Private Message to Toshenka and Razzer
Oct. 4th, 2012 12:03 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
alt_luciusHave made appropriate excuses for Saturday. Narcissa still committed to her ... something. WI, I think. Not that she is normally eager for their programmes but it had to do with her involvement in the planning (I try not to know too much about such things). Not sure where she derives the tolerance, frankly. At any rate, she will be sorry to miss you but asked me to make her apologies.
Tosha, understand from entirely different sources that you are already leading merry hell among students and staff alike. Not surprising, considering the examples they've had to date. Had quite the time convincing Theo to give you the benefit of the doubt, before stirring up the Governors to think you are exercising professorial privilege to the detriment of his son. (More likely that you're the only source of discipline the boy's likely to get, and none too soon. Theo has always been ... difficult to appease, as you know. Have him becalmed for the time being, however.)
Also understand from Ned you've been making free with your library. Careful, bratishka; recall that these children have limited capacity to separate external fact from exotic fiction, even if they know they are reading the latter. (Currently am embroiled in just such a debate concerning publication of the latest in a popular but troublesome trilogy whose author - well. Her gift for analogy is matched only by her penchant for predictability. Likely will recommend allowing production to proceed but anticipate another rash of illicit reading to rival the sudden upsurge of interest in the other (ridiculous) Intra Profundis.) Suffice it to say: You are no doubt already recognising the challenges of controlling a large group of pupils at once, all of whom would far rather be practising the techniques described in your tatty romance novels than in their dry meditation books! The last thing they need are 'manuals' on every form of phantasy imaginable.
Speaking of hormones, have you had occasion yet to rebuff the attentions of Professor Acton? Razzer, do point out to him her various attempts so he can be sure not to give the poor witch false hope.
Looking forward to Saturday, both the demonstration and the expedition afterward.
Tosha, understand from entirely different sources that you are already leading merry hell among students and staff alike. Not surprising, considering the examples they've had to date. Had quite the time convincing Theo to give you the benefit of the doubt, before stirring up the Governors to think you are exercising professorial privilege to the detriment of his son. (More likely that you're the only source of discipline the boy's likely to get, and none too soon. Theo has always been ... difficult to appease, as you know. Have him becalmed for the time being, however.)
Also understand from Ned you've been making free with your library. Careful, bratishka; recall that these children have limited capacity to separate external fact from exotic fiction, even if they know they are reading the latter. (Currently am embroiled in just such a debate concerning publication of the latest in a popular but troublesome trilogy whose author - well. Her gift for analogy is matched only by her penchant for predictability. Likely will recommend allowing production to proceed but anticipate another rash of illicit reading to rival the sudden upsurge of interest in the other (ridiculous) Intra Profundis.) Suffice it to say: You are no doubt already recognising the challenges of controlling a large group of pupils at once, all of whom would far rather be practising the techniques described in your tatty romance novels than in their dry meditation books! The last thing they need are 'manuals' on every form of phantasy imaginable.
Speaking of hormones, have you had occasion yet to rebuff the attentions of Professor Acton? Razzer, do point out to him her various attempts so he can be sure not to give the poor witch false hope.
Looking forward to Saturday, both the demonstration and the expedition afterward.
no subject
Date: 2012-10-04 06:14 pm (UTC)Acton? Surely you don't mean to suggest that --
Oh. Oh dear. That does make a few things make slightly more sense. (Why do I never notice these things until someone points them out to me?) (Don't answer that, darling. Either of you.)
I did send Theo an owl, but, well; I suspect few parents are willing to hear news that their offspring is in need of a firm hand. I can of course justify every step of the decision (a student unwilling or unable to follow basic safety precautions when I have been quite clear as to their necessity is a risk I am unwilling to accept, for preservation of my own skin if nothing else!) but I am actually quite relieved the boy gave me the excuse. He is powerful enough, one supposes, but completely lacking in judgement. I have been downright explicit to him: if he convinces me that he is able to exercise self-discipline, I will be willing to entertain his petition to switch tracks at the beginning of next term. We have spoken about my expectations, and I believe I have adequately communicated them; thank you for your efforts with Theo as well. I will make extra effort to be both charming and professorial when next I see him.
