Upcoming meteors
Oct. 2nd, 2012 04:56 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
alt_sinistraFirst, a reminder to our fifth, sixth, and seventh years that the first of our observing opportunities for meteor showers - the Draconids - is coming up this weekend. Depending on the weather, you should have the opportunity either Sunday or Monday not too long after sunset. I’ll be up on the tower after supper both nights until around 9 for those who wish to observe.
(Again, you’re expected to do some brief observations across at least two of the three upcoming meteor showers, weather reasonably permitting. Consult your notes or come by office hours if you are still confused about my expectations. You will in all cases want to work with a partner - it makes things much easier - and doing so is required if you’re out of your dorms outside of curfew.)
Looking ahead, I will not be available on Saturday, the 20th, but the Orionids should - if the weather holds - be most visible between midnight and dawn on the 19th, 20th, 21st, and 22nd. Those who wish to stay up on Friday night are welcome to come up the tower at midnight if the weather’s clear (though my 3rd years will be working on a different assignment.) Pre-dawn viewing, you are on your own, but I am glad to arrange permissions as needed.
And second, just a reminder on my office hours - you all know I’m glad to be available. However, I do generally plan to be done at 9pm, and often have some other tasks calling my attention. If you have a longer or more complex question, please do come earlier in the session, or arrange a time with me privately. (I do have to have time to do all your marking, after all!)
(Again, you’re expected to do some brief observations across at least two of the three upcoming meteor showers, weather reasonably permitting. Consult your notes or come by office hours if you are still confused about my expectations. You will in all cases want to work with a partner - it makes things much easier - and doing so is required if you’re out of your dorms outside of curfew.)
Looking ahead, I will not be available on Saturday, the 20th, but the Orionids should - if the weather holds - be most visible between midnight and dawn on the 19th, 20th, 21st, and 22nd. Those who wish to stay up on Friday night are welcome to come up the tower at midnight if the weather’s clear (though my 3rd years will be working on a different assignment.) Pre-dawn viewing, you are on your own, but I am glad to arrange permissions as needed.
And second, just a reminder on my office hours - you all know I’m glad to be available. However, I do generally plan to be done at 9pm, and often have some other tasks calling my attention. If you have a longer or more complex question, please do come earlier in the session, or arrange a time with me privately. (I do have to have time to do all your marking, after all!)
Private message to Raz
Date: 2012-10-02 09:55 pm (UTC)Progress! I stopped by Campanella’s on my way in - had a question for her, related to Chelsea Abbott last night - and she is delighted to be an attendant. Tallie and I had an immensely productive (and pleasant) planning session. She has two more venues
and one I turned downshe’d like me to look at next Tuesday.But I am immensely reassured about the whole process, really. And she’s sorting out our appointments for the 20th, so I don’t have to think about them at all. (See? I can so delegate. Sometimes.)
In case you get the urge to go rummaging for spare quills again - I’m going to need to repurpose the large box on my desk for the robe notes, and lock it. (I'm not superstitious about much, but I find I am about you seeing my robes in advance.) I want to sleep on the decision, and see if Narcissa has comments, but I am very pleased, and you think you will be too.
In more amusing news, the Archetype’s started carrying things from a new bakery, and I have gotten various bits to bring back with me. There’s some I thought Hydra might particularly enjoy, if you have her up to tea in the next few days. And yes, love, things for you - there’s an apple tart apparently even better than the one you liked last time and a few other things (Also, some marzipan for Antosha Friday night - they’ve got some deeply amusing designs.)
Did you manage to work out a possible time for the two of us and Harry? I suddenly have this feeling my calendar is filling up rapidly - between Quidditch and the demonstration on Saturday and us taking a day on the 20th and his YPL obligations and - well, it’s a long list, isn’t it?
Pomona wants me briefly at 9, but I’ll come up by your rooms when I’m done?
Love you.
Private message to Narcissa Malfoy
Date: 2012-10-02 10:05 pm (UTC)You should have an owl very shortly with copies of the design sketches from this afternoon. If you have a chance to glance at them, I’d love your opinion.
I keep coming back to the first Joosh design - there’s something about the draping and the idea he has for the back that I find very appealing. I liked his idea for the headpiece, too, though working it out in practice may take a little doing.
