Hogwarts again.

[alt_sinistra]

Such a joy to be settling in for the year. I just finished finding all of the charts and materials I need the first week of classes, I'm partway through some revisions for later in term in several years, and I'm about to tackle a few needed repairs, including one of the telescopes our fifth years will be using shortly.

And of course, I look forward to welcoming everyone back, and to the Sorting. Always so wonderful to see people find their homes for their time at Hogwarts. There’s the hope of some different and entertaining stories at the staff table, the crispness of Scotland’s air (already!) and all the wonders of the year.

I am even quite looking forward to Quidditch, this year (which fact I am sure has deeply amused most of my family) and I understand that the improvements to the pitch over the summer are quite something. (Very extensive, and more than a few to be much appreciated by the spectators as well as the players.)

Welcome back, students!

Comments

Private message to Raz

[alt_sinistra]

Dearest,

I finally feel settled again - being back here's helped immensely and so has having proper work in my hands (though I’ll not make it down for lunch: I am all bits and disassembled telescopes at the moment and I don't dare risk Peeves making trouble while they're in pieces. What I'd do without house elves bearing sandwiches, I've no idea.)

August really was a month of months. (I think the YPL business shook me more than I admitted. And well, Stint.) Wonderful bits, of course - that'd be you - but also complications.

Last night was lovely, though. Far more than I'd quite expected. You don't mind that he flatters me like he’s done, do you? Georg, the Guildmaster, also does that - very European, not meaning anything more than mutual amusement. I'm more than human enough to find it pleasant and especially from someone you and the Malfoys and all clearly think so well of. If it bothers you, Alde taught me long ago the proper ways to gently redirect, and I will.

(You know, I’ve never asked. Are you prone to jealousy? As opposed to protectiveness, I mean. Not that I expect to give you any cause for the former, mind, and I've more and more appreciation for the latter.)

On which note: now we’re engaged, I do think we might allow ourselves a tad more physical affection around here. Which is to say, thank you for your restraint with that, I know it’s been a trial for you, and I look forward to your arm around me, your hand in mine, and so on. Though you should probably still refrain from staring too much at my chest at meals. Gives at least half our students distracting ideas.

And speaking of students, I’ve had a thought about Harry. (Totally unrelated, I promise, except for my very wandering line of thought.)

Right. Back to fixing that lens mount on the Callisto telescope. I can be down at your rooms at half-five, and we can walk down to supper together, or you're welcome up here before then if you want.

Entirely your
Rory

Private message to Antosha

[alt_sinistra]

Antosha -

Thank you again for a most enjoyable evening. And for the coffee! (I admit terribly provincial tastes as a rule. My age and limited budget - and a love for books and charts above all other luxuries - meant I never developed a taste for most imports. Real chocolate is the exception.)

I do hope my comments were of use, besides their clear amusement. I confess I've not been quite so opinionated quite so quickly with anyone on staff, well, ever. (I am, of course, with Raz, and with Poppy and Pomona, but it took us quite a time to work up to that.)

Beyond that, it was a true delight to see your pride in Raz. I think, perhaps, it’s easy when you see someone regularly, not to see them growing and changing, and becoming more truly what they could be, and that those things are clearer with time and distance. While I admit I’d have found his parents formidable to deal with, it is wonderful to see someone who’s mentored him so clearly approve of who he has become and how he’s grown.

Seeing him grow as a teacher and guide (much of which I am increasingly sure he must have learned from you) gives me so much hope for the future, beyond those things he’s long been best known for. Do excuse me. You have already realised, I think, that the quickest way to my heart these days is a thorough appreciation of Raz’s virtues. I needn’t go on so.

Again, should you have questions about any manner of school-related need, please don’t hesitate to ask. As long as you do not ask me to be cheerful or coherent before about 9am of a morning (and 10 is safer), I am at your service there.

A.

Private message to Pomona

[alt_sinistra]

I’m so sorry we’ve not managed to catch up yet: I spent yesterday engrossed in some new ideas for class lessons, now I’ve enough projections to be useful. And then last night was busy, and today, I’ve been elbow deep in telescope repairs. (I suppose it was my turn for Peeves to make mischief, and at least I've time to mend things.)

Tomorrow, after lunch? I’d love to chat properly, and there’s a few bits of House related business we might wish to discuss, and a few other things.

Private message to Mum

[alt_sinistra]

Mum -

All settled here, and I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to see you again last week. It was all sorts of chaos over the matter with Stint. (The thought of what he nearly did to Poppy. Well.)

The spinning has gotten much more even, though my attempt to weave cord is less so: we will have to find time to try that again together sometime sooner than later. (My stubborn insistence on doing for myself, yes, but I would prefer given the use it’s going to.) Funny what our hands remember longer than we'd think.

I’ve not had much chance to start going through the books you and Diane got me, though Narcissa and I did talk through some of the larger questions. I am afraid the thing is going to need to be huge: my starting list of family, Council Members and respective spouses, fellow staff is already pushing past 150, before we even get to anyone else.

Dad’s not still - well, upset probably isn’t too strong - about the wording of the announcement, is he? Just, there’s tradition and there’s fairness. And it’s not as if I’m just out of school and have never provided for myself. I promise, we’ll gladly let you both help, in all sorts of ways. Just that I refuse to be a burden, or limit what you could do for Sage or Temp if the time comes for them.