[Filtered to Teachers]

These murders are hitting too close to home. I've been picking up the Muggle Newspaper to stay updated and... I don't like how this is going. Can we really ignore this for so long?

( Private to self )

It's a bit strange to be back home after so much time on the road. I want to go out and walk for a bit, but short of visiting anyone, I've already been everywhere in my estate. It looks like it'll be a boring calm summer this year... Maybe I could do some redecorating? Does anyone have any ideas?

[ Strikes hackable to friends. ]
Living in this house by myself is starting to become a bit depressing. Maybe I should consider moving somewhere temporarily, and leaving this place in charge of the groundskeeper? I know Grandfather wanted me to inherit this place, but without any guests it's far too empty for me.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas, and for those of you who don't celebrate it, that you're at least enjoying the holiday break! As for me, I've... been busy. Taking care of Yukimi, for the most part, but it's been memorable, to say the least.

The new year is fast approaching... I trust you're all working on your New Year's Resolutions? Last year, I resolved to walk a couple miles every week, but I'd never imagined that one month later, I'd end up returning to Hogwarts as a professor. It didn't pan out, needless to say.

But, anyway, have you all enjoyed this year? Looking back on it, I... I suppose it went pretty well. Ups and downs on all front, but we certainly were't at a loss for unique stories, were we?

It's....... good to know that I was happy? And that someday I'll tell Miharu about what happened...

[ asdfghjkl;;;; BUT BEING GAY IN THE FUTURE WHAT IS THAT? AND HAVING FUZZY MEMORIES ABOUT CERTAIN THINGS WITH CERTAIN PEOPLE IS NEVER FUN. NOT. GONNA. TALK. ABOUT IT....strikes unhackable, btw. ]

I can't find Raphael.

Has anyone seen him?

It seems I left my journal in my suitcase all this time. That's quite a shame; I actually think trying to make Lemon Drops was a lot of fun. I'll have to try again when I get back to school and find some time. Though with my new duties, this may be easier said than done?

In any case, The conference has been instructive and things have been... good. I'm certainly looking forward to the new year.

[ SOMEONE seems happy. Unfortunately, no, he didn't "get lucky," but he did make out up with Kallen. Annnnd, since they're sharing the same room; there be cuddles. Lots of cuddles. Because that's just how they roll. ]

Well, thankfully that crazy journal business is over. I hear some people were getting attacked? That's unfortunate. My journal seemed to be taking pity on me very affectionate, to be honest. I suppose it doesn't blame me for losing it those times earlier in the year.

In any case, it's worth mentioning that I've taken in a second cat, at least partially. I think? Castiel entrusted Lilith to me, and although she's blind, you'd never guess that by how she acts. She and Raphael fight almost constantly, but they're from the same litter, so it's playful I hope. I've had to separate her and Raphael several times now; he's much larger than her, since she's been alone all this time... I sincerely hope the two get along eventually. Well, Lilith seems to particularly enjoy being around Castiel, so maybe if she only sleeps and eats in my room, it will be alright.

...It's a little funny; at the beginning of the school year, I never would have guessed I'd be dealing with two kittens and a still headstrong owl. Cats are... well, they're certainly a handful. [unhackable (50% to Maron)] At least it gives me something to think about outside of Yukimi and... less pleasant things. [/unhackable]

Speaking of owls, Anna finally decided to give me the invitation to the Teacher's Conference. It's in Monaco!? H-how are we even going to get there...? Please don't say "portkey," please.

( Private. Unless you're Castiel, Maron or Kallen. In which case, you can probably hack like three words of this. Oh and Gabe can hack it too, BUT Thobari didn't exactly plan that. )

[Filtered to Castiel]
I actually have something I wanted to ask you as well, if you don't mind...

[ A whole page of scrawled notes on funerals. LOTS OF IT IS SCRATCHED OUT, mostly the parts that remind him too much of his grandmother's. And his grandfather's. Which is almost everything. Oh, and he doesn't realize he posted that, so feel free to ask him what all the chicken-scratch is about. ]

I think... Raphael actually likes me? I was doing some research on cats among other things and found that some "use biting as a cleaning method." So maybe Raphael doesn't hate me after all. That's sweet. Sort of. I suppose now I have to warm up the idea that he's going to keep biting me for as long as he sees me as his owner.

Maybe I'll start wearing gloves.

[Private to Castiel (but I guess Gabe can hack it, since, you know.)]
I'm alright with planning the ceremony into the school year, but... Should I set up a list of people you'd like to attend?

[100% Unhackable, sorry Gabe.]
And, uhm, if it's alright for me to ask, what was it that made you decide you wanted to go through with this? If you're having second thoughts, it's alright to simply call it off...

Well... It's been a hard couple days, but I've been managing. Keeping myself busy... between Raphael and my DADA preparations, I'm fully aware that I'm trying to distract myself from the problem here. [ Here there's a nervous laugh. ] I can't very well hide, can I? That's not who I am anymore so...

Kallen? Could I speak to you? In person, preferably. I'm in my office, but I can go to you if that would be more comfortable.

[ pause. pause. still recording here, Tobi. ]

Oh! And... Professor Bainbridge, I got the supplies you ordered. Would you like me to take them down later?