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Aug. 26th, 2012 03:34 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
alt_antoninThose for whom the information is useful -- as mentioned in the Prophet, I have returned to Our Lord's Protectorate in hopes I may be of service.
Those for whom the information is enticing -- I have finished unpacking and shall be holding informal salons over the next few days for those who are so inclined to come relieve me of the excess books that appear to have bred in my trunk while I wasn't looking. Inquire at the usual address.
Those for whom the information is enticing -- I have finished unpacking and shall be holding informal salons over the next few days for those who are so inclined to come relieve me of the excess books that appear to have bred in my trunk while I wasn't looking. Inquire at the usual address.
Private Message to Minerva McGonagall
Date: 2012-08-26 07:59 am (UTC)I must apologize for taking so long to finalize the booklist -- I of all people know how inconvenient it is to have change thrust upon you. I have owled the final revision to your attention and it should arrive this morning. Do let me know when the student copies go out, as I'd like to make a public announcement for the benefit of those who may find themselves confused.
Books will be on hold with Flourish & Blotts beginning Monday, and they've agreed to accept journal orders for those unable to make a return trip to Diagon before start of term. I strongly suspect there will be ongoing issues with the availability of certain titles, particularly at NEWT-level. If you hear from parents having difficulty, redirect them to me so I might take up the cause: I believe I finally have my contact in Procurement suitably cowed.
I had hoped to arrive at Hogwarts by Wednesday to begin my prep, but it's looking as though Thursday is far more likely. I shall call upon you to pay my respects at the earliest opportunity. I trust my request for quarters near the office that is to be mine, to minimize the strain to an entirely-too-slow-to-recover body, will not be too taxing.
Do let me know if there's anything I can obtain for you.
Yours in faithful service to Our Lord's ideals,
Antonin
Private Message to Stephen Rosier
Date: 2012-08-26 08:16 am (UTC)Following up on our discussion of yesterday -- jog my memory, did you wind up using the Anne Plath translation of Khātūn for your foster-son's tutoring after all? If so, do you have a spare? Turning out the book trunk, I can only locate the Hector Plath, and -- well, the less said about that the better. I only keep it around for the amusement value.
I'm certain my copy is somewhere in the pile but neither Berry nor I can lay hands on it and if I tried to summon it there'd be disaster -- I really have let the cataloging go entirely too long. I don't want to take up a copy that could go to one of the students; F&B is having enough trouble sourcing them to begin with.
Looking forward to catching up with you in person, no matter how clever and useful these journals are. I have a few questions on how things will be received I'd like to run by you for your take on them -- after this long, and so long as Our Lord's Voice, I'm much more confident in my read on people than I used to be, but a man does like to show his teacher how much he appreciated the lessons.
With respect and affection,
T
Private Message to Percival Weasley
Date: 2012-08-26 11:25 am (UTC)Our conversation of Thursday morning having been so pleasant, I wished to extend an offer to continue it. (As well -- I would like to commend you on your tact and diplomacy when discussing the curriculum your own study of the Arts involved. Having finally had the chance to examine what was being taught -- well. I apologize for intimating the blame for your unfamiliarity with certain seminal works may have rested on your own shoulders; further, deponent sayeth not.)
My elf Berry will be calling upon you at some point this afternoon to deliver a parcel of books too awkward for owl post. Should you find them at all useful, do consider them a gift; I am drowning in the things and you will no doubt obtain more use from them than I will. (Should you find them dreadfully dull, pass them along to someone who will not -- you will know better than I which of your contemporaries would appreciate them the way books deserve.)
Tucked into the front of the Cavernae Medullitae is a suggested reading order (with a few key passages noted), and I've also copied out the booklist I will be using for NEWT-level classes for your future reference. Do not purchase them now: I've spent the last two days in pointed battle with Flourish & Blotts over their ability to provide copies in sufficient number for my students, and, I am sad to say, students will likely be sharing many of their books this year, during first term at least. But once F&B are able to correct their incompetence, I suspect you will find Clements-Chichester's Grimories of the Worthy Families to be a useful reference for the circles around which you find yourself moving.
