Anything you recognize from Harry Potter belongs to JK Rowling

Some text from the Philosopher's/Sorcerer's Stone - they don't belong to me.

Harry was nervous. Extremely nervous. What if he got sorted into Slytherin? He imagined what Ron would say, and the look on his face that would be there. He started breathing a quicker than usual and fiddled uncomfortably with his robes. After Abbot, Hannah got sorted (Hufflepuff!), more students went. Then finally -

"Potter, Harry."

All murmurings stopped and there was utter silence. Harry heard a few hissed whispers as he pushed his way forward.

"Potter, did she say?"

"The Harry Potter?"

The last thing Harry saw before the hat dropped over his eyes was the Hall full of people craning to get a good look at him. Next second he was looking at the black inside of the hat. He waited.

"Hmm ... Harry Potter, are you? The Boy Who Lived?"

Please don't put me in Slytherin, Harry begged.

"Oh, but Slytherin would fit you. Your cunning mind, your ambition ... But perhaps Ravenclaw would do, too. Intelligent mind you've got there, Potter."

Just sort me already! Harry could tell he was up here for far longer than the other first years.

"Perhaps Hufflepuff? You're a hard worker, aren't you? A bit trusting, a bit wary of some people, though. Or Gryffindor, plenty of bravery and courage. Ooh, I haven't have a challenge like this in years; it's exciting."

Can you hurry up? I think Professor McGonagall is getting worried. Harry frowned.

"Oh, very well. As you seem to fit all the traits, I'll put you in ..."

Harry smiled, expecting to hear Gryffindor, and go sit beside Ron ...

"APPRENTICESHIP!"

Harry froze. Apprenticeship? What the hell was that? He didn't recall Ron telling him about 'Apprenticeship', only the Four Houses. The hat was lifted off him. Harry frowned at what he saw. No one was clapping, they were all just staring. Professor McGonagall's mouth was in a thin line, her jaw working furiously, and Professor Dumbledore was peering at him over his half-moon glasses in a way that made Harry feel nervous.

Harry stood up and glanced uncertainly at Professor McGonagall. Where was he supposed to go? A hand on his shoulder made him turn around. A man with a hooked nose that looked as if it had been broken more than once, wearing black robes and a cloak that seemed to billow behind him even as he stood still. But what made Harry the most scared of this man's intensity were the dark eyes, almost black. Emerald eyes met black.

"I will take him to my quarters, Minerva, to excuse the poor boy of his confusion. I will be expecting you and the others down at my quarters soon," the man said softly, in a silky voice. Harry suppressed a shudder.

"Yes ... of course. Off you go, Mr. Potter," Professor McGonagall replied at once.

Harry hurried after the man with the black robes. "Erm ... What's your name?"

"Sir."

Harry blinked. "Huh?"

The man turned around. "It is 'Excuse me', not 'huh', Mr. Potter. Hasn't anyone ever taught you manners. You may call me 'Sir, or 'Professor', but that is it." The dark eyes blazed and Harry gulped.

"Sorry, Professor," Harry mumbled, cheeks flushing a bit.

The man whipped around and continued striding along. Harry rushed after him, in his haste nearly tripping over his robes. The Professor seemed to notice this, for he slowed down a bit. "You may call me Professor Snape, Mr. Potter. I am the Potions professor in this school. I will expect hard work from you in both your normal classes and your apprenticeship lessons. Sit." Snape nodded toward a desk and a chair and Harry hurried over and sat down.

Harry bit his lip. "Er ... Professor?"

Snape grunted a bit as he bustled around, busying himself with specimens in jars. Harry took the grunt as encouragement and continued. "Why did the Sorting Hat not put me in a house? What's Apprenticeship? Ron told me a bit about the four houses but he didn't mention anything like this."

Snape took a bit to replace a jar back to its spot before speaking. "The four Founders - Rowena Ravenclaw, Helga Hufflepuff, Godric Gryffindor and Salazar Slytherin - took in apprentices shortly after Hogwarts was built. But after the Founders passed on, more students came and went. A few years after the Founders passed away, the Headmaster then decided that Apprenticeship was no longer necessary and banned it. But every few centuries, there is a rare coincidence that a student becomes an apprentice. You are one of them."

Harry frowned, taking in the words. What's the difference in Apprenticeship lessons and normal classes? Sir," he added hastily.

Snape took a jar full of something that looked suspiciously like dead spiders and tossed a few into the bubbling cauldron. "Apprenticeship lessons go in more depth. To be an apprentice means to have extremely strong magic, and it is important for apprentices to learn to control it."

"Since I'm an apprentice, who will teach me in Apprenticeship lessons?" Harry asked curiously.

"Sir."

"Sir," Harry repeated quickly, not wanting to get in trouble.

"Only the most important subjects would be taught for you in Apprenticeship lessons. That means Animagus Training-"

"Animagus? What's that?"

"Do not interrupt me, Mr. Potter," Snape said dangerously.

"Yes, sir," Harry mumbled. "Sorry, Professor."

Snape sniffed. "Animagus is a wizard who can switch forms - human form and animal form. The animal would depend on your personality or traits. As I was saying, you would do Animagus Training, Defense and Offense Training, Meditation, and Potions. You would only do one from the following: Earth Magic, Water Magic, Plant Magic, Fire Magic, Air Magic, or Storm Magic. Those, too, depend on your personality and a trained wizard would teach you, not one of the professors. Another lesson would be Healing - a specially trained wizard or witch would teach you that."

"They all sound hard, Professor," Harry said. "Will I have to go to regular classes, too?"

"Yes, Potter."

Harry nodded, feeling a bit overwhelmed at all of this. Then, the door opened and Professor McGonagall, Professor Dumbledore, and a few other teachers Harry didn't recognize came inside. "Severus," Professor Dumbledore greeted.

Snape nodded curtly. "Headmaster."

Harry watched as Dumbledore flicked his wand and chairs popped out of nowhere. Harry's eyes widened in delight. The professors seated themselves and Harry suddenly began to feel a bit nervous. "I trust Professor Snape has told you about all the details?" Dumbledore asked kindly.

"Yes, Professor," Harry answered politely. "I'm still a bit curious, though."

"Of course," Dumbledore answered pleasantly. When he explained, Harry felt a bit more reassured and less confused. "Professor McGonagall will teach you Animagus Training, Professor Flitwick for Offense and Defense, myself for Meditation, and Special Magic by James Hayes."

"Hello, sir," Harry said politely.

"Call me James, Harry," James Hayes replied, shaking Harry's hand.

"Professor Snape will teach Potions, and Healing by Healer Thomas Lasky."

Harry repeated the same process as he had with James, and the Healer replied by telling Harry to call him by his first name. Harry obliged.

"This will be your schedule for Apprenticeship, Harry." Dumbledore conjured a schedule for him and Harry received it, thanking him.

"Your first lesson will be with James," Dumbledore told him. "Tomorrow at five. You will find all your belongings at your bed."

"Yes, sir," Harry answered, standing up. "Goodnight, Professors."

When Harry got to his bed, he saw an envelope and opened it. A red badge with an 'A' on it was printed there, which Harry guessed stood for 'Apprenticeship'. He pinned it on his robes and changed into his pajamas before falling asleep, utterly exhausted.

End of Chapter One

Please review! They make me update faster.