Chapter Thirty - L'Eternité
Bonjour Draco,
So Sirius laughed at me when I came to him to ask about your French words, he thought I was pulling a prank not knowing 'bonjour' and 'au revoir'. Quite painful. He only believed me when Remus came in to explain to him that French is actually not something muggle children learn in primary school, and most certainly not from their parents. Sirius was appalled and jealous and the same time and has resolutely decided he is going to teach me French now, so I kind of hate you now, for you provided Sirius with a reason to give me extra lessons during the summer. Not to worry, secretly I'm actually quite happy, anything that is not studying or recovering is amazing! This summer is!
So yes not to worry, I am eating healthy, thank you mom. You actually sound a lot like Remus and, sadly also Snape (Severus?). I don't really understand why you all don't trust me, believe me, I am more than happy to finally not eat starchy food, still hate spinach though…
Enough about me though, Paris sounds incredible! What kind of dinner place is Arpége?
I'm really glad to hear your mom and you can have some peace and freedom. How is France? I've never been anywhere outside the UK. Perhaps you can bring back some fancy French tea for me.
Au Revoir ausee (that how you spell it?)
Harry
P.s. I am soo going to ignore how your room is smaller meaning that your shopping might not fit. That is just ridiculous and you do not deserve a reply to that.
Cher Harry,
Sorry it took me so long to draft a reply. After some amazing days a Paris, mother and I headed to the French countryside mansion (you remember right? My favourite?). Father joined us and from that moment, it seemed everything was ministry talk. Boring, as you might imagine, but I still enjoyed some horse riding and flying.
I will cherish the moment I hear you speak French. What an abomination that you have not learned such a beautiful language. Can you speak no other language than English? Truly uncultured. I for one know French, Latin, Italian and I have been wanting to pick up Greek. Mother knows even more.
Good of you to eat healthy, and I am proud of Severus he stimulates you in this. Funny enough, I also dislike the taste of spinach. This must mean we have more in common than flying. The world must be ending, I am certain of it.
I would invite you over, but with father here, that seems like a stretch. Next year, maybe. I would like to spend more time with you. Father told me about the plans for the next Hogwarts professor, have you heard about it? They are going to install a ministry official, because Dumbledore is uncapable of finding a good teacher. Why he doesn't let Severus teach us is beyond me. He would do an articulate job I imagine. The ministry first introduced this pompous pink women, Dolores or something. Honestly, father put a quick end to this. Luckily, he does care for the quality of my education. Not that Hogwarts is high on the ranking for that…. I should have gone to Durmstrang. Then I might have joined their amazing dance last year. What a dream.
Of course, I will bring tea with me. Mother and I will be going to our tea specialist tomorrow. I will try and find something that fits specifically with treacle tart. Maybe we can drink it together.
Cordialement,
Draco
Postcriptum. I did indeed buy too much, but we placed most of it in the second living room. There is no ridicule in this.
Postpostscriptum. My favourite French poem is L'Eternité By Arthur Rimbaud. Maybe you would like it, now that you might understand French? It makes me believe there is hope left after all. It goes as follows:
Elle est retrouvée.
Quoi ? – L'Eternité.
C'est la mer allée
Avec le soleil.
Ame sentinelle,
Murmurons l'aveu
De la nuit si nulle
Et du jour en feu.
Des humains suffrages,
Des communs élans
Là tu te dégages
Et voles selon.
Puisque de vous seules,
Braises de satin,
Le Devoir s'exhale
Sans qu'on dise : enfin.
Là pas d'espérance,
Nul orietur.
Science avec patience,
Le supplice est sûr.
Elle est retrouvée.
Quoi ? – L'Eternité.
C'est la mer allée
Avec le soleil.
Translations of the poem are scarce and quite unclear, but here is one so you can grasp the idea!
It has been found again.
What? – Eternity.
It is the sea fled away
With the sun.
Sentinel soul,
Let us whisper the confession
Of the night full of nothingness
And the day on fire.
From humain approbation,
From common urges
You diverge here
And fly off as you may.
Since from you alone,
Satiny embers,
Duty breathes
Without anyone saying: at last.
Here is no hope,
No orietur.
Knowledge and fortitude,
Torture is certain.
It has been found again.
What? – Eternity.
It is the sea fled away
With the sun.