Banished: Chapter 11
Apr. 15th, 2007 03:11 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
zephyr_macabeeThe Institute gates were less than half a mile from Granny Jones’ cabin. An approaching Muggle would have seen a gap in a ridge of red rock; he also would have felt an urgent need to return to town. Severus, being both magical and expected, saw high walls stretching off into the distance on either side and ornate gates topped by eagle finials. The gates opened as they approached.
“They have sensors that receive a signal from the truck”, Nat explained.
“Muggle technology?”
“Adapted to Magical purposes, yes.”
As they drove through, the gates swung closed behind them. The road headed down a slight slope. At the bottom was the Institute campus, a cluster of low adobe buildings with plank roofs surrounding on three sides a center courtyard. The courtyard was paved with bricks in an intricate pattern that Severus could not make out. The pattern was punctuated by planter boxes and small gardens containing many different kinds of cacti and succulents. The central and tallest building, at three stories, was the Institute Administration building. As Nat pulled up in front, a tall, tanned girl with white-blonde hair which a Malfoy would covet trotted down the steps.
“Janet!” hollered Nat, startling Severus. “Why aren’t you at the market? Selene is going to kill you!”
“Oh hell, I forgot again.” The girl ran out into the courtyard and apparated away with a loud crack.
“I thought that perhaps apparition was not possible here, like at Hogwarts, and that is why you were driving the truck.”
“Apparition out is permitted everywhere on campus with permission of the Headmistress. Apparition in is allowed only to the courtyard and to campus security. Since you do not yet have clearance and because I had a load to carry to the market, I chose to drive to town today. There are several safe arrival spots in Sedona that I will show you next time we are in town. Some of the people on campus, like Granny Jones for example, do not like apparition, flooing or portkey travel, so they need to have someone drive them around. You don’t drive do you?”
“No, I was raised Muggle but I left before I was old enough to learn.” Severus was shocked at himself. He never told anyone about his background.
“If you like, I could teach you. You might find it a helpful skill if you are going to be working with Granny.”
“Maybe we can talk about it after my meeting with the Headmistress.” Severus was not sure he would be allowed to stay, although now he wanted to.
Nat parked the truck and he and Severus walked up the staircase and into the Administration building. It was cool and dark inside after the glare of the courtyard. Nat led Severus into an office off the lobby. An older, Asian woman was working at… was that a computer? Nat noticed Severus’ stare. “What’s wrong Severus?”
“That is a computer, correct?” Both Nat and the woman nodded. “How is it that it works here, in a magical environment? Nothing like that works at Hogwarts.”
“It works because we allow it to work.” His question was answered by a soft, cultured voice from the room beyond.
“Headmistress”, said Nat, “I would like to introduce to you Professor Severus Snape, from Hogwarts. Professor, this is Headmistress Margaret Twofeathers”.
Severus saw a handsome Native American woman of indeterminate age. Her hair was long and glossy black, pulled back from her face by a silver clasp. She was wearing tan linen slacks and a light blouse, covered with an amber teaching robe of stylish cut. She too had a bright aura about her. Severus could not remember ever seeing two people with such strong auras in rapid succession.
“Welcome, Professor Snape”, she said. “This is my assistant, Mrs. Zhu.” She is the fount of all knowledge here at the Institute. I doubt you can think of a question she cannot answer.” Mrs. Zhu smiled at that and rose to accept Severus’ greeting.
“Thank you Nat, you can leave Professor Snape with me for the moment. Come back in an hour if you would.”
“Yes, of course Headmistress.” Nat walked out and Severus was led into the inner office.
http://zephyr-macabee.livejournal.com/7700.html
“They have sensors that receive a signal from the truck”, Nat explained.
“Muggle technology?”
“Adapted to Magical purposes, yes.”
As they drove through, the gates swung closed behind them. The road headed down a slight slope. At the bottom was the Institute campus, a cluster of low adobe buildings with plank roofs surrounding on three sides a center courtyard. The courtyard was paved with bricks in an intricate pattern that Severus could not make out. The pattern was punctuated by planter boxes and small gardens containing many different kinds of cacti and succulents. The central and tallest building, at three stories, was the Institute Administration building. As Nat pulled up in front, a tall, tanned girl with white-blonde hair which a Malfoy would covet trotted down the steps.
“Janet!” hollered Nat, startling Severus. “Why aren’t you at the market? Selene is going to kill you!”
“Oh hell, I forgot again.” The girl ran out into the courtyard and apparated away with a loud crack.
“I thought that perhaps apparition was not possible here, like at Hogwarts, and that is why you were driving the truck.”
“Apparition out is permitted everywhere on campus with permission of the Headmistress. Apparition in is allowed only to the courtyard and to campus security. Since you do not yet have clearance and because I had a load to carry to the market, I chose to drive to town today. There are several safe arrival spots in Sedona that I will show you next time we are in town. Some of the people on campus, like Granny Jones for example, do not like apparition, flooing or portkey travel, so they need to have someone drive them around. You don’t drive do you?”
“No, I was raised Muggle but I left before I was old enough to learn.” Severus was shocked at himself. He never told anyone about his background.
“If you like, I could teach you. You might find it a helpful skill if you are going to be working with Granny.”
“Maybe we can talk about it after my meeting with the Headmistress.” Severus was not sure he would be allowed to stay, although now he wanted to.
Nat parked the truck and he and Severus walked up the staircase and into the Administration building. It was cool and dark inside after the glare of the courtyard. Nat led Severus into an office off the lobby. An older, Asian woman was working at… was that a computer? Nat noticed Severus’ stare. “What’s wrong Severus?”
“That is a computer, correct?” Both Nat and the woman nodded. “How is it that it works here, in a magical environment? Nothing like that works at Hogwarts.”
“It works because we allow it to work.” His question was answered by a soft, cultured voice from the room beyond.
“Headmistress”, said Nat, “I would like to introduce to you Professor Severus Snape, from Hogwarts. Professor, this is Headmistress Margaret Twofeathers”.
Severus saw a handsome Native American woman of indeterminate age. Her hair was long and glossy black, pulled back from her face by a silver clasp. She was wearing tan linen slacks and a light blouse, covered with an amber teaching robe of stylish cut. She too had a bright aura about her. Severus could not remember ever seeing two people with such strong auras in rapid succession.
“Welcome, Professor Snape”, she said. “This is my assistant, Mrs. Zhu.” She is the fount of all knowledge here at the Institute. I doubt you can think of a question she cannot answer.” Mrs. Zhu smiled at that and rose to accept Severus’ greeting.
“Thank you Nat, you can leave Professor Snape with me for the moment. Come back in an hour if you would.”
“Yes, of course Headmistress.” Nat walked out and Severus was led into the inner office.
http://zephyr-macabee.livejournal.com/7700.html
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2007-04-17 01:27 pm (UTC)As for SS...his amazement of Muggle technology in a magical location is interesting. So, the Brits are just not into hi-tech but could be, eh?
Oh, loved the crack about Malfoy covetting the hair! LOL!
Now, onto the next chapter.
no subject
Date: 2007-04-18 12:05 am (UTC)Now you know!
Date: 2007-04-18 08:50 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-05-06 03:11 pm (UTC)Ohhh and computers in magical enviorment. Cool.
annakas