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Aug. 29th, 2010 10:10 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
alt_aliceHello hello!
I realised I haven't written anything in an age and a half, so here goes. Keisha is settling in wonderfully -- she's a bit underweight, but Poppy was able to check her out thoroughly and give her a clean bill of health, and she's already started plumping up a bit. We've thoroughly enjoyed Poppy's visit, and she got quite the personalized tour of the Memorial Garden from Colin.
We've been enjoying a wealth of fresh veg this summer -- even with sending as many young plants as we did to the Sherwood group, we still clocked in a rather impressive harvest that we'll take full advantage of this winter.
Divyesh Shah has been hard at work this summer practicing his wandwork -- I think he's trying his hardest to catch up with Colin and Alec, even though we've told him at least once already that it isn't a race, and they've had a full year more than he has besides. He starts up Charms, Potions, and Transfiguration right alongside Colin and Alec next week, even though he'll be doing more remedial work. This is the first time we've had two different classes of children in the magical courses (even though Divyesh is a class of one), and although we've gotten quite good at the general classes, it'll be interesting to juggle different skill levels when it comes to magic.
Since all the security scares this summer, we've had to severely curb our earlier plans to open the school to Muggle students, which is an enormous shame. We're still planning on taking on one or two of Davidson's people to see whether we can pass along some basics as to our schooling, and Judith has been working up a collection of lesson plans that can be passed along to any school-aged children that come to Sherwood. Who knows what will happen in the coming months in terms of our relationship with the people of Sherwood, but I hope we're able to continue making inroads there, and if they cannot come to us, perhaps we'll have to make some visits to them.
Other than that, I must admit to feeling more than the usual anxiety about the start of the term this year. My sweet baby girl is starting her first year at Hogwarts, and my little man is going into his third, and I can't help but worry. Even when that awful monster was going around petrifying everyone last year, I still believed that Hogwarts was a safe place for my children. Now, I'm not so very sure, and my first impulse is to have them here with me. Am I blowing this entirely out of proportion? I don't think my concerns are unfounded, and in times like these, a good deal more is at stake than simply exposing them to a little schoolyard teasing.
I hope things go well, but the fact that I don't know for certain that they will is nerve-wracking. So I'm sending good thoughts their way, hoping for the best, and preparing for all eventualities. Thank Merlin you are Headmistress, Minerva. It does help a little to know that you will be able to keep an eye on both Neville and Evelyn.
I realised I haven't written anything in an age and a half, so here goes. Keisha is settling in wonderfully -- she's a bit underweight, but Poppy was able to check her out thoroughly and give her a clean bill of health, and she's already started plumping up a bit. We've thoroughly enjoyed Poppy's visit, and she got quite the personalized tour of the Memorial Garden from Colin.
We've been enjoying a wealth of fresh veg this summer -- even with sending as many young plants as we did to the Sherwood group, we still clocked in a rather impressive harvest that we'll take full advantage of this winter.
Divyesh Shah has been hard at work this summer practicing his wandwork -- I think he's trying his hardest to catch up with Colin and Alec, even though we've told him at least once already that it isn't a race, and they've had a full year more than he has besides. He starts up Charms, Potions, and Transfiguration right alongside Colin and Alec next week, even though he'll be doing more remedial work. This is the first time we've had two different classes of children in the magical courses (even though Divyesh is a class of one), and although we've gotten quite good at the general classes, it'll be interesting to juggle different skill levels when it comes to magic.
Since all the security scares this summer, we've had to severely curb our earlier plans to open the school to Muggle students, which is an enormous shame. We're still planning on taking on one or two of Davidson's people to see whether we can pass along some basics as to our schooling, and Judith has been working up a collection of lesson plans that can be passed along to any school-aged children that come to Sherwood. Who knows what will happen in the coming months in terms of our relationship with the people of Sherwood, but I hope we're able to continue making inroads there, and if they cannot come to us, perhaps we'll have to make some visits to them.
Other than that, I must admit to feeling more than the usual anxiety about the start of the term this year. My sweet baby girl is starting her first year at Hogwarts, and my little man is going into his third, and I can't help but worry. Even when that awful monster was going around petrifying everyone last year, I still believed that Hogwarts was a safe place for my children. Now, I'm not so very sure, and my first impulse is to have them here with me. Am I blowing this entirely out of proportion? I don't think my concerns are unfounded, and in times like these, a good deal more is at stake than simply exposing them to a little schoolyard teasing.
I hope things go well, but the fact that I don't know for certain that they will is nerve-wracking. So I'm sending good thoughts their way, hoping for the best, and preparing for all eventualities. Thank Merlin you are Headmistress, Minerva. It does help a little to know that you will be able to keep an eye on both Neville and Evelyn.
