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[alt_poppy]

I may, perhaps, have underestimated the magnitude of what's happening in the Ravenclaw dormitories.

Before the night ended, I had seven cases of night terrors; eleven of psychosomatic itching; one child who'd been wickedly pinched by a beetle (never mind that he confessed he'd been trying to prise its shell apart); and nine students suffering from bed bug bites, two of whom proved strongly allergic.

Of course, one cannot merely admit them and put them to bed here on the ward. That would invite the bed bugs (and other things, perhaps) to find a new home here. So I supervised twenty-eight disinfecting showers and then closely inspected all twenty-eight of them. Children have a tendency to miss spots, even when they've been carefully instructed, so there were several repeat trips under the spray. Today's tasks will include mixing more superiour-cleansing scrub and brewing another large batch of deverminating shampoo. I suppose, if I am wise, I will also brew a quantity of delousing shampoo. Just in case.

I spoke with Professor Brutka and Mr Dawlish this morning at breakfast, suggesting that their assistance might be needed to address whatever is happening in the Ravenclaw tower. I should like to avoid another night like this one if at all possible.

Comments

[alt_sirius]

Well, I don't know as that tracks.

I mean, what reason would she have for this type of prank? Granted, I'm reading it here and you've dealt with the girls in person, but she seems genuinely disturbed by it all - though that could either be exceptional acting or simply because she's just as appalled by the repercussions as everyone else.

Still. From what little I've seen of her, I don't think that's the way her mind runs. Just like this doesn't bear the twins' stamp - it's doing far too much collateral damage.

[alt_poppy]

That's so often the way of pranks in this school, though. They seem like a brilliant idea to the culprit until they begin to play out and then they find themselves trapped by the disastrous consequences of what they've wrought. Such things then drag on because if they are truly horrible, the culprit will do everything in her power (or his) to avoid detection... including suffer along with the rest in order to establish her innocence.

Perhaps your pranks were better executed than most, but I'd say that unintended consequences are the usual way of it.


The point is, making assumptions gets us very close to nowhere. Particularly when dealing with a group of young folk given to vindictive scheming.

[alt_sirius]

'Vindictive' is right. Sorry to say, Poppy, Minerva: I think you're likely in for a few years of escalation.

[alt_poppy]

Since our efforts to sort out this situation seem to amuse you, I thought you might enjoy hearing the theory that pushed to the lead at the staff table during supper. Did you read Miss Patil's most recent discussion of events? It's been mooted that perhaps the very helpful Mr Troy is not only the one to come to the rescue of Ravenclaw House, but also the one who created the crisis. It's so convenient to have an excuse to use one's specialised knowledge playing hero.

I'm not convinced, but it does have a certain elegance, this theory. What say you?

[alt_sirius]

I'd say the latest news rather scotches your theory, Poppy.

Ah, well.

[alt_poppy]

Actually, it was Professor Babbling's theory. She offered it to Professor Brutka, and he was noncommittal about whether he thought it likely Eudoxus Troy would do such a thing, but Professor Acton felt it fit certain elements of his personality and Professor Vector wouldn't rule it out, so then it seemed to take hold as the latest possibility.

As I said, I remain skeptical all the way around. The only opinion I'll commit to paper is that this is the most diverting thing to happen in a month of Sundays. I don't mean to say that it's entertaining or amusing, mind you, but we needed to be diverted from a castle-full of rather leaden thoughts, and this business has filled the bill.

[alt_poppy]

And if by 'latest news' you mean the fact that Miss Sandoval has been forced to come here for de-lousing, I believe you are right. At the very least, Mr Troy's bid to become Hero of Ravenclaw House (if that indeed was his goal) has been dashed on the rocks of the Head Girl's fury.

[alt_sirius]

Exactly. If he'd really been drumming up his own heroism, then he'd hardly have botched the endgame.

I don't quite know what to say about the diversion factor, except that our fun, even if it was sometimes destructive, didn't generally seem to have such a lethal - or well, not lethal, but you know what I mean, cruel - streak about it.

But then I suppose everything about the situation nowadays is more cruel than it was then. More ruthless, anyway.

I mean to say, sure, we were rather heartless sometimes, particularly where Snape was concerned, but we'd never have swiped a whole dormitory just to pin him.

[alt_poppy]

There you go again, confusing intent with the ability to carry off one's scheme.

[alt_sirius]

Well, that's my point. If this is really a minor prank gone pear-shaped, then it's the fault of the pranksters for over-achieving.

I like to think that we usually were pretty sure of the effects before we went forward. Though admittedly not always. And that was always when the worst resulted - when we hadn't gone enough rounds of practice.

Or worst yet, when we just acted without thinking at all.

[alt_poppy]

Ah, yes. The ability to place thought before action is a capacity impaired by adolescence--scroll up on scroll has been devoted to this topic.

And now, as though upon cue, I hear the shrilling of adolescent voices upon the stairs. This will be another long night, I fear.