(no subject)

[alt_pansy]

The Leaving Feast was a bit more sad than it usually is, only because so many more people were leaving for good, and I will miss everyone from Durmstrang. We shared a whole year together in the Common Room, and I learned all sorts of songs and games, even though I don't know what I'm actually saying half the time. I'll bet Ravenclaw feels similarly about the people from Beauxbatons leaving, too. Well, almost all of them! Congratulations again, Justin. It really is nice to know you'll be staying. Best of luck testing next week. I know you'll do marvellously.

I'm very much looking forward to this weekend, for several reasons. Mum, Prospero, and Ewan will be meeting me at the platform, and I finally get to see Ewan for the very first time. I can't wait to thoroughly spoil him and tell him stories. He'll be about six months old now, which is hard to believe. We'll be staying in London for a week before heading back to Gloss House. It's funny, but I do miss it there, even though it can get a little lonely at times. I can't wait to ride Onions.

But for now, it's packing and more packing. I don't ever realise how much stuff I have until it's time to stuff it all back into the trunk.

Comments

Private Message to Professor Sinistra and Harry Marvolo

[alt_pansy]

Professor Siz, I've been talking with Harry, and we both want to donate our YPL counselling salary back to the programme. We both have adequate pocket money, and don't need the extra salary. We were talking about it the other day, and figured that rather than just dumping it in Gringotts, we'd give it to you to do what you thought would be best with it. Would that be possible?

I know you like to help out students who need it, and this might help a little more.

Re: Private Message to Professor Sinistra and Harry Marvolo

[alt_sinistra]

Miss Parkinson, Mr Marvolo -

That's very generous of both of you. Are you certain you don't mind (and that your parents won't?)

One option would be to add a little more to everyone's stipend, though spread across all the counsellors it doesn't come out to a large amount extra. The other option would be to use it to improve supplies and items for those whose families are less well off. Do either of you have a preference there?

I'd probably prefer the latter myself, though it would take a little more management. Easier to get it the places it would do more good. Whatever's not needed might go into an extra treat or two for the events themselves?

Again, most generous for you both to think of others this way, and I appreciate it entirely.

I hope both of you are doing well. I can't believe almost everyone's going home tomorrow myself. It seems like yesterday was September, and then like September was a decade ago.

Re: Private Message to Professor Sinistra and Harry Marvolo

[alt_pansy]

I think it's fair to say that neither of ours will notice mind terribly much.

I trust your judgment, and that it will go where it's needed the most. The extra money for everyone wouldn't be that much extra, would it? And I'm sure that there are unanticipated things that might come up where it'd be very useful.

This year has been one long stretch, hasn't it? I think not going home for hols has definitely made it seem longer than usual.

And now you'll get a bit of a chance to relax, I hope, with most everyone gone.

Re: Private Message to Professor Sinistra and Harry Marvolo

[alt_sinistra]

Thank you for the trust, and I will find some good uses for it. I've had a few ideas, thinking.

As to my plans - alas, not that much relaxation for me for a while. All those YPL events need planning. I'm here for the CCF trials next week, then two days of meetings. And then I do get a few days, before diving into the camping trips and New London trips. That's all right, though. I'd rather keep busy. Especially right now.

I do less of the day to day oversight for the CCF, but I'll still be in and out.

There is

Actually, in confidence, I've been trying to think through a way to tell you privately - the general news won't be out for another ten days or so.

But this year's CCF. You should know that it'll be centered around Leicester. The battle, that is. The trainers want to use it as a core piece for discussion and analysis, tours of that and one or two of the other battle sites.

I have made them aware of your own personal background, of course, and you'll be covering a number of other topics and skills as well, but the more chance to prepare, the better, perhaps.

I'm back to my stars for a bit, but I'll keep an eye out here if you've questions.

Re: Private Message to Professor Sinistra and Harry Marvolo

[alt_pansy]

Oh.

Thank you for letting me know.

And for thinking of me when making arrangements.

Re: Private Message to Professor Sinistra and Harry Marvolo

[alt_sinistra]

You're quite welcome.

(And of course, the usual gloss on 'in confidence'. A trusted friend or two is one thing, just it shouldn't spread too far just yet, please.)

