Spring

[alt_sinistra]

As the weather’s been clearing a bit, I’ve been out walking more - rather pleasant to get outside in the fresh air, really. And it’s about this time of year that we start seeing the flowers come out. There’s a lovely little burst of snow drops out on my usual way around the lake, and I can just see hints of crocus buds coming up, or trying to.

5th years: It’s also the time of year when my thoughts turn to our year-end exams. I’d like to set up some extra practice sessions with charts, and some chances to try some sample exams so you have the best possible idea what to expect and how to prepare for the OWL format.

Please come to Wednesday night’s class with your schedules, so we can find some dates and times. While I plan to include some evening sessions before May, many parts of the exam can be practiced using the projection stones at other times of day. And of course, I remain glad to work one-on-one - just come by office hours or make an appointment for a mutually convenient time.

(I’ve already spoken to my NEWT students about their own preparation, but several of them have also mentioned they’d be glad to assist in OWL preparation and study under my supervision.)

Comments

Re: Private message to Tosha

[alt_antonin]

Oh, dear heart. I know it's difficult, but have faith -- we will prevail in the end. If for no other reason than I do not lose when the well-being of my family is on the line. It will take me some more time to claw my way back to "well enough to begin the fight in earnest", but darling Dolores set her fate when she moved against Minerva and sealed it with her actions against Raz. She may win a skirmish or two along the way, but she will lose the war.

(As to the rest -- I am well enough, little star; only tired. And distracted by a few things along the way. I will be back to myself after a good night's sleep, I am certain. I suppose I ought start dragging myself to meals; would you care to sit with me for lunch tomorrow and I will do my best to distract you?)

Yours,
T

Re: Private message to Tosha

[alt_sinistra]

I had not said, Sunday, how - thank you for considering me family, Toshenka, truly. And for the reassurance.

Seeing you at lunch would be a bright star in the sky. And if you manage supper sometimes, even occasionally, I am quite sure Raz would appreciate the break from having to deal with Dolores by himself. (There are things I do not need to talk to him about to know for certain, after all.)

Re: Private message to Tosha

[alt_antonin]

As much as sitting next to Dolores will no doubt put me off my appetite as much as your dinner companions do to you, I am well overdue for beginning to put my foot down and reminding her that Headmistress does not mean she is the only power in the Protectorate, I suppose. I should have dealt with her back when she was nothing more than an annoyance, and before Raz's and my hands were quite so tied. And before Our Lord decided it would amuse Him to see what happens

Ah, well; we are too late wise.

Sleep well, when you do, dear heart. As much as possible.

Yours,
T

Re: Private message to Tosha

[alt_sinistra]

Well, it is handy we have a solution for spoiled appetites at meals already planned, isn't it? (Speaking of: may I ask your Berry to provide something for hungry teenagers on Saturday evening? I have volunteered a certain amount of supervision and drilling for a select handful, with more than one purpose in mind.)

As to the rest, well, it is something of a consolation, actually, that I was not the only one reticent to act. As horrible as the consequences turned out to be. I keep wondering if I could have changed all this if I'd been faster to realise what was going on this summer.

I will do my best with the sleep. Fourth years first, though I think it's holding clear enough that we'll be outside, which is a goodness.

Re: Private message to Tosha

[alt_antonin]

My dearest of northern lights, if anyone is to mutter imprecations that they did not act swiftly enough, it is certainly not you. I was muttering about transfiguring the woman into something heavy and dropping her in the lake as far back as, oh, October, and if I had done so, none of this would have been an issue. This is what I get when I attempt to serve as a good example for the children, I suppose.

And yes, by all means, feed the children; it has been years since Berry has had the satisfaction of a teenager's appetite, and more than one at a time will send her into paroxysms of delight. Is whatever it is anything I might help with?

Going to sleep now, really, I mean it,
T

Re: Private message to Tosha

[alt_sinistra]

Toshenka, dear -

As I said to Raz, my scruples on the topic wandered elsewhere some time ago. The woman is an utter menace to everyone around her, and as much as I want to believe there are always less - less permanent solutions - well, what is the point of being a voice of experience if you don't use the experience? (Do I shock you? I shock myself, writing that, but it's true. How do people live with hating someone this much?)

As to the plans with the children, since Madam Headmistress has made it impossible for me to keep up with my Defence practice in my usual way (and I am missing the practice nearly as much as my partner in it), I had a word with Cedric to propose a small session to Harry. Harry suggested Draco, naturally, and Sally-Anne and Pansy, but also Mr Corner, who I had to think about. (I'd appreciate your impressions of him, actually.)

Harry asks for so very little, and I'd rather set aside my own needs preferences than risk them failing their exams.

By the timing, you might guess that this was still not as much sleep as Poppy - or I - would like me to get, but it was nearly six hours last night, which is better than it might be.