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

Students and guests:

We look forward to gathering today at 1pm in the Great Hall. From there, we’ll split up into some other nearby spaces for the presentations. You may wish to bring something for notes. We have some excellent specialists coming, and I’m sure they’ll have a great deal to share.

Again, please remember that you will be divided into four groups, and that our CCF students will remain for an extra hour for some additional training.

I have had a question about how graphic the material might be. I’ve been told that while the instructors will be medically precise, you needn’t worry in this session about looking at injuries or anything of the kind. (The exception may be our CCF sessions, depending on the case studies they choose.) Should you feel queasy for any reason, please quietly excuse yourself as needed without disturbing others.

.. has brought some cheerful news, for once, in the form of the evening Prophet. It appears that reports of Mr Crouch Jr's death were inaccurate, though at the moment, the details of why that is are rather slim.

If students would like to take a look at the article, I'm in my office at the moment, and would be glad to have you stop by until curfew.

I'd like to take a moment to thank everyone who's worked hard to make the CCF trials this week work as smoothly as they have.

Of course, my thanks must begin with our Headmistress and other staff (including Madam Pomfrey, who's been kept quite busy this week) for rearranging plans and space on short notice, and likewise to the various examiners and Ministry staff who have assisted in testing. My thanks also go to our students, who've met the challenges of this week with remarkably good grace.

This testing has also given the opportunity for various Ministry departments to give a trial run to new methods of guiding people towards the roles in which they can best serve the Protectorate, and I believe the results of these trials will benefit all of us in years to come.

I know that parents may have some questions as students return home, about the decision-making process. While some material has been delivered by owl, I or the CCF programme coordinators (listed in the material sent home) are also available for additional questions.

(For myself: I'll be at Hogwarts for a day or two, and then am taking a quick few days to visit with family, before we dive into the summer YPL programme planning for the younger students. My journal is likely a better way to reach me than owl.)

Good morning, Hogwarts!

I'm excited to announce that we've now had confirmations for all of our plans for the YPL this year.

Our first meeting will be on October 2nd. Professor Lestrange has graciously offered to speak on the changes in New London over the past decade and a half. We will also have a short organizational session, though please see the notes below.

We will also meet on November 13th, December 4th, January 22nd, February 12th, March 12th, and April 23rd.

I am excited to announce that Miss Patil's suggestion of putting on a play was seen quite favorably in our planning: the play performance will be on April 23rd, open to the entire school. Rehearsal for this production will begin when we all return from our winter break in January, and those interested in writing or planning roles should speak to me in the next fortnight for occasional meetings this fall.

Our February meeting will host one of the acting troupes from New London, who have agreed to come and demonstrate various charms and techniques they use in their own performances - everything from charms to create special effects to those that help with quick changes or memorising lines.

A reminder about YPL activities:
- Activities are currently open to all first, second, and third year students, and all are encouraged to attend. All costs are covered by the gracious support of our Lord Protector and the Ministry. First years will receive their YPL pin at our first meeting.

- Older students may apply to assist with planning and events: this carries a small stipend for the school year and a larger one for summer events. This year, I am seeking three or four new assistants: fifth year students are particularly encouraged to apply.

- Third year students are reminded that participation in the YPL is a privilege, and that after this year, only a limited number of spots will be available for students in your year. Places will be determined by your behavior and interest in the YPL meetings (attendance, volunteering to assist with various tasks, etc.), by your behavior and interest in other appropriate opportunities, and by the recommendation of your teachers. As has been shown by several of our recent graduates and seventh year students, participation in the YPL carries a substantial weight in opening doors to you outside of Hogwarts.

- Any questions, please come see me: there is a schedule on my office if you'd like to sign up for a private conversation, as well as notes of my general availability for questions.

Thank you, all the students who attended the meeting on Saturday. I hope you all enjoyed the knarl (as mentioned, they do not live solely in Cornwall, but they have a vibrant population there)! I also appreciate your attention and questions. As promised, here are the important notes to help ensure all of you are prepared for our trip.

Travel plans:
The Ministry is graciously arranging for portkeys from central locations and will assist in providing supervision to and at the transfer points. Parents and guardians will be contacted with the location within the week, to allow plenty of time to resolve any concerns. Students will arrive at our first campsite in staggered groupings on Monday, August 3rd, and will return to the same locations on Monday, August 10th.

Where will we be?
We will be at two sites within Cornwall. We will set up camp on the 4th toward the southwest of Bodmin Moor, and spend 3 days there, before moving to a site on the northern coast near Tintagel. My thanks to the Ministry, who have arranged to move the packed equipment during our outing that day.

