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Proestigium Chapter 35: Letter 35: J. Alfred Prufrock to Severus Snape, 15th September 2000
Chapters Menu
Proestigium

1: Letter 1: Severus Snape to Minerva McGonagall, 26th November 1997

2: Letter 2: Hermione Granger to Arsenius Jigger, 27th November 1997

3: Letter 3: William Heaney to Arsenius Jigger, 28th November 1997

4: Letter 4: J. Alfred Prufrock to Severus Snape, 29th November 1997

5: Letter 5: Arsenius Jigger to Hermione Granger, 2nd December 1997

6: Letter 6: Minerva McGonagall to Severus Snape, 8th December 1997

7: Letter 7: Hermione Granger to her Mother, 11th December 1997

8: Letter 8: Severus Snape to J. Alfred Prufrock, 15th December 1997

9: Letter 9: Hermione Granger to Victor Krum, 20th December 1997

10: Letter 10: Hermione Granger to her Mother, 24th December 1997

11: Letter 11: Hermione Granger to Arsenius Jigger, 29th December 1997

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

13: Letter 13: Hermione Granger to her Mother, 4th January 1998

14: Letter 14: Dr Jane Porter to her daughter, Hermione Granger, 13th January 1998

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

16: Letter 16: Victor Krum to Hermione Granger, 4th February 1998

17: Letter 17: Arsenius Jigger to Hermione Granger, 8th February 1998

18: Letter 18: Severus Snape to J. Alfred Prufrock, 15th February 1998

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

20: Letter 20: Hermione Granger to Victor Krum, 6th Merch 1998

21: Letter 21: Hermione Granger to her Mother, 14th March 1998

22: Letter 22: Arsenius Jigger to Hermione Granger, 20th March 1998

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

24: Letter 24: Arsenius Jigger to Hermione Granger, 1st April 1998

25: Letter 25: Hermione Granger to Arsenius Jigger, 1998, 25th April 1998

26: Letter 26: Severus Snape to J. Alfred Prufrock, 5th May 1998

27: Letter 27: Severus Snape to J. Alfred Prufrock, 7th May 1998

28: Letter 28: Arsenius Jigger to Hermione Granger, 15th May 1998

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

30: Letter 30: J. Alfred Prufrock to Severus Snape, 1st June 1998

31: Letter 31: Severus Snape to J. Alfred Prufrock, 10th June 1998

32: Letter 32: Arsenius Jigger to Hermione Granger, 17th June 1998

33: Letter 33: Albus Dumbledore to Severus Snape, 8th June 2000

34: Letter 34: Hermione Granger to Victor Krum, 31st August 2000

35: Letter 35: J. Alfred Prufrock to Severus Snape, 15th September 2000

36: Letter 36: Severus Snape to J. Alfred Prufrock, 29th September 2000

37: Letter 37: J. Alfred Prufrock to Severus Snape, 3rd October 2000

38: Letter 38: Victor Krum to Hermione Granger, 15th October 2000

39: Letter 39: J. Alfred Prufrock to Severus Snape, 28th November 2000

40: Letter 40: Severus Snape to J. Alfred Prufrock, 8th December 2000

41: Letter 41: Severus Snape to Hermione Granger, 14th December 2000

42: Letter 42: Hermione Granger to Severus Snape, 12th January 2001

Letter 35: J. Alfred Prufrock to Severus Snape, 15th September 2000

Proestigium

Chapter 35 of 42

Lady Strange

As Yeats once wrote, "Things fall apart / The centre cannot hold," seems to be coming a reality, Prufrock wonders how with Severus react to Hermione's review of the book that he had allegedly written with Jigger.

