alt_sinistra: (harried)
Aurora Sinistra ([personal profile] alt_sinistra) wrote2013-01-08 05:05 pm

Private message to Tosha

Toshenka -

I have just spent two hours with Septima crying on my shoulder. Can you help?

I know I told you that one of her students last year failed near everything but his Arithmancy OWLS. Despite several of us doing everything we could. (And curse it, it was not enough, and Horace still holds it over me that he was right about that.) And they broke his wand, sent him to the camps.

You know she was called in Saturday to help, got shaken out of bed, spent the whole night doing calculations at the Ministry. After, it hit home just how much Thomas Capper could have helped. That he could have done the arithmancy near enough in his head.

This morning, after her class, she went to ask how he was doing. I don’t know why - no, I’m lying. I would look too. And because she’d been so helpful, someone tracked down where he - where he’d been.

He died, in October. Of all the stupid things, he fell, hit his head, and no one noticed for too long. Didn’t wake up the next morning. I don’t think his brother and sister even know.

She’s in a bad way. And she’s - all those what-ifs we talked about recently, losing students. She won’t - can’t - hear me about it. Can you come up as soon as you see this? Bring one of the books I found for her, too? I think she’ll eventually want the distraction.

This is me asking a favour. And not asking about other things. Because I can do the arithmancy on those myself. (She is not her most discreet ever - all the more reason for you to talk to her before anyone else does. For the good of the school.)
alt_antonin: (happy)

[personal profile] alt_antonin 2013-01-09 11:11 pm (UTC)(link)
I would be delighted to meet your brother this weekend. (Although -- "best brother"? A decidedly un-Hufflepuff showing of favourites, my dear. Though from what you've told me of him before, an understandable one.) My Sunday is currently unscheduled; I am at your discretion in this as in all things.

And speaking of discretion: when we speak tomorrow, remind me to tell you of Minerva's request to me. She seems much improved, and willing to begin regaining whatever ground she might have lost -- and to request my help in that, as well. It is most encouraging.

I have, meanwhile, just finished speaking with Miss Calderwood, and making it plain to her that while I will be more than happy to help her make up the gap in her education forced by her unplanned leave, I will also expect her to ... make better life choices, shall we say. I do not think she will be bothering you further, and if she does I will be swift to step in.

Your,
T