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alt_horaceIf anyone asks, I'm inquiring about your health, Antosha (and of course I am) and our Poppy's position as your personal Healer.
In reality, I wonder if you might both be interested in a quick, quiet get-together over the holidays. An impromptu staff meeting, if you will.
That infernal woman. Tosha, you know my plan had been to stay on her good side and mitigate the damage she has wrought, to uphold Hogwarts' traditions and cultivate myself as her voice of experience and thus guide her toward decisions that will have the appearance of achieving the changes she wishes without enabling her to fully and completely transform the school.
So much for my success. I must be slipping into infirmity: I am accustomed to better results than this.
Poppy, since she sacked you, things here have been going downhill with the rapidity of a snowball descending a ski slope. Tosha, do you know I believe she actually threatened to dismiss me this evening, just because I suggested that she reconsider the harshness of Miss Perks' punishment, given the nature of the fib she told Capper.
I am sojourning at my home this holiday, in Ely. If you're free and able, I'd be glad to host a supper for my colleagues some evening, perhaps next Wednesday? Or another night if that is more acceptable. Septima's already agreed (this business over Capper's brother has her fuming) and I wonder if you'd ask Pomona, Poppy--I know you two frequently take treks together so Dolores might not suspect anything further if you contacted her through other means. Razzer and Aurora, bless them, may have too much to be going on with but Tosha, do feel free to extend my invitation to them, as I know you are fast friends and she cannot think to trace it to your weekly conversations.
I believe it goes without saying that Carpenter, Hooch and Acton cannot be trusted. They have been wholly hers for some time. Bathsheba might be turned but I think it best to leave her out for now. Irma...I am not sure but she, too, can be recruited if needed.
Rest assured I in no way intend to allow Dolores to railroad one of our best O.W.L. candidates simply because she believes the girl to be 'uppity'--I simply do not understand her intractability on this point.
I am certain we can, together, overcome whatever hold she has on whomever she has it. If not.... Well. I wasn't lying to her when I said I'd sooner retire than endure another year of this falderal. Hogwarts? Hogwash, more like it.
In reality, I wonder if you might both be interested in a quick, quiet get-together over the holidays. An impromptu staff meeting, if you will.
That infernal woman. Tosha, you know my plan had been to stay on her good side and mitigate the damage she has wrought, to uphold Hogwarts' traditions and cultivate myself as her voice of experience and thus guide her toward decisions that will have the appearance of achieving the changes she wishes without enabling her to fully and completely transform the school.
So much for my success. I must be slipping into infirmity: I am accustomed to better results than this.
Poppy, since she sacked you, things here have been going downhill with the rapidity of a snowball descending a ski slope. Tosha, do you know I believe she actually threatened to dismiss me this evening, just because I suggested that she reconsider the harshness of Miss Perks' punishment, given the nature of the fib she told Capper.
I am sojourning at my home this holiday, in Ely. If you're free and able, I'd be glad to host a supper for my colleagues some evening, perhaps next Wednesday? Or another night if that is more acceptable. Septima's already agreed (this business over Capper's brother has her fuming) and I wonder if you'd ask Pomona, Poppy--I know you two frequently take treks together so Dolores might not suspect anything further if you contacted her through other means. Razzer and Aurora, bless them, may have too much to be going on with but Tosha, do feel free to extend my invitation to them, as I know you are fast friends and she cannot think to trace it to your weekly conversations.
I believe it goes without saying that Carpenter, Hooch and Acton cannot be trusted. They have been wholly hers for some time. Bathsheba might be turned but I think it best to leave her out for now. Irma...I am not sure but she, too, can be recruited if needed.
Rest assured I in no way intend to allow Dolores to railroad one of our best O.W.L. candidates simply because she believes the girl to be 'uppity'--I simply do not understand her intractability on this point.
I am certain we can, together, overcome whatever hold she has on whomever she has it. If not.... Well. I wasn't lying to her when I said I'd sooner retire than endure another year of this falderal. Hogwarts? Hogwash, more like it.
no subject
Date: 2013-03-30 04:35 am (UTC)Madness.
Of course, I'll come. Thank you for the invitation. I'll have a word with Pomona about it tomorrow evening at supper. I'm staying with her sister-in-law, Tilda, you know. You remember, I'm sure, she's a farm just outside Hogsmeade.
Do invite Irma Pince to come. I don't believe you'll need to press too hard to convince her: Madam Umbridge has made no secret that she's cast her covetous eye on Irma's books.
What about Minerva? I paid her a visit earlier in the week, and I assure you she's quite back to her best self. I believe her perspective would be useful. And her connections, though those overlap with Antonin's, of course.
