Private message to Professor Dolohov

[alt_sally_anne]

Since you were so gracious in finding this internship for me, I wanted to let you know how it's going.

The first week, Healer Korotkova was very frustrated by my lack of knowledge and gave me a great deal to read. And most of my tasks were simple and menial. But, the reading was very interesting and I tried to do even the simplest tasks with excellence.

This week I think I succeeded in impressing her a bit: she said she'd give me a puzzle, and gave me a broken pair of spectacles (they are intended to help the wearer with reading, when you're looking at a book, but not obstruct the far vision when you're not looking at the book; they still helped with close work but would obstruct distant vision) to see if I could work out the problem. I spent all day on it yesterday and they work perfectly now, and she was pleased and told me that for the next week I could fix all the broken spectacles that came in.

So I think it's going very well. Thank you again.

I know you are having a very difficult summer. I think it has helped me to have so much interesting work to think about -- I am grieving Draco, of course, but although he was a friend, he was never as close to me as to Harry, Pansy, or Daphne. Mostly, it's just bewildering, but I've been able to think about the charms one places on eyeglasses rather than everything that happened.

I don't know what to think, about what happened to Mr Malfoy. Pansy has been quite upset about it -- in some ways, I think it hit her harder than losing Draco. Draco was a friend, but Mr Malfoy has been like a father to her, as far back as she can remember.

I hope you are finding things that bring you comfort of a sort, sir. Please let me know if there's anything I can do.

Comments

[alt_antonin]

Yes, my dear girl, it has been a very difficult several weeks. I suppose, in a way, that having proof of Draco's death is better than the endless suspension of not knowing where he is and what is happening to him, but it is cold comfort, in the end.

I am, however, pleased that you are doing so well. I was certain that you would, but it is always good to have one's suspicions confirmed. I have the utmost confidence in both your skills and in your determination.

I do not know if rumour (painted full of tongues) has made its way around yet, or if an announcement has been made more formally -- I am afraid I have not been paying attention to the papers and the like -- but if it has not, you and your classmates ought to know: Our Lord has honoured me with the Headmaster's role at Hogwarts. Many things are, of course, in flux, and my other responsibilities are multiplying alarmingly, but I am determined that I will at least keep the instruction of the NEWT students; I will not leave you all in the lurch.

I do hope, however, that you will not take my new role once school starts as a reason to curtail your visits, or our conversations about everything under the sun; you remain one of the delights of teaching.

Yours,
Antonin

[alt_sally_anne]

Well, I really can't think of a better person Our Lord might have appointed Headmaster. And I'm glad you'll still be teaching the NEWTs though I can't imagine where you'll find the time.

I will certainly stop by to visit you in your new office but you'll have to tell me how to get in. Isn't there a password or something to keep people from coming around uninvited?

[alt_antonin]

I'm afraid I hadn't thought that far ahead! (I ought to; I know from experience that September will arrive all too quickly.)

I will work out some way for the NEWT students to come see me, however. Perhaps not in the Headmaster's office per se, but I can certainly schedule office hours elsewhere.

(As to the time -- it is a good thing I am used to less sleep. And of course Mr Diggory is a great help.)

Yours,
A.