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

All hope of discretion lost, I'm afraid - Madam Headmistress was hovering in the hallway when I came out, and there's no hiding I was in to see you.

Sorry, I was hoping to keep you out of wand range. You and Pomona both.

I was thinking more about that weather and forecasting book we were discussing, and then I completely forgot to bring it up with Tosha. But that whole practical aspect - that bit you were talking about, with how much more Pepper Up you might need, depending on when the weather turns keeps nagging at something else I've read.

Well, and I'm contemplating finite scheduling versus 'this might happen, but we don't know when yet' rather a lot right now, anyway.

I... Let me try and get this into words, because if I go back to Spence like this, it'll be no end of worry to Raz. I will be so very glad when we're back at school. I was up at Pembroke with the Malfoys (and various others) for the weekend. Well, Thursday, after that horrid In The Soup article ran. And because Stint died near enough by, they had to ask everyone where we all were.

We had the usual problem of any good mystery novel plot where we were not able to provide a suitable alibi for all possible persons at all possible times. (But really, who can. Even Raz and I spent time apart.) They did let us all go as planned Monday morning. And today I spent the morning in the Guild library, which was lovely and engaging, even if I did get lost in a totally different topic than I'd intended. Sorry. Trying to be clear here, and failing utterly.

I left there around two, and went to the Archetype. But just as I got outside - those benches in the square, just before you turn, Poppy - who stops me but that Meniscus Fulton. And he had question after question for me. I hate not thinking faster on my feet, and I'm better than I was, but well. Delia Forney was all business-like and straightforward with her questions at Pembroke. This was much like that mess in January, where he - well, it was Fulton then too - where it was clear he was after something else.

He kept trying to probe, and I kept pointing out I'd be glad to come to MLE and do it properly, and surely a park bench was not the best place. I seem to have discovered a backbone sufficient to deter that far, anyway, because after about fifteen minutes, he gave up trying, and went away, less than satisfied.

Then, as I was finally collecting myself enough to flee into the Archetype, Heloise Laverty caught up with me. I've only met her very briefly, but she wanted to ask her own set of questions. Though, thankfully, that involved a more comfortable chair, less late-summer breeze, and a pot of my favourite tisane blend of theirs.

And she was much more careful - she had some specific questions about my trip to Snowdon with you, Poppy, which Fulton never bothered to ask about (tried to keep you out of it as much as I could, Pomona, without being too obvious). And then wondering, rather off-handedly, what Fulton had been asking me. If I hadn't seen Chiron in that same mode when Daedalus snuck Diane's wand away at Christmas two years ago to try it out, I'd not know what I was looking at. And she said no need to come to MLE, and if they did need to talk further they'd arrange it properly.

Right. I feel a little better having written it all out, (and I seem to have acquired a certain amount of good will in an unexpected quarter) and am going to apply myself to a cream tea before I go back to Raz. I'm still hoping we'll be back tomorrow night, but right now, who knows. And I'm going to drop a word in what I hope is the right ear and see what comes of it.

It's a pity I can't say "I told you so", sometimes.

You know I've been arguing against synchronised marching all along (and uniforms, and patriotic songs) as a focus for the YPL time.

This weekend so far has been a rather nice illustration of why. All the people who overruled me have not the slightest idea how to get thirty three students all pointed in the same direction at once. (33, incidentally, is a horrible number to try and arrange in any kind of pretty marching order, no matter the arithmantic possibilities).

And as they keep refusing my suggestions of oh, how to manage students I've worked with for years, I am currently sitting on a stone wall in the sunshine and catching up on my journal reading. It's a pleasant enough distraction from about eight other things I'd rather not be thinking about.

I do think it will come out all right on the day - even the students who I expect would like it just to be over with are doing their best to learn the necessary pieces. And I think the end result should be rather appropriately showy if it comes off right. But really. Is this the best thing we could be spending a dozen hours on? (Not counting all the prep time, of course.)

