Chapter 9: The Journey Begins With A Single Step
After his unsettling baptism in the reality of Muggle London, Severus Snape reverted to the paranoia of his spying days. When Professor Dumbledore finally left off with his computer game and returned to Hogwarts, Snape set an Intruder Alert ward, as well as carefully securing the door to his flat and setting the burglar alarm, even though Albus had felt it unnecessary. He also walked to the Leaky Cauldron, partly to clear his mind, partly to avoid any taxi driver noticing his movements. He then traveled by Floo from The Leaky Cauldron to home. Returning rather late to Hogwarts, he slipped through the shadows to avoid anyone's noticing his Muggle attire, and glided down the staircase towards his apartments.
It felt good to sleep in his own bed, in the cool and quiet and dark dungeon rooms, surrounded by his books and the familiar furnishings. And the familiar sight of Breakfast in the Great Hall nearly brought tears to his eyes. Professor McGonagall asked him if he were feeling quite well, after he greeted her with a cheery voice and a sincere, non-smirking smile. The other staff members at the Head Table exchanged puzzled and worried glances, while Madame Pomfret discreetly cast A Diagnostic Charm his way. But he reverted to his usual manner halfway through the first class of the day: Potions for First Years: a double session with Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff students. Two melted cauldrons later, and Snape was back in form. He was practically snarling as he returned to the Great Hall for lunch, where he encountered Hermione. "Miss Granger, we have to put some more thought into this project. Kindly meet me in the Potions Lab after classes today."
Snape was grading papers with venom and red ink when Hermione finally entered the Potions Lab. "Miss Granger, the Headmaster believes that despite my initial report on the state of the Muggle world, there are some individuals and groups that we Magicals should identify, contact, and cultivate. He suggested small steps."
"I had discussed our project with my parents Sunday afternoon, sir, and they came up with a few suggestions for basic skills for blending in with Muggles, and some ideas about how to acquire them." Hermione pulled a large bound paper notebook from her satchel. "The list starts with basic small motor skills: using a ball point pen, calculator, paper, telephone, keyboard, and the like, then basic large motor skills: bicycling, skating, skiing, perhaps tennis or a team sport. It isn't necessary to develop proficiency, you know, just a basic familiarity so that one can handle a conversation and any chance encounters with the tasks. We can work on many of the smaller tasks here during the week, and then weekends can be devoted to more complex technology and group skills: driving, dancing, any kind of art you may fancy, tourism to become conversant on London's main features and its neighborhoods and subgroups. The third step would be to interact with groups: social, educational, and even political. I found out that although few witches and wizards vote, there is nothing preventing us from doing so, except unfamiliarity with the process and the issues. We are native-born citizens and our births and residences can all be documented, even if they are unplottable."
"Well, then, if our goal is to rule the earth, perhaps we had better get started this evening, after dinner. Would you please bring Mr. Potter and any of the paraphernalia required? I should like to be prepared for Friday night. The sooner this task is finished, the sooner I can retire into the obscurity of Hogwarts." Severus stared thoughtfully at the door after Hermione left, imagining the enfranchisement of witch and wizard in the larger politics of the world. "It would be a return to Camelot," he mused. "And no doubt, sex would be its downfall yet again."
After his unsettling baptism in the reality of Muggle London, Severus Snape reverted to the paranoia of his spying days. When Professor Dumbledore finally left off with his computer game and returned to Hogwarts, Snape set an Intruder Alert ward, as well as carefully securing the door to his flat and setting the burglar alarm, even though Albus had felt it unnecessary. He also walked to the Leaky Cauldron, partly to clear his mind, partly to avoid any taxi driver noticing his movements. He then traveled by Floo from The Leaky Cauldron to home. Returning rather late to Hogwarts, he slipped through the shadows to avoid anyone's noticing his Muggle attire, and glided down the staircase towards his apartments.
It felt good to sleep in his own bed, in the cool and quiet and dark dungeon rooms, surrounded by his books and the familiar furnishings. And the familiar sight of Breakfast in the Great Hall nearly brought tears to his eyes. Professor McGonagall asked him if he were feeling quite well, after he greeted her with a cheery voice and a sincere, non-smirking smile. The other staff members at the Head Table exchanged puzzled and worried glances, while Madame Pomfret discreetly cast A Diagnostic Charm his way. But he reverted to his usual manner halfway through the first class of the day: Potions for First Years: a double session with Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff students. Two melted cauldrons later, and Snape was back in form. He was practically snarling as he returned to the Great Hall for lunch, where he encountered Hermione. "Miss Granger, we have to put some more thought into this project. Kindly meet me in the Potions Lab after classes today."
Snape was grading papers with venom and red ink when Hermione finally entered the Potions Lab. "Miss Granger, the Headmaster believes that despite my initial report on the state of the Muggle world, there are some individuals and groups that we Magicals should identify, contact, and cultivate. He suggested small steps."
"I had discussed our project with my parents Sunday afternoon, sir, and they came up with a few suggestions for basic skills for blending in with Muggles, and some ideas about how to acquire them." Hermione pulled a large bound paper notebook from her satchel. "The list starts with basic small motor skills: using a ball point pen, calculator, paper, telephone, keyboard, and the like, then basic large motor skills: bicycling, skating, skiing, perhaps tennis or a team sport. It isn't necessary to develop proficiency, you know, just a basic familiarity so that one can handle a conversation and any chance encounters with the tasks. We can work on many of the smaller tasks here during the week, and then weekends can be devoted to more complex technology and group skills: driving, dancing, any kind of art you may fancy, tourism to become conversant on London's main features and its neighborhoods and subgroups. The third step would be to interact with groups: social, educational, and even political. I found out that although few witches and wizards vote, there is nothing preventing us from doing so, except unfamiliarity with the process and the issues. We are native-born citizens and our births and residences can all be documented, even if they are unplottable."
"Well, then, if our goal is to rule the earth, perhaps we had better get started this evening, after dinner. Would you please bring Mr. Potter and any of the paraphernalia required? I should like to be prepared for Friday night. The sooner this task is finished, the sooner I can retire into the obscurity of Hogwarts." Severus stared thoughtfully at the door after Hermione left, imagining the enfranchisement of witch and wizard in the larger politics of the world. "It would be a return to Camelot," he mused. "And no doubt, sex would be its downfall yet again."