A puzzle

[alt_sinistra]

s m a i s m r m i l m e p o e t a l e u m i b u n e n u g t t a u i r a s



(various notes follow)

Comments

Private message to Linus and Evelyn

[alt_sinistra]

A puzzle for you both, but I figured I might as well be opaque and confusing in public, and see if I could get the other side to waste time on it before I did a series of other notes. (It does not reveal anything that we have not known for a century or two, but I'm curious to see if either of you two can solve it without looking it up.)

Just checking in - I've some more pleasant arithmancy for you, if you'd like, or not, if you don't. I'm very pleased with the work you've done so far, and it's at least reassuring, largely, that we don't seem likely to have other difficulties, just have a slow shift.

I was thinking I might do a little observation tonight (some locational calculations I'd like to try several ways around) if either of you would like to help with that. Quite possible there will be some lingering meteors, too.

Gilly's about done with her review of the school telescope charms, and she offered to give both of you the highly detailed lecture if you'd like, at some agreeable time.

Re: Private message to Linus and Evelyn

[alt_linus]

If there is still observation planned for tonight, I am in fact available. Possible meteors as bonus sounds fine as well.

Re: Private message to Linus and Evelyn

[alt_sinistra]

Do come up. I've just finally finished my note to Septima.

You sound like you need some stars.

Re: Private message to Linus and Evelyn

[alt_linus]

Stars are different to Arithmancy, but they are fully as good for certain applications, I must admit.

(There, Professor, a testimonial to your instruction and your efforts to broaden us beyond our habitual paths of endeavour, appreciation, and understanding!)

I shall bring the cat back on my way up, and thank you again for the loan of him.

Re: Private message to Linus and Evelyn

[alt_sinistra]

You may not remember so far back, Linus, but my lecture to the first years, the thing I try to say every year.

That the night sky is beautiful. That I hope everyone, whatever else they learn and forget, or never learn at all, can look up and appreciate it, and understand that the wolrd is vast and complicated, and yet there are patterns and movements we can learn to understand if we're patient and pay enough attention.

And sometimes, I just like that the stars are very far away, and - meteors excepted, and a few other things - don't change very quickly at all.

But yes. I also have more arithmancy for you. As much arithmancy as you want.

Re: Private message to Linus and Evelyn

[alt_evelyn]

It almost looks like bits of Latin, but not quite making up proper words. I got as far as something about a University violating anger or somesuch, but the rest of it doesn't

Oooh. I might have to do some rearranging.

Order Only : Private message to Alice, Remus, and Rachel

[alt_sinistra]

The above is an old astronomical anagram: it says nothing more complicated than "Saturn has rings" (though with slightly more words and in Latin.)

On the other hand, I figure being a little obscure might make someone on the other side spend their time on that, and not something more difficult.

Order Only : Private message to Poppy

[alt_sinistra]

Poppy,

It is an entirely good thing you did not give my cats that toy until after the wards work was mostly done. I keep stopping to watch them.

(I'm quite sure my sister will want one too - you said it was Adiaphoron Entwhistle, in Alnwick? Did I tell you that Sage has been staying with Diane and Chiron for the last month or two? Her job in New London let her go, and besides, security and all. So distractions to keep her cats occupied and off the dog, much appreciated. Diane's still - well, difficult. Distractions for her, much appreciated, too, and I haven't been able to do much beside stay well away and not make things worse.)

There's something about the way it rolls and the tail twitches, and then exactly how long it stops and teases them with the light, before it rolls off again. Not quite predictable, but not startling, either.

I've been thinking about the soothing properties of cats, actually. (I've been handing Linus one of them, at intervals, and he does find it comforting.) On my list, for if we ever get bored, years from now, research into the effects of familiars on various factors and the well-being of students.

Beyond that, I'm feeling at least a little less at sea - Septima and I had the beginnings of a good discussion after lunch, though we got interrupted part way through. You? I'm still juggling various pieces, but if there's something I can help you with, I'm quite willing.

Re: Order Only : Private message to Poppy

[alt_poppy]

I'm very glad ad to hear that you and Septima are digging into what lies ahead. I gathered she's been finding the whole business daunting to consider, from staffing to security to the likelihood of very low numbers and more.

As for the powers of familiars, particularly feline familiars... I assure you I'd have them on the ward as caregivers were it not for the maddening resistance of cat allergies to magical prophylaxis. If only someone could find the charm for that!

