white_hart (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
white_hart) wrote2007-11-11 08:17 pm
white_hart) wrote2007-11-11 08:17 pm
Entry tags:
A New Spell, part 3
Buffy/Chalet School crossover, set immediately after the ends of Buffy season 6 and about Prefects of the Chalet School. Buffy the Vampire Slayer belongs to Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy, the Chalet School belongs to the estate of Elinor M Brent-Dyer. Previous parts: 1, 2.
It didn't take much persuading on Emily's part to convince Len to accompany her to the meeting of the coven that evening, and she soon became a regular attendee. Her language skills were invaluable to the group when it came to deciphering the ancient spells from many countries that could be found in dusty tomes kept in the remotest stacks of the Bodleian Library. She began to focus more on mediaeval languages in her studies, despite the fact that these would be of little use to her in the teaching career that she planned, and she remained the most accomplished spell-caster in the group, progressing from simple levitation and movement of objects to more complex workings to cure minor ailments, ensure fine weather for picnics and garden-parties and speed the long journeys that she and Con made several times each year to return to the Gornetz Platz for the Christmas and summer vacations.
Returning to Oxford at the start of her final year, with Con sitting opposite her in the compartment barely able to contain her excitement at the imminent prospect of being reuinted with the boyfriend Joey and Jack Maynard had never suspected she had been corresponding with all summer, Len reflected on how much the dullness of life on the Platz was increased by not being able to do magic while she was there, and wondered how she would cope next year when she no longer had the prospect of returning to Oxford.
'Funny to think this is our last time, isn't it?' she commented. 'This time next year we'll be staying at the Platz.'
Con looked up from her book. 'You might be,' she said. 'I don't even intend to go back to the Platz next summer. I'm going to find a flat in London with some other girls and if I can't get a job on a magazine straight away I'll use some of my money from Grannie Maynard to take a secretarial course; but I thought I'd send some of the articles I wrote for the college paper to magzines this term and see if anyone will take me when I graduate. My German isn't good enough for me to work as a journalist in Interlaken, especially after three years in Oxford, so I'll need to stay in England for my career.'
'Have you told Mother this? I'm sure she's expecting us both to go home.'
Con laughed wickedly. 'Oh, she is. I thought I'd break the news by letter, because I do not expect her to take it well. She's a poppet, but I do wish she'd realise that we aren't her little girls any more.' She turned back to her book, then almost as an afterthought added 'What about you, Len? Will you go back?'
'Of course I will!' Len retorted. 'How could I not? Reg's work is there, and I'm sure I'll be able to find a post either at St Hilda's or the Chalet School; it's what I've always planned.'
'Yes, I know you have; but you made those plans years ago. We were such kids when we first came to Oxford. I thought I'd go back to the Platz and write novels and articles to send to publishers in England. I didn't realise how much else there could be to life. And,' glancing up at her sister 'nor did you. Reg is a dear, but will you really give up everything else to go back and marry him?'
'Of course I will! We're engaged: I can't just turn round and tell him I've changed my mind, can I? And...' she faltered a little 'I have thought of asking him to move to England, but Switzerland is a much better place for him to build a career as a TB specialist. So of course I'll go back. And now,' she reached for her purse 'I'm going to get us some coffee from the buffet car.' And the finality with which she drew the compartment door closed behind her left her sister in no doubt that she considered the conversation closed.
***
Nevertheless, Len kept finding her thoughts returning to the topic as the weeks of her last Michaelmas Term flicked by. The work of the coven was going from strength to strength; she had translated an ancient scroll which explained various locator spells and they had successfully retrieved missing fountain-pens, handkerchiefs and paperback books, while the Porter of Shrewsbury College had been delighted that two students had been walking by the Cherwell and had 'just happened' to hear the plaintive mews of the college cat, who had inadvertently been shut in a boathouse and, given the season, might well have starved to death before anyone found her. Her academic work was also progressing steadily, and her tutor had been hinting that, given her great interest in and facility for ancient languages, she should seriously consider staying on to work for her MSt, or maybe even a DPhil. Len listened attentively as Dr Ross set out the various options, twisting Reg's engagement ring on her finger and wondering whether Reg would be happy to wait another year or even two before they were married.
Early in the fifth week of term she was surprised to discover a note in her pigeonhole from one of the college's history tutors, asking her to come to tea. She knew the woman to say hello to, but certainly not well enough to expect an invitation. However, she changed her skirt and jumper for a green frock and presented herself at Dr Green's rooms at the stated time.
'Oh, Miss Maynard,' said Dr Green, looking up from her desk. 'Do sit down, I'll be finished with these in a moment. The tea's just steeping, and do help yourself to a biscuit.' Len sat down, and nibbled at a custard cream. 'Now,' Dr Green continued, seating herself in the chair opposite, 'I hear you're planning to go off and marry some doubtlessly deserving chap and squander all of your exceptional talents in teaching little girls. Which, I must say, would be a shocking waste. Can't we persuade you to reconsider?'
Len gaped at her. 'I know Dr Ross is pleased with my work, but really, I don't think I'm that exceptional.'
'Not as a linguist, perhaps, but I don't think I've seen a stronger talent for magic in all my time here. Oh yes,' at Len's shocked look, 'Who do you think was casting confusion spells to make the Porter miss your staircase when you were casting incantations at midnight? There are always students with a talent for magic, and those of us who have attained positions of authority do all we can to nurture it. There are, I am sorry to say, many ancient and evil powers in the world, and witches like you and me are part of the fight to maintain the balance between light and dark. And while I have no doubt that you would be a beloved and inspirational teacher, you would be doing far more important work here. Now, do say you will at least stay an extra year?'
