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The World Can Seem So Vast - Zachariah Binns - June 24, 2020
Jupiter Smith
June 20th, 1890 Miss Smith,
I do hope this letter finds you well, and you aren't sweltering in the desert sun. After hearing of your plans while in Egypt, I've found myself perusing various texts. You do have such a way of interesting a person.
Enclosed, I've included a very recent report from a muggle archaeologist named Flinders Petrie that I hope will help aid you in your own research. He sounds to be their foremost expert on the topic, and he has stumbled upon some oddities that certainly sound beyond his scope.
It was lovely hearing of all your adventures while you were in London.
I hope our paths cross again soon.
Fondly,
Zachariah Binns
He has taken the care to wrap the research in waterproofing material. It's obvious he had sent away for the included pages for they are in a muggle envelope with colorful stamps in the corner.
RE: The World Can Seem So Vast - Jupiter Smith - June 24, 2020
My team and I thank you for this research. They had heard some of Mr. Petrie's work but hadn't yet bee
able to secure a copy of it. From the few minutes I've had to study it it's clear he's operating beyond his scope. Frankly, I'm surprised the Egyptian ministry hasn't yet intervened. The amount of curses Mr. Petrie appears to have encountered is obscene.
I've only just begun to get my bearings here, so I hope to have tales to tell in my next letter. The trip through the continent seemed endless in comparison to the trip across the Atlantic, surprisingly. The heat here will take some getting used to, it's so unlike South America. Otherwise, I'm well and overjoyed to be back at work.
I hope things are well back in Hogsmeade. Perhaps we shall meet on Africa this time instead of Australia as we discussed. Do let me know if you'll be traveling at all.
RE: The World Can Seem So Vast - Zachariah Binns - June 28, 2020
June 30th, 1890 Miss Jo Smith,
Perhaps, the Egyptian ministry has decided the curses might scare Mr. Petrie off. It would be far less work for them if they didn't need to intervene and risk their staff. I do hope you and your team avoid some of Mr Petrie's pitfalls.
Things are well here. We are tirelessly preparing for a literary festival come July. It entails quite a lot of letter writing. Though, I much prefer my correspondence with you. My mother is most excited that one of her favorite authors has accepted my invitation to speak at the event.
I hope you are all settled in. I shall see if I have any business in Africa for my August trip and write to you once I am sure. I will be in Greece, at the very least, which is closer to your part of the world than where I am currently.
Your sincere friend,
Zachariah
RE: The World Can Seem So Vast - Jupiter Smith - June 28, 2020
A literary festival sounds grand, I'm sorry to miss it. Will there be any services offered to the illiterate? I must profess to never being fond of reading for pleasure, but the ability to read is one I feel ought to be granted to all. Perhaps some sort of free introductory class? You would have to find someone to run it, of course, but surely you must know someone. Your sister, perhaps? I never did ask how she felt about children now that I'm thinking of it...
We've thus far avoided the worst of what Mr. Petrie described, albeit narrowly at times. It helps to have a trained cursebreaker nearby, and in our case we have two! Maybe the Egyptian Ministry finally saw the dangers of our work and insisted upon the extra staff. Whatever the case may be, I'm relieved not to be alone all the same, as I was forced to dismantle a curse on my own in Venezuela on more than one occasion.
Greece isn't terribly far at all! If I have proper warning I might be able to arrange for a day off to visit with you there. Have you been to Greece before? The temples are marvelous, as are some of the views at sunset.
I'm settled in well enough now. The dry heat took some getting used to, and I daresay I'm far tanner now than the righteous English sort would find acceptable. We're making progress in finding the base of the tombs, though, so I really oughtn't complain. Arabic is far more complex than I previously believed, too. They've taught me some phrases, but all texts I must use a translation charm on. I miss the ease of Spanish.
I hope you're well. Do let me know if there are any texts you're in need of here. I'd be happy to send them along.
RE: The World Can Seem So Vast - Zachariah Binns - July 3, 2020
July 15th, 1890 Jo,
There shall be services and learning opportunities for the illiterate. We have quite a few volunteers who are hoping to connect with those individuals. Perhaps, if all goes well, maybe you could join us next year. I shall also keep my ears wide open for there is a panel of Egyptian researchers scheduled to speak. If I hear anything of interest, I shall pass it on to you.
