I own nothing of Harry Potter. Please read and review.

4040404040404

Severus watched his class as per usual and observed the mistakes that were going to happen along with the clear successes. He watched Hermione and noticed that she was very attentive to every detail and showed some signs of advanced techniques. Clearly she has been working hard and it was also very evident that she was not following instructions.

"Ms. Granger would you care to explain to the class why my instructions were not carried out?"

Hermione was startled as she wondered if she did anything wrong but couldn't find anything wrong with her potion so far. "I'm sorry Professor?"

"You have not followed the instructions I have clearly laid out in class. I would assume that after five years in my class you would understand the basics of potion safety." He was now standing beside her with his arms crossed.

"I wanted to test a different technique to help prepare for…"

She wasn't given a chance to explain herself. "Did it ever occur to you that it would be best to ask for extra tuition for that very task? Many of those theories are learned under some rather dangerous circumstances. That is why it is done with full knowledge and under the eye of an experienced potions master."

Hermione realized her mistake. "I do now Professor."

"How convenient."

A few of the Slytherins started to laugh at her expense. Draco shaking his head and mouthed 'stupid mudblood' to her when Snape's back was turned to her. Snape of course ignored the taunting from his house.

"Since you insist on learning theory and techniques without the foresight of safety I will enforce supervision every Saturday morning for the next two months." He waved his wand and her station was cleared along with the brewed potion in her cauldron. "I suggest you start again by collecting your supplies and this time follow the instructions that are written on the board."

After returning with her supplies Harry and Ron gave her an odd look as if to ask, 'What was that about?'. She shook her head and went to preparing the potion with the instructions given. This was going to be one of the longer classes she had today.

After class Harry felt safe to ask what happened. "Harry, Ron I'll explain everything. I just have to ask Snape something."

Harry nodded and left for the next class with Ron.

"Professor Snape?"

"What is it Miss Granger?"

"I appreciate the time you are giving on Saturday but I have some supplies I have to pick up in Hogsmede. If I am not able to go is there a way I could get a permission slip to go on Sunday?"

The rules were very strict now. If any student wanted to go at any time other than the allotted Saturday morning would have to get a permission slip from one of their main instructors. Snape found it to be a bloody nuisance.

"And why are you asking me rather than Professor McGonagall? She is still your head of house is she not?"

"Yes Professor but she is not aware of my interest in a potions apprenticeship and I don't want to explain why I decided not to take an interest in transfiguration."

"A question that I am curious to have answered." He raised an eyebrow to indicate that an answer should be forthcoming.

"I enjoy transfiguration but I don't have a love of it. I have as much interest in it as I do other subjects. Potions has theory and practical use where I truly have to study for it. There is depth to it that I don't see with transfiguration."

Snape handed her a slip of paper. "This is the only one I will give you unless it is to my benefit Miss Granger."

"Thank you Professor Snape." She left with the slip in hand and went to look for Harry and Ron who were waiting for her and she had to give them all the details.

"I am planning to apprentice under Snape for potions. If I pass the early exams I may be able to get an apprenticeship a year early. This was all before we knew what we had to do."

Harry looked concerned. "Leave this weekend. I see the permission slip. I can contact Remus to get you out first."

The idea was frightening but she didn't see any other choice considering what was happening around them. "Ok, I'll do it. Just let me know where I have to go and what to do." There was a feeling of guilt as she would be missing out on an opportunity that so few students get to have.

Ron and Harry both looked relieved. There really wasn't much time for them to get out. All three of them wanted to tell other students but if word got out about their plans it would be a disaster.

Later that night Harry went to sleep and placed a silencing charm on his bed with the curtains drawn. He never told anyone but he has been having dreams influenced by the connection he had with Voldemort. They started about a month ago but with everything that was happening he didn't want to add to the misery. There was nothing anyone could do.

Harry could feel himself being pulled into sleep and he tried to stay awake as there was something pulling at him to do so rather than it being a natural process. He fought it but as soon as his eyes were closed images from his past were being shown as if someone was using Occulomency on him.

The pain was intense and he was not able to pull away or stop the memories from coming up. He then focused on things that he loved and of Ron and Hermione. The images slowed down as he reached into his past and pulled memories of his own. He was rewarded with him being pulled into another's memories.

He was taller in this memory and each step was done with purpose. A body fell to the floor after a flash of green light. There was no sound as if watching a tv with the sound off. Reaching the door it opened and a woman screamed and held her hand out in protest. The room lit up in green and she fell to the floor.

A baby looked up at him and with the flash of green he was floating and was so confused. The pain and terror circulated through every thought as there was no longer any physical sensation.

