Letter 23: Hermione Granger to Arsenius Jigger, 27th March 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 23: Hermione Granger to Arsenius Jigger, 27th March 1998

Miss Hermione Jane Granger,

Hogwarts Castle,

Head Girl’s Room,

Gryffindor Tower,

Scotland,

United Kingdom.

Arsenius Jigger

c/o University of York,

School of Magical Arts

Faculty of Alchemy

Potions Research Centre,

York,

United Kingdom

27th March 1998

Dear Dr Jigger,

I did not believe it possible for a person of your standing and learning to be capable of casting such aspersions on my character. Isn’t it natural that I was remiss in writing because I have been otherwise occupied? I was disposed due to acutely important matters. The books are appreciated and if you demand their return, you are welcome to them. Give the word and they will be returned forthwith. Contrary to your expectations, I have read the Dark Potions book and have learned some things that I will not share with you. I worship knowledge as the ultimate virtue as you do. I do not take to any insults on my pursuit of knowledge as the good in itself for itself. I had expected you to understand that sometimes praxis is more expedient. I had thought that my praxis in my private matters would expiate my temporary silence. I am beginning to believe that I have misplaced my admiration and esteem in your person.

Professor Snape has made no mention of his dissatisfaction of my work. And if he has said nothing, I don’t see why should you! He knows how much effort I place into the lycanthropy project. I have conducted various experiments and I have done extensive research into the matter. Professor Snape scowled at my finds on mallowsweet. He tacitly acknowledged that the addition of mallowroot to wolfsbane would break down certain compounds in the werewolf’s DNA. I have made other similar discoveries on arrowroot but I will say nothing of it here. Your cruel words on my studies render me silent.

I am loath to send this to you after your disparagement of my capabilities in learning. Since I have written a response to your article in Ars Chemica on Voodoo love potions, I might as well reproduce it here. Extant physiological explorations on the effects of ‘voodoo love potions’ are augmented with information about neurophysiological research on sensitisation, or tuning of the automatic nervous system. The process of suggestion is committed through the admixture of knotgrass and nettle in the Hypatia Voodoo love potion. Although Chapple (whom you quoted) has amply documented the importance of the automatic nervous system in human behaviour, he has failed to consider the effects of the Hypatia Voodoo love potion. The Hypatia love potion has both long term and short term effects. In noting Voodoo love potions in general, you did not consider the effects of the potions where the persons involved have a certain affinity for mutual affection. The nervous functioning in such situations would pull the couple together in mind and soul, but only when the couple are unaware of the other’s affection. In contrast, when love potions are applied to subjects who have no affection between them, it will only be a temporary lust induced passion. I have no more to say to you, as I feel you begin to find my prattling annoying.

Let me end our correspondence on this note –

Adieu,

Hermione Granger

Footnotes

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

Praxis loosely understood is ‘action’.

And now, Hermione is penning off in a curt fashion. Will this madness not end? *gasp* Wait till the next letter…