Class followup

[alt_antonin]

I have seen several of our Gryffindor and Hufflepuff fifth-year students discussing the locking spell we covered in lecture on Wednesday, and several of our Slytherin and Ravenclaw students looking forward to the lesson on Friday (at which, yes, we will cover the same spell). I have not wished to intrude in your discussions: however, if you have any questions that were not covered in class, feel free to ask them. I will happily answer, though my schedule today is such that I may not be able to answer questions in advance of tomorrow's Slytherin/Ravenclaw lecture.

Comments

[alt_luna]

Professor Dolohov?

I don't know if you've marked my essay yet, but I'm starting to wonder a bit about my textbook. Intra Profundis, I mean.

I know that you said that we should come to the work without too many expectations, but I'm not quite sure how to glean a working definition from the sorts of arts it's talking about.

I was also wondering: are we really supposed to demonstrate this stuff, if we stay in the Practical class?

And do you provide all the tools? Because none of them were on our shopping lists that were sent out at the beginning of the year. I wonder if mine was left out of my envelope or something by mistake.

[alt_antonin]

I've not yet marked your class's essays yet, Miss Lovegood, but they are next on the stack.

Regarding Intra Profundis: My plans are to touch upon each section in turn in lecture throughout the year. Some areas of practise are not suited to classroom demonstration, and some of the magics described in the text have fallen out of favor since it was written, but on the whole it is the best overview I've found of a variety of areas of study in the Arts, and so we will likely cover the bulk of the topics at some point during your studies.

If specialised tools are required, I will of course provide them; however, most of the truly elaborate forms of magic the text discusses are not necessarily appropriate to study in depth until you have more of a grounding in the basics.

Does that answer your question? If not, can you perhaps be more specific about your concerns?

Regards,
Professor Dolohov

[alt_luna]

Well, I'm not sure I know quite how to explain it. It's just such a different type of textbook than I've ever used before. I mean, I can see how it's instructional...

I'm just quite surprised to be expected to learn these types of things at Hogwarts.

Don't you think some of the parents will object? Most of them, really.

[alt_antonin]

The Board of Governors and the Headmistress have received inquiries from parents who are uncertain about the wisdom of requiring you all to study the topic, of course, and I'm well aware there is a great deal of myth and uncertainty surrounding study of the Arts. There are many aspects to the subject, however, and those you or your classmates have learned up until now are but a very narrow cross-section of the whole. With luck, and a bit of application to your studies on your part, you will come to see the popular misconceptions are just that: misconceptions. If properly led, study of the Arts is perfectly safe, and can be wholly illuminating.

If your parents or guardians object to the study, do encourage them to get in touch with me. I've had several highly productive conversations with concerned parents, and was able to reassure them there is nothing to fear.

Is there a particular area of the Arts you are concerned about? If you let me know what section of the text you chose for your reading, I can perhaps ease your trepidation somewhat; I seem to recall that we ran out of time in your class's session on Tuesday and we did not get a chance to discuss your definitions, or the section you chose to investigate further, but I would be happy to discuss it with you now if you feel that would help. (I will pull your essay from the stack as soon as I've a moment and look into it for you.)

Regards,
Professor Dolohov

[alt_luna]

One thing I've wondered is, why the girls only get to do certain things and the boys only get to do other things? That's just one question.

[alt_luna]

If we're going to be partnered, will the Hogwarts' protections be sufficient? Because I don't think anyone would want us to have unprotected contact like that.

And what about the part about safe words?

[alt_luna]

And the whole thing about the clamps.

It sounds very uncomfortable. Unless it enhances the effects?

[alt_antonin]

...Miss Lovegood, I must confess, you have managed to thoroughly confuse me.

If you don't mind, can you please let me know what translation you're using, and which publisher put out the edition? The only possible explanation I can think of is that you have unfortunately been given an extremely inaccurate rendition.

Give me a moment to glance over your essay, as well, and perhaps that will help make things clear.

[alt_luna]

Oh, people tell me that I confuse them all the time, sir, so I'm not surprised.

The publisher is Paramour Press, and the translator is Sylkie Reville.

[alt_antonin]

Miss Lovegood, I believe we are dealing with an extremely awkward situation here, although I'm not entirely certain what.

Did the bookstore give you this copy? Are you certain of the title?

[alt_luna]

Oh, yes, the title is indeed Intra Profundis. I have it right here in front of me. This is a very new edition, just released two months ago.

And no, I didn't get it from the bookstore. Mrs Brown (she's my foster mother) had it on her bookshelf. This is her own personal copy. I asked Mr Brown if I could bring it with me to Hogwarts, and he said it would be all right.

[alt_antonin]

Miss Lovegood, I believe I have discovered the source of your confusion. I cannot apologise profusely enough. You are entirely correct that the book you have read is not appropriate for a Hogwarts education and I deeply regret the circumstance that caused this issue.

It appears I was wholly unaware that a volume had been published with the same name as the title I placed on the booklist. The title I intended for you to read was written by Marcus Julius Calidus in Roman times. The volume you have read is of rather more recent authorship.

Please see me at your earliest convenience and I will provide you with the appropriate text. I recommend you return the volume you currently possess to your foster mother and say no more about the subject. Ever again.

I will return the assignment to you unmarked, and allow you to make it up at a time of your choosing.

Regards,
Professor Dolohov

[alt_luna]

Oh. Oh, I see. Yes, that explains things then, doesn't it?

I'm rather relieved.

I mean, if this really was our textbook, I couldn't imagine what you would ask us to do for extra credit.