( Heavily Warded to Emmeline Vance )

With the number of days before the students arrive dwindling to the point they can be counted on one hand, I am finally feeling ready, or at least prepared, for what is to come. Aside from a few minor last minute changes to the classroom, and the inevitable tweak or two to the curriculum plans, I feel like everything is in place. That being said, I've been wrong before.

Still, a sincere thank you to all of my colleagues and friends for your suggestions, text recommendations and general support. It is appreciated more than you can possibly know.

[Warded to Severus]
I have moved on, now, to deciding what to wear to the feast. Green, I suppose? I know, I know, that you don't really care either way but please pretend that you do.

There are times that I miss living in the city. It had its own benefits. Lots of noise, lots of distraction, lots of people. It was easy to get overwhelmed, and easy to be overlooked, and just easy. Everything within reach, any achievement a possibility. I often thought about how simply lonely it was, to be in such a confined space with so many other people. The country is vastly different. There is so much - almost too much - space. It's easier to notice and to be noticed, but there's also more room for my mind to wander. I don't think I ever thought this much in the city, there wasn't enough room. Ideas couldn't unfold and flex themselves. They can, here.

If I stand still enough outside, at night, it's like I can be lonely again. Nothing notices, nothing makes assumptions. I can stand on the porch and watch the yard come to life. There are so many sounds. Rustling grass, insect wings, bats chittering with each other. Occasionally there are rabbits. Occasionally there are people, walking without seeing. When did we forget how to look? How is it some of us manage to remember?

This would be a great space for a party.

Cottages for rent at McKinnon Court

McKinnon Court is located in the East Lindsey district of Lincolnshire, England. The estate is 2.4 acres of land. All cottages are isolated to ensure privacy. There are also stable for anyone needing to house a horse. Fees can be discussed..

- Cottages:

1. Archways: is to the southern end of the block with views over the main garden. it has three double bedrooms and an interconnecting door to the adjoining Ash Tree Cottage for flexible letting possibilities. The entrance door from the courtyard gives access to the following accommodation:- On the ground floor is an entrance hall with stairs to the first floor, a wet room with shower, wc and washbasin and an open plan living area incorporating lounge, fitted kitchen and dining space. To the first floor there are three double bedrooms and a fully tiled bathroom with three piece suite.

2. Ash Tree Cottage: has an entrance on the Mill Lane frontage and has the following accommodation:- On the ground floor a hallway, L shaped living area comprising lounge and fitted kitchen and double bedroom with full bathroom ensuite including a shower over the bath. to the first floor are two double bedrooms and a further bathroom with three piece suite.

3. Little Barn: is a ground floor flat with access either from the front or from the courtyard. It has the following accommodation :- Hallway, Lounge-diner with kitchenette off, two double bedrooms and bathroom with three piece suite and a shower over the bath. Under Contract. Rented

4. Rafters: is a first floor apartment with the following accommodation:- Living area comprising lounge and kitchenette, double bedroom and bathroom with three piece suite and shower over the bath.

5. Hayloft: is a first floor apartment with the following accommodation:- Hallway, Lounge with kitchenette off, two double bedrooms and bathroom with three piece suite.

I will be hosting a small event to test several new desserts. While it is not ticketed, please let me know if you plan to attend. You can see an example of one of the finished products below.


An éclair filled with a soft and smooth mousse, which still contains raspberry seeds for texture. It is topped with sliced raspberries to add a touch of summer to this éclair. We add a touch of rose water in the glazing to bring a sweet freshness that perfectly complements the fruits.

Emmeline
I am finally free of Miss Ingrid. Mother and father have conceded that her services are no longer required now that I am back in England.

Narcissa
I do hope the package* arrived in one piece. The Channel crossing can be tempestuous at the best of times. I hear your event was a resounding success, darling, as I predicted. We must meet for tea now I am settled.

OOC Note: The package was filled with a range of delicate pastries.

So. Have decided it's probably time to find a proper flat, rather than keep renting a room at the Leaky. Recommendations?

Dorcas and I have decided to experiment with cocktails. It'll be at my house Thursday at 7:00. If you're a friend of hers ours, you're invited. If I don't know you and someone we know can vouch for you, you're invited. If you're a crazy killer, you're not invited.

Well, I smell a conspiracy. Toffees? Absurd.

[Heavily warded to former Order members + Hogwarts professors + close friends of Minerva]

It has come to my attention that Minerva McGonagall will be awarded an Order of Merlin, First Class within the coming weeks. Should you wish to attend this ceremony celebrating her achievements, there are a few concessions she has requested I make of you:

No cake

No balloons

No public announcements

No unnecessary fanfare

Assuming you're capable of this, the details are below. For those of you who try to attend and break this agreement, I will personally ensure that you regret it. This is about Minerva's desire for a modest event, not whatever grandstanding you feel the need to make.

