alt_antonin | Class followup

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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.

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From:

alt_antonin

My dearest Aurora,

Laughter at the little darlings' essays would be much appreciated. I'm proceeding rapidly apace through my marking, and -- Well. I take your point about the logic and analysis. I hadn't expected the sort of reasoning I am used to, but it is clear we have a great deal of work to do. Am beginning to wonder if I should assign them some emergency Aristotle to sharpen up their logic skills. And there is some utter confusion going on in the comments below that I still haven't sorted out ...

The books, meanwhile, sound delightfully distracting. I do tend to ridiculous romances for brainless distraction, but if you can't put them down, I will eagerly give them a try. As I'm sure you noticed, I took supper in my quarters, but do bring them along tomorrow night. And yes, please do pass along any of the gossip magazines you've read -- I'm not certain which ones Barty and Narcissa have chosen for me, but I suppose I will find out in time! (I mistrust Barty's sense of humor when he affects such helpfulness...) Would particularly appreciate Witch Weekly, even though I get odd looks when seen reading it in public. (One of the reasons I took to using the disguise charm.)

To the other: if you feel it is not urgent, I will bow to your sense of scheduling, of course. And it's a difficult topic to discuss at the best of times. But allow me to urge you, if I might: sometimes it is when one feels the most reluctance to revisit a topic that one has the most need.

At your disposal, in this as in all things,
T

From:

alt_sinistra

Antosha,

My apologies, the stars were particularly brill tonight, and I was squeezing in every moment on the tower I could. (I will spare you the rhapsodies, but really, best clear night we’ve had in months, and the Milky Way was glorious. I basked.) The thought of “emergency Aristotle”, though, entirely delights me.

Let me pause to read below, before I continue. Oh, Antosha - I assume Narcissa cleared it up for you? I’m sorry, I’m sitting here laughing till I cry. (Not at you, I rush to assure, but at the situation.) I... and of all people, Miss Lovegood. Oh, goodness. (I have not read it, mind you, but Temp was telling me all about it over tea on Tuesday. Quite the rage with various circles of witches - both those who enjoy mocking it and those who like the dalliance with things they’d dare not ask their husbands for. It’s rather badly done of its kind, which is why I’ve not read it yet.)

Look, can I help? I don’t think you need worry too much about Miss Lovegood in class, except for her entirely insatiable sense of curiousity. If you would like, send her to me if she’s got questions about the content - or Poppy, for the mechanics. Poppy has anatomical models, so she tells me.

Right, on to happier subjects. I think you will find the series delightfully amusing, and I look forward to discussing it. And I will pack quite the little set of things to hand you tomorrow. Mum’s scones, the back issues of the various magazines, and two delightful little books. (I’m quite sure I’ll finish the second tonight.)

On the rest - you sound remarkably like Raz, there, you know. I promise, next week, when you have me on my own. (And really, at my disposal in all things? On such short acquaintance, sir! But thank you, truly.) It’s just - well. That’s another discussion, entitled “June, after the third task” that we should probably also have. Short version: I try to avoid worrying Raz when it's not actually necessary. It's not very good for him.

Do you need me to come down with an emergency ration of common sense and alcohol? I've three-quarters of an hour before class.
A.

From:

alt_antonin

My dearest Aurora,

Now that the first flush of mortification has worn off I've almost found the laughter myself, but -- goodness. I'm less concerned with Miss Lovegood -- and actually, now that I'm aware of the source of the confusion, her essay makes a slight bit more sense, although honestly, I haven't the faintest idea how her mind works and I shudder to think at what she will make of the actual reading -- so much as the fact I shall clearly never hear the end of this from Lyoushka and Narcissa. If Barty weighs in the situation will turn utterly hopeless. I am already fearing tomorrow's owl post. It's not common sense and alcohol I'm in need of so much as a gag for Lyoushka and Narcissa...

A quick skim through the pile awaiting marking turned up two others who appear to have suffered the same confusion, or I would have allowed the matter to die a peaceful death. I am the last person in the world to serve as confessor on that particular topic, as well, so I will take you up on your offer and deflect any inquiries in your direction, and hope something else happens quickly to distract everyone's attention as quickly as possible!

(I haven't the faintest idea how I will possibly be able to meet anyone's eyes in class tomorrow.)

As to the rest: yes, next week. Having just had such a vivid reminder of the need for discretion myself...

Yours in utter shame,
T

From:

alt_sinistra

Antosha -

Alas, if you hope for me to stand between you and Lucius, Narcissa, and Barty, your common sense has gone very far astray indeed. I can be of very little help there, other than a friendly ear when they're done having their fun. (Raz might be of more help, but you will need to take up your negotiations with him yourself.)

That said, Narcissa's advice to me on matters of this kind does seem to be true: wait a day or two and some other calamity will draw the attention away from one. At least it's Friday tomorrow - by Monday, I'm quite sure you'll no longer be the major topic of conversation.

As to handling it in class, speaking as one who has had her life strewn across magazines, be brisk, to the purpose, and focused. They'll follow you, given a few minutes. Have them start working on something directly, without room for chatter, when they come in. If you get off on the right foot, it'll flow from there.

And I will have further distractions for you tomorrow. Promise.
A.