The Dungeons

*the letter is on personal stationery.*

Edwin,

I do apologise for the lateness of this reply but the Board deserves a proper, deliberated response. I am quite cognizant of the honour the Board does to me elevating me to the highest responsibility at Hogwarts, but I must respectively decline. It is not a position I have every desired, being of a retiring and modest nature you understand. I'm sure you must understand.

I must also inform you that whomever you elevate shall have some trifling staffing difficulties. I'm sure whomever you choose shall do exceedingly well. After all, how simple it must be to fill four teaching positions and three Head of House positions in two weeks! Severus was too nice in his selection criteria and the idea of it quite exhausts me, but I am an old man. There is no need for concern. Whomever you choose shall be able to fill Charms, Potions, DADA and Arithmancy quite handily, I'm sure, and it shall mark a new beginning for Hogwarts. I wish them all good fortune for the coming year.

Yours sincerely,

Horace Slughorn

CC: Hogwarts Board of Governors

My dear Philomena,

I was delighted to see that most generous, round total at the bottom of your accounting. You are a miracle worker with worthless trash and discarded, broken artefacts. Hogwarts is ever grateful.

By the by, if you need to reach me do direct your correspondence to me at the Athenaeum.

Yours,

Horace Slughorn