Three weeks later
Harry belatedly realized that although Severus' grip on his shoulder had lessened after apparating them to Diagon Alley, he had not let go of his shoulder as he navigated them around clumps of people in the crowded streets. The weight of the man's touch still felt foreign, but its presence was welcome, as it reminded him that he was now Severus' ward. The man was officially his guardian.
Through the three week process of talking to and sharing memories with kind witches and wizards about his treatment from the Dursley's and Aunt Petunia's clients, Severus had never been anything but kind, even when Harry acted like a baby or got scared or anxious. Sometimes he still woke up feeling confused that he was inside. Or he mistook Severus' hand reaching hand for someone else's angry slap, but Severus never got angry, and sometimes he would just sit next to him until he felt calm again.
Harry told himself not to think about the Dursley's and his old life with them, but it was hard to remember not to do that. He especially didn't want to think about them on this particular day. Severus was taking him to be tested for his affinity at one of his good friend's apothecaries, and this was his first time at Diagon Alley. He had heard loads of stories from other students about the treasures on this street, and now he was finally here as well.
Witches and wizards of all ages buzzed past in robes of every color. Harry spotted a few people in familiar-looking muggle clothes and even fewer in muggle clothes from other countries and cultures. He felt grateful to be wearing black robes with a hint of yellow trim on the sleeves that Severus had bought for him, along with all of his other new clothes. He still couldn't believe those stacks of trousers and shirts and pants and socks were all his.
"—feeling?"
"Huh?" Harry asked.
"How are your hands feeling?" Severus asked again, looking down at the boy.
"Oh, er well, sir," Harry said, resisting the urge to stop and look back at the book store they had just passed. He flexed his fingers in front of him and rubbed them together.
"No discomfort?"
"No, sir. It's brilliant, really."
Severus had massaged Harry's hands that morning and led him through some stretches for his hip. Then he had led them in an entire hour of meditation, which had felt like a whole day. Severus had assured him that they would continue meditation daily, especially after he learned his affinity.
"Will you—will you tell me what will happen again?" he asked. Severus' hand gripped his shoulder a bit tighter as he gave the boy a reassuring look.
"Master Divers will procure a witness if there is not one present. She or he will be another potions master to ensure that the ceremonies are handled correctly. I will agree in a contractual, magical statement that I plan to take—to see to your best interests regardless of the result of the test. You will place your hand in Master Divers'. He will cast the spell, and we shall see what your affinity is," Severus said.
"And if I don't have—"
"Oh you have one, Harry. Trust me." The man stopped suddenly and gripped the boy's shoulder. "Do you trust me?" he asked, looking him in the eye.
Harry nodded, face solemn.
"And even if for some reason you do not have an affinity, you could still potentially work in the field of potions, and, of course I am still your guardian. I will never leave you." Severus said. Harry nodded, and Severus straightened quickly, starting them down the street again.
By the time they made it to the apothecary entrance, Harry's mind was swirling with concern again. Severus kept telling him it was just a test and that he was going to pass it, but for some reason it felt like more than that. They both looked up to the large black letters, which said "North Apothecary."
"This is," Severus cleared his throat, and Harry's eyes shot up to meet his at the way his voice had faltered. "This is a rare and precious honor, Harry, to be with you as you are tested."
Harry didn't know what to say, and he didn't know why his throat was suddenly tight.
"Thank you for allowing me to be with you," Severus said.
Harry stared back with eyes wide, and then, because he didn't know what to do, he nodded and reached for Severus' hand. Severus gave a small smile and led them into the apothecary.
Master Divers looked only a bit older than Severus. He was wearing all black robes (Harry wondered if that came with the job) and was washing his large brown hands in a floating glass basin in the corner of the room. The basin was circular, and in the middle, a small fountain bubbled up, making the water churn. Harry wondered if it was some kind of special water.
Severus had not told Harry the ceremony would be in the basement of the apothecary. Though the room was warm and decorated with a large painted crest on one wall and a circular, soft, printed rug on the floor, Harry felt a bit uneasy that they were below ground.
When Master Divers pulled out his wand and dried his hands with a short spell, he gestured for Severus and Harry. Severus led Harry to the basin and instructed him to wash his hands thoroughly.
