(no subject)

[alt_antonin]

Students: I am pleased to announce that Our Lord has chosen to honour me with the role of Headmaster of Hogwarts.

As I hope you have all come to believe in the past two years we have been working together, education is a cause that is near and dear to my heart. I am very pleased to be afforded an opportunity to expand my focus from educating students in the Noble Arts to overseeing student education in all the rich and storied traditions of wizarding skill, history, and culture. I am eagerly anticipating the prospect of spending the next few years returning Hogwarts to its glory as a haven for research, scholarship, and wizarding might.

Those of you taking your NEWTs in Noble Arts: I have reserved the prerogative of teaching the NEWT-level classes to myself; I would not wish to give that up. There will, of course, be other staff changes announced over the summer. I look forward to September, and to serving you all and, of course, Our Lord and His vision for the Protectorate's growth.

Comments

Private message to Harry Marvolo

[alt_antonin]

May I call upon you tomorrow? Now that the announcement has been made, and given that the school will undoubtedly be awash in Council politics next year, it would be only logical for us to discuss matters ahead of time.

Re: Private message to Harry Marvolo

[alt_harry]

Of course.

I'm very much looking forward to working with you this upcoming term, sir.

Re: Private message to Harry Marvolo

[alt_antonin]

Harry, how many times must I tell you that when we are not in a school situation, you ought not call me 'sir'? If anything, my vows to your Father and things He has made clear about how He views your role, means that I ought be calling you that!

I am confident enough of your respect for me; you ought not weaken your position by demonstrating it to others in a fashion that others might mistake. Call me Antonin. Your Father has made it quite clear you are His heir, and as such He is the only person in this world to whom you owe such deference.

I shall call upon you tomorrow -- say, after tea? -- to share my plans. I am certain you will have many wise suggestions to offer.

Re: Private message to Harry Marvolo

[alt_harry]

Your council is, as always, much appreciated.

I am wise enough to know my limitations. I will work to overcome them.

I believe we have many of the same goals in mind for this upcoming term, and may of the same concerns as well. You of all people know how much I care about the wellbeing and education of the students at Hogwarts.

You are an asset to this school, Antonin.

Re: Private message to Harry Marvolo

[alt_antonin]

Thank you, my dear boy; I do try my hardest. Well, you've seen how passionate I am about education, and I can think of fewer things more critical to your Father's vision for the Protectorate as exemplar to the world than a well-educated populace, all of whom have been given every opportunity to develop their gifts to greatest measure.

I have indeed seen much evidence of your shepherding of Hogwarts itself, and of the students who make up her greatest asset, and it is one of the reasons I am approaching you in particular as I build my plans; I can think of few other people who care about Hogwarts as passionately as you do. I am hoping to arrive at a mutually-agreeable plan for (at very least) the year to come, and to persuade you both to utilise your role in service to the school and to lend that passion to the task of picking holes in my plans!

I will say that I am, how shall we put it, quite cognisant of some of the worst examples that have been visited upon the school in recent history, and determined to avoid the same approach. If you mind me, and I believe you do.

Re: Private message to Harry Marvolo

[alt_harry]

That's the point, isn't it? That all students be given that opportunity in the first place. Really and truly.

I'll see you tomorrow.

Re: Private message to Harry Marvolo

[alt_antonin]

Just so. It is incumbent upon us to provide the opportunity; those who do not avail themselves of that opportunity thus have only themselves to blame.

I shall look forward to our discussion.