A/N: We got our first bit of snow, and I got some inspiration for this chapter. Enjoy!
oOo
"I must say Quirinus, I am very impressed by your initiative. This is a wonderful idea for the children that are remaining behind over the holidays." Pomona looked over the schedule of activities. "It's very kind of you to go to such trouble."
"I just felt that it might be an idea to give them some structured activities, to keep them out of mischief." He chuckled. "Rolanda was kind enough to agree to referee the fun quidditch matches, and keeping the ages relatively grouped together will hopefully prevent any injuries. Severus and I will take those interested in gathering ingredients into the forest, and Hagrid was more than happy to offer to take the other students down to visit the unicorns in the grove on a few of the days. I also thought a few traditional indoor activities might be fun for those that are without their families, I know it can be hard for them," he said sympathetically.
"It's a wonderful idea. I'm away for a few days, but if you need help once I return, I'm happy to jump in." She handed the schedule back. "I'll post a copy in the common Room for my badgers, there's only four staying mind you, but I'm sure they'll take advantage of the opportunities."
"Wonderful. Thank you, Pomona," Tom said and headed out of the staff room. The trains left Hogsmeade in the morning, and he was very hopeful that the fairly steady series of activities would keep Potter from seeking any more information about the Third Floor corridor and all the obstacles that the Headmaster had designed. It would also be an opportunity to introduce the students that had been unwanted by their families to some of the more enjoyable Yule traditions without arousing Albus' attention. The activities were labelled very generically, and he'd be none the wiser. Albus frequently left the castle over the Holidays, or at least that was what he'd gleaned from Quirrell's mind.
Just then, the staffroom door opened and Albus entered the room, followed by Lucius Malfoy who looked rather smug.
"Ah, good…everyone's here." Albus said, looking rather irritated. "If I could please have everyone's attention for a few moments." He paused while everyone left their little groupings to come and gather together, looking quite curious about the appearance of a member of the Board of Governors. "I'm sure you're all very familiar with Mr. Malfoy, he has something to discuss with us all from the most recent meeting of the Board of Governors."
"Thank you, Headmaster." Lucius said, his cool grey eyes scanning the room for a moment. "Hogwarts used to be the center of the vibrant and thriving tradition of apprenticeships and higher education, but that program was discontinued almost fifty years ago. The notes at the time indicate that it was due to lack of interest and funding. Over the last twenty years there has been a sharp decline in the number of students pursuing Masteries, and the Board feels that Hogwarts should once take the lead and set the example for our entire community. Starting next September, all Professors in fields that are associated with a Mastery Guild will have the option of employing an apprentice. The Board of Governors is establishing a fund that will see to the needs of those apprentices and I urge all of you to seek qualified applicants and encourage promising students to consider applying for these positions. Everyone in relevant positions will receive an information package in the New Year, and I hope you all have a pleasant holiday. Thank you for your time." He inclined his head politely.
"Yes…thank you for that announcement…" Albus said. "I believe you know your way out?"
Lucius sneered at the older wizard, but swept out without a protest.
"Oh this is such exciting news." Filius was the first one to speak, looking overjoyed at the prospect.
"I'm not certain that this is entirely what Hogwarts needs, Filius," Albus said. "There will be additional work to organizing a schedule for the apprentices…"
"I for one am quite looking forward to the new program," Pomona said. "Certainly we'll all need time to do additional lessons with our apprentices, but they'll also be able to help ease some of the work load we're all saddled with. By the end of it, it should make things easier for us all." There was a general buzz of conversation after that, with Pomona and the Headmaster having a spirited debate on the matter.
Severus drifted over to stand with Quirinus, and he lifted his glass to the younger wizard. "To successful ventures," he said quietly.
"To beneficial changes." Tom winked at Severus. "Do you have any students in mind for your first apprentice?"
"There are a couple of candidates. I would have referred them to outside masters before NEWTs, but I may see if I can keep the best for myself first." He grinned, surprised by how much he was looking forward to this simple change.
