The Pleiades

[alt_sinistra]

As we come up on the vernal equinox, I find my attention drawn to the Pleiades, a star cluster I have come to greater appreciation of in the past year or so. (While it is no longer dominant at the equinox, it was long ago, according to the Babylonian star catalogues.)

For those students working toward their NEWT exams (by the by: I have your most recent round of practice exercises marked early), you might remember that the seven stars are often used as an initial measure of distance - the cosmic ladder we discussed in class last month - because of their proximity to earth and their shared origin. For the more fanciful among us, I find the stories about the support of other women these stars particularly pleasant - my middle name comes from a great-aunt named for one of these stars, Sterope. They are, at least, an interesting narrative on family, loss, and change.

Comments

Private message to Delilah Mytens and Melantha Sinistra

[alt_sinistra]

Delilah, Mel -

Madam Headmistress is insisting on weekly pregnancy testing. Do not give me the lecture on either Healer confidentiality or the idiocy of this particular requirement, please. Madame Pinkness does not live in the same country as logic. Or science. Healer Kerr and I, however, have reached a certain detente, which ran like this, after a lot of fussing on his part.

Me: “When Poppy did this test, it took two minutes, and required her wand, my hand, and nothing else.”

Him: [Lengthy explanation of the variations of magical diagnosis, and my inability to understand the complexities of his field.]

Me: “Indeed.”

Him: [How his plans for my mandated testing would serve a higher purpose. The glories of research. How my undressing entirely is essential to his project - something about efficacy of diagnostic charms under different conditions. Fortunately, he goes on for some minutes without pause, which gives me time to think of an actual solution.]

Me: “Oh, dear. Poppy, of course, knew me in my own school days, and was another woman. I’m not at all sure Raz would be comfortable with my being seen by another man - and a professional colleague at that - without my robes on, in anything except the direst of circumstances. Certainly not weekly.”

At this point, I have the pleasure of watching his face change from annoyance (that I dared argue) to fear, and then to urgent appeasement. Three minutes later, we have a compromise that makes me seem entirely obliging, and he sends me off, asking me to assure Raz that he never had the slightest intention of doing anything the least bit invasive, inappropriate, or unpleasant to me.

Anywiz. I am in need of a recommendation for a female Healer of record, please. Ideally with a sense of humour, a willingness to help me continue to skew my personal data for the Repopulation Office, and a desire to annoy Madam Pinkness. Availabilty on Tuesday afternoons (since there is another round of WRO forms apparently coming to me) particularly helpful.

Private message to Raz and Tosha

[alt_sinistra]

Raz, love, I hope I was correct in implying that you would be distressed, in your most particularly active sort of way, were Healer Kerr to forget his better sense in favour of his research, and persist in suggesting methods of obeying certain dictates from her pinkness that might require me to take my robes off? (Do not get me started on the idiocies of weekly pregnancy test charms, but it is not the fight I wish to give her.)

Do not worry: I have already made the point to him myself, and my only regret is that you could not see the expression on his face. We could all use amusement right now.

Both of you, I do not think he actually realised the issue. I think that given the requirement from Madam Headmistress, he was just trying to make the most of it for his own research. Which is a problem, and one I would rather like to cure him of, if we must put up with him here rather than Poppy. But I do not think he meant to be actively and agressively crude. Merely your garden variety ivory tower Ravenclaw.

(On that note, Tosha, I have apparently learned a great deal from our Mr Moon about how to impart that particular kind of clue - that there is more than the ivory tower - to Ravenclaws.)

But if you both wished to glare menacingly at Kerr for a bit over meals, it might be a nice touch. In the meantime, I am seeking recommendations for an alternate (female) Healer of record from trusted sources. And Kerr and I did come to an agreement that makes me seem obliging enough and that should satisfy Madam Pinkness.

Re: Private message to Raz and Tosha

[alt_sinistra]

Well. That’s a something, I suppose. I’d been wondering when Her Pinkness was going to raise the issue of Easter hols, and what she’d come up with to keep me away from Raz.

Apparently, she thinks the library requires review, and Irma’s been dragging her feet about it. (Sensible Irma!) I certainly don’t want to be here, and my contract does not require it, but I firecalled Georg to let him know she might fuss. And he went away, and sent me a private message about an hour later.

First: she made reference to that firecall - which rather worries me, that that’s the next thing she’ll control. She’s certainly monitoring. At least mine.

But second, Raz, love, Georg asked that I tell you that he does indeed have a great many appointments in mind for me, but they are along the lines of “10 am: enjoy a pleasant morning with your fiance. noon: have lunch with your fiance. Afternoon: spend more time with fiance.” (And so on, and so forth, with his only actual requirement being that I get more sleep than I have been. Not hard, that.).

There are a few things I would be pleased to spend some time on that are not you, but they can be tucked in around the edges or when you’re out with Harry. Assuming. I mean. Spence, please? Can we? I’ll tell Her Pinkness I’m staying near the Guild no matter what.