Mystery/Suspense Drama Angst Romance Alternate Universe Potions Under Duress 50,343 Words 42 Chapters Complete
Reviewed
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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 35: J. Alfred Prufrock to Severus Snape, 15th September 2000

J. Alfred Prufrock

15 Windswept Terrace

Hetty's Fields

Leeds, West Yorkshire

United Kingdom

15th September 2000

Snape,

Do my eyes deceive me? Or have you started another debate with Hermione Granger in another journal that she decided to carry over into Ars Chemica? In case you haven't noticed, she reviewed Epistemological Alchemy by Arsenius Jigger and Severus Snape. What are you going to do about it? Don't tell me you will sit by and do nothing? Do you realise that others may uncover the secret too? She's addressing your work to your face, Snape; just WHAT are you going to do now?

Regards,

Prufrock.

In case you have not read it. Here's how the review reads:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ars Chemica, Vol. 1206, No. 9.

Review of Epistemological Alchemy by Arsenius Jigger and Severus Snape, Telos Press, Cambridge, 2000.

By Hermione J. Granger

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In Epistemological Alchemy, the authors' postulate the necessity of believing in the possibility of an alchemical utopia by treating philosophical potions ironically. Keeping this in mind, one realises that the title is a pun on the idea of necessity. Necessity, in this case, is something that fills a need, which, if left unmet, would diminish the quality of private or public life. Of course, this is all very well for the authors. What the authors have in mind is captured by Oscar Wilde's remark that "a map of the world that does not include Utopia is not worth glancing at." What this means is simple – we have to consider whether utopia has been exhausted as a project and discredited as a body of thought. However, such a view is a sad commentary on the present situation. Obviously, this sentiment is shared by several other notable scholars in the field who contend that our social imagination in alchemy is abandoning us at the point where we most need it. Yet, faced with the dizzying of contingency in the history of alchemical theory vis-à-vis culture and society, the authors are convinced that everything can be or could have been other wise. Our alchemical culture is too dull to generate innovative solutions. Unwaveringly, it continues along this vein. Accordingly, for all the theoretical talk on epistemological alchemy, the field seems comatose in the sort of crisis that used to inspire it to visions of alternative futures. Radical but validly, they prove that most of us no longer live our lives in compliance with nature or tradition. Each chapter points out the fact that there is no longer any order in modern practical alchemy; as such, a change is needed. Susceptible to such views are modern students who only wish to concentrate on the palpable results of alchemy without due consideration of the theory and philosophy behind it. Evidently, they have proven that things that seemed self-evident – whether to have or how to feed and educate a child, how to relax and amuse ourselves, how to proceed with alchemical education, how and what to eat – have become colonised by reflexivity and are experienced as something to be learned and decided upon instead of just lived. Verily, we have become too knowing and critical, too proudly self-aware to tolerate the so-called 'idealism' of epistemological alchemy.

Ernst Hornby's theory that the first sense of necessity in philosophical alchemy is depended in the loss of impulses driving one's study of empirical potions brewing is discussed in this book. Regardless of the end and loss of radical philosophical alchemy posited by Hornby, the authors disagree with the well-ordered state of constant surveillance on the brew. Utopias in the field of alchemy are impossibilities and constant watching of a cauldron will do nothing to aid one's cause. Such utopian fantasies as pictured by Hornby and his proponents are criticised by the authors because they are characterised by mind-numbing routines. Sameness is not something the authors condone, for they acknowledge that no two potions, even those brewed by the same hand, are the same. Not withstanding the fact that collective rites are internalised in most potions students, the authors' go against their natural love for order and oppose these schemes as anti-utopias within the discipline. Apparently, the first sense of necessity celebrates the opening up of alternatives and possibilities; this second one suggests a closing down of political imagination and perhaps of politics itself. Pandora's myth, as laid down by Nietzsche, is called to mind in this case. Expectation in alchemical theory, he argues, was released last not because it would make other evils endurable. Noting that, the Jigger and Snape claim that it was released last because it was the worst evil of all for all true students of philosophical alchemy. Obviously, the reviewer agrees with this view for no sane person would be utopian. Moreover, necessity's third meaning is a variant of the second. Obviating the trappings in their language, it would be found that the sole concentration on alchemy without its philosophical base (which students think necessary) leads to the depletion of energy and ability. Potions philologists would argue that Jigger and Snape are unfairly erasing necessities in their anti-utopian view of epistemological alchemy. Rather than opposing these views, the authors' so-called detractors have fallen into the trap of underestimating Jigger and Snape. Epistemological alchemy is dependent liberation from necessity, the satisfaction of human needs, and the end to suffering, war, predatory hierarchies and private property. Therefore, powerful repository of utopian aspirations are kept alive in this book, not least because it has kept alive a vision of a universal way of brewing potions theoretically (and imperfectly) could be redeemed by the productive capacities of capitalism harnessed to the humane ends made possible by philosophical alchemy.

