ORDER ONLY: Dean Thomas
Today I met with the Thomas boy for the first proper time. I suppose I needn't tell you, Arthur, but he's quite the self-contained little creature. I had expected something more cringing, but he sat very straight and answered all my questions directly, not at all like Boot or even Granger at first. I could not in the least bit divine what was going on behind those glassy little eyes, though I don't doubt that his mind was whirring.
Sinistra tells me that he did quite well on his trip, and of course you have seen how he has communicated with the other children, better than I expected. I must admit that I continue nervous. Surely no child could pull through the camps with such an unruffled surface who wasn't concealing deep fault lines behind.
But there is little I can do. I attempted to moderate my demeanor, but he isn't at all the same case as Granger, and I could hardly allow him to believe me too kindly; I had to restrain myself to a few comments about feeling unpressured, and to attempting a motherly pat on the shoulder or two.
I do believe, however, that it shall be best for him to receive tutelage and remain with the second-years, if at all possible. He asked me quite plaintively whether he would be forced to fly with the babies, meaning the first-years, and I had to tell him 'yes,' but it was clear that he took it as a blow. Perhaps that self-containedness is pride. Molly, I'm sorry, but I don't believe your Percy would be the best choice to tutor him. I've thought of some of the Ravenclaws. Of course, should he test out particularly poorly, I shall be forced to put him with the first-years in any case.
A troubling boy, even if he doesn't appear troubled.
Sinistra tells me that he did quite well on his trip, and of course you have seen how he has communicated with the other children, better than I expected. I must admit that I continue nervous. Surely no child could pull through the camps with such an unruffled surface who wasn't concealing deep fault lines behind.
But there is little I can do. I attempted to moderate my demeanor, but he isn't at all the same case as Granger, and I could hardly allow him to believe me too kindly; I had to restrain myself to a few comments about feeling unpressured, and to attempting a motherly pat on the shoulder or two.
I do believe, however, that it shall be best for him to receive tutelage and remain with the second-years, if at all possible. He asked me quite plaintively whether he would be forced to fly with the babies, meaning the first-years, and I had to tell him 'yes,' but it was clear that he took it as a blow. Perhaps that self-containedness is pride. Molly, I'm sorry, but I don't believe your Percy would be the best choice to tutor him. I've thought of some of the Ravenclaws. Of course, should he test out particularly poorly, I shall be forced to put him with the first-years in any case.
A troubling boy, even if he doesn't appear troubled.