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I have just been informed -- He Floo-called directly to let me know. He seemed cranky; I did not press Him for an explanation.

Of course I am delighted and honoured to host Him for the feast, and I am certain you are as well.

We ought to speak tomorrow about the best way to show Him the best Hogwarts has to offer.

Oh, how lovely for all of you.

Have a nice meal.

Oh, indeed.

I'm delighted to hear that my Father will be coming for the Halloween feast.

Did He say why He had decided to come?

Such an honour!

When was He last here for the Halloween Feast?

Gracious, the elves will have to do very much better than they've been doing with the food. And they've not much time to see to that!

I don't know, actually. Certainly before my time; Savitha, do you remember?

I've just let the elves know; I'm certain they will pull out all the stops.

Ta. Very much.

I mean, why would he want to come here? D'you suppose the elves at Buckingham all decided to take Halloween off? Or his usual fancy dress party cancelled?

It's not as if we're all that entertaining, really.

He did not say much -- only that He had decided to forego the festivities in New London to join us instead. I would not dare to speculate, of course. Perhaps He has decided to commemorate your last year at Hogwarts, or my first year as Headmaster, or perhaps He has reasons of His own.

Do you need help with anything, Tosha? Or rather, I'm certain that you do, but not what.

Except perhaps some really excellent brandy when it's all over.

Interesting. New London has nothing to offer for Our Lord's celebrations?

Another point for my list of reasons to release Lucius.

Save that thought -- I am certain it will be helpful later.

Can I send the elves to you for decisions on the finer points of the cleaning and cooking? I will need to coordinate with the security team all day tomorrow, and it will preclude the sort of support they are likely to require. (My usual method in dealing with them is to agree with anything they suggest, but they do like to hear it from one of us.)

They are multiplying, are they not?

No, I've no idea why He decided to grace us with His presence, particularly with such short notice. Let us hope it is simply one of His whims.

The brandy? It is already waiting.

The elves, certainly.

Are there other people coming, do you know, whose particular tastes we should take into account? (I do remember the wedding planning and the lists of things it was better not to serve particular people unless one actually intended to be rude.)

I suppose the Head Boy and Girl ought to be prepared to offer words of welcome if it seems Our Lord is in a mood for that sort of presentation? I'm willing to help them prepare what they'd say.

Should we plan any other sort of entertainment? Would He wish to see what our best duellists can do in exhibition? Or- well, we don't want to disappoint.

I'm not quite certain -- He was not forthcoming. I should hear from Broome tonight or tomorrow morning with a final count. I'll let you know.

I've offered my help to Tosha, and he asked if I'd sort the elves out, for food and cleaning.

I did ask who else we might expect (one thing I learned with the wedding is that people have some very odd food tastes, and if you get them wrong, it's fearfully insulting. Makes a good excuse to ask for names, though.) He didn't know, but said he'd tell me when he gets the final list.

He did say He would like to say a few words to the student body, so an extensive address will not be a good idea; He will not wish to sit through it. Still, Miss Greengrass can be safely relied upon to speak both prettily and concisely; I will let her know you are willing to help.

Exhibitions -- it will depend upon His mood, but yes, good thought. Savitha, what do you think, Finch-Fletchley and Weasley?

Hydra, Seamus, and Padma ought to be invited to the head table for the meal, as well.

Headmaster,

Quite an honour for us all, what!

-Finch-Fletchley

Our Lord has indicated he wishes to say a few words to the students Friday evening, so I will not ask you and Mr Moon to prepare extensive remarks; it would not do to keep Him waiting to speak, and of course it would be unfair to you to have to speak after.

That having been said, I would like to invite you to say a few brief words of welcome at the beginning of the feast. Professor Sandoval-Pennifold has offered to help you prepare remarks, although of course I am confident you will not need the assistance.

Professor,

Did Tosha have any insight as to why Voldemort's visiting us?

-F-F

What he said was 'He was not forthcoming'. You can translate that as well as I can, I'm sure.