The Fairchild sketches are - I like them, but not for this, somehow, though I can’t put my finger on why. But I want to sleep on it, too, before making any final choice. And I’m sure you’re likely to spot about six things I’m entirely missing.
Also - Raz and I are planning on being in New London the 20th - partly for appointments with caterers, partly just for a night out together. Anything we should be sure not to miss? Planning to stay overnight at Spence, and come back here sometime on the Sunday.
I do hope your week's going well (and continues to do so).
A.
Re: Private message to Narcissa Malfoy
Date: 2012-10-04 02:07 am (UTC)Briefly, as we're at the opera but between acts: I did look at the sketches and I am, like you, quite impressed with Gerard's suggestions. It's not perfect, no, but he does know how to fit and you're right, draping is his strong suit. I'm thoroughly enchanted by his use of the spell in the headpiece; I confess I'd been wondering whether some touch like that would not bring just the hint of the celestial to everything. Moreover I'm sure he can continue to tweak the design to perfection.
I'm not certain Fairchild really understands your figure, dear. Though in truth, something like what he's shown might do in a different context - perhaps in a jewel tone and in different fabric (crushed velvet? Or a light suede, perhaps) - would make the difference. But it's a very heavy design, I think, for a day when one wants to walk on air.
Does that help? I am sorry it's taken me so long to reply; truly this week has been mad beyond belief. I've been imagining all day that it's really Friday (if only!).
Lucius tells me he's visiting this weekend, something about Toshenka wanting a display of skills. My condolences if you are left to see to the handful of them by yourself - but good practice for you, I think, particularly since Tosha and Razzer are perfectly capable of telling them all to be sensible in your presence! (What will happen after you leave, however ... best not to worry about it. There's a reason they all keep restorative potions on hand!)
There's the signal for the final act. We'll talk soon.
Re: Private message to Narcissa Malfoy
Date: 2012-10-04 03:21 am (UTC)And you're quite right about the headpiece, though I had another idea for an appropriately celestial feel, if we can find the right space for it. (It would, apparently, be very simple if I were content with entirely symbolic or cliché representations of the heavens, but of course, that won't satisfy me at all.)
And yes, that is it about the Fairchild. I've no desire to be all 'maiden of the dawning spring' about it (in truth, our choice of date is because I'd rather not wait longer rather than particular affection for the season). But at the same time, the whole thing should fit the time of year. He did mention there was something not that dissimilar - well, different material, neckline, sleeves, and back - in his winter collection. I should see if that might suit some my other coming needs.
As to the demonstration, yes - the entire school's buzzing with it. And I do have plenty to keep me distracted while they find amusements afterwards. I'll admit I'm a little nervous, but Raz and Antosha and I talked it through thoroughly on Friday, and I'm also rather intrigued to see it myself. If that's the word I want.
Thank you, again - especially in so busy a week. And I do hope you enjoyed the last act.
Aurora
Private message to Sally-Anne Perks
Date: 2012-10-02 10:17 pm (UTC)If you don’t want to actually talk, swing by office hours and I’ll at least hand you the books? (And I swear, they're far more helpful than That Book is.) Let me know?
And about this weekend - Saturday, I mean - if you know anyone who needs a little reassurance, I've been in on them planning, and they truly are taking sensible precautions. Given the general context. And while they've not done this in some years - obviously - it's not new to either of them.
(Oh, and if anyone asks why I'm writing, today's excuse is that I had a question on whether I'd covered something with your class last week, or whether we'd spent too much time on that digression about best practices in using the lunar telescopes to get to the piece on analysising orbits.)
Re: Private message to Sally-Anne Perks
Date: 2012-10-03 01:48 am (UTC)Maybe next week?
Re: Private message to Sally-Anne Perks
Date: 2012-10-03 03:16 am (UTC)Private message to Antosha
Date: 2012-10-03 12:47 am (UTC)You seem to have had quite the busy day with various communications - I do hope no one’s giving you trouble over your plans? (And do you need another pack of the Jelly Gums yet?)
I did finally finish that first of the Narnia books last night. Conveniently so, as I’ve picked up some marzipan for us on Friday that may amuse in that context. And I do want to talk about it, please. (Along with various other things on our mutual lists.)
