I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night.

Mum and Diane -

I'm sure Andromeda's gotten around to writing by now, but I thought I'd add a few notes, since I know you were both anxious over her first days at Hogwarts. (I meant to write sooner, but it's been quite chaotic here, getting everyone settled.)

As we'd all expected, Andromeda was promptly sorted into Hufflepuff, and seems to be settling in quite nicely with her classmates. (I don't know any of them well yet, but they seem as pleasant as first-years ever are. It always takes everyone a few weeks to stop being nervously on their best behavior and relax into being themselves a bit more, as well.) There seems to be plenty of cheerful conversation from that part of the table during the meals I've been around for, and of course, I've checked in with her casually several times, just to make sure there isn't anything she needs.

(Her biggest complaint is finding her way around - but really, that's true for everyone and there's nothing for it but practice.)

As you can imagine, we're still all a little bit overwhelmed with the aftermath of the attack, especially having so many of our students actively involved in really quite dangerous situations. At the same time, I'm so very proud of the students in the CCF programme who stepped forward to be of help, and I've received some really quite gracious thank yous from senior ministry officials, as well as those who were directly helped.

Mum - thanks for the package to start the year. It was much appreciated. I've been able to share them with Poppy, and with Rabastan, and I'm sure the rest will quickly disappear once students remember I sometimes have treats out before I go up to observe in the evening.

My summer has been one headlong rush after another, it seems, with only a few pauses for breath. I'd thought I was largely done as of Friday, and spent Saturday most enjoyably at a small gathering, but come Sunday morning, there was an urgent owl asking me to come to the Ministry and sort out some additional details for ongoing YPL plans and philosophy (some of which is relevant to decisions about challenges for our current inaugural CCF programme, so we really did need to have a solution by Monday morning.)

We resolved the immediate discussions, but of course, these things grow, and I spent two more days with "Oh, while you're here, why don't we get this out of the way." and "We've got a new way of handling the documentation for this: you must learn how it works." and deep discussions about the balance of challenge and risk in various programmes past and planned.

Fortunately, we seem to have taken care of everything for the moment, so I spent the tail part of the afternoon deep in study at one of the observation archives, looking for details about meteor shower prediction (this year's Leonids are particularly auspicious for several magical potions and crafts.) I intend to go back tomorrow, before taking some time to just wander New London. There's so much to see. I rarely get the chance to do more than come to a meeting and head home again, so I'm taking advantage while I can.

I've been asked to issue a public announcement, just to clear up a few questions we've been hearing. All students should now have received an owl with information about the CCF program.

For those who were selected (whose names are below), your owl contained additional information about when and where to report. As you'll note, you'll be attending for one week beginning on the July 4th, returning home for several weeks, and then returning later in the summer. Between the two sessions, you will be expected to complete a variety of conditioning, written, and practical exercises to make the best use of your final two weeks. We appreciate your patience while getting this programme organised.

Students not selected will be receiving some individual information with ideas, suggestions, and resources that those involved with the YPL and CCF staff feel might be an excellent avenue to explore for future development, training, and perhaps choose as a profession. You should receive these within the next fortnight, depending on which department is providing the details. (If you do not receive anything by the middle of July, please let me know.)

And now, our congratulations to those selected to participate in this year's CCF programme (listed in alphabetical order):

Susan Bones
Katrina Bundy
Seamus Finnigan
Daphne Greengrass
Su Li
Ernie MacMillan
Draco Malfoy
Harry Marvolo
Linus Moon
Pansy Parkinson
Padma Patil
Sally-Anne Perks
Zacharias Smith
Dean Thomas
Ron Weasley
Blaise Zabini

Due to the complexity of the interview process for the combined cadet force programme, the Ministry has decided that the most effective approach is to have students being considered for the programme remain at Hogwarts for an additional week. Your parents have already been informed of this change in plan.

Those students chosen to proceed to the next step will find their names listed on a list in the common room. Students who were not selected to continue at this time will find a note on their bed with some additional information (and your parents have also received a letter with some additional details.)

While a number of students have been invited to remain, please remember that this is not the final step: the CCF programme is limited to roughly 15 students, to be determined by the interviews, tests, and practical exercises to take place next week.

Please be assured that this programme is not the only way to become a contributing member of Our Lord's Protectorate. As the YPL becomes smaller in the upper years, our focus is jointly on providing students of outstanding potential with leadership opportunities and training beyond what Hogwarts can normally provide, and on giving students from less advantaged backgrounds a chance to demonstrate their commitment, skills, and willingness to serve the Protectorate.

We recognise that some students will have other interests outside the YPL programme, or can better benefit from individual mentoring by family, family friends, or experts in specialised fields. We hope that you will see the YPL programme the same way we do: one tool among many to form a more wonderful future for all witches and wizards in the Protectorate.

Dear YPL students and their parents,

I am delighted to announce that we have now completed our plans for the summer YPL projects.

Rising second years will again participate in the weeklong camping trip to study the flora, fauna, and history of Dartmoor and Cornwall.

Rising third years will again be visiting London in two groups, with a variety of visits planned to historical sites of interest, Ministry departments, and entertainment.

In both cases, letters are going home to parents this week with additional details, packing lists, and transportation notes. As always, costs are covered by the Ministry and the generosity of our Lord Protector.

Rising sixth or seventh year students wishing to provide supervision, support, and assistance on either trip should contact me directly for an application - again, there is a small stipend.

We are also delighted to announce a new activity for rising fourth years. Through a rigorous application process, students may petition to be included in a combined cadet force programme.

Training will last three weeks, at a location still being arranged, and will cover a variety of magical defence and duelling techniques, orienteering, tracking and mapping, field medwizardry, survival skills, support skills, and more. Students will focus on an area of particular interest in small groups, as well as participating in larger drill and skill training sessions.

We recognise that this is a substantial amount of the summer, but our expert teachers feel that any shorter time would be insufficient to offer a meaningful training experience. Students accepted this summer would also be expected to participate in the summer before their fifth year, and would have the option to continue in later years.

As the upper levels of the YPL program are designed for the best and brightest of our Lord's Protectorate, students who do not apply for this opportunity will have limited chances to participate in YPL-only activities in future. (Students who apply but who do not meet the standards for this summer programme will be considered on a case by case basis for additional activities.)

Applications are available in my office and classroom. The application process has three parts.

1) Complete the written application and short essay, indicating the areas of study that you are most interested in. (Descriptions are provided on the application).

2) Write a letter via the Personal Message feature to someone in the field you aspire to enter professionally after leaving school. You should address the message to that person, and to Professor Sinistra, who will be evaluating you based on your choice, your etiquette, and your behavior. As many likely recipients are extremely busy with other duties, students should not be disappointed if they do not receive a direct response.

3) Students who succeed in this portion of the application will be invited to New London for a day of testing shortly following your return home from school. This portion will involve physical, magical, and intellectual tests. Parents are welcome to accompany their student, or designate a trusted friend or relative to do so (as there will be times when students will be waiting between tests without direct supervision), but will not be allowed in the actual testing rooms.

Lunch will be provided, along with a short presentation about the programme, and the selected roster will be read at tea, before students are dismissed for the day.

All necessary equipment will be provided by the YPL for use during the three weeks of the Combined Cadet Force programme: students will need to bring only their wand, journal, and other immediate personal necessities.

Questions can be directed to me via journal or owl, and students are of course welcome to stop by and discuss at any time I'm available.