Harry woke up out of breath covered in sweat. He never wanted to experience that again. So much so that if he had another dream like that again he would swallow his pride and go to Snape for help.

4040404040404

Snape was not pleased to have to meet the Order at this late hour but there was no other way it could be managed during the day.

"Headmaster please tell me you have some news."

"Ah, Severus indeed we do. Harry, Ron and Hermione have to be taken from the school. There is a way for them to escape through the Broken Bookworm."

That complicated things. "Whose idea was this?"

"It was mine. The ministry is no longer under its own control. You know who has infiltrated every area of the ministry. Harry has also been having dreams again. Hasn't he asked you for any help in that matter?" Remus answered.

Snape huffed and shook his head. "The boy would rather have his arm cut off before coming to me. Even if he did I couldn't look to sympathetic to his plight as I am supposed to be seen as his enemy among the students of my house."

"There must me something you could do?" Remus pushed.

"I do my best but as for the escape plan, what do you think will happen to the rest of the students in the mean time? Umbridge is determined to turn Hogwarts into a prison. It will only be too easy for the Dark Lord to take over from there."

Molly spoke up. "The longer we wait the closer we have to losing them. I did not live to see them taken and damaged by you know you."

Snape was well aware of the dangers and plans. "Headmaster, may I suggest a different plan or a modified one?"

"Go ahead Severus."

"Potter remains until the school is taken over. The Dark Lord will not arrive until the wards are down. When the wards are down Potter can escape. That is if he doesn't try to play hero. Remus I trust you can convince the golden boy to do what is smart? All your children should go as well Molly. I'll ensure Ginny gets out as she is not old enough to learn to apperate."

The plan was risky but it seemed the most logical at this time. They agreed reluctantly and went on with other Order business.

404040404040404

Saturday morning was a quiet in the great hall during breakfast as there were very few students awake at 7am in the morning.

"What are you playing at? Apprenticeship?"

Draco startled her as he approached with no warning. She was tired of the game he was playing. "I don't know where to look. There is nothing to help me in the library…"

"I thought you were the bright one in the group Granger. Who would be of 'use to you'? That should tell you something shouldn't it?" He still wore that classic Malfoy smirk but his eyes spoke of irritation.

Anyone outside the conversation would have no idea what they were speaking about. "The library won't help would it?"

"Like I said I thought you were the bright one. My mistake."

She turned around in her seat and glared up at him. "What game are you playing? Is this person even real and if she is what does she have to do with me?"

The smirk left and he was about to say something but there were a few from his house approaching him. "Those like you, mudblood."

"Those like me…useful to those like me." She had more questions than answers now but he left before they could be asked. She looked at her watch and realized that she had to run to the dungeons to make it on time.

She did and found a note for her at her station.

Miss Granger the supplies are at your station. Have the potion started before I arrive in two hours.

Professor Snape

Hermione looked around and saw no supplies at her station. She smiled realizing that this was part of her training. The book she bought said that many potion masters hid their work in plain sight. She looked at her station and pointed her wand. "Revelo." Nothing happened.

"He can't be serious." She realized that she would have to get another cauldron and quickly make a revealing potion and then spray it over the area. "Ok, Hermione you asked for this."

She looked at the reveling potion in the borrowed book only to realize that it too required theory that was out of her depth. She had to wait for two hours until Snape arrived. Well she wasn't going to waste her time so she made herself useful. There were some old cauldrons that were still useful but needed to have some rust removed before they could be repaired.

Even with a wand the process of removing the rust was messy as direct magic could not be applied to the metal itself. She set out an area and transfigured tarps out of paper to collect the rust and covered her face and clothes.

It was a thankless task but she inspected each one to ensure there was no left over rust on them. She was rather impressed with herself by the job she did.

After cleaning up and setting them aside she noticed that the classroom supply closet was very untidy with fragments and bits of materials that were not cleaned after each class. Once again she could not use magic to clean these. She found a small hand held broom and a dust pan and set to work on cleaning out the debris. She was rather proud of herself again but knew to never show pride in what should be done anyway.

She looked at the time and realized that Snape would be back at any minute. She stepped out into the classroom to find a rather irritated Snape looking at her.

"I see you couldn't follow instructions."

"But I did Professor. The revealing potion was out of my depth and you told me that you need to supervise any potion that was potentially dangerous."

He saw a rust mark on her face. "And so what have you been doing for the past two hours?"

"I cleared the rust from the older cauldrons to be repaired and cleaned the debris in the supply closet left over between the classes."

