(no subject)

[alt_antonin]

While I am always happy to hear from the parents of Hogwarts students who have concerns about their children's education, and am pleased that the student body is likewise comfortable coming to me, please allow me to address a few common issues all at once.

Parents: While the honour of witnessing Our Lord dispense His justice can certainly be overwhelming to those who are not prepared for it, please be assured that your children are being well cared for. The great Protectorate that shelters us all does, alas, have enemies who advocate for a return to the dark days of secrecy and hiding, and to defend our freedom and our wizarding way of life it is necessary for those enemies to be dealt with swiftly and without quarter. Those who do not seek to destroy that which we hold dear have nothing to fear. Those who do, have no place to hide. Your children have witnessed the price that must be paid to keep us free from tyranny; I urge you all to use that example to inspire yourselves to your own forms of service, and to carefully look around you for signs that the rot of disloyalty has been allowed to take hold.

Students: Those who still have questions about Friday's demonstration should bring those questions to your Heads of House, or to your professors tomorrow during classes. Those who find themselves still overcome by the honour Our Lord has paid us all may continue to report to Madam Pomfrey for assistance.

I have received a number of inquires from students in Gryffindor House who have requested to be re-Sorted, given the cloud of treason that hangs over Gryffindor's doors. While I am sympathetic, we do not allow re-Sorting of students; the decisions of the Sorting Hat are final. I urge you all to instead work tirelessly to show your dedication to Our Lord, to the Protectorate, and to the good of wizardingkind. The stain upon Gryffindor's honour and reputation may take generations to clear fully, but the process of that clearing begins with your commitment and loyalty.

Comments

Private message to Diggory and Finch-Fletchley

[alt_antonin]

There: you may both now begin pointing the less hysterical parents to this statement. I will continue to handle the more distraught ones myself.

I believe I have quite forgot my manners, meanwhile: thank you to you both for recognising the need and stepping up to fill it. I have been entirely too buried in owls and firecalls this weekend to be properly appreciative. Both of you ought to join me for supper tomorrow night; undoubtedly we will continue to be too busy dealing with the deluge to make an appearance in the Great Hall, but I will arrange to have supper catered.

Re: Private message to Diggory and Finch-Fletchley

[alt_justin]

Antonin,

Not at all. It was obvious that it would need to be done, what.

Of course I shall come again tomorrow. One can already imagine even your statement, diplomatic as it is, might prompt additional comment.

Weasley and I have reserved the salle immediately following Defence but directly we've finished, you may expect me.

-F-F

Order Only

[alt_ron]

Nice.

Now we're back to people sobbing in corners and fainting in the common room. Not sure what he meant to do, writing this, but if he thought it'd settle people down, he was wrong.

Mind you, I think a few people've woken up to what Dolohov's really about. And they're scared to death by it.

Re: Order Only

[alt_justin]

Ron,

I say, it was probably only a matter of time before something forced the Headmaster to show his colours. His letters to parents have bally well been works of art, what--justifications in all directions, little to no actual explanation or apology.

Incidentally, I wanted to tell you that this morning, Bradley and Peakes were preparing to use the pells in the front of the salle. I told them I was going to work on the course, what, and that they wouldn't trouble me in the slightest. But they cleared out, simply because I'd come in. I say, I didn't want to press the point and appear jolly patronising, but you might be able to convince them they've no need to fear where the Juniors are concerned.

-Justin

Re: Order Only

[alt_ron]

Alright, yeah. I'll talk to them.

It's just that some people have been taking a lot of rough words and some pushing about. I think Peakes and Bradley were just trying to keep their heads down, y'know?

Re: Order Only

[alt_justin]

Oh, perfectly understood, old man. Wise of them, perhaps, considering that graffito.

I simply mean you can likely tell them that among certain of us--the Galleoneers, for example--they need not worry.

-Justin

Re: Order Only

[alt_sally_anne]

So um if you're supposed to bring your questions to your Head of House what are the Gryffindors supposed to do?

Re: Order Only

[alt_ron]

No idea.

I expect they think we can just tell it Nick or the Pink Lady, and who cares if it does no one any good.

The big news tonight, though, is that Harry's decided to throw in with us. Since Dolohov's announced that the Hat's decisions are final.

Wonder what Dolohov's going to think of that.

Re: Order Only

[alt_justin]

Did he, really?

Harry, old man, I say: Jolly well done!

-Justin

Re: Order Only

[alt_harry]

Thank you.

Seamus Finnigan was not exactly welcoming but everyone else has been quite cordial.

Re: Order Only: Private message to Justin and Ron

[alt_harry]

None of the adults have weighed in yet. None of the teachers or staff at Hogwarts, not Mrs Longbottom or any of the rest. I'm trying to decide if they haven't noticed yet or if they're all waiting for someone else to handle it.

Re: Order Only: Private message to Justin and Ron

[alt_ron]

I expect we should all go to bed, y'know, and see if they just let it go til morning. It'll be tougher for them to do anything about it the longer it goes on.

Re: Order Only: Private message to Justin and Ron

[alt_harry]

That's a good idea, actually. Even if Dolohov makes me tries to make me move back, he won't roust me out of bed, right? He'll deal with it in the morning.