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

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.

The poem in the previous letter is my own. I don't work well with metres and it's killing me to write a whole play in metres (you'll know why when you read the acknowledgements). Curious readers have been bombarding me with questions as to where Severus was from 5pm-8pm? It's not in Hogsmead because our beloved Severus is in London, not Scotland. He wants Hermione to go to him not for him to go to her. I will explain this a little later. He says that he will be in the following places that day, in order of mention – potions section in Flourish and Blotts (1st and 2nd stanza), Obscurus Books publication House (3rd stanza – most publishing houses have their own library – editors have to do research too), apothecary (4th stanza), Scribbulus Everchanging Inks – the stationery store (5th stanza), and finally, back at Flourish and Blotts (6th stanza).

But for all intents, he will be waiting at Flourish and Blotts (an establishment that I imagine to have its own tea room and places for its browsing customers to sit and read) from 5pm-8pm.

Why was he at Obscurus earlier in the day? To do something about the potions text, Magical Drafts. So, you see, Severus did have business to execute.

This poem was originally written in January 2002 to a fellow I was pursuing (who because I ran after him, came to the conclusion that I was a libertine and didn't want to have anything to do with me). The whole poem was set in the library where we used to meet. He was then a final year Masters student in Philosophy, and I was then in my honours year in political science. The infamous "three legged glasses" reference is to spectacles. The ear pieces make two and the main body is one. Remove your glasses and place them on the table, see how it stands? The mainframe where the glass is rests on the table (that's one leg), and the ear pieces support it (that's two).

Interpretation of poem within the context of the story

1st stanza – he'll be browsing for 5 hours at the shops listed below. He needs 2 hours to himself for his own shopping. The bookshop is the most important stop. He'll be at the section of the shop with the green carpets, near the out of print (the books labelled antiquity) leather-bound books. The books there speak to him of wisdom.

2nd stanza – When one spends too long staring at/reading books, one gets spots in one's eyes and when one lifts one's head, one can initially see nothing (a symptom that I have). Clearly, the books that he has been reading are esoteric (the arcane reference), hence virtuous (Socratics believe that knowledge is the only virtue worth possessing and acquiring). He hopes she'll find him here first and he can obtain her opinion on some of the books he wishes to purchase. The last two lines states that he fears she will not come, and this would herald an end to their academic correspondence and understanding.

3rd stanza – It is hinted that he had gone to Obscurus Books earlier that day. It is hinted that he may see her presence in the bookshop (the cold hand and the nature like his own), but wants not to speak to her yet – he feels he's not ready. He tries to make up his mind as to what he will say to Hermione. He doesn't want to come across as overly anxious or desirous (the begging for alms bit), yet he is tired of the game (eyes tired and watery). But the knowledge and hope that she has come after him, comforts him and makes him feel slightly better.

4th stanza – It is hinted that he had gone to the apothecary earlier that day. He imagines what it would be like if she found him at the bookshop. She tries to sit beside him but he wouldn't allow it, so she perches herself on his desk where he's seated waiting for his orders to be prepared and packed. She would remove her glasses (I imagine she has glasses after that much studying and would be vain enough about them not to want to magically restore her perfect eyesight) and tell him that (i) they have running around in the game long enough (ii) he must be tired after shopping and whatnot all day, they should rest for some tea in the adjoining tea room. He imagines that he would not hear her question, and she would repeat it with the promise of something else, making the knowledge she has of him beautifully sacred.

5th stanza – It is stated that he went to Scribbulus Everchanging Inks (the stationery store) before he returned to Flourish and Blotts. She has, in his imagination already asked him to put aside the books for a while and go for tea. He thinks he would refuse the request. But she implores him through all manner of speeches (read the stanza) and he allows himself to be persuaded.

6th stanza – This is essentially his imagined response to her request that they stop for tea.

Q. Why doesn't Severus go to Hermione? Why does he want her to go on a goose-chase to look for him?

He has already capitulated to her proposal; he will not have the satisfaction of simply following her orders. She proposed; she wants him – she jolly well go to him if she does.

Without further ado, I present to you the last letter in the series...

Proestigium or What the Seasons may Bring

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

Hogwarts, Scotland

12th January 2001

My dearest Severus,

I received your note two hours but I miss you already. I cannot help but feel that it is very unseasonable for a potions workshop to be held this time of the year. Unlike you, I do not have all the time in the world. I must remain at Hogwarts to teach.

Mr Prufrock has just sent me word on Women in Philosophical Alchemy as well as its accompanying advance cheque. It is a good thing that the text is for advanced potions students at the undergraduate level, otherwise I will hear no end of it from the 'dunderheads' here. Mr Prufrock also enclosed your cheque for the foreign editions of Magical Drafts and Potions. I will deposit it at Gringotts later today.

I received the most ridiculous letter from Ron. It is enclosed. Perhaps you'll have a bit of a laugh at his expense. I can already see you curling your lips in disdain. Do not waste the effort, save it for me.

Your own,

Hermione

P/S I don't know how best to send this to you, so I'll use 'Semper Eadem' on one of the Hogwarts owls and hope it finds you.

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Attached note

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28 Hartshorne Place,

London

11th January 2001

Dear 'Mione,

Things have been slow after our graduation from the Auror training programme. I thought being an Auror was all action and excitement. Guess you were right, yet again. Don't know why but we actually have to do a lot of paperwork. You know I really hate that. I wish you were here with us so that you can check the reports for Harry and me before we submit them; some of them are really boring.

