[Feb 10] Mermaybe [Cepheus]

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[Feb 10] Mermaybe [Cepheus]

on February 16, 2016, 07:39:36 PM

Lua Taylor
Gryffindor Tower
Hogwarts


Mr. Cepheus Gamp
c/o Charmed Paper Airplane via Owl
Beings Division
The Ministry of Magic
February 10

Mr. Gamp,

Hello! It's very nice to meet you! Sort of meet you, I mean. It's very nice to write to you, anyway, and I imagine you are a lovely person from the newspaper quotes I've read and because you're related to Ariadne who is really, really lovely.

We're in the same house, but I'm a fifth year, so I've two more years to go and I was wondering whether we might have more brilliant interviews guest lectures with Beings? I was going to ask Professor Storm. I still will actually. (Really!) And Professor Donovan. But I'm supposed to studying for my O.W.L.s for both classes right now and owe them essays tomorrow morning, when I'm really just cutting out bits of the newspaper on my break. One is a picture of a winking man to Spell-o-Tape over my roommate's bed, because she's had a hard day, and one... I just cut out a shape of text on the economy because I was practicing scissor charms and it seemed less wasteful! And I just keep borrowing books about mermaids from the library. It's fascinating that they aren't classified by Beings, but I think it's really lovely that they got to pick their own classification. Still, I wonder, what if they had called themselves something else and not Beasts or Beings? Would we let them? Do you think we could have a Mermaid guest lecture? I know you're the Beings head, but there are wizards who speak Mermish so I thought perhaps there might be some crossover! Maybe because I'm also Muggleborn and grew up with really lovely ideas of mermaids, but I hope there's a bright future ahead for Merpeople-Wizarding relations.


Thank you,
Lua Taylor

Re: [Feb 10] Mermaybe [Cepheus]

Reply #1 on February 18, 2016, 02:58:42 PM

C.A.Gamp
Being Division
Department for Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures
Ministry of Magic
London

Lua Taylor
Gryffindor Tower
Hogwarts
February 11, 2011

Dear Lua,

Thank you very much for your delightful letter yesterday (10th February). It’s very nice to sort-of meet you too.

I am very encouraged to hear you enjoyed the recent visiting speaker. Madam Islington has a wealth of insight and experience, and I hope she may feel welcome enough to revisit Hogwarts on a more regular basis to speak. Do approach Professor Donovan and Professor Storm to encourage them to invite further speakers - I may encourage them, but it is you, the students who really have the influence there.

Mermaids are classified as Beasts by their own choice, you are correct. They are sentient, so were able to protest their proposed Stump classification in 1811. A Being is any creature that has sufficient intelligence to understand the laws of the magical community and to bear part of the responsibility in shaping those laws.

The protest stems back to Chief Elfrida Clagg. She refused to accept merpeople as beings under her definition of the term as those who could 'speak the human tongue', with Mermish not being considered adequate as it could not be understood above water. This decision upset both the merpeople and centaurs.

By choosing to classify themselves as Beasts they declare themselves magical creatures who do not have sufficient intelligence to understand the laws of the magical community nor bear part of the responsibility in shaping those laws. Along with centaurs (allies of the merpeople), some would say they opted out of the responsibility of being held accountable of their actions in law, but the records state that they opposed to being classified with hags and vampires.

With respect to your query, it would not be possible for merpeople to reclassify themselves, as the classifications are defined and maintained by the Ministry. It is only in law and in the management and responsibility of Divisions that it is most important. An additional classification would still come down to the capability of understanding our laws.

It would require interpretation for a merperson to feature as a guest speaker at Hogwarts, and it would not be very comfortable for the speaker to be above water for an extended length of time - however, I shall refer your query on to my colleague Mr Spectre of Being Division to note interest from Hogwarts.

When one is not practising scissor charms to cheer up down-spirited dorm-mates, does one ever consider possible careers with the Department for Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures? I would be very interested to hear from broad-minded students, such as yourself, who would like to gain some experience with the Department over summer. I enclose with this letter, a few leaflets on our opportunities and an application form. I would be very encouraged to hear from you if a placement with Being Division was of interest to you, Miss Taylor.

(Do be sure to complete your homework first though, Ariadne tells me Professor Donovan and Professor Storm’s detentions are most tedious.)

