Order Only: Private Message to Minerva McGonagall and Pomona Sprout

[alt_poppy]

This business with Miss Greengrass and Mr Bole is an ugly thing, and I'm afraid I have not managed my part at all well.

Minerva, I'm terribly sorry if you end up being pulled in. I feel dreadful. And remiss. And culpable for failing to have intervened more directly when I first heard the girl had suffered injury at his hands.

Because she did not come to me and had not authorised the one who did come to make report on the matter, I did not insist that Horace send her to me for an examination.

I don't know why I thought that passing the matter on to her Head of House should be sufficient. Clearly, clearly I should have insisted on seeing her for myself.

Naturally, my fault has been identified by my superiors. I heard from the supercilious Healer Stint this evening that there is considerable concern about my failure to adequately protect our students, particularly our young witches, whose dawning sexuality leaves them vulnerable to exploitation, etc., etc.

I could scarcely submit to such a lecture from a man who loses no opportunity to use his authority as a tool for pressing unwelcome advances on witches unlucky enough to be his subordinates. Not me, of course, but others aplenty. His hypocrisy was unbearable. And yet, of course, I had earned the lecture and dared not object.

Pomona, I've included you here so you'll know what I've done without my repeating the whole miserable tale.

The worst of it is, that I do sincerely wish I had done more in a more timely way to help Miss Greengrass. I'm quite beside myself over it.

Comments

[alt_pomona]

Poppy, dear.

I'm sorry I didn't see this sooner - one of the charms on the food greenhouse is clearly failing, and I spent the evening in Gwendolyn's company restoring the plants while she mended the problem.

His hypocrisy fails to surprise me, given all I've heard. Do you think he'll make much trouble over this? Or is it one more thing for his list of complaints we all hope will be ignored?

As to your actions, yes, we all should have seen more, clearly. (Aurora stopped by briefly last night, and said as much herself.) But at the same time, should you have compelled the girl to see you? Her seeing you might well have angered Bole, after all, until he was well in hand.

My own history also reminds me of the difficulties of speaking up or seeking help, though that's certainly not something I'd expect someone like that Stint person to begin to grasp.

[alt_poppy]

Fortunately, I've had plenty to distract me overnight and this morning, though I must say that I hate feeling so haunted by the knowledge that this bloody committee of vultures is scrutinising every detail of each day's report, salivating at the chance of catching me out for whatever I might omit--either to do or to enumerate on parchment.

I'm sorry.

I shouldn't complain. I ought to be more professional than that after all these years.

[alt_pomona]

Goodness, Poppy. You are shaken, clearly. That's not at all like you.

Of course it's terrifying to be under that kind of scrutiny. I am deeply grateful I've not come to official attention unduly, beyond the usual matters and the food supplies.

The least I can do is listen better to you than I've clearly been doing. And of course, everyone needs a chance to talk out a bad day, or a question of ethics, or the ongoing cases of "What if".

Though in this case - yes, you might have done more. But in the end, she was not further harmed, the matter is now on its way to resolution, and a number of people are older, wiser, and better prepared the next time something like this occurs. That's no bad thing, and no small one, either. And through it, there are still many other students who've also needed your attention, and who you've served as well as you always do.

(That does make me wonder: I don't suppose there's any chance you could make a case you'd have more attention for subtle needs if you had less in the way of interminable parchment work to submit so often?)

What would help, do you think? I can spare some time this afternoon or evening, if you wish.

[alt_poppy]

I'm past the point of pertly making suggestions of that sort. You know me: I certainly tried making just that case, but it was months ago.

The truth is, this has been building since the summer. They've taken every opportunity to turn their screws tighter.

I suppose they must be hoping I'll find it all too much and simply resign. (No, I've no intention of making their work so easy. Never fear.)

But it's been a relentless progression of additional demands and ever more invasive scrutiny. I'm certain there will be another inspection very soon. I can only hope they wait until the term ends, but it could be that they'll arrive today. I've no way of knowing, and they will not feel any need to provide notice.

Unless they've sent word to Minerva and required her to keep quiet. (I do understand the position you're in, M.)
 
 
What would help? Gracious, I've no idea. Aside from what I've been doing. I've taken a page from Aurora's book and have been meeting their requests for documentation with triple the detail they've demanded. I am documenting absolutely everything that occurs in this w-
 
 
 
 
Must run. There's been another incident in the examination hall.

[alt_mcgonagall]

I realise that we discussed this last night, but I would like to remind you that however much you may blame yourself, there are entire networks of people who ought to feel so responsible—though they will not. Ultimately Miss Greengrass's Head of House is the proper one to deal with such disturbances within his zone, recall. You would have been encroaching on his territory to push your complaint too far: not always the best approach. You were in a bind.

[alt_poppy]

I'm pleased you see it that way, at least. Have they asked for your assessment? The St Mungo's inquisition, I mean.

I received a post owl this morning, informing me that my now-annual contractual review will occur Monday and/or Tuesday, 18-19 June 1995 at St Mungo's, to be preceded by an(other) on-site inspection at the Department's convenience. I'm also notified (and I presume you will be, as well) that during my absence on 18-19 June, a substitute will be provided to the school by St Mungo's as they are mindful that the YPL programme will be conducting CCF trials that week.