A note and reminder
Nov. 28th, 2012 02:19 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
alt_sinistraFifth and sixth years: Madam Umbridge will be observing our evening teaching sessions tonight. I’m sure you will give her every possible courtesy. It does look like it may stay clear, so please come prepared to work outside.
Fifth years: we’ll be coming back to locational magic theory in lecture next week (and your observing tonight will relate). If you still have questions about what we’ve covered so far, please have them ready for your next lecture. Or ask here. (Beyond the usual reasons you might want to learn something, yes, it will be on your OWLs.)
Fifth years: we’ll be coming back to locational magic theory in lecture next week (and your observing tonight will relate). If you still have questions about what we’ve covered so far, please have them ready for your next lecture. Or ask here. (Beyond the usual reasons you might want to learn something, yes, it will be on your OWLs.)
Private message to Raz and Pomona
Date: 2012-11-28 07:36 pm (UTC)Two classes of mine so far today, plus talking to her through lunch and my office time. (She so clearly was not going to climb the stairs again, and I was not going to leave her alone in my office or classroom, thank you.) She was actually cordial enough, not that poison-in-sugar thing she often does, but she’s so demandingly persistent.
Maybe it’s just me remembering the summer and overreacting that makes it feel miserable. I hope so.
Why this thing, why that. Why do we have to have astronomy on top of a very tall tower? Could I explain why midnight? (Again!) What’s the point of the field anyway? Do I really need all that equipment? Or that many charts? What’s this tool used for? How much does it cost to maintain the telescopes? How often do we replace them? Who does the repairs and maintenance? Where did I learn to do that?
Anyway, I’m writing for two reasons: First, she’s going to be at the staff meeting. “Now that I’m teaching alongside the rest of you, my dear.” Ugh.
Second: Pomona, Bathsheba will fail miserably, if she’s not prepared for it. And we should warn Mina, too. Do you think you could invite the two of them plus me to tea sometime this week? Dolores said it’s Charms next, so we’ve a little time, but not lots. I’ll work the conversation round to the observation, but the invite might look better coming from you.
I’m going to go have a long bath and find something to restore my patience before supper. And that meeting.
Private message to Raz
Date: 2012-11-28 07:48 pm (UTC)I’m coping, honest. The day I can’t talk her ear off about my own field and keep control of the conversation is the day I should retire to the country and a life of bad novels and occasional sheep.
Having her in my space is the horrible part, and the worst of that’s over. She won’t stop fiddling with things. Which, really, is a rather blunt metaphor for the whole problem.
Seeing Storm yesterday did help with some other stuff I’ve been mulling over. I’ll catch you up when we get a chance, but none of it’s urgent. Sorry I got back so late - I ended going straight up the tower for class.
Private message to Tosha
Date: 2012-11-28 08:02 pm (UTC)Turns out “Dolores observing my classes” makes it onto the short list of least pleasant experiences in my past year. (Yes, despite fierce competition.) That said, I will manage, Tosha, don’t fret. And don’t plot dire things - yet, anyway - please. I'm thinking about the implications.
(I have Jelly Gums, and I’m about to go soak my disgruntlement in the bath while reading #15 - Major Secrets, which has me wondering about New York City, and has some amusing plot arc as well. I'll bring it Friday.)
First, Dolores is definitely expecting to be at the staff meeting. Very pleased - cat with cream - about it, too. Has all sorts of matters she’d like to discuss. I did try to get her to expand, but she didn't share anything new.
Second, it’s clear she intends these observations of everyone. She seems to be going alphabetical by class. (Forgetting that it’s Ancient Runes, not Runes. For all her lists, she keeps doing that kind of thing, had you noticed? Anyway, she said it’s Charms, next.)
I do intend to give Bathsheba and Mina clear warning, and you can guess the contents of the note to Raz and Pomona. But I’m not sure about anyone else (‘whether’ and if so ‘how’ and ‘what to say’), and would welcome your advice there.
Third, I will manage more details and a few faint patterns for you and Raz - just give me a bit. I desperately need to keep my patience through this evening, as she’ll be up observing tonight. (It’s going to be bitterly cold up there for anyone unpracticed with warming charms. Maybe she won’t stay long.)
Re: Private message to Tosha
Date: 2012-11-28 09:00 pm (UTC)The fourths are filing in right now for their theoretical class, so I've only a moment, but I will drag my arse down to supper so we can discuss before the staff meeting. If it does not run too long, you and Raz are welcome to join me after for a drink, some strategy, and a griping session before your evening observations-in-both-senses.
(New York, meanwhile, is not my favourite wizarding enclave in America -- as I believe I've mentioned, that honour goes to New Orleans -- but I have spent some time there, and would be happy to tell you outrageous stories and cheerful lies.)
