Order Only: Babies

[alt_mcgonagall]

While attending to the Sorting—among other things—I checked the Hogwarts book, as per usual. Five names: Neal Smullen of Oxfordshire, Tabitha Dixon of East Sussex, Bronwyn Griffiths of Cardiff, Agam Singh Japra of Coventry, and Jennifer Brown of the Orkney Islands.

As for things at Hogwarts: it seems quite odd to say that I am grateful that such a man as Dolohov has been assigned to teach our children, but at least he does not set my teeth on edge the way that Umbridge woman does. (You see, she has progressed to 'that Umbridge woman' in the space of so little time. Imagine what I shall be calling her by the end of term.)

Comments

[alt_poppy]

Well, I suppose even if we'd known before term started, I couldn't have been any use in retrieving them.

As for Dolohov, anyone would appear charming if measured against Dolores Umbridge. I rather think it wiser to consider him in his own right.

[alt_nymphadora]

I'm ready to help whenever Arthur can point us to the specific locations for these babies.

I overheard a funny conversation Friday morning down in our storage room at the Ministry: two of the chaps who repair things and restore charms when they go wonky were talking about Madam Umbridge. One of them had a story about being in a lift with her when it conked out. Said he's been working ever since on an idea for a trapdoor that would let you drop someone annoying out the bottom of the car. Both of them were well pleased she's gone off up to Hogwarts.

[alt_pomona]

Her speech last night, as if her programme were the only thing of consequence in the school. (And the looks on the faces of the children, as they realised there was to be yet one more expansion on their schedules?)

I had quite the chat with young mister Diggory this morning about that - of course, as a YPL counsellor as well as Head Boy, he's expected to put on the best face. He gave me a few more tales of her interference this summer than Aurora has so far, too. Not so much what she's doing, but rather how she does it.

And yet, a number of the CCF instructors were clearly very much of a mind with her. Not just going along because they could see the power shifting, from the bits I gathered, but honestly seeking her out an enjoying her company. (Minerva, did you see her talking to Cordelia over breakfast? Quite the same effect, I thought.)

As to Dolohov, well. I will take charming over the chance of being hexed for no reason in staff meetings, or far worse. I suppose. I had not quite realised what a pall the Carrows cast until coming back and realising we'd not have either of them ever again.

[alt_arthur]

I will get going on the parchmentwork, Minerva, and I'll let you all know when Bill and I have the documentation ready, and we can start divvying up the trips to fetch them.