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Date: 2010-08-30 04:13 pm (UTC)I've decided not to head back down to London. Harry's only there for a day or two more and then he'll be on the train to Hogwarts himself, and I reckon Minerva can look out for him well enough there. Turner wanted me to come back to Sherwood - but I don't think that's wise. For one thing, too long around the genuine article and they'll lose faith, won't they?
And I've got an owl from Terrie. Reminding me that I promised I'd come explain properly. So I think I'll be off to Hertfordshire.
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Date: 2010-08-30 07:13 pm (UTC)I do think you might be more of a distraction than a help at Sherwood, but stopping by here and there certainly can't hurt, as long as it isn't too disruptive. John is very excited about some experimental programmes he's setting up with defence that I think could use a bit of your skill -- there's an awful lot of rusty wands over there, and you are certainly not lacking on inventiveness.
Be careful at Hertfordshire, love. You probably already know I'd say something like that, but it does bear repeating from time to time.
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Date: 2010-08-30 07:57 pm (UTC)Well, Frank could tell you what it was like, being there. I think 'distraction' would put it mildly.
Anyway, they might be better off learning on their own. MLE won't be able to anticipate their duelling styles as easily.
I'm not saying I wouldn't pop in on them now and then, if it's needed. But I've no formal training, not like Frank or Kingsley or you. Like I said, I'm sure I'd shatter their illusions on a close-up inspection, so.
And I'll be fine. You knew I'd say that, as well.
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Date: 2010-08-30 09:41 pm (UTC)can't say I blame you overly much seeing how it's been a bit of a dry spell, between me and Kingsley you didn't stand much of a chance.
how did the rest of suffolk go?
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Date: 2010-08-30 09:50 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-30 09:53 pm (UTC)The rest of Harry's holiday, you mean? Fine, I suppose. No signs of anything untoward. MLE were all over the area, and the Azkaban guards, but - I dunno, it didn't seem to bother me as much as I thought it would do. I suppose that's down to their handlers keeping them well out of the way.
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Date: 2010-08-30 09:55 pm (UTC)what about all that talk about black dogs? you scare the locals?
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Date: 2010-08-30 10:10 pm (UTC)As for frightening anyone - well, the Landing still offered Padfoot scraps, so I don't think the locals really thought they were seeing a Grim.
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Date: 2010-08-30 10:16 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-31 02:08 am (UTC)Do you mean to tell me that this woman has threatened blackmail? You are absolutely not to go anywhere near her or that camp of hers if that is the case.
No. Absolutely not.
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Date: 2010-08-31 02:43 am (UTC)I don't honestly think she meant it, Poppy. Well, maybe before I told her what was going on. But not afterward.
Look, I haven't told her when I'm coming. I can do this two ways. I could sneak up on the place as Padfoot and watch her a few days, see if she's in contact with MLE for any reason. Or I could owl her and tell her when I'm coming, and then sneak up on the place as Padfoot before I'm supposed to arrive, and see if anyone from MLE are watching her.
Which do you prefer? Because either way she knows I'm alive.
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Date: 2010-08-31 03:20 am (UTC)First you dodge Frank's accusation that you are thinking with something other than your brains by maintaining that this woman has threatened all your identities. And then you tell me she didn't really mean it.
I'd say you're saying whatever suits your purpose and none of it honest.
So.
Third time's the charm. But tell me another untruth, and I'll hex you.
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Date: 2010-08-31 03:36 am (UTC)That doesn't change the fact that she made me promise to come see her and explain everything properly, and that if I don't, she might panic and tell someone what little she does know.
Does that clarify it for you, ma'am?
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Date: 2010-08-31 04:11 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-31 04:07 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-30 09:43 pm (UTC)At the very least you should write him, he could use a sounding board, and you are rather brilliant at Transfiguration which might help. And like you said yourself, if you don't have formal training, you're more likely to come up with something no-one has seen before.
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Date: 2010-08-30 08:44 pm (UTC)I hope to see Neville and Evelyn when we take the children to King's Cross on September 1, and perhaps Augusta and I can grab a moment afterwards for a cuppa. I'll send you and Frank a full report.
I was thinking: would you like me to come to the Sanctuary to assist with the fall harvest and canning for a few days, once the children are off at school? No need if you think I'll be in the way more than a help. I will be able to bring a couple more bee hives with me. Two of my hives have split and I have some queens to spare.
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Date: 2010-08-30 09:37 pm (UTC)And yes, Divyesh is rather brilliant at maths. It's a shame none of us specialised in Artithmancy, because I'm sure he'd take to it well. Laura's been brushing up on it a little, as she took it up through her OWLs, but it's been ages, so we'll see what she can come up with.