"Other than dead, what is the official status of Severus Snape?" Harry asked bluntly. "He's innocent, by the way."
"Innocent?" McGonagall snorted. "In case you forgot, Mr. Potter, he murdered…"
"He didn't murder anyone." Harry interjected. "I've already seen those memories, but I ask that the two of you look at them now, please." The older witch and wizard rose, and looked into the penseive. A few minutes later, they emerged. McGonagall had tears dripping from her eyes and Kingsley Shacklebolt had never looked so somber.
"A full pardon, and an Order of Merlin is the very least we can do." Kingsley stated firmly.
"I just wish that I could apologize to him," McGonagall whispered.
"No need for that, Minerva." McGonagall gasped when Snape opened the door and re-entered the room.
"Severus?! You're alive?"
"Obviously." Was the sardonic response. This didn't have the desired effect as both Harry and McGonagall burst out laughing, while Kingsley shook his head, a small smile on his lips. The good mood was abruptly ended when the door burst open, and Snape found himself facing several wands. He was still weak from blood loss, and knew that he was no match for the group.
"Oi! What do you think you are doing?" Harry shouted, stepping between Snape and the others. "Are you all deaf? He is innocent, and if you want him, you'll have to get through me." Harry watched as Hermione pushed her way through the mob to stand at his side.
"Me as well," the brunette stated firmly.
"And me," McGonagall stepped forward next to Hermione and Harry, followed by Kingsley. The mob, who had been led by Molly, Ron (who was holding the Marauder's Map), and Percy Weasley reluctantly lowered their wands. Kingsley cleared his throat, the anger in his dark eyes evident to everyone.
"Severus Snape has been pardoned, end of story. Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, are the two of you still interested in becoming Aurors?" Harry shook his head.
"No, Minister. I think I have had enough of Dark wizard chasing to last me a lifetime. Actually," Harry flushed, "I'd like to finish my education, take my N.E.W.T.s and perhaps teach here at Hogwarts." Hermione nodded in agreement.
"Well," McGonagall said, "as far as I'm concerned, that won't be…" Suddenly, the witch turned scarlet. "I'm sorry, Severus. You are Headmaster…"
"No, Minerva. I think that I would be happier teaching. I would suggest that Mr. Potter and Miss Granger become apprentices rather than attempt classes with children over a year younger than they are. I believe that Pomona has already done this with Mr. Longbottom."
Minerva nodded her agreement to the plan. "Would you consider being Deputy Headmaster?" Snape nodded.
"I will go back to teaching Potions then, I presume?" Minerva gave a smirk worthy of Slytherin himself.
"Miss Granger has expressed interest in becoming a Potions Mistress, Severus." Snape sighed and turned to face Harry and Hermione's hopeful expressions.
"Mr. Potter and Miss Granger, are the two of you interested in apprenticing with me in Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts? Part of this will include teaching your respective subjects to the first through fourth year students. I will instruct the fifth through seventh years. Is this acceptable to you?" Harry and Hermione both nodded eagerly.
"Wait a minute, Mione! I thought that we were together." Ron blurted out. "No witch of mine is doing anything with that murdering, greasy git of a Death Eater."
"Excuse me?" Hermione asked, her voice dangerously quiet.
"Why do you need to go back to school for, anyway? When we get married, I'll work and you'll be a homemaker."
"And what about my dreams, Ronald? I intend to research Potions-related cures to help the war victims, and teach, mold young minds."
"So," the red-head shrugged. "You're wasting your time. Like I said, when we get married, I'll work and you'll be at home with the kids."
"Which," Hermione's voice was hard enough to cut steel, "is why we will NEVER get married." The furious witch turned to Harry, who seemed to know what she was thinking. Harry nodded, and the two teenagers turned to Snape, who sighed.
"There are two types of apprenticeships. The first is a partial, which lasts two years and grants a teaching mastery in your chosen subject. The five year full apprenticeship gives you a level ten mastery in your field with teaching masters in three related fields."
"We would like the five year program, sir." Whatever the room was expecting, this was not it. Snape turned to McGonagall and bowed formally.
"Transfiguration Mistress McGonagall," he intoned, "I ask that you perform the Master/Apprentice bonding for Mr. Potter, Miss Granger and myself."
"Potions Master Snape," the older witch replied, "I would consider it a privilege." Kingsley cleared his throat and stepped towards the fireplace.
"I will go retrieve the documents and quill," he said and flooed from the room. Snape turned to Harry and Hermione and took a deep breath.
"Are you both absolutely certain that this is what you want? The bonding spell is an Unbreakable Vow I am certain that you both are aware of the consequences of breaking a magical contract."
"I can't speak for Harry, sir, but this is what I have wanted for years." Harry cleared his throat.
"I have my own reasons sir, and although we've had our issues in the past, I'd like to think that we understand each other a little better now. I am honored that you would accept me as an apprentice." Snape simply nodded as the fireplace turned green and Kingsley stepped out, brushing soot from his robes. He set two parchments and a quill on the table as Minerva stepped forward, raising her wand.
"All right then, Miss Granger, we'll start with you. Do you Hermione Jane Granger, wish to bind yourself as Potions Apprentice to Potions Master Severus Snape?"
