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

My thanks to all of the examiners and CCF trials students who have helped make a complicated series of activities and challenges go as smoothly as possible. After a great deal of discussion, we are excited to announce the addition of the following students to the CCF programme.

Gareth Archer
Cressida Bode
Christophanus Clarriker
Stratus Cuthbert
Coinneach Donovan
Francois duMaurier
Isolde Inglebee
Hydra Lestrange
Luna Lovegood
Jeremy Jugson
Tristan Preece
Marjoram Montague
Honoria Sandoval
Effluvia Stevens
Darius Warrington
Ginevra Weasley

I’m also delighted to announce that the examiners have agreed that Justin Finch-Fletchley (our most recent addition to Hogwarts) should be placed with the rising 5th years (his own class) for this year’s CCF work.

Congratulations to you all! Students who were selected - along with our rising 5th year CCF members - will be getting additional information next week, once we’ve met to finish the last details of our planning.

For those students who were not selected, our examiners will be providing some additional resources and advice to help you develop your talents in other ways. As always, the CCF programme is but one way to serve the Protectorate, and it was very difficult to make the final decisions.

It seems impossible that we’re at the end of the year - so much has happened. I know that many will be sorry to see friends and acquaintances from among our guests go, but I’m sure we’ll all enjoy the feast tonight, before seeing the contingents off tomorrow.

At the same time, I do look forward to the summer activities, and then to what next year might bring. And I’ve had a few questions about the summer.

CCF: 4th and 5th years will be participating the same weeks - July 27th to August 18th. You’ll have separate housing and facilities, and largely separate training, but will be working with the same instructors, and sharing some special activities. More information will be sent home as soon as we’ve finished our committee meetings - you should expect an owl June 27th or 28th with all the details.

Students entering 2nd and 3rd year should find information about your trips waiting when you arrive home.

Don’t feel you need to answer until you’ve a chance. I caught a tiny bit of it, but what on earth happened?

I was coming back from New London, and ran into Cedric on my way back in - he had quite a few things he wanted to ask about the third task. I’d like to consult with you on a couple, but, well, they can wait.

But then Harry comes running back up just as we were coming in the main door - looking for you and Poppy, he said - and something had clearly happened. But right at that moment, Isolde Inglebee came looking for Poppy, as Adelaide Zimmerman was having hysterics, and I went off to deal with that, once Harry said you were on your way down.

I’m back up the tower now - teaching midnight to one, but if you want company after, just let me know and I'll come down (or make yourself at home in my rooms.)

New London was fine. (Mum sends love, Gilly approves of my taking time to relax, there’s yet another complication with the CCF. You could set a clock by all three. The last's manageable, thankfully.)

I’m delighted to have seen so many excellent YPL counsellor applications come already in this year - just a reminder that to be considered, I will need to have your application in hand by 9am on May 1st. It’s quite clear it will be extremely challenging to make our selections, but it’s wonderful to read your thoughts and ideas. We currently expect to arrange interviews the week of the 7th, but may need to stretch that out, depending on various schedules.

Third years: applications for the CCF programme are now available on my door. They’ll be due on Monday, May 7th.

Fifth years: I’ve been marking your charts from last Friday, and clearly a number of you could benefit from additional time with the exam-format charts. Please come prepared with your calendars to lecture on Friday, so we can arrange some times for further practice sessions before the rapidly approaching OWLs.

Seventh years: I'm delighted to say (but not at all surprised) that you're quite a bit better off, though there's a few fine details we should continue to work on. Remember that your independent projects are due the 4th, and that I still have some time available if you want to review your results before turning in your final work.

A moment for the stars: it’s a particularly good week for spotting several asteroids, namely Astraea, Hebe, and Flora, all found within Leo this week. And Venus is particularly bright right now, though you’ll need to come up between sunset and curfew to have a good look - she’s set by the time we start class. I plan to be around the tower Wednesday and Friday evenings if the weather’s clear, if anyone wants help taking a look at either.

I’ve worked out the lists for the Newcastle and New London day trips: you should receive confirmation at lunch today one way or the other. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we coordinate staffing and other details.

We still have a few remaining spaces for CCF students for the Yorkshire Dales trip (8th April), and for both CCF and YPL students for the Cambridge visit (11th April). Please see me today if you are still interested. Confirmation notes about those trips will be out tomorrow.

You are reminded that your parents are responsible for getting you to the central meeting point in New London each day: specifics will be sent to them later this week, or they may confirm with Felix Green in the WEA office if they have other logistics questions. Basic expenses (including meals and any admission fees) will be covered by the programme, but you may wish to bring pocket money for extras. Promptness and exemplary behaviour are both expected and required.

I’m glad to take questions here. Otherwise, I’ll be in my office during my usual Monday hours after supper.

Congratulations to all the hard work of all three teams yesterday. I understand from the planning staff that there will be some additional individual feedback forthcoming for our CCF students, but overall, they were quite pleased with your creative problem-solving and approach to the various challenges. And to our guests, I hope you enjoyed the outing.

An event of this complexity takes many people’s time and effort: we could not have conducted these exercises without the efforts of the attending CCF planning staff, Aurors, Auror trainees, MLE staff, and Healer Kerr. They gave up a Saturday to join us, and I’m sure we all appreciate their time and careful attention.

