Mid-September
Sep. 18th, 2012 05:21 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
alt_sinistraIn New London for the afternoon, a combination of errands and catching up with two of my sisters. It is amazing how quickly things fall into place after just a week or two back at school, really - I’ve been working tidily through my list and plans, and it’s so satisfying to see things checked off.
The weather, alas, not so much - we’ve had some glorious stargazing weather the last week, but I’m afraid it’s the last gasps before the far more uncertain days of the fall and winter.
Temp - thanks again for rounding more of those up. And for the other set of used-book searching, too. Gilly - no worries that you had to cancel, I found other company, but next week? Could do lunch at one.
The weather, alas, not so much - we’ve had some glorious stargazing weather the last week, but I’m afraid it’s the last gasps before the far more uncertain days of the fall and winter.
Temp - thanks again for rounding more of those up. And for the other set of used-book searching, too. Gilly - no worries that you had to cancel, I found other company, but next week? Could do lunch at one.
Private message to Narcissa Malfoy and Arca Sinistra
Date: 2012-09-18 09:38 pm (UTC)I’ve arranged an appointment at Young & Miller for half-three next Tuesday. (Sorry, Mum, but it’s the the latest slot they had open that worked.) I do hope you both can come - if not, I’ll resort to sketches by owl or something. I’ve already let Diane know, too. The planner meetings were interesting. More once Raz and I’ve had a chance to talk.
Mum - would love to pick your brain at some point. Dolores Umbridge is trying all the same status and influence games Auntie Alphecca and cousin Cally do. I’m woefully out of practice with people outside of family in that particular mode, and I could use your greater experience. Owl with details soon as I get a chance, and some specific questions. You more than Dad, but I’ve a couple for him.
In brief, I’m trying to get her to “You show signs of being a potentially competent adult” rather than “Let me run your life for you, dear.” (Modest ambitions, I know, but I’ll start there.) Currently trying the “Let me make unassailably sensible suggestions that allow you to look good” approach, but I can’t quite bring myself to the flattery that works with Auntie A. I could stand to have more options ready to go, but I can’t tell if it should be firm resolve or perky offers of help on my terms or what.
Narcissa, it might amuse you too, mind, but I’m afraid our Hufflepuff bluntness entirely confuses sometimes. (She was rather venomous Sunday, and Raz is still fuming on my behalf.) And Dolores is not the most subtle player I’ve ever seen, which is less a help than one would think.
Right. One or two more notes, then supper. Mum, much love to the family. Narcissa, I do hope I'll see you next week, but if not, do let me know a good Tuesday afternoon, and I'd love to chat more.
A.
Re: Private message to Narcissa Malfoy and Arca Sinistra
Date: 2012-09-18 11:54 pm (UTC)I'd be happy to join you and that time ought to be perfect.
Regarding Dolores, I'm trying to recall the sorts of things that worked while she was Minister. Though truth be told I don't think I had nearly the difficulties with her that you're having. But then, in her estimation I was, of course, doing all the proper things, as wife and mother and general rôle model.
I'm sure she'll settle down eventually, dear, though I'm very sorry to hear she's got her claws out. What does Tosha say about it all? I understand you and he are already bosom friends. He's an excellent judge of character and, I think you'll find, a master at interpersonal politics.
Re: Private message to Narcissa Malfoy and Arca Sinistra
Date: 2012-09-19 12:33 am (UTC)Oh, lovely. I'm so glad it's convenient for you.
I do seem to be having more than the usual run of difficulties with her, yes. Part of that, I suspect, is that it's clear I'm not conforming to her ideal. But I think it's also - well, it's probably no surprise to say that she considers me a threat to her rapport with students. Not that I've said a word directly against her, but then I haven't really had to - her own actions do speak rather clearly.
And there is a certain category of witch who seems convinced that I cannot possibly manage my life without their particular wisdom - there's more than a little of that with Dolores as well. While I'll tolerate it to a degree from my aunts and older cousins (though only so far, mind), I refuse to from her, and that may be a sticking point indeed.
