alt_umbridge | YPL essay competition

A very good afternoon to our boys and girls, their parents, and my other devoted readers.

At our meeting today, we gathered to listen to the lovely tributes our dear students had written to honour “Our Lord’s Greatest Achievement”. It was such a magical moment to hear so many different ideas and viewpoints. And I just know our students will be encouraged to excellence by the eloquence and exhortation of their fellows.

To quote one of our better entries, from Mr Linus Moon, “The indomitable spark of wizarding power was hidden and nurtured until it could finally bloom into the fire of victory. Our Lord's ascension to his rightful place was the culmination of hopes and plans that had been foreshadowed through ages of British wizarding history.”

Some of our most notable essays, worthy of a special mention include:
- the overthrow of the former Ministry (just so interesting to hear a student’s view on that)

- the re-greening of England (“Verdant hills stretch out as far as the eye can see, unblemished and pure.” - Miss Catchlove clearly shows her mother’s gift for poetic language.)

- the ongoing work to establish a stable and secure realm for Wizards in Ireland - such a deep understanding of the issues as presented by Mr Finnigan.

- the critical work of the Wizarding Repopulation Office, through the Population Rewards Scheme and the related reclamation of many stately homes for proper Wizarding use.

But by far the most potent were those that highlighted Our Lord’s great personal achievements. Some of these discussed his Council, and the lasting changes they have brought to the land, serving as examples to all our people, young and old.

But our most wonderful essay came from Miss Padma Patil, as always a true and noble example to her peers and to our younger students of the very best the Protectorate can offer. She wrote elegantly of Our Lord’s mastery of the Noble Arts, but also his unique gifts of perception - particularly his ability to draw the best and brightest to his service while also being most adept at rooting out disloyalty and failure when needed. Extending the discussion, she referenced his deep care for the witches and wizards of the Protectorate, highlighting the wards, the treatment of Muggles, and the steps he took to resolve the great menace of the epidemic of several years ago.

Congratulations, Miss Patil, most beautifully done, you set a high bar for all to aspire to. And we should also note a noble effort by Miss Eustacia Pummell, who will be someone to watch when she grows into her skills.

And congratulations to all our other students who submitted entries, no matter how simple or humble. Measuring yourself against others is the very best way to improve and become your best, brightest, and most useful selves in Our Lord’s work.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

alt_umbridge

Septima -

I did just want to have a word, so that there’s absolutely no hint of a misunderstanding between us. I should so hate that, you do such excellent work keeping everything running smoothly. Now, Mr Diggory nodded off just a little today, and you know that in his role as Head Boy, the others look up to him so.

Of course I had a brief word with him, and I gave him a little pin to encourage him to keep his attention where it should be, on honing his focus for Our Lord’s work. All very much with his agreement, of course - such an amiable young man when his attention is properly held.

Now, I don’t want to step outside the boundaries you made so very clear to me a few weeks ago. But the contracts for behaviour with the YPL counsellors do give me just a smidgen more leeway than they do with most students, as I’m sure you know. So if this little reminder is not sufficient, I do hope I may help him improve further if needed?

At any rate, it is only for his highest good and improvement, and I know you support that.

Dolores

From:

alt_umbridge

Gentlemen,

I am reminded, looking at my calendar, that we are approaching a most challenging time of year. I do hope all is well for both of you, and that the Ministry continues to take appropriate steps to discourage even the slightest hint of dissent in the camps.

One thing I have learned already from the work with the YPL is how important it is that malleable and vulnerable minds be guarded, burnished, and polished before they harden into uselessness. Truly, that is perhaps the thing I find most frustrating over the past few years, knowing that others may not be nearly as diligent in such matters as I always sought to be. One can hand over authority to others who are skilled and attentive, but doing so when it’s so very clear they have other priorities, well. I do worry.

Now, I am forwarding the best essays - the top four from each class, as we heard today - to the office and your attention. As well as a few that were rather disgraceful in terms of their writing and ability to get to anything like a coherent point.

