Violations
May. 26th, 2009 11:17 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
alt_luciusSkeeter has filed with her editors at the Prophet, asking to write an investigative article on the concoctions sold to the O.W.L. students at Hogwarts. Bole, of course, thought to consult me before granting or denying her permission. Ordinarily I should object to unleashing her on the staff (to say nothing of the students) but under the circumstances, I can think of no better reporter for the job. Have communicated certain sensible restrictions, however, that I think shall suit everyone (excepting perhaps Skeeter herself) and limit her ability to disrupt the final days of term.
I find it singularly contemptible that so much energy was spent over the relatively minor transgressions of a few students firing surreptitious hexes at their fellows in good fun, while this ... black market trade in illicit enhancements was taking place right under the administration's noses. Even the Commerce Committee had a number of colourful observations regarding the irony, in light of our recent exertions to provide the school with 'necessary' ingredients.
Minerva, I hope you are prepared to answer the Board's questions on the matter. Best make sure that Madam Pomfrey is available as well, should she be called upon to provide an account in person. It will make for a much livelier Governors' meeting than I had expected, though not, I am sorry to say, in an anticipated nor a welcome way.
Speaking of welcome, the decision of the most recent civil division of the Wizengamot came as a pleasant greeting this morning. Between the ludicrous nature of the claims and my accuser's ... dubious credibility, the courts have ruled that there is no basis to bring a suit. Moreover, as plaintiff, she was instructed to pay damages for the detriment to my name which this sordid business has caused in certain circles. I have waived payment in exchange for the agreement that my access to the child is as unfettered as it had been. It is certainly the case - and the courts agree - that she needs a steady influence of the proper ideals or she may well fall back into unsavoury habits which her mother is inadequately able to manage. So there's an end to that. All to the good, since I hardly wished to go to France for a month without being able first to instill some goals for her summer holidays. The outcome, of course, was never really in question; but it is a relief to have the official proceedings over and the record set to rights.
Crispin's performance of late continues to confound me. He will provide a week's solid service, reliable as ever, then without warning there will be a day when he fails utterly or overlooks some minuscule, yet vital, detail, resulting in near catastrophe. He assures me his health is adequate, his family all well, his sleep unperturbed, his appetite normal and his finances quite satisfactory - leaving only one possible explanation for this alarming trend. One does not like to pry, but I can only conclude that these deficiencies lie in some way with Miss Kirke. It is most distressing. Perhaps while abroad he will be able to reconsider his priorities. I should not like to lose a clerk after investing so much time and effort into his training; but one cannot tolerate these faults if they grow more frequent. Furthermore if his intentions toward Miss Kirke are at all approaching, dare I presume, a lifelong attachment, or any kind of understanding, and this behaviour can therefore be expected to become the norm, then it is inevitable we should soon find our arrangements intolerable on both ends. I can currently whole-heartedly recommend him should he wish to move on; if his personal commitments threaten to precede his obligations in my employ, however, I do not know that I could so gladly provide an unqualified reference.
Well. As I said, perhaps it is transitory and more related to the pressures of our impending sojourn than to the routine to which we have become accustomed these five years. Can it really be five? Remarkable.
Amidst those usual duties, I was summoned to attend Our Lord over the week-end to see the latest fruits of His work. Extraordinary accomplishment! He honoured me by demonstrating a part of His creation's capacities and I must say I was most impressed - more than customarily, I mean - by Our Lord's ability to control His invention. Particularly at long distance. Regulus has been quite right all these years to note how inestimable Our Lord's powers, how foolish to cross them.
I am glad to say that, at least for the time being, the doubts that I understand have plagued Our Lord appear to be dissipating. I only hope that we all continue to satisfy Him as to the integrity and intensity of our sincere devotion to His causes.
Draco, I trust you are all set for your exams? Your last letter seemed a little anxious. Is there anything you would like your mother to send you to smooth the last few days' revision?
I find it singularly contemptible that so much energy was spent over the relatively minor transgressions of a few students firing surreptitious hexes at their fellows in good fun, while this ... black market trade in illicit enhancements was taking place right under the administration's noses. Even the Commerce Committee had a number of colourful observations regarding the irony, in light of our recent exertions to provide the school with 'necessary' ingredients.
Minerva, I hope you are prepared to answer the Board's questions on the matter. Best make sure that Madam Pomfrey is available as well, should she be called upon to provide an account in person. It will make for a much livelier Governors' meeting than I had expected, though not, I am sorry to say, in an anticipated nor a welcome way.
Speaking of welcome, the decision of the most recent civil division of the Wizengamot came as a pleasant greeting this morning. Between the ludicrous nature of the claims and my accuser's ... dubious credibility, the courts have ruled that there is no basis to bring a suit. Moreover, as plaintiff, she was instructed to pay damages for the detriment to my name which this sordid business has caused in certain circles. I have waived payment in exchange for the agreement that my access to the child is as unfettered as it had been. It is certainly the case - and the courts agree - that she needs a steady influence of the proper ideals or she may well fall back into unsavoury habits which her mother is inadequately able to manage. So there's an end to that. All to the good, since I hardly wished to go to France for a month without being able first to instill some goals for her summer holidays. The outcome, of course, was never really in question; but it is a relief to have the official proceedings over and the record set to rights.
Crispin's performance of late continues to confound me. He will provide a week's solid service, reliable as ever, then without warning there will be a day when he fails utterly or overlooks some minuscule, yet vital, detail, resulting in near catastrophe. He assures me his health is adequate, his family all well, his sleep unperturbed, his appetite normal and his finances quite satisfactory - leaving only one possible explanation for this alarming trend. One does not like to pry, but I can only conclude that these deficiencies lie in some way with Miss Kirke. It is most distressing. Perhaps while abroad he will be able to reconsider his priorities. I should not like to lose a clerk after investing so much time and effort into his training; but one cannot tolerate these faults if they grow more frequent. Furthermore if his intentions toward Miss Kirke are at all approaching, dare I presume, a lifelong attachment, or any kind of understanding, and this behaviour can therefore be expected to become the norm, then it is inevitable we should soon find our arrangements intolerable on both ends. I can currently whole-heartedly recommend him should he wish to move on; if his personal commitments threaten to precede his obligations in my employ, however, I do not know that I could so gladly provide an unqualified reference.
Well. As I said, perhaps it is transitory and more related to the pressures of our impending sojourn than to the routine to which we have become accustomed these five years. Can it really be five? Remarkable.
Amidst those usual duties, I was summoned to attend Our Lord over the week-end to see the latest fruits of His work. Extraordinary accomplishment! He honoured me by demonstrating a part of His creation's capacities and I must say I was most impressed - more than customarily, I mean - by Our Lord's ability to control His invention. Particularly at long distance. Regulus has been quite right all these years to note how inestimable Our Lord's powers, how foolish to cross them.
I am glad to say that, at least for the time being, the doubts that I understand have plagued Our Lord appear to be dissipating. I only hope that we all continue to satisfy Him as to the integrity and intensity of our sincere devotion to His causes.
Draco, I trust you are all set for your exams? Your last letter seemed a little anxious. Is there anything you would like your mother to send you to smooth the last few days' revision?