Antosha, well. He and Raz and I talked quite a bit on Friday, but mostly about other topics (amusing embarrassing moments, largely, given the matter with Miss Lovegood last week.) He was rather sympathetic on Sunday, when Dolores messaged, but yesterday was rather filled with a pair of challenges in one of his classes. (Everyone is fine, but it took a bit of sorting out.) He has offered whatever help he can be, and I will take his advice most seriously - we just need more than a handful of minutes to talk it through.
Raz is, well. Restraining himself and avoiding her until he can manage his usual charming face to her again. But I'm sure he'll have ideas once we get a chance to talk. (I'm waiting for him now, actually, but he'll be at duelling club a while yet.)
Private message to Raz
Date: 2012-09-18 09:56 pm (UTC)Are you sure you trust me to plan this thing without making a hash of it? I’m not sure I do. (On the other hand, I’m the one with a weekday afternoon free, so I don’t know that we’ve a great deal of choice.) Can I also say how much I already hate the “You’ve been dreaming of this day all your life, you should have everything you ever wanted.” First, I haven’t. And second, what I want at the end of the day is you. Everything else is negotiable.
Anyway. One planner all about the most splendid thing, no expense spared, even when it’d be entirely wrong. Most of her pet ideas would give you security nightmares and we don’t need that, even if I agreed with her tastes (and I don’t - all massive opulence and the wrong symbol sets and all.)
Next one all about her connections and family - but she pushed one of the caterers Temp says we must avoid. (She worked in their kitchens briefly.) And all sharp and modern and … I’m my father’s daughter, and I don’t trust her accounting methods at all. (I may have worked my way to the necessity of you paying for the thing, but I can’t bring myself to spend money stupidly.)
Then the last, who I want if you agree and her references check out. Tallie Powell. She’s young - five years younger than me - but she’s worked for other planners. Broke off to start her own business this spring. This’d be her first big wedding on her own, but... she listened. Asked really intelligent questions. Thought about us as people, not some fantasy ideal couple. Had really done her research. (Well, she’s Chimera’s cousin, I’m not surprised by that part.)
Tell you more when I get back tonight. Gilly had to cancel on me, but Sage wants a word, privately. Expect I’ll be back by eight or so, and wait in your rooms. (And you’re likely to find me in bed in the morning, too, I think.)
Your Rory
Re: Private message to Raz
Date: 2012-09-19 03:52 am (UTC)I'd say lets run off and elope but there's too many people who would never forgive me. Your parents, for one. Everyone else, for two.
I'm sure Tallie Powell will be just fine, and sounds like a good match for the two of us. Get the references to me and I'll follow up on them as soon as I can.
Looking forward to spending some quality time with you on your special day tomorrow, love.
-R.
Re: Private message to Raz
Date: 2012-09-19 03:59 am (UTC)You are quite right my parents would never forgive us. Or anyone else. Alas. I'll bring the references down. Poppy also suggests (sensibly) asking her to do a full proposal, and making sure it seems in order, which I'll do sometime tomorrow.
And time with you's all I ever ask, you know. Right. Teaching, then I'll be down to your bed, and that will start the day wonderfully. (Do go to sleep, though, and don't wait up for me.)
And you can have all my late afternoon and evening, barring the staff meeting. (Not what I'd pick for my birthday, but duty calls or something. I look forward to Antosha's comments, anyway.)
Private message to Poppy Pomfrey and Pomona Sprout
Date: 2012-09-18 10:23 pm (UTC)Anyway. The first was all hearty and .. well. Elaborate office, best of everything, and the grandest plans imaginable. Winged chariots descending from the sky, tulle draped cherubs, out of season flowers individually charm tinted to match the attendant robes. Daft proposals involving falcons. More than that, I think a number of her suggestions would be security nightmares (and she just brushed past that).
The second one - well, Pomona, do you remember Briony Fleet? She was about a year behind Diane. Not improved by age and all wanting to push her friends and connections. Except that - well, Temp gave me a list of caterers I absolutely must avoid. Among whom were the ones Briony recommended. (Temp has a ranking system of the kitchens most likely to treat their female and muggleborn staff badly, and they’re near top of the list.)
