Glorious, glorious evening of learning!

[alt_linus]

The Astronomy lecture by Guild Master Bright was of a quality completely beyond my meager ability to describe, other than perhaps to say that it was stellar! Though I really ought use a word meaning "comet," oughtn't I? In any case, it was most splendid!

More when I have regained my composure.

Comments

Private Message to my sweetest Lavender

[alt_linus]

I trust that you are aware of the rather frenetic action owing to the latest challenge. Herewith, if you will permit me to wax eloquent on my own behalf, is how events unfolded:

Glorious Victories:

I got Montague with a most elegant curse, so neatly done that he did not even notice, let alone counter. It was a Mirror-Reading Curse, a very short-term one, or as I should probably say, a gnidaeR-rorriM Curse. Given Montague's lack of study habits, perhaps I ought not be surprised that he did not try to read anything in the twenty minutes the curse was active! I tried him again with a different curse later, but I missed, and besides, he spotted me. Fortunately his own return curse went astray as well.

I hit Ronald Weasley with a Disarraiment Charm, but I daresay no one noticed that in the slightest that his robes were completely askew. Still, it counts as a satisfying victory -- sufficiently satisfying that I refrained from repeating it the next time I saw him. Really, some things are just too easy, and not befitting a proper curse-sniper. (Well, the next two times. Actually, three, if I recall correctly.)

I got Padma with a most satisfying curse that resulted in her sporting kneazle ears for a good five minutes before she noticed. Such a noise she made when she finally twigged to it! And later I got her with a robe-lengthening jinx. I still don't know if she ever figured me as the culprit for that one. How I laughed, once safely away! She did wreak vengeance later, of course.

Goyle tried something, but you will be happy to know I gave as good as I got. (Yes, that was why we both had pig snouts when you saw us.)

I did in fact lob a curse at Sam Montgomery, but it was a very gentle one, as I understand she is in a delicate condition. All it did was turn her hair ribbon to an eel for a few moments. It was, however, quite satisfying in its effect, and she lacked composure to counterattack, which was convenient. Besides, she did get me back quite handily with the curse that made all food taste like it had been simmered in hot peppers, which I call adequate revenge. I re-eeled her ribbon for it, but still, I believe she came off the better in that one, as it did completely spoil my evening meal, as well as my customary glass of warm milk at bedtime after eventful days. You may rely on my assurances that warm millk should NOT be peppered.

There were a few exchanges of no particular import, McLaggen and the like, that I needn't bore you with.

I would have gotten Malfoy, but the fellow is preternaturally alert, and I never felt I had a truly clear shot. I refrained from attacking Dean Thomas while he was wandless, as I could not help thinking what Byron would say. A few other attempts went astray, but one cannot manage to catch the Snitch every time. Professor Dolohov assures me that attention to steady incremental improvement of skills is much more effective than ineffectual histrionics and grand attempts that fail, no matter how dramatic. Still, I wish I had gotten Zabini with the glossolalia charm. That would have been amusing, watching him trying to keep his dignity whilst babbling uncontrollably.


Instructive Defeats:

I was, of course, unable to completely prevent being hit by various curses myself. However, I most prudently arranged with Madam Pomfrey that I be checked every evening for lingering effects, and I believe I have escaped the worst. And my feet went back to normal size while I slept, as Madam Pomfrey assured me they would, so that's all right then. Parkinson is quick, I will give her that. A number of others hit me as well, but that's all in the game, so to speak, and as Professor Dolohov assures us it will serve only to make us better the next time 'round.

(My actual parchment on this is much more colourful, and arranged with tables of which Houses I favoured most with my attacks. If you'd care to see it, I would be happy to meet you at the secluded location of your choosing, milady.)

[alt_sally_anne]

That was an extremely interesting lecture.

I did sort of wonder what Diviners would say that the oracular meaning of the comet was, since the Astronomers were so emphatic about there not being one (or at least, that this wasn't the interesting thing about the comet).

[alt_linus]

I fear I must agree with Guild Master Bright and the rest, in the main, but perhaps Lav will give us a few diverting words on the subject.

[alt_evelyn]

The panel on locational magics and how the comet might impact them was very interesting.

ORDER ONLY

[alt_evelyn]

There was a lot they didn't say, though.

About the octobori.

They have to have noticed it, the people who do research on leys, I mean. I wonder if some of them even might've worked on the octobori, I mean, if they're experts and all. If they didn't, I bet they know the people who did.

[alt_linus]

It rather was, wasn't it? Many observations will need to be made. And of course the thing about brief celestial events is that they are brief.

The question as to whether there might be any perceptible effects on various magics at Hogwarts was most intriguing as well.

[alt_evelyn]

We could take some measurements regularly to see if they do

Yes, I wonder if we'll notice anything.

[alt_sinistra]

I'm delighted you all seem to have found the evening as fascinating as I'd hoped.

I should mention, of course, that Cantus Deverill deserves just as much credit for the comet's discovery as Guild Master Bright. One of the things I've greatly appreciated in my time in the Guild is how much of our work depends on collaboration with others. The stars are so vast a topic no one person can manage their study alone.

I was particularly intrigued listening to the applications to other fields - I was migrating between various of the smaller panels in the second half. Apparently wines made in a comet-year are supposed to be particularly excellent, of all things. (My mother said there's some old stories about the same thing being true for honey, but she isn't sure she believes them. Seems a fun thing to test sometime, though.) And of course the effects on potions, on magical plants, and such are quite complex. (Pomona, Horace, I do have notes for you, of course.)

For those of you interested in the locational magic implications, I've been fascinated with them since my own NEWT project. I'd be glad to lend some articles and of course we have some historical data in my office archives as well.

[alt_sally_anne]

Thank you for letting me come, Professor Sinistra. It was a very interesting evening.

[alt_pansy]

Yes, thank you. The potions panel was really well done.