I do hope both of you are well, and Poppy, that your latest round of mandatory education is not too dire. You may expect to avoid Stint, at least largely, as he plans to be here part of most days through Thursday, apparently.

Poppy -

Thanks again for meeting me Friday. It's such a pleasure to relax with a friend.

I wish I could manage to get away this week, but now that we're traipsing all over New London, it's unlikely. This group is all settled into their rooms, and into the afternoon activities now, though, so at least I've a moment to catch my breath. (And Madam Umbridge did appear this morning, but had a meeting this afternoon, so even she's gone for a bit.)

I don't suppose you've anything else on the Stint front? I've discussed it thoroughly with Raz (for obvious reasons) but anything you might happen to overhear, even just if you see him talking to someone, would be tremendously helpful. I feel like it's all fog and mist, and nothing certain. And it's hard for us to take it further without somewhere to start. "There's this thing, and it's very vague, but I swear he's up to something" seems most unlikely to convince anyone at MLE, especially given the history. I feel foolish saying it even to you, and I know you believe me.

I'm also still holding out hope for an actual vacation at some point, but I admit that's looking harder and harder to manage. How are there so few weeks in the summer?

I hope this week's course treats you a bit better than the previous. And I think Mum may have something to pass along to you, too, next I see her.

Congratulations to all four champions, for an exciting evening.

Students - if you have a question for me, the journal's the best way to reach me at the moment, as I'll be juggling marking and some other tasks.

Poppy -

Have a moment for a question? If you're not caught up from the chaos earlier this week, this can certainly wait.

My sister Tempest asked me about something about those pamphlets from Wizarding Repopulation. I usually toss them as soon as I get them, but I just got the latest round and had a closer look.

Have you seen their The Reality of Contraceptive Charms and Potions: The Risks You May Not Know? It’s not even the worst of the lot on the surface (that title goes to either Enticing Him To Ask: Getting Your Wizard To Propose for sheer manipulative nastiness, or Don't Let Your Time Turner Run Out!: What Every Witch Needs to Know About Her Internal Clock which includes the line “Fellow witches, the future of the Protectorate lies between our hipbones.” and gets worse from there.)

Anyway, Temp’s question was about their recommendations. They imply that longer-acting charms and potions are less safe, may lead to fertility concerns later, and are also less effective. They suggest the calendaring option, or an as needed potion or charm, but avoiding the commercial preparations entirely (While also intimating that most witches don’t have the skills to handle these things reliably themselves.) What options remain - besides pregnancy - is left as an exercise to the bewildered reader.

But Mum’s always told me that calendaring’s far more useful for those trying to conceive than those trying to avoid it, and that the long-acting or daily charms and potions are both more reliable and less likely to be forgotten in the moment. (As she put it, rummaging for a potion or your wand is easy to put off when you’d rather cuddle in a warm bed.) Though, of course the WRO also implies one should talk to the experts (theirs, preferably), rather than trust one’s family.

Any rate: I’m happy enough with my own choice (the Adsimilis Silphion charm), but Temp’s less comfortable with any charm that doesn’t involve food, so I thought I’d check with you for alternatives. I was going to suggest Madame Selene’s Prophylactic Precaution, and I know some people like the Felicitous Ferula one, too.

I can bring the pamphlet by, but it might be a bit - I’m still working through creating exams. (Oddly, the projections should make for much better exams, but they're more complicated to prep.)

YPL students:
Our first meeting with Mrs Pencarrow, for the mural and art project, is on Saturday at 2. She’ll present an overview of the project and common artistic techniques. We’ll then decide on a topic (bring your best ideas).

Finally you’ll have an opportunity to sign up for time to both work on the mural and for the tours of the Hogwarts paintings and portraits she’ll be offering (you’ll be expected to attend two over the next 6 weeks.)

Our guests are welcome to participate as well, of course, to the degree they wish - please come to the meeting and sign up for times that suit you.

