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hh_mirrorAri was learning. Mostly about the structure of Hogwarts-now and Hogwarts-as-it-used-to-be. She'd quickly come to the conclusion that to learn anything academic, she'd really need to talk to Hogwarts natives. She wasn't discounting the knowledge or talents of other transplants and latecomers, by any means. For actual Hogwarts-based skills, though, she wanted an insider's view.
There was one person she'd met at her Sorting who fit that criterion: Snape. He was obviously steeped in Hogwarts tradition. None too happy about the way things currently worked at Hogwarts, because he was attached to the way it used to be; and the way it used to be, that ur-Hogwarts, clearly mattered to him profoundly and deeply. There would always be people in any society who harbored reactionary impulses, especially in a time of accelerated change, and Ari was beginning to understand just how rapid the change must've been here.
Dealing with Snape didn't seem like it would be very easy. He'd been pretty prickly when they started talking. She'd been able to Work the conversation a little, position herself as a better fit into his picture of an ideal Hogwarts: being a witch was what mattered to him. Since there were lots of people here who could use magic -- almost everyone, as far as Ari could tell; whether they developed the talent and worked at it was something else -- and since Snape didn't seem to consider this influx of people as a positive thing, a witch or wizard wasn't just someone who could use magic. It had to be something more than that.
What it made Ari think of, more than anything, was Reseune: the way Reseune had been built, in her genemother's mother's time, and the way the rejuv-bolstered Families had shaped it to meet their expectations. There was a kind of oligarchy in it, a kind of aristocracy. Oh, you could make it on merit, and you couldn't fake results in the lab. But all the same: It mattered if your name was Emory, or Carnath, or Nye. It made you special, opened doors for you.
Being descended from the founders, carrying their genetic legacy.
Ari loved Reseune, as much as it'd felt like a prison at times. It was her nest, it was her home. She wanted to change it to suit herself, and she was impatient with the old guard quibbling over her budget when she knew that some changes were going to have a major psychological impact for the positive (which meant more productivity; everyone won; why quibble, damn it), but she didn't want it abolished by any stretch of the imagination. Didn't want to give up the monopoly over azi production, all azi contracted to Reseune. Didn't want to see everything farmed out and watered down and stripped of what made it work.
Could understand Snape's attitude, in that light, even if she suspected that getting on the wrong side of him would be like crossing an unholy combination of Yanni Schwartz and Denys Nye. All of Yanni's gruffness, without the soft center; all of Denys' ice, without the ingratiating and placating act Denys put on.
She might end up on the wrong side of Snape, still. But she hoped not: Ari didn't like to not get along with people, if she could help it, until they crossed her. Then that was a whole different problem.
And for the present, she thought she had enough goodwill amassed from their Sorting conversation that she could make a useful contact.
She used the old-fashioned owl system to write. She even used a quill, wishing she had a dose of kat and a good calligraphy tape; she managed a not-inelegant hand, after some practice. And what she wrote was this:
There was one person she'd met at her Sorting who fit that criterion: Snape. He was obviously steeped in Hogwarts tradition. None too happy about the way things currently worked at Hogwarts, because he was attached to the way it used to be; and the way it used to be, that ur-Hogwarts, clearly mattered to him profoundly and deeply. There would always be people in any society who harbored reactionary impulses, especially in a time of accelerated change, and Ari was beginning to understand just how rapid the change must've been here.
Dealing with Snape didn't seem like it would be very easy. He'd been pretty prickly when they started talking. She'd been able to Work the conversation a little, position herself as a better fit into his picture of an ideal Hogwarts: being a witch was what mattered to him. Since there were lots of people here who could use magic -- almost everyone, as far as Ari could tell; whether they developed the talent and worked at it was something else -- and since Snape didn't seem to consider this influx of people as a positive thing, a witch or wizard wasn't just someone who could use magic. It had to be something more than that.
What it made Ari think of, more than anything, was Reseune: the way Reseune had been built, in her genemother's mother's time, and the way the rejuv-bolstered Families had shaped it to meet their expectations. There was a kind of oligarchy in it, a kind of aristocracy. Oh, you could make it on merit, and you couldn't fake results in the lab. But all the same: It mattered if your name was Emory, or Carnath, or Nye. It made you special, opened doors for you.
Being descended from the founders, carrying their genetic legacy.
Ari loved Reseune, as much as it'd felt like a prison at times. It was her nest, it was her home. She wanted to change it to suit herself, and she was impatient with the old guard quibbling over her budget when she knew that some changes were going to have a major psychological impact for the positive (which meant more productivity; everyone won; why quibble, damn it), but she didn't want it abolished by any stretch of the imagination. Didn't want to give up the monopoly over azi production, all azi contracted to Reseune. Didn't want to see everything farmed out and watered down and stripped of what made it work.