Beyond that, there was something off in her approach to accounting - all the language that makes it easier to hide skimming that Dad’s taught me. And that was before she got to the bit about product placement. All shiny and modern and sharp, but entirely lacking any sense of history in more than one way.
The last one, though - you might both remember Tallie Powell, left school in 86. She’d been doing event planning for Harrod’s, struck off on her own this spring. She’s young, and this would be her first big wedding, but - she’s the only who made me feel like she’d actually thought about the specifics. Us, as opposed to some generic couple. Yet. She is really young. And it’s not as if I really know what I’m doing. And I’m quite sure Narcissa - and various others - will make a meal of it if anything goes wrong.
Poppy: Can I put off my obligatory annual visit to you till Friday? I’m free 3 till supper. And Pomona, thank you again for Sunday. Right. Sage’s here. I’ll be back tonight, if you need anything, though Raz is expecting me as soon as he’s done with duelling club.
Re: Private message to Poppy Pomfrey and Pomona Sprout
Date: 2012-09-19 03:01 am (UTC)Not that staging spectacles replete with winged chariots is any less ridiculous, mind. But that's a matter of taste rather than basic business sense.
Product placement? What in Merlin's name? In any case, I'd say that following your sister's recommendations with respect to catering is an excellent idea if for no reason other than her direct experience of the matter.
So the last one was Miss Powell? Well! I do remember her. Bless.
I do see your dilemma. It would be lovely to support a young business witch, but perhaps not at the cost of one's peace of mind. I sense, though, that your instinct is to trust her. You might, at least, invite her to make a proper, detailed bid for the job--and see whether it all looks in order?
And, yes, of course, you may shift your visit with me to Friday. Particularly if you'll agree to tea, as well.
By the way, I thought it best to reply first to Dolores first, rather than appear to be conspiring with you on my answer to her query. Not that it would have changed my response a jot or tittle, of course.
Re: Private message to Poppy Pomfrey and Pomona Sprout
Date: 2012-09-19 03:06 am (UTC)On that note, I have an appointment next week to try on robes from the rack, with all sorts of codicils about how anything I picked would need extensive alterations, and so on and so forth. I'm rather treating it more pragmatically: a chance to be more certain of what I want, and then arranging exactly the thing made to specification. (Especially since nine in ten of the robes I've seen so far are far too ornate for my tastes, and the half the remaining ones wouldn't suit me at all.) Narcissa, thankfully, is amused by the errand, and at least if I trust to her advice, I'll look good in the end.
Back to the planners - no, quite. The first two are entirely impossible, I entirely intend to trust Temp's advice on catering. (She's given me three names so far, and is checking on details for a few others).
But it is Tallie's age that's a concern, yes. And she hasn't nearly the business connections for all the various necessary things (well, everyone else seems to think they're necessary) yet. But I am inclined to trust her, yes.
First, she actually looked at the specifics - had a decent idea of the necessary size of the thing, some recommendations for spaces that would hit the right note (elegant, but not overdone), a way to balance the various obligatory events. She's the only one who recognised the complications of creating an event that might be vaguely comfortable for both some of my family and friends, and Raz's.
But she comes well-recommended too, through an odd connection. You might remember I passed a very pleasant summer with Chimera Powell in 89, when we were doing research together? Tallie's his cousin, and he says she's got his eye for detail and his knack for implication, and I honestly can't think of higher praise than that. (In contrast, what I get out of him about Miss Clearwater, whom he hired as an assistant after she left school, is that she's diligent, and he supposes she's learning quickly enough. Not unhappy, but nowhere near the praise Tallie got.)
Friday it is, and tea, certainly. And thank you for threading that needle with Dolores - both because I want to save the 5ths difficulty, and because I'm hoping it works her round to being a bit more reasonable with me.