I am thankfully that your team consists of multiple cursebreakers. I can't bear to think what might occur if you stumbled upon something truly terrible without back-up. That is not to say that you aren't fully capable of handling things on your own. It must be wonderfully exciting finding the resting places of those who have departed so long ago. I admire your courage to investigate.
I believe I will be headed to Greece the second week of August. I should be there the majority of the week staying with a colleague of mine. There are a few stops I need to make around the area. I have been, but it was quite some time ago, and I didn't get a chance to visit the temples. Perhaps, you could show me your favorite places?
If you find any texts that you think are rare or would be of great interest, that would be wonderful if you pass them on. I trust your judgement.
Until we write again,
Zach
This time, he has enclosed an Arabic/English dictionary in case she might find it helpful.
RE: The World Can Seem So Vast - Jupiter Smith - July 3, 2020
How grand! You're providing a wonderful service for your community — you should be proud. If my schedule allows for a break next year I shall definitely endeavor to support you however I can. This job is meant to last at least one year with short sabbaticals every so often, so I'm unsure where I'll be at this time next year. We'll have plenty of time to plan, however, so I'm almost positive I can arrange to be home then. Who is on the Egyptian panel? I wonder if I've spoken with any of them before. Granted, up until recently my interest remained in the Americas so I doubt I've had any conversations of note. I'm curious to know what's shared.
I, too, am thankful for our cursebreakers. I was once caught without one in Central America and still have scars on my forearms as a result. As knowledgeable as I am about ancient runes and curses, I've not trained with an experienced cursebreaker. That is a career choice I think my mother would protest if I suggested it. A friend of mine, Mr. Somersby Fudge, is training as a cursebreaker here. At the very least there's the familiar company of someone from home.
The second week of August it is. At risk of sounding cliche, Athens would be the best starting point, I think. There are several boats that routinely make the trip from the nearby dock to there. Would that fit your itinerary? If you don't mind my tagging along on your errands we can make whatever route through the sites you require. I'm looking forward to seeing you, Zach.
Oh! I almost forgot! Thank you for the dictionary! It's been enormously helpful in picking up the language. My boss has also said to thank you, for now I don't have to interrupt him a million times for assistance with a tricky translation. It was incredibly thoughtful, and remind me to give you what's owed while we're in Greece.
I've included the preliminary findings of my employer, Mr. Kamal Hassan. They're not to be published just yet, but I thought you might be interested in reading what we're working on.
P.S. I only just now realized the festival is likely going on at the time of my letter. I hope it goes accordingly.
RE: The World Can Seem So Vast - Zachariah Binns - July 8, 2020
July 29th, 1890 Jo,
The Egypt panel consisted of Ms. Cramming, Mr. and Mrs. Diggory, and [insert others here]. It was very well received and one of our most attended talks, standing room only. I asked a diligent youngster to take detailed notes on the panel, which I have included in this letter. I have edited it slightly to correct some of his more creative spellings, but he did very well at catching all the details. I hope you enjoy it.
I have not ever had the chance to be acquainted with Mr. Somersby Fudge, but I know of his family as they own the Sandition Resort. What I know of them makes me assured to think you are likely in good hands.
Athens would fit my schedule just fine. In fact, one of my contacts is currently there studying at one of the muggle universities. It would be a pleasure to have you accompany me. I shall start arranging for a portkey for arrival on August the tenth. I hope that suits your schedule.
There is no need to repay me for the dictionary. Think of it as a gift from someone who has a keen interest in watching you succeed.
I eagerly await the journey.
Zach
RE: The World Can Seem So Vast - Jupiter Smith - July 8, 2020
Thank you for the panel notes. Some of the speakers were very insightful as to my present work. I'm very sorry to have missed it. I also do appreciate your edits, the youngster hasn't quite yet mastered spelling it seems.
I've arranged to get into Athens on the 9th and to leave on the 15th. I realize that means we will be missing a day together, but I didn't want to risk unfair weather and missing you.
The 10th cannot come soon enough enough. I'll see you then.