Private message to Mr C Weasley

[alt_antonin]

Mr Weasley,

Allow me to begin by thanking you once again for agreeing to speak at Hogwarts' lecture series. Professor Sinistra, who is a dear friend, was most complimentary of your ability to simultaneously inform and entertain the YPL students about your profession; you were one of the first names that she provided when I solicited her input about the lineup of visitors.

I know that we had arranged for you to speak on 23 November. However, the speaker I had arranged for this upcoming Sunday, 12 October, has had a sudden conflict. Would you be available to take her place, or would that not be sufficient prepatory time for you to assemble your material?

Regards,
Antonin Dolohov, Headmaster

Comments

[alt_charlie]

This Sunday? Yes, I could possibly do that, but in order for me to be certain I'll need to talk to Director Higgs about switching a shift -- I'm scheduled on the Sunday-to-Monday overnight. I'll speak to him and let you know as soon as possible.

I hope the woman who was scheduled to speak this weekend is all right. If she was looking forward to this as much as I have been, having to cancel must be a great disappointment.

[alt_antonin]

If it is a simple matter of a schedule conflict, I will be happy to intercede on your behalf with Higgs; I shall floo him after lunch. I appreciate your flexibility a great deal.

And I'm certain Ms Forney would appreciate your well-wishes. She has been unavoidably detained, and even if the situation is readily resolved, I am certain she will have other things on her mind. Still, I am certain the students and the community will find your lecture an excellent alternate.

[alt_charlie]

Thank you for talking to Director Higgs, sir. He let me know last night that my schedule has been adjusted, and so I will be able to speak this Sunday after all.

I did want to check with you about one thing. We have a Hungarian Horntail adolescent here on the reserve who we handraised a few years ago, and while he's not tame, he's very used to the presence of humans. Subject to your approval, I had thought that if I can find two or three other dragonkeepers able to help me transport him, I might bring him along to exhibit.

A dragon on the front lawn is not something you'd like to find out on Sunday for the first time, though, so I wanted to make sure you wouldn't object. I am confident it would be safe for onlookers, as long as we establish a minimum distance people can't go past.

If you think it would be too difficult or dangerous, of course, I am happy to simply lecture instead.

[alt_antonin]

Send me a brief summary of what you would require, and I shall see if it is possible.

[alt_charlie]

All right, sir, I will do.