Best wishes,



Head of Being Division

Re: [Feb 10] Mermaybe [Cepheus]

Reply #2 on April 03, 2016, 07:49:05 AM

Lua Taylor
Gryffindor Tower
Hogwarts


Mr. Cepheus Gamp
I Think It Found You!
Beings Division in the Department for Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures
The Ministry of Magic
February 11 12

Dear Mr. Gamp,

It’s midnight here, but I had to write back! I’ll definitely go see Professors Donovan and Storm— I’m not sure they’d appreciate it at this time, either, though. But I got my essays in, so that must count for something! I think I’ll try to catch Donovan first thing in the morning because she is quite a lovely person, and my grade is a bit better in Care of Magical Creatures, to be very honest. I like Defense, too, but I like getting my hands dirty. It’s a bit more fun than getting them hexed! She also has a brother who teaches here, did you know? I’ve worked for him in the summer and he’s got the most gorgeous eyes dog ever. She probably wouldn’t mind too much if I crashed her breakfast.

I was thinking I might bake something for Professor Storm and try to grab him, too (with muffins!), but he doesn’t seem like a sweet tooth. Bloody Muffins made with raspberry filling are relevant to class, though! I know he’ll be glad we like his classes, I’m just not sure if his face will look amused when I pop up during his breakfast. What do you think? I suppose this letter will get to you after I’ve attempted… or in the middle of it… so wish me luck! My neighbor back home in London is 'distinguished in decades' too and loves when I put flax seeds in muffins, so maybe that will do the trick. They really stimulate the body.

Mermaids sound like rockstars, honestly. Do you think they enjoy music? The ones in our muggle stories do. I’ve never seen a mermaid mosh pit, though, so I’m adding that to my list of things to ask a guest lecturer! Thank you so much for the interesting history. If you ever get sacked want a new job, I bet you’d make a great History of Magic professor. Somehow your letter is much more interesting to read than the textbook!

It’s a shame we had to put their language in our context to decide their rights. That seems quite unjust. I’ll write a letter to Mr. Spectre as soon as I can! I have a friend, Ambrose Pepper, who writes for the paper. He does really brilliant interviews. I bet if he had an interpreter, he’d do a great job with the mermaids.

I would love to work with magical creatures when I graduate! Thank you SO MUCH for the application! I’m sending it back with this letter, actually. I promise I’ve already done that homework. There’s more but it’s not due yet.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Thank you again,
Lua Taylor

Re: [Feb 10] Mermaybe [Cepheus]

Reply #3 on April 16, 2016, 04:47:51 PM

C.A.Gamp
Being Division
Department for Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures
Ministry of Magic
London
Lua Taylor
Gryffindor Tower
Hogwarts

14 February 2011

Dear Lua,

Thank you for your letter. I was not in the office at the weekend, so did not get to read your letter until this morning. I hope you had a good weekend and enough sleep.

It is heartening to see your good marks in Care of Magical Creatures. Professor S.Donovan is held in high respect by our Department. I am also aware of Professor G.Donovan. I hope Professor S.Donovan did not mind you interrupting her breakfast. I could not comment on Professor Storm. Either way, I hope your queries were well received. My thanks again for approaching your professors to express your interest.

We are very glad to receive your application to join us this summer. I shall review and confirm back which of the Division teams you will be able to assist. We are keen for interns to experience a little time with each to get a broad understanding of the work of Being Division. As you also have an interest in Care of Magical Creatures and creatures I shall also copy your application to Mr Spectre to see if we might be able to extend your placement across both Divisions. Should you wish I can also approach Spirit Division.

Mermaids do enjoy music very much! The oldest recorded is the Sirens of Greece, who I encourage you to look up in your library texts. Merpeople have composed many songs in their native tongue, mermish, though they must be performed underwater to be adequately appreciated by our ears. They have developed a slightly modified scale, and rhythms are more free-flowing. Have you ever heard plainchant? It is slower moving, stepped intervals and to our ears sounds as if it lingers towards minor key. Sound travels faster in water, so the notes may overlap to anyone further away, and certainly it can be heard from further away.

Although percussion instruments work underwater to a certain extent, Mermaids have also developed their own instruments, called hydraulophones which look to us like huge flutes, only they pass water through them, not air. Should you ask your librarian, I am sure there is a recording held at Hogwarts on a vinyl you might be able to hear mermaid-performed music. If not, I would be very glad to bring a small collection from the Department to demonstrate to interested students one day.