Fourth years:
Due to a necessary meeting, I’d like to reschedule our class on Tuesday night the 13th.

I’m open to either meeting at midnight on Sunday (going into Monday) the 11th, or for two hours the following Tuesday (the 20th) beginning at 11 instead of midnight. If you’ve a strong preference, let me know and we’ll decide in our evening class next Tuesday.

I’d say I can’t believe I managed to miss coming before this, but that’s not true: I know perfectly well how it happened. I’m so glad I got ahead on my work, so that I’ve been able to enjoy a day or two of the festivities with an entirely clear conscience.

We started yesterday by a walk through the Faire. I got on skates for the first time since my Hogwarts days, and had forgotten how fun it is. (Though my ankles gave out sooner than I’d have liked.) We spent much of the afternoon wandering through the stalls and other spaces, and I’m equally amazed at the range of wares, the many different small performing groups, and how everything comes together.

The masked ball last night was stunning - the range of masks, and designs were almost overwhelming. I saw one stunning one designed for Ceres, I think, that had across the bottom a field of grain swaying in the wind, with a butterfly flittering across, then disappearing off the edge of the mask and eventually returning, like a perfect late summer afternoon. And a Flora mask, where the flowers budded and blossomed in an endless cycle from spring through summer.

This morning, I had a most enjoyable time in one of the Roman baths they’ve set up. We’re currently waiting for the Terence play to begin - it’s supposed to be very funny - and I’m enjoying watching the little circulating arts groups. There’s a nimble acrobat, and some excellent singers, and I understand at intermission, we have an avian ballet to look forward to.

Back to classes, after some lovely holidays. We’re currently in that glorious week or so where I’m entirely caught up on all my marking and correspondence, I’ve had plenty of time for research on the tower, and quite my share of social outings and other enjoyments. Never does last more than a week or two, but that’s all to the good, really, as it means there’s something new to look forward to.

CCF, YPL, and guests:
It is time to turn our attention to our next outing, on January 28th. The event will be an all-day outdoor strategy event held off Hogwarts grounds, with three teams, each lead by a group of our CCF students (for whom the event is mandatory).

For all who wish to attend there will be a required planning meeting on January 21st at 2pm. The day of, we will depart at 9am, and return around 4pm. CCF students will be expected to attend a post-event debriefing following our return, finishing by dinner time.

We welcome:
- Our guests, as team participants.
- Third year and non-CCF fourth year students as team participants.
- A limited number of first and second year students to assist with various tasks.

Due to logistics, we have a more limited number of places for this event than our usual. Everyone participating should be comfortable with extended outdoor exposure and exertion, skilled with at least one long-duration warming charm, and be willing to work together in assigned teams to reach a mutual goal. Previous active participation in YPL events and recent behaviour will be used to determine attendees if we have more interest than places.

If you wish to be considered, please sign up on the board outside my office no later by 8am on Sunday.

On another note:
I’ve also been thinking about my past year. I’ve never particularly subscribed to resolutions, as much as goals, but I am quite pleased with the ongoing growth of the YPL and CCF programmes, the completion of the chart projection charm project (and related publication), and the usual progress in teaching and learning that happen all the time in my classroom.

This coming year, I’m looking forward to a new research project (made possible by a shiny new telescope) and continuing the work of the past few years in a variety of areas.

I do want to second Miss Clearwater's compliments and congratulations: excellently done, all of you, for representing Hogwarts in the best possible tradition.

My very deep thanks to the Prefects, YPL counsellors, and to the CCF for all doing their part to coordinate all manner of tasks, and I'm delighted everything went so smoothly. And the surprise of hearing "Hey, Hey Merlin" by two of our own was amazing. Excellent work, both of you!

For those who need to return borrowed robes, or perhaps want an ear for any reason, I'll be up in my office for much of the later morning and afternoon, until about four, outside of lunch. (I've also got a fair selection of the press coverage, if anyone wants to have a look.)