"I do." Hermione took a deep breath. "I, Hermione Jane Granger, bind myself to Potions Master Severus Snape. I make this vow freely and solemnly, without reservation or coercion, always mindful that my conduct and deportment reflect well upon my master and myself." Minerva then turned to Harry and both the question and vow were repeated with the substitution of Defense for Potions. It was then Snape's turn.
"I, Potions and Defense Master Severus Snape, bind myself to Potions Apprentice Hermione Jane Granger and Defense Apprentice Harry James Potter. I make this vow freely and solemnly, without reservation or coercion. I vow to teach them to the best of my ability, always mindful of their physical, spiritual and emotional well being. This is my solemn vow, so mote it be."
Both Harry and Hermione signed their respective contracts, followed by Snape. Kingsley and Minerva both witnessed it, and the contracts were gone with a pop. Snape turned to Harry and Hermione and gave a half-smile.
"The past year has been exceedingly traumatic for all of us. There are some matters that need to be attended to over the next few days, but after that, the two of you are free to do what you will for the next two months. However, I expect the both of you to return to the castle by the first of August. Is this in anyway unclear?" Harry and Hermione shook their heads. "Good. I will need to be apprised of your addresses, but beyond that, your time is your own." Harry spoke first, after receiving a nod from Hermione.
"Thank you, Master Snape. Her…Apprentice Granger and I intend to portkey to Australia to retrieve her parents before returning to Grimmauld Place." Snape nodded and Harry took a deep breath. "Master, Apprentice Granger and I would be honored if you would join us there…that is…" Harry flushed and Hermione patted his shoulder.
"What Apprentice Potter is trying to spit out, Master, is that if you wanted to get away, we'd be happy for you to join us there."
"I'll keep that in mind." Snape walked to the fireplace, saying that he would return shortly. Harry handed Snape the Invisibility Cloak with a smile, and the older wizard disappeared in a whoosh of green flames. Pretty soon, the room was empty save for the two apprentices, Molly, Ron and Ginny Weasley. Looking at the red faces, Harry and Hermione both gulped as the shouting began. After five minutes though, and Ginny calling Hermione a mudblood, Harry had had enough.
"Quiet!" Harry bellowed. "I told you in Snape…McGonagall's office that I wanted peace and quiet. Hermione has always wanted to research ways to help others and she was a born Potions Mistress. As for me, I have spent the past seven years doing what everyone expected of me. This apprenticeship is what I want to do for me. For ME!! I was supposed to die tonight, but thanks to Riddle's idiocy, I survived. I was given a second chance, and I'm going to take advantage of it. By some miracle, one of my parents' friends also survived this horrible war and I would like to get to know that person better. The lot of you can get the hell out of my rooms and stay out until you can start thinking out of your heads rather than your asses." When none of the Weasleys moved, Harry raised his wand and his eyes flashed. "Are you deaf? I said to GET OUT!!" Power crackled in the air and Molly, Ron, and Ginny went flying out the door, it slamming shut behind them.
Hermione sat down on the bed, the events of the past few hours finally catching up with her. Harry wrapped her in his arms as her slender frame shook with sobs.
"Shhh," Harry murmured. "It's going to be okay Mia, I promise. Everything's going to be okay." He smiled softly, and then wrinkled his nose. "Kreacher!" Harry's old house-elf popped into the room and bowed.
"Master Harry, sir, what can Kreacher do for you?"
"Can you find some clean clothes for Miss Hermione and me?" The elf nodded his head vigorously.
"They's some at Master Harry's home, Kreacher's old Mistress's house. Kreacher will be right back." The house-elf was as good as his word, as barely two minutes had passed before he returned with two bundles of cloth. Harry took them with a smile, handing one to Hermione, who disappeared into the bathroom. Harry had barely gotten seated comfortably in one of the armchairs when there was a knock on the door. He opened it to reveal Severus Snape, who had apparently gone for fresh clothing himself, judging by the cloth draped over his arm.
"Mia…Apprentice Granger, that is, is freshening up, Master." Snape stepped inside and Harry closed the door.
"As soon as we all get cleaned up, I'll summon a house-elf to bring something to eat. There are some things that need to be discussed, and we will all feel better if it is done on a full stomach."
Forty-five minutes later, the odd threesome was sitting in the common area, drinking butterbeer and eating sandwiches. As soon as the food was cleared away, Snape looked at the teenagers and cleared his throat.
"Minerva has informed me that there is to be a memorial service in two days, and that our presence is required. Normally, apprentice robes would be required for these occasions, but I understand if you would prefer something else."
"Master…" Harry began, but Snape cut him off with a wave of his hand.
"In public, the two of you must refer to me as Master Severus, however, in private, my given name is sufficient. Now what were you saying, Harry?" The teenagers exchanged a look.
"Harry and I would prefer our Apprentice robes, Mas…Severus." A small smile crossed the older man's face.
"We will go to Diagon Alley in the morning then, and purchase everything that we will require for the next few months. "Minerva has also requested that we meet the new Muggle Studies professor in London, since we will already be there. Now, it has been a long night, and I think that we need some rest. Good night."
A/N: Yes, I know. This is a very long chapter and Snape is OOC. Oh well, sorry. Don't worry, his Snarkiness will return soon. Review, but flames will be used to make S'mores.