alt_linus | dear old Hogwarts

dear old Hogwarts

As we come to the end of another term, it is appropriate that we take a moment and consider all that Hogwarts has given us. I am sure most of you will join with me in saying, "Dear old Hogwarts!"

I should like to keep in touch over the summer with anyone who is interested in doing so, particularly if they are pursuing any of their studies independently during that time -- although I quite expect some of you welcome a chance to put books and parchments aside and enjoy the pleasures of summer holidays. If anyone wants tips on excellent Arithmancy puzzle books, however, I have plenty to hand, so do not hesitate to ask. Likewise, should anyone wish tutoring over the summer in order to make their next year's studies a bit easier, I would be quite amenable to arranging study sessions, other plans permitting of course. For those who prefer correspondence, that is also quite arrangeable. (My compliments to those second-years who have already had the foresight to ask their Prefects for recommendations on supplementary texts and the like. I have no doubt that you shall be excellent upholders of the good name of House Ravenclaw, with diligence like that.)

What are your plans for summer, should you wish to share them? I am looking forward to assisting on some small tasks for the Guildmaster Bright of the Astronomy Guild, which I am sure will give me a fascinating glimpse of the workings of that august and venerable Guild. According to Professor Sinistra, Astronomy and Arithmancy fit rather well together, and the combination is used in all sorts of locational magics, area effects, and the like. The more I've learned, the more I'm interested in perhaps pursuing an internship with Magical Transportation in future years. Besides all that, I have various other recommended studies (thank you, Professors Vector and Dolohov). All in all, I expect it to be an exhilarating and informative summer.

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I'm afraid I've cocked things up with Lav sufficiently that I need to ask a few select personages for advice. What would you recommend? Does an abject apology seem the correct route, and if so, have you any suggestions on getting one to her that she will not immediately obliterate with a wand-flick?

I hope you forgive the intrusion of this message, asking as it does for some advice on a rather personal matter, but I have always admired your ability to handle social situations adroitly, and I have hope that perhaps you can cast a bit of Lumos on the proper path here.

I have managed to offend Miss Brown grievously, and have since come to the realisation that an abject apology for my words and actions is called for. It wasn't so much that she thought I danced with you and several others at Professors Siz and Raz's wedding; it's what I said afterwards that really tore it. I understand now that I was considerably less than ~~wise~~ courteous in imputing her lack of social generosity to, well, witches' matters. In any case, I am truly at wand's end with it all, and should you be inclined to have pity on me and grant a few words of advice, I would be ever in your debt. (Of course, I have ruled out revealing that I did not in fact dance with any of the young ladies in question. I would never betray a friend that way, or the friend of a friend, so your secrets and Cedric's are safe with me.)

My summer plans are shaping up nicely, but I am afraid I cannot say the same about my attempts at rapprochement with Miss Brown. I hesitate to interrupt your end-of-term work with questions about ridiculous student matters of the heart, but if you have one of those Hufflepuffian words of wisdom, it might not go amiss just now. I am endeavouring to remain constructive.

Is it perhaps the case that some of us are best served by devoting ourselves to the studies of our various Arts, rather than to diverting our attention and energies into explorations of the heart?

What I mean to say is that I think I've bollocksed up things beyond salvage with Miss Brown, pardon the phrasing, sir. At this point, should I continue making efforts to apologise, or simply take my lumps and attempt to learn from them?

I'm sorry for disturbing you with this sort of idiocy when you are undoubtedly quite busy, but you did say that I've been idiocy-free for several months now, and that I had earned a bit of credit, yes? I regret having to spend it on this matter, but then again to fail to avail oneself of counsel by the wise is a grave failure indeed.

Oh, goodness.

I am in New London, and don't expect to be back until later than usual tonight, but if you want to write here, or come find me tomorrow, I'd be glad enough to lend an ear.

My most basic advice is that a sincere and accurate apology rarely makes things worse, but that an insincere one or one that gets the basic issue wrong can be worse than not apologising at all. And that - well, given what I know of you, I suspect that what you think to be the issue and what she thinks to be the issue might be some distance apart, perhaps. It might be good to give it some thought.

On the summer: I did see Georg this afternoon, and he suggests that the afternoon of the 20th at 2pm might do well for an initial meeting. If that's not possible for you, let me know, please? And we can work out other scheduling from there.

(I also note that he has taken to truly ridiculous forms of address for me: it was the long custom in his native Austria that women acquire the formal titles of their husband in addition to their own, and this has given him some amount of scope recently. His manners are otherwise excellent, but if you model yourself on that one, I will not answer for the result.)

Right. Next round of meeting - won't see my journal until I'm back.

Witches' matters? Ouch. That is rather serious. I thought you had friends who were girls? They should've taught you better by now.

