The Dungeons

Hey. I thought you'd be asleep.

My dear Professor Scamander,

If your children are questioning your authority, then it is certainly necessary for them to continue to revise. The rules of Hogwarts were not instituted for our benefit, but for theirs. Consider, do you know more than these children? Are you wiser in the ways of the world? If so, then why should they have the ordering of your curriculum?

And I must say I am shocked that you would consider these rules, implemented to engender a safe and fruitful learning environment for these precious children, as less useful than ungoverned library study. You are intending to teach them, are you not? And not cast them off in the classroom and paddock with naught but their textbook to guide them? The careful and thoughtful tuition of a careful and thoughtful mind is by far the more salutary. And I must remind you that you lead by example.

As these children are your charge, so the staff of Hogwarts is mine. Do believe that I know what is best for all. Ravenclaw House is not exempted from the study sessions in the Great Hall. In fact, from this interlude I believe they require them quite more than any other.

Headmistress Umbridge

Professor Nunez!

Good morning, sir. Do you have a moment?

Dear Draco,

We will all be there tomorrow. I believe Mother is also talking to her ladies, which is very good indeed. I've tried to encourage drawing-room salvos, as they seem the sort of diplomacy we need at the moment.

On a related topic, I went to see Severus at the Athenaeum last night. I made sure his room was cleaned while I was there (he'd quite terrified the house-keeping staff into submission). He also ate a full dinner. I also brought up the beard but, well, you know. In any case, I did what little I could to help keep up appearances. I'm sure Marik has told you his part of the evening as well.

I shall close here as I must get back to my section. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow. Do contact me if there is anything I can do in advance. I remain

Affectionately yours,

Pansy

I'm afraid teacup notes are not the best way to contact me, Headmistress. The last half of your note had become quite illegible by the time I rescued it.

To address the first, however, is it not true that we divide the children into houses in part because of their differences in personality and learning preferences? It is a rare child that learns his lessons best by copying them for eight hours straight, and my Ravenclaws are certainly not amongst that minority. Not to mention that several of the older students have already copied the entire two hundred page rule book. They are sorely understimulated at the moment, and while time in the library is not ideal, it is better than another day with something they have already mastered.

As to the question of my teaching plans, I might remind you, Headmistress, that you did approve my curriculum. If you refer to it, I think you'll find that my lessons consist of far more than turning the students loose in the paddocks with a textbook. And speaking of the paddocks, when will the new animals be arriving? My personal collection is not extensive enough to last more than a few weeks into the term.

Sincerely,

Rolf Scamander
Head of Ravenclaw