alt_sinistra | Last day of August

Last day of August

It seems entirely unreal, that we are, in fact, able to look ahead to a new school year, after so many changes and losses.

Those of you returning to Hogwarts, we'll have a lot to talk about, but please know that the Astronomy Tower is open for conversation, snacks, and the comfort of a cat, should you need any of those. (Or a quiet place to read and think and not be bothered if you need that instead.)

Those of you coming to Hogwarts for the first time, I am so very much looking forward to getting to know you, and helping you learn all the things you want to learn. There is no place in the world like Hogwarts, even when she's a bit battered.

For everyone else, we need so many different skills and talents and experiences and ideas to rebuild, and I am looking forward to seeing how that goes, whatever it means.

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We should talk, about what it looks like next, you apprenticing. We have a fair bit we should go back and fill in sometime.

And Georg's written, wanting to make sure you get introduced to other astronomers, properly - he's suggesting some suppers, here, during term, if you're willing and don't think it would be too much. Probably you and me and him and one other person.

But for right now, tell me what you want, and I'll do everything I can to make that happen. And please, tell me if your schedule's too much, or you need time with your family, or time on your own, or anything like that. It's going to take a while to figure out what works and what doesn't, I think.

Stars last night were good, yeah? Both the watching and the quiet.

I'll be in my rooms for the rest of the night.

Do tell me if you need help with anything? The next weeks are going to be so busy, but I will always make time for you, don't ever worry about asking.

I'm writing Mum and Dad about some thoughts for holidays, but I meant what I said, that you always have a place for things like that, for as long as you want. Mum's as insistent as I am on that point. She is also making noises about care packages of baked goods, like she does.

I'll be up in the classroom today, going through to make sure everything's ready for term, if you want me.

By supper, I'll have my classroom and office ready for tomorrow. Is there anything else I can lend a hand with?

Septima, thank you for listening, for continuing to listen. I know this is all going to take a lot to work out, but I'm so glad we're trying. And Ernie, you're doing such a good job of keeping things in order, you have no idea. (And Linus was telling me about your plans, a little bit, and I'm so very glad you're looking out for each other.)

There's a thing Mum sent - actually, let me come find you quick, it's easier to explain in person.

Thanks for the thought about the suppers. I'm not going to be able to get free from here reliably for a long time, I think. And she'd like a chance to use her German with someone else, I'm sure.

It's going to be such a difficult term, Georg, and unpredictable, and you know what I'm like with unpredictable, even if I've had to get a lot better at it than I used to be.

~~Tosha~~Someone said to me once that the one thing that was a constant with His Noselessness was change, and that was true enough. I can't help but think that any organisation named for a bird who is born and dies in flame, over and over again, is scarcely going to be restful either. (It certainly has not been so far.) But perhaps it's a better kind of change. I hope so.

Thank you for sorting Gilly out so quickly. And I'll ask Dai, but you know how touchy he is about getting help. And for seeing about people willing to monitor the locational magics various places.

In your infinite spare time, I do want to look for a cottage, somewhere near you. Um. On the side away from Diane, please.

Doesn't need to be big, so much as several bedrooms (three, anyway: me, Linus, and a spare, at least for this year) and a reasonable sort of kitchen. Dad, check my figures, but I think the savings in my vault, and what Mum and I put aside out of Raz's before I gave it all over should cover something. Maybe?

(I haven't even asked about Spence yet. I'd like to be able to get some things in storage from there, the bed, and so on. But I can't imagine living there, and I can't even figure out who technically owns it now. Could be me, could be Tosha, or maybe Daphne's sisters, depending on wills and things and figuring that out will be a mess. But someone should see to the house elves and the art and some other things because those came from Raz, and I guess that part is mine to do. Not this month, though. So. Um. A cottage where we could put the incantatus from there, in the garden? Maybe?)

Mum, I'd say I can't believe that Dal and Trae convinced you, but I can. I've told Septima to expect them. Having Chiron's note helped, and I explained that Di's been doing exceedingly badly since May. But you're right that having them learn is better than not, and that Di's not in a place to make the best decisions for them, at all.