En soi, this redeems the student if the theory is consulted hand-in-glove with practical alchemy. Notice how the most ironic testament to the resiliency of utopianism is how quickly and completely utopian philosophical alchemy is when compared to the triumph of commercial potions. Snape, in his chapter, likens the esoteric reading of epistemological alchemy to adultery because philosophy in alchemy and potions is a placeholder for more sustained kinds of transformation. European tradition will, however, debunk his idea on grounds of impracticality. I beg to differ. Having impugned the philosophical nature of nature, we are unable to understand it. An effect of this failure is chaos in the classroom where students blow cauldrons due to the lack of understanding on the philosophical theory of the potion. Virtually every school has its share of such students and careful observation will prove the authors and myself correct in our surmises. Even Thomas More acknowledged this in his seminal work on esoteric potions in Utopia. Leaving aside the other political implications of the epistemological study of potions, the reader may be struck by the fact that the distance separating theory and practice in alchemy is the fallacy the book tries to address.

Owing to this, the book can be seen as a measure of the failure of modern students to consider philosophy in alchemy. Veering off the topic in chapter 10, the authors consider epistemology on its own. Elaborating on the opacity of most potions masters who are only concerned with increasing the number of students passing their subject than understanding it, the authors criticise the way in which potions masters are trained. "Exile would be too kind an option for those who do not expiate for such heinous teachings by concentrating on the theoretical aspects before actual brewing. Divinity, then, becomes a dimension of epistemological alchemy. Oracles and their divinely inspired riddling utterances are able to discern knowledge and meaning in alchemy. Naturally, the irony in this case lies in the recognition of meanings outside direct speech and of the subtexts of texts. Laird, in his review, dismisses this theory as utopian and ironic in itself. Yet, this is precisely the point the authors wish to make.

Once the reader dismisses the authors for their apparent inconsistencies, he has already underestimated them. Never do that! Every due consideration must be made to respect the authors. Mistaking the authors' genius is not an option. A certain way of looking at it is to realise that they already know of the inconsistencies in their work. Never entertain the possibility that you are more intelligent because you can spot their apparent contradictions. Instead, entertain the possibility that some of the apparent mistakes they make are deliberate. We will learn so much more if we take the debates they engender with good grace. In short, never think that you are smarter than the authors. Limitations in the human power of gauging things (especially something as volatile as potions) and the way we are used by the language even as we use it aids in our understanding of epistemological alchemy. Looking at this way, we will grow to have a new appreciation of theoretical potion brewing. Neo-modern philologists would dispute with me by saying that there is only way of looking at anything. On the contrary, it has to be acknowledged that there are these contradictions engender new debates. This makes the texts relevant in all situations across all time periods. Looking at it thus, it is easy to understand we still study Nietzschean potion theory and Platonic philosophical alchemy. Oddly enough, scholars in ancient Greek theoretical potions do not try to render their field to our changing times. Socratic potions brewing is heavily based on the logical sequences of nous and spirit; when these are incorporated into the potion, its effective is doubled. Evincing this further is the 5th chapter of the book which details the history and logic of Socrates' teaching. However, it is written in a manner that must be taken with a fair pinch of salt.

I have made my case for this book in this review. May it bring you as much intellectual stimulation as it did me. To all those who are put off by the theoretical nature of philosophical alchemy, I advise you to take it slowly so as to appreciate this art. What you learn here can be applicable to every field of life. In reading it, you will broaden your mind to the ongoing debate in the field. Consequently, you will arrive at a new understanding of muggle philosophy and the ways of our world. Every serious student of alchemy should acquire it.

