Private Message to Professor Sinistra and Professor Vector

[alt_horace]

It always seems to me as if the final staff meeting of the term is the longest. Have you ever noticed?

Pity Alecto had to spend so much of it in the loo.

Septima, I know you had hopes that Capper might pull through yet, but I'm sorry to say his Potion in today's exam was lumpy and the wrong shade of purple: Wholly unacceptable. Between that and his performance in his O.W.L., I fear there's no hope for the lad. Best prepare him while you can, if you haven't yet.

But I was quite pleased to see that you'll have a new House member and, I understand, a YPL participant, Aurora? I wonder that none of us saw that coming. Though I daresay he has a cadre of supporters. How do you think he'll fit in with MacMillan, Smith and the others? Odd, isn't it, as he's not spent much time with them at all this year. Not compared to the amount of time spent with Miss Perks, for example. Well, here's wishing him luck.

Comments

[alt_sinistra]

Horace, Septima -

The end of the year does seem to be rushing forward. (And goodness, it's not like my summer is any better.)

Honestly, Alecto looks worse every time I see her, though admittedly that's getting rarer and rarer. (Though, of course, I've the sense to keep out of her way - did you hear about her sixth years last week?)

Quite the surprise, yes, regarding our student-to-be. I admit I had a hint of warning last week, since they needed to confirm arrangements for the summer, but last I'd heard they were still working out the final details.

As to fitting in - well, that year's had a time of it, really, but I'm confident they'll be as welcoming and friendly as I'd hope from the sett. I do need to have a word with him, too.

It does seem the time of year for odd conversations, really. You were right ahead of me in the hall, I think - that conversation between Igor Karkaroff and Milland, that Rolanda inserted herself into?

I'd no idea she'd arranged that many plans for the Quidditch pitch for next year, either, though I'm sure it'll make any number of people happy. Suppose it's a good thing I've been brushing up on the game a bit more.

[alt_horace]

Yes, she has been wilting of late, hasn't she? I did hear something about beetles? Really, if she's going to turn her students' hair into beetles she might at least catch them in jars and provide them to our potions stock. I'm surprised Minerva's taking the news as well as she did, frankly.

Though I've never known her hexes to miss except on purpose. She must have truly been feeling poorly to have shot so wide of poor Professor Carpenter.

Igor? I'm sure he was sniffing about trying to learn more about the third task for his prize pupil. Can't blame the man; by rights it should be between his Krum and our Diggory. But - well. Marvolo has been surprising us all, of course. So young. Such a bright, promising lad.

And yes, Rolanda has certainly made herself a friend somewhere. I should have thought the Governors would support new textbooks and equipment over an improvement to the pitch, myself. Had I known there was any room in the budget.... But, ah well. There is always next year.

[alt_sinistra]

Mmm. On that hex, still made me glad my reflexes have improved some, even as wide as it went. (And I'd not have thought we'd been discussing anything that would set something like that off, either.)

As to the third task - quite. Though of course, Harry's been putting in the effort to learn, too. Most impressive, I agree, given his youth.

And I agree on having other uses for the budget, but after a year of no Quidditch, it will make people glad to have the pitch back. And a chance for students to burn off more energy's never amiss.

Oh, I did mean to ask - is Norma Stein holding up? Such sad news about her mother, and how hard at her age.

[alt_horace]

I've known Alecto quite a long time. She's always been unpredictable. Childish, even, one might say. Much as I hate to admit it, she's worse without her brother than with him. Still. I have discussed her appropriateness with Minerva on more than one occasion and I fear that the answer is as simple as it is hard to accept: The Lord Protector himself desires her where she is. That, particularly with Minerva, is that.

Miss Stein has been very quiet, as might be expected. She mentioned that she simply wishes to 'push through' her exams and get home. And no wonder. Fortunately, her dormitory is sympathetic. Well, Miss Lestrange, of course, one would not expect her to be cruel under any circumstances. And Miss Bode as well has been most understanding. Norma of course had no idea her mother had been at all ill. Has she spoken to you? She had been debating whether to continue trying for the CCF. I've encouraged her as best I could. I think Poppy has seen her once or twice, as well. You could ask her about the young lady's frame of mind.

[alt_sinistra]

Not disagreeing with you in the slightest, Horace.

On Miss Stein - she mentioned coming by tomorrow, when I saw her this evening. I'll certainly leave the decision in her hands, but I'm glad you're encouraging her to continue trying for it, as I do think she'd find the opportunities open to her later of use.

And I will have a word with Poppy, of course.