in the meantime, there's teaching what I can, and chopping vegetables for Victor.

Re: Private message to Alice and Frank

[alt_alice]

Indeed.

And that does sound promising. Keep me informed as you go.

I am fully aware that it might be quite a lot of 'nothing to report on yet,' but that's to be expected.

Re: Private message to Alice and Frank

[alt_sinistra]

I will. Or if nothing comes of it.

If nothing else, I suppose it means I'll be well up on my locational magic theory for other purposes.

Re: Private message to Alice and Frank

[alt_alice]

Good.

And Siz -- sending along that you're listening and safe is fine by me.

I'm sure he's aware he's writing for more than one audience, and I appreciate your sharing it openly.

Re: Private message to Alice and Frank

[alt_sinistra]

If you're sure.

It -

Thank you. That means a lot.

Re: Private message to Alice and Frank

[alt_alice]

I know.

I also know how hard all of this has been for you -- how much you've lost.

There are certain things I will always be cautious about -- but I'm glad we can talk it over together.