The Apprentice

***13 October, 1976***

As Severus exited DADA that late morning, he garnered more than one malicious glare from the Gryffindors.

"That was a well-placed Densaugeo, Snape!"

Severus turned to see Avery, Mulciber, and Rowle half-run in order to catch up with him. Severus never slowed down as he made for the direction of the library.

"Those teeth were fantastic," Mulciber laughed. "I think you improved Pettigrew's looks. I always thought he resembled a rat. And it was a silent spell at that!"

Severus half snorted. It was Pettigrew's rotten luck that Dumbledore paired him with Severus. Severus couldn't understand how Pettigrew managed to get into the N.E.W.T. level to begin with. The least capable Marauder couldn't sneeze without asking one of his cohorts how to cover his nose.

"Best part about it is the barmy old coot doesn't even realise that Snape invented it. Did you see the look on his face?" Avery asked excitedly. "You bested one of his precious lions. I bet he would have docked House points if he could."

"I wonder what happened to Llewellyn ?" Rowle was speaking of the current DADA professor, Mavis Llewellyn. He had not shown up for classes in three days and the professors were being stiff-lipped as to what had happened to him. The headmaster had personally taken over classes in his absence.

"Aren't you three supposed to be on your way to Transfiguration? You know Professor McGonagall won't except excuses for tardiness and Professor Myers won't be happy if you lose House points," Severus said tetchily. He knew why he was being followed. He had been inundated with questions about Lucy since their date. Frankly he was sick and tired of his dorm mates asking him if Lucy was a good kisser.

Severus had never said a word to his dorm mates about his date with Lucy, but he was caught giving Lucy a quick kiss while seeing her off to her History class on Monday.

"That old cat doesn't scare me," Rowle said.

"And we won't have to worry about Myers for much longer," Avery sniggered gormlessly.

"Then you're a right idiot," Severus replied. "That 'old cat' could give Dumbledore a run for his money if she had to, and just because there's a Board of Governors meeting today doesn't mean Mr Black is going to be any more successful at having Myers removed this time as he was over the summer. "

Severus didn't like Avery's insinuation. It could be that Avery was simply trying to sound important, as if he were privy to information that others were not. Though it showed Avery to be the arse that he was, that in itself was of no concern. But Avery had received an owl from his dad the other day and it was well known to all that Avery Senior had been cohort of the self-proclaimed Lord Voldemort since they were lads in school. Avery's dad had been three years behind his object of hero worship and had been assigned as his fag when the custom was still in practice at Hogwarts. Personally, it was not a claim to fame that Severus would be shouting from the rooftops. But perhaps Mr Avery told his son something that he should have kept quiet. Perhaps Avery was privy to information that others were not. If that were the case, it was cause for concern.

Severus had been keeping up with the news and he had seen the trend. Over the last three months five people had disappeared, all high profile wizards and witches and all had publically voiced opposition to Lord Voldemort's assertion that the Statute of Secrecy should be nullified. Of course there was no proof one way or another and nothing had been said about the correlation in the media.

If Severus had noticed the trend, surely others had. Sometimes a seemingly coincidental event was more than mere synchronicity. With the disappearances and Avery's ham-handed threat to their Head of House, Severus didn't know what to think or how to handle it. The only thing he was sure of was that the less he knew, or pretended to know, the safer he would be. He didn't want to be dragged into any conspiracies, but what if what Avery had said was a real threat. Surely Severus should say something to someone.

Severus stopped suddenly causing his three shadows to nearly trip over each other. "What do you want?"

"Nothing," Mulciber said, looking to Avery first and then to Rowle. "You do remember Lucius took his father's place on the Board of Governors this year? Reg says he wants to talk to you."

"Why didn't Regulus tell me himself?" Severus asked. He knew what Lucius wanted. Severus just didn't know how he was going to handle the situation. He felt like he was being dragged deeper into a pond he didn't want to swim in.

"I don't know—maybe because you got the girl he fancied and doesn't want to talk to you right now," Avery answered sarcastically. "You would have known yourself if you'd hang out with your mates once in a while."

"Regulus is more like his brother than he cares to admit," Severus said. "He'll fancy a new girl tomorrow. And speaking of said girl, I'm late, so if you don't mind…."

The clock tower bells began to ring and Rowle tapped both Avery and Mulciber on the shoulders. "Damn—we better get going, or old McGonagall is really going to have kittens."

Rowle and Avery made a dash towards the Transfiguration corridor as Mulciber lingered behind just long enough to say, "Don't be surprised if you see Lucius after lunch," then took off after his friends.

Avery was right about one thing— Severus rarely hung out with his old friends anymore. Frankly, he found Lucy to be far more interesting and her conversations were never confined to one topic. In and of itself, that was a good thing because Severus was tired of hearing about the 'Dark Lord'.

But now he couldn't help but wonder if Lord Voldemort's aims were really as innocuous as he made them sound. As the weeks dragged on all his dorm mates could talk about was how the Dark Lord was going to change the Wizarding world; putting Muggles in their proper place and ensuring that Wizards would never have to hide themselves again.