The slender volume atop the stack is a fair copy of my own translation of Aleksey Vladimirovich Korovin's Mastery over Self -- that's the book I mentioned as being the most helpful guide I've ever found to mapping one's inner landscape. You will gain the most utility from it by following its exercises exactly, spending as little or as much time on each meditation as you feel necessary to fully appreciate its nuances. Ten minutes a day should suffice, stretching to twenty once you've completed the first sequence. Do not expect immediate results -- for instance, I am not likely to make it much past the fifth sequence with my classes this year -- but also do not hesitate to reach out to me if you feel you are "stuck" too long on any one exercise: the whole of the third sequence, for instance, is notoriously difficult for a solo practitioner to summit and my translator's notes alone may not suffice.
Mind you, unlike the rest of my soon-to-be flock, I certainly have no authority to assign you homework! And I imagine my old friend keeps you quite busy. (Having seen the way your eyes kept being drawn to my shelves throughout our conversation, though, I suspect wild centaurs couldn't drag you away.) Should you have time and inclination to discuss your study, though, I would be pleased to assign some of what little time I shall have free in the coming year or so to hearing your thoughts.
Should you happen to be at home when the delivery arrives, meanwhile, the elf has been instructed to lend you the afternoon if you should have any suitable tasks. I hardly mean to be rude or to make you self-conscious, but at several points during our visit I believe I sensed a hint of the exhaustion that inevitably arises from too many responsibilities hanging unaddressed over one's head. Do make free of an afternoon of Berry's service if you could benefit from it.
With my regards,
Antonin Dolohov
Re: Private Message to Percival Weasley
Date: 2012-08-26 06:49 pm (UTC)Thank you for the books. I will read them with great interest, as well as do the exercises. I felt the gap in my own education on this subject most acutely during our conversation, but I hope I am the sort who constantly strives to better himself. I assure you that any guidance you are willing to offer could not be more gratefully received. I quite envy the students of Hogwarts who will reap the benefits of your expertise this coming year. If I may venture a prediction, I expect you will become quite a favourite to the students among the staff.
Yours,
Percy Weasley
Re: Private Message to Percival Weasley
Date: 2012-08-27 12:23 am (UTC)Think nothing of it. The task of educating is not a chore but a privilege, and one scholar does always recognise another. I will look forward to hearing your insights should you choose to share them, though the gift carries no obligation save this: someday you will see that hungry look in the eye of another. Pass the books along then, and think fondly of me when you do.
You flatter me, though modesty (prudence, alas, is a lost cause if I haven't found it by now) forces me to disclaim a Venomous Tentacula would likely be a more popular instructor than my predecessor. Happy to tutor you through your educational shortcomings by journal throughout the year, though you may need to remind me, and please do.
My only requirement -- do not allow your work to suffer; my old friend would likely feed me to said Tentacula should I distract you too badly.
With regard,
Antonin Dolohov
Re: Private Message to Percival Weasley
Date: 2012-08-28 02:08 am (UTC)I am already two chapters into one of the books and finding it quite absorbing (although not to the neglect of my work duties for Mr Malfoy, I hasten to assure you!). I hope you won't regret your offer to give me the benefit of your insights through the journals if I send you occasional questions. Thank you again.
Private Message to Lucius Malfoy
Date: 2012-08-26 11:26 am (UTC)Should you happen to take note of my message to your clerk, rest assured, I am not trying to interfere -- we had a very pleasant and wholly insightful chat on Thursday about the prior state of the Hogwarts curriculum that influenced my syllabus considerably. In appreciation for his assistance (whether he knew he was giving it or not) I've sent him a stack of many of the texts he mentioned being unfamiliar with, including my translation of the Korovin should he care to follow its exercises. (If he begins to manifest the traditional side effects 'round about the second sequence, and they become too unpleasant to cope with, send him to me; I'll straighten him out.)
