CW - discussion of blood

November 22nd, 1894 - by post

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Dear Miss Emsworth,

I do hope my letter finds you well.

I have been given your name as an eminent botanist who may be able to address my query, I shall endeavour not to take too much of your time but would very much appreciate your assistance.

I am a fifth-year student at Hogwarts, currently undertaking a year-long botany study as part of my class with Professor Skeeter. I am enjoying this project very much and hope it is something that would also interest you. The plant I have picked is the Vampiric Vegetation species and I have successfully grown four specimens to a height of approximately three inches since the start of school term. From my reading, I have gleaned that the growth of the species can be affected by the presence of fresh blood in the soil. To explore this possibility I have decided to inoculate three of the four specimens with rat, newt and human blood respectively.

My first query is whether there is actual scientific merit to this theory as the texts I have read are mostly anecdotal and somewhat contradictory, I would enjoy hearing your expert opinion to be able to add this to my project discussion. So far the variance between the specimens is minimal, with the only difference being that the specimens given human blood are perhaps slightly darker, but within normal growth variance.

My second query is about the blood. For both practical and moral ease I have had the school infirmary draw samples of my own blood for the inoculation, approximately 3 cc have been administered so far over three months. This, however, poses a problem, for which I unfortunately expect to lose marks for oversight in planning. I am a metamorphmagus, and I am now curious whether this will affect the outcome of my study. In your belief or experience, would the administration of metamorphmagic blood likely have any additional consequences beyond what would be expected from normal human blood?

I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the matter.

Sincerely yours,
Miss Antelope Grace

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Cordelia Emsworth Mason Skeeter

  

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Her name is pronounced similarly to Penelope

November 25th, 1894

Miss Grace,

Your query is quite the surprise, as it has been a while since I have heard from Professor Skeeter. A most welcome surprise however, and I shall do my best to answer your questions as thoroughly as possible.

To be honest, I have never worked with any variety of vampiric vegetation that thrives on actual blood. In my experience, the vampiric vegetation from my travels survives on the juices of other plants and fruits for sustenance. Much like a vampire would thrive on something that it needed to live before turning, the vampiric vegetation often feasts on what it contains itself. While I do know that there is no change involved, like that of human to vampire, I am intrigued to know what variety of plant it is you are working with. My herbology professor was much less adventurous than Professor Skeeter, and so we only worked with more tame subjects, but I do hope Professor Skeeter has properly prepared you for defanging and treating possible bites. They can be quite nasty.

Regardless, as to your question about the qualities of your own blood in the experiment, which was set up beautifully, by your explanation, I have faith that the additional magic in your own blood, something that is not common among magical folk, would certainly impact the results in regards to growth. I am no human biologist, but my professional opinion is that it will unlikely create any additional properties to the plant itself. You will not be changing the plant in its most basic sense, altering the natural state of it, but adding something to the soil. That would need to be done on a more cellular level.

I have reached out to some colleagues who may have more experience in the matter and I will get back to you if something of use pops up. In the meantime, I have attached a copy of one of my favorite, lesser-known books on semi-sentient plants, I do believe there is a chapter or two on the vampiric vegetation.

I do hope that helps, best of luck!

Most Sincerely,
Cordelia Emsworth

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   Antelope Grace

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December 1st, 1894

Miss Emsworth,

Thank you for your reply, it has been very insightful and will aid me in my research. Your thoughts on the plants not thriving on actual blood are fascinating and do appear to be borne out by the current states of growth in my plants. Most of the notes on them being sanguine appear to be anecdotal or folklore-based, but folklore always seems to have the most lovely hidden truths hidden in its tales. The species I am working with is the European Barrow Lily, it is typically found around old tombs and seems to favour grave dirt which might explain the stories that I have read.

Regards defanging the plant, so far the plants have not begun to exhibit their fangs but I suspect by the time of my next physical examination that gloves shall be necessary. Professor Skeeter has given all the suitable training to remove the fangs during class, but my personal preference,, for now, is to leave them intact to observe them in as natural a state as possible. Merlin knows I might live to regret that decision.

Thank you for the book, I have not seen this one before and it now sits on my nightstand, I do not doubt that some of the other Hufflepuff girls are eyeing it with interest too.

Sincerely yours,
Miss Antelope Grace

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Cordelia Emsworth Mason Skeeter

  

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Her name is pronounced similarly to Penelope

December 6th, 1894

Miss Grace,

I'm pleased that the knowledge and book have been helpful. I am intrigued as to hear the final results of your experiment, if you do not mind updating me once in a while? I can make an excellent recommendation for some very sturdy, elbow-length gloves to protect your hands and arms with. Quite impenetrable, but leaves your dexterity in better shape than others I have found.

I have sent along another snippet of a publication specifically about your barrow lily. I have never worked with them myself, but I tend toward more exotic species.

Wishing you the best of luck in your academic endeavors.

Most Sincerely,
Cordelia Emsworth

  

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