I have, fear not, been adequately sensitive to the political implications of my lending-library -- that is to say, the less orthodox literature is tucked safely away in my bedroom, not my office or my sitting-room, and I will not lend it to anyone who has not demonstrated the capacity to avoid the rhetorical traps it holds. For the most part I am handing out a variety of volumes that explain the Arts in greater depth, or provide a window of insight into other disciplines they are studying. (I have noticed a woeful lack of interdisciplinary work, though truly I can't blame the more competent of my colleagues too much, given that others have been ... well, I've sung that chorus enough in the past month to both of you. Which reminds me, Razzer, we should talk about coordinating for the children who are taking NEWTs in both our subjects.)
Am very pleased you will be able to make it on Saturday (though please do tell Narcissa we will be devastated to miss the pleasure of her company). And thank you for your willingness to attend -- this is one part of my extended efforts to show the children as many exemplars as possible of varied, disciplined models of Our Lord's faithful, to counteract ... well. You know as well as I what I am working to counter.
Until Saturday,
T
no subject
Date: 2012-10-04 06:38 pm (UTC)Theo will also get used to his dismay. Confident he can see the wisdom of your methods although at present the words 'upstart' and 'emigre' are still somewhat too frequent in his discourse. But then we all know that he has always been easy to take offence and slow to forgive. Perhaps if you make strides with the boy as you hope, the transformation will serve your point better than anything else. And if not - Scotch works, though I don't recommend an abundance in his case.
Narcissa bitterly regrets that she cannot disentangle, as well, shyel'ma. Rest assured she shall demand more time of you at the next available opportunity. Though truth be told, she was not much enthused by the idea of picking through Alecto's nest and decided best to leave us to our macabre pursuits. (Though she did say you 'promised' to go with her to one of her interminable faires or pageants or whatever it is she finds she cannot turn down. Better you than I, bratishka. I'll let you know the next time the opera house turns out Puccini, as well.)
no subject
Date: 2012-10-04 06:55 pm (UTC)Meanwhile, am happy to serve as Narcissa's escort whenever the prospect of another ribbon cutting or country fair seems beyond the pale, dearest. (Presuming I am not otherwise occupied, of course, which does seem to be the case more so than not.) Her commentary is always delightful (and both of us have only improved our ability to make catty remarks without being seen to move our lips) and you know I always enjoy meeting people -- despite so many of them being barely worth their air, there is always the intriguing prospect of an exception. Or, at very least, someone who only needs a bit of flattery and fifteen minutes of earnest attention to prove a usable resource in future -- all of which I can provide in my sleep, and probably have.
I do not doubt I will be able to impress upon Theo's boy the importance of discipline -- the question is whether I will be able to convince him that my way is the best route to it. Still, it is worth a try. (As I have said many times in the past few weeks. First sort complete, and I've half a dozen at least who should pay dividends in future, over and above the obvious such as your Dragon and Mr Marvolo. Am beginning to think I shall need to convince Gus to lend me some arcane artefact that will allow me to be in three places at once to do them all justice!) Will give Theo's ego a bit of stroking when next opportunity affords -- though, truly, calling me an upstart? Ha. How quickly they forget.
And speaking of effort, here come the Ravenclaw fifths. Wish me strength and courage, dear one.
Professorially,
T
no subject
Date: 2012-10-05 02:36 am (UTC)Toshenka, there's a sweet bird or two in Hogsmeade I can introduce you to, if the fancy strikes- or the need to escape.
no subject
Date: 2012-10-05 03:28 am (UTC)Really. I assure you.
no subject
Date: 2012-10-05 04:16 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-10-05 04:30 am (UTC)Sappily,
T
no subject
Date: 2012-10-05 05:22 am (UTC)And you have my thanks for that, as well.