As all first years have now passed their flying tests, we will be travelling between the two sites by broom, pausing regularly for natural history and folklore conversations. We do have the generous loan of two flying carpets that will seat multiple riders for those who prefer not to fly a broom. The sites are approximately 40 miles apart, and we will be providing close supervision: students who go off unescorted will face immediate and serious penalties.

Housing
Students will be housed in wizarding tents - these all include facilities, simple cooking resources, and sleeping space for five or six students. Each tent will include an older student of the same gender.

Students may indicate their preferences for who will share their sleeping tent (and should tell me this immediately if they have not already done so.) However, we want to use the minimal number of tents possible, so you may end up sharing with students you know less well in some circumstances.

Food
We will be cooking our own food - with help and supplies brought along. Campfire cooking is always great fun, and we'll be learning a number of cooking and cleaning charms that can be used for other purposes, or that build skills with charms that will stand you in good stead next year.

What to bring
Please bring six changes of clothing that will hold up to a range of different weather conditions, temperatures, and that will stand up to climbing, flying, and exploring. Ladies, this is not the trip for delicate sandals or short skirts on your robes! Your clothing and other supplies should fit within a small trunk or large traveling bag you can load and unload yourself from the Ministry's carts.

Sensible shoes, at least one layer of wool robes, and plenty of clean socks are all essential. Please also bring whatever toiletries and minor personal items you require. (Please note: if it is forbidden at Hogwarts, it is also forbidden here.) Remember that Cornwall can get quite chilly, even in August.

Pets
As mentioned, if you are able to be responsible for your own pet's food, water, waste, and well-being, you may bring it. However, be aware that there will be no house-elves or mudbloods on this trip, so you must attend to all tasks yourself.

Activities
We are planning a series of lectures, hikes, and events that will teach you about Cornwall's folklore, magical creatures, mythology and stories. We'll also be looking at the stars (of course!), telling stories, and singing a few songs. My thanks in advance to several distinguished witches and wizards who have offered to help with these events - they'll be coming for the day, and apparating home at the end in almost every case.

Students will be divided into pre-determined groups for different activities. However, you will have plenty of time to spend with your friends during breakfast, and after we return to our campsite in the late afternoon.

Behaviour
All students are expected to stay within sight of the older student or adult responsible for them at all times, or request specific permission each time they are out of sight (such as climbing on a hike.) No space in any wild place is entirely safe. Students will also have charms provided that will allow us to quickly track and locate anyone who does not obey this requirement.

You are expected to behave as well or better as you would at Hogwarts. The prefects coming with us have all been given permission to use a stunning charm or, if necessary, Crucio, if they feel a student's behaviour may lead to imminent harm .

The older students attending will include:
Lana Sandoval (Ravenclaw prefect : rising 7th)
Olive Coote (Hufflepuff prefect : rising 7th year)
Percy Weasley (Gryffindor prefect: rising 6th year))
Moebius Ollivander (Slytherin prefect: rising 6th year)
Penelope Clearwater (rising 5th year, Ravenclaw)
and Julius Avery (Slytherin, rising 5th year)

As mentioned, these older students should arrive a day early in order to prepare for the trip. Details are in the letters being sent home by Owl this week.

Questions?
I am available by Owl throughout the summer, either at Hogwarts or visiting family. I expect to be able to address any questions quickly.

Again, thank you for your enthusiasm and attention - I am looking forward to this summer's trip with all of you!

My, I've been swamped the past days! Fortunately, the details are mostly settled, and we're in the final stages of selecting the older students for the YPL trip this summer.

A few notes of interest:
- The vast majority of this year's first years have signed up. I'm delighted. (If you have not yet done so, and are interested, please do so by Friday evening so I can make final arrangements.)

- We're arranging a suitable number of Wizarding tents (able to sleep 4-5 people each), but are still in need of one or two more. If your family has one they can spare, please let me know.

- The trip will, in fact, be the first week in August. We'll be going to Cornwall, which has a great deal of magical history, and some fascinating ecology.

- We'll be arranging transportation to a central point through the help of various Ministry employees, and using a port-key from there.

- I've had a few inquiries about pets. If you are able to keep track of your pet and can take full responsibility for their food, waste, and well-being, you are welcome to bring them. If you're not sure you can do this, please leave them at home for the week.

- There will be a meeting in the next few weeks to discuss other details like what to bring, our planned events, and so forth. Keep an eye out on this journal for details. (And speaking of journals, you should plan to bring them: I will be posting a brief daily update throughout the week to keep your families updated as well.)

Now, I must go and continue grading the last round of star charts. The top one, here, seems to have confused the Pleides rather badly somehow.