Private Message to Madam Umbridge

[alt_poppy]

I've not had a chance to introduce myself, and, of course, I hope there will not be many occasions when you find it necessary to visit my ward, but I did wish to tell you how very striking I found your remarks last night.

You have a remarkable vision for the future, and I admire that you are one who not only speaks many fair words about the hope we place in our children, but who intends to work directly with those young people to realise their promise.


Joining you in the hope that our young charges will thrive,
Poppy Pomfrey, Matron

Comments

[alt_umbridge]

Thank you, for your welcome. And do, please, call me Dolores. I'm particularly glad to hear from you, because I believe I could use the advice of someone long familiar with the school. And of course, while I did not need your care often, I do remember your early days here from my own school days.

I know Aurora, of course, from this summer, but I can scarcely ask her - she's made it most clear she wishes a clean separation. And I do suppose, in hindsight, that the manner of the change in leadership was perhaps a trifle unfair to her and harder to deal with than it might be. Having had so much tied up in the success of the programme as she did.

It is clear to me, at any rate, that there will be much to explore in the coming year. And I am hoping very much to get the faculty working closely with me to support the aims and goals of the YPL, and to a far greater extent than Aurora managed. But at the same time, I am not sure how best to go about doing so.

I do have a meeting planned with Antonin tomorrow, in order to coordinate the increased demands of his course and their implications (and perhaps some assistance with a few of our planned projects), but could you, perhaps, advise on the best approaches for other faculty?

I understand you must stay close to your ward, but perhaps I could come and call at your convenience, early this week? Tuesday afternoon, perhaps?

In mutual service to the good of the students,
Dolores

[alt_poppy]

We've all progressed a good deal from those days of youth, I hope. I'm told I was rather 'starchy' when I was first starting out and attempting to project authority while still feeling rather tentative. A bit of age and experience are useful things.

You're most welcome to stop in of an afternoon, though I'm afraid that this coming Tuesday will not be possible as I have a commitment already.

Any other day this week would do nicely, though, assuming there are no flying accidents or upset stomachs or the like to call me away.

Best,
Poppy

[alt_umbridge]

Ah, well. Shall we say Wednesday at 3, then? I suppose you must have a great deal to catch up with. If something comes up, just let me know.

I understand that you spent much of your summer on training courses, if I heard right from a few of the Healers I know of my acquaintance? That must have been most interesting, to have a chance to learn from and with others for a change. I am already getting the sense of how isolating it may feel here, especially for those of us who are not working with the dear students each day. We must all stick together, I'm quite sure. I had quite the chat about that with Rolanda earlier this afternoon, as well.

I am sure you have a great deal to attend to, but I will look forward to our chat on Wednesday. In the meantime, if I can be of assistance, please do ask, as I'm waiting until next week before starting to attend to many of our plans, and could certainly help if there are items you need to unpack or inventory or anything of the kind.

[alt_poppy]

Wednesday would be fine.

In fact, I have everything in its place--it is neither sanitary nor safe to have things sitting about in a hospital ward--but thank you for your offer.

I love my summers for just that reason. I make a point, every year, of enrolling in courses that expand, refresh, and stretch my skills. This summer was no exception, though it is true that I do not generally attend the orientation sessions at St Mungo's early in the season. The short courses in the latter half--all focused on the healing challenges of cold and damp--were closer to the usual pattern.

I do always appreciate the return to this school, however. My true calling lies here in the rhythms and crises of each Hogwarts term.