End of Term

[alt_antonin]

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.

Comments

Private Message to Draco Malfoy

[alt_antonin]

Mr Malfoy,

It occurs to me that I will be leaving from Hogwarts directly to Malfoy Manor on Saturday in anticipation of your gathering. I certainly do recall the ride home for the holidays on the Hogwarts Express being a social event as much as transportion, but if you would care to forego it for any reason, do let me know -- I would be happy to side-along you and save you the trouble.

I do look forward to the chance to socialise with you outside the school environment, and to continue our past discussions regarding opportunities to serve Our Lord in the wider world.

Regards,
Professor Dolohov

Re: Private Message to Draco Malfoy

[alt_draco]

Thank you for the offer, sir, but I do think I ought to take the train along with the other prefects.

The elves at home know to have all of my dress robes and other accouterments out and ready for me as soon as I get back to the Manor.

I look forward to socialising with you, as well. I'd particularly like to know a bit more about how the Noble Arts are seen abroad. I'd been led to believe that some countries take a rather more conservative view of them than we do, but then Finch-Fletchley seems quite adept at the Arts, having come to us from Beauxbatons. Several of those I befriended from Durmstrang indicated that they embraced them, as well. Still, it was clear that their usual curriculum different from ours, if only in subtle ways.

Re: Private Message to Draco Malfoy

[alt_antonin]

No, that does make perfect sense, and speaks well to your sense of duty -- still, I thought I would make the offer.

And yes, you're quite correct -- attitudes on the Arts are many and varied. (And of course individuals inside a culture vary considerably as well, such as how many of the prominent families of the Protectorate passed information and performed study privately, before Our Lord came to power and while societal attitudes were more restrictive.) Eastern and northern Europe, in general, have historically been more permissive -- Durmstrang has been teaching the Arts for generations -- while western Europe, pre-Protectorate Britain included, has been more restrictive. Following on from my class lectures about the social construct of groupings of magic, there are also many cultures who don't divide the categories of magics the way we do -- in my mother's culture, which is still strongly influenced by the worldview of ancient Egyptian wizardry, most forms of Divination are considered "Dark Arts" unless practised under very exacting conditions.

But I get ahead of myself! (As you may tell, I find the topic utterly fascinating, and will happily converse upon it for hours. The trick is to aim me in the direction you find most interesting.)

If we do not have time to have that conversation due to your hosting obligations -- I would be happy to host you, and perhaps Miss Parkinson and Mr Marvolo as well (as I believe you're all good friends), for tea and conversation at any point over the next two weeks. You've only to let me know when it would suit.

Regards,
Professor Dolohov