Anyways. I'm sorry to hear that you've been going through a rough patch with Lavender, and doubly sorry that it started due to a favour you did for me.

Seeing as Draco and I have recently mutually broken things off, I'm not entirely sure I'm the best person to give relationship advice, and if one of the things she was hacked off about was dancing with me, her seeing that you're writing me probably won't help matters, but I'll do my best.

First off, lesson learned, blaming hurt feelings on a girl's monthly is a bad idea. It's like... oh, I don't know, blaming someone's crying on the onions they're chopping. They might actually be crying because they are sad, for a good reason, and if you say it's just the onions, it's like the reason they're sad isn't important or real, and it can make it seem like their feelings are ridiculous or not appropriate. And I know that might not be what you meant to do, but... let's just say it's never going to be a good move to blame the time of the month.

So to address that bit, what I'd do is to make more of an effort to recognise that what she felt was real, and important to her, and that you want to hear her talk about what she feels and why she feels that way, because even though you might not think it's because of an important reason, she does. And I know you tend to over-think everything, but sometimes just listening and saying that you understand can really help, because otherwise, you could come off as disagreeing.

I think your best bet is to tell her that you were wrong (even if you don't think you were), you were an idiot, and you realise now that you've had this row just how much she means to you, and how much you've missed her. And then tell her that you're going to try to listen better, and actually do it. Let her talk, and listen to what she's saying, and say that you understand her reasons for feeling that way, and that you're sorry.

Flowers always help too.

Good luck, Linus.

And thanks.

Well? Did anything work?

Or haven't you decided yet?

Because like I said, Lav's wonderful and all, but I'm surprised you and she haven't run out of conversation by now. Mind, she is fit. I'm just not sure she's really ideal for you.

You could always wait until summer and then serenade her under her window. That's well romantic.

I had been working on an epic poem of apology, but it was, I confess, rough sledding. I would show a bit of it to you, but... well.

Fair Lavender, thou rose, thou star, thou dove,
Vouchsafe a glance from soft and limpid eye
Upon th'unworthy wretch, whose words may move
Thy heart to pity! Hear my plaintive cry!

You see my difficulty, I am sure.

I spoke with Professor Sinistra this evening at my final detention, and she suggested perhaps a combination of simple words and complicated flowers might be better suited to the occasion. I shall closet myself with the book she has lent me on the Language of the Flowers, and will attempt to strip my words of all frills, furbelows, pretenses, defenses, and offenses.

Wish me luck, Padma. Nos morituri te salutamus.

Right.

Well, look. Her birthday is Saturday, when we all take the train.

If you're still serious about getting back together (and it looks like--you are, I guess).... I think you should just find her in the compartment and promise to take her shopping or something for her birthday.

Thank you for your kind words of guidance and good wishes. Particularly the bit about the flowers, because I think you are definitely on to something there. Well, and all the rest of it, too, but as you say, flowers always help.

I just need to find some small bindweed (for humility), some chervil (for sincerity), some columbine (for anxiousness and trembling), and something for devotion. (I am currently favouring Peruvian Heliotrope over Honking Daffodils, even if the latter are more traditional. One does not wish one's bouquet of abject supplication to provoke laughter if one can help it.

As to the words, those will take a bit longer. It's always so much more difficult to write something short, alas.

Oh, Padma, you are a trump!

I shall plan for Saturday, and will lay my apologies and bouquet at her feet, and invite her to the birthday revels of her choice to boot.

My apologies, Mr Moon; it has indeed been a dreadfully busy several weeks.

I am not, alas, the best person to ask for advice regarding romance, but in my experience, a sincerely-meant and unadorned apology is rarely a strategic misstep. What has Miss Brown taken offense regarding?

She was first offended by the news that I had danced with multiple young ladies at the wedding feast of Professors Raz and Siz, which as you might recall she did not attend, and I then compounded the offence with some ill-chosen words which I repented long and bitterly.

Miss Parkinson offered some wise words when I solicited her advice as to my plight, and I shall never make the mistake of attributing any mood or action of a witch to, er, witches' matters again.

I know, Professor, I was a fool. Fortunately, all is on an even keel again. An apology in simple verse form plus a carefully thought out bouquet seem to have worked wonders.

(Still, my earlier question stands, as to the suitability of romance for one who would be a scholar, if you have any thoughts to impart.)

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dear old Hogwarts

Private Message to Padma

Private Message to Miss Parkinson

Private Message to Professor Sinistra

Private Message to Professor Dolohov

Re: Private Message to Professor Sinistra

Re: Private Message to Miss Parkinson

Re: Private Message to Padma

Re: Private Message to Padma

Re: Private Message to Padma

Re: Private Message to Miss Parkinson

Re: Private Message to Padma

Re: Private Message to Professor Dolohov

Re: Private Message to Professor Dolohov