Tea tomorrow afternoon, perhaps? I should be back here by two at the latest and should have discharged my immediate duties on the ward by half-three.

Re: Order Only : Private message to Poppy

[alt_sinistra]

Tea tomorrow, please. I've missed talking with you rather a lot. You're welcome up here if you want to be somewhere people can't find you quite so easily, or I'm glad to come down if you want to be somewhere they can.

It is extremely complex. Even just finding people who might be willing to teach who stand a chance of being at all competent is rather the trick. I'm working up some notes to her now.

And of course, there's the part where we have absolutely no idea whether we might have classes in September (which I admit is looking more and more unlikely) or when, and yes, about having no idea how many students we'll have. And I keep thinking of bits that someone ought to decide about, like is there any chance we could help with refresher courses for muggleborns, as suitable wands come in, and how in the universe would we make that work anyway.

And yes, I suppose that would be a challenge on your ward.

Re: Order Only : Private message to Poppy

[alt_poppy]

I'll come to you, then. Much better to be out of immediate reach of minor crises.

Oh, and yes, the cat toy was one of Entwhistle's follies. He was at school with Albus, you know. A bit younger, but not by much. Remembers him fondly.

As do I.

Re: Order Only : Private message to Poppy

[alt_sinistra]

Excellent. I'll have some things ready.

I am now feeling rather sorry for the staff that had them both to deal with, really.

Albus. Yes. I kept thinking about both him and Minerva, while I was talking to Septima. Other people, too. (I keep missing Professor Flitwick, particularly, the way he taught.)

Maybe sometime we'll have time to tell all their stories properly, you know? The things they did.

Re: Order Only : Private message to Poppy

[alt_poppy]

And Pomona. It's still difficult to be here without her.

Re: Order Only : Private message to Poppy

[alt_sinistra]

Pomona, so much, yes.

I keep thinking that if she were here, a lot of us would be doing a lot better, because she'd know exactly the right thing to say and when to say it.

And it -

It doesn't feel like the same school without her.

Re: Order Only : Private message to Poppy

[alt_poppy]

No, indeed. I quite agree.

Thank you, my dear, for saying so.

Re: Order Only : Private message to Poppy

[alt_sinistra]

Should have said it long since, really.

It must be so much harder for you, being back.

I've Linus coming up, shortly, but - tomorrow. Tea. Conversation. I'm looking forward to it.

Private message to Mum and Dad

[alt_sinistra]

You know, I haven't figured out if the other side's realised you're alive yet, but it's not like the journals aren't full of notes to people who've died. And I did want to write you both, not just have you read over Mum's shoulder, Dad.

I know I worried Storm, last week, and I'm sorry. I worried me, too. It's better, this week, mostly, and I'll try and come by again soon, when you're both around. (Though timing that so Diane isn't, still complicated. It's good she's out of bed more, and even out of their house, but it makes staying out of her way harder, and Storm was very clear she's still blaming me - rightfully, I suppose - for a lot. Better than her blaming you, Mum, she needs you.)

Mum, I did tell Linus that we certainly won't let him be all alone. He was very grateful, though he's still trying to make sense of it all. Ernie Macmillan's been very good about reaching out to him, too. Whenever we sort out a memorial, I think it'd mean a lot to him if you were both there.

And yes, I'm writing Dai. Not in the journals, I don't want to remind anyone he exists, but we've been owling, I promise. (He said he might stop by next I can get away, if I can give him a little warning.) He's being right stubborn at me about insisting I write back promptly. And actually say things other than locational magic puzzles. (I am fairly sure you or Storm put him up to that, you know.)

Storm did let on, last week, that he's feeling squeezed by people expecting him to be Orion, when he's not. (I guess Diane and Chiron and Theo. And Aunt Alphecca, by owl, which is quite bad enough.) I know you're both up to your necks in important things like feeding people and keeping track of what's needed, but I wanted to tell you, because Hypatia knows he won't.

Private message to Septima

[alt_sinistra]

I really do mean it when I say I want to do everything I can. I love teaching, you know that, but whatever administrative skills I have that are at all useful, you have only to ask. (And I am very glad I managed to find the pu-erh I meant to give you last Christmas.) To follow up on other points we meant to come back to (sorry, this rather got away from me but I hope it makes it easier later.)

