1.

[thegluethatbinds]

[Students, there is a new announcement awaiting you in the morning, written in unfamiliar handwriting. Griffindors and Hufflepuffs, take note!]

Good morning students. I am Professor Coulson, and I'll be joining the staff at Hogwarts as a teacher; specifically, I'll be teaching the Griffindor and Hufflepuff students Defence against the Dark Arts.

Now, it's come to my attention that Professor Donaghue issued all of you homework over the summer? Griffindors and Hufflepuffs, this homework is not compulsory for you. There will be a light test awaiting you at the start of the second week of school though, so the choice is yours. Personally, I really recommend not cramming everything into the first week. Know the theory and practise your spells consistently.

I'll see all of you when school starts. Happy holidays.

[Filtered to Murdoc. Unhackable.]

If you wouldn't mind, could I have a private word with you?

Comments

[ladyliberty]

Sweet! Off the hook!

[thegluethatbinds]

For now. I would really advise you to keep up with your studies while you're on break though. I'm not saying you should plow through your entire textbook during this summer, but a little reading here and there helps with understanding the material.

[ladyliberty]

Oh, yeah yeah sure. I'll do that.

[thegluethatbinds]

I certainly hope so.

[givesyouaboner]

Considering I don't know what house I'll be for certain, it's not really going to make much of a difference is it.

[thegluethatbinds]

It could; I'm more inclined to giving first-years an easier time. It's my job to teach you, not scare you off on your first day.

[givesyouaboner]

I doubt that'll be a problem.
In the case that your class proves to be too easy for me--not that it necessarily will--would you provide supplementary assignments?
One of my old teachers felt it necessary to spend an entire month teaching basic algebraic equations even though I told her it wasn't conducive to my cognitive learning if we didn't learn something new.

[thegluethatbinds]

That's no problem at all. People learn differently, and some people pick things up faster than others.

[givesyouaboner]

In that case, I sincerely hope that you end up being my professor. Hopefully I get into Gryffindor like I want.

[thegluethatbinds]

It'd be my pleasure to teach you then, Mr...?

[givesyouaboner]

Strider. Dirk Strider.
Not to be confused with Dave, but if that ends up happening in the future it'd be perfectly understandable, except he's going to be a fourth year.

[thegluethatbinds]

Is he your brother? Strider isn't a very popular surname.

filtered;

[wwistful]

Is something the matter?

Filtered

[thegluethatbinds]

I'd like to have this conversation face-to-face, if that's alright with you. It's not something that should be discussed through the journals.

The time and venue is up to you.

Filtered

[wwistful]

I'd have to arrange something for Eridan, unless you feel like taking a trip to Greece.

Filtered

[thegluethatbinds]

I don't mind going to Greece. A little sunshine sounds ideal to be honest, after all the rain I've been having here.

Filtered

[wwistful]

It's disgustingly hot here, but I suppose one never adjusts after living their entire lives in dreary weather. I have no prior arrangements, so if it's urgent you are free to come whenever you wish.

Filtered

[thegluethatbinds]

Right, thank you. I'll be at the Greece Floo-Network Port in an hour, if you don't mind.

Filtered

[wwistful]

Understood. I look forward to seeing you, Professor.

[doctorkishitani]

With all due respect, Professor Coulson, I don't think this is fair.

Professor Donoghue's assignment was very important, so wouldn't making it optional set Gryffindor and Hufflepuff behind?

[thegluethatbinds]

Only if they choose to take that path. I prefer to have students to make their own decisions. Rather than forcing them to study, I'd like to see them make their own effort about it. And if they don't, they can take the consequences when they get back to school.

private;

[quasistellar]

If there is anything I can do to help you get settled in over the summer, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Private

[thegluethatbinds]

Thank you Ms Peixes, that's very kind of you. I'm still exploring the rest of the UK; London was hectic, quite similar to New York, but not exactly.

[quasistellar]

Then why not come up to Oxford for a weekend? The university is really quite lovely, and I could give you a tour of my observatory.

[thegluethatbinds]

If it's not too much trouble, then I'll take you up on that offer.