Private Message to Aurora Sinistra and Pomona Sprout

[alt_horace]

Well, that could have been worse, eh?

Aurora, I must say, I'm surprised you took up on Mr Capper's behalf. Not that I would ever expect you to give up on any student, far from it, but I fear Septima has convinced you to back a losing Abraxan.

I would certainly think you have enough other projects to be going on with without adding this level of intervention for a student who ought to be able to save himself.

Pomona, she's your junior; see if you can talk some sense into her. It's not that Capper's unintelligent. He simply refuses to acknowledge any subjects but those that touch his particular focus.

Comments

[alt_pomona]

I hate to lose a student, especially one of Capper's real (albeit narrow) brilliance, but I must admit I am growing ever more frustrated by his indifference to my own subject.

[alt_horace]

Exactly my point, Pomona. I too loathe to allow him to slip through the cracks but it must be said that we ought not to be expected to care more about his success or failure than he does.

[alt_sinistra]

Horace,

I had the great good fortune to have Alcor be patient with me - and so I understand it, argue for me in more than one staff meeting. (Granted, a bit earlier in my Hogwarts career.)

I find I intend to follow in his footsteps, yet one more time.

As to your last: I certainly disagree with both you and Pomona, but I do hope we can do so as mature colleagues. If you - either of you - do not wish to assist him, that's your choice, of course. Just grant me the same courtesy.

I also wish that Capper would see the very real need to manage his other subjects, of course. But I do not wish to give up all hope until the end.

[alt_horace]

So he did, so he did, my dear, but you must admit that while you certainly showed an early aptitude and preference for your subject, you still attempted the others--and more to the point, you listened to his early interventions, even if it was against your inclination.

And of course, it's all very well for you, since Astronomy appears to be about the only other topic he applies himself to, apart from his beloved Arithmancy.

[alt_sinistra]

If you call three and a half years of nagging, persuasion, and then finally bribing me with extra telescope access if I'd only do my other homework to a reasonable standard 'early intervention', yes.

It's a pity that's a bit harder to apply to Arithmancy, though. It was quite effective.

As to his work in my class - his calculations are stellar, of course. His charts, alas, are nearly as miserable as his work in most of his classes, and he cannot seem to remember more than five constellations at once.

[alt_pomona]

I do hear you in that regard, Aurora. My concern is more with his stubbornness--or perhaps difficulty adapting. I truly am not certain which is the case.

I'm not about to run around telling you how you ought to be managing your students--and I admit my lack of Arithmantic acumen may be biasing me here--but I am at a loss to know how we are to bring him to acknowledge the seriousness of the situation

[alt_sinistra]

Thank you, Pomona.

I know Septima's had more than one conversation with him about his future if he doesn't do better than seems likely at the moment - well, as she pointed out tonight.

At the same time, you're right that that's clearly not doing what's needed. Perhaps conversations with people who regret their lack of options? Do we know someone who might be willing to be realistic?

(Now that I think of it, Gilly Chadwick might be willing, and she's a good example of the need to be able to earn a living with a range of skills.)

[alt_pomona]

Miss Chadwick might be helpful, but I was thinking more of someone like that unfortunate Shunpike lad from several years ago--positive example and horrible warning side by side, so to speak?

[alt_sinistra]

That might do, yes.

If we're going to do that, anyone else who might benefit from the conversations? Shame to waste an opportunity.

[alt_pomona]

The only wrinkle I envision is that, well, most of our former students of the 'horrible warning' sort might not be terribly willing to volunteer.

Perhaps there are means of persuading them?

[alt_sinistra]

Perhaps.

It might depend on how far one wishes to stretch favours, too. A good meal or two would be easy to arrange, comparatively. Introductions to someone who might help them find a (moderately better) position is a little trickier.

I might have another idea or two about that, but it'd take me a few days to inquire.

[alt_pomona]

You are more likely than I to be aware of the situations of students who've left school more recently; I'd be happy to follow your lead in that regard.

Which reminds me--while your point about Alcor stands, you must admit that the times are rather different, and our students must be prepared for things as they are now.

[alt_sinistra]

Very true.

