Letter 15: Hermione Granger to Arsenius Jigger, 20th 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 15: Hermione Granger to Arsenius Jigger, 20th January 1998

Miss Hermione Jane Granger,

Hogwarts Castle,

Head Girl’s Room,

Gryffindor Tower,

Scotland,

United Kingdom.

Dr Arsenius Jigger

c/o University of York,

School of Magical Arts

Faculty of Alchemy

Potions Research Centre,

York,

United Kingdom

20th January 1998

Dear Dr Jigger,

I do not know what you mean by my observations on Professor Snape. My wit is not that refined. It is my wish to help an old friend and former teacher who is unfortunately ostracised by his present condition; I feel that people suffering from lycanthropy deserve our compassion. I will not argue whether human nature is intrinsically good or otherwise, I am only making a case for aiding others. I am sure you will agree that it is no shame to value life. What better way to value it than to assist others who for some reason cannot live their lives to the fullest. I suspect that is why Professor Snape is conducting his research in his direction. However, you appear to be better acquainted with him and you will undoubtedly inform me that he has turned out quite contrary to all that is noble and good. I assure you, sir, Professor Snape’s amor fati is tempered with guilt; at least, I think it is guilt. I do apologise. It is not my place to make such judgements on my professors.

Once again, I humbly thank you for your counsel. I have indeed spoken to Professor Snape as to my project for the rest of the year. Pardon my youthful enthusiasm; however, I am extremely overcome with much excitement. Upon his tacit approval, I further suggested that mallowsweet be incorporated into the research as well. Whether I successfully witness the curing of lycanthropy is immaterial, for I believe every little bit of research contributes to the progress of Professor Snape’s noble work.

Do not mock me, Dr Jigger. I have no intention of emptying Professor Snape’s private stores. I did what I had to do and I usually resort to other means when my reasonable applications have been denied. It is definitely better than acquiring them off an agent who procures the ingredients from the black market. I have no intention of revealing the truth to him as I feel certain he will not hesitate to throttle me before the Headmaster. After all, discretion is the better part of valour and I am a Gryffindor.

Thank you for your encouragement and patient interest in my work. I have been extremely busy of late with revisions and papers. I shall be on school leave for a while due to a family emergency. You may write to me at my parents, that is, only if you want to. The address is as follows:

21 Fullers Road,

South Woodford,

London,

E18 2QB,

United Kingdom

This address will be valid for communication purposes until I return to Hogwarts.

The arrowroot compounds should have the corrosive elements entrenched within its make up; as such, it could have a thinning effect on dragon blood. If it is not too bold of me to suggest – perhaps you should try it on a glutinous or thick potion and/or mixture to see if it works. I would experiment with a mixture of PVA glue and water or even PVA glue on its own. I read in Xenos’s Scientia Media that arrowroot has a difficult compound to work with and this was written in the time of the Pre-Socratics. The Latin translation on Hogwarts has only a few pages on it and I am unable to determine whether the Greeks had any notion of the arrowroot’s possibly corrosive properties. In the German translation of Hippocrates’ Paideia Alethinos Logos, he appears convinced that a by-product of arrowroot is volatile. He did mention something about the instability of arrowroot within the scope of the quantifier in the potion. I cannot make sense of the symbols he employs where (Эx) (Fχ βp) and (Эx (Fχ))βp determine the ambiguities within the fallacies of scope in arrowroot. Perhaps you could explain it to me if you decide to continue the correspondence. However, if you do not, I quite understand that I was imposing on your goodwill and time.

Thank you once again.

Yours sincerely,

Hermione Granger

Footnotes

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

Amor fati can be understood as a sort of love for the resignation of one’s fate whatever it may be.

“Discretion is the better part of valour” is adapted from Napoleon Bonaparte.

The "family emergency" that Hermione speaks of is the official reason why she, Harry and Ron have to leave Hogwarts for Grimauld Place.