My particular thanks to Mr Smith, Miss Bones, and Mr Macmillan for their help (and to their respective team leaders for the loan), and especially to Mr Smith for his quick thinking. As you may have heard by now, Miss Haley is quite recovered and back in her dorm.

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.

CCF students, beautifully done clearing the way for the dancing to begin, and thank you again for all your gracious assistance welcoming all our honoured guests tonight.

Everyone else, what a glorious evening. Do enjoy yourselves!

Dear students and visiting guests,

Our upcoming lecture:
On December 3rd, we will welcome several medwizards, who have graciously offered their time on Saturday to share some tips on dealing with urgent injuries and crisis care. Our guests are welcome to join us for this. You will be divided into groups, spending forty-five minutes with each presenter. Please gather at 1pm in the Great Hall for the introduction, and we will split off to other spaces from there.

CCF students: you will be grouped together and cover topics in more depth, as you covered some of the basics last summer, and will also have an additional hour training session following the main presentations.

(Thanks to Miss Perks for suggesting that this would be an excellent topic.)

Preparing for the Yule Ball
CCF students and YPL counsellors are asked to assist with various small duties relating to hosting the Yule Ball. Planning sessions will take place on Thursday, December 8th or Saturday, December 10th. Please sign up on the lists by my office for one of these two times no later than this coming Thursday. Each session will last two hours and begins at 7pm.

A schedule conflict
Finally, due to YPL planning committee needs, I must be in New London on Sunday, December 11th and Monday the 12th. My classes are cancelled for that Monday, including the observing session that evening (though I will be giving you assignments to cover the missing session this week). I will obviously not be available for questions or my normal office hours during those two days. I am confident this will be the last such disruption for this school year, and appreciate your patience.

Miss Clearwater and Mister Avery, I have an additional note for you below.

First, my condolences to the surviving family and friends of Mr Crouch, Jr. and his mother. As some of you may be aware, Mr Crouch, Jr. was instrumental in consulting on a number of security considerations around YPL event and trip planning, and his devotion and dedication to his duty, the Protectorate, and the Lord Protector were clear in every moment of that work.

Regrettably, time continues to march forward, and we are already behind schedule in making final arrangements for this year due to the exciting recent announcement of the Tri-Wizard Tournament. We've arranged the events at Hogwarts this year to include our visiting students as much as feasible, to better demonstrate the skills, learning, and experience that our students gain through participation in the YPL programme. Further details about each activity will be forthcoming, but I wanted to make the dates available as soon as possible for all those who may need to make relevant plans.

(It is possible that one or two dates may shift over the course of the year, based on various other needs, but we believe these dates are now fairly firm.)

We have had several other interesting proposals for activities this year, and space and time allowing may make optional participation in several activities possible over breaks in classes.

October
On October 22nd, the YPL will welcome our guests with an exercise to introduce them to the grounds and other spaces of Hogwarts, giving everyone a chance to learn more about our richly historic location, and meet a variety of students. CCF students and YPL counselors should be alert for announcements about planning meetings, and will be expected to assist in the practical details of the day, all others are welcome to participate.

December
In late November and through December, YPL students in years three and up should plan on some meetings and tutorial sessions so that they may provide support at an event related to the Tri-Wizard Tournament. We anticipate these sessions will be about 2 hours in length, and happen every two or three weeks, depending on your focus.

On Saturday, December 3rd, we will welcome several medwizards for an extended lecture and training session. A general workshop will be available to all YPL members and our foreign guests, while our CCF students (who have already learned some basic material) will also attend an additional workshop with greater detail and expectations.

January
On January 28th, we will have an excursion for all YPL members that will test orienteering, strategy, and leadership skills. Students should dress warmly, and practice a variety of warming charms. Again, our foreign guests will be welcome to join us, provided they attend the preparatory meeting.

March
On March 3rd, we will welcome a visiting artist, Melete Pencarrow, who will lead YPL participants in creating a wizarding mural depicting an event in Hogwarts history. Students will do much of the background design and painting of the mural, and she will assist with details. Students will also learn about mixing pigments for wizarding paintings, the rich language of symbol in artwork, and lectures on notable painting and portrait technique illustrated by the Hogwarts portraits and other pieces. Mrs. Pencarrow will be residing in Hogsmeade for the duration to assist, with a formal presentation of the finished artwork following the spring holidays.

YPL students should allow two to three hours in their schedule each week (for the duration of the project) for a combination of small group lectures and work on the mural, though of course students wishing to contribute additional time will be welcome. Our visitors are welcome to attend the lectures on request.

May
Finally, on May 26th, we will welcome a panel of distinguished witches and wizards with great experience in international wizarding relations, including those teachers guiding our visiting guests. They will discuss and explore where the new horizons in Protectorate diplomacy made possible through the Tri-Wizard Tournament events, and what opportunities in the field might be open for students in the coming years.

Final notes
As always, all students in years one through three are welcome and encouraged to participate in the YPL and explore the opportunities available to them as future productive members of our Lord Protector's realm. Continuing beyond year three requires a greater commitment and success in a variety of skills. Students who expressed a wish to continue (via application to the CCF) last year, but who did not attend the summer training are welcome to attend general YPL activities, but will not be able to participate in the extra training and opportunities of the CCF courses.

Should you have any questions, I have a number of tasks taking my time this weekend, but you may leave a note here (a private message, if you prefer), or can find me in my office during my usual open office hours this week.