Footnotes

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

There are three layers of meaning in the text of the review: (1) the response to the journal article mentioned above, (2) the hidden message within the text, and (3) the intellectual exchange of the review hides an indirect appeal to Jigger/Snape. This tripartite layer of meanings will continue to hold for the subsequent review articles.

If you extract the first letter of each of the review's sentences (notice that I stress sentences, not every capital alphabet), they read, "I KNOW WHO YOU ARE, SEVERUS SNAPE. NO MORE PRETENSE. I HAVE LOVED ONLY ONE MAN, I WILL NOT LOSE HIM TWICE.

Why did Hermione supposedly feel that she lost him twice? (1) When Jigger/Snape explicitly told her to concentrate on her education in Letter 32, (2) when Snape refused to meet at her Hogwarts to give her his 'Do's and Don'ts of Potions teachings'.

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Latest 25 Reviews for Proestigium

60 Reviews  |  9.27/10 Average

0/10

Javoher

Hello. I know it has been 10 years since you published this story, and you perhaps have left this fandom. But I want to tell you that I am re-reading this for the third or fourth time, and I enjoy it more each time. This time I read this chapter with my chemistry and academic brain instead if my fan fic brain. I had not fully appreciated how audacious Hermione is here until now! Thanks for a smart and funny story that gets better with time.

Response from Lady Strange (Author of Proestigium)

I don't have as much leisure time as I did ten years ago. The chemistry jargon in this story is made up, bear that in mind. As such, I hope your chemistry and academic brain will not explode from my playing fast and loose with chemistry in this story.

9/10

reets67

Thanks for a great story. Your scholarship leaves mine in the shade. While it could be that my recollection of chemistry, history, mythology is shaky - and you have just made it up, I deem that you have at least a passing aquaintence in the subjects  (yes?)and consequently write those passages exceedingly well. Therefore a rather inelegant 'WOW!' to you and a polite curtsey. Has Snape let his guard slip and written in his own voice intead of AJ?'...could be brewed in our present wolfsbane formula.'He He! Off to read more!Cheers.

Response from Lady Strange (Author of Proestigium)

Thank you for the compliments. I do have some knowledge of chemistry and all that but most of the things are made up.Ah, the slip. You caught it, eh?

Response from Lady Strange (Author of Proestigium)

Thank you for the compliments. I do have some knowledge of chemistry and all that but most of the things are made up.Ah, the slip. You caught it, eh?

0/10

timestep

I ended up reading this story when the "Random selector" popped it on my screen.I truely enjoyed it - and look forward to reading more of your stories.

This was quite creative (and Ron is still a little thick!)

Response from Lady Strange (Author of Proestigium)

Thank you.

10/10

Arabella Bloodgood

I have read quite alot of stories fanfiction and well just about anything I can get my hands on actually and your style of writing is truly amazing.  It shows how very smart you are.  It makes me wonder if you are a professor or something truly grander than the usual authors I have read.  It had been a pleasure to read your story, until next time.  Tamara aka

Response from Lady Strange (Author of Proestigium)

Response from Lady Strange (Author of Proestigium)

I was working on becoming a professor but politics and my lack of skill in that resulted in a quietus est. I write because I want to. Simple as that. I'm on LJ if you want to add me. But leave a message because I screen who adds me and why. Thank you for the review.

10/10

Arabella Bloodgood

The poem was indeed beautiful.  Why would he leave his schedule if he wants to meet her at 8?  Tamara

Response from Lady Strange (Author of Proestigium)

That is for the readers to decide on their own. I like my readers to think. Although I have notes which spoonfeed readers to a certain degree, I only give at most 2 corners of the square. readers are expected to find the remaining 2 corners themselves and join the dots on their own.

