Private message to Antonin Dolohov

[alt_umbridge]

Antonin -

Welcome back to Our Lord's most glorious realm, I'm sure. So unexpected to hear of your return and I do hope your transition to a new role is smooth. Having made that type of shift - all in His service, of course - myself, I know how discomforting it can feel. Going from your diplomatic tasks and your additional duties to the tedium of unformed children must feel something of a blow.

Now, I read your little post to the students with quite some interest. I do hope that this additional workload won't interfere too much with all of their other important duties. Their classes of course, but I know Our Lord is particularly interested this year in my plans to develop the YPL into a truly vibrant, active, and effective organisation to solidify the desires of our youth behind Our Lord's most glorious goals and projects. And of course, to give them the appropriate skills needed to do so.

In that vein, I must admit I was a little startled to see the Dark Noble Arts required for all students through OWLs. I must admit that my own philosophy has been to only offer more complex and challenging opportunities to those most able to benefit. Regrettably few of our current students may be fit for such work, though I do hope for better once those going through the revised village school programmes come to Hogwarts. I'm sure I must have misunderstood something in your intentions, though, and that you'll gladly explain.

Now, I do also hope that you'll feel free to call on me for assistance. I'm sure that we could wonderfully support each other through the first trials and tribulations of the adjustment. I've already been out several times to look at rooms and find a space for various YPL related storage, and it was quite wonderful to be back in the old place in some ways.

I did see that Aurora had written as well. Now, I'm certain she means well, really, but she's always insisted on taking on so much, and her adjustment to life among dear Rabastan's circle must be quite challenging for the little thing. (Not that she's not bright enough, I suppose, and no one can dispute her diligence, but that is one of the reasons they removed the weight of the YPL from her.) Knowing her as well as I do, I'm sure she offered some kind of assistance, but I do hope you weren't thinking of overburdening her at a time when she really should be focusing on building her future life. (And honestly, I'm none too sure she'll continue teaching much past her marriage.)

So, do let me know if I can be of any assistance at all. We'll not be starting YPL matters until a week or so into term, so I'll have plenty of time for all manner of things should you need a friendly hand.

Yours in His Service,
Dolores Umbridge

Comments

[alt_antonin]

Dolores --

Must apologise for not being able to give your missive the full response it deserves; it has been a trying week. No doubt we will discuss upon arrival at Hogwarts.

From what I have heard, the work being done with the YPL is exemplary; would not dream of interfering with any program successfully enabling students into their future roles as the sinews of Our Lord's empire. Revisions to my curriculum in service to that ideal: де́ло ма́стера бои́тся, as my brother always said. Any dedicated student of the Arts will know the whole is greater than the sum of the parts; even those who cannot easily summon the greater magics should not be barred from the self-knowledge available in the small.

Am quite prepared to spend extra time with those uncertain of their skill, and of course the nature of the subject means students will be evaluated based on their own affinities and achievements. I have always found the noble task of education to be an honor and a privilege -- a change, to be certain, but given my history of seasoning already-gifted practitioners of the Arts, not so far as one might think. We all serve in our own small ways, and towards Our Lord's vision.

Must say, have thus far been extremely pleased with the generous offers to share institutional knowledge -- I would, of course, not dream of becoming a disruption to anyone, including Aurora, though I can hardly imagine anyone Narcissa has guided so closely not being adept at making her boundaries known.

In service,
Antonin

[alt_umbridge]

Antonin,

I do begin to see what Our Lord had in mind. I must admit you put the argument far more clearly than I've heard in some time, as to the benefit of study for all, regardless of apparent talent or inclination. I'm most pleased, of course, that you agree on the value of the YPL: my plans for this year are more rigorous than in years past, and I do hope it will serve well. Perhaps there is even some way to collaborate?

I do remember, of course, your reputation for mentoring and guiding. But of course, doing so with adults, already well-versed in the basics is rather a different thing than working with the young. I saw this summer that the stumbling errors of our younger students can be quite pitiful. Amazing, really, that some of them manage to pass their OWLs (though, of course, not all do - you may have heard that as well?)

