(no subject)

[alt_antonin]

Students -- I must apologise I was unable to mark and return your final essays before the end of term. I will return them with the owls bearing your end-of-term marks.

Deepest condolences, meanwhile, must go to several of Hogwarts' own who have lost a loved one, and in such a sudden and public fashion. I am certain Hogwarts students will rise to the occasion to offer whatever support possible to the Weasley family in their time of grief.

Comments

Private Message to Pansy Parkinson

[alt_antonin]

Miss Parkinson,

Your help tonight and your talents in distraction and diversion have been, and continue to be, most appreciated. Your conversational skills are impeccable, as is your talent for knowing when to deploy them. I am certain you did not wish to spend the entire party smoothing over awkward moments -- but I am grateful that you did, and I am certain Lucius and Narcissa would agree.

Regards,
Antonin

Re: Private Message to Pansy Parkinson

[alt_pansy]

Dear Antonin Nikolaevich;

I must admit, I rather enjoyed the opportunity to be useful, because it offered a rather welcome distraction. I've found that working at something tends to be the best way to sort out sadness.

I'm quite sure that without you the party would've been a disaster, and our little chats here and there were one of the highlights of my evening, so I must thank you right back.

All my best,

Pansy

Private Message to Neville Longbottom

[alt_antonin]

Mr Longbottom,

In regards to the matter about which we spoke last night, I wished to once again say that your concern does you credit.

I must also ask you to make certain your discretion does you credit as well: please do not mention this to anyone at all, as should your knowledge and actions become known, even slightly, it will jeopardise efforts considerably. I do not think I need to give you this warning, but it is better safe than sorry. (And if anyone asks you the topic of this message: I am asking you to interpret a portion of your final essay in which your handwriting was illegible.)

Once we've returned to school, please do stop into my office as soon as possible, as I'd like to commend your quick thinking privately.

Regards,
Professor Dolohov

Re: Private Message to Neville Longbottom

[alt_neville]

Yes, yes, I understand the need for discretion, absolutely. Seamus warned me not to say anything. I agonised over approaching you, sir, and I only dared because you're on the Council, so you know about his situation in a general way already. I promise I won't speak to anyone else. Well, except for Padma Patil, because Seamus had permission to tell us both, so she already knows.

Is there...is there any hope, sir? Please don't give me false Galleons, but if there's even a sliver of hope, it would help a lot.

Yes, I will stick to your story, should anyone ask. No one who's seen my handwriting will doubt it.

And thank you, sir. Whatever happens, I'm grateful to you for listening. And for trying.

Re: Private Message to Neville Longbottom

[alt_antonin]

You did exactly right in coming to me, Mr Longbottom, and I am glad that you took my lessons about such to heart and felt you could trust me enough to make your report. (Your line of reasoning is also quite sensible.)

You'll understand that I cannot tell you anything further, but I will remind you that very few things are hopeless, when one brings one's mind, and one's research skills, to bear on a situation -- another lesson I hope I have conveyed adequately in class.

Your commitment to your friend and housemate is commendable, and I hope you will be able to breathe easier knowing that the situation is being tended to as closely as possible.

Regards,

Re: Private Message to Neville Longbottom

[alt_neville]

I will breathe easier, sir. A little, anyway. Thank you.

Private Message to Stephen Rosier

[alt_antonin]

I did not misremember.

I'll need to confirm with Gus that they've not made any adjustments to the wards while I've been gone, but assuming they have not -- or if they have, that the changes wouldn't interfere with the resonances -- the Damascene variant of the rite should work. I'll have to work a bit at it, but I will almost certainly be able to make the necessary translations in time.

Given Our Lord's ... uncertain temper of the other evening, I think it would be best if I propose the change myself, as I'll be able to answer His questions, but do be ready in case He would like your thoughts on the matter. I've been up all night chasing references and need at least an hour or two of sleep lest I be too inarticulate in front of Him, but I will be petitioning for audience as soon as I wake.

My own dear brother -- I will do what I might: he is my student, as I was yours. And either way -- bring the boy to me, once things are certain. I will help prepare him.

Yours, as always, and ever mindful of the lessons you taught me,
T

Re: Private Message to Stephen Rosier

[alt_antonin]

He approves.

I am willing to leave the question of what to tell Mr Finnigan, and when, in your capable hands -- but if you would like me to be the one to explain both detail and necessity, I will so you do not have to. I could come by tonight, once I've slept more. Or you may think it kinder to tell him the broadest strokes only, and save the detail for Thursday, in case Our Lord reconsiders -- but He did see the wisdom, after careful consideration.

Yours,
T

Private Message to Barty Crouch, Jr

[alt_antonin]

Зайчик,

This message, like several of the others above (and indeed the public message itself), is a smokescreen to make anyone who might be watching the subject lines in my journal think that I am simply catching up with my correspondence, and so my message to Stephen does not stand out. (As to that: matters look promising.)

But while I am writing -- I imagine you stayed over at the Manor last night; do let me know how Narcissa is doing. (Lyoushka, as well -- I am almost more concerned about him than her -- but he's more stubborn, and more likely to tell you to go jump in a lake if you ask; I will pry more when next I speak with him.) I will be immersed in books all day, save for when I bring the proposal before Our Lord, so please do stay and do what you can for them -- but you know that my door is eternally open to you.

My heart nearly stopped when He was looking in your direction when

Yours,
T

Re: Private Message to Barty Crouch, Jr

[alt_crouch_jr]

As you'll see, I did not stay all of last night. Am here this morning, however, hoping to have a word with L before other things. He's not yet appeared for the day, so perhaps he is resting. Agree that he appeared strained.

Trust you will have success with Our Lord.

And that you will take time for sleep, yourself.


Always,
B

Re: Private Message to Barty Crouch, Jr

[alt_antonin]

His anger does appear to have cooled somewhat, at least. I wanted to receive His verdict as quickly as possible, for Stephen's sake.

Do keep an eye on Lyoushka, and tell me if he seems to be unwell. (Or rather, I fear, how unwell he seems.)

Do you ever sometimes want to just

I will still see you tomorrow, I hope -- for supper, if nothing more.

Your,
T