Reminders and a location change:

[alt_sinistra]

A reminder to our CCF trials students that we are looking at all aspects of your behaviour and interactions this week. If you have a difficulty you cannot resolve appropriately yourselves, please bring it to the counsellors, or you can come find me. If I’m not with the examiners, I’ll be accessible by journal and can arrange to meet up with you easily if you’d rather not climb up to my rooms or office.

To the examiners: I’ve arranged use of one of the ground floor classrooms for our discussion after supper, in consideration of Mr Bennington’s bad foot. Second door on the left in the hallway across from the entrance to the Great Hall.

Comments

Private mesage to Terrence Higgs

[alt_sinistra]

Can you have another word with Miss Montague and Mr Warrington, please? I know it’s delicate, but I’ve just had another concern about their behaviour towards various of the halfblood students. I’d hoped everyone would be worn out enough after yesterday, but apparently not.

If that’s not sufficient, let me know, and I’ll come be more clear and direct. But if I have to officially have words, it’ll complicate things a great deal. (Feel free to make that clear, if you think it would help.)

Thank you, for your work - I know this is more trouble than we were hoping for.

Private message to Aurora Sinistra

[alt_umbridge]

Professor Sinistra,

Such a good effort you’re making to try and have everything run smoothly. But as I’ve been observing, I do see some teensy things that might be of help, given my greater experience. And I've got a few questions.

1. When running meetings, I’ve always found it to be so much better if one sets a clear agenda and pushes forward with it. I’ve noticed, if I might be so bold, that you’ve been perhaps a tiny bit too accomodating to some views. Better to get simply things done, don’t you think?

2. Are the students really busy enough? I heard a few comments this morning about some difficulty last night. Perhaps they need some useful project to occupy their evenings. Idle hands do find occupation.

3. Were the group exercises quite so competitive last year? That matter with Mr Archer and Miss Inglebee, in particular, dear.

4. I understand that the examiners do not generally review the applications, but perhaps I could have just the smallest peek? As an observer, of course. I’m quite curious about how students present on parchment, and then in action. All part of my little project, you know.

And perhaps you could explain how Miss Lovegood made it in to the trials, when Miss Zimmerman did not. (I know her guardian, so I was most surprised, as Mildred has always seemed quite careful with her ward. A good solid loyal hand, as much as she could given Ethel’s unfortunate parentage.)

I’d just love to discuss further, after the evening’s meeting. I’m sure you’ve no other plans than your work this week, dedicated as you are. Oh, and might we switch to first names? I’m quite interested in this work you’ve been doing, and sometimes find too much formality can get in the way of a really productive conversation.

Private message to Poppy Pomfrey

[alt_sinistra]

Poppy -

Been thinking of you all day and yesterday, and I do hope they saw sense.

We’ve had no significant injuries here, other than one of the examiners - Elias Bennington - getting in the way of an odd hex this morning. (Your substitute does not have your touch with student ingenuity, so though Bennington’s ankle no longer resembles a tree trunk, he’s still limping and a bit bruised.)

I’m a little hesitant to be out and visible - Dolores Umbridge clearly wants to bend my ear - but if you want to come up, or let me know when I can sneak down, I’ll be free this evening except for about an hour after supper. Whatever the outcome was. Likely up on the tower otherwise, but I won’t be doing anything I can’t put aside easily.

If you'd rather be on your own, or with Pomona, just say the word: I won't take offense. But I'd hate to think you were alone needlessly after that kind of review.