Ouch on all the stuff with your first years. That does sound more serious than the usual. Well, I must say I think it sounds as though you handled it all quite right.

I hope at least you will be spared homicidal professors this year.

Sorry. Shouldn't joke about it. That was very poor humour.

About mum...it's a Weasley thing, I suppose, so I'm used to it. I mean, she's always chuntered on about the hours that Father's had to put in at the office. (And I must admit it, he is devoted to doing a good job. Why couldn't he show that type of devotion in a worthwhile career, something that doesn't involve the ilk he has to deal with? Mudbloods and so on.)

Father's always had rather a knack at calming her down when she gets a bit knaggy. Comes from being married so long, I suppose.