Letter 19: Dr Jane Porter to her daughter, Hermione Granger, 27th February 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; 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 19: Dr Jane Porter to her daughter, Hermione Granger, 27th February 1998

Drs Reginald Granger & Jane Porter,

21 Fullers Road,

South Woodford,

London, E18 2QB,

United Kingdom.

27th February 1998

My Pet,

The lawsuit with Miss Havisham is finally settled. Strange things are happening all over. This is the 4th day the eclipse has shadowed London. Your father suggested it could be the doing of the Lord Voldemort fellow at your end. Father also wonders whether he is a member of the House of the Lords. I told him that it would be very shocking for us if he were in the House of Lords. The animals in the pet shops and the veterinarians’ are over-reacting and cower away at the slightest sounds.

The new Government, which you know has just been installed, has declared a state of emergency. It is most distressing. The shops are closed early and everything is in virtual shutdown. Curfew has been imposed and we all expected to be indoors by 3pm. The post office, provision stores and grocers are only open from Monday to Friday from 10am to 2pm. Electricity is being rationed as well for a number of reasons that I need not list here.

Since things are so topsy-turvy where we are, I think it must be far worse at your end where you are in the heart of it all. I hope your pleasant Headmaster and young Harry will put it to an end soon enough. I still don’t see how Harry can be the hero to come through for everyone. He’s just a boy! Is he to be a sacrifice in the mode of the Mayans?

By the way, you have received quite a few packages. Some time last week, a letter came for you. It had such a beautiful curlicue hand. It must be that Professor Jigger you have been raving about. Mind you, Love, he is likely to be married. I know you are excessively fond of him (do not deny it, I am your mother, I can sense these things); I know how it is when you talk about him. But do not keep your hopes up. Admiration is all very well; leave it at that. I’m telling you this so that you will not pursue a chimera. It is better to be unhappy single than to be unhappy in an unequal relationship.

You have two fairly large packages, in a gentleman’s hand no less. I am inclined to think that they are books. The sender must be a sweet fellow to be sending you books. In the odd chance that they are both jewellery caskets, give you old mother one of them. I trust you will tell me what they are. I’m forwarding these to you, as previously arranged.

Take care and much love,

Mummy

Footnotes

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

Hand has two meanings: (1) hand as the appendage with fingers and a thumb, (2) handwriting.