As to Aurora, well. She does speak well, and quite persuasively. But you should know more than one person commented to me this spring how worn she was looking, and wondered if she'd bear up in such high circles as she's been moving, and I saw some similar signs this summer. I know members of her family well (though, I admit, neither her parents nor their Quidditch side of children), and while they're reliable and stout folk in their way, certain kinds of grace and deportment are not their strength.

At any rate, you are quite right that Mrs Malfoy must see something of value there, to spend the time she has, or perhaps just fondness for Rabastan. I would not dare to disagree.

And you are quite right that much would be simpler in person. Perhaps we could find time when we are both settled to discuss further? Perhaps Friday, or perhaps sometime on Sunday, if either would suit, so that I can work my YPL plans around your early plans for your classes.

In mutual service,
Dolores

[alt_antonin]

Dolores --

Your words are entirely too kind. Pleased to hear my reasoning makes sense to you; I look forward to the opportunity to learn more of your plans for the year, and the opportunity to investigate the spaces in which I may be of some small use.

I am afraid my weekend is spoken for -- attempting to finalise the last details of scheduling; beginning to believe I will need hitherto-unachieved mastery over the magics of space and time to achieve my goals for the year -- but will quite anticipate the chance to sit down with you early next week. My first-week lectures will be entirely broad theory review, at least, so I'm certain I shan't interfere too much with your YPL plans before we get the opportunity to discuss.

In service,
Antonin

[alt_umbridge]

Antonin,

Well, then. The only graceful thing to do, of course, is to look forward to time early in the week. Do let me know at your earliest convenience when you think you might be available. I can't imagine it will take too long for the initial conversation, an hour or so?

I am sure I will see you before then, even if we do not get a chance to talk in depth. I do expect to be there Friday, now, moving my few things in. And of course, there's the Welcome Feast and the Sorting to attend. Ever so exciting for the children, I suppose.

Until Hogwarts,
Dolores

[alt_antonin]

Dolores --

Ah, but as any of my nearest and dearest will aver, the trick once you've gotten me started is to discover the key to gracefully winding up the conversation before the earth cracks and cools.

Still: I do not mean to leave you with the impression you've been dismissed -- my apologies for perhaps-clumsy phrasing (what do the Healers put in those potions they insist on pressing upon one?) I truly am eager for the chance to put heads together, and learn of the plans you've no doubt been working so hard upon -- it is only that I've so little time left in which to attend to the details if I wish to begin term with the bulk of my preparation behind me rather than before me, and of course I must also balance that with my desire to spend time with those of my brothers and sisters I have not seen in so long.

Not certain as to your schedule, but presuming I'm not issued a fifth revision (an uncertain presumption to be sure), I'm to have Monday at 2PM free, with bonus benefit to you that I've a class at 3PM that will at least provide an outer boundary to the amount of digression I am likely to be able to impose.

In service,
Antonin

[alt_umbridge]

Antonin -

Monday at 2 will be excellent. My office, if you'd like to step out of your classroom for a bit, perhaps, would suit well.

As to the preparations, quite. Now I have had the luxury of considering some potential plans for much of the summer - I'm not giving too much away there, I hope, despite the much more recent announcement of the change of leadership. I do quite see how the rapid change in circumstances might leave you needing all the time you can find.

Now, if you do need a hand, someone to oversee the house elves in their unpacking, or whatever else, don't be afraid to ask. All in mutual service, of course.

Dolores

[alt_antonin]

Dolores --

Shall see you then, and of course at the Feast as well. Am certain hearing of your plans will be most intriguing.

I've one slight request to make of you: while a change of scenery might indeed be welcome even by Monday, I've made special arrangements with Minerva to condense my area of perambulation to as small a footprint as possible. (Small matter of curse damage from which I am still recovering; my mind's desire to be ambulatory again has far outpaced my body's. Still: it was informing Our Lord of my need for convalescence that inspired Him to allow me home, so on the whole, not tragic.) Since I've a lecture immediately after, might we substitute my office instead? I shall sweeten the deal with a carafe of al-qahwa.

In service,
Antonin