(no subject)

[alt_antonin]

I will be offering a workshop on effective use of chaining offensive spells in battle in the training salle on Monday evening for students who have earned admission to the salle. If you are interested, join me there after supper, dressed for exercise. Please prepare by thinking of five or six spells you feel would chain together well.

Admission will be limited to twenty students. If there is more interest than that, I will happily hold another session later in the week.

Comments

[alt_pansy]

Thank you, Headmaster. It sounds like a useful way to spend an evening. I'd be interested in taking part.

ORDER ONLY

[alt_pansy]

I wonder how similar it'll be to what we learned last term, with Professor Raz? I think we might have a good showing.

Re: ORDER ONLY

[alt_sally_anne]

Just make sure, when you think about spells to chain together, everything we know has an explanation that isn't, 'oh, I picked that one up over hols from when I was practicing in the secret muggleborn sanctuary with Sirius Black and the Longbottoms.'

(Not that I'm paranoid about that one, or anything! Reading those posts on the Order lock from when Neville actually turned you blue was a little sobering, though.)

[alt_antonin]

I shall look forward to seeing you there, Miss Parkinson.

[alt_sally_anne]

I would also be very interested.

Private Message to Headmaster Dolohov

[alt_justin]

Tosha,

Of course, I'm interested in attending. Will Professor Desai or Sandoval be partnering you, sir? Or have you asked Auror Crouch to make the trip? Either way, the demonstration ought to impress the N.E.W.T. pupils.

-Justin

Re: Private Message to Headmaster Dolohov

[alt_antonin]

I had intended to ask for volunteers -- you would be ideal, of course, and I would have asked, but I would not wish to cause awkwardness for you among your classmates by always using you as an example.

Re: Private Message to Headmaster Dolohov

[alt_justin]

Oh, I say. I appreciate your diplomacy on my behalf, sir. I daresay it's unnecessary, however. Those who might complain are unlikely to pose much bother.

It jolly well would resolve the difficulty of pairing with less experienced partners, what. Though it must be said that there is great value in teaching others as a method of refining one's own technique.

I should say, Ron, Harry, Councilwitch Lestrange or Councilwizard Finnigan would also provide a splendid showing, if they were so inclined. But if there seems to be a shortage of willing volunteers, I should be happy to oblige.

-Justin

Re: Private Message to Headmaster Dolohov

[alt_antonin]

There is that -- though you are correct in that teaching another can help clarify what you know but do not know that you know, there is a certain relief in not having to hold back. (There is a reason I am scrupulous about finding, or making, time with those at my own level, and why I have advised you to do the same; only sparring with those who are less experienced will train you into no end of bad habits.)

I shall see who on your list will be attending, and choose demonstration partners accordingly -- though, of course, if you think it would be beneficial for your fellows to be more aware of your skills, that could also be arranged.

Re: Private Message to Headmaster Dolohov

[alt_justin]

I shouldn't say beneficial, necessarily, but rather let us say...it would not inconvenience me, should certain people take note. Though one jolly well hopes my fellow students are realistically aware of how they measure up, what!

-Justin

Re: Private Message to Headmaster Dolohov

[alt_antonin]

Of course, one often finds that those who are least capable are most convinced they are prodigies...

Re: Private Message to Headmaster Dolohov

[alt_justin]

It's lucky that yours is a practical subject, in that case. Sir.

-Justin

Private message to Padma

[alt_antonin]

Professor Desai has let me know she has offered to show you around the facilities in New London next weekend, and I let her know that sounded like an excellent idea. I cannot think of a better mentor for life as a witch in Our Lord's service.

I would, however, still like the chance to spend some time with you outside the classroom, and while thinking upon what might suit, it occurred to me that you might be interested in an introduction to my favourite bookshop. It is a mostly-secondhand shop in Nocturne that specialises in services for the scholar, including an excellent selection of books ranging from the useful to the esoteric, a book-search service where they will both hunt down specific titles for you and set aside books from their new arrivals that fall within your areas of interest, and several reading carrels for those times when you need a quick consultation across a number of books not often found in public libraries but do not need to purchase the books for later use. From the days before Our Lord rose to power, the public face of the shop is a rather unassuming estate bookstore; the proprietress saves her best work for those who will truly appreciate it, and an introduction from someone who is already known to her would save you some tedious time of proving your bona fides.

If you are interested in a visit, do let me know. I would be happy to bring you into New London on a weekend when your schoolwork is not overwhelming, or we can plan a visit over hols.

In service,
Antonin

Re: Private message to Padma

[alt_padma]

Headmaster,

I'm so sorry, I'm terribly behind in answering people. Thank you for the offer; it sounds lovely and I'd be quite pleased to go.

Thank you, also, for coming to the lake tonight. It was--well, it's something we always do, but having Professor Desai lead it, and knowing that she and you both supported it, meant a lot. In more ways than one.

Padma

Re: Private message to Padma

[alt_antonin]

No need to apologise -- you are very busy, after all. The next time I'm heading to the bookstore in person I shall let you know; what good is Council membership if one cannot use it for small perks such as skiving off an afternoon of classes occasionally?

I was pleased to be there. I've always found Diwali a beautiful celebration; I was welcomed to the celebrations of a friend in Geneva several times throughout the years. I've always found it interesting how many cultures have similar celebrations. Some things are universal, I suppose.

Private message to Headmaster Dolohov

[alt_harry]

I would be very interested in that, sir.

Private message to Headmaster Dolohov

[alt_seamus]

I would be very interested, sir.

I'm going to try to ensure that Padma comes. If she doesn't reply, can you hold a space for her anyway?

Re: Private message to Headmaster Dolohov

[alt_antonin]

Yes, of course -- you and Padma, and Hydra, and Harry, are certainly special cases.