XXIV.

[alt_lana]

I'm sure each of you joins me in expressing what a deep honour it was today to welcome Our Lord to Hogwarts. It is a testament to the unparalleled quality of our library that He should require its resources. We have materials available nowhere else in the world, and our library is undeniably the finest and most ancient collection of its kind.

I for one will never enter the library again without thinking what a privilege it is to attend this school which Our Lord Himself attended, an institution unrivaled anywhere.

Comments

I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_sally_anne]

The Lord Protector is a WANKER and YOU are a pompous nitwit. And I hope you both choke yourselves to death on book dust.








Merlin, I love being able to say things like that.

[alt_padma]

Dunstan and Moon and I went up to the central corridor to see if we could see the Lord Protector's party on their way out. Not to disturb them, of course! But only because it's so exciting. I've seen Him up close a handful of times, I mean, but still, it's ever so impressive to think that He would come here just to do research in our library. Just like anyone, really! I wonder what books He needed. Imagine what it would be like to look in the very same book.

Professor Acton says sometimes the presence of a really powerful mage can linger long afterward, like the ripples in a pool after a stone is dropped into it. I wonder if you'd feel the aftereffects if you touched the page He touched, or anything like that?

Anyway, I hope it's quieter in the common room tonight. We made sure to remind everyone in first-year (and some of the second-years and even a few third) that it's within your power to tell them they've got to take their business to the dormitories if they're not respectful. Although everyone's really looking forward to maybe getting care packages once owls are allowed again. Do you think we could tell them that if they're all really, really careful not to disturb everyone revising in the common room, we could have a big Ravenclaws-only party after OWLs are over? I'm sure we'll have parcels again by then, don't you think?

And it would give everyone something to plan for - and us something to disallow if they don't behave.

What do you think?

[alt_percy]

I certainly agree, Sandoval.

One thing I suggested was that a place in the library might be set aside for His exclusive use: a particularly nice study table in an alcove off the Restricted Section, perhaps with a special plaque, etcetera. Madam Pince seemed quite taken with the idea.