Owl: Remus! Great news about the laboratory benches!

[shh_slughorn]

Date: 28 July 2005
Characters: Horace Slughorn, Remus Lupin
Location: Their Homes
Status: Private
Summary: Horace passes on Rabastan's message and adds his own thoughts.
Completion: Incomplete

Comments

[shh_slughorn]

Remus,

About all I've done so far is mention the problem to Rabastan, he's done all the hard work of arranging this gift. If I may make a suggestion, it wouldn't hurt to put up some sort of plaque mentioning the gift and thanking the people of Nigeria and Rabastan. And perhaps some publicity in the Prophet?

If the students will have their own equipment, I'll see about putting together a package of the most useful items - a few each of the usual cauldrons, scales, etc. for use as spares if some of the students can't provide their own - and some of the more unusual items for teacher use.

By the way, I meant to say - if there's any Muggle science equipment left, don't throw away the glassware, especially beakers, flasks, pestles and mortars, etc., some of it may be usable for potions work. I didn't actually check what you have there, apologies for the oversight. I think I noticed a couple of brass chemical balances (in glass cases) on top of one of the cupboards in the larger laboratory, they may need adjustment but they ought to be suitable for our purposes, you'll just have to get the correct weights for them. Perhaps when the benches are installed I could come over to season them and sort out the stuff that's worth keeping. Let me know when it's convenient.

Regards

Horace Slughorn

[shh_remus]

Horace,

All of that I will discuss with Minerva when we next meet.

A package like the one you described would be the most helpful for the students I would wager. And would be most assuredly welcomed as well.

I will admit, I haven't looked at the potions classrooms since we last visited there together. If you would like to look over the equipment, please, feel free to do so whenever you'd like. The workers are, I believe, finishing installing the furniture in the classrooms and other finishing touches as well. There should be someone around, so do not feel as if you must wait for me to be present to go. Though, if you wish me there, we most certainly can arrange a time.

Warmly,
Remus J Lupin

[shh_slughorn]

Remus,

I'll try to pop in and have a look some time next week, and see to the final seasoning of the benches if they're finished, check the cupboards, etc. I'll see to buying some equipment for you once I've looked at the Muggle supplies etc. I would have done this sooner, but I've been a little under the weather the last few days - for some reason I've been unable to sleep properly. It's probably just the weather.

A thought on this - will someone in the town be selling equipment? If not, your students will have to go overseas to get some of the items they'll need. Perhaps the Weasleys could be persuaded to add cauldrons etc. to their stock? Or were you thinking in terms of the school selling it to the students, which might be a modest source of income if you buy in bulk? I can certainly advise on sources if you want to consider it.

One possibility, though not as convenient as a local vendor, is that one of the foreign manufacturers might be persuaded to set up shop at the school for a couple of days before the start of term - of course this would mean that all of the money spent would go overseas, which in our present economic climate isn't ideal.

Any word on your new potions teacher? It would be nice to have another professional in town!

Regards,

Horace