Back at Hogwarts

[alt_padma]

I'm sure we're all glad to be settling in and now that we're all in our Common Rooms, the reality of classes starting again tomorrow is being met with anticipation.

It's probably going to be difficult to get to sleep tonight, many of you, but do try to get back onto a regular schedule as much as possible.

Also, Ravenclaw girls, remember that you're back to sharing bathrooms. That includes the mirrors and the sinks.

And Ravenclaw Corner, Madam Pince asked me to tell you all that she found a piece of toast after everyone left for the holidays, behind one of the windowseat cushions. I'm surprised at you, whoever you were: Eating in the library is a clear violation of the rules. If you have to eat, you also have to leave the library.

(On the plus side, I did get her to agree to stock our usual table with the reference volumes we've been using, so they'll be there tomorrow between lessons. Anyone who is looking for Battle of Wills, 1001 Defensive Spells, or any of the Arithmantical Calculation series of volumes, among others, please come and use them at our table, with our compliments, but don't remove them. Madam Pince has the full list.)

And don't forget: History Club, tomorrow night, as usual. We may be suspending some Club meetings based on the rehearsals for Hogwarts Through the Ages but we'll let you know if that becomes necessary.


Welcome back, everyone!

Comments

[alt_linus]

Padma,

My deepest apologies, but I had completely forgotten that we were starting History Club up again right away upon our return. To be truthful, the demands of my latest project had driven it completely from my mind; I have been immersed in making sense of certain bits of the history of Quidditch, and my head is full of arcane regulations regarding Quaffles. Shall I pull something together for the meeting? At this late hour, the wisest choice would probably be an overview of the historical periods which will be touched on by the Revue; I could probably talk about that in my sleep.

[alt_padma]

Oh, that's okay. I think an overview of the periods would actually be nift, for everyone, even people who aren't in it. It'll be helpful to those of us who are and informative to everyone else.

Since when are you interested in Quidditch?

[alt_linus]

It's not that I'm particularly interested in Quidditch so much as that I am particularly interested in numbers. In specific, I am interested in patterns and, well, one might almost say currents and tides in numbers, especially those sorts of numbers quantifying performance of individuals and groups of individuals, within complex systems.

Quidditch turns out to be an excellent source of those sorts of data. It was Cedric's idea, actually. I'm learning quite a lot about statistical analysis, which reminds me: I must ask Professor Vector about some arithmantic methods and charms for informational array. (Oh! Professor Siz showed me an indexing charm in one of my detentions that was absolutely wiz-nift, and I've been using that a lot, which is why I purchased my own reference works rather than going to Madam Pince. Using indexing charms on books in the school library is frowned upon, to say the least; I am given to understand that in addition to being bad form, it might possibly play hob with the cataloging charms already in use.)

Anywiz, it's a fascinating project, but it is time-consuming. There is a very great deal of Quidditch history indeed, when it comes to the minutiae of performance of teams over the years. Much more to analyse than in the late unlamented Sleeveless Robes Club anyhow, so that's all ri

Right-oh. I'll have that overview ready to go for tomorrow evening then.