I am working up notes on curriculum, people I've come across who might be decent staff, and some of the discipline issues we touched on. We can talk more in a day or two? Or sooner, if you've need.

Staff: I do think Laura McGivern would be excellent if we can persuade her. She's Muggleborn, for one, and I can vouch for her teaching ability, her way with students, especially younger ones, and she's entirely pleasant to work with. She'd be an exceptional role-model in a number of ways. As I said, she's taught a number of the magical subects, and I seem to remember being told she was in Slytherin, though I might have that wrong. On my list to check.

Hufflepuff: Of course, if Mina wants to continue as Head, she has my full support. If she'd rather not, no one could ever replace Pomona, but I could at least give Mina more time with her Creatures, and I do know the surviving students.

The Astronomy spaces and equipment are in good order, but would it be a help if I tackled cleaning out the Defence classroom? Having done it twice now, I have some idea what needs special care and what belongs to the school.

Curriculum: Still thinking about how to put practical applications earlier, plus those bits of History and Muggle Studies we touched on. I keep wondering if Hogwarts could at least assist in a refresher for Muggleborn who wish, as they are able to get suitable wands. During term is obviously complicated, but maybe over the holidays?

The parts we didn't get to, and really, they're a much larger conversation.

Bullying: I know I'm a badger, but I truly don't mean everyone must be friends. Rather how the staff can help students find the people who will be their friends, and reduce the incidence and severity of bullying and ostracism as best we can. I'm particularly concerned about the re-integration of muggleborn students into the school, when we can do that, but certainly not only that. Even when I was at school, we were not good at keeping people with private resources for magical education from taking it out on those without.

More than that, we've also - as more than one person has pointed out to me - often treated problems as if magic will solve them all. I think it's clear that that's not true. A thing that would be dangerous without magic is still dangerous with magic, and the reverse: that we can sometimes avoid utter tragedy is a gift, not something to rely on. Of all the things I think we need to do better, it's that: understand magic for what it is, and what it isn't, and remember that knowledge, inclusion, and standing up for what's right matter just as much (if not more.)

Discipline: The essential problem of school discipline with students who are either used to the worst violence, or alternately to inconsistency based on blood and family. I keep thinking the only way forward is to be utterly transparent, and to make any discipline for more than the most trivial things something that more people have input into than a single teacher or Head of House. Time consuming, but entirely different. Sending some thoughts around on that too.

Giving students their best chances: I think of the pressure on Dean Thomas, or how our structure does not support those who are exceedingly specialised, like your Thomas Capper. We have students who are not academically adept, but who deserve a chance to find what they are good at - there are so many names here. And I wonder how we can encourage creative, entrepeneurial minds, like Fred and George Weasley (ideally without being deluged by pranks) because we need those too.

Cordelia didn't get enough support with the choir, but perhaps someone could pick that up. Tosha tried Language classes were a good idea, maybe even touching on languages students speak at home? Handcrafts - I was reminded visiting my brother how soothing they are. (He's a woodworker, and would be glad to consult, and there's always knitting and spinning and such. Practical, too.) Cooking lessons, if we can persuade the elves. The school play did get people working together well, and perhaps an apolitical classic would serve. Maybe not immediately. It will be a constant reminder of Daph Perhaps Miss Bones would be willing to help with some sort of literary publication? Not all of them at once, but thinking about more things than we have.

And finally, harder, there's those who come from homes where family pressure, expectation, assumption and worse have warped things beyond all soundness - Teddy Nott has been much on my mind, recently. We have so many students who have suffered so much, and who might be particularly vulnerable in the coming years to influences, good and bad. And I keep thinking how much I've failed them. That the school has failed them.

(I don't think I ever told you, but last summer, when we thought Draco was dead, I drank a shot of alcohol for every student who'd died that I'd taught. That I knew of, anyway. I couldn't do it now, it'd take me weeks, though the numbers keep haunting me. You too, I'm sure.)

Most of all, I keep thinking about the next few years. Whenever we have first years at Hogwarts again, they will attend school without seeing the places where their friends and housemates and teachers died. And yet, for older students, they will see those places all the time. We, as surviving teachers, will see the missing faces, but new staff will not. (And will likely not understand what it was like to live here under other rules.) There is so much hope, in that, but a lot of pain to live through, first.

I don't have answers for any of this, Septima, except that it needs doing, somehow, however daunting. As I said, I am wholly at your disposal, and Hogwarts and her students have long had my first loyalty.