Letter 33: Albus Dumbledore to Severus Snape, 8th June 2000
Chapter 33 of 42
Lady StrangeTwo years have passed since the events of the previous letter and Albus Dumbledore takes up the quill to write to Severus...What does he say? Read on...
A/N: For simplicity’s sake, titles of books, journals etc are underlined and emphases are italicised. In reviving the old tradition of epistolary novels, I understand the plot may be a little slow, laborious and difficult to follow. Some might consider it AU and a little OOC.
In order not to weary the reader’s patience, a number of letters from the series of correspondences have been suppressed; those only have been given which appeared necessary to a complete understanding of the events in this group. For the same reason, some letters from the actors in the events of this drama have also been suppressed.
Proestigium or What the Seasons may Bring
Letter 33: Albus Dumbledore to Severus Snape, 8th June 2000
*Two years have passed since the events of the previous letter*
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry,
Scotland, United Kingdom.
8th June 2000
Severus, dear boy,
We must have just missed you. I hope this letter finds you well in Leicestershire. Are you quite sure you do not wish to be around when we welcome Hermione into the Hogwarts’ fold? I would have thought that you wanted to lecture her on the proper etiquette for teaching Potions? Your sudden departure even took the house elves by surprise. They found everything in your chambers and classroom under Holland covers. I was even more surprised to find that you had cleared your rooms of everything. Really, lad, is this necessary? One would think that you are running away from something!
Today, I received York’s report on Hermione and it was glowing. You grudgingly granted her an A in her thesis, I see. The external examiner was much fairer than you were. He gave her a distinction. Ah, my boy, whether you write under the name of Jigger or your own, you are still the same melancholy character we know and love.
Are you happy at last? You will be able to do everything that you like from the bleak comfort of Malmaison. How fare thee knight at arms, alone and palely loitering? It cannot be healthy cooped up in fox-hunting country all alone with your private research and writing. You are always welcome to return to us, you know.
Ah, thank you for the rum fudge and Ancient Chinese Roots to Voodoo Love Potions. The second is more pleasing than the first, as I am proud to see two of Hogwarts best students engaging in such a worthy endeavour. The book is very insightful and is one of the best accounts of ancient theoretical alchemy in recent years.
In any case, let me know whether you will return to Hogwarts for a few hours to welcome Hermione. I think it would proper for you to show her around her future workspace and living quarters. You could also use this opportunity to pick up anything else that you left behind in your hurried egress. Minerva is nagging at me to invite you to stay with us for a week at her cottage in Toulouse. Write to us of your decision.
Take care and keep in touch,
Albus Dumbledore
Footnotes
Proestigium is Latin for illusion. Ironically, the English word Prestige derives from it.
The line “How fare thee knight at arms, alone and palely loitering” is adapted from the poem La Belle dans sans merci by John Keats.
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Latest 25 Reviews for Proestigium
60 Reviews | 9.27/10 Average
Hello. I know it has been 10 years since you published this story, and you perhaps have left this fandom. But I want to tell you that I am re-reading this for the third or fourth time, and I enjoy it more each time. This time I read this chapter with my chemistry and academic brain instead if my fan fic brain. I had not fully appreciated how audacious Hermione is here until now! Thanks for a smart and funny story that gets better with time.
Response from Lady Strange (Author of Proestigium)
I don't have as much leisure time as I did ten years ago. The chemistry jargon in this story is made up, bear that in mind. As such, I hope your chemistry and academic brain will not explode from my playing fast and loose with chemistry in this story.
Thanks for a great story. Your scholarship leaves mine in the shade. While it could be that my recollection of chemistry, history, mythology is shaky - and you have just made it up, I deem that you have at least a passing aquaintence in the subjects (yes?)and consequently write those passages exceedingly well. Therefore a rather inelegant 'WOW!' to you and a polite curtsey. Has Snape let his guard slip and written in his own voice intead of AJ?'...could be brewed in our present wolfsbane formula.'He He! Off to read more!Cheers.
Response from Lady Strange (Author of Proestigium)
Thank you for the compliments. I do have some knowledge of chemistry and all that but most of the things are made up.Ah, the slip. You caught it, eh?
Response from Lady Strange (Author of Proestigium)
Thank you for the compliments. I do have some knowledge of chemistry and all that but most of the things are made up.Ah, the slip. You caught it, eh?
I ended up reading this story when the "Random selector" popped it on my screen.I truely enjoyed it - and look forward to reading more of your stories.