Re: Private message to Poppy Pomfrey and Pomona Sprout
Date: 2012-09-19 03:37 am (UTC)At the end, even if every piece of the planning goes awry and every detail falls short, the point is to marry Rabastan and to begin your life together in the presence of people you care about (and any number of other people you also feel obliged to ask along as spectators). And, yes, if the decorative bits all go pear-shaped, there will be articles in the gossip rags, and people will talk, but you'll be no less married to the wizard you love. And you'll have stories to tell and retell across the years. Particularly the ones at the expense of any of your acquaintance with the bad grace to act sour about petty details.
I'm quite looking forward to it.
Re: Private message to Poppy Pomfrey and Pomona Sprout
Date: 2012-09-19 03:54 am (UTC)You are very right that the point is to be married, and to Raz. (And I said as much to him myself earlier today.) There's just so much idiocy people seem to try and attach to the whole thing, and I gather that's only going to get worse. I intend to fling myself on the twin pillars of family tradition and Raz's preferences. (Raz's preference is that we arrange this thing with minimal misery to both of us. He'd be happy to elope, except that's clearly not possible if we want anyone ever to speak to us again.)
I am going to rely on both of you, you know, to help me keep my good humour, mind you.
Right. Quick note to him, and then I'm teaching.
Re: Private message to Poppy Pomfrey and Pomona Sprout
Date: 2012-09-19 11:55 am (UTC)Many happy returns to you, and I hope the day treats you wonderfully. I have a little something for your office - we can figure out when I should bring it up later today. So sorry I didn't get a chance to reply last night, but we had the usual round of first year wobbles one expects. (Overwhelmed by the work, and scared they're going to fail everything miserably, nothing difficult) and it took a while to sort out.
Poppy has, I see, been her exceedingly sensible self. I do remember Briony Fleet, yes, and i must say, that doesn't quite surprise me. She always was one of those girls who wanted to know everyone's family connections so she could make use of them. (And there was always something a little unsavoury about - was that her brother or her cousin - anyway, one of our slightly more distant exam potion mishaps.
(You'd told me about Tempest's list. Is she still doing well, then, at her current place? You'd mentioned she was hopeful.)
I did also have a - well, productive - conversation with Antonin. He promises to ask you further about a number of topics relating to recent history, as we were so short on time. Do let me know if there's things you don't get to, though, as we want to get him up to speed as quickly as we can. And I'd like to discuss him and his class a little further with you when we get a chance, and get your impressions in more detail.
Right. I should wander to breakfast. Do take joy in the day, my dear, and we'll try to keep tonight's meeting short for you. (Well, ourselves, too, but.)
Re: Private message to Poppy Pomfrey and Pomona Sprout
Date: 2012-09-19 03:55 pm (UTC)And yes, on the wedding plans - Diane sent one of those huge photographic books that illustrates the kind of overblown thing we're quite hoping to avoid. (Large wedding, yes, but surely that needn't mean unending spectacle? Or am I just deluding myself?)
As to Temp - she's doing a lot better, actually. Worked off her feet, mind you, but she's loving the current place and they're treating her well. For a change. (Until she started this cooking thing, I had no idea how many places treated their staff that badly.)
Right. Down for lunch, see you there.
A.
Private message to Aurora Sinistra and Poppy Pomfrey
Date: 2012-09-19 12:16 am (UTC)I do wonder if you might be able to spare a little time to help both Aurora and I with a question.
We had quite the conversation in the journals with Aurora Sunday night and Monday, but she raised several points I’ve been thinking over, and I wasn’t able to catch you today. She did say that you’d mentioned something to her about our dear students and sleep, and that there were sound reasons that early morning activities had not historically gone over well.
Would you perhaps be willing to expand, here, so I can better understand the issues? And Aurora, I'm asking here of course to make it easier for you to share what you'd been thinking if Poppy has questions.
