Letter 29: Victor Krum to Hermione Granger, 30th May 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 29: Victor Krum to Hermione Granger, 30th May 1998

Victor Krum

284, Makarios Avenue

Cy-3720 Sophia,

Bulgaria

May 30, 1998

Hello Hermione,

The team has been away in Russia on a Quidditch match. I have only just returned today. I think writing would be better than leaving another message on the Krum doll.

I am very happy that you did so well in your examination. You are now so famous in the world of Alchemical studies…maybe I think I should leave Irina for you. Oh no! Now, I will have you and Irina killing me. I should tell my Quidditch friends; they will be so jealous that I have two beautiful women wanting to kill me. Just joking, eh?

It is very funny that the Ars Chemica editors have ordered you and Jigger to stop your debate. It was just getting interesting. What a pity, no? I like the way they wrote it: Dear Dr Jigger and Miss Granger, your debate on the true nature of Voodoo love potions has given us a new respect for Ancient Chinese Philosophical potions. However, we feel that it is in the best interest for everyone concerned if you end this debate on an amicable note before heads start rolling. Georges Murat and Leslie Rousseau, Editors.

Nomos, however, thinks differently. They like your debates and want to compile a book on it. Let me translate what Ilyanov, the editor wrote, just in case, you have not received the journal yet. He said, “Nomos desires that the respected Miss Granger and Dr Jigger give us the rights to compile the Voodoo-Chinese love potions debate into a book. If the two authors would work together on a book for us, we would be greatly honoured.” Imagine that, my friend!

Are you serious about studying at York with Arsenius Jigger? You know, they say he never appears. You need a better teacher than that. You are independent. That is very good, but you also need a supervisor that is there, in his office. You are the top Hogwarts student, why do you want to study at York? You have Oxbridge in your country, yes? Why York? You are obsessed with Jigger, Hermy-own-ninny! You can learn with anyone in your field, yes? Then, why you want to study with only Jigger? It is not good for you. I feel that you are not thinking carefully. Yes, you said your Professor Dumbledore will give you a job because old Snape is retiring in two years. But will you want to after that when you graduate from York?

I do not know why this Jigger has agreed to take you as his student. I do not like it. And he does not want you to question him! How stupid! But if this is what you really want, I have nothing to say. I only hope you will not regret it. If this Jigger does anything to you that you do not like, tell me and I will beat him up for you.

Say hello to your parents and Harry and Ron for me.

Your friend,

Victor

Footnotes

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

The letter structure and style of this letter may leave some fuming. Let me stress that Victor Krum’s first language is not English. He does not write or speak English as well as native speakers.