Which is precisely why I am so insistent on providing what help we can now, while there's hope he'll have more choices than some of my age peers.

[alt_horace]

Indeed, indeed. And there's the consideration that, intractable as he seems to be, the lack of a uniform approach may actually harm the case of those more optimistic professors who make the attempt. If a few of his professors stoop to help and the others force him to take responsibility for himself, I think it unlikely he will see how much ground he must recover.

[alt_sinistra]

Perhaps you might define your terms, on what 'stooping to help' and 'taking responsibility' might look like in practice.

I'm scarcely talking about doing his work for him, of course. Simply suggesting that some additional attention for the next few months might help him make up enough ground to pass enough OWLs to let him settle down to his preferred focus.

[alt_horace]

Then you have not been listening to Pomona or Gwendolyn nor indeed, any of the others whose experience of the young man differs from your own. Simple suggestions have had no impact. Our esteemed colleague Professor Vector does not expect us to do his work for him, no - no one has suggested that, so kindly let us not create straw men to knock down - but she has prevailed on each of us to offer him additional tutelage outside of normal lessons.

As I said, I have little enough time for my own projects; I do not see how you expect to make more room in your busy schedule for an intensive programme for his benefit.

And as you said, we are both professionals and, I hope, friends, both with his interest at heart.

What does Razzer think? He was very quiet during the discussion.

[alt_sinistra]

I make time for what is important to me - and that first and foremost is teaching, even those who do not share my passion. I'll talk about stars with anyone, you know.

That is why I have office hours. Requiring him to attend them, or even working up a set of assignments for him to practice on regularly would not disrupt my schedule overly.

As to Raz, we both had other business to attend to after the meeting, and I admit Capper was not a topic of conversation over the weekend.

[alt_pomona]

Frankly, it has been a most strenuous weekend, and we are unlikely to reach unanimity tonight.

Perhaps we might find a middle way?

I for one would be willing to offer tutoring, but only if I'd some confidence my efforts wouldn't go begging.

[alt_horace]

If Septima wishes to prevail upon the lad and exact a promise for an honest effort, Pomona, then I am willing to indulge her faith.

[alt_sinistra]

Would you care to discuss the matter with her, or shall I?

[alt_sinistra]

You're quite right, Pomona, on all counts.

It seems that the basic issue is that none of us wish him to fail, but several of you - you, Horace, Acton, Gwendolyn in particular - do not wish your work to be in vain.

Which is quite fair on the one hand.

On the other, if he were persuaded to commit to taking the matter seriously, and enough were willing to tutor him - he doesn't have to pass all his OWLs, after all. Just enough to continue, that would satisfy.

I thought Brutka was quite quiet, as well - perhaps he might be willing?

[alt_pomona]

He does rather keep his own counsel, doesn't he?

Capper is a passable Transfiguration student, so perhaps some headway might be made there, and his schedule is likely to be more open that Horace's or my own, since he doesn't have Head of House responsibilities to contend with.

[alt_sinistra]

He does, yes. Though I've found it interesting, when he chooses to speak up. Saturday afternoon, for example.

Right. He's obviously going to pass Arithmancy - he could probably do the NEWT now, honestly. If Brutka's willing to get him to standard for Transfiguration, I think I can for Astronomy, if he does buckle down.

We'd need .. oh, two more, to have it be a sure enough thing. Helena, in the Exam office, keeps throwing me comments that they're looking at some new approaches to testing various topics - something about a different style of question.

But if you both are willing (assuming, yes, he really does work), that would do, I think. I'd rather than that have someone try and coach him through History, though I suppose that's an option, And it would leave Charms out of it entirely, which might be safer for all concerned.

[alt_pomona]

Wait, he's taking Divination, isn't he?

If Septima can overcome her theoretical objections, she might encourage him to explore the connections between that subject and Arithmancy.

I'm afraid he doesn't have the sort of manner that might make Cordelia more favourably inclined.

[alt_sinistra]

He is. Though I've no idea why either, sharing Septima's take on that topic.

But yes, that might be enough to do it.

Right. As I said above - shall I bring it up with her? Or would one of you rather? I'll have the second years up here in not too long, but I'd have time to get a note out once they're going.