Antonin Nikolaevich Dolohov (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
alt_antonin) wrote2012-12-20 05:48 am
alt_antonin) wrote2012-12-20 05:48 am
End of Term
To celebrate exams being over (and the successful completion of my first term at Hogwarts), I will be holding an informal get-together in my classroom, tomorrow (Friday) after the final exam slot of the day and until it is time for supper. I will provide light refreshments.
As all exams will have been given by that point, you will likely be able to persuade me into discussing the questions, and the answers I was looking for, should the uncertainty be such that it would spoil your holiday. Priority will be given to the questions of those who bring suitable bribes of chocolates or sweets. (Lest anyone take me seriously and cry foul: yes, that is a joke.)
Though it certainly has been an eventful term, I must say it has also been, on the whole, an enjoyable one. Merry Christmas and happy New Year to all of you, and I shall look forward to returning, refreshed and ready to tackle a new term, in January.
As all exams will have been given by that point, you will likely be able to persuade me into discussing the questions, and the answers I was looking for, should the uncertainty be such that it would spoil your holiday. Priority will be given to the questions of those who bring suitable bribes of chocolates or sweets. (Lest anyone take me seriously and cry foul: yes, that is a joke.)
Though it certainly has been an eventful term, I must say it has also been, on the whole, an enjoyable one. Merry Christmas and happy New Year to all of you, and I shall look forward to returning, refreshed and ready to tackle a new term, in January.
Private Message to Auri
Well, exams are nearly over, and I have survived. (Let us hope I have not now jinxed us.) Your advice on formulating my exams for easy marking has once again proven invaluable: I have for the most part managed to mark as I go no matter how gruelling the students themselves found the questions. (If we've a moment free before end of term, remind me to show you the collection I am keeping of some of the more ... creative ... answers; many of them do not require familiarity with the subject to spot the hilarity.)
Regarding gifts, meanwhile: the bulk of your present is rather unwieldy. I would rather not haul it along with us to the get-together on Wednesday next (and you would likely rather not have to haul it home afterward) -- if you are amenable to an early exchange, I will ask the house-elves to bring it up to your tower Friday evening in anticipation of the midwinter vigil. (For which, yes, I am still interested in joining you, if my invitation still stands.)
Since we have not had a chance to compare our holiday schedules: are you and Raz attending the Coopers' soirée on the 27th? I will assume you'll be at the St M's gala on the 29th, and of course New Years' Eve at Buckingham. (As for me, I am simply looking forward to the chance to sleep in for two weeks -- should my blasted circadian rhythm do me the kindness of refraining from waking me before sunrise again.)
Yours,
T
Re: Private Message to Auri
I am delighted, as usual, to have been helpful - and yes, swapping creative answers is one of the pleasures of marking, so please share.
Unwieldy presents, really? (Raz has managed to massively simplify things for me with the early part of his gift, but it's meaning rearranging my packing plans, which is what's occupying me this morning.) At any rate, part of my present to you is probably better done in private, rather than on Boxing Day, so I'll bring it all up tomorrow as well.
And yes, of course, tomorrow night. Do come up whenever you like - I'll be up there from after supper. I have the 3rd year exam at nine (but you may have the comfy chair and whatever reading material you like in my office), and then I have the newts from ten to half-eleven or so in the office. You are most welcome for that part: it is largely an exercise in "how to discuss one's research", and it might be of interest even if some of the topics are unfamiliar.
But before and after that, my attention is entirely yours, and I think the weather might clear nicely. I will have to mark the 3rds at some point, but their exam is straightforward, and I can keep chatting throughout.
As to holiday schedules: yes to both of the above (though with the Coopers, I'm trying to figure out what on earth to wear.) And at least the ball for the Twelfth Night weekend, as inconvenient as the timing is with coming back to school. (And of course, the Malfoys, Boxing Day, and a handful of smaller gatherings, though I am making my excuses for our extended family Christmas eve, given the rest of the calendar.)
If you and I can find a free afternoon, I would love to take you up on your offer of introduction to yet more bookstores, and I am mindful that I promised you an introduction to the Archetype. I suspect Raz will be out with Harry at least a few of the days in there, and perhaps we can use one of those?
Right. Back to my packing. If I am not down at lunch, it is because I am buried in robes. And shoes.
-A.