Augustus Rookwood, Manuscript, Early 1977

[corviform]

Name: Augustus Rookwood
Date: Early Spring 1977
Format: Fragment of a manuscript; note
Relevance: This incomplete page from a restricted muggle manuscript of 1467 was found in Rookwood's lab, and dates his research into Inferi to early 1977, roughly around the time of his recruitment by the Death Eaters.

Comments

[viridigitus]

Fantastically done! I bet it took a while to get the spelling so... dated.

*looks at the note curiously*
Moonflower and quicklime. The former doesn't tend to thrive in alkali soils although I don't suppose you're growng it anyway. Have you had much success with your experiments so far?

[corviform]

As a matter of fact, I have a rather impressive specimen growing in my bathroom. *polite smile* Though I've now eliminated the need for it in the process. A spell is rather neater and more convenient than a potion.

Thank you! It did, but it was fun. I pinched a lot of that from various places though and cobbled it together. ;)

[viridigitus]

*amused*
Hmm, really? Well, I won't enquire as to why. But yes, I have to agree, the use of a spell would take a number of variables for error out of the equation.

[corviform]

*raises one shoulder in an eloquent shrug* I prefer a more interesting houseplant. Why else?

Quite. With regards to your earlier question, yes, I have had some noteable successes. But making an inferius is hardly the problem, I mastered the technique quickly enough. Making them to last, now that's worthwhile.

[viridigitus]

It certainly is interesting, I'll give you that.

Well, if anyone was going to be successful it would be you. I can't think of anything you've not achieved once you put your mind to it. Lasting though... what wears out first? Energy, magic or physicality?

[corviform]

*snorts* Call it a hobby. I imagine you've more than a few such interesting plants yourself, though I try to keep mine... containable, for the most part.

*inclines his head, almost - but not quite - graciously* As you say.
Physicality, invariably. The specimens themselves are unstable, decaying, and this also drains magical power. There's a vicious cycle of sorts which I'm working to overcome.

[viridigitus]

*laughs*
Oh, more than a few, certainly. They're more for work than hobby though.

*ponders on this*
I suppose you've tried removing the agents of decay - low temperatures, sterile and anoxic environs and such... but what use is that when you go to use them. *shrugs* Plants are much easier for preservation - sporopollenin can last for millions of years, no problems there.

I do wish you luck though and am quite intrigued to see what you come up with.

[corviform]

Naturally.
*thoughtfully, raising his chin*
As a matter of fact, Miss Yaxley, I wonder if you might be able to help me. I've been trying to obtain some of the melanorrhizon variant of hellebore, but it appears to be very tightly controlled. My own contacts are not so useful where plants are concerned, so I find myself at a loss.

*nods* So you see why more research is needed. *chuckles* They're fascinating creatures, really, it's rather a shame that most material concerning them is banned.

Much appreciated. Let us hope my research is not halted before any significant progress, hm?

[viridigitus]

*takes a second to consider*
Yes, it would be, Class B non-tradable if I recall. I don't have any of that variant currently growing but I know the Institute has a steady supply for their Potions department. I can certainly ask around for you. It's a very odd strain though, difficult to predict its interactions. Can I ask why you're using it?

*sighs*
Rediculous censorship again - limiting the pursuit of knowledge for the sake of outdated ideals... it's despisable. I've had the same problems with my own research from time to time.

*taps head*
Touch wood.

[corviform]

Mm. The jargon sounds familiar, at any rate. *thin smile* I've been using it in a tincture for some while on subjects at the Department of Mysteries, but my supply is fast running low. Naturally I can't disclose much, but- let us say that as long as certain properties remain stable, it matters very little what else it does.

Mm. *nods, a muscle in his jaw tightening momentarily* It makes one rather more determined to work around their dictates, I find. *one side of his mouth rises in a smile* *with a slightly theatrical sigh* What can one do when one's hand is forced?

[viridigitus]

*smiles and nods*
I'll have to take your word for it. Hmmm, if a regular supply is what you need rather than a single batch, it might be better if you talked to them yourself and see what you could set up.
*takes out a pen and parchment and scribles out contact details for the Russian researchers*
You'll have more success if you tell them that I referred you; some of the research they do is very sensitive and *laughs* well, I'm sure you know all about that situation.
*hands him the parchment*

*smiles*
Try to change the dictates, what else? One of the reasons I'm doing all this *gestures into the air* is so that I can do the work I need to and get my papers published.

[corviform]

Yes, that sounds wise.
*angles his head to see what she's writing, but only for a moment before looking away*
Indeed, I shall be sure to. I find being an Unspeakble often helps in these matters though. It at least suggests I know how to keep my silence, anyway.
*nods once and reads over the details once it's in his hand* Much appreciated. Have you worked with them often? It seems to me the Russian authorities are a little more... relaxed where herbology is concerned.

*nods distractedly, regarding the floor between them thoughtfully* Yes, I suspect we're alike in that respect. At least a little. *chuckles to himself* It's unfortunate - and extremely shortsighted of the authorities - that we find ourselves so underappreciated, no? *wolfish grin*

[viridigitus]

*shrugs*
Even so, and mentioning your occupation might make it harder. They're very wary of our government. Well... all governments to be frank but they'll certainly give more ground if you go as an academic rather than a Ministry worker.

I worked there for my Apprenticeship with those in the Pathology and Herbology departments and managed to stay in touch since. *little laugh* You tend to keep the contacts you make in those sorts of conditions.

It's foolish is what it is. Limiting knowledge for such rediculously slight and unfounded reasons. It's like being back in the Dark Ages.

[corviform]

Mm. *nods slowly as if taking this on board* Luckily for its researchers, the Department of Mysteries maintains some small degree of independence from the Ministry itself. Not officially, of course, but it's a little easier to ignore the people upstairs if they're too nervous to come down to us. Of course, we are all academics down there, or we would not have been hired to do research.

*small amused sound* Indeed you do. Even with professional rivals, in my experience. Gives the whole thing more savour.

Knowledge has always been restricted in one form or another by those intimidated by it. Look at the completely arbitrary distinction between "light" and "dark" magic. I've no time for it at all. *sour smile* This is only to be expected in a society which prizes contentedness and mediocrity over all else.

[viridigitus]

Yes, you are very lucky in that respect. One of the reasons I never went to work for the Ministry was the freedom of research it would have cost me. Granted the pay's nowhere near as good with my current job but at least I can do the work I wish to without restrictions.

Especially with professional rivals, I would have thought. What's the point in the rivalry if they don't know when you've managed to get one over them?

Well, hopefully we'll be able to change that when the time comes. I can't wait for the day I can complete some of the tests I've had on hold - prove the hypotheses I've worked on over the years. I imagine you're the same.

Random question: is that an electron microscopic view of viruses in your icon?

[corviform]

*waves his hand* No one goes into research for the money. I'm glad I've never had to worry about that myself. The Department of Mysteries serves as a rather prestigeous stepping stone to other things, but you're quite right in thinking there are sacrifices to be made in return.

Quite. *slow grin, one eyebrow arched* And have you any particular rivalries yourself, at present?

There are usually ways around these things, even if research must be kept quiet.

It is! :)