Sunday

[alt_antonin]

Students: I must thank you all for your cooperation during today's difficult events.

I am aware rumour is no doubt running wild; we will make a statement about what has happened as soon as we are able to conclude our investigations. In the meantime, I must ask you all to remain in your Houses, for your own safety and to avoid interfering with those investigations, until further notice and unless told otherwise by your Head of House. Meals will be provided by the house-elves at the usual times in your common rooms.

Prefects: if a student in your House is in need of Madam Pomfrey's care, you may escort them to the infirmary, being certain to go there and back without delay. We are confident of Hogwarts' security and you are not in any danger, but no one is to be in the corridors alone, for any reason whatsoever.

Comments

Private Message to Professor Dolohov

[alt_horace]

My dear boy,

I believe I have grown far too old for these upsets. I had been planning to make an announcement at the Leaving Feast on Friday, but now as it seems there shall be no Leaving Feast, I wanted you to know--I had tendered my decision to retire to the Governors over the Easter holiday break.

This business makes me feel as if I ought to have taken that decision years ago. To not have recognised extensive use of Polyjuice in our own castle! And to think that he was training Marvolo's mudblood, in the bargain.... it seems we have all been blinkered.

Thank you for taking point for so much this year, and in your condition as well. My sincerest condolences to you and to Aurora, for the Razzer. I will miss him, too, but I know you were particularly close. And to all of us, for M-- for all our losses last night.

Oh, but in the midst of your competent management, I regret to inform you that there is one among the staff who took, dare I say, umbrage, at your announcement. I fully realise you had little opportunity to consult Septima and were only thinking of the well-being of the school and our students. However, despite the lateness of the hour, you ought to have informed her before posting your school-wide reminder. She is, after all, Acting Headmistress in M-- Until such time as the Governors can determine who will assume the rôle on a permanent basis.

I confess, I am sorry I will not be with you all next term, to aid that transition, but after all these years, I cannot bear the thought of returning without our old friends.

Re: Private Message to Professor Dolohov

[alt_antonin]

Sir,

I apologise that I have not yet had time to reply to this. As you can imagine, today has been quite full of one task after another. (And I must thank you about letting me know about Septima; I shall smooth that over as much as possible.)

I cannot help but understand your desire for a peaceful retirement, though of course we will miss you here. I must confess the idea of next year without Raz or Minerva is a daunting thought to me, and that's only after a few years. I will miss you, and your institutional memory, a great deal.

I am berating myself as well for not having recognised Snape -- I ought to have; I knew him quite well. And to have missed this all going on under our noses ... well. We have all failed the children, Draco in particular. We will find what we can find, and do what we can do, and do our best to root out the malign influences on the children. One foot in front of the other, yes?

Do let me know if there's anything I can do to help you with your retirement preparations, sir.

Yours,
Antosha

Order Only

[alt_albus]

I am back at Hogwarts.

Poppy, Pomona, Septima is quite peeved at Antonin's taking the reins of authority, but we can do nothing about it at this juncture, I think. If you have need, tell me, otherwise I intend to be helpfully present and see what might be learnt while attending to various repairs in the castle.

Mr Weasley, congratulations.

Minerva was one of my first students, and brave to the end.

Re: Order Only

[alt_lupin]

Thank you for the useful update on Vector, Albus.

Where the hell were you all day yesterday?

Re: Order Only

[alt_albus]

Horcrux research.

It was - difficult.

Re: Order Only

[alt_alice]

It is a relief to see you're back among us, Albus.

We're still processing everything, but losing Minerva has been quite a blow.

I'm so sorry.

We'd talked before about the possibility that the castle might still recognise your authority as the former head. We might have a window to test that theory while the next head is up in the air, to gain a foothold of sorts. Please let me know what you are able to find out.

Re: Order Only

[alt_albus]

Alice,

Indeed. We should discuss further, when circumstances allow.

As to the office, I fear we will get nowhere near until they are done with the investigation. Rather many enforcers on the grounds, and outside her the office stairs. If there is something else you wish, I will consider it, but things are very tenuous here.

Re: Order Only

[alt_alice]

Yes. Once things have settled. And I wouldn't want you to gain any unwanted attention right now, please, tread carefully.

You know more of Hogwarts than anyone alive, I'd warrant. The most vital thing is the book, but as long as it remains hidden for the time being, it will wait. We may have an opportunity to access it this summer. There's also the matter of the magic of the castle, and whether you could harness it for protective purposes... But I am uncertain how you could test this without exposing yourself. As it is the end of term, however, I doubt they'll move immediately to find an official replacement, we may have a few weeks to test these things carefully.