As to the rest of my day, I seem to find myself with options for wedding robes that truly delight me, and progress on a variety of other useful related topics. (I shall not bore you with the details, but I am more and more convinced Tallie was the right choice as planner.) Also three interesting books from Flourish and Blotts - the new Magdalena Wright mystery, a study of Hypatia of Alexandria’s teaching notes, and a new history of Renaissance Florence. Nothing new on the trashy fiction shelf that looked at all amusing, alas.
Speaking of music: we’ve not discussed music, but I mean to pick up a ticket for the Wilton Consort performance in December. If you’re at all inclined to early music and chamber orchestra - some singing, but it’s about half instrumental - they’re really quite good. I’ve a recording or two to loan if you’d like a listen. (Raz tolerates my tastes here: not his style at all.)
Right. Off to a chat with Pomona, and then Raz, and then to set up for class.
A.
Re: Private message to Antosha
Date: 2012-10-03 11:29 am (UTC)Trouble over my plans? No indeed -- even the most dubious of our fellow staff (Pomona, of course) seems to have finally conceded that Razzer and I know what we're about. (Do reassure her, will you, if you haven't already? She's fretting over you most intently, so much so that I had to drop into speaking Hufflepuff at her.) The majority of my back-and-forth today was simply gossip, and inviting a few others of our brotherhood along as well.
(And before you raise your eyebrows at me -- I can feel them going up from here -- yes, I do in fact have several reasons for waylaying half a dozen of the Council and dragging them up here this weekend, and would be happy to explain if you can't figure those reasons out. And actually, that does give us an opportunity to start those lessons I promised you on understanding more of our dear company. Let us play a game: add to the agenda on Friday a discussion on what you think my motives in asking them are, and what their motives would be in accepting. I will tell you I have at least three of them, that I am willing to admit to at least!)
I have not run out of jelly gums yet -- there was only the one exchange with darling Dolores, and it ended abruptly enough that I rather think she's the one who could have used them this time. (I do not think she liked being told I did not agree with her that discipline was horribly lax throughout the castle. At very least, she did not reply once I told her she was likely being disappointed because she was expecting the wrong things.) She's trying again to get me involved in her CCF plans. I am continuing to plead overwork, although I suppose I should extend some small olive branch at some point in service towards not utterly shutting doors that might be useful in future. I suppose I should gird my loins (oh, damn that book the children have been passing around, I have lost entire volumes of useful expressions to the phantom sniggering teenager in the back of my mind) and give her just enough attention that she does not realise how useless I find her. You'll have to provide moral support for me, dearest, if I fall on that sword for the good of us all.
I would, meanwhile, be perfectly happy to be bored by the detail of wedding planning, so long as it is interesting to you. (I am content to listen to anyone discussing any topic they feel passionately about. It has led to many intriguing conversations throughout the years, and means I am never shy of cocktail party conversation.) At very least I would be most interested in seeing the designs for your robes.
I will also claim the books on Hypatia and the history of Renaissance Florence when you are done with them. And meanwhile, I have finished the next two in American Witches, and I think I may have figured out what you are seeing. Or at least what I think I am seeing. Might I borrow back Tickling the Salamander and Wand's Might to doublecheck? (I cannot believe I will be willingly rereading them. I owe you dire retribution for getting me hooked.)
As for the concert: I am more fond of choral performance than orchestral performance, and more sacred music than secular, but alas, choral liturgies are quite out of favor these days, from what I am given to understand. Still, although early music is not my primary interest I do still enjoy it. I would love to be your escort if Raz does not plan to attend; do allow the tickets to be my treat, and let me know what seating you prefer.
Anticipating today's amusement of attempting to teach two hours of thirds and fifths how to meditate (send me strength and patience!),
T
Re: Private message to Antosha
Date: 2012-10-03 01:09 pm (UTC)Let’s see, the quick pieces: I’d love your company for the concert (Lucius and Narcissa occasionally go to theirs as well), I will drop off Tickling the Salamander and Wand’s Might by your office when I come down to lunch - and the next two, mind. Along with the ticket details. You’re very kind.
(Assigning me things now? But no, I see the point, and I will consider it properly.)