Latimer, perhaps we should have a far more extensive discussion about the village schools again? (You know that that is part of my larger remit, even while I am focused most at the moment on bringing the YPL to where we all know it should be.)

Now, I would like to meet again, perhaps next week or the week after? There is really so much to continue to discuss, and I believe the time is drawing need to move into the next phase of analysis and discussion.

Yours, as always in service,
Dolores Umbridge

From:

alt_padma

Thank you again, Madam Umbridge. It's such an honour and especially when the others were very much deserving, too. I think the most important thing was encouraging so many people to really consider how lucky we are to have a leader as inspiring as Our Lord.

From:

alt_blaise

Congratulations. That was impressive.

A bit long, mind, but impressive.

From:

alt_padma

Not as long as Lines' was!

I suppose I could have trimmed down the middle section. Though I did want to make sure the linkages were clear, between Black's Paralysis and the Protector's efforts to keep us safe from muggles, and all that.

From:

alt_sally_anne

Anyone get a pin? Was it a 'good' pin or a 'bad' pin?

I didn't (either sort).

From:

alt_ron

No. What were they for? I wasn't listening.

I think I finally got that first meditation thinger. Maybe Professor Dolohov won't make me come in for extra practice again. Mind you, that was loads better than this afternoon's snore-fest.

Really? Patil? Like bloody treacle tart. Wanted to sick up from the sweet.

From:

alt_sally_anne

I think Padma got a pin for her 'communication skills.' But Sarah Fawcett got one saying 'I will devote myself more to my studies,' I guess her essay wasn't written very well?

I wasn't really listening either (actually, I was practising meditation, I figured I might as well get SOMETHING useful out of the afternoon) but I heard Sarah talking about it in the corridor.

From:

alt_ron

I actually think the second meditation makes total sense. I mean, it's just like flying, almost, the way you feel the centre of yourself and know how balance shifts and all. But the first one... Oi, I'm just not meant to stay still like that with just the concentration bit to hang onto. Toughest thing ever.

Speaking of, Honoria Sandoval got a badge, and not the good kind. I heard her say it was for being twitchy while Umbridge was talking. And, really, who can blame her? Sandoval, I mean. That had to've been the most stupidly boring thing ever today, listening to so many of them. And all the ones that seemed to think the LP's going to read what they wrote. Honestly, they should all hope he doesn't!

From:

alt_sally_anne

I was actually practicing the first meditation, I think Umbridge would've noticed if I'd stood up and so on. But yeah, I agree, the second one's easier. Thinking about nothing about your breath is hard.

If you can get the trick of it, though -- you'll be able to learn occlumency. At least that's what the books say.

From:

alt_sally_anne

And bloody hell, the last thing I want is to have the Lord Protector read my essay.

I turned in the sort of essay that would reassure Umbridge that I was a dull loyal swot she didn't need to worry about, and since she didn't read it AND didn't give me a pin I reckon it worked.

From:

alt_ron

D'you really think that if you can do that first meditation you'll be able to learn occlumency? Guess I should keep working at it. I mean beyond getting so I don't laugh in the middle or suddenly get itchy somewhere so I can't stay still. That's the worst.

Well, no. Suddenly thinking of something hideous is the worst.

Like Umbridge's ankles. Or- oh, ugh. Now I'm going to totally think about seeing Troy Derwent with his tongue down my sister's throat yesterday. ~~And his~~ Talk about revolting.

From:

alt_sally_anne

Well, it's a start? Two of the books that Professor Dolohov leant me, 'The Pane of Water' and 'The Lake and the Mirror,' talk about meditation, and the meditations they start with are pretty much exactly like this one. With breathing, and focusing your attention on that.

Did you want to borrow any of them?

From:

alt_ron

Well, I don't want to take them away from you if you're going to try to teach yourself about occlumency. Are you, really?

It would be dead useful to be able to do it, but I maybe don't need it as much as you? i mean, I can see how you might need it before I would, and I've got all the subjects I can manage, already, though if you wanted to get together to work on stuff like that, then, yeah. Count me in. Just I don't think I'd try teaching myself.