It's possible he might share more tomorrow, when I check about details. Or after.

What exciting - if unexpected - news.

Please do let me know if there's any way I can help with preparations.

From,
Hydra

Headmaster,

I will take Professor Sandoval-Pennifold's assistance, as I shouldn't like to offend her on the matter. I thank you, however, for your confidence, and please know that I consider the assignment a remarkable honour.

-DGG

He didn't really tell me anything either. I mean, he said that Voldemort had said he'd decided to forego the festivities in New London.

I think he honestly doesn't know.

Regarding Finch-Fletchley and Weasley, I think that's an excellent idea. They're both exceptional, especially considering their age and the standards that too often held sway at Hogwarts. Marvolo would also be a fine choice, should Our Lord wish to see how His son measures up.

I'm sure Miss Greengrass will do a fine job expressing welcome. For all our sakes, it may be best if Mr Moon understands his role there to be purely decorative.

Who can guess?

Could be nothing more than His wanting to see Toshenka head the feast. Or perhaps He's heard enough about the school's new Salle that He wants to see it Himself.

Ran it this evening, myself, and found it refreshing. Creative. Two or three surprises there. Worth my while. And certainly worth the students' efforts to master its challenges.

Utterly splendid news! There will be rejoicing, as befits such a signal honour. I must, however, throw myself upon your mercy: do you think perhaps one might prevail upon Daphne to carry out any ceremonial verbosity required?

It's this dratted project of yours, sir, lovely puzzle that it is. The good news is that I think I may have a fruitful analysis for you, finally. The bad news, of course, is that between it and revising and several other little projects, I shan't have the leisure of mind necessary for composing remarks that would properly grace such an august occasion.

I do hope Daphs wouldn't mind awfully -- and that you are not disappointed in me! Truly, I can budget my time adequately; it's just now that I am so close to getting somewhere on this project, I am loathe to let it lie fallow for a moment -- as evidenced by the hour at which I pen this missive!

Excellent. I'll ask them tomorrow -- perhaps F-F and Weasley, and Harry and Hydra.

Savitha and I did amuse ourselves setting it up. If you've any ideas for other surprises, do let me know; we'll be changing it every few months to keep them from getting too complacent.

Indeed, it is.

Will you stop by tomorrow afternoon? Bring Mr Weasley with you.

Thank you, my dear. As it happens, there is something you can help out with -- will you and Mr Marvolo stop in my office at some point tomorrow? As we are not quite certain whether Our Lord will want to see an example of student success, Lana has suggested that we prepare for a duelling demonstration, should He wish to see it, and I had thought you and Harry would make a good pairing.

Additionally, Lana has suggested that if He wishes to see a demonstration of the success of Hogwarts' students, it might be wise to prepare a duelling demonstration, to be offered if He is interested. I had thought to ask you and Hydra as one of the pairs; if you are amenable, will you and she stop in my office at some point tomorrow?

Fear not, Mr Moon; I've already guessed you would say as much, and asked Daphne to handle any public remarks that might be necessary. (As it happens, Our Lord has indicated He will say a few words, and as such, the bulk of the attention will rightly go to Him.)

I am quite gratified your work on the analysis is going well -- I had utter confidence that it would, of course; you are the only one I would entrust such a detail-oriented project to. I particularly appreciate your willingness to work with anonymised data. It is not that I do not trust you, of course -- simply that the identity of the organisation whose books I am analysing must remain confidental, and what you do not know, you cannot be forced to disclose.

Oh, quite, sir. Understood. And a sensible protocol it is.

Yes, I can see that. Harry and I will stop by your office as soon as time allows.

How exciting, sir!

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Private message to Savitha and Lana

Order Only

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Private message to Headmaster Dolohov

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Private message to Tosha

Private Message to Tosha and Barty

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no subject

Private message to Miss Greengrass

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Private message to the Headmaster

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Private Message to Professor Dolohov

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no subject

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Re: Private message to Headmaster Dolohov

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