"What made you suspect?" Master Divers asked.
"Actually, I ran into him on the street. But before that, Larana noticed him." Severus said, giving Harry's shoulder a squeeze.
"In a full classroom of students?"
Severus smirked, "Indeed."
The man whistled, and Harry suppressed a grin. He didn't know how they were making him feel good about something he didn't even try to do.
"Well it is an honor to conduct this test, Harry, Severus," Master Divers said, nodding.
"And it is an honor to witness," a voice said. Harry flinched at the new presence, as an older woman with short dark hair in deep purple robes appeared at the bottom of the staircase.
"Master Harris, it is a pleasure." Master Divers said, and bowed in greeting.
The woman smiled and dipped her head.
"Greetings, Master Divers, Master Severus." She moved fully into the room.
"Greetings," Severus said, with a small bow, as he took out his wand and dried Harry's hands. He then began washing his own.
"And you must be Harry?"
Harry stared at the woman and nodded. "Yes, ma'am."
"Well, it is an honor to witness your test, young Harry." She brought her hand down to cup the side of his face. "It is not often affinities are birthed and even less are tested. You are a joy to our community."
Harry blushed and then belatedly realized that he had not flinched from her touch. Master Harris smiled at him before making her way to the basin to wash her hands.
"Not many people have the magical consciousness to detect affinities," Severus explained, leading Harry to the tall table in the middle of the room. "So many times they can go unnoticed, especially in smaller wizarding schools, which require minimum or no potions classes."
Harry stopped himself from asking questions about what other wizarding schools there were and where they were and why students went there instead of Hogwarts.
"We are glad you are here, Harry!" Master Divers said, with a wide smile. He came to stand across from them at the table, and Harry noticed the faint dark freckles on the man's cheeks and nose. "From what I hear, you're a shoe in," he added in a whisper.
Harry grinned.
"Now, is everyone ready?" Master Divers asked. He rubbed his hands together, like he was warming them up.
Master Harris came and took her place beside him. Harry felt like he was standing in front of royalty, they both looked so regal in their robes.
"There's nothing to be nervous about," Severus said in a low voice to Harry, and wrapped an arm around his shoulder. "Are you ready?"
Harry nodded. And pushed himself farther into Severus' side. Master Harris and Master Divers placed their hands on the table flat, and Severus did so with his free left hand.
Master Divers cleared his throat and began speaking in a voice that was softer than Harry had anticipated. "Here present and acting as Master of these ceremonies is myself, Master Arthur Feagin Divers, affinitied to muggle and magical adder's tongue, mastered of fifteen years. Here present as Witness is Master Emily Louisa Harris, affinitied to magical Iris Quartz, mastered of forty five years. Here present in request are Master Severus Tobias Snape, mastered of ten years, affinitied to healing and acting as charge and requesting master and also Harry James Potter as requesting student."
Harry glanced at Severus, who was looked solemn upon hearing the introduction.
"Do you, Severus Tobias Snape, vow to your responsibilities in this test?" Master Divers asked, looking directly at the man.
"This I vow," Severus said.
Harry wondered how Master Divers had memorized all of this.
"Do you vow to guide Harry James Potter and see to his wellbeing regardless of the results of this test?"
"This I vow," Severus said.
Harry did not miss the way he squeezed his shoulder tighter.
"Do you vow that you have made Harry James Potter aware of the events of this test and that he is aware of his choice in training under you should he decide to train based on the results of this test?"
"This I vow."
"Do you vow that your intentions are pure of heart and that you wish for Harry to succeed not for your own gain but for his?"
"This is vow," Severus said.
Master Divers looked at Harry now.
"It's your turn, Harry. Just answer verbally as you please."
Harry nodded.
"Do you Harry James Potter come here freely and of your own choice?"
Harry nodded. Then Severus looked down at him.
"Oh, er, yes, sir. I did. I mean I do."
Severus nodded.
"And do you wish to be tested and trust that we will guide you with our best intentions and effort?"
"Yes, sir," Harry said.
He felt it then a slight buzz of magic in the air that he hadn't felt for a month since he had left Hogwarts. Everyone shifted a bit, taking in the new sensations. For the first time, Harry wondered if they felt it differently than him, since they were much more experienced with their magic than he was.
