Owls and Musings

Chapter 2

Miss Scott,

In honor of our agreement, I am forwarding the book we jointly purchased. I have marked several areas of interest and written my comments on the markers. I would be interested in your opinion.

I hope your summer has been enjoyable. I am currently brewing potions to restock the infirmaries inventory for the coming year and ordering ingredients for the student cupboard. I am convinced that students are raiding the cupboards for more than is absolutely necessary! I just can't prove it.

Until later,

SS

Severus,

Sorry I've taken so long to respond. I am including a separate sheet with my opinions. Thank you for your insights, they were very helpful and led my research on to several different paths of investigation.

I am back on the road again. My job with the ministry lets me stay at home for the summer, as you know, but the rest of the year I am traveling all over. I recently came across an original manuscript of Moste Potente Potions. Of most interesting note is the difference in receipts of several potions (i.e.: ingredient changes), as well as inclusion or exclusion of certain potions. I am currently making a list of the changes between then and now and will forward it to you later. I could use your expertise in determining why certain changes were made. What is the oldest edition that you or the school, own?

In other research I am studying magical music in western cultures. While it is a well known phenomenon in Eastern and Aboriginal cultures, not much is known of its use in Western magical practice - at least since medieval times. I am trying to find out why and what, if any, still exists.

So, what is your news? Any promising students in potions or are they all dolts?

Awaiting your next,

Esmerelda

My Dear Esmerelda,

I am glad my opinions were helpful and I am looking forward to your edition comparisons of MPP. I also feel that if anyone can discover the missing musical magic of Western culture, it will be you. You strike me as a very resourceful and persistent individual.

I was wondering if you would have any time available during the upcoming holidays to go to dinner one evening? We could go over your comparisons then. Besides, I need to get out of the castle for a while. There are NO promising potions students this year! I have lost count as to the number of times cauldrons have blown up this autumn.

Let me know,

SS

Severus,

Never let it be said that I stood in the way of your escaping from exploding cauldrons! I would be glad to join you for a holiday dinner. Name the place and time.

Both research projects are coming along smartly. I am currently trying to locate several of the original ingredients that were changed out in later editions. I am feeling that experimentation may be helpful. I have also discovered some obscure magical music texts. I may have you try some of these as they involve music with potion brewing. Might be a good project for some seventh year NEWT students?

Looking forward to your owl,

Esme.

My Dear Esmerelda,

In answer to your request, I have taken the liberty to secure a reservation for Christmas Eve at 8 pm at a muggle restaurant near Diagon Alley. Meet me at the LC at 7:30 and we will go on from there.

With great anticipation,

SS

PS: You are making a large leap in assumption that my seventh years can sing!