Chapter 4: A shock for Valancy.

Rolf and Luna strolled up the road which passed as the 'main street' of Cougar Canyon to an intersection with a side street called School Road, it didn't take a genius to work out where it led to, and in addition there was also a sign on the same post pointing up the road saying Public Library. Seeing this the couple decided to follow it and take a look at the local school and also the place at which Jeff, the mechanic they met earlier, had informed them that Valancy was employed.

First they came to a neat looking and not overly large, single story building with parking bays for a few cars outside and an inviting glass door. The sign above which read Cougar Canyon Public Library. The couple entered the premises, feeling instant relief from the now quite oppressive heat still building outside in the springtime desert sun, because the building was air conditioned. Inside the premises was light and airy, with largish windows giving good illumination and cheerful light yellow coloured walls which helped to prevent shadowy corners. There was nothing terribly novel in the place, which to Rolf and Luna's eyes looked much like several Muggle libraries they'd been into back home in England, when researching information regarding some rare, but non magical creatures for study on their expeditions.

Unlike the famous library at Hogwarts there were no piles of books flying around unattended, charmed by the staff into replacing themselves onto the shelves, no 'Restricted Section', gated off and holding ancient grimoires, some of which needed chaining up due to the dangers they posed and no ancient and time worn wooden benches and desks for pupils to study at. All was modern and very Twenty First century, indeed the furnishings and shelving for the books were practical and stylish and in no way revealed that The People were magical in any way. The library counter likewise was functional and well designed and they noted a computer of the desktop, to log book loans and returns. All in all it was a compact but very impressive facility for such a small community to have at it's disposal and the Scamanders were impressed.

Behind the counter, sat on a high stool they saw Valancy, who was beaming at the couple, having spotted them as soon as they'd entered. She beckoned them over and greeted them, saying; "Hello you two, having a good morning I hope? I slipped off here to work without waking you early as you'd both had a bit off a rough evening yesterday and I though you'd benefit from a lie in. How're the rib's Rolf? Not too bad I hope? Beth's a good healer and I'm sure a nights sleep'll have helped, specially in that lovely huge bed you've got in your impressive tent. I still can't believe what it's like in there, the magic you folks can do is incredible."

"I'm feeling much better this morning thank you Valancy, Luna and I have been wandering around your nice little town, getting some breakfast and meeting some of the locals. As to our magic, well some of the things you People can do are very impressive to us as well, like your incredible flying abilities and the way you can casually levitate things, without wands or spells, amazing stuff to us British Witches and Wizards, so I guess, like you Americans say, it's a case of 'Different strokes for different folks'.

Rolf continued, saying; "Anyway, wandering up the road just now we saw the sign pointing here to where you work and the school so Luna and I just thought we'd pop by and say hello, We really want to thank you again for all your kindness last night and for letting us stay at your place on your land. It really is most kind of you Valancy".

"It ain't nuthin, glad to be of help and it's lovely to have such nice and such interesting visitors to our little community. We People tend to have to 'hold ourselves in' when strangers are in town as a rule, but not with you two I'm glad to say. You two can beat our magic into a 'cocked hat', so no secrecy needed." Valancy smiled at the couple.

"Thanks Valancy, that's a nice compliment." Luna said in reply. "But I'm not sure it's entirely true, like Rolf said we do seem to be able to do some things you can't, but then again the reverse is also true and The People do some difficult things in such a casual manner it is incredible to us. So like Rolf said, I think it's pretty much 'Even Stevens' magic wise."

Luna went on, "This is such a lovely place Valancy, and far nicer, larger and fancier than I'd imagined such a small community would have. I love the décor and it seems very well equipped for it's size. I spotted the 'children's corner' over there on the way in, with it's colourful 'kiddie size' seats low table and those shelves of books for young readers. And there seems to be much reading matter for adults too, as well as the open use 'net' access terminal over there I see. That's one thing we British magical folk are only just beginning to catch up with, electronics are fairly new to us and we're racing to catch up and join the 21st century back home. I love libraries almost as much as my friend Hermione, she virtually lived in our old one whilst we were at school and now she's taken on a job as trainee archivist and librarian to the Magical Law Enforcement Department of the Ministry of Magic back home, so she's doing her 'dream job'. She's even getting the chance to input her own ideas into Ministry policy, since Kingsley Shacklebolt our brilliant Minister has her on some of his 'special advisory bodies'. He's got lots of younger people making recommendations for reforms and improvements to the way things have been done in the past and coming up with new ideas for the future. Muggleborns, oops you probably don't know that word Valency, (it means magical children born to non magical folk), just like Hermione are particularly good at spotting uses for Muggle ideas and finding technological innovations that magic simply can't match, like computers for instance. Talking of those I take it The People's magic doesn't cause problems with electronics like ours used to, until we found out how to shield the effect?"