As to wedding planning - I’d much rather mostly talk about other topics, really. Though I will bring the robe sketches on Friday. The planning itself - the details, anyway - is not the interesting part for me as much as managing that many moving pieces, and negotiating the space between social expectation and personal preference. And there, yes, your advice would be invaluable.
Raz’s requests are not too much spectacle, and no intrusions if possible. While both very sensible desires (and I am very much in agreement) they do not give one a great deal of positive direction. What will amuse, I suspect, is my growing list of “Really Stupid Wedding Ideas, Why, Oh, Why?”
At any rate, I am vastly reassured by the planner we finally settled on (very sensible and willing to listen), and that Campanella agreed to be one of my attendants last night. (You’ve not met her, I think - she’s in charge of security issues for the YPL work.) My oldest sister is the other, but she is far less use in dealing with either intrusions or certain of your esteemed brotherhood having a bit too much to drink and being difficult.
And it is still a great deal less work (as I keep insisting to Raz) and far less discomfort than herding 50 2nd years around Cornwall and Dartmoor in the rain with bonus attendance from dear Dolores.
On Pomona - she and I did talk, and yes, she’s fretting. (She always is, when she drops into calling me Auri like she has the last day). But it’s more than that - and related to Dolores and her questions about discipline.
Pomona’s never at her best when she’s having to convince her fellow heads of house to move on a particular point, and it’s made her a little more prickly the last day than one might prefer. She’s got good reason, though: Dolores took discipline into her own hands over that matter Sunday. There’s now ongoing discussion about whether she ought, and - more to the point - who has the best authority to tell her not to do that again. I am not directly involved, thankfully - but Pomona wanted an ear.
As to your own handling of Dolores, all the moral support you need. She’s largely left me alone directly since that last bout, and I’m rather wondering how long it’s going to last. But we should add her to the list for Friday’s discussion - I got a bit more information out of Campanella last night that may be of use to you.
Right. I should finish up a few things and aim at my classroom for some marking I didn’t do last night.
A.
Re: Private message to Antosha
Date: 2012-10-03 02:32 pm (UTC)I ... had not heard that about Dolores. In light of her appeal to me regarding student discipline, it is far more concerning; she was, I believe, angling to get me to be her voice in staff meetings (concerning which, we do have one tonight, don't we, or am I all turned 'round again?) on the topic of student discipline. (Believe she thinks that of course one of Our Lord's faithful would fall into step with her notions of discipline, not realising that 'discipline' means something wholly different to many of my intimates than it might to one who came to service in more settled times. It is a concept remarkably difficult to convey to those who did not live it: I could tell you a lifetime's worth of stories and still not scratch the surface.)
With that additional information, however, must confess I see a bit more of a sinister turn to her suggestions. And the question of authority in the other direction is an equally tricky one. I would not for the life of me overstep my boundaries -- it is a troublesomely narrow beam I must walk, being simultanously juniormost in the hierarchy of the school itself while quite senior outside its walls -- and Minerva is my own sworn sister for this life and beyond; I would not wish to give her even a moment's fear that I might be challenging her authority. Still -- I may sit her down and offer an extra pair of hands. At very least, this weekend should serve as a reminder.
(There; that is as much of a hint as I shall give you on your homework!)
Regarding wedding planning, I do believe I can take one worry off your mind: simply position me in a convenient place and I shall ensure the peace is kept, by any means necessary. Sadly, you are correct that many of our less committed brotherhood give in to their lesser angels when alcohol is involved, but I am well experienced in everything from gentle deflection to outright confrontation in ways that will not spoil the evening for others. Consider it one of my wedding gifts to you! (And remind me to tell you the story of a certain reception in Paris and a pair of young men whose mothers did not raise them suitably for civilised company in the least.)
Bother. Now you've got me thinking about what Dolores might be up to, when I would far prefer to be plotting the weekend's amusements. You are far more in Pomona's good graces than I, and more likely to cadge useful information out of her without setting her on edge: if you hear anything more, tell me, and if you've the chance to drop a word in her ear that I am happy to have words with any of the other heads as necessary, please do. (In fact I am spending tomorrow evening brewing with Horace, or rather, brewing in Horace's laboratories with Horace likely to be present: if there is a direction in which I may be useful there, do let me know.)