"For myself, there is a student in Hufflepuff that might do well for Defence. He has a wonderful feel for things and I know that he mentors the younger students who are struggling with basic concepts." He had every intention of remaining here at the school now, even though he was certain Albus was going to try and find a way to be rid of him. He was pushing his OWL and NEWT years hard, determined to give them the best scores in a very long time. The standard Professor's contract that Quirinus had signed in August had been for steady employment for a minimum term of three years, unless he were terminated or rendered incapable of performing his duties. His curse had seen to it that all of his predecessors, since Professor Merrythorpe had retired, had met with varying degrees of being rendered 'incapable' of returning for a second year.
Filius came bustling over, talking animatedly about some of his favourite seventh year students and how he hoped at least one or two might be interested in considering returning to Hogwarts as an Apprentice. The general feel in the room was excited, but Tom wasn't blind to the look of restrained anger on the Headmaster's face. He was aware that he had been outplayed, and he was going to be trying to figure out who was behind it. What Tom wasn't entirely sure about was the reason that Albus was so resistant to the idea in general. Apprenticeships had been a time honoured tradition in the wizarding world, and at Hogwarts in particular. Albus himself had apprenticed under Nicholas Flammel, and while he had not gone on to actually sit his Mastery in Alchemy…he had made great contributions to the field. It was a puzzle, and he would have to start looking for all the pieces.
oOo
The Slytherin Common Room was basically empty and Hermione sank down on the couch by the fire with a sigh. Only five other Slytherins had remained over the holidays, and the dormitory felt eerily quiet. Professor Snape had pinned up a notice about the activities that would take place for anyone remaining, and she had to admit that she was a little excited for some of them. Mostly though, she was just sad that her friends were all going home and she was going to be here alone.
"Staying behind then, Granger?" Graham Montague said as he came over and sat in the chair across from her. The third year looked less confrontational than normal.
She nodded. "My parents are out of the country."
"Same. My mother had to go to Spain to deal with my Grandmother's estate." He shared that much. "Well, if any of the Gryffindorks give you trouble…just let me know," he said. "There's only a few of us here, so we try and look out for one another."
"Thanks," she said, and then jumped a little as a low table appeared, covered with holiday treats and two mugs of hot chocolate.
"Don't thank me. It's not a favour; it's just how things are down here." He grabbed a small mince pie off the table. "You and the Malfoy kid sort things out yet?"
Hermione shook her head, not sure why the older boy was talking to her. "We just try and ignore each other for the most part. He hangs out with Parkinson, Crabbe, and Goyle, while I spent most of my time with Theo, Daphne, and Tracey. It works."
"Bulstrode and Zabini kind of float between the two groups then?" He guessed.
"Yeah, they seem to." Hermione reached out and took an empire cookie. They were one of her absolute favourites. "It's better than Gryffindor, at any rate."
"Of course it is." He chuckled and stood. "I'll be up in the Library, but I think Millbank is still up in her dorm if you need something. Keep out of trouble." He headed off out of the Common Room and left a bemused Hermione behind.
The rest of the morning was quiet, and Hermione nodded to Montague as she came to sit down for lunch. They were the youngest Slytherins, the others were all students in the OWL and NEWT years, remaining behind to focus on school work. Her eyes drifted over the other tables, taking in the small pockets of students at each table. She was surprised to see Harry was there, along with a clump of Weasleys. There were four older Hufflepuffs, and two Ravenclaws. The Head Table was fairly sparse as well, with only a few of the Professors joining them for lunch. All in all, Hermione was having a hard time feeling good about staying behind.
"Hey, chin up, Granger. No looking sad out in front of the other Houses," Graham said, tapping her ankle with his foot.
She nodded. "Sorry."
"We get a rough time without giving them ammunition." He shrugged. "So…what's this I hear about you being pants at flying? Aren't you supposed to be good at everything?"
Hermione's cheeks blazed red. "I just don't like it," she protested.
"Uh huh, and it's got nothing to do with being scared?" he teased, a smirk on his lips.
Hermione gave him a withering glare. "Oh and you aren't afraid of anything, right?"
"I didn't say that," he said. "I could help you, you know. While there's no one around, I could help you get good enough to pass your flying exam in the spring. Can't have anyone in our House failing at something as basic as flying," he said a bit gruffly.
Hermione bit her bottom lip. "I guess it couldn't hurt, but I really am bad at it," she admitted.