Your little note regarding his uncles slipped out of the manuscript while he was handing it over, by the by. Keeping a straight face was only possible due to years of long practice. I take it his presence as your clerk indicates the traditional familial sympathies are not shared in the progeny? Or are you simply indulging yourself?
Oh, and regarding that manuscript -- trite and shallow for the audience it's written for, but possibly containing merit as a schoolboy's introduction with a bit of revision. Would be happy to edit if you feel it warranted, though it will have to wait until the new year at the least.
Yours in that pleasant little stroll down memory lane,
T
Re: Private Message to Lucius Malfoy
Date: 2012-08-26 05:00 pm (UTC)If I object to anything it is the way in which your re-entry to our circle has affected my wife, not my clerk! (Rest assured, I know better than to worry on that score. Besides, she is currently more perturbed by the seeming impossibility of taking a holiday that is not plagued by calamity. You can be sure, Toshenka, that if she ever begins to consider seriously that the life of an itinerant scholar's wife might be preferrable, I shall quash the impulse easily enough by revealing certain of your own foibles.)
Nonetheless I should have known you could not resist the opportunity to encourage any and all flies which have the fortune to land in the proximity of your web. Confess I merely thought you might be diverted by his visit; delighted that he proved useful in more than one way. (Hope you did not keep him over-long, however: You are correct that even though I am on holiday, he has more than enough chores to occupy his time!)
But I would caution you not to trouble yourself over-much with his education: He has proved acceptable, perhaps one might even go so far as to say, promising, but he does grate on polite company, so feel no compunction at all regarding ejecting him should he grow too insufferable. As for the family ... well. 'Common' rather encapsulates the whole household.
Arthur Weasley is undoubtedly a soft, sentimental blood-traitor of the worst kind but he manages to keep his nose infuriatingly clean. In what one can only guess is an attempt to single-handedly replace her brothers and more besides, Molly Prewett Weasley birthed a passel of boys and one girl, most of whom you shall soon see in your classrooms. Besides my clerk, there are two older brothers as well; one is stationed at the dragon preserve at Stornoway and the eldest has assumed the duties of secretary to our mutual friend Stephen. Thus far he seems to be the gem of the family but with tempering, 'Tertius,' as Minerva calls him, may yet lead us to the true nature of the rest.
Whether he does or no, believe you may already see the effect of good influence on his character. Have no illusions that he can truly rise above his poor breeding but the knowledge that his ideals are properly aligning (as is his ease with spells which, am sure, turn Arthur Weasley's stomach), was in itself of enough amusement value to have obtained his services.
His own merit as a clerk has - thus far - provided enough value to retain those services. (Much to my relief, I might add: Really, it is an exceptional effort to break in new ones when time and accuracy are of the essence.)
As to Charles' project, was more than happy to dispense with the volume altogether. Obscurus has no interest in publishing drivel. Feel free only to tell Charles that it is only good for pulp and he may reject it out of hand.
Now, it seems my presence is once again required by MLE.
Yours in anticipation of proper reunion, bratishka,
-L
Re: Private Message to Lucius Malfoy
Date: 2012-08-27 12:20 am (UTC)Your Weasley, meanwhile, has less sense than he ought; what are they teaching in schools these days, when one so blatantly of the house of Lion doesn't think twice at an unfettered offer from the house of Snake? His return missive was charmingly artless (in all senses) and adorably sincere -- apparently I'm certain to be a favorite of the little darlings in this forthcoming year. Well, I suppose it doesn't need a Seer's powers to predict I'll be more of a favorite than darling doomed Alecto, at least. Wonder how many of the chicks will flinch instinctively when I walk in the room?
Still -- there is ever joy to be found in a challenge, and he wears the hunger more plainly than the dirt clinging to the hem of his family's robes. And not the hunger for a more elevated station to which you refer (though yes, someone does need to culture him -- much as one might an oyster -- before he's presentable in polite company). If I could be bothered, I'd stake the pride of my library against the best of your cellar I could temper him to steel, actually, if never precisely to greatness; as is, well, you know how helpless I am in the face of a sincere desire to immerse oneself in the lore. No matter what the poor boy's done or not done, he hardly deserves Alecto to have been his only tutor. We shall see how matters develop and whether (and how quickly) I grow bored; for now at least, I find the artlessness endearing.