"Then we will begin the test," Master Divers said. "If you would please give me your hand, Harry," Master Divers said, with a smile.
Harry held his right hand out, which was shaking only slightly. Master Divers gently turned it palm up and rested his own large hand underneath. Someone silently accio'd a potion from across the room, and it came to rest on the table in the middle of them. Severus uncorked it with one hand and held it in front of Harry.
"It doesn't taste bad," Severus said.
Harry downed the thin potion and looked at Severus. He didn't feel any different.
Severus' hand came to rest on the back of Harry's neck.
"In just a moment, Master Divers will cast the spell," he said.
"And it won't burn or hurt" Harry said quietly, repeating what Severus had reassured him of dozens of times that week.
"No, Harry," Severus said, giving the boy's neck a quick rub, "It won't feel like anything at all."
Master Divers did bring his wand out and placed it to Harry's palm. He smiled at the boy and nodded.
"Are you ready?" he asked.
Harry nodded.
"Ostenda extendae magicae," he said, tapping his wand lightly in the center of Harry's palm. "ut not spectemus probabilis peritia."
Harry looked closely at the tip of the wand, and, just like Severus had explained earlier, three tiny droplets formed and then fell onto his palm. They were so tiny he didn't even feel them, and he was still trying to figure out where they had disappeared to when another three droplets fell, and then three more, and the three droplets kept appearing, falling, and disappearing so quickly, he lost count at fifteen.
Harry was not the best at maths, but he did remember Severus saying that each droplet contained at least twenty harmless potions ingredients, classified by flora, fauna, use, and reaction, that were separated into tiny cells within it. That was a lot of potions ingredients. Harry stood very still, wanting to feel the drops and to feel if his magic was doing anything.
He wanted to look up at Severus, but he didn't want to mess anything up, and the man's hand was still resting on his neck. He sneaked a glance at Master Harris who was looking at his palm intently, like Master Divers was, and, he presumed, Severus too. She seemed to sense his gaze and then glanced up at him, giving him a small smile and a quick wink.
Harry's eyes snapped back to his palm. A wink was a good sign right?
He watched as drops fell in such quick succession they appeared as a constant stream between the wand and his hand. After only maybe two minutes, the droplets began slowing until the last few drops fell, not in triplets, but as single globes of microscopic potions ingredients.
When the spell ended, Master Divers blinked a few times in quick succession, as if the lights had been turned on suddenly, and then he looked at Harry and smiled.
"Good job, Harry," he said.
Harry looked up at Severus, wanting to hear his opinion too.
"Yes, very well done, indeed" Severus said, pulling him close.
Harry let out a shaky breath, realizing, only as he relaxed in the man's arms, how tense he had been.
"The three of us will look over the results over there if you will wait here." Severus said, pulling away.
Harry hated to lose the warmth of his arms around him but nodded anyway.
"It won't take long," Severus said, and the three adults walked back over the basin on the other side of the room.
Harry couldn't see what they were doing, but they gathered around the basin and Master Divers incanted another spell with his wand pointed at the water. They murmured softly between themselves, and since they did not cast a silencio, he figured it was all right that he heard a few bits of their conversation.
"On the flobberworm, too?" he heard Master Harris say.
"Yes and see here?" Severus asked, pointing to something in the water.
Harry stopped himself from drumming his fingers on the table as he waited. Severus had said he had an affinity, and he would not lie, but Harry could not stop his heart from slamming in his chest as he waited for the results.
When they were done conferring in a few minutes, they approached him with smiles on their faces.
"Congratulations, Harry," Master Harris said.
"Really?" Harry exclaimed. He was in Severus' arms a second later, feeling the now familiar drape of his robes around his sides.
"See? You had nothing to worry about," Severus said, mouth brushing against the boy's hair.
Harry felt a few tears on his cheeks, and he rubbed at his eyes underneath his glasses.
"I have one?" he asked, just to make sure.
"Yes, Harry. You have an affinity," Severus said, cupping the side of his face.
Master Divers cleared his throat. "Harry, you appear to have a special affinity like Severus does. I have never seen an affinity like this."
Harry stopped deeper into Severus' robes.