Until lunch,
T
Re: Private message to Antosha
Date: 2012-10-03 06:40 pm (UTC)Our meeting tonight will certainly be interesting. Pomona did say the Heads had some ideas for it, after they talked last night.
I admit I’m feeling stuck. I know full well that anything I say about Dolores will be seen as biased - even when I am truly being right and just and fair. (I think I've been very restrained, considering, but clearly not enough.)
I did get some more information out of Campanella last night - very much not for public conversation tonight, though. I will talk it through with Raz and with you, but I need a little to mull it over. Add it to our list for a week Friday? Raz has his own thoughts - and worries - on the matter, and I’m coming more and more to agree with him. (I also want to see if I can get some more out of Mum before that conversation - treading carefully there, because the last thing I want to do is make things difficult for her.)
As to the challenge of authority - quite. Though I’m sure you’ll manage well there. I had gathered, yes, that your demonstration might have that as one of its goals. (You do also realise it’d be easier if I knew who you’d invited - not that I can’t make some informed guesses, and use my own sources of information.)
On the wedding - that would be a very great relief, yes, please. Part of me lives in fear that various of Raz’s friends might find it an excellent time to torment him in entirely the wrong way. I’ve some ideas on how to manage the chance of overindulgence, but I anticipate a great deal of careful explanation to various vendors and to Tallie about why I’m making certain choices. (And I will certainly ask for the story.)
As to Pomona, absolutely, I will pass on what I hear. Even if I do sometimes feel like an owl, triangulating data. (Pomona and Poppy talk far more freely to me, Hooch to Raz, and you to your own sources, and so on.)
A.
Re: Private message to Antosha
Date: 2012-10-03 09:18 pm (UTC)Ugh. I thought today would never end, and tomorrow is no doubt going to be even longer. (Remind me to amuse before the staff meeting by doing my impression of the fifth-year Gryffindor/Hufflepuff class and their first encounter with meditation. I am lucky I could keep a straight face myself.)
And yes, your hands are tied even more so than mine are -- anything past "cordial ignoring" would be read as sour grapes. And Razzer's contributions, should he choose to offer them, read as defence of "his woman". (You may imagine the face I am making to even write that.)
I believe I will sit down with Minerva, sometime this weekend, and make it explicitly clear to her that I stand at the ready. With luck, tonight's meeting will turn in the direction we'd like it to without too much steering required and the matter left done and dusted, but we shall see. (And yes: triangulation of data and information is an excellent way to stay au courant, and a good way to exert influence as well; it has always been a particular skill of mine and I see the hallmarks of it in you as well. It occurs to me that between we three, we do nearly cover the entire staff, in spheres of influence! Something to think about, though let us devoutly hope it will not be necessary.)
I would, mind you, quite enjoy the chance to meet your mother at some point in future -- to thank her for the biscuits, if nothing else! (Which reminds me: I must dig up that recipe for her. Do not let me forget again.) And your friend sounds quite the useful contact, in addition to her friendship.
The guest-list for this weekend, meanwhile, is likely one you have already pieced together from my messaging: Rod, of course, and I believe I've already mentioned having pressed Barty into service for the more showy bits of spellcasting required. (The wards we will be using are not native to your magical tradition, and the actual spellwork is complicated, fussy, and demanding; I've no doubt I could teach you well enough, were you interested in learning, but not in what time we have, and I would not wish to try with many of our fellow staff.) To that number, add Lucius, if he is able to win free of his other commitments, and Dominic Selwyn as well -- I do not know him as well as the others, he being a later addition to our company, but I thought his presence on the Board of Governors would make him a useful resource, in the event of future parental vapours. (To say nothing of the fact the man has an excellent mind, and a library I quite covet.)
Right. Time for me to get moving, lest I sit here all night. I shall see you in a few, my dear.
Affectionately,
T
Re: Private message to Antosha
Date: 2012-10-04 12:38 am (UTC)Goodness, I feel much better now. I hoped we might end up in agreement, but that was easier than I thought it might be. Though, if the four heads are pointed the same direction, it gets far easier, given the weight of history three of the four have with the school. Rolanda is an oddity, mind you - I still wish we had more Gryffindor staff, really. Now to hope that Dolores sees reason without too much difficulty.
