Private message to Lana

[alt_antonin]

I've asked the office to send Mr Marvolo's replacement ID card directly to me, my dear, and when it arrives I'll make sure the elves simply deliver it to him and it will be his own decision what to happen past that point; if he runs into problems for not having it, that will be his own choice.

I know how incredibly stressful it can be when the little darlings don't obey -- and you have been doing a lovely job with them -- and I know how easy it is to get emotionally overinvolved in the situation when one of them winds up defying you. Particularly when it is Mr Marvolo, who redefines 'stubborn', and with whom the question of punishment is difficult. It's so very easy for matters to escalate to the point where we find ourselves doing things we did not intend, simply because no one involved wanted to back down, isn't it? (I have found myself in such straits many times before.)

Still: next time something like this happens, I would prefer for you to call for me, or send Mr Marvolo to me, and I will take care of matters further. He has been feeling his way around his adolescent rebellion and looking for a route into adulthood, and I would rather not give him more reasons to rail against what he sees as senseless bureaucracy. (Well. I would rather we not have to deal with the problem of a student we cannot punish and cannot dissuade, but thankfully, that will cease being a problem in another few months.)

Comments

[alt_lana]

Thank you. I will refer him to you should there be any other incidents. I sincerely hope to avoid anything of the kind, however.

Only, I cannot understand what motivated him to resist so benign a thing as an identity card. What a ridiculous stone to beat his head against! I suppose it is simply adolescent irrationality. What's awkward is the fact that other students naturally take cues from him. Especially when he's so openly disrespectful and rebellious.

It does just make me wonder if I have any aptitude for teaching at all.

But that's just a long day speaking. No worries.

I'll be back in form tomorrow. And you're right: he'll have left school and moved to other arenas soon. Surely that will be a very good thing for all concerned.

[alt_antonin]

I wouldn't use this as a yardstick of your ability, not at all. This year has been hell to begin with, and I'm certainly asking far too much of you in your first year in the classroom -- which you have, for the most part, been handling magnificently. (It really isn't fair of me to have appointed you Head of House in the first place in your first year teaching, let alone with Mr Marvolo -- who manages to be both the rock and the hard place at once -- involved; that you have managed thus far is to your credit.)

I am so very sorry, my dear; I never thought I would wind up having to pile so much onto your shoulders. I am hoping we will have better solutions for next year, but it's likely things will be uncertain for at least another year or two. With so much staff turnover at once it's only to be expected.

Though I am certainly praying next year will be quieter. At least it will lack Mr Marvolo and his unique outlook on the world.