Private message to Raz

[alt_sinistra]

Raz -

I have another one to add to the pile of Pink Parchments.

But, oh, it’s nasty. Mean-spirited. And more than a hint of obsession. Apparently my eyes lingered on you for thirty seconds too long in the hallway on Tuesday, and I smile too much when I sit next to you at meals. (There are uglier things, too, but I shan’t repeat them here.)

And this time, I’m sure it’s a student - it was dropped into a pile of assignments sometime earlier today. Besides my classes, there’ve been hordes of students in and out all afternoon, so not much chance of narrowing it beyond that.

It also had a harsh little hex on it that would have left my fingers sore for a few days. (Have no worries: I spotted the hex before opening - I’m suspicious of all pink parchments these days. I opened it with tongs rather than disarming it, so you can look for yourself.) I do think it may be the same as one of your Pink Parchments - the hand looks familiar.

Any chance you’d be up to taking a look at some point? I’ve got double sessions tonight and marking I really need to get ahead on, so tomorrow’s better for me.

(My other mail brought me another five invitations, and we should probably talk about two of them. Also - and far more welcome - a package from Mum, with a bottle of scotch she suggests you might like. I’m not sure what to make of that. I think she’s trying to be friendly without being pushy. Or something.)

Comments

[alt_rabastan]

No, you've the right idea there, really. More subtle would probably equal more unpleasant, which is not what we want.

(Ha, and don't I know it! "Defence Professor utterly unsure what to do in the face of girlfriend's stalker." NOT my finest hour. But then we want the whole thing to remain discrete. That's the real tangle here, innit?)

[alt_sinistra]

You're doing quite well so far, really.

You have made thoughtful suggestions. (I like those.)

You have restrained yourself from any impulses you might have about coming straight up here and making it all better. (I'd appreciate the sentiment, but that isn't the thing I either need or want.)

And I'm sure together we'll come up with some other ideas.

Besides it's hardly urgent we solve the problem tonight. It's a letter. A small-minded and hateful little letter with a nasty bite, mind you. But it's a piece of paper, and it's not going to do any harm sitting safely in my rooms until you can look at it properly.

That said, I do see your point. And it's not even like I can talk to Minerva about it, really, at least not without it happening more than once.

[alt_rabastan]

Well, on the impulses, you have double sessions tonight. So while I certainly have impulses (many of them), there's that whole discretion thing, and snogging you in front of your class would rather put that all to shambles, I think.

And you're right it's not an urgent problem. I think the real matter (for both of us) is that it's coming from one of your students. Someone who is apparently smiling to your face and then dropping you nasty notes when you're unawares. It all feels quite a lot more personal than what the papers write.

[alt_sinistra]

Snogging me in front of my class would rather complicate things, yes. And I do have things to teach them, too.

You're right about the real matter, too. It is a lot more personal than the papers.

It's easier there to say "That's not someone who knows me, that's not someone I've tried to teach about what I love." and let it slide off my back. It is hard to think of someone smiling and smiling, and then turning around, and... ugh.

I don't think I like that train of thought anymore, really.

[alt_rabastan]

Oh-ho, we could teach them a LOT, though. Enough to make their eyeballs fall out.

(Leaving the other train at the station, then, since I'd rather make you laugh with my crass innuendo).

[alt_sinistra]

I laugh, I laugh! (Actually, I almost snort my tisane.)

Thank you for that image, love.

Now how am I supposed to get up in front of them and talk about Perseus and Andromeda, hmm?

(You know, I had not realised before this year quite how many of the myths built into our stars are things that might warp young minds. If they weren't already warped, anyway.)

[alt_rabastan]

Whatever we think might warp them they're sure to find utterly wiz-nift-snitcheroo.

Point of fact, I often find those mind-warping things pretty snitch myself. The trick is to not let the students see that, if I can help it.

I shall leave you to Perseus and Andromeda then, love, and do try not to inhale too much tisane beforehand.

See you tomorrow.

[alt_sinistra]

I look forward to it. And your impulses. And mind-warping.

Sleep well, love.