Have retired to bed, but not yet asleep; insomnia apparently a well-known side effect of discontinuing one of my potions. (Madame Pomfrey suggested an innovative, if slightly injurious to one's dignity, solution; at this point, would be prepared to stand on my head and whistle Celestina Warbeck songs at Court in exchange for eight straight hours of blessed sleep, so I'll give it a try.)
There have been some looks and some whispers, hastily stifled when I indicate my awareness of them, but nothing overt. My official position, should anyone be bold enough to enquire, is that one mustn't read trash; it rots the mind. (No further comments from you on that front, thank you very much, little brother.) Privately, am gaining a belated sympathy for Bella's eternal quest -- I would message her to say so, but suspect I'd merely get my head bitten off for my trouble -- and will volunteer my wand in its service in a heartbeat, should the need arise.
Haven't the faintest idea what Black might have intended with that little faerie tale, but suspect that whatever it was, it has backfired more than you reference: half my sevenths today were eyeing me with newfound respect. He never was much one for subtlety, though. I do remember that much. Wish Orion had been willing to call me in sooner; I might have been able to turn him back. Ah, well; I shall add him to Clarkson on the list I keep of those I failed to reach. (You were all quite indulgent to let me try, over and above the utility of keeping a channel of disinformation on hand.)
(What was that child's name, do you remember? Should look her up. I do remember having a lovely, albeit brief, conversation, in midst of trying to convince Crabbe and -- I can't remember his name, the tall blond one who wasted all my effort by getting himself killed that Hallowe'en because he turned out to not be smart enough to duck -- that no, my way made our point much more strongly.)
You are welcome to any of Alecto's leavings you can pry out of Rod's avaricious hands. I did not see anything I recognised immediately as Tony's, but you would know better than I. And yes, have found his daughter an excellent addition to class thus far. There's a bit of his love for the unknown and unknowable, that's for sure!
I do indeed have the beginnings of my little list (and Horace shall have to fend for himself: if I'm to spend my time teaching I get the pick of the litter and if he doesn't move quickly enough it's his own fault) but after only a week, I can't be certain. I'll be interviewing them all one-on-one over the next few weeks, to get a firmer sense of which ones are worth more cultivation. I've my eye mostly on Draco's year, actually: they're at the right age, and three years with them would be about the minimum necessary in order to impart a good seasoning. We shall see what happens. At very least, I am enjoying myself so far. Let us pray this state continues.
And, as I believe Madam Pomfrey's ridiculous solution is starting to take hold, I shall bid you good night, and wish you sweet dreams of your own.
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branchandroot
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Date: 2012-09-08 05:05 am (UTC)Have retired to bed, but not yet asleep; insomnia apparently a well-known side effect of discontinuing one of my potions. (Madame Pomfrey suggested an innovative, if slightly injurious to one's dignity, solution; at this point, would be prepared to stand on my head and whistle Celestina Warbeck songs at Court in exchange for eight straight hours of blessed sleep, so I'll give it a try.)
There have been some looks and some whispers, hastily stifled when I indicate my awareness of them, but nothing overt. My official position, should anyone be bold enough to enquire, is that one mustn't read trash; it rots the mind. (No further comments from you on that front, thank you very much, little brother.) Privately, am gaining a belated sympathy for Bella's eternal quest -- I would message her to say so, but suspect I'd merely get my head bitten off for my trouble -- and will volunteer my wand in its service in a heartbeat, should the need arise.
Haven't the faintest idea what Black might have intended with that little faerie tale, but suspect that whatever it was, it has backfired more than you reference: half my sevenths today were eyeing me with newfound respect. He never was much one for subtlety, though. I do remember that much. Wish Orion had been willing to call me in sooner; I might have been able to turn him back. Ah, well; I shall add him to Clarkson on the list I keep of those I failed to reach. (You were all quite indulgent to let me try, over and above the utility of keeping a channel of disinformation on hand.)
(What was that child's name, do you remember? Should look her up. I do remember having a lovely, albeit brief, conversation, in midst of trying to convince Crabbe and -- I can't remember his name, the tall blond one who wasted all my effort by getting himself killed that Hallowe'en because he turned out to not be smart enough to duck -- that no, my way made our point much more strongly.)
You are welcome to any of Alecto's leavings you can pry out of Rod's avaricious hands. I did not see anything I recognised immediately as Tony's, but you would know better than I. And yes, have found his daughter an excellent addition to class thus far. There's a bit of his love for the unknown and unknowable, that's for sure!
I do indeed have the beginnings of my little list (and Horace shall have to fend for himself: if I'm to spend my time teaching I get the pick of the litter and if he doesn't move quickly enough it's his own fault) but after only a week, I can't be certain. I'll be interviewing them all one-on-one over the next few weeks, to get a firmer sense of which ones are worth more cultivation. I've my eye mostly on Draco's year, actually: they're at the right age, and three years with them would be about the minimum necessary in order to impart a good seasoning. We shall see what happens. At very least, I am enjoying myself so far. Let us pray this state continues.
And, as I believe Madam Pomfrey's ridiculous solution is starting to take hold, I shall bid you good night, and wish you sweet dreams of your own.
Kindly and thoughtfully,
T