You do have a point about the triangulation, too but there are gaps. Acton (though, I suspect you could have her ear for the asking). Cordelia. And Brutka’s still mysterious, though pleasant enough and far far better than his predecessor. But he doesn’t share much of himself. (Actually, you might have a try there, if you were so inclined. Swap stories of life outside the Protectorate and all.)
On Dolores, quite. And I am beginning to wonder if I need to back off on cordial ignoring, to something more like polite tolerance. I’d have to grit my teeth rather a lot but if we were talking, it might give me that much more to pass on to students who might make good use of the information to prepare themselves for her plans. (Campanella - and a few other sources - are assisting, but there's things they don't hear.) Whether I can manage it, though, is an entirely different question.
And you’re quite right on Raz: him saying much is even worse. But as much as some part of me - well, swoons is not too strong - whenever he clearly wants to offer, one of the things I love most about him is his ability to step back and let me handle things when that’s best, hard as that is for him.
On Mum - we’ll have to see if we can find some excuse before the wedding. Mind you, both she and Dad are homebodies. Even I don’t see them that often. (And right now, she’s busy plotting Dad’s 75th birthday in November. Pity Raz, there. He’s finally going to have to meet my aunts and cousins, and they’re rather much. The uncles are rather more relaxing, thankfully.)
As to this weekend: that gives me enough to work with. I knew about Rod, of course, from Raz, and I’d guessed at Barty and Dominic. (The first two I am still on very cautious footing with, and I’ve only met Dominic a couple of times.) But yes, an excellent choice if you want someone to reassure parents, and especially if Lucius can’t get free.
And thank you for that compliment as to my potential skill. (Before you launch into the predictable lecture on valuing my skill, I am. My strength is not with my wand, and I know it. I do suspect I will find the process deeply interesting, though, just given what you mentioned last week.)
Right. Marking. Really.
A.
Re: Private message to Antosha
Date: 2012-10-04 01:09 pm (UTC)Yes, I feel much better now after last night. (And it's always entertaining to see Horace in full-on appeal-to-tradition mode. So very amusing, and hard to argue with.) At least we have that settled, and it should give us all some breathing room. (And I feel better twice over, as apparently the latest change to my potions has overcome the insomnia and I am finally catching up. I was out like a candle the minute I returned to my quarters last night, and I've only just woken: the first time I've slept past dawn all term. Good morning!)
You're going to make me make nice with Acton, aren't you. (As the only remaining possibility among the three of us.) And yes, I do find Brutka pleasant enough; I suppose I should make an effort there. (And, you know, if you've in need of more Gryffindor staff: he might not be one, but he is at least not distracted by allegiance to a different House.)
"Cautious footing" is a lovely euphemism, my dear! Rod is generally easy enough -- give him an interesting conversation and make no references to his home life in the least -- while Barty can be trickier; there are many outside and uncontrollable factors that can influence what sort of reception one will have with him. Trust me to stand you in good stead with him over time, however. As for Dominic, I don't know him very well either, but have found him eminently personable thus far.
As to the potential compliment -- my saying so was less due to having seen your skill with wand, and more with having seen the development of your recording process, actually. The process of imposing your will upon the anchor-stone is extremely like the wrestling with the universe (...often to two falls out of three) that certain of the oldest pieces of the magic I have learned from my mother -- which this is -- involve. (I have a forty-five minute or so long tirade about my theories regarding the inhibition of instinctive wild magic in children and the forcing of it into named and patterned spellwork, but I'll save delivering it for a time when we're all a bit less on edge, as it milks some sacred cows.)
Do not subject yourself to Dolores, at least not yet: I will bite my tongue and at least try to be cordial, and we can see whether she's willing to believe me on her side enough to show off her plans.
(I may need the extra bag of jelly gums first, though.)
Still somewhat sleepily,
T
Re: Private message to Antosha
Date: 2012-10-04 02:21 pm (UTC)That is excellent news on your insomnia (though I envy you the sleep: I am always short Wednesday nights. Hence why my schedule for Thursdays includes a two hour slot for a nap.)
