The depths of winter

[alt_sinistra]

January brings up such complex feelings. On the one hand, the night skies are so clear, especially around the new moon (as occurs on Monday). On the other, even I recognise the challenges of stargazing in northern climes in January.

Wool cloaks and jumpers and good gloves are all well and good - and necessary, this time of year. But a good simple warming charm is even better. It's a wonder Muggle astronomers ever got anything done, really.

Regrettably, the first years are not all up to that level of charms work yet (and to be honest, neither are some of the older students without rather a lot of time-wasting fussing), so I am here at my desk trying to decide on how to balance their observation time this week against Poppy's insistence that I deplete her stock of Pepper-Up potion more than necessary. There are some particular observations I'd like them to make this week, after all, if it's clear enough.

We did have a good conversation in class about the Great White Spot on Saturn, however. At least, I thought so. We'll see how much they retain for exams in the spring.

Comments

[alt_mcgonagall]

One must hope they retain a good deal.

As for Pepper-Up, while I would prefer that you not risk any student's health, surely students who lose their winter gear can borrow some from the school. Professor Sprout has earmuffs stored away somewhere in those greenhouses of hers, for instance. That ought to reduce the number of illnesses.

[alt_sally_anne]

I'll ask Professor Sprout about earmuffs but are there gloves or mittens somewhere I could borrow, Headmistress? And wool socks. My warm socks wore out. I didn't lose

[alt_mcgonagall]

I shall look into it, Miss Perks.

[alt_sinistra]

Thank you for your attention, Minerva.

Miss Perks, while I don't have enough extras for the entire year, I do have a pair of socks that should fit you, and a few extra pairs of mittens that students have left on the tower over the past few years. Do come and stop by my office after dinner some day, and we'll see what I have in the lost and found box.

(The same, of course, goes for any other students who have a need for them.)

[alt_poppy]

Perhaps it is eccentric of me, Aurora, but I have always thought that we are charged with the well-being of our students above all else. Of course, their education is of great importance; it is the mission of Hogwarts to teach to the highest standards, but it is our duty to preserve the health and wholeness of the young people in our care. Health and learning fit hand in glove. As it were.


Primum non nocere.

Surely it is not only Hippocrates's heirs but Socrates's as well, to whom this motto applies.

[alt_sinistra]

Poppy -

I am not so much arguing with your priorities as with the unfortunate fact that we already lose a number of observation days to clouds. Add in cold weather, and the younger years may go weeks at a time without actually observing what they are learning.

It is rather too much like teaching them charms without a wand to practice with, and thus less than what one might prefer.

With the older students, it is a bit easier - they are better prepared with warm clothing, they know more suitable charms, they are faster with the telescopes and other devices, and of course, there are fewer of them. But I still struggle, particularly with the first and second years, with balancing their class time in the most useful way. Perhaps a revision of the order of teaching may be in order, I don't know.

How to give them enough time to truly become interested in my beloved subject? Never mind enough experience to do well on their OWLs when the time comes?

[alt_neville]

The thing with gloves is, they make it real hard to adjust the focus on the telescope. Especially for someone like me, who's got sort of bigger fingers. Makes me clumsier than I'd like, I reckon.

Anyway, I'm awfully sorry I knocked the telescope over, Professor. I'm glad it didn't break, and I'll try not to do it again.

[alt_sinistra]

Thank you for your apology, Mr. Longbottom. You do have a point about the gloves - it's something several people I knew struggled with at school.

Next week, I'll see if we can give more room to those who are observing, rather than crowding close. I know the subject's tempting and all, but really, I never much liked people breathing down my neck while waiting their turn, and it does make it easier for an accident to happen.