Dolores Umbridge

Gentlemen -

I do consider it my duty, part of the great work we share in sheparding the school, to inform you of the difficult situations as well as the pleasant. I do hope you’ll bear with me if you’ve already heard the details through other sources.

I have spoken with you both previously about my concerns regarding the effects of the demonstration that Antonin Dolohov and Rabastan Lestrange gave in early October. And, I must say, I am proven right. It became clear yesterday that a number of older students - including five prefects, three YPL counsellors, several students from the most notable families - formed a duelling circle to practise outside the classroom setting. Dolohov and Lestrange claim they gave strenuous warnings against such actions at the time, but I was not there and cannot confirm it.

Now, I will say that once the actual extent of the situation became clear, I suppose the staff reacted as promptly as they could. There was quite the meeting last night, though several parties were clearly having difficulties behaving with due professional decorum. I must say that it is regrettably obvious that Minerva is struggling with the demands of her position, and other parties were too readily distracted from the point, or clearly on the verge of violent temper. Can we not do better for our dear students?

I am sure that someone will be making a formal report to the Board any time now, but in brief, my concerns are that this was not recognised and stopped far sooner, that the punishment given be appropriate and fair to all involved, and that the Board review the situation with all due speed and devotion to fact.

Moving forward, I remain resolute that we must find a way to instill a greater sense of decorum, discipline, determination, and diligence in our students. If we kept them more occupied during the day, they would have no time for such escapades at night. If their Professors set better examples, students would not be led into temptations beyond their skills. And if the staff provided more thorough patrols and supervision, we might have avoided this entirely. (On that last, they claim that more than periodic patrols are beyond current staffing levels, given their other obligations. I am sure more time could be found for the service of the school and our dearest future.)

Now, I am certain you will have a great many questions, especially once you receive communication through more formal channels. I stand ready, of course, to be of whatever little assistance I may, or in offering clarification, comment, or counsel.

Dolores Umbridge

Gentlemen,

I do hope this letter finds you both well, and as productively engaged in joyful labour towards our mutual goals as I have been. I do rather envy you both this week - the horrid damp does get into everything. Still, nothing deters me from the Lord Protector's work.

I must say, you were absolutely right to want to dig deeper into the programme: there is much we could harvest with the proper guidance that is going to waste. I also agree that certain parties are not as responsive to direction as might be. (I had hoped for better, but will redouble my efforts there.) And that, as might be expected, those of lesser background are struggling in the ways that really should have been anticipated. So unfair to ask them to serve beyond their grasp.

I would like to speak in person before the New London trips begin, so we can all focus our attention where it will do the most good in the weeks to come. Tuesday afternoon? Other afternoons that week are possible should that not suit.

I’ll be sending an owl shortly with my observations thus far, so you have the best chance to review and add any further concerns, queries, or comments.

No real need to trouble Bagnold Whitacre with concerns outside his scope, but there are one or two notes about budget matters that might be useful to draw his eye to.