(Rest assured I shan't encourage dereliction -- in fact, sent the books by way of elf, ordered to provide whatever services the household requested for an afternoon. Curious to see what it'll observe while there.)
My love to Narcissa, and if you haven't already told Draco of the news for fear of it spreading, you've twelve hours or so to beat the Hogwarts owls. Stephen stopped by earlier to avail himself of the fruits of my travels (I did cull those titles I thought you'd be most interested in beforehand, though the thestralskin-bound Cruor Invictus with the 15th c handwritten marginalia was my apology gift to Barty for missing so many birthdays) and offered his usual astute observations on how to head off a Howler or two at my sill tomorrow evening. Should prove entertaining, if nothing more.
I find myself oddly anticipatory of the adventure that awaits, actually. Our Lord's kindness in allowing me this task defangs much of the manticore's sting in knowing I've still a long road to recovery ahead of me.
(Oh, and -- MLE? Shall send the elf out for a copy of the Prophet when it returns, to see what I've missed. I trust you know that if you've need of me, you only need call, Lyoushka, though as always I can hardly imagine anything that might be.)
Yours faithfully, and surprised to discover how much I'd missed that mode of address,
T
Re: Private Message to Lucius Malfoy
Date: 2012-08-27 01:21 am (UTC)However, you needn't concern yourself that Alecto was and remains his only tutor, старик. I flatter myself that I have at least managed to impart the rudiments amongst the more immediate lessons of Ministerial politics and gate-keeping. But you are right, as usual, that there is something about the lad that tips him more toward 'intriguing' than 'altogether unacceptable.' There is much to be said for youth and enthusiasm, no?
Shall certainly reap the benefits of your voracious buying habits at the earliest opportunity! Not to worry about Draco, however - he knows and is pleased that his professor shall be another somewhat familiar face (though not, alas, as avuncular as we might have wished. We all serve as best we may). But we have had more pressing concerns than his books, if that can be believed. Still, presume you mean to use Brandt? Calidus? He has read the introductory chapters of Wierus but no further as yet. (And of course, he read the Khātūn edition Father gave to me, years ago.)
Confess, you do know how to wound me, bratishka, in selecting that volume for Barty and tempting me with its existence, but shall not begrudge him his own special token of your affection. (Narcissa, incidentally, has been merciless toward his delight at your proximity. You know how she can tease. But it is only because he seems quite transformed - to the good, of course. You'll be aware of his altered circumstances in the last six months and if not, suggest you let him admit to you the details.)
Besides, there is always the challenge of finding a means to win it from him.
Regarding MLE - nothing to worry you and it requires too long an explanation. There was a matter of a death a short Apparating distance from our holiday cottage. As it happens, the victim was also a party of interest in an ongoing investigation Barty has been conducting on my behalf, concerning Draco. The worst part is that we were hoping to follow him to a larger conspiracy, which his death somewhat disrupts, but per Barty's this afternoon, we may yet bear fruit from higher up in the branches of his political tree.
All I require from you, my dear Toshenka, is that you regain your full strength and vigour. With that, shall leave you to your rest.
Expect me to-morrow after noon.
Private message to Antonin Dolohov
Date: 2012-08-27 03:07 am (UTC)Re: Private message to Antonin Dolohov
Date: 2012-08-27 01:11 pm (UTC)Any of Our Lord's devoted servants are always welcome; any friend of my dear friends, doubly so. I do indeed remember you, and am pleased to see you've grown so far into your potential. I'd be delighted if you were to stop by; tomorrow may be more convenient than today, as there's a bit of news going out from Hogwarts this morning that may cause some upset. Shall we say tomorrow evening, after supper?
Your brother in service to Our Lord's glorious future,
Antonin