Another week gone.

[alt_sinistra]

Last weekend's freedom was a fleeting thing - I've been in the midst of marking essays from our 2nd years, 4th years, and the NEWT students this week, all of which required extensive comments.

The beginning of the week started well - I had a lovely afternoon tea with Poppy, just to chat. We wandered over a number of topics, but I think she was amused by the combination of my abysmal scores in both Herbology and Potions (I have to admit, they were the worst of my OWLs), and my general knowledge of remedies useful to growing children. (Being one child of many requires you to learn some things out of sheer self-preservation.)

Since then, though, it's been all essay marking, and wondering how to adjust observation times for the weather, and trying to get alternate class topics prepared, and so I find myself at the weekend feeling rather wrung out.

This evening, though, I'm going into Hogsmeade for dinner, as a friend of mine is coming through. It'll be good to catch up with her more easily than by owl or floo. I may be up late to finish the essays after that, mind you - but a break will be nice.

Comments

[alt_poppy]

I had a lovely time Monday, Aurora. We must do it again soon.

The wonderful thing about having finished school and having settled into one's life's work is that those scores are no longer important. Once through the examination gateway, the subjects we didn't pursue lose their significance except as sources for amusing anecdotes.

Ask me next time to tell you about my appalling failure to master Runes. I've often thought I ought to give them another go: I'd love to take a rambling holiday to study the ancient markers and crosses. I'm very fond of history, and it would undoubtedly be healthful to spend a month in the fresh air of the countryside.


There's a fond fancy for an icy morning!

[alt_sinistra]

We definitely must. And you are right - it is reassuring that our scores stop mattering at some point, as hard as it can be to believe at the time.

I will ask you about the Runes - personally, I find them fascinating, the ways they interconnect and fit into the spaces between each other in meaning - much like the stars and planets fit and change all at once, if you see what I mean.

The thought of a nice summer ramble does appeal when it's been this icy, definitely - no matter what the topic.

[alt_macnair]

Is there a good meal to be had in Hogsmeade? I don't usually bother with the place but for maybe a drink the food seems better here than anywhere else.

[alt_sinistra]

It is not so much that the food is better as that the company is a bit different. A change is as good as a rest, sometimes.