Storm, hug Hyssop for me, and Baz, and tell them I'll come visit when I can.

If I open the floo in my office, can you come through?

Right now?

Please?

I'm trying to be sensible, all right? Gil, so glad you can go home properly, and that things in London went so smoothly, and that you can get your job back.

When I was in Dover, I suggested that one of the things we could use - besides all the food and healing and whatever other things they sort out - were summaries of science, things people have learned since we last could talk to the rest of the world. If anything comes of it, especially about telescopes and things, I'll let you know. But I'm sure there'll be some.

Dai, it's been a mad rush, but yes, please, seeing you. There's talk of trying to get the Three Broomsticks going again, or you can come here, finally, without it being a risk, or if you can wait a couple of weeks, I can maybe meet you somewhere for an hour or two. Actually, though, there's a favour I'd like to ask your parents, about Linus. So maybe Wales, for an afternoon, sometime?

Do you have any idea what you want to do next? Georg's trying to get funds together for another survey to check all the locational magic measurements closely, once we can do that again. Or Magical Transportation's going to be hiring, they have to, and I'm sure he'd vouch for your skills.

May not get a chance to write for a few days. Just means I'm thoroughly busy.

I imagine that students would feel more reassured about returning to Hogwarts if they could know, with certainty, that their Professors have ceased all correspondence with fugitives who at one point tortured students.

There are a lot of things I will be discussing with my classes, with my colleagues, and with other people in the coming days.

For right now, if any specific student feels uncomfortable with me, or being in my classes, I hope they will talk to Headmistress Vector, or another professor they do trust, so we can work out the best solution for them.

I'll just be plain.

If I ever see evidence of correspondence between you and Antonin Dolohov again, I will see to it that everyone knows. I will make sure that you are investigated, sacked from your position at Hogwarts, banished from the country, and/or possibly tried for treason. Whatever it takes. Everyone needs to know that they're safe with us, if we're to keep this going. There can be no question of where our allegiance lies, not ever.

I think the head of our MLE would be inclined to agree with those measures, considering.

And if you truly have more pity for him than Ginny Weasley, or any number of others, then you have no business teaching, anyway.

If giving up your correspondence seems like a painful sacrifice, then I'll give you some perspective: in the last few days I arrested my father and cast the Killing Curse on my husband.

Thank you for making your feelings so clear.

Anything I would say right now would be wrong.

What I can say is that the future is a very long time, and right now, I think any promise I made would not be trusted, and I will not make a promise I am not sure I could keep. But I have heard your warning, and I understand why you make it, and I would never expect you not to keep it.

You do not need to worry you will see me at the gathering tonight. I can't promise to avoid you completely, there are too many memorials left, but I will do my best to occlude so you needn't hear my thoughts.

I am sorry for your loss, I truly am.

I would give the same warning to anyone else I thought might continue to correspond with him. I can't think of any who would, other than you. Well, no one who isn't in custody, or dead, or living in France.

I would hope that you genuinely have no wish to. After all, regardless of what his thoughts are on stars, books, tea, ancient cultures, or anything else, he killed Honoria Sandoval less than a week ago. He tortured Ginny repeatedly, made her so vulnerable that she was further victimised by Baddock. He tricked Sally Anne horribly, and used Justin's death as leverage to escape.

He's a cancer. He can't be allowed to touch this place again.

I did not know most of that.

I am not going to make any decisions or any promises or anything else tonight.

But thank you for actually telling me, instead of assuming I knew.

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Last day of August

Private message to Evelyn

Re: Private message to Evelyn

Private message to Linus

Private message to Septima and Ernie

Private message to Georg

Private message to Mum and Dad and Storm

Private message to Storm

Private message to Gilly and Dai

no subject

no subject

Private message to Aurora Sinistra

Re: Private message to Aurora Sinistra

Re: Private message to Aurora Sinistra

Re: Private message to Aurora Sinistra