Master Harris said, "You are affinitied to two elements that even muggles know and appreciate. Hydrogen and oxygen."
Harry looked at Severus. "It's not a plant or something?" he asked.
"No, it's much more ubiquitous than any type of plant, Harry. It's water," Severus said.
"Oh," Harry said. "That's good right?"
"It's exceptional," Severus said, squeezing the boy's shoulder and standing a little taller, himself.
"Water is in almost everything, young Harry," Master Harris said, the lines beside her eyes deepening when she smiled. "Your affinity will prove very useful in your potions career."
Harry smiled. "Thank you," he said, remembering his manners. "for helping me and all."
"It was a pleasure," Master Harris said.
"It truly was," Master Divers said.
Harry blushed and then looked to Severus.
"We are grateful for your help," Severus said to the two adults. "I am sure that we will work together again in the near future. For now, we had best be on our way," Severus told them. "Harry has had a long few weeks, and I should think some rest is in order."
At home, Severus made a light dinner, and it wasn't until they were almost done that Harry finally managed to ask Severus, "So, I can be your apprentice now right?"
"Of course, Harry," Severus said, sipping from his tea. "You could have been my apprentice without an affinity as well. It is not unheard of, just rare and, I should think, considerably more difficult."
"Do you—do you need permission for that?" Harry asked.
Severus was silent for a beat before replying. "Permission to allow you to become my apprentice?"
Harry nodded and pushed some food around on his plate.
"Permission from whom?" the man asked, looking at the boy.
Harry shrugged. "I guess from Aunt Petunia or something," he said.
"You know I'm your guardian now, right?" Severus asked.
"Yes, sir."
"And your relatives are not your guardians anymore."
Harry nodded.
"So they are not allowed to make any decisions concerning you anymore. They and their accomplices are being appropriately punished in the muggle way, and you will never have to see them again. Remember?"
Harry nodded but still chewed his lip.
Severus looked like he wanted to say something else on the matter, but instead, he pulled a small ball from his pocket and then wandlessly enlarged it.
It looked like a muggle snow globe, of sorts, Harry thought. He hadn't seen one of those in years. But this didn't have snow. It had swirling blue and gray streaks that swirled around each other and reminded him of those hypnotizing muggle screensavers.
"This is for you," Severus said, pushing the globe on its small wooden base toward Harry.
Harry pushed his plate out of the way and pulled the globe close, watching the insides of it bend and swoop.
"What is it?" Harry asked, feeling the smooth surface of the glass.
"It's a rector, and it's full of water," Severus said. "from every potions ingredient that your magic told us it was reaching out to today."
Harry's eyes widened.
"Really? All of this?"
"Yes. It was in the flora, such as the leaves of the fluxweed and lemongrass plants and even in the fauna which had not been dehydrated, like the flubberworm and the Poppy headed beetle."
Harry looked at the globe with a grimace.
"This has flubberworm guts in it?" he asked.
Severus coughed over what Harry thought might have been a laugh.
"I would not say that," he said.
"Is it—what should I do with it?" Harry asked.
Severus, flicked his wand and send their finished plates to the kitchen sink.
"You should keep it safe," he said. "Your rector will help guide you in your studies. Tomorrow, you will begin meditating with it."
"Does everyone get one when they get tested? Do you have one?"
"Most people do, but I do not," Severus said. "The testing spell only utilizes potions ingredients. It does not account for human bodies. My Master had to arrange other means."
"Oh," Harry said. He thought maybe that was a story Severus would tell at a different time, so he didn't ask any more questions.
"Oh, look, it says something!" Harry exclaimed, when he ran his finger over a smooth edge of the base.
"What does it say?" Severus asked with a smile.
"It says 'Harry James Potter: Water Affinity: Apprentice.' And it has the date." Harry rubbed his fingers over the golden letters.
Severus nodded. "As you grow, your rector will too. When you add skills or special training, it will say so, and it will not always say 'apprentice.'"
Harry nodded, but then his forehead wrinkled. "I thought—I thought maybe I wasn't officially your apprentice yet, cause we haven't done the paperwork and stuff."
Severus took an uncharacteristically deep breath and smiled. "You are correct. But it seems your magic feels differently about the matter. It seems that, in the ways that matter, you are my apprentice already, after all."