"We've got a free afternoon tomorrow, I'll ask Madam Hooch if it's alright today after the fun match," he said.
"I'm going to go with Professor Snape, and help collect some potions ingredients." The younger years were being required to attend the activities, with the oldest students being allowed to choose in deference to their need to study.
"Well, stick close to the Professor in case anyone gives you trouble. Watch out for the Gryffindors," he advised.
"Why are you being nice to me?" Hermione asked, looking a little suspicious.
"Look around, Granger. It's not like I've got a lot of options for someone to hang out with for the next couple weeks," he said, looking at her like she'd just said something really stupid. "So until everyone else comes back, we can suspend normal rules." He shrugged.
"I guess that makes sense." She nodded, willing to accept that at least.
"So glad you approve." He rolled his eyes a little.
oOo
Severus raised his eyebrow at the two lone first years that chose to join him for the afternoon. Miss Granger he had expected, but Potter had been quite a surprise. He'd expected him to run off to join the other hooligans on the Quidditch Pitch, or perhaps go to visit the Groundskeeper. Quirinus came over and joined them.
"Well, shall we head out?" Quirrell asked Severus.
"Before we go, a couple of ground rules." Severus looked hard at Potter for a moment. "Absolutely no wandering off. The Forbidden forest is a dangerous place for the unprepared, and no matter how innocuous something appears, touch nothing unless I give you permission. Understood?"
"Yes professor Snape," Miss Granger said immediately.
"Yes…sir," Potter added after a brief pause.
"Very well," Severus said and together the four of them headed out of the castle and out towards the forest. "We will be heading into the forest to gather mistletoe berries for the school stores, and anything else we might come across that would be useful."
Hermione and Harry followed the Professors into the forest and within a few hours they were completely absorbed in harvesting rare delicate snowbells that they'd stumbled over. Their baskets were nearly full when she looked over and saw professor Quirrell using wandless magic to make snowballs and hover them over his hands, spinning them in intricate patterns. He noticed her watching and floated one of the perfect snow spheres over to her, and she caught it in her gloved hands.
"How did you do that?" she asked.
"Would you like me to show you?" He headed over to where she and Harry were.
"But isn't wandless magic really difficult?" Harry asked, frowning.
"I imagine you both did quite a bit of accidental magic before you got your wands," he said. "Its only difficult, because we've become so dependant on our wands. It's just a tool, nothing more. Our magic comes from inside us, and witches and wizards were performing magic long before we learned to fashion wands. Magic is all focus and intent. So to start, both of you take off your gloves and scoop up some snow. Focus on it and try to will it to form into a ball," Tom coached them, watching the two small first-years do as he said.
He watched as Hermione's snow began to shift around in her hands, not quite forming into a ball, but trying. Harry's liquefied into water and he made a face. Tom chuckled and cast a drying charm over the boy's hands.
"Harry, you don't need to press so much magic into it. Try it again, but use a little less force. Elements need to be coaxed not forced. Hermione, try closing your eyes and just visualizing what you want." He watched with something akin to pride as she obeyed and the snow smoothed itself into a beautiful, smooth ball. Harry's wasn't as round and slightly melted, but it was definitely a snowball.
"Very well done, both of you." Tom smiled. "I want both of you to keep practicing, and whenever you can try to use the spells you learn in class without your wands. This is very advanced work, but I think you're both more than capable of it."
"Why does my snowball keep melting?" Harry asked, frowning a little.
"Just a little too much magic, you'll learn to moderate it over time. Just remember to keep this to yourself; it's always helpful to have a skill people don't know you possess." He winked a little at Harry. The boy was so eager for knowledge and approval, it was startling and oh so tantalizing. Not a typical Gryffindor at all. "Shall we head back up to the castle and have some hot chocolate?"
"Yes please!" Hermione smiled brightly, putting her gloves back on.
Severus was watching from across the clearing with a considering expression on his face as he stood and rejoined them. He didn't say anything, but he was watching Quirinus carefully as they headed out of the forest and back into the castle. They escorted the children back to the Great Hall where treats were waiting, and everyone else tromped in from the Quidditch game. The first day of planned activities had been a complete success, just as Quirinus had predicted.