Exhaustedly yours,
T
Re: Private message to Tosha
Date: 2012-11-28 09:27 pm (UTC)As to which classes, she gave me just under a week's notice. She picked the day, and I got the impression she's particularly interested in the 4th and 5th year curriculum. Protesting - or even changing the date - were clearly problematic, at least for me.
I'd appreciate the strategy, griping, and drink, as long as it's coffee. I think I'd best have all my wits about me and no hint of alcohol when I see her tonight. She - well, she tried a couple of questions about Minerva, on that topic, though I sidestepped them. (Now, after I'm done with the 6ths, that's another question, and immensely tempting.)
On New York, I rather suspected as much. I'll be interested to see what you think of the description. (I rather think this is the author who's actually spent time in America, but I wasn't sure until the last twenty pages.)
Private Message to Auri and Raz
Date: 2012-11-28 11:37 pm (UTC)As you have likely noticed by now, I will not be at supper; I am in the infirmary with Mr Inglebee attempting to arrive at the bottom of what these idiots have been up to. I will attempt five minutes' grace before the meeting to fill you both in on what I have discovered.
Raz: as it is clear that the idiots started their unauthorised duelling club in response to our example, I plan to insist that the right of discipline is also ours. I will assume you are in accord there unless you tell me otherwise?
Auri: I must ask your assistance during the meeting -- if you see that my anger is getting the best of me, kindly step on my foot beneath the table or some such to call me to heel.
Re: Private Message to Auri and Raz
Date: 2012-11-28 11:53 pm (UTC)Raz is fuming - gone to walk off his temper before we get started. Don't blame him one bit.
Right. Brief stop, and I'll be at the meeting.
Re: Private Message to Auri and Raz
Date: 2012-11-29 03:24 am (UTC)If either of you would care to join me in my quarters, I am in possession of Mr Moon's notes, which are, shall we say, thorough. Auri, if you would prefer to apply yourself to as much relaxation as possible before the Dolores Invasion, do not feel as though you are missing anything; we can catch up tomorrow (somehow; why must these things always happen on our hell days?) And if you are in need of an excuse to chivvy her out your door and down your tower at the stroke of class's end, feel free to use me as an excuse: I will be up for quite some time (the notes are very thorough) and the punishment I am currently favouring will have need of locational calculation.
Re: Private Message to Auri and Raz
Date: 2012-11-29 03:41 am (UTC)That's ungracious. Sorry. (All about Dolores, not about you.)
You're welcome, though I hope we won't need that skill again soon, even if it does amuse you. And thank you, Tosha, for the invite, but Dolores implied she'd be up here early, and I am not letting her alone in my tower. The excuse to get her to leave may, however, be very handy.
Locational calculation - here? How tightly defined? I've all the tables handy at the moment, since the observing the 5ths are doing uses them, and I can dig out the good sextant. I can guarantee you accuracy to about 200 yards, but could get it a bit tighter than that with a little more work.
Re: Private Message to Auri and Raz
Date: 2012-11-29 04:04 am (UTC)Speaking of help, however: do not put yourself to any trouble yet, as I'm not yet positive that my instincts are correct -- I need to check Raz's opinion first, and to make sure what I have in mind is even possible, and I would appreciate your thoughts as well. What I have in mind: there is a spell that will, until it is dispelled, prevent its target from casting any magic at all without permission of the caster. I am checking my references, but I believe it will be possible to modify it so that it will only prevent the individual from casting magic on another, and expand it so any teacher might give permission. The locational magic, meanwhile, is because I had thought to leave it active only at Hogwarts itself, lest parents accuse us of overstepping our boundaries. If it is possible for accuracy that narrow, that is.
It is only a thought. But I believe it is the best way to get the point across.
Re: Private Message to Auri and Raz
Date: 2012-11-29 04:13 am (UTC)Haven't we already discussed the fact I enjoy being helpful? My mood is entirely not about you, it is therefore unfair to take it out on you. Either of you.
As to the calculations - look, let me take the initial measurements tonight. I could do a first approximation of the area around Hogwarts from that, easily. If you want something more defined - say, the Hogwarts ground but not Hogsmeade - I'd need to do a few more from other points on the grounds, but I can easily do that once it gets dark tomorrow.
(I spare you the discussion about single point calculation from the sun versus multiple point triangulation using the fixed stars and planets. The latter is far more elegant and precise.)
Hypatia's blood - she is early. I hear her on the stairs now.
Re: Private Message to Auri and Raz
Date: 2012-11-29 04:22 am (UTC)A close approximation would suffice, I suppose -- I cannot foresee a reason why Hogsmeade would need to be excluded, and actually, including an area around the castle might be wise, lest they simply sneak out and carry on.
As to Dolores -- courage, my dear. I have faith in your ability to be impeccable in your work.