Private message to Auri

[alt_antonin]

Dear heart,

I imagine you have already seen the messages from the children about their week thus far, but I wished to drop you a line anyway and let you know that things are going exceptionally well. We are having a very pleasant time of it -- working hard, of course, but with good cheer. (Let me not have just hexed us.)

I am certain that the question of the programme remains a sore spot, as it would with me had my hard work been as ill repaid as yours was, but should you wish to visit one evening this week, and see how magnificently the children have risen to the tasks we have set for them, you would be welcome. Savitha and I would quite enjoy your company, I am certain.

I do not yet know how much input I will have on the programme for the remainder of the year; Savitha has entirely more time to apply to the project than I do, of course. She and I have spoken about our goals, however -- particularly with the older children -- and are entirely in agreement that the children could do with a challenge that inspires them to their best. (As to that, remind me to tell you about Mr Weasley's performance. Not unexpected, given the glimmers of competence he has displayed both inside the classroom and without, but this week has been the first time I have seen him set his mind so firmly to achieving a goal and bringing his entire skill set to bear upon a problem, rather than doing the bare minimum to get by. It has been delightful to watch.)

I mention this not to taunt you, but to let you know it is likely I will have at least some small influence on the agenda to be set for the remainder of the year. Given our past discussions, on the things the Hogwarts curriculum sadly lacks, if there is something you would wish included, Savitha and I have much more room to act in entirely autocratic fashion than you ever did. By which I mean: dear heart, I know how frustrated you have been, these past few years, and I know there are no doubt reams of plans and wishes for the CCF that you have tucked away, knowing they would never pass the committee. Savitha and I have made it plain to the committee that we will not suffer interference in our vision or with what we think best; if you would care to capitalise upon that insistence, I for one would welcome your input. (And as for Savitha, you may rest easy: she is someone I trust to nurture individual talents without attempting to crush individual tendencies. I have few qualms about entrusting our ducklings to her care.)

Should you still be smarting from the blow to your pride, mind you, we shall say no more of the subject.

Your,
T

Comments

[alt_sinistra]

Toshenka -

I have been reading, yes. And beyond that, Linus has written to me, and he is being so very much himself, and so very enthusiastic, and so very bubbly about how fascinating it all is. I'm glad the weather seems to be far more agreeable for you than other camping trips of unlamented memory. (Last year, that is.)

Honestly, I had to think about your invitation: you are right it is still an exceedingly tender point. (And in truth, I have been sulky the past few days, and trying not to take it out on anyone, because, really, none of the people who deserve to deal with my being sulky are within range.)

But, in keeping with my "if it bothers me that much, I should do something about that" approach to other problems, perhaps I should come out and visit. Is there a night that is better than others? (This week is rather open, barring whatever Raz suggests for amusement: next week, I've got plans Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday - the first two for tea onwards, and the latter in the late morning and early afternoon.)

You are equally right that I have notes on things I could not manage to arrange, but I've got them here, so that would be easy to thumb through.

I also admit I am rather looking forward to being back at Hogwarts, where I feel I can be properly useful. (As Tamsin at the Archetype said to me recently, I am clearly not made for a life of lesiure. She offered me a day harvesting in their farm fields, which I declined, but still.)

But the year is progressing in that direction, and we'll be there soon enough.

[alt_antonin]

I have been thinking fondly and wistfully of Hogwarts myself. Though for different reasons than you: I have much missed having the children to tutor; they at least listen to me when I tell them that something is an exceptionally bad idea.

(I will explain that in more detail when next we meet!)

Any evening this week would be fine for a visit. Tonight will likely be more entertaining for you: we are beginning an exercise just after lunch that will run until the wee hours, or whenever the little darlings decide they are finished. (It is a retrieval exercise in which they are allowed to set their own goals, and decide for themselves when they have achieved sufficient retrieval.) As directions would be difficult, simply call Berry when you'd like to join us, and she will convey you. I do suggest after supper, whichever night you choose; we are feeding the little darlings, but the food is decidedly uninspired by any stretch of the imagination.

Savitha wishes me to let you know that you are welcome as far as she is concerned, as well. And I believe it is likely to be a clear night, if you'd like to make some observations, although I cannot imagine the viewing here could be better than it is at the usual locations you have available to you...

Your,
T

[alt_sinistra]

Oh, dear.

I mean, I was aware - the world being the world - that there there are people who do not recognise your sense of forboding disaster and who might not listen to it, but I am sorry you have been having to deal with them. I do look forward to the explanation.

Tonight, then, if that's not too rushed. (Would either you or Savitha care for some supplemental rations? One of my successful projects this summer has been convincing the elves here that my cooking is not an insult to their skill, and I have been soothing my sulkiness in the kitchen the past day or two.)

As to observations - well. Rather less of that in the summer than might perhaps have been sensible, but the lure of evening after evening with Raz has largely won out over being up until all hours. (That, and my Guild's politics have made going out to the country Guild Hall a tad delicate in places, or at least requiring more time politicing rather than observing. You'll find more than a little of that interesting, actually, when we've a chance to talk it through.)

Plenty of astronomy, mind, just mostly of kinds involving desks rather than telescopes. So, yes, thank you, stars would also be lovely. And we are still at the tail of the Perseids, which are always pleasant viewing.

[alt_antonin]

Well, then, I would much enjoy a chance to listen to you explaining why the Perseids are interesting, should we have the chance. (It will all depend on how late the little darlings decide to push their work; Savitha and I have hidden nearly a thousand of the tokens they will be seeking, and we will explicitly be telling them that they are to keep searching until they feel they have made a proper showing. We are interested in seeing how they define success, and how much they are willing to sacrifice now in hopes of future reward: we will be telling them only that the tokens will be useful later, not how they will be useful later, and letting them decide how many they wish to collect. If they can keep from being 'killed' and having their tokens taken, mind you.)

And you need not feel that you must bring anything other than your charming company, but if you should so happen to have extra products of your kitchen that have not been spoken for, I for one would not say no. Berry has been doing her best, in between serving as general dogsbody for this endeavour, but I do so hate to ask too much of her.

I shall see you tonight, then, little star.

Your,
T

[alt_sinistra]

Toshenka -

Thank you again for a surprisingly pleasant evening. I'm very glad I came, both to have a chance to settle myself properly (I am fairly sure Raz thanks you even more than I do) and because watching them figuring out when to stop was so exceedingly informative. They are diligent, that lot.

(Also, I will treasure the expression on our Mr Moon's face when he got close enough to see me sitting with you in the mess tent. I do enjoy expanding his assumptions about the world in unexpected ways.)

Getting a chance to talk more with Savitha was also very interesting - of course, my younger siblings had her at school in the 80s, but I was never quite sure how much of Theo's response came from what (she is so very charismatic, but also so clearly excellent at her work, but of course teenage wizards do tend to notice the former more than the latter at times.)

And it was fascinating to hear you two discuss the different approaches you're taking in some of your pieces. I am not only reassured that the CCF is in excellent hands, but am wishing you'd had the running of things from the beginning, really.

(The CCF, compared to the YPL, was always even more bogged down by planning by committee, and unlike the YPL, they assumed I had no idea what I was doing at all, beyond the basics of keeping people fed and housed. Having only two people, largely in agreement about the goals and with the authority to make things happen, naturally works far better. That old joke about a camel being a horse made by committee applies, anyway.)

Should you require another supply of baked goods, do let me know. Or if there's other errands I can help with. And if you do have time free, the week before we go back, we'd obviously love to have you to supper, and to show you the new duelling space in Spence.