potions_master: And like an instrument that flings its music on another's strings

And like an instrument that flings its music on another's strings
I cannot move.

Because of Miss Chang's infuriating habit of misplacing my robes, thus forcing me to spend inordinate amounts of time clad in minimal clothing while under the unflinching scrutiny of the Tahitian sun, my flesh feels as though I have been pitched head-first into one of Potter's misfire potions and then set aflame. It is impossible to move without intense pain, and naturally we are in a part of the world where a simple aloe plant is nearly impossible to come by, therefore I am unable to brew a Tepesco Potion to soothe the burn.

My only consolation is that Chang is in the same such predicament, and she wore far less clothing than I. She has not been able to sit down for the past three days.

I did manage to endure the agony for a short time this morning, to step out of doors and take care of my duties. Pannonhalma has a very large and extensive library, though the Muggles are only aware of a mere fraction of it. Wizarding folk need only prod the portrait of Vidor the Vaguely Sentient, and a world of information and historical importance is revealed. Of course, not everyone could properly appreciate the extensive collection of tomes and perodicals contained therein, so I would not recommend that any of you ever attempt to visit the Pannonhalma Abbey. You would only become lost and eventually go mad, and consume your own limbs.

A rather curious discovery: graffiti hidden in a fresco that reads, Isten hozott! Radomér Lupényi 998 AD. Relation of yours, Lupin? I'd not known your people came from the Eastern regions. I'd always assumed you were French, and therefore completely useless.

It is time for dinner. They have brought halászlé for me, and Miss Chang has requested palacsinta, which does not surprise me as the girl does not consume anything that could possibly be considered healthy whatsoever. The monk (always, there are monks) also recommended that if the pain of our situation becomes too unbearable, that we should imbibe in some pálinka as a means to numb ourselves to it. Having already consumed some earlier, I am inclined to believe that this may be a very wise - and thus, very rare, breed of monk.

I have nothing further.

lupercus @ 2003-07-24 11:03 pm UTC

Let me see if I can't find that name in my books... Ah, here we are: Radomér Lupényi was an uncle of mine - I'd wager that was the original spelling of Lupin a century ago. Seems that he was some sort of scholar, quite well-schooled in the early Transfiguration arts, and one of the first Animagi in Eastern Europe. His animal was a boar - how quaint.

How interesting! Thank you, Severus, for that delightful bit of history.

And - er - pardon my saying, but wasn't your mother French?

potions_master @ 2003-07-24 11:19 pm UTC

How fascinating, Lupin, that your relation was a bore. And no, that is not spelled incorrectly.

My mother's people came from Grasse, so yes, she was French.

And I still stand by my original statement.

(parent)

lupercus @ 2003-07-24 11:28 pm UTC

Grasse? By Godric, Severus, no wonder you chose to follow Potions, if your mother was raised among the nez. It is suddenly clear where you inherited your distinguished profile.

(parent)

potions_master @ 2003-07-24 11:44 pm UTC

I'll have you know, Lupin, that my proboscus is of Romanian origins. It has absolutely nothing to do with my mother's dalliance with the so-called art of brewing pungent toilet-water.

Sadly, McGonagall chooses to wear her signature creation, and I am forever haunted by the redolence of Emersende whenever I attempt to take tea in the Staff Room.

My life is extremely difficult.

(parent)

lupercus @ 2003-07-24 11:59 pm UTC

Your mother created Emersende? How utterly dreadful for you, and the millions upon millions of Galleons you must be swimming in as a result. My grandmother alone bought galleons of the stuff. That must be why I occasionally feel compelled to tug on Minerva's skirts and ask her for chocolate.

Will you be able to pause in your travels to attend the party for Fumblebore, Severus? It would not be a party without your exhilarating presence, you know.

(parent)

potions_master @ 2003-07-25 12:05 am UTC

I guarantee you that I would be much less disenchanted with my mother's profession had I seen a knut of the profits. Unfortunately, the Emersende fortune was left in my sister's name, and as I am not aware of her location I am unable to access any of the gold, at all. More's the pity, as I would no longer be forced to educate mindless little numbskulls for a fraction of my worth.

Thank you, for bringing up such an unpleasant topic, you tactless sod.

And yes, I will be in attendance, as will Miss Chang. I shall not bring Lilitou as I do not trust your wretched ward around her. Not to mention your stupid dog. And the puppy.

I've no more time for conversation, now. We are leaving in the morning and I must attempt to get some rest without actually allowing my skin to touch the linens. This will require some concentration.

Good night.

(parent)

lupercus @ 2003-07-25 12:08 am UTC

I didn't know it was a delicate subject, Severus. I apologise.

Say hello to Cho, for me, and we will see you both very soon.

And on from sphere to sphere, forevermore.

(Thank you.)

(parent)

purestblood @ 2003-07-25 09:32 am UTC

Now, now, Severus. What you need is something to take your mind off the pain entirely. I am sure Miss Chang can fulfill that role quite nicely. I've heard things about Asian women and I spent the weeks before my wedding to Narcissa in a most intriguing section of Bangkok. None of the women there could speak English except for the phrase "For five galleon me love you long time." Most curious.