Memos RE Divination

Dear Headmaster Dumbledore,

Since you refuse to rectify the situation with the other Divination instructor, I have one last demand. The Sight is a rare gift, and more than have it are crowding my classes. If you wish me to continue instruction at this institution, Albus, find some way to test whether those who request my class are equipped to understand the mysteries of the Beyond. I'm sure with a little history you can find the classic tests necessary.

Yours with sincerest wishes,

S.T.

Sybil,

What a wonderful note. I'm sorry to hear that even dividing the classes between yourself and Firenze has not alleviated the overcrowding of the ever-popular subject of Divination. I have done a bit of research and learned that the only reliable test of the Sight in ancient times involved hitting an individual with a rock of appropriate size and judging whether their response was as mystic as required. This will naturally be modified for our current generation. I have suggested to Minerva the use of blackboard erasers instead.

A.D.

Albus,

Your recent attempt to remove error in the selection for students of a certain subject has resulted in an interesting phenomenon. I realise Sybil requires specific things of her students -- but I do as well. I require attendance, and since the methods used to select Sybil's students has become rather popular (though what joy is to be found in lining up and allowing Peeves to thump one by one with erasers I will never know), my only remaining student is Miss Hermione Granger. I am of the belief that many students are electing to imitate signs of the Sight rather than attend to certain difficult examinations. It is therefore my suggestion that such testing be made a bit more stringent.

Thank you,

M.M.

Minerva,

I realise your point. Since the Sight is often momentary, I would like to institute a policy dependent upon individual teacher discretion. Henceforth, rather than a mass test, instructors may elect to test whether their students require the specialised training Sybil provides. I do hope this solves all our concerns.

A.D.

Dear Headmaster,

Your new "testing" seems to work rather well, and has provided enjoyable to implement. I have discovered a student possessing "the Sight," I believe. Mr. Colin Creevey was struck with the prescribed eraser and began to speak in Arabic and Parselmouth, neither of which he should know. Thought you might like to know.

However, despite his complaints to the contrary, Mr. Weasley was only nodding off in class. Mr. Longbottom, no matter his aptitudes elsewhere, is not allowed to miss any of my classes. I feel his ineptitude with Potions to be more dangerous than an untrained "third eye."

S.S.

P.S. And about Mr. Weasley -- please have his check in with Madame Pomphrey. I believe there are a few subjects he should go over with someone like her.

Headmaster Dumbledore,

This is worse than ever! There are more crowds than ever, and nearly none possess the Sight. I have4 enclosed a list of acceptable, certain tests. Execute these and the problem will finally be fixed. The art of Divination shall not be unnecessarily cluttered!

S.T.

Dear Headmaster,

As the only medical staff at your institution, I am writing this to bef you to stop this nonsense. The bruises are easy enough to banish, and the bones can easily be mended, but the quantity is almost too much for this poor witch to handle! Please, Headmaster, isn't there some less-violent way to follow all these new policies?

Polly

Dear Headmaster Sir,

Will ye still be wantin' the blast-ended skrewts?

Many thanks again,

R.H.

~END~