More Books!

[alt_linus]

Madam Pince informs me that another order has arrived, including several tomes personally selected by members of Ravenclaw Corner. You are all invited to the library at your earliest convenience to peruse the latest acquisitions, especially if your interests run to history and biographies of the greats, and studies comparing style and trends in British versus Continental magic, with particular attention to German and French fashions as they may have been shaped by British innovation.

We all owe our deepest thanks to the members of wizarding society whose generous gifts make such things possible, and to the Board of Governors, who make smooth the way for such suitable expressions of commitment to the education of the up-and-coming young witches and wizards of the Protectorate. Huzzah! (I know from personal observation that the Governors take their duties very seriously indeed.)

Comments

Private Message to Professor Sinistra

[alt_linus]

As it turns out, I shan't need to ask for the loan of one of the blank projection stones and instructions in its use after all. Just as well, really, because while I believe I grasp the theory, the actual implementation seems a bit beyond my current abilities -- or to be honest, quite beyond them. Those stones really are quite impressive, you know. Fortunately, I shan't need to try, as Professor Dolohov pointed me at quite a simple solution to my problem which I had completely overlooked. In any case, thank you very much for being willing to consider it enough to discuss it at all, even though it has come to naught.

(The project I am working on is going quite swimmingly, though I won't bore you with the details, as it's definitely of no interest except to those directly involved.)

Re: Private Message to Professor Sinistra

[alt_linus]

Also, if you have an order for marzipan coming within the next few days, might I add a small bit to it? I have a debt of honour to pay -- and your sage advice on which varieties might particularly please Professor Dolohov would be much appreciated.

(I should probably get a piece or two for Miss Brown as well, come to think of it!)

Re: Private Message to Professor Sinistra

[alt_sinistra]

I will, in fact, be making my usual Tuesday stop by my provider of marazipan (and other excellent pastry) tomorrow. It being Tuesday.

They can't do the more elaborate marzipan forms I get to tease a certain professor with so little warning, but I could easily get one of the day's fancy pastries if you think that would your needs suit better. Or pastry and more quotidian marzipan.

Now, there is the question of what you'll do for me in return being your courier, isn't there? I've just the thing. If you can make an hour or two's progress on that weather analysis work you've been working on for me since the fall between now and Sunday, I would find that exceedingly helpful. (Even if we can get it to a point where I can do the rest of the work more easily, it would be a great help to the project it's for.)

As to when I'll be back - if you're still up at half-eleven tomorrow, you can pick it up then, otherwise any of my open hours on Wednesday.

Re: Private Message to Professor Sinistra

[alt_linus]

I should be quite grateful if you would simply select that most likely items that Professor Dolohov would enjoy, as your judgement is considerably more informed on this matter than mine. For Miss Brown, could you please find something that a young witch of quality might like? Her tastes tend to run toward the ornamented; I have found that choosing the item with the most curlicues is unlikely to go wrong.

As to the weather analysis project, I shall apply myself most diligently to it, and should be able to make significant progress, as this week's Arithmancy work is something I'm already tolerably familiar with, and you know I'm making passable progress in Astronomy. Therefore I ought to be able to steal a bit of time from that reserved for revising both of those subjects.

I sometimes question the wisdom of going for so many NEWTs, but oh, won't it be glorious if I can do it?

Re: Private Message to Professor Sinistra

[alt_sinistra]

Excellent. I will see what strikes my fancy as suitable to both parties, then. (They've been testing some designs for Valentine's that might do nicely for the curlicues, I'm rather thinking.)

The forward progress will be excellent, and you're quite right I've no complaints at all about your progress in Astronomy. One could wish that some of your peers had your devotion, but we'll be focusing on your research projects this week at any rate, and you're well ahead.

As to the projection stones, I nearly forgot - it's no wonder you've not the knack. Most people who've tried don't. When I was explaining them to Professor Dolohov, he was quite clear it's several different types of magic rolled together, and not everyone has the knack for the part where you convince the stone what it should show.

As to your NEWTs, ah, well, if you still feel the same way a year from this May, it will all be good enough, I'm sure.

Private Message to Professor Dolohov

[alt_linus]

The omnioculars should arrive by owl later in the week, and thank you again for pointing out that the simplest tools are often the best choice. (Though I must say, I rather wish you did have a Pensieve lying about somewhere, as I've read about them in the histories since I was very young. Fascinating!)

I also take your point on the varieties of information that may be considered for analysis and used for predictive purposes.

Also, Padma's response was indeed one of studied nonchalance! I shall be prepared to pay my debt of honour posthaste -- that is, owl post haste, as I need to coordinate with Professor Sinistra.

Re: Private Message to Professor Dolohov

[alt_antonin]

I trust this has taught you a lesson about wagering on human nature with those who have forty years' more experience in its observation!

Like many things in story and history, Penieves are often more trouble than they are worth. The simplest solutions are often the best; at very least they are least likely to cock up the plan fall apart right at the moment you most need them. Nothing in the field ever goes as you will expect, and any plan that relies heavily on others, or on things happening precisely the way you intend for them to happen, will inevitably fail at precisely the moment that will cause you the greatest misery.

If there is anything I hope Auror Desai and I taught your lot this summer during morning lectures, it is that complex plans fail in complex -- and often deadly -- fashions, and that there is a reason writers of stories are writers and not fieldwork agents!

Simplicity, Mr Moon. Precisely as complicated as minimally necessary, and no more.