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Those 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.

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From:

alt_antonin

Mr Weasley --

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

From:

alt_percy

I, too, enjoyed our conversation greatly, I assure you, sir. You were most kind to give me so much of your time when I am sure you have so many pressing matters of your own to arrange. I was quite surprised and most touched when your elf arrived this afternoon with the parcel of books as well as the very generous offer of the elf's services for the afternoon. My flatmate and I have just moved into this location and have many odds and ends still to arrange, so frankly, the assistance could not have been better timed or more fortuitous.

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

From:

alt_antonin

Mr Weasley --

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

From:

alt_percy

Thank you again for the use of your elf's services for the afternoon. The assistance was most welcome.

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.