Snape was impressed so far but he would never show it. "For once you actually used that head of yours instead of showing off. Everyone knows you are intelligent Miss Granger so the need to show that off is not necessary. Potion Masters never boast about what they know or don't because success can get you killed."

"How unsafe will I be if I remain at Hogwarts next year?" Hermione almost regretted asking the question but it was too late to take it back as he already began to answer.

Now the real questions begin. "As my apprentice if you meet the requirements, you will be my charge and under my protection. If you don't then you should use your muggle parents to get you out of the country for the time being."

Hermione was not able to hide her reaction but she didn't ask anything further on that matter. "What would be my second lesson of the day Professor?"

"You are to follow these instructions." He waved his wand and the most complicated set of instructions appeared. "I suggest you do some research before attempting any of these and then ask for clarification if you are not certain about what has to be done."

The instructions contained terms that was not in the book she bought but was in the one borrowed from Snape. She opened it again and looked for the information and found what she needed. She soon realized that she would not be doing any practical work today. There were many questions she had but would set them aside until she absolutely required clarification.

While Hermione was writing notes Umbridge entered the class and approached Snape. She gave a cursory glance at Hermione. "Severus, I must speak to you about your tuition with Miss Granger. It has been brought to my attention that she is planning to become your apprentice by taking an early qualification test."

"That is correct." He was curt with her but professional.

"I assume you have looked up the latest in the regulations for this process?" Umbridge gave a little giggle assuming that he hadn't.

Snape was more than prepared. "I contacted the guild a week ago and they approved it. I am a Potions Master of that very guild and am not required to seek ministry approval. You are very welcome to question them on that if you feel they have overstepped their boundaries."

Umbridge was well aware of the guild and their influence. "That is satisfactory. I won't require anything else concerning that matter. I do require some supplies on this list."

Snape looked at the list and raised an eyebrow. "Some of these will take a month to prepare."

Umbridge turned her head to Hermione. "You have a potential apprentice. I am sure she is capable of helping you. Miss Granger is a bright student so she won't require her weekends for additional studies."

"I'll work on this list and get the supplies you require as best I can. As for Miss Granger's weekends only one day is allowed to be taken for the purposes of study. Not for restocking school supplies." Snape made is clear that once again Umbridge was stepping outside her boundaries. "I will work on the supplies and get them to you as soon as they are ready."

"See that you do." She gave her squeaky giggle and left the class.

"Theory time is over Miss Granger. Take out a cauldron and prepare the ingredients for the revealing potion."

Hermione set to work knowing that she would not be the one to do it but would have to watch everything very closely. Some of the ingredients were highly volatile so she ensured her safety if she wasn't completely secure in her knowledge of them.

"This is used for many tasks. Not just for revealing hidden objects but to prevent people or things from being hidden. It is not poisonous but it can cause nausea, headaches, mild fever and in some cases a rash if ingested. The body needs to build an immunity to it so if you feel ill tomorrow don't be too surprised as the fumes in brewing it are strong."

This was the first time she had ever seen him at work. The skill he had was simply mesmerizing and it was hard for her to keep track of what was being done. There was pure focus on every item and not just timing but the colour of the potion when the ingredients were added.

"Why are the roots added when it's that colour?"

"Any later and the potion is ruined. Any earlier and you can cause a deadly smoke to form and you will cease to breath within minutes."

"So learning to ruin a potion is better than to unwittingly make one that is self-destructing."

"Been trying to teach Mr. Finnegan that for years."

Hermione had to laugh a little at that. It was true that Seamus and potions was a dangerous combination.

She focused again to ensure that she wasn't missing anything.

"Next Saturday you will be doing this in my place. So I hoped you watched how I prepared everything before I started."

Hermione had a question on her mind that she wanted to ask but was afraid to.

"Ask the question Miss Granger."

"Malfoy knows about my interest in apprenticeship with you. He will certainly tell his father…so um…"

Snape knew what was being asked. "The Dark Lord knows Miss Granger. So you can either leave as suggested or earn your way under my protection. Don't get distracted, watch what I'm doing."

She did and was glad as she saw the green liquid become clear. Soon what formed where crystals despite the heat. A few more ingredients were added and they dissolved creating what looks like orange juice.

"Does he want me to be your apprentice?" There was genuine fear in her voice this time.

That was a difficult question to answer. Snape was never told to specifically but he had to keep her away from the Order. "He is curious about you and that is all I will say on that matter."

"If I stay I would be used against Harry."

"You do understand not a word we say can be spoken outside this class."

"He could easily find me in Europe as well as here. I think apprenticeship is the best course of action. And yes, I understand."

…