Order Only: Taking Stock
Jun. 17th, 2009 06:04 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
alt_poppyAh, the quiet of an empty school!
And now the Governor’s meeting has passed, there’s time to breathe and think of other things.
The meeting went as well as could be hoped, I suppose. I believe I was able to make a clear presentation of what occurred with the student thefts from my stores. There was, as we’d expected, some harrumphing about supplies bought at considerable expense only to be stolen, but on the whole they seemed satisfied with the facts and with the steps we took to apprehend the malefactors.
By the time we moved to discuss my year-end inventory and my request for leave to make a collecting trip, they were content to move and second without discussion. And, thus, I was dismissed. I’m afraid Minerva was detained a good deal longer than I, answering questions about discipline, safety, and the security of a particular young man. Not to mention questions about the conduct of various members of staff and the usual curricular concerns. I gather there was a stack of complaints about Binns’ instruction and a veritable chorus of outrage about the Carrows, but that’s hearsay coming from me. I shall allow Minerva to tell that tale if she is so inclined.
I did manage to squeeze in a quiet tea with Aurora Sinistra in the midst of my inventorying and cleaning tasks. (For the latter, I have sorely missed my young helpers! Carrow, curse him, continues to forbid Mr Boot to step foot in my wing.) But, Aurora. Well, I’d rather avoided seeing her since all the business with the Young Protectors League unfolded. It was, after all, the busiest fortnight for teachers and an honestly frenzied time here for me, as well, so I don’t believe she registered my reluctance for what it was. With the students gone, however, I felt it would have been rude to avoid her, and so, despite my reservations, I agreed to take tea with her last Friday. And I’m glad I did. For one thing, I was able to return her telescope and thank her for what has proved to be a most enjoyable opportunity to acquaint myself with the stars above us and with the fundamentals of her discipline. She’s shared some simply fascinating articles with me, and I was able to ask her what I should look forward to seeing with the naked eye as I ramble the countryside in the weeks ahead.
And then I asked her rather directly what in Hephzibah’s handbasket was signified by all that business of upper-form students being trained in the Unforgivables for that camping expedition of hers. While I’m not satisfied that it will come to anything like a neutral end, I was relieved to find that she is every bit as uneasy about it as she ought to be. It does seem as though the directive originated with the Ministry and some special Auror corps charged with keeping young Marvolo safe. More importantly, I think her instincts are basically sound, though I do believe she is vulnerable to being swayed by those who promise to do her good in exchange for her participation in the Ministry’s projects. I’m not so vain as to think that any of us is entirely immune to manipulation and coercion by the Powers that Be, but I rather fear that Aurora does not see how compromised she is already. Indeed, I think she sees no harm in doing what she can to impress that Lestrange harpy in expectation that she and her family will stand to gain some tangible favours from the government. No, she didn’t put it that way, at all, but I sensed that this is how she views the equation. And, of course, she’s not entirely wrong, though it would be foolish to think the Ministry always repays those to whom it is indebted. And she does know that the Ministry is nothing if not capricious. We did discuss that with respect to her leadership of this expedition: she’s well aware of how desperate her situation could be should anything go amiss.
I don’t envy her that duty!
Well, this has gone rather longer than I’d intended. The next you hear from me, I should be somewhere in the countryside with my broom, my tent, my notebooks and collecting cases. My plan is to establish myself as ‘Travelling’ before I slip away to the Sanctuary: it’s all a bit under-the-cloak and adventuresome for my tastes, but I shall endeavour to pull it off like the seasoned spy I am not.
I confess I’ve been so preoccupied with the things I needed to present to the Governors that I’ve not kept abreast of the rather momentous things you’ve all been up to. I am extremely pleased that you have Remus with you, Alice. Remus, I look forward to seeing you there in a few weeks’ time. Is there anything you left behind here that you’d like me to bring you? Alice, Frank, anything new on your lists?
And now the Governor’s meeting has passed, there’s time to breathe and think of other things.
The meeting went as well as could be hoped, I suppose. I believe I was able to make a clear presentation of what occurred with the student thefts from my stores. There was, as we’d expected, some harrumphing about supplies bought at considerable expense only to be stolen, but on the whole they seemed satisfied with the facts and with the steps we took to apprehend the malefactors.
By the time we moved to discuss my year-end inventory and my request for leave to make a collecting trip, they were content to move and second without discussion. And, thus, I was dismissed. I’m afraid Minerva was detained a good deal longer than I, answering questions about discipline, safety, and the security of a particular young man. Not to mention questions about the conduct of various members of staff and the usual curricular concerns. I gather there was a stack of complaints about Binns’ instruction and a veritable chorus of outrage about the Carrows, but that’s hearsay coming from me. I shall allow Minerva to tell that tale if she is so inclined.