10/10

Arabella Bloodgood

I think it brilliant that not only do they send messages through these articles but make the articles work around their messages.  Yes, now to plan a wedding.  Now there is one long article.  lol  Tamara

Response from Lady Strange (Author of Proestigium)

I can't stand weddings, so I never write them. The messages of course have a deeper meaning. What is that deeper meaning? Readers must think on their own.

10/10

Arabella Bloodgood

How forward of her.  He won't answer her letters but she thinks he will marry her.  That takes guts.  Tamara

Response from Lady Strange (Author of Proestigium)

Hermione is nothing but gutsy. heh

10/10

Arabella Bloodgood

Promises, Promises.  I believe he already has.  Tamara

Response from Lady Strange (Author of Proestigium)

Well.. read on to find out.

10/10

Arabella Bloodgood

Well now, that pretty much says it all.  Tamara

Response from Lady Strange (Author of Proestigium)

indeed, it does.

10/10

Arabella Bloodgood

Oh this is bloody brilliant.  Tamara

Response from Lady Strange (Author of Proestigium)

i think so too.

10/10

Arabella Bloodgood

Oh clever. Very ingenius of you.  Tamara

Response from Lady Strange (Author of Proestigium)

i like to think so, but others have disagreed. thank you for reading.

10/10

Arabella Bloodgood

Oh what will she have to say.  I don't think I would give it away to him and just play along until you can catch him at it.  Tamara

Response from Lady Strange (Author of Proestigium)

this is fic is already complete. just read on and find out.

10/10

Arabella Bloodgood

Running away never solves anything.  Your problem will still be there no matter where you go.  Tamara

Response from Lady Strange (Author of Proestigium)

but then if i didnt make him do that, thre would be no plot.

10/10

Arabella Bloodgood

I'm not sure anger is what she will feel, more like sadness, disappointment, maybe even longing.  Tamara

Response from Lady Strange (Author of Proestigium)

that is up to the reader's interpretation. i'm glad you're enjoying yourself.

10/10

Arabella Bloodgood

Watch your step Prufrock, Snape doesn't take kindly to people questioning his ways.  Tamara

Response from Lady Strange (Author of Proestigium)

you know that and i know that, but some people just like to toe the line.

10/10

Arabella Bloodgood

Wow got his knickers in a bunch, didn't he?  LOL  Tamara

Response from Lady Strange (Author of Proestigium)

That's Severus for you. *smirks*

10/10

Arabella Bloodgood

good ol' Krumski always the protector  Tamara

Response from Lady Strange (Author of Proestigium)

he does his best. read on.

10/10

Arabella Bloodgood

The articles between the two remind me of love letters.  Tamara

Response from Lady Strange (Author of Proestigium)

that is open to interpretation. thank you for reading and thinking.

10/10

Arabella Bloodgood

Ok now I can't wait to see where this goes.  Tamara

Response from Lady Strange (Author of Proestigium)

read on and you'll find out.

10/10

Arabella Bloodgood

OH come on she is your other half.  Take her on, it will be worth it.  Tamara

Response from Lady Strange (Author of Proestigium)

yes, well snapey does have problems with those kinds of facts rammed down his throat. but we know he'll turn in the end.

10/10

Arabella Bloodgood

Don't soften now girlie.  You almost had him.  Tamara

Response from Lady Strange (Author of Proestigium)

lots more to go. this thing does last 40+ chapters.

10/10

Arabella Bloodgood

Oh my it is like watching tennis.  Brilliant.  Tamara

Response from Lady Strange (Author of Proestigium)

Tennis? interesting. I just like the verbal repartee for its own sake.

10/10

Arabella Bloodgood

So there. lol  Tamara

Response from Lady Strange (Author of Proestigium)

vindication for you and me, but the chracters are still willy-washy over the issue.

10/10

Arabella Bloodgood

He is trying to get a rise out of her, so she will show a little spirit in this sad time.  I belief anyway.  Tamara

Response from Lady Strange (Author of Proestigium)

we'll see. read on...

10/10

Arabella Bloodgood

Yes over but what of Voldie's followers.  Were they killed or rounded up or on the run or a littel of all?  Just wondered.  Tamara

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