It didn't take much persuading on Emily's part to convince Len to accompany her to the meeting of the coven that evening, and she soon became a regular attendee. Her language skills were invaluable to the group when it came to deciphering the ancient spells from many countries that could be found in dusty tomes kept in the remotest stacks of the Bodleian Library. She began to focus more on mediaeval languages in her studies, despite the fact that these would be of little use to her in the teaching career that she planned, and she remained the most accomplished spell-caster in the group, progressing from simple levitation and movement of objects to more complex workings to cure minor ailments, ensure fine weather for picnics and garden-parties and speed the long journeys that she and Con made several times each year to return to the Gornetz Platz for the Christmas and summer vacations.
Returning to Oxford at the start of her final year, with Con sitting opposite her in the compartment barely able to contain her excitement at the imminent prospect of being reuinted with the boyfriend Joey and Jack Maynard had never suspected she had been corresponding with all summer, Len reflected on how much the dullness of life on the Platz was increased by not being able to do magic while she was there, and wondered how she would cope next year when she no longer had the prospect of returning to Oxford.
'Funny to think this is our last time, isn't it?' she commented. 'This time next year we'll be staying at the Platz.'
Con looked up from her book. 'You might be,' she said. 'I don't even intend to go back to the Platz next summer. I'm going to find a flat in London with some other girls and if I can't get a job on a magazine straight away I'll use some of my money from Grannie Maynard to take a secretarial course; but I thought I'd send some of the articles I wrote for the college paper to magzines this term and see if anyone will take me when I graduate. My German isn't good enough for me to work as a journalist in Interlaken, especially after three years in Oxford, so I'll need to stay in England for my career.'
'Have you told Mother this? I'm sure she's expecting us both to go home.'
Con laughed wickedly. 'Oh, she is. I thought I'd break the news by letter, because I do not expect her to take it well. She's a poppet, but I do wish she'd realise that we aren't her little girls any more.' She turned back to her book, then almost as an afterthought added 'What about you, Len? Will you go back?'
'Of course I will!' Len retorted. 'How could I not? Reg's work is there, and I'm sure I'll be able to find a post either at St Hilda's or the Chalet School; it's what I've always planned.'
'Yes, I know you have; but you made those plans years ago. We were such kids when we first came to Oxford. I thought I'd go back to the Platz and write novels and articles to send to publishers in England. I didn't realise how much else there could be to life. And,' glancing up at her sister 'nor did you. Reg is a dear, but will you really give up everything else to go back and marry him?'
'Of course I will! We're engaged: I can't just turn round and tell him I've changed my mind, can I? And...' she faltered a little 'I have thought of asking him to move to England, but Switzerland is a much better place for him to build a career as a TB specialist. So of course I'll go back. And now,' she reached for her purse 'I'm going to get us some coffee from the buffet car.' And the finality with which she drew the compartment door closed behind her left her sister in no doubt that she considered the conversation closed.
***
Nevertheless, Len kept finding her thoughts returning to the topic as the weeks of her last Michaelmas Term flicked by. The work of the coven was going from strength to strength; she had translated an ancient scroll which explained various locator spells and they had successfully retrieved missing fountain-pens, handkerchiefs and paperback books, while the Porter of Shrewsbury College had been delighted that two students had been walking by the Cherwell and had 'just happened' to hear the plaintive mews of the college cat, who had inadvertently been shut in a boathouse and, given the season, might well have starved to death before anyone found her. Her academic work was also progressing steadily, and her tutor had been hinting that, given her great interest in and facility for ancient languages, she should seriously consider staying on to work for her MSt, or maybe even a DPhil. Len listened attentively as Dr Ross set out the various options, twisting Reg's engagement ring on her finger and wondering whether Reg would be happy to wait another year or even two before they were married.
Early in the fifth week of term she was surprised to discover a note in her pigeonhole from one of the college's history tutors, asking her to come to tea. She knew the woman to say hello to, but certainly not well enough to expect an invitation. However, she changed her skirt and jumper for a green frock and presented herself at Dr Green's rooms at the stated time.
'Oh, Miss Maynard,' said Dr Green, looking up from her desk. 'Do sit down, I'll be finished with these in a moment. The tea's just steeping, and do help yourself to a biscuit.' Len sat down, and nibbled at a custard cream. 'Now,' Dr Green continued, seating herself in the chair opposite, 'I hear you're planning to go off and marry some doubtlessly deserving chap and squander all of your exceptional talents in teaching little girls. Which, I must say, would be a shocking waste. Can't we persuade you to reconsider?'
Len gaped at her. 'I know Dr Ross is pleased with my work, but really, I don't think I'm that exceptional.'
'Not as a linguist, perhaps, but I don't think I've seen a stronger talent for magic in all my time here. Oh yes,' at Len's shocked look, 'Who do you think was casting confusion spells to make the Porter miss your staircase when you were casting incantations at midnight? There are always students with a talent for magic, and those of us who have attained positions of authority do all we can to nurture it. There are, I am sorry to say, many ancient and evil powers in the world, and witches like you and me are part of the fight to maintain the balance between light and dark. And while I have no doubt that you would be a beloved and inspirational teacher, you would be doing far more important work here. Now, do say you will at least stay an extra year?'
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