I did manage to squeeze in a quiet tea with Aurora Sinistra in the midst of my inventorying and cleaning tasks. (For the latter, I have sorely missed my young helpers! Carrow, curse him, continues to forbid Mr Boot to step foot in my wing.) But, Aurora. Well, I’d rather avoided seeing her since all the business with the Young Protectors League unfolded. It was, after all, the busiest fortnight for teachers and an honestly frenzied time here for me, as well, so I don’t believe she registered my reluctance for what it was. With the students gone, however, I felt it would have been rude to avoid her, and so, despite my reservations, I agreed to take tea with her last Friday. And I’m glad I did. For one thing, I was able to return her telescope and thank her for what has proved to be a most enjoyable opportunity to acquaint myself with the stars above us and with the fundamentals of her discipline. She’s shared some simply fascinating articles with me, and I was able to ask her what I should look forward to seeing with the naked eye as I ramble the countryside in the weeks ahead.
And then I asked her rather directly what in Hephzibah’s handbasket was signified by all that business of upper-form students being trained in the Unforgivables for that camping expedition of hers. While I’m not satisfied that it will come to anything like a neutral end, I was relieved to find that she is every bit as uneasy about it as she ought to be. It does seem as though the directive originated with the Ministry and some special Auror corps charged with keeping young Marvolo safe. More importantly, I think her instincts are basically sound, though I do believe she is vulnerable to being swayed by those who promise to do her good in exchange for her participation in the Ministry’s projects. I’m not so vain as to think that any of us is entirely immune to manipulation and coercion by the Powers that Be, but I rather fear that Aurora does not see how compromised she is already. Indeed, I think she sees no harm in doing what she can to impress that Lestrange harpy in expectation that she and her family will stand to gain some tangible favours from the government. No, she didn’t put it that way, at all, but I sensed that this is how she views the equation. And, of course, she’s not entirely wrong, though it would be foolish to think the Ministry always repays those to whom it is indebted. And she does know that the Ministry is nothing if not capricious. We did discuss that with respect to her leadership of this expedition: she’s well aware of how desperate her situation could be should anything go amiss.
I don’t envy her that duty!
Well, this has gone rather longer than I’d intended. The next you hear from me, I should be somewhere in the countryside with my broom, my tent, my notebooks and collecting cases. My plan is to establish myself as ‘Travelling’ before I slip away to the Sanctuary: it’s all a bit under-the-cloak and adventuresome for my tastes, but I shall endeavour to pull it off like the seasoned spy I am not.
I confess I’ve been so preoccupied with the things I needed to present to the Governors that I’ve not kept abreast of the rather momentous things you’ve all been up to. I am extremely pleased that you have Remus with you, Alice. Remus, I look forward to seeing you there in a few weeks’ time. Is there anything you left behind here that you’d like me to bring you? Alice, Frank, anything new on your lists?
no subject
Date: 2009-06-18 02:07 am (UTC)It is good to hear that Professor Sinistra has some sense about her, and here's hoping your friendly ear will help her gain some more.
At the moment, I can't think of anything to add to our list. I'm sure Frank will come up with something, though!
It will be so good to see you again, Poppy.
no subject
Date: 2009-06-18 02:52 am (UTC)I see how you would feel that your hands are tied with regard to the trip. More so than the average mother with a child keen to do something about which she has valid reservations. The best I can tell you is that there will be a heavy official presence waiting in the wings (lurking in the bushes, I dare say), so if any of the children should injure himself, there should be no lack of expert care available. (All of it provided on behalf of the Lord Protector's ward, who has inherited all of his true father's reckless enthusiasm for danger.)
Is there anything you can think of that I could or ought to bring for Remus. I'm aware that he may not wish to ask for anything himself, however much he might need it.
no subject
Date: 2009-06-18 04:22 am (UTC)And as far as Remus is concerned, I suspect he could use a pair of bathing trunks, but that would be a very odd purchase for you to make, now, wouldn't it! We'll just have to make do.
no subject
Date: 2009-06-18 09:16 am (UTC)I'm quite well, thank you Poppy. I was fortunate enough to have sufficient time to pack what I needed. As to what I left behind, I suspect it will be burned as the possessions of a traitor or sold to the lowest bidder or perhaps boxed up and kept in the Ministry as evidence for my "trial", but if you or any of the others are able to take and use any of it, you have my blessing. Perhaps Hermione might be given a few things? I don't know if she'd be able to keep it safe and hidden, but there are probably a few clothes she might use as blankets, books she might wish to read, and so on.
no subject
Date: 2009-06-18 01:46 pm (UTC)Well, then, you'll just have to soak up the sun on the beach while we all paddle about.
And it's not like you can do that in full length trousers, now, is it?
no subject
Date: 2009-06-18 02:16 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-18 02:36 pm (UTC)Remus, you must know that arguing is futile.
no subject
Date: 2009-06-18 05:57 pm (UTC)Test of stamina, you understand.
Is that it, Moony, or are you too modest to tell her the real reason you don't use trunks when swimming ....
no subject
Date: 2009-06-18 02:17 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-18 03:56 pm (UTC)It's really quite remarkable, being able to speak freely again after so many years. I understand Bill was involved in setting this system up. Do pass on my compliments on his charms work.
no subject
Date: 2009-06-18 07:08 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-19 01:26 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-18 12:00 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-18 02:49 pm (UTC)It was a sorry tale from beginning to end, but it's hardly a new one. The only difference this year was that they had the audacity to nick ingredients from me and, by extension, from the Board. Nothing makes that sort less inclined to look the other way than when it's their pockets that were picked!