Well done, Slytherin!
Jan. 19th, 2013 03:43 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
alt_horaceConsidering the changes to the roster, there can be no shame in today's outcome. Well done, everyone, truly, and particularly to our Captain.
Harry, it was a strategically wise decision to end things when you did, lad. As it is, Ravenclaw may have won the match but we remain in a leading position for the Cup.
Speaking of changes in the roster, Harry, I wonder if you might come and see me after supper this evening? I heard that you took a decision or two following the match, that will naturally affect the side going forward.
On a non-sporting note, N.E.W.T.-level students, the Potions classroom shall be open to your use every Monday between now and your examinations for supervised practice. O.W.L. students in Slytherin and Ravenclaw may use the classroom on alternate Tuesdays beginning 5 February, and Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors may use the classroom on alternate Sundays beginning 3 February, should you wish for additional brewing opportunities. I've posted the rota on the door for reference.
Finally, there shall be a House meeting tomorrow at noon.
Harry, it was a strategically wise decision to end things when you did, lad. As it is, Ravenclaw may have won the match but we remain in a leading position for the Cup.
Speaking of changes in the roster, Harry, I wonder if you might come and see me after supper this evening? I heard that you took a decision or two following the match, that will naturally affect the side going forward.
On a non-sporting note, N.E.W.T.-level students, the Potions classroom shall be open to your use every Monday between now and your examinations for supervised practice. O.W.L. students in Slytherin and Ravenclaw may use the classroom on alternate Tuesdays beginning 5 February, and Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors may use the classroom on alternate Sundays beginning 3 February, should you wish for additional brewing opportunities. I've posted the rota on the door for reference.
Finally, there shall be a House meeting tomorrow at noon.
no subject
Date: 2013-01-19 10:58 pm (UTC)Private message to Horace Slughorn
Date: 2013-01-20 01:47 am (UTC)By now, I'm sure Miss Perks has stopped by to see you. If she has not, I'd appreciate you letting me know as soon as possible, but I feel certain she'll have done as she was told.
I would certainly appreciate anything more about the matter you can share, as more details about student dynamics can only be a help to me.
Now, I did have a number of fascinating little chats with most of the Board members who were here today. I feel certain that we'll be seeing some rapid progress towards a teensy number of the goals you and I have discussed in the near future. I've appointments to speak to several on Wednesday, and of course, if there's anything I can bring up on your behalf, I'd be glad to do so.
Tea on Monday, to discuss this matter and anything else that comes up? Or will you need to be supervising students? (So good of you to put yourself out for their studying, really.)
Dolores
Re: Private message to Horace Slughorn
Date: 2013-01-20 05:00 pm (UTC)Forgive me for replying this morning, rather than last night, but given that you were wise enough to send Miss Perks directly to me, I'm sure you understand that my evening was rather occupied following through.
You were absolutely right to have her come to me without delay-- without further delay, I should say, for it seems on discussion with her that Mr Bletchley has been playing havoc for some time already. How I do wish our young ladies would be more forthcoming about these problems. It's no surprise to me that Miles has always had a... rather licentious attitude toward the fairer sex. His father was cut from the same cloth, in his way. Shame, when these boys believe it their due to experience the joys of growing up and neglect to think of the young witch's reputation or safety in the pursuit of indulging their own prurient phantasies.
Given Miss Perks' testimony and also that of Mr Marvolo, whom I had asked to speak to me on the related matter of Mr Bletchley's termination from the Quidditch side, naturally, I could not ignore this situation. I contacted Miss Wright, who with some tearful embarrassment corroborated the tale, and then reached Lawrence, Miles' father, at home. I invited him to come through by Floo so we could catch up and chat. Once I assured myself that I had his cooperation, I had Miles join us. You understand that often the authority of a teacher must be reinforced by the comparative dominion of the parent.
Naturally, Miles claimed that his actions were entirely invited by the witches in question; I can assure you that while I am no Healer or MLE officer, the experience of 60 years of teaching has made me an excellent judge of when one of my pupils is embroidering the truth.
Between the two of us we impressed upon Mr Bletchley the error of his ways and have ensured that if he again attempts to press his attentions on an unwilling partner, he shall find himself unable to, er, complete his act. (Lawrence went further, as I had primed him to do, stressing the undesirable complications that might arise should he taint himself by using inferior stock, regardless of the temptation or the unfortunate presumption that such actions could have no lasting consequences. I leave such judgements to the parents, of course: If Lawrence has come to understand the dangers in terms of miscegenation rather than respect, who am I to disabuse him.)
In any event, the matter should be resolved; I have further reminded Miles of Mr Bole's fate last year and promised him that if he should seek any other form of retaliation against any of his victims, he shall not only be expelled, but I shall personally take the matter to MLE.
And of course, it only drives home the point we discussed over supper recently: To wit, the need for all of us here on the staff to communicate and cooperate effectively in order to maintain discipline and order. Again, my sincere thanks for your astute and quick action in bringing this matter to my attention.
Tea tomorrow will be a trifle difficult. However I should be happy to invite you to my office for a nightcap, if you wish. I do want to pop in to the Hospital Wing this afternoon to see how Antonin Nikolaevich is doing. Another worry to add to the pile.
Yours sincerely,
HEF Slughorn
Re: Private message to Horace Slughorn
Date: 2013-01-20 06:54 pm (UTC)Oh, goodness. I had no idea you'd act on it so swiftly. And I certainly had not expected to complicate your evening as thoroughly as it appears I did.
I suppose these difficult situations do come up. And I must admit, the thought crossed my mind that perhaps Miss Perks wished to get Mr Bletchley in trouble for some petty reason of her own. But naturally, I defer to your judgement (especially after speaking to Miss Wright). And of course, Lawrence Bletchley is quite right about the dangers of inappropriate liaisons, whatever the cause.
At any rate, it is most reassuring to have someone with your deep experience of the school at hand, able to act decisively when necessary. And I do quite agree that it simply reinforces the need for clear and direct communication of any teensy difficulties.
I would love to speak tonight, as tomorrow would be a problem for you. I have mentioned, I know, that part of my remit is to provide an independent perspective on the function of the school and how well it is fulfilling the goals of the Board and the Protectorate as a whole. I do believe the Board are considering a number of matters, and I would very much like to see you on the proper foot in ensuing discussions. I'm speaking to various others of the staff, of course, but you have by far the longest reach among former students, and I'd particularly value your insight.
You've always done so much for the school and your students, and this episode simply shows your continuing commitment, I'm sure. As to Antonin, quite. Do let me know when you're available afterwards, and I am at your disposal for a chat.
Dolores