Dolores
Re: Private message to Aurora Sinistra and Poppy Pomfrey
Date: 2012-09-19 02:32 am (UTC)It's all quite clear in the research. (e.g., Balastiel, 1990; Strangeweale, 1993) Adolescents timeshift, so whereas at nine years of age, a child will wake earlier than her parents wish and is sleepy by seven or eight o'clock, by age twelve or thirteen, a young person will have begun both waking later and falling asleep later. This is not merely a matter of their interests keeping them engaged longer into the evening; indeed, studies show that it is a quite natural function of the maturing process.
Equally, adolescents require more hours of sleep than children do. Inconveniently so. The upshot is that at the same time that their internal clocks shift, urging them to stay awake longer past the fall of darkness (and as their academic obligations increase, requiring them complete more hours of homework), their bodies also begin to require more and more rest to enable them to replenish their reserves.
Consequently, it is extremely difficult to wake adolescents in the morning. And if one does demand early morning wakefulness from eleven to seventeen year olds, it is more than likely that one will produce whole classrooms full of dullards, nodding off between sentences of the lectures they are meant to be attending. Worse still, studies of adolescents and accidental injury show a strong correlation between injury and insufficient rest.
I can provide a list of relevant studies if you wish more information.
Re: Private message to Aurora Sinistra and Poppy Pomfrey
Date: 2012-09-19 02:39 am (UTC)I admit I had not thought through some of the complications of the Hogwarts schedule until the last week or so. It is then your advice, I gather, that early morning gatherings would indeed be quite problematic? And I scarcely want every teacher in the school annoyed at me at once.
Aurora did suggest that late afternoon, between their classes and supper, might be preferable. (I would also be interested on references you may have on that topic, or on the scheduling and amount of exercise designed for optimum fitness.) Is there wisdom in that, or would you have another suggestion?
Re: Private message to Aurora Sinistra and Poppy Pomfrey
Date: 2012-09-19 02:59 am (UTC)I believe, in fact, that our school timetable was built around an appreciation for the sleep patterns of young people. The first lesson hour begins at 9 am, and if I'm not mistaken, the older students are generally scheduled later than the youngest ones.
I quite agree with you that afternoons might be a wise and more welcome time to propose additional physical activities. If nothing else, it should encourage healthy appetites for supper even in those most apt to grumble about the fare that comes up from the kitchens.
As for the amount of exercise, there are, of course, issues that arise when still-growing adolescents push themselves too far--broken bones in both sexes, delayed or deferred monthly cycles for witches, stunted growth, elemental imbalances--but surely you're not thinking of instituting an extreme regimen?
I'll send you a packet of items on the subject, and I will be happy to answer any questions as you continue to consider the matter.
Re: Private message to Aurora Sinistra and Poppy Pomfrey
Date: 2012-09-19 03:11 am (UTC)On the specifics - had you not heard? Though I suppose you might not. I had hoped to start a series of exercise sessions for our YPL students, lead by our CCF corps (Rolanda's graciously agreed to provide adult supervision when necessary.) Some running, some calisthenics, some flying work.
I do not believe it too extreme - more along the lines of the work the CCF corps were doing this summer, intended to keep them in the best possible fitness. Three times a week, I thought. More would be better, but I am aware of the complaints about the schedule in general, and we could always ease into that later.
It does look like afternoons may be the best choice, but I will think on it a little longer. Not being young myself, I should also take myself to bed, I think. It is a busy morning for me, and I am sure for you both.
Aurora, do let me know if you have additional comments, when you get a chance.
Re: Private message to Aurora Sinistra and Poppy Pomfrey
Date: 2012-09-19 01:17 pm (UTC)I'm so glad you could be of help, Poppy - I knew that my faint memories of what you'd told me about sleep cycles had a much more solid form somewhere.
Dolores, I apologise for the delay - I was in New London and then otherwise occupied last night, and by the time I caught up, Poppy had clearly already been far more use than I was going to manage. I do continue to think late afternoon is your best choice, but if you've more interviews today or tomorrow, I'm sure the students would be glad to share their thoughts as well.