This was quite creative (and Ron is still a little thick!)
Response from Lady Strange (Author of Proestigium)
Thank you.
I have read quite alot of stories fanfiction and well just about anything I can get my hands on actually and your style of writing is truly amazing. It shows how very smart you are. It makes me wonder if you are a professor or something truly grander than the usual authors I have read. It had been a pleasure to read your story, until next time. Tamara aka
Response from Lady Strange (Author of Proestigium)
Response from Lady Strange (Author of Proestigium)
I was working on becoming a professor but politics and my lack of skill in that resulted in a quietus est. I write because I want to. Simple as that. I'm on LJ if you want to add me. But leave a message because I screen who adds me and why. Thank you for the review.
The poem was indeed beautiful. Why would he leave his schedule if he wants to meet her at 8? Tamara
Response from Lady Strange (Author of Proestigium)
That is for the readers to decide on their own. I like my readers to think. Although I have notes which spoonfeed readers to a certain degree, I only give at most 2 corners of the square. readers are expected to find the remaining 2 corners themselves and join the dots on their own.
I think it brilliant that not only do they send messages through these articles but make the articles work around their messages. Yes, now to plan a wedding. Now there is one long article. lol Tamara
Response from Lady Strange (Author of Proestigium)
I can't stand weddings, so I never write them. The messages of course have a deeper meaning. What is that deeper meaning? Readers must think on their own.
How forward of her. He won't answer her letters but she thinks he will marry her. That takes guts. Tamara
Response from Lady Strange (Author of Proestigium)
Hermione is nothing but gutsy. heh
Promises, Promises. I believe he already has. Tamara
Response from Lady Strange (Author of Proestigium)
Well.. read on to find out.
Well now, that pretty much says it all. Tamara
Response from Lady Strange (Author of Proestigium)
indeed, it does.
Oh this is bloody brilliant. Tamara
Response from Lady Strange (Author of Proestigium)
i think so too.
Oh clever. Very ingenius of you. Tamara
Response from Lady Strange (Author of Proestigium)
i like to think so, but others have disagreed. thank you for reading.
Oh what will she have to say. I don't think I would give it away to him and just play along until you can catch him at it. Tamara
Response from Lady Strange (Author of Proestigium)
this is fic is already complete. just read on and find out.
Running away never solves anything. Your problem will still be there no matter where you go. Tamara
Response from Lady Strange (Author of Proestigium)
but then if i didnt make him do that, thre would be no plot.
I'm not sure anger is what she will feel, more like sadness, disappointment, maybe even longing. Tamara
Response from Lady Strange (Author of Proestigium)
that is up to the reader's interpretation. i'm glad you're enjoying yourself.
Watch your step Prufrock, Snape doesn't take kindly to people questioning his ways. Tamara
Response from Lady Strange (Author of Proestigium)
you know that and i know that, but some people just like to toe the line.
Wow got his knickers in a bunch, didn't he? LOL Tamara
Response from Lady Strange (Author of Proestigium)
That's Severus for you. *smirks*
good ol' Krumski always the protector Tamara
Response from Lady Strange (Author of Proestigium)
he does his best. read on.
The articles between the two remind me of love letters. Tamara
Response from Lady Strange (Author of Proestigium)
that is open to interpretation. thank you for reading and thinking.
Ok now I can't wait to see where this goes. Tamara
Response from Lady Strange (Author of Proestigium)
read on and you'll find out.
OH come on she is your other half. Take her on, it will be worth it. Tamara
Response from Lady Strange (Author of Proestigium)
yes, well snapey does have problems with those kinds of facts rammed down his throat. but we know he'll turn in the end.
Don't soften now girlie. You almost had him. Tamara
Response from Lady Strange (Author of Proestigium)
lots more to go. this thing does last 40+ chapters.
Oh my it is like watching tennis. Brilliant. Tamara
Response from Lady Strange (Author of Proestigium)
Tennis? interesting. I just like the verbal repartee for its own sake.
So there. lol Tamara
Response from Lady Strange (Author of Proestigium)
vindication for you and me, but the chracters are still willy-washy over the issue.
He is trying to get a rise out of her, so she will show a little spirit in this sad time. I belief anyway. Tamara
Response from Lady Strange (Author of Proestigium)
we'll see. read on...
Yes over but what of Voldie's followers. Were they killed or rounded up or on the run or a littel of all? Just wondered. Tamara