Hey, I've been meaning to ask you something. Don't get cross at me, yeah? Last week, my mum clipped something from The Wizarding Herald, the new 'serious' British newspaper for wizards published by Luna's father. You remember that Jigger Old Fart whom Harry and I used to tease you about? Yeah, well, this clipping states that he's recently married one of his former students. I'll write down what it says so you can have a laugh too. It says, "It has come to the editors' attentions that Dr Arsenius Jigger of the University of York and Dr Aspasia Presbon, authoress of Woman in Philosophical Alchemy, have recently wed. Join us in felicitating the British wizarding community's golden couple of Potions Research and Alchemical Studies." Funny, eh?

I feel kind of sorry for you. All that while when you were wild about Jigger, you could have had him. Don't knock your head on the wall over it; you didn't know he was unmarried. But it stinks, doesn't it? Knowing that you've could have had Arsenius Jigger instead of Severus Snape, the greasy git. How is the git anyhow? Can't say I like him, but seeing how you've made your choice, I have nothing to say. If you ever leave him, come live with Harry and me; we will both protect you.

Anyway, Harry and I will pop down to Edinburgh next week. We'll meet up with you then and catch up.

Hugs,

Ron

~Finis~

Footnotes

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

The 'Semper Eadem' reference can be traced to Letter 5 where Snape as Jigger told Hermione, "Alternatively, tell your owl, 'Arsenius Jigger, Semper Eadem' and it will know where to find me."

Semper Eadem is Latin for always constant or always the same. It was Elizabeth I of England's motto. Severus uses it for a good reason at that. I leave you to devise the reason for that.

Acknowledgements

Thank you, one and all, for sticking with me and this story. I know that I am not the most patient of review repliers, and my work is more often than not somewhat esoteric. My heartfelt thanks are extended to my beta Pollinatrix, and my other beta who wishes to remain anonymous – you know who you are.

My gratitude also goes out to the ladies at The Potter Place, for their kindness in drawing me into their fold. Thanks are also extended to June, Gala, Keladry Lupin and Southern Witch for their constant encouragement. Readers may be interested to know that I am planning a HG/SS Regency romance next – it looks set to be the fluffiest thing that I've ever written, so don't throw rotten foodstuff at me. It carries the title The Language of Flowers and is 22 chapters long. I shall most likely release that in late 2005 or early 2006 – as soon as I get done with the footnotes and my betas. To give you a hint, I'll tell you that it has 2 duels, 1 attempted abduction, 1 rout party, 1 ball, 1 gaming hell, 1 reformed rake, 1 dandy about the town, interesting ton servants to look out for, and the following couples: Hermione Granger/Severus Snape, Luna Lovegood/Ronald Weasley, Lavender Brown/Harry Potter, Ginerva Weasley/Draco Malfoy, Neville Longbottom/Millicent Bulstride, Sybil Trelawney/Remus Lupin and Albus Dumbledore/Minerva McGonagall. The story is in effect, complete, it just needs to be edited and I have to figure out how to html the tables in the preface. I've seen the instructions as to how to do so, but it has only confused me. If someone would like to html my tables for me, feel free to contact me and I shall credit you in the acknowledgements

To tantalise you, let me give you a sample of The Language of Flowers:

"Their respective Seconds stood with drawn swords in their places lest their man was disarmed. Sterne looked on their swordplay with a critical eye. He only raised a brow in a form of approbation at Villiers's move, which he had undoubtedly learnt from his father. At Goyle's poor passes, he frowned in scorn. No mean swordsman himself, Lord Sterne soon saw clearly that the duello was already marking its winner. He hoped against all other factors governing Villiers' presently disordered mind that his godson would not kill his opponent. The match was truly a match of hard fighting, for one man had unbearable insults to avenge and the other's whole mind and will were bent towards destroying his adversary."

In addition, I am presently working on a Shakespearean HP story entitled Tanquam Ovis, I'm up to Act IV scene iii of the first draft, so don't get your hopes up. I may have to abandon it if I can't resolve the other issues with it (it's not easy deliberately writing a problem play). It seeks to utilise artistic license and reinterpret some parts of Book 6 and exculpate our very dear Severus Snape. There is also a Christmas story that I'm planning (working title is Quietus Est), but I doubt I have the time to write it as there are other things that require my attention.

It has been quite a path this year or so, and I am leaving fanfic for the rest of the year to settle my own matters. I shall be back with either The Language of Flowers or Tanquam Ovis (if it materialises), so fear not. I will be still contactable by email if you must write, and I will be replying to reviews as usual. If Tanquam Ovis is completed, edited, footnoted by mid August, I shall post it then.

From the way the wind is blowing, it seems that HG and SS fanfics will be AU very shortly if Ms Rowling pairs our pedant with that dolt who really should get some commonsense (no offence Ron fans) and paints Severus to be the one dimensionally 'evil' character (as she appears to be doing). I sincerely hope that people will continue to support our unique HG/SS ship. I also hope that readers of my fanfiction will continue to read my work when I return to the writing fold.

The time grows short and I must return to Jean-Jacques Rousseau's Emile and the draft of Tanquam Ovis, thank you once again.

I remain, yours &ca,

Lady Strange.