The rest of it, stars, planets and falling meteors - is she trying to destroy the school entirely as a place of learning?

Re: Private message to Raz and Tosha

[alt_antonin]

I cannot believe that woman.

Rest assured, dear one, I will be happy to be menacing at whomever is in need. And if you've need of a Floo, you may use mine; I am certain it is not monitored.

I cannot imagine what her goal is, but I am thoroughly sick of it. And I will be having a chat with Healer Kerr about the advisability of blindly following Her Pinkness's dictates.

Grumpily,
T

Re: Private message to Raz and Tosha

[alt_sinistra]

Every time I think she's done the last thing...

(Yes, I'm up early. Woke up thinking. Ugh.)

I did do my best to make the point that I was a gentler and less terrifying reminder to think before Kerr acts than he was likely to get elsewhere. But underlining that seems sensible, please.

I see you've got other plans of your own in mind?

Re: Private message to Raz and Tosha

[alt_antonin]

I am mostly concerned that the children do well on their exams, particularly those who haven't studied the subject before. And particularly given that Madam Headmistress appears to have forgot the point of a school for witchcraft and wizardry is to teach witchcraft and wizardry.

Several of the childrens' posts last night and this morning do warm the heart, though.

Practising my best nonplussed stare,
T

Re: Private message to Raz and Tosha

[alt_sinistra]

Have I mentioned recently how glad I am you're here? (Honestly, the thought of dealing with Madam Pinkness and your predecessor at the same time...)

At least my field does not require much in the way of actual practice of anything she'd consider magic (I'm quite sure we could practice the locational and chronological magics, and she'd never notice most of it.) Which makes my own sessions outside of scheduled classes safe enough.

Private message to Aurora Sinistra

[alt_umbridge]

Sizzie, dear -

I just realised, I hadn’t had a moment to talk to you about plans for the holidays. Now, I’ve any number of projects that I’m just dying to spend time on, and I’m hoping that we can make a good start on them while the students are gone.

In particular, I’ve been thinking about how to use your rather eclectic talents to best serve the school. Now, I’ve had a word with dear Irma, and suggested that it might be well past time for a thorough review of the library’s collection. I’ve come across more than a few volumes that really ought to have been removed from the library long since. Irma has been insisting she does not have time on top of her other duties, so your help would be just the right thing.

There are also some trivial planning arrangements for the summer’s CCF plans that I thought you might be the best person to deal with, really. I’m sure it wouldn’t take you much time at all to make all the contacts and communicate the specifics.

Re: Private message to Aurora Sinistra

[alt_sinistra]

Madam Headmistress, I'm afraid that won't be possible.

Re: Private message to Aurora Sinistra

[alt_umbridge]

It has taken me hours to figure out how to respond to your bald-faced effrontery.

What do you mean “That won’t be possible”? Do I need to remind you that you serve at the pleasure of the Head of the school, and that you are expected to assist in all duties related to the school, whether or not students are in residence or not?

Really, dear, I had thought better of you. You make such a show of being committed to learning and teaching and the students, and yet you apparently can think of nothing else than running off to frivolity over the holidays. The real witches, the ones who do the necessary work, do not spend their days at card parties or in spas or in social outings.

Never mind your presumed desire to protect your own reputation and future opportunities.

Re: Private message to Aurora Sinistra

[alt_sinistra]

Madam Headmistress, I do in fact mean that it will not be possible for me to assist you.

If you consult my contract (I am glad to provide a duplicate copy since you cannot access the one in the Head’s office if you wish, either my own or the one kept on file at my Guild), my contractual holiday periods are clearly outlined. While I did work through my holidays in prior years for the YPL, that was a separate agreement, with appropriate compensation, entirely distinct from my teaching contract.

In the case of the coming holidays, my Guild Master tells me he has scheduled a number of appointments for me, and he expects my prompt and attentive participation. Those obligations will largely fill my time.

Re: Private message to Aurora Sinistra

[alt_umbridge]

That is extraordinarily inconvenient. Why did you not mention this earlier, so that I could make other arrangements?

I cannot imagine that your Guild Master’s expectations would be so very gruelling - he’s seemed rather to go very lightly on you, in his comments so far. Of course, limited by your teaching as you are, I suppose you’re not the same as one of the serious researchers in the field.

Besides, you had such a very brief firecall with him, I’m sure he said nothing of consequence.

Re: Private message to Aurora Sinistra

[alt_sinistra]

I had not realised it might pose an inconvenience, Madam Headmistress.

Besides the textbook project and the proposed telescope installation, I understand he's apparently got some other tasks in mind relating to the optimal function of the Guild and long-term plans. I’m quite sure you needn’t be bothered further with the details.

You seem to be having rather a busy evening, as I look at my journal.