And yes. You are the only option for Acton. Raz can’t, I can’t (though at least she’s speaking to me again when needed; there was quite a while when she’d just sniff and go the other direction.) And while Pomona’s cordial enough with her, not enough so for triangulation purposes.
On Brutka - quite true he’s not got the traditional allegiances to get in the way. It is tricky for Rolanda, though, not to be suspected of showing favouritism on the pitch. And I’ve caught a few comments from Acton and Cordelia about why she’s a Head of House (which is, simply, that we needed a Gryffindor, and she was the option.) Welcome to our tight little nest of intrigue and power-struggles.
Honestly, I mostly ignore them. Pomona does an excellent job, has done so for decades - and besides, we’re rather more all “chip in and help out.” I do, Mina does. Dolores - well, I’m glad she’s not got that particular idea in her head.
As to - well. I suspect it is easier not to refer to Rod’s homelife (even just by implication) if one is not planning to marry his brother. But yes, he and I have had a few pleasant conversations on the parts of his work he’ll talk about. As to Barty, thank you. You’re right that it’s complicated, and it’s one of Raz’s friendships I’m most wary of interfering with. More than I already have, that is. (The simple fact of my relationship with Raz does ripple through other things, and we both know it.)
On the more enjoyable discussions of theory - well, that will be something to pick up. I do admit I’m more than a little intrigued. There is always more to learn, is there not?
Right. Now to get myself read for the day's round of teaching. My 7ths are still nervous about their research projects, no matter how often I tell them that the point of the exercise is to teach them the general process. I hope they'll do something new and adding to the knowledge of the world, but I don't assume they'll manage it.
A.
Re: Private message to Antosha
Date: 2012-10-04 06:23 pm (UTC)Am happy to exert myself with Brutka and Acton, though Lucius has just suggested, disturbingly enough, that the woman may have her eye on me in a, shall we say, less intellectual direction. (I never do see these things, even when they are staring me in the face.) I flatly refuse to seduce her for the good of the school. Unless it becomes necessary, in which case I demand hazard pay.
As to Barty -- well, 'complex' is nowhere near a rich enough word to describe him, but he is my own dear beloved. The trick to him, inasmuch as there is a trick, is to recognise that he finds people on the whole utterly tedious, and work from there!
And yes, there is never a shortage of interesting things to learn. For which I give eternal thanks. I am attempting to instill the same love of research in my NEWTs -- we should confer, and see if there is any room for overlap. (Less so than there will be with Razzer's coterie, but still.)
Still sleepily yours, though the Gryffindors do wake one up a bit,
T
Re: Private message to Antosha
Date: 2012-10-04 07:15 pm (UTC)I am reminded of a conversation with Raz - also about Acton, actually - where he reminded me that he was not, in fact, perfect. (In that case, I was commenting that his sense of tactics seemed to have rather deserted him when dealing with her.) You may also want to bear in mind that her mother’s the Chief Healer at St. Mungo’s, when considering how to handle her.
There’s a way I have all the sympathy in the world for her, actually (though her taste varies between the excellent - Raz, you - and the “well, variety makes the world go round" of Dawlish and Milland.) She’s got to be getting even more pressure than I was to marry and have children, and the prospects living here are never what one might call varied. (Other topics you might use as an opening for Brutka: I think she tried at him briefly, and he set her down very neatly, but I'm not sure what he actually did.)
But that does not mean you should encourage her, either. And for that, I have a remedy. When the rumours about Raz and I started circulating late last fall, my eldest sister sent me a book that - well, it’s horrible, but it’s an excellent specimen of its kind, and in this case, quite useful to you. There’s a number of them out, but this is The Rules of Play: The Successful Witch in Boardroom and Bed and it lays out most clearly the ‘rules’, as it were, for attracting and keeping a wizard’s attention. Apparently, they work for some people - not as well for Acton as she wishes, but it’ll give you an idea of her methods, and what to avoid. With numbered points and instructive sidebars for the searching witch.
(Frankly, if I’d been inclined to such a thing, I can only say that doing the exact opposite would generally have worked better on Raz, but we have relied on friendship, respect, and honest affection. And a few other things besides. Odd of us, I know.)