I did stop by the WEA office yesterday to drop off a book for Helena, and I understood from a passing reference that some of the YPL files were still giving your staff trouble? Entirely my fault, I'm sure - Felix and I did settle into some patterns I'm sure are obscure to others. My time's largely committed through this week, but I'd be glad to spare an hour or so this weekend to help, if you'd like.
A.
Private Message to Aurora Sinistra
Date: 2012-09-19 12:14 pm (UTC)And yes, damn you, I'll take whichever of those infernal novels you've finished -- how DO they make them so compelling? Objectively speaking, they're awful, and yet I can't stop reading them -- and will look forward to hearing the trials and travails of wedding planning. At supper with Pomona last night, it became clear that I should be forcing myself to meals more regularly, at very least to keep the various Heads updated with what's happening in my classes, so I will be making more of an effort to achieve supper even if lunch is not likely; you can tell me then. (And of course there's the staff meeting tonight; I can teach you the game then, though perhaps after this week's setbacks I should make more of an effort to put my best foot forward and save the delinquency for later in the year. The superstitious fool in me is bracing himself for a third disaster, and hoping that by saying so I haven't just hexed myself; the students are doing that quite enough this week.)
At least my plans for most classes today involve nothing more dangerous than a lecture!
Wishing you blessed with many happy returns of the day,
T
Re: Private Message to Aurora Sinistra
Date: 2012-09-19 01:34 pm (UTC)Thank you. So far, it is lovely. (I will confess to you that I snuck down to Raz's rooms after teaching last night, which does tend to improve my morning remarkably. You will have gathered that mornings are not my strong suit, by now.)
I've five and six for you, and might finish seven by this evening: must see how my marking goes. And yes: they're utterly horrible, and entirely compelling, and I've no idea how. (A comparison of student behaviour there to student behaviour here might make for a fascinating thesis, mind you. There are ways they are so like our students, and yet ways the things are clearly written by people who barely remember their school days.)
As to the staff meeting: annoyingly timed, yes, but Pomona promises to help keep it short. Though I warn you, there'll be some conversation about your classes Monday, I suspect. (Also, I think, the return of the bullying, the implications of the upcoming Quidditch season, various odds and ends about patrol schedules, and so on.)
I am glad Dolores has not prevailed in her desire to attend, or we'd be subject to all sorts of "Just one teensy question" conversations and there for hours. (Speaking of, I am trying new approaches in Hufflepuff status games, which seem to be bearing some fruit, but Narcissa advised me strongly to fling myself on your diplomatic expertise. More topics for Friday.) What have you been telling her about me, anyway?
Right. Few things to set up in my classroom, and then I get to immerse myself comfortably in wrangling the fifth year Slytherins and Hufflepuffs.
(Is one supposed to get a new dose of wisdom on one's birthday? I must say I don't feel much wiser than yesterday.)
A.
Re: Private Message to Aurora Sinistra
Date: 2012-09-19 02:10 pm (UTC)As to what I've been telling Narcissa, why, only that I have found you most delightful thus far, and that having you and Razzer both in residence has made being tucked away in backwater Scotland much more tolerable than it otherwise could be. (Related: may need to cut next Friday with you and Raz somewhat short; I am expected at St M's bright and early Saturday morning for checkup and have promised the rest of the weekend to Barty for a good long wallow. This Friday is still good, however.)
I am expecting to be called on the carpet, yes, and am prepared with my best apologies. Am already preparing alterations to the exercise's introduction on Thursday to quiet some of the fears, and I see the cubs in another few hours for their single hour, at which point I will be most reassuring. And I've floated a few ideas with Pomona on ways to quiet some of the fears long-term, including possibly sacrificing some of my other lunches throughout the week to meet with the little darlings more informally. Though of course I'd hate to burden their schedules further than they're already being presumed upon. It's just one teensy suggestion...
Hem. Hem. (Sorry, sorry, getting it out of my system in private.)