[Date, time, & location of the ceremony.]

Today it's Whiskey Sour Day!

The whiskey sour is made with whiskey (often bourbon), lemon juice, sugar, and optionally, a dash of egg white. It is shaken and served either straight up or over ice.

The traditional garnish is half an orange slice and a maraschino cherry.

Its first mention goes back to 1870, however the ancient Egyptians had a very similar drink (without the egg white) with higher dose of lemon and sugar. It's first mention goes back to 1534 BC.

I've solved the mystery of the spontaneous kissing.

It's an elaborate marketing campaign for The Cure's upcoming tour.



The power of muggle media, ey?

As predicted, there has been an increase in activity in the Owlery this week. I would like to take this opportunity to remind parents that while staff may well reside on site during the summer holidays, they are not on duty till September 1st. We do not need to hear about your future prodigy or the delicate disposition of your child. Oddly enough, we are quite capable of observing such things when your child arrives in school. Might I suggest you use this time more wisely and give your owls some respite until the term begins.

STAFF&GOVERNORS
After a rather awkward encounter with a professor who will remain anonymous, I request we move our start of term meeting forward.*

PRIVATE
Transfiguration Weekly errors:
• Page 34 - Misquote of Gamp's Law of Elemental Transfiguration
• Page 46 - Incorrect generalisation made regarding Reparifarge

*OOC: Hope this is okay and it's not already been suggested.

Consider this a public service announcement in the hopes I will actually get a lunch today instead of helping triage ludicrous rumours.

If you have been on either side of this recent snogging epidemic, it does not mean that you will soon begin turning into an inferi. Nor will the cause turn out to be that there's a doxy growing in your ear. Furthermore the spontaneous combustion you may have heard about was actually a rubbish bin catching alight in the tearoom earlier in the week.

I do realize the cause of this all has not yet been revealed, but I can assure you there has not been a string of deaths we here at Mungo's are covering up. We're not that exciting.

Have I arrived too late to cash in on the spontaneous kisses? Is this a new celebration that started while I was away? If so, I wholeheartedly approve!

All this kissing is getting contagious -

Free snogs with the purchase of a drink from 10-10:15 tonight.*

*Thanks, Mar, you have the best ideas.

What the hell is happening today? I mean I'm a big proponent of sex between consenting adults, and even almost adults (because anyone telling me that two sixteen year olds shouldn't have sex doesn't remember being sixteen). However, I did not expect to be randomly kissed by some scrawny kid who looked about 5. Okay so he was probably 13-14 ad he got a dressing down from me and I'm pretty sure his own mother hexed him.

He wasn't the only one apparently randomly kissing people in Diagon Alley.

Is it the full moon yet? I don't think so. Are people just going nuts?

[Warded to everyone, save Filius and Argus]

I just rounded the corner into the fourth floor hallway by the tapestry of Merlin to see Filius trying to get Filch to kneel down. When he refused, Flitwick just scooped up Mrs. Norris and kissed her all over her perplexed furry face. I could hear him call after me as I fled, I only just got away.

You've all been warned.

[Warded to Lily]

I fear I've gotten myself into a slightly troubling situation and I would appreciate your advice. Help!

As the new term is almost upon us, I find myself compelled to remind some of you that although you may think you're entitled to visit Hogwarts at your own personal whim, this is not the case. No one cares if you graduated here. Shocking, I know, but you're no longer a student nor are you a member of the staff, and without written permission from the Headmaster, your presence is nothing more than disruptive and grossly disrespectful to those who dedicate their time to the school.

Letters from parents will be burned That is all.

(  Warded Private  )

[Private]
It is strange to be back here. They say home is never the same once you've left, and I found it true of the house I grew up in. The walls never seem as tall as they used to. The grounds aren't as vast. The echo's not as loud as they were when we ran through the halls. I am beginning to believe that Hogwarts adjusts to fit you as you grow, however. I got lost yesterday, and it took me off guard, even if it does make sense. Times change and so do stairways.

At least there are familiar faces all around. Even the newer professors are people I recognize. One in particular I will have to pay a visit to, maybe tomorrow. Maybe sooner, if he will still respond to me banging on his door in the middle of the night.

Anyhow, the new year is almost upon us and instead of sitting with the students in the hall, I'll be at the high table. I hope I remembered my fancy robes. Surreal is a better word than strange.
[/Private]

Inheriting a classroom is a daunting task. There are so many outdated charts lying around, but several of them are practically antiques. I'll have to come up with a way to display them that won't confuse everyone. Don't want first years relating Ascella to Scorpius because of my poor judgment.