Letter 12: Arsenius Jigger to Hermione Granger, 2nd January 1998

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; only those which are necessary to a complete understanding of the events in this group are reproduced. 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 12: Arsenius Jigger to Hermione Granger, 2nd January 1998

Arsenius Jigger

c/o University of York,

School of Magical Arts

Faculty of Alchemy,

Potions Research Centre,

York,

United Kingdom

Miss Hermione Jane Granger,

Hogwarts Castle,

Head Girl’s Room,

Gryffindor Tower,

Scotland,

United Kingdom.

2nd January 1998

Dear Miss Granger,

It pleases me greatly to see young minds taking an active interest in the fine art and exact science of Alchemy. It is indeed a tremendous achievement in the field, considering your age. Your paper on arrowroot extract and stasis solutions sounds extremely promising. In receiving such an excellent grade from your professor, I have no doubt you will go far. I know Professor Snape by reputation and he is, if the reports are to be believed, an exacting task master; harsh but impartial. I believe he has a tendency to be so engrossed in his work that anyone deemed foolish enough to meddle in it would be most severely punished. If this is true, I admire him exceedingly. It establishes him as a man of principle and just convictions. It is his prerogative to punish the students as he chuses; after all, if students wish to involve him in their activities when he has no desire to participate, he will find a way of involving them in his work. Given this then, I suggest you determine whether the wolfsbane and/or lycanthropy cure research project you propose is part of your supervisor’s PRIVATE RESEARCH. Unless I am much mistaken, this area of Alchemy is a relatively contentious one. In light of its nature and his temperament, he may not wish to bring it under public scrutiny. If he is the private man that reports paint him to be, he would not relish being the centre of a new academic maelstrom. I, myself, do not like my own research material to work to be under any observation save my own. It is a trait that most potions’ masters share. Pray, Miss Granger, kindly enlighten me as to how you acquired an interest in lycanthropy and by that extension, your supervisor’s research. Does it in any way coincide with a personal project? Or is it mere academic curiosity coupled with AN EYE FOR DETAIL?

You need not apologise so profusely in your letter, I am not so petty a wizard as to take offence at everything. Intellectual questioning is admirable and ought to be encouraged provided it is done in MODERATION. As long as we do not resort to childish slights on each other’s characters, all questions, proposals and theories on academic matters, if not overdone, are acceptable. While I do not think I am the right person to consult as you already have an independent study course supervisor, I am honoured that you wish to seek my opinion. Young people nowadays are more interested in rushing headlong into things without due consideration. I am glad that you do not share their predilection. I urge you to discuss the matter of your project with Professor Snape. Do not be disappointed if he does not grant you permission. There are other avenues to pursue.

The effects of mallowsweet in both healing and harmful potions could be a worthy study. I expounded this in Logos in Potions. Its properties are still a matter of some conjecture in our world. Remember, do not give up; never deviate from your original path. There is always a reason for everything, regardless of your supervisor’s reactions to your research proposal, bear in mind that he has a reason for everything.

Upon rereading your letter, I own myself very shocked to discover that you had indeed stolen from your Professor’s private stores. That is a near unpardonable offence! Pilfering from your supervisor’s private stores indeed! It is fortunate you were undiscovered. It is also fortunate that you could identify the ingredients there. In advance alchemical studies and potion making, the constituency of some ingredients are so similar that even experts have difficulty differentiating them. Out of curiosity, what else have you been helping yourself to? More dragon blood? Or powdered unicorn horn? I can only advise you not to be so foolish in the future. Potion Masters are NOT to be crossed, especially those who constantly rearrange the materials in their stores.

Now, on matters more suitably discussed betwixt intellectuals – I have broken down arrowroot into 67 compositely disparate samples. You might like to think on that. Much luck on your education.

Yours &ca,

A. Jigger

D.Mag.A

Footnotes

Proestigium is Latin for illusion. Ironically, the English word Prestige derives from it.