I would be happy to consult on best ways to defang darling Dolores, though I've not quite got the sense of which tactics would bear most fruit with her yet and you've most likely a better idea, if you've been able to identify her approaches already -- I have thus far been pleading overwork and ill-health to avoid her as much as possible. My sense of her is that she's the type who won't rest until she's put her fingers in every pie around, so my advice would likely be to pick one thing she's stuffing her nose into and breathlessly flatter her into concentrating on that while quietly shuffling everything else out of her way or giving ground on the inconsequential things while standing firm on the rest, but I suspect her approach with you to be quite different from the ones she uses with me, as I am neither young, nor pretty, nor blonde. (Am I missing one of the self-descriptors you used? I refuse to allow the "not a brain in your head" to grace my quill, even in jest.)
(Mind you, it might also be entertaining to react to each of her sallies with a wide-eyed, innocent, "My, that's a wonderful idea! I'll go ask Raz", presuming your dignity could stand it and Raz were willing to play along.)
And yes -- written by people who barely remember their school days, and who have never seen America save on a map. They did at least get a few of the details of Old Salem correct, but goodness. (Come to think of it, if I look hard enough I might still have a copy of the travel guide to wizarding enclaves across America that the Department of Magical Affairs prints up, if you'd like to compare fiction with reality.) I did not spend much time with school-age children, but of course you do absorb some details when talking with the adults, and one suspects the author (authors) were aiming for 'mysteriously foreign' and merely hit 'mysteriously strange'. (And of course blood purity is hardly an issue there at all, not the way it is in the books, but when writing for a Protectorate audience, one must be careful to use Protectorate values, one supposes.)
Whups -- Ms Archer has just arrived for my open hours alight with an idea -- must dash.
Until later,
T
Re: Private Message to Aurora Sinistra
Date: 2012-09-19 03:31 pm (UTC)No worries on Friday next, I'm sure. For this one, the weather forecast looks miserable, which I hate, but does mean I likely needn't be up in my classroom until half-eleven or so. (Good thing, too, looking at my list of topics we should really discuss.)
The Hufflepuffs were somewhat reassured when I saw them just now, but please, do whatever you can there. And Pomona mentioned she found the conversation productive. As to the meeting - the fact you've already sorted things out with Pomona will go a long way, I suspect, and that you've plans for avoiding more of the same. (We staff are, on the whole, relatively tolerant of single incidents of stupidity that don't affect us much. It's the repetition that wears.)
As to Dolores, yes. I'll show you her actual notes from Sunday on Friday, but the problem there was her assuming she had a much better idea about the realities of astronomy practicals than she actually does. I think we've now dissuaded her (Poppy was magnificent last night, in journal comments), and I've offered the olive branch of some limited assistance with the YPL files.
And the problem with her is not so much quite the young, pretty, and blonde problem (that affects men more than women, I've found), but rather "Do let me be your big sister." Which, thank you, no. I've one of those already, and she's quite enough.
(I have not, I think, given you full score on my family. I do love them, but - well, Diane can be illustrated by the book she sent for my birthday, Unforgettable: The Best of Modern Wizarding Weddings. Name dropping and all about "the perfect small touches" and the proper social things. Diane's eldest is a second year, this year, so you'll not know her yet. My youngest sister, Tempest, is the one you have to blame for the American Witches series, and Sage is an editor for one of the publishers. Three brothers, too: Orion works at the Ministry, Storm is a woodworker - sent me the most lovely jewelry box today. Theo, well, we hope he'll figure himself out sometime very soon now, it's well past time.)
At any rate, if I can get Dolores to move into some other mode than attempted big sister, we will all be much happier. Because I am quite sure I cannot manage wide-eyed innocence with her repeatedly without losing my self-control and breaking into laughter. (Especially if either you or Raz are around. Wicked men you are.)
I would love the travel guide, if you've got it handy, but please don't put yourself out. And I'd wondered, about the blood purity, and assumed that was the case. (There's a bit about that Muggleborn Heather, in the fifth one - Up Til Dawn - that .. well, see when you read it. She is rather the butt of everyone's jokes, though.) And the various scruples from Wand's Might get entirely dropped - honestly, that was annoying, as I was wondering where Mercy was going with that.
At any rate, later, I'm sure.
A.