Re: Private Message to Professor Sinistra and Harry Marvolo

[alt_pansy]

If you could do me a favour, Professor, I don't want a big deal made about my donation to the other students. If you could keep it between just us, that would be best, I think.

Re: Private Message to Professor Sinistra and Harry Marvolo

[alt_sinistra]

Oh, no, of course not. (And certainly not without asking you both first.)

I do hope you've an enjoyable trip back to New London, and I'm looking forward to working with you both of you as counsellors.

Private Message to Pansy

[alt_harry]

That sort of sucks.

Sorry.

Re: Private Message to Pansy

[alt_pansy]

Yeah.

Good to know before, though. I'd rather get all my bellyaching done in advance and spare everyone.

Speaking of things sucking, I heard a bit about what happened on Monday from Draco. He didn't say much about it, so I don't know all the details, but what I heard sounded awful. I'm sorry you had a hard time of it.

Re: Private Message to Pansy

[alt_harry]

Yeah.

Well.

Yeah.

Don't take this the wrong way, but I'd really rather not talk about it any more. Right now.

Re: Private Message to Pansy

[alt_pansy]

I understand.

If you ever do, though.

You know what Sinbad says. I figure us nutters had better stick together, you know? Keep an eye out for each other.

Speaking of which, I told Draco. About writing him. So you don't have to worry about keeping it from him any more.

Re: Private Message to Pansy

[alt_harry]

Okay.

And you're right about Sinbad.

We can talk. We should talk. Just later.

Re: Private Message to Pansy

[alt_pansy]

I know the feeling.

And later is fine by me, Harry.

Re: Private Message to Professor Sinistra and Harry Marvolo

[alt_harry]

Yeah, it's fine. Whatever you want to do with it is okay.

Private message to Pansy

[alt_draco]

Is that Private Message to Sinistra about the money thing we discussed? Because yeah, I'm definitely keeping mine. It's not about greed, really... I may not need it now, but who knows what could pop up around the corner. Could be anything.

Re: Private message to Pansy

[alt_pansy]

I didn't mention you at all, and she didn't ask.

I think that's rather smart and practical of you to try and anticipate future challenges, given everything that's been going on. And a bit of peace of mind is important, too. It's not much of one, certainly, but it's a start.

I'm rather lucky in that my mother married before she could spend my inheritance, and that she and Prospero aren't nearly as... visible.

Re: Private message to Pansy

[alt_draco]

Alright then. I just hope she doesn't make some big announcement to everyone else about how you and Harry are so nobel in donating your earnings. I can just imagine the looks I'd get if my name were absent from that little list.

Yes, well, she and Prospero are a bit like the people I was talking about - like the Greengrasses and the Browns, families that get to enjoy all the benefits of the Protectorate and none of the rubbish. I would have been quite different if your Father was alive, you know. He was on the "council."

Speaking of people on the council, have you been hearing that rumour that our Miss Professor Carrow won't be here next year? I hope for once that a rumour is true, because how brilliant would that be? Unless of course they replace her with someone worse... but I can't imagine anyone being worse, can you?

Re: Private message to Pansy

[alt_pansy]

I can imagine.

Miss Professor Carrow is awful. Just seeing her makes my skin crawl. And she's an absolutely terrible professor.

And she smells.

I think they'd have to work really, really hard to find someone quite as awful as she is.

And I've got plenty of reasons to hate her. What she did to you and Sally-Anne for starters.

And I overheard something she said once that the more I think about it, it makes me wonder whether she might've been the one that caused the explosion that killed my father in Leicester. I'm not entirely sure I heard properly, so I don't go spreading it around, and it's not like she'd ever admit to it in public. But then again, she and Mr Professor Carrow made fun something awful when the story came out, and kept going on about how slow my father was, and how he was a poor duellist. If she did do it, I don't think she did it on purpose to try to kill him, mind, but I wouldn't be surprised if it really was her.

I had a dream about it last night because Professor Siz told me that CCF was going to be going to Leicester this summer and learning all about it.

So that'll be all sorts of fun.

Maybe we could test the theory, and see if it really could have been her that did it? It'd give me something to do.