Attention: Hogwarts

[alt_poppy]

It is of the highest importance that the following staff and students come to me this week for consultation:

Archer, G
Carpenter
Dolohov
Frobisher, V
Goyle
Hooch
Hooper
Inglebee, D
Lestrange, R
Perks
Pucey
Samuels
Slughorn
Twee
Umbridge
Warrington, C

My thanks in advance to each of you for seeing to this at your earliest opportunity.

Comments

Private message to Madam Pomfrey

[alt_sally_anne]

I could come in at lunchtime or this evening, or tomorrow in the late afternoon -- or do I need to come in right away? Was I exposed to something nasty? Because if it's something like that I could come in right away and just be a little late to Defence especially if it's just that I need to drink a potion (that wouldn't take long).

How were your holidays? I spent a lot of time at the Burrow, actually, but also went with the Strettons to the Twelfth Night celebration.

Re: Private message to Madam Pomfrey

[alt_poppy]

I apologise for worrying you, dear. No, I have no reason to suspect that you've been exposed to anything dire. I should very much like to have a conversation with you, however, at a time when we might speak uninterrupted. Let us say tomorrow late afternoon? I should like to discuss whether you've time this term to pursue an internship with me, and, if so, what might be a reasonable number of hours and schedule. (I'm quite happy to make that flexible, and I do remember that this is your OWLs term.)

Re: Private message to Madam Pomfrey

[alt_sally_anne]

Oh! That would be -- Yes. Tomorrow late afternoon would work.

Private message to Poppy Pomfrey

[alt_umbridge]

My goodness, I hope there's nothing urgent you had in mind. I must say that trifling - annoying, but trifling - matter is much improved over the holidays. Being back in my own home, I'm sure.

But of course, if you wish to see me, I will be glad to oblige. Can it wait until Wednesday? I've the civics classes today and tomorrow, and another matter that must be clarified, and I'm observing Antonin's classes on Thursday.

Re: Private message to Poppy Pomfrey

[alt_poppy]

Wednesday would be entirely suitable, but I do feel it my duty to follow up on the matter, particularly if it has been better whilst you've been away from the castle. A quick examination now would give us a baseline for comparison in the event that the symptoms re-emerge in the weeks ahead. (I'm sure we both hope they will not.)

Re: Private message to Poppy Pomfrey

[alt_umbridge]

You're quite right, of course.

Wednesday at 11? If something else comes up, do let me know, but if it's not Wednesday, it would need to be Friday or later.

Re: Private message to Poppy Pomfrey

[alt_poppy]

I have you on my schedule. Let us hope there will be no emergencies to pre-empt that appointment.

Private message to Poppy

[alt_sinistra]

I gather that since I'm not on that list that you have not had some new request from Wizarding Repopulation? (I didn't dare inquire directly in case it made them come up with some new thing, but I've had no further communication from them since before holidays. Except for the usual round of pamphlets, promptly delivered on the 30th. Ugh. Latest addition all about optimal fertility for your wedding day, which, really, no.)

At any rate, this is a placeholder to say I'd love to catch up, but I expect you'll be busy the next few days. Holidays in general, but Tosha introduced me to the most wonderful bookstore, and I found a good quarter of the titles we were trying to track down for our continuing research. I brought a couple back with me, but they're searching for the others on my list, and I'll check in with them next week and get whatever they've found sent here.

You, me, and Irma, sometime later next week for a really good research session? And chat before that, whenever we can find time, of course. And I'd love to schedule when Storm's coming out to measure for your and Pomona's presents, too.

Re: Private message to Poppy

[alt_poppy]

Actually, dear, you weren't on the list because I was wishing to respect your privacy. (And I had an idea you might follow up in this way if I left you off.)

I wish I could tell you that Wizarding Repopulation have forgotten you altogether, but I returned to find a packet of parchment from them requesting several further tests--most involving Rabastan, but one request for further documentation of your cycles, including a request that we chart your temperature, pulse and auric fluctuations at specified intervals over the coming months as your happy day approaches. We should discuss what you might prefer to do about this particular request. I see no reason why our attention to its details might not be less than perfect.

Let's do set a time for catching up. Sometime after your difficult Thursday, I should think. Friday afternoon, then? Or anytime over the weekend. (And I'm eager to see those books you've collected. I'll speak to Irma, shall I?)

I am so pleased with my gift--how wonderful it will be to have a bespoke seat for working! You and your brother are kindness personified. I shall make myself available for measuring and consultation at whatever time is convenient for Storm.

Re: Private message to Poppy

[alt_sinistra]

Oh, fixed stars. What do they want, every moment of my every day charted? (No, don't answer that. Of course that's what they'd like.)

How much information does that really give them? I mean, should I contemplate working up entirely reasonable but non-revealing data for them, or is that more trouble than it's worth? (The researcher in me hates the idea. The realist in me, however... And I'm sure I could work up something that would be accurate in aggregate but not personally revealing. If I had to.)

As to when, Friday, please. I'm free at 2 or so and entirely at your disposal. As to Storm, I was thinking I might ask him to come out Sunday for a bit - there's a YPL activity, so most of the students will be gone for the afternoon. Tosha's expressed an interest in meeting him, too.

The actual measuring shouldn't take him too long, anyway, and he's not been back since I started teaching, so the chance to show him around should be good fun.

Re: Private message to Poppy

[alt_poppy]

(Quite.)

It gives them entirely too much information, and we will do nothing of the sort. (I believe the researcher in you may be obliged to set aside her scruples in this instance. At any rate, that's my recommendation.)

Two o'clock Friday will do nicely. Bring along some of your wonderful finds from this new bookstore of yours. (Which one is it?) Surely you won't make me wait for next week with Irma to have a look?

Re: Private message to Poppy

[alt_sinistra]

I will work on setting aside my scruples in the most practical way possible for the larger good, and see if I can't have a draft for you by Friday. Do you have advice, there? What conclusions would we like them to draw, beyond "Go away, there is nothing interesting for you here?"

As to the bookstore - Poundtree and Associates, in Nocturne Alley. Despite the location, they've a very respectable selection on all kinds of topics. (More than respectable. If I were not being so careful of my budget - well.) The trick, mind, was getting a personal introduction, and their upper room is a trove of wonderful things, even beyond the research project.

(Tosha admitted after that he really just should have introduced me by letter months ago, but he couldn't resist seeing the look on my face when I started exploring. I have almost forgiven him.)

Private Message to Poppy Pomfrey

[alt_antonin]

Poppy --

I will of course be happy to stop in (and was already thinking I would this weekend, as I've something for you) but can you let me know how urgent this is? I've the sneaking suspicion you are making a point about our dear Madam Umbridge's decree of last night. (You must excuse me; I do not mean to be -- what was it -- exclusionary and unwelcoming. I am already resisting the urge to fill my journal with a dozen messages.)

Will this weekend be early enough? Or should I stop in after supper?

Regards,
Antonin

Re: Private Message to Poppy Pomfrey

[alt_poppy]

You are quite right... our meeting could, indeed, await your convenience.

I should, however, like to share with you the most recent communication I've had with your St Mungo's team. I believe you may find it interesting, and in any case, I should like to hear your preferences before I favour them with a response.

Re: Private Message to Poppy Pomfrey

[alt_antonin]

Oh dear; how ominous.

I'll stop in later tonight, then; if they are waiting for a reply from you, and you are waiting for a reply from me, I would not like to make you wait.

Regards,
Antonin