Mid-winter moments

[alt_sinistra]

It was quite fun yesterday to see all the different creative ideas for Valentines - such a nice break in the middle of the winter. And hearing the buzz about the Frost Faire - those who’ve seen the latest photos, I can only say they don’t do the streets any justice, from what parts I saw last night.

Seventh years: I’m delighted to say I’m ahead of schedule with comments on your research proposals. They all look quite strong, and there are a couple I’m particularly intrigued by. If you’d like them back sooner than Friday’s class, stop by during office hours.

Comments

Private message to Raz

[alt_sinistra]

Sweetheart -

Thank you again for a truly magical night - and for managing to arrange it all. Portico was outstanding, and I do quite see your point about the earrings. (Besides, who am I to argue with Narcissa’s good suggestions?) They’re ... well, I can’t stop looking at them in the mirror, so you may feel smug.

Looking at it this morning, I'm making better progress on the materials for the investigation than I'd planned - enough that I think, if I push through this week, I'll still be on track if I don't bring work with me this weekend. And as I'm very much looking forward to enjoying the weekend and the Frost Faire with you without other distractions, I'm glad to put off research time for the moment.

Re: Private message to Raz

[alt_rabastan]

Pleasure was all mine, love. I knew that those sparklers would win you over eventually- too much like wee stars not to, yeah?

Hooch says that dueling went just fine last night. Rather thinly attended, as I expected, what with so many kids off having a cuddle somewhere. Bloody Erebus, I only hope one of them wasn't Hydra.

We might have a free moment here and there for you to do your work, if you need to- though I confess I'd rather spend that time on other things.

Re: Private message to Raz

[alt_sinistra]

Not so wee as all that, but yes. They do shine, rather.

I'm not surprised it was sparse, either. Everyone was going on last night in class, about all the gossip.

As to Hydra - honestly, I've said my bit about that, and if it'd help to have me speak to her, I'm still willing. But she's struck me as surprisingly mild, compared to a number of other examples among her peers. Even if your brother is fussing.

And on the work, I'd rather spend that time other ways too.

It's one thing to bring some marking, and if I get it done companionably sitting around Sunday morning, well, one less thing to do later. But I'd rather not feel like I had to, or lose all hope of dealing with the investigation, so getting ahead feels lovely.

Private message to Pomona

[alt_sinistra]

Goodness. I quite missed what exactly happened with Miss Midgen and Mr Summers. Did you get a chance to talk to her, yesterday?

They were both in class last night, of course, but very loudly avoiding anything to do with one another, and making things more than a little awkward. I didn’t want to ask - especially somewhere that public - and Miss Midgen made it quite clear she didn’t want to talk to me, either.

(I... well, it was a very lovely evening for me and I suspect that still showed. I wouldn’t have wanted to talk to me if I’d just had a falling out with someone I liked, either.)

Her chart for the evening was a mess, of course, but I’m happy to give her a pass on it, all things considered. (Actually, a good half the class was in a fuss in some way or another, so I may just do that all round. With the projections, we've more opportunities for chart practice than in the past.)

While I’m thinking of it: does Daphne Greengrass seem more distracted in class with you recently? She’s never been one of my top students, but she’s usually more careful than she has been the past few weeks. Her actual work is still as correct as ever, but I'm seeing lots of small slips - things she'd normally have recopied, or taken more time with.

Re: Private message to Pomona

[alt_pomona]

I don't envy you, having lessons scheduled on Valentine's Day evening, with that stew of adolescent hormones at its height, I must say!

Miss Midgen has been avoiding me as well, but I gather from the comments of other students that there was a scene at mealtime--she presented Mr. Summers with an elaborate Valentine and he reacted rather badly. "Get away from me, you spotty cow," and other remarks in that line.

As to Miss Greengrass, I must admit that I haven't noticed any changes there; my spare attention during lessons being generally occupied with more obvious sources of trouble, such as Miss Bulstrode and Mr. Goyle.

Re: Private message to Pomona

[alt_sinistra]

Every year, I forget quite how impossible it gets - and of course, with a festival that travels through the week, it hits each year differently. The first and second years would have been giggly but manageable, the newts are always solid, if a bit distracted. It's really the middle years that I should reconsider, I suppose.

On Miss Midgen. Goodness. I can't blame her for not wanting to talk about it, then. I'd thought a bit better of him, as well, mind, though I gather he's been a bit reluctant to be as clear as he might be. (Though that's no excuse for that kind of unpleasantness.)

As to Miss Greengrass - quite, given her housemates. And I suppose the things I've been seeing wouldn't show as clearly in her work for you. Perhaps it's just knowing how I cut corners, just a little, when I'm pressed for time, and that being on my mind at the moment.