Best of luck with your endeavours, I will send you an owl in coming weeks to confirm arrangements for the summer.

Best wishes,



Head of Being Division

Re: [Feb 10] Mermaybe [Cepheus]

Reply #4 on May 04, 2016, 06:03:11 AM

Lua Taylor
Gryffindor Tower
Hogwarts


Mr. Cepheus Gamp
Beings Division
The Ministry of Magic
February 14

Dear Mr. Gamp,

Thank you again! I'm sure my professors will help me, even if some of them don't like interruptions at breakfast. Or ever.

Should I also owl Mr. Spectre? I would absolutely love to see a dragon in person one day. Not that that's the only reason I'd want to work in either of your departments!

I'm going to check out every book the library has to offer on Mermaid history, and see if I can't find something about beginner's Mermish and those chants! My friends have only just returned, though, so I don't want to disturb anyone with loud or unusual sounds. It's horrible, what they've been through. If you have any recommendations for listening to the songs properly, so that they might be soothing to humans, I'm all ears! Would I need to hold the book under the water, do you think? But then Mr. Morgan might not want me to return it. And if I don't...

I think I will start by asking Mr. Morgan for those recordings and giant headphones. We have those extra fluffy for Herbology, and muggles make a version for music, so there must be something I can use. I can't wait for the summer and maybe the real thing!!

Thank you so much,
Lua Taylor


P.S. I hope you like the biscuits and I'm very, very sorry if the Ministry is like muggle movies where food and packages are confiscated.[1] Please share them with Mr. Spectre!
 1. Attached: homemade biscuits in the shapes of dragons, mermaids, and fangy mouths, with lots of colorful sugar sprinkles

Re: [Feb 10] Mermaybe [Cepheus]

Reply #5 on May 28, 2016, 09:14:51 AM

C.A.Gamp
Being Division
Department for Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures
Ministry of Magic
London
Miss L.Taylor
Gryffindor Tower
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

17 February 2011

Dear Miss Taylor,

Thank you for your letter to Mr Cepheus Gamp, received 15th February 2011.  He was very grateful to receive your gift of biscuits.
(They were delicious please send more, I only got one.)

Mr Gamp is currently too hungover[1] indisposed but endeavours to respond to your correspondence by 25th February.

Apologies for the delay.

Kind regards,


Kayla Greensleeves

Secretary to Cepheus Gamp - Head of Being Division
 1. …from getting blind drunk with his sister over what their parents have done

Re: [Feb 10] Mermaybe [Cepheus]

Reply #6 on May 28, 2016, 09:39:15 AM

C.A.Gamp
Being Division
Department for Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures
Ministry of Magic
London
Lua Taylor
Gryffindor Tower
Hogwarts

22 February 2011

Dear Lua,

Thank you for your letter and the biscuits. So sorry it has taken me a while to reply. I hope you and your friends are doing well.

Your biscuits were most excellent, and I was most envious of your baking abilities.  The Division (and Mr Spectre) all agreed they were perhaps the best biscuits they had ever tasted, and apparently I am the world’s worst boss if I do not let you join us this summer. Your plan succeeded…?

Now, you asked me if you should also owl Mr Spectre as you would absolutely love to see a dragon - I am sure Mr Spectre would very much enjoy your correspondence also, but I am sure we might arrange for you to visit one of the registered sanctuaries with Beast Division during your time with us.

Were you successful in finding resources on mermaid history or beginner’s mermish, or the recordings?

I enclose a second hand copy I came across at Diagon book market which is somewhat comprehensive in the basics. Please don’t dunk any Hogwarts library book in water. Mr Morgan will be incredibly displeased if you do. However, as I repaired the cover of this edition[1], I also treated it with a long-lasting impervius charm. It took a swim in my bath quite happily and came out only requiring a wipe over, so you should be safe for a couple of years before you need to renew it.

I also enclose an application form for the summer, just a few formalities to keep you safe and establish parental permission as you are not yet of age. You will also need to let us know how you intend to get to work - the details of floor, portkeys are included. Should you or your parents have any further queries regarding the opportunity, please owl me.

Best wishes,



Head of Being Division
 1. Submerged Speaking, by D.Epths & S.Hallow
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