On the research - actually, two of my newts are interested in locational magic research, and there’s some overlap with your field (and Raz’s) around warding and defence. We should indeed talk, once I get them to narrow down their actual interests a little more. (The rest of mine, I think, are settling on either historical topics or observational ones, but we’ll see: they get their final proposals to me in two weeks or so.)
Naptime for me, now. I’ll bring the book down to supper.
A.
Re: Private message to Antosha
Date: 2012-10-04 09:51 pm (UTC)Locational magic and its uses in warding sounds fascinating, and I do indeed plan on spending quite a bit of time on wards in all their fascinating intricacies later in the year -- one of the books on the NEWT booklist is entirely on the topic, and of course I've dozens of others to lend out as needed. Locational magic in general is not my speciality, and I know very little on the interplay of warding with astronomy beyond the necessary -- I'm quite familiar with the arithmantic calculation end, but have always left the astronomy up to the experts -- but could no doubt swot up if necessary to supervise.
I have not yet given them details on the research papers I will be requiring of them by end of year, only mentioned that I will be requiring them, but several conversations today have made me think that perhaps an interdisciplinary approach might be for the better. Too late to set up anything formal for this year, of course (though if any of them suggest it I will certainly encourage), but I will make a note to bring up the topic at a staff meeting in future. (Hopefully one that is less fraught than last night's!)
The book you mention, meanwhile, sounds utterly ghastly, but knowledge of its dictates would no doubt provide a useful defence in future. Only, do be sure to charm it before you deliver it: my reputation could survive being caught with that pre-teen trash we have been swapping, but I shudder to think what the gossip would make of me being caught with that one!
"Friendship, respect, and honest affection" seem quite the solid foundation for a marriage to me, meanwhile, though I am so far from being an expert it is laughable; the best marriages I have observed have been built on similar. And obviously, it is working well in your case! (No one has yet dared to mention marriage and reproduction in my direction, thankfully. I am waiting for my pamphlets: they will no doubt make excellent kindling.)
Time to start the slog down to supper, then to dine and dash back up -- if I were not making such the effort to be more sociable, today would be an excellent candidate for hiding away through meals. If you see me beseeching Brutka with pleading eyes, you may imagine I am taking your quite sensible suggestion. (And then, of course, it's more interviews, then to the dungeons for me -- whatever possessed me to schedule my time in Horace's labs for Thursday evening, after even more one-on-ones? Am beginning to think we should campaign for Thursdays to be eliminated from the week. At least I will be able to sleep in Saturday morning; it might be sensible for us to cut tomorrow night's discussion somewhat short, though of course that's easier said than done.)
Exhaustedly yours,
T
Re: Private message to Antosha
Date: 2012-10-05 12:41 am (UTC)Thursdays are not my favourite either. (If I am utterly rigorous about going to bed as quickly as I can on Wednesday, I manage six and a half hours sleep. Last night, it was about five. Hence the firmly scheduled nap in Thursday afternoons.)
On the locational magics - that part’s no problem, truly. I’m quite at home with both the relevant astronomy and arithmancy. (Glad to help you dust the cobwebs of course - and remind me tomorrow, there's a Dolores-related story there.) I understand the wardings themselves are much as you’d expect, just that you need to slot in the correct information (or you find yourself protecting a cottage in the Orkney Islands rather than your rooms here, as it were).
Raz and I discussed a few of them last year, when we were working up something better than the mess I’d been throwing together catch-as-catch-can for the wards on my rooms and tower. (Cassie Calderwood was rather an educational experience, really.) We decided against it, because interactions with the castle magics are entirely unpredictable.
The idea of interdisciplinary work has some merit. There are bits of it, of course - most of my astronomy newts are also Septima’s, for example, because the two subjects go together very well, and in fact it’s quite hard to do theoretical astronomy without the arithmancy. And Pomona’s and Horace’s students often cross over in research. A more formal approach, though, might at least make an intriguing conversation.
Do enjoy the book for what it is. As if I’d bring it down uncharmed! I scarcely want people to think I read the thing, never mind you. (Honestly, though, the assumptions about what I must have done to get Raz interested - and keep him interested are... well, some people have very limited views of the world, is all I can say.)
As to tomorrow: I must stay up regardless, but do send me away whenever you feel you need. I for one will feel even better about Saturday knowing both of you are starting at your best.
A.