[Oh, she's read all about those, the witch hunts in puritanical America, back in the day. Of course, some parts of the States seem to her that they'd try it again if they could get away with it, but she's not about to say that to Prudence's face.
They've known each other for only twenty minutes, tops.]
I can understand why that would be the case, considering. It's harder to feign your own death as a witch nowadays than when people didn't cart you off to a morgue.
Oh, I suppose it helps if witches are running the morgue.
[They are, she means. In Greendale. Mortals are so fickle; she's glad to not be surrounded by them, here. ] I hope you don't mind if I bend your ear some more? For example -- all these barriers. It must take a lot of magic.
Grim - but probably true. Practical, too. [It was purely observational, right? Witches running the morgue - well, maybe in America that's how they deal with staying hidden.
She shakes her head, to not go on too many side-tracks.]
Ah, yes - the Statute of Secrecy is incredibly convoluted and complex. It's not just one person performing the spells, it's a combination of ancient blood rituals, probably some sex rituals in there too, not to mention Arithmancy and Runes, as well. It's - think of it like an iceberg, really. What you see on the surface - the fact that Muggles can't see us or find themselves in Diagon Alley by accident - is just the tip of it all. The underbelly of it is - is such intricate spellwork!
And here I thought you English witches were so vanilla, these days.
[There are worst generalisations to make, really. Hermione seems and sounds so proper, in a way that reminds Prudence of Hilda and Zelda both. There is a warmth to her that draws her in, that makes the prospect of butterbeer and conversation more enticing by the minute. ]
Do you do much research on the old ways? I don't mean to badger you with questions, it's just so fascinating how differently we all seem to evolve, don't you think?
It's fine, you can call us prudes - certainly in many aspects the British Wizarding world feels that way.
[They arrive at last at The Three Broomsticks, so Hermione pulls and holds the door open for Prudence to step through first. She'll find them a table by the window, maybe somewhere secluded, if they're going to continue having this incredibly entertaining conversation. She doesn't feel badgered at all; what's more, she feels interesting to someone, finally. All that knowledge locked up in her brain, finally useful to someone.]
To answer your question, I do try, though there isn't a lot of written research on it to go by. Mostly it's old magical families who preserve rituals, and they're secretive. Especially to people like me.
[There's a tight, almost pained smile, before Hermione bristles and looks towards the bar.] Anyway - Butterbeer, Ms Blackwood?
[Whatever does she mean; her curiosity is bubbling over. ] Old magical families tend to be snobs in my experience, for what it's worth. Annoyingly so.
[Not in the way Hermione means, probably. Worse, perhaps, in all manner of ways. ] In some ways -- tradition is all we have. Like butterbeer. I've heard you can't pass through Hogsmede without trying it.
I'll get us some. [She points towards a table by the window, empty.] Take over that one, will you?
[She hoists her bag of books over one shoulder and makes her way to the bar, where she orders two butterbeer pints for the two of them. She pays Rosmerta, and makes her way to the table, where the barmaid will have sent the pints through a clever spell.]
Ah, here we go - where were we? You mentioned that tradition is all we have in some ways, and I would disagree. [She shrugs, and takes her cloak off before taking a seat.] That kind of mentality is one I am very familiar with from my time in school, and all my adult life in the wizarding world, Ms Blackwood, so I should preface it by saying that I am a muggleborn. [And proud, says the jut of her chin.]
The wizarding world is stale in its traditions. It could do with some changes.
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no subject
They've known each other for only twenty minutes, tops.]
I can understand why that would be the case, considering. It's harder to feign your own death as a witch nowadays than when people didn't cart you off to a morgue.
no subject
[They are, she means. In Greendale. Mortals are so fickle; she's glad to not be surrounded by them, here. ] I hope you don't mind if I bend your ear some more? For example -- all these barriers. It must take a lot of magic.
no subject
She shakes her head, to not go on too many side-tracks.]
Ah, yes - the Statute of Secrecy is incredibly convoluted and complex. It's not just one person performing the spells, it's a combination of ancient blood rituals, probably some sex rituals in there too, not to mention Arithmancy and Runes, as well. It's - think of it like an iceberg, really. What you see on the surface - the fact that Muggles can't see us or find themselves in Diagon Alley by accident - is just the tip of it all. The underbelly of it is - is such intricate spellwork!
no subject
[There are worst generalisations to make, really. Hermione seems and sounds so proper, in a way that reminds Prudence of Hilda and Zelda both. There is a warmth to her that draws her in, that makes the prospect of butterbeer and conversation more enticing by the minute. ]
Do you do much research on the old ways? I don't mean to badger you with questions, it's just so fascinating how differently we all seem to evolve, don't you think?
no subject
It's fine, you can call us prudes - certainly in many aspects the British Wizarding world feels that way.
[They arrive at last at The Three Broomsticks, so Hermione pulls and holds the door open for Prudence to step through first. She'll find them a table by the window, maybe somewhere secluded, if they're going to continue having this incredibly entertaining conversation. She doesn't feel badgered at all; what's more, she feels interesting to someone, finally. All that knowledge locked up in her brain, finally useful to someone.]
To answer your question, I do try, though there isn't a lot of written research on it to go by. Mostly it's old magical families who preserve rituals, and they're secretive. Especially to people like me.
[There's a tight, almost pained smile, before Hermione bristles and looks towards the bar.] Anyway - Butterbeer, Ms Blackwood?
no subject
[Whatever does she mean; her curiosity is bubbling over. ] Old magical families tend to be snobs in my experience, for what it's worth. Annoyingly so.
[Not in the way Hermione means, probably. Worse, perhaps, in all manner of ways. ] In some ways -- tradition is all we have. Like butterbeer. I've heard you can't pass through Hogsmede without trying it.
no subject
[She hoists her bag of books over one shoulder and makes her way to the bar, where she orders two butterbeer pints for the two of them. She pays Rosmerta, and makes her way to the table, where the barmaid will have sent the pints through a clever spell.]
Ah, here we go - where were we? You mentioned that tradition is all we have in some ways, and I would disagree. [She shrugs, and takes her cloak off before taking a seat.] That kind of mentality is one I am very familiar with from my time in school, and all my adult life in the wizarding world, Ms Blackwood, so I should preface it by saying that I am a muggleborn. [And proud, says the jut of her chin.]
The wizarding world is stale in its traditions. It could do with some changes.