Private Message to Horace
Date: 2013-03-30 04:40 am (UTC)Fortunately, I believe Miss Perks possesses the necessary combination of cleverness, skill, tenacity, and sheer bloody-mindedness to persevere in the face of all but the most dire adversity. That said, she will not be able to sit her exams if Dolores packs her off to the camps. That must not be allowed to happen.
Private Message to Antonin Dolohov
Date: 2013-03-30 04:47 am (UTC)I've extended my stay at the farm, if you wished to come there. Or, of course, I could pay a call on you in New London if you prefer.
no subject
Date: 2013-03-30 05:03 am (UTC)I am almost tempted to say it could only be a benefit to us if she did decide to attempt your dismissal for something so trivial: certainly that would prove without a doubt to fence-sitting members of the Board of Governors that she has zero interest in the well-being of the school and zero respect for history, tradition, and success, for I cannot think of any possible argument she could advance that your loss would be to the benefit of the school in any way. (To the benefit of the pink pustule, yes -- but I do not believe Hogwarts could well afford your loss.)
But of course that is my own frustration showing. I would not wish ill upon yet another of Hogwarts' finest.
The fault is not in you, sir. Not in the least. You have been a beacon of moderation and reason throughout: that she refuses to listen to your hard-earned wisdom is intolerable. I cannot blame you for not wishing to put up with another year of this nonsense. Please allow me to assure you that I cannot imagine these conditions persisting for that long: while I do not doubt you see the political considerations on whose knife-edge upon which we must all dance, I am nearing the end of my patience with that woman and I do not think I am the only one.
Your suggestion of a staff meeting without that woman's presence is an excellent idea, and I thank you for the offer of your hospitality. Wednesday suits my calendar just fine; while I have some ritual work planned with my protégé over our holiday, the timing will not be favorable until later. I will take care of ensuring Raz and Auri's invitations are delivered in such a fashion that Her Odiousness cannot interfere. I likewise agree in earnest with your assessment of our colleagues and their loyalties, though I believe Auri is certain of Irma's commitment to the good of the school; I cannot opine in my own right but will note that I have been saving a rather substantial enticement for deployment in Irma's direction when needed. (Namely, the rights to pick through my library with an eye towards adding to the school collection.) I might also suggest extending an invitation to Minerva, if you are amenable; I have been reassured that her health is considerably improved and I cannot imagine her devotion to the school to have faded despite her disgraceful treatment.
As to the matter of Miss Perks: you may rest slightly less troubled there, sir. Miss Perks stands as that rare proof that wizarding blood can be lustrous enough to shine through any measure of taint; whatever measure of opportunity my patronage might bring her, I will deploy in full measure, in the finest traditions of our House. If there is anything I might do to assist you with her studies you have but to say the word. (Though of course in her best interest, I confess you had best look to "conspiring to provide time for her to practise with you" rather than any direct assistance!)
Yours in conspiracy,
T
Re: Private Message to Antonin Dolohov
Date: 2013-03-30 05:24 am (UTC)(Lest I alarm your Healer's soul: I resisted the urge. Not only am I well aware of my tendency to overextend at the slightest hint of recovery, I am also doing my utmost to make Dolores think I remain wizened and infirm, as it can only be to our benefit to have her underestimate me. I have, however, resumed my morning régime of stretching and light calisthenics as we discussed at our last appointment. And while I undisputably have a great deal of work ahead of me to return to my prior level of fitness, Auri has been so kind as to offer me some of her time for some light and friendly sparring, not only to provide me with a partner but also to prevent her from backsliding in her own skill given the level of interference with her life That Woman has apparently decided upon.)
Still, it would be a considerable relief to submit myself for your expert evaluation, if you are willing. While you have right to the full hospitality of my home and its doors are open to you anytime you have need or desire, I would not wish to cause you to take a further step out of your way; I will present myself to you at a time of your convenience.
(Actually -- it occurs to me a visit to your current residence may prove useful in two fashions at once. By any chance, does your host raise cattle? I recognize this is an exceedingly odd request, but I am having trouble sourcing an animal I find myself in need of.)
I hope you are well, or as well as you might be, considering the circumstance.
At your service,
T
Re: Private Message to Antonin Dolohov
Date: 2013-03-30 08:16 pm (UTC)I would be pleased to have you come here. Would Monday morning suit your schedule? Say, 9 o'clock.
As for your question, Tilda does, in fact, have a small herd of dairy cows. Is it the animal or its milk or some other by-product you are interested in acquiring? Its young, perhaps? I cannot speak for her willingness to sell an animal, but she does sell cream, butter, and fresh cheese in small quantities through the neighbourhood cooperative.
Re: Private Message to Antonin Dolohov
Date: 2013-03-31 06:05 am (UTC)Monday morning at 9 o'clock suits me splendidly, and I am deeply grateful for your care.
At your service,
T