Valancy was obviously pleased that her 'domain' met with Luna's approval and replied; "No we're fine with 'tech' thanks Luna, no problems there, our kids are all well up to speed in such matters, just like the 'normals' are. I'm glad you like our library Luna, it's funded by a few of our other People communities around here, so we can afford to make it nice, and all of us can use it. Today's a little quiet, but usually people come in here from miles around, as otherwise they need to visit one of the larger towns much further away to get to use similar facilities." It'll pick up later after the kids get out of school as lots of 'em come in here to study, and do their homework with their friends. So, you say you have a Ministry of Magic back home, sounds to me like you Brit magical folk have got things well organised on 'your side of the pond'. We People aren't numerous enough to need anything so grand and we more or less run ourselves on a town by town basis, except regarding places like this that are co-funded."

Luna and Rolf were astonished by this revelation of how 'local' The People kept things and Rolf replied, "But surely you must know Valancy, over on your own East Coast there is a very large and well organised magical community, mostly in the New England area, with one of the finest seats of Magical Learning in the world, The Salem Witches Institute located there, as well as their own magical government agencies. There's a great many thousands of our fellow Witches and Wizards in the community around those parts!"

Valancy looked shocked at his words and looking slightly ashen faced she replied, "We never knew, we People have always kept ourselves to ourselves around here, it's tended to be for the best, some 'bad stuff' happened in the past when the 'normal' folk in these parts found out what we can do, so we keep a 'low profile'. I must let the rest of us know about what you've told me, this changes everything, it's amazing and something all The People need to know. You two must come to The Gathering on Sunday Night if you will, and share this with the others, they all ought to know about this. I'm an Elder in this community, you may have been told that. It doesn't mean you have to be old, just carry the True Remembrance of past Elders, which I do. I was named for my Grandmother Valancy, who was one of our greatest leaders, but who sadly died a few years back. She passed her memories and those of her predecessors on to me before she died, so in a way she lives on in me. It is my responsibility to let my People know of this revelation you have made, so we can resolve how to treat the information you've kindly brought us. So will you come and share your knowledge with us on Sunday evening?"

Luna said, "Well, as it happens Valancy we were going to ask you that as a favour, since we wanted to attend The Gathering anyway. Firstly, because if it's alright by you Rolf and myself want to hang around at least 'till Blooming Day, Ada at the general store told us all about it and it sounds amazing, also we need to ask folks permission to film the festivities and of course yours too, particularly if we are to continue camping in your back yard?"

Valancy having recovered from her mild shock smiled and replied; "Of course, that's a brilliant idea you two, you'll love Blooming Day and I'm sure that as long as any film you shoot is kept private from 'normals' then it won't prove a problem, but just to be safe we'd best discuss it at The Gathering as well as what you've just told me, which is even more vital. And of course you can continue to stay at my place, I wouldn't have it any other way."

Two 'customers' a middle aged grey haired man and wife then entered the library and Valancy switched into 'professional mode', saying 'scuse me please Rolf, Luna, Mr and Mrs Johnston there will want some help returning their books and locating one I've ordered for them, but if'n I don't see you before then a lot of us folks will be at Maggie's Bar this evening, there's a local band on and, for a small town like this, it should be a lively and fun evening. I'll be headin out around eight'ish myself, so knock my door if you fancy coming and I'll show you where it is. The place is a little 'out of the way' on the edge of town and not so easy for a stranger to find. Make sure you've got yer dancin' shoes on though you two, Bruce an' the guy's lay down a wicked boogie beat and yer can't sit down when they start playin'.

Valancy smiled as Rolf and Luna accepted her invitation and then swiftly left, letting her get on with her work, helping her customers who'd arrived. Then leaving the cool of the library behind they walked further up the lane in the heat of the day, towards the small school building they could see a little further along, and towards the happy sounds of children who were obviously more used to the heat than the older English couple), playing in their school yard.

Luna smiled at her husband and said, "I don't know about you Rolf, but I've had enough of this bloody heat, it was lovely in Valancy's workplace with the aircon there, but this is bloody sweltering and I don't want you hurting yourself again by panting like a poodle!" Then she pulled out her wand from behind her ear where it usually resided tucked through her long ash blond hair and skilfully cast a Cooling Charm over both of them. Smiling she said, "Betcha The People can't do that spell!" and feeling far more comfortable the couple continued sauntering towards the distant sounds of childish laughter.