Knowledge Exquisite

Tonight was miraculously, mercifully free of staff meetings, exam and assignment grading, detentions, or other equally irksome necessities of a Professor's life. I indulged myself at last, perusing a few old tomes off the top shelf and testing a couple of the formulas, noting some possible improvements. Alas – when will I next have such a pleasure? I know not.

Above: photo of my formula log. All potion notes and recipes typically wind up in here.

I've recently finished my first main module of study for my medicinal herbal apprenticeship! Very proud. I don't have nearly as strict a taskmaster as Snape, of course – in fact, we are to complete projects on our own time. However, I love the subject so much that I put a great deal of effort into the work, without being urged by another. And the references! The source books I find, from which to include juicy extra tidbits... the dear herbals, from Matteson (1847), to Green (2004)... The Master herbalist told me she couldn't wait to read it. I hope I've done well by her. "Let me know what I can do better," I pointed out, "since this is my first one!"























One of the things I absolutely, bar none, hated about Book 7 was the burning of the Room of Requirement. All those books! All that knowledge, lost! The findings of centuries, up in smoke! Including, we must presume, the experimental discoveries of the Half-Blood Prince. I am reminded far too much of the burning of the library of Alexandria, a travesty in an age when all manuscripts had to be copied by hand. Ack!!! How I cringe to think of it. That sentiment alone, for the sacredness of knowledge, especially esoteric, must surely slap me as either a Ravenclaw or a Slytherin. Due to my fondness for Snape and tendency to consider the "Gray" possibilities (I avoid outright Black if possible), I tend to angle toward Slytherin.