Could understand Snape's attitude, in that light, even if she suspected that getting on the wrong side of him would be like crossing an unholy combination of Yanni Schwartz and Denys Nye. All of Yanni's gruffness, without the soft center; all of Denys' ice, without the ingratiating and placating act Denys put on.
She might end up on the wrong side of Snape, still. But she hoped not: Ari didn't like to not get along with people, if she could help it, until they crossed her. Then that was a whole different problem.
And for the present, she thought she had enough goodwill amassed from their Sorting conversation that she could make a useful contact.
She used the old-fashioned owl system to write. She even used a quill, wishing she had a dose of kat and a good calligraphy tape; she managed a not-inelegant hand, after some practice. And what she wrote was this:
Professor Snape:
I hope I'm not presuming too far on our brief acquaintance: we met at my recent Sorting. I haven't met anyone here who knows nearly as much about Hogwarts' magic. As we discussed at the Sorting, I am new to magic. If it isn't too much trouble, may I ask your advice on a couple of points? And if you prefer not to correspond with me -- I understand you must be quite busy -- would you be willing to refer me to another person whose knowledge and experience you respect?
Regards,
Ariane Emory
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owl to Ariane
Date: 2010-12-08 04:42 am (UTC)I indeed recall you from your sorting. I did not hear the results, by the way. You are not in Slytherin, which is my own House, for I have not seen you here. If you want advice I am not sure I can assist you in this current climate, however if you do not ask I surely will not be able to do so. Those I can recommend are Mr. Dumbledore, Mr. Malfoy, Mrs. Malfoy, and Mr. Grindlewald, established wizards and witches all. If you are indeed a witch and wish to learn magic, as is the intent of this school, I expect, though I surely would not speak for them, that any of these would help you as well as I would myself. I trust this is no flippant whim?
S. Snape.
reply to Snape
Date: 2010-12-08 05:48 am (UTC)The result of my Sorting was strange, and I am neither proud nor ashamed of it. The Sorting Hat decided I ought to be placed in Sparklypoo. I do not feel this assessment matches my personality, but I have also noticed that other students have been placed in Houses which seem unlikely following the template which many have described (Ravenclaw: intellect-primary; Hufflepuff: loyalty-primary; &c.) Ultimately, I accept the Hat's decision as having no bearing on my self or my interests, and I intend not to be bound by it. I hope others will judge likewise.
By the prevailing definition, I appear to qualify as a witch. I am comfortable with this self-identification. However, I believe that innate talent is worth little unless developed carefully and assiduously. I do not expect to excel in magic without putting in a good deal of real work. It's for that reason I wrote to you, actually.
First, I understand that I will need a wand. The school has made funds available. It has also made available a selection of secondhand wands, free of charge, through the Professor of Ancient Runes. As a skilled wizard yourself, would you say the use of a secondhand wand is safe, or is finer calibration desirable?
Second, I have spoken with a like-minded student and we plan to undertake a study group, since the formal instruction at Hogwarts is irregular at the present time. It's my impression that things were not always this way. Any recommendations you may have for a beginning witch's curriculum would be much appreciated.
Thank you for sharing with me the names of some accomplished witches and wizards. I will be sure to contact them. Is it permissible to share with them that I have learned of them through your recommendation?
Regards,
Ariane Emory
Owl to Ariane
Date: 2010-12-09 04:43 am (UTC)There are four Houses. Slytherin, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Gryfindor. If you are in a house called 'Sparklypoo' you have not been sorted at all. So I shall not judge you for that. It is the decision of the hat.
Innatte talent developed with diligence, concentration and persistence is teh only way to excel in magic. An untrained mind may produce flashes of magic, but it has no consistency, no substance, no control. Thus I would recommend rigourous discipline and and study, a unity of theory and praxis.
A wand is not so simple a matter as it would appear. A free wand could be powerful and perfect, and a brand new purchased wand may be a dud, or worse, an instrument of chaos. There is no way to tell without wielding a wand whether it will be one or another. 'The Wand Chooses the Wizard' (or witch, in your case.)
Any of those mentioned would recognise and honour my introduction. They are wizards.
S. Snape.
reply to Snape
Date: 2010-12-15 01:00 am (UTC)Your advice sounds to me very sensible, and I intend to follow it. I am accustomed to studying very deeply and to working very hard. I will make the acquisition of a wand my first priority. If wands readily available on campus aren't suitable for me, I'll go to the nearby town.
Thank you, again, for your generosity in orienting a new student to the practice of magic.
In gratitude,
Ariane Emory