Private message to Antosha

[alt_corax]

Sounds like Our Lord has arranged for some excellent entertainment for His servants at Hogwarts.

Have our novices been lining up to impress you? Regardless of whether Our Lord calls on you to formally pass judgment on their efforts, surely the clever ones realise that forming alliances early can only help them later.

Comments

[alt_corax]

You've always been noted for your ability to see talent in the egg -- and your patience for the task of nurturing it.

Are any of the novices losing enthusiasm for Our Lord's wisdom? Already? Or are you speaking of someone else?

[alt_antonin]

Forgive me; I should not have allowed my irritation with others in Our Lord's service to spill over into our discussion. I beg you, forget my indiscretion.

I have not noticed a lack of loyalty among our postulants, either since they have been chosen or before. Some of them are more enthused about the idea of a place at Our Lord's side than others, but less out of disloyalty than the fact several of them did not believe that option available to them, and so are finding it more difficult to re-envision their futures should they succeed. I will confess some of them are not the candidates I would have chosen, and some of the ones I've had my eye upon are not on the list, but we do all see potential differently, don't we?

I am quite curious about what tasks Our Lord has in mind for them, and what He will be looking for throughout. The wide range of skills and interests among our brotherhood has always been a source of strength. Have you heard any speculation?

[alt_corax]

I certainly have no wish to pry; only to offer a sympathetic ear. I've always admired you, Antosha, and valued not only your loyalty to Our Lord and your steady wand, but your wisdom and vast knowledge, surely secondly only to Our Lord's.

[alt_antonin]

My dear, you are entirely too kind. I am nothing special: I am happy to apply my skills to the benefit of Our Lord's vision, and fortunate enough that He, and the rest of our brotherhood, can make use of those skills when they are required.

It is, at least, pleasant to be home again, and I am exceptionally pleased that Our Lord's need of me dovetails so nicely with the things that I love so well.

[alt_corax]

Regarding the novices -- which would you say was the most surprising? I wasn't entirely surprised by Rosier's boy, even though he's a half-blood -- he's the son of the Irish woman from last year. I'd say he proved a measure of devotion backed by fortitude when he cast the killing curse. But the OTHER half-blood, what's his name? I don't know know what he ever did to distinguish himself, other than survive a mudblood camp.

Hydra Lestrange seems rather startlingly young.

Cadmus and I have a wager on Goyle and Crabbe's sons. He thinks they'll make it, I think he's wrong. Too many clever children in this mix. I don't know what the challenges are going to be but I heard the first one involved ARTISTRY -- hardly a challenge that can be solved by pure strength. Mind you, I imagine they'll reach their place at Our Lord's side eventually. Uncompromising strength and unquestioning loyalty is a combination that will always find its place. But not this time, I imagine. I'll be out a bottle of excellent firewhiskey if I'm wrong.

[alt_antonin]

I am not entirely familiar with all of them, of course -- not all of the seventh-years are in my NEWT classes, and those who are not were among those who surprised me. Likewise, Smith -- though capable enough, I suppose -- has never struck me as anything but a follower.

The other halfblood is Dean Thomas. He keeps his own counsel; I've never been able to figure out what's going on under that mop of hair. I do know he has difficulty working with his peers. When Savitha and I were supervising the CCF activities this summer, he was the one the children most often chose to pass to the other team or to send off alone. He did well enough, I suppose, and for all that Our Lord values cooperation among His initiates, He also values cunning -- and cunning is undoubtedly something one can learn in a mudblood camp. We shall see.

I was also surprised at the inclusion of Nott's boy. I have found him a most challenging student: his abilities with the Arts are prodigious, but his judgement is exceptionally poor. I can only hope age will bring maturity with it, and should he be chosen, that he is more willing to listen to the counsel of his elders in Our Lord's service than he is to listen to his teacher in a classroom setting.

I am more on your side of the wager than Cadmus's, I will confess. Again, both boys are capable enough with the Arts, but intellect is not the strong suit of either. Still, I suppose Our Lord has need of muscle as well as wit.