Severus had to admit, it would be nice if there were no more Statute of Secrecy. He hated that he and his mum had to hide almost every aspect of their lives from their neighbours. It made them outcasts in their own home and Severus had grown very tired of being the odd man out. He had felt like an outsider his entire life. He thought that would change once he came to Hogwarts, but the Marauders had ensured that Severus had become an outcast here too, even until the point that Severus' only friend, Lily, had cast him aside. Then Lucy came along. For the first time in his memory, Severus felt as if he were a part of something—important to someone. He mattered.

As tempting as it was to follow in the footsteps of his dorm mates, Severus couldn't help but feel that there wasn't something quite right about their leader. He had never really thought of it before, but perhaps it was the fact that none of Voldemort's backers ever called him by name. They only referred to him as the 'Dark Lord'. Supporting a pundit's views was one thing—devoting your life to him was quite another. The more Severus heard his mates talk, the more he realised that something was off. More than once, he had seen Avery, Mulciber, Rowle, and even Regulus, hex someone because they didn't agree with Voldemort's view of how the world should be, or because their blood status wasn't 'pure'. It was almost as if they were obligated to do so. And the missing people…Severus couldn't help but to wonder if somehow Voldemort was involved.

Even more concerning was his mate's desires to become Death Eaters. All Severus knew about Death Eaters was that they were a group of Voldemort's most loyal supporters. Apparently, Voldemort made promises that those most loyal to him and his cause would be rewarded once the world had changed. But what Severus hadn't figured out yet was the purpose of a Death Eater. From what he had gathered from his dorm mate's talk on the matter, Death Eaters swore their unyielding loyalty to Lord Voldemort. But why would anyone demand that sort of devotion from another? Why would anyone give it freely? It sounded slavish to Severus. Why would anyone need followers that dedicated unless there were some darker agenda afoot not yet revealed? It was all beginning to add up and Severus didn't like the math.

Severus reached the library and did not see Lucy straight away. The Library wasn't very full at this hour and since he knew Lily and the Marauders were at Transfiguration, he felt confident to look for Lucy in the stacks without being accosted.

He didn't have to look long. He knew Lucy would be researching John Dee for her History of Magic project. And that's exactly where he found her, in the Tudor section as they were the last royal House to have an official Court Wizard.

She stood along the far wall in her school robes, with a long, dark blond plait reaching down to the middle of her back. She was engrossed in her reading. Lucy's face was buried so deeply into her book, she looked quite literally as if she were ready to devour it.

Severus slowly approached her from behind, thinking it might be a good laugh if he startled her. It might even be worth Madam Pince's wrath and a detention with Filch. He silently reached out his arms ready to grab Lucy around the waist…

"Hi, Severus."

It was Severus who nearly jumped out of his robes. Lucy never even took her nose out of her book.

When his heart finally managed to find his way back into his chest, Severus asked, "How did you know…"

"Sandalwood." Lucy shut her book and turned to face him. She had an impish grin planted on her face. "You've been helping Daddy brew Calming Draught for Madam Pomfrey all week. It's a scent that's hard to get rid of after a while."

"Good thing we weren't making her Wound Healing Paste," Severus said. "That requires Thestral dung."

Lucy chuckled softly and said, "Don't tell the masses. Most people would rather bleed to death than think about what goes into most healing potions. But you're right. Even I would have to avoid you. Mama forces Daddy to sleep on the couch when he's brewing that shi…"

Lucy never got to finish her sentence when a seventh year Ravenclaw girl invaded their space looking to find some research material of her own.

Lucy grabbed Severus' hand and led him out of the stacks. Severus just sighed and followed. He glared at the girl who disturbed them and received a two-fingered salute in return. He would have liked to have at least stolen one kiss from Lucy whilst they had some privacy. He needed a little happiness after his run-in with his dorm mates.

Severus followed Lucy to a study table she had already claimed in a far corner. Normally, the long table would sit six people, but Lucy had so many books scattered across the top, Severus wondered if there would be any room left for him.

"Sorry about that," Lucy said in her library voice as she flicked her wand. Her books gathered themselves together and settled into three neat stacks. A few even floated back into nearby shelves. "I didn't want anyone else to sit here."

Lucy sat down and Severus put his rucksack on the table as he took the chair next to hers. "Don't let Madam Pince see you returning books like that. She'll have you dusting books the Muggle way for a week," Severus said.

Lucy shook her head, "She's too busy flirting with Mr Filch today. First years could be dancing in the aisles and she wouldn't notice."

A shiver went up Severus' spine thinking of the two old goats together. He wished he could pour doxycide on his brain to rid himself of the mental image.

Lucy and Severus both dug into their rucksacks and took out their Arithmancy texts.

"I hate Arithmancy," Lucy said with a put-out sigh. "I wish it were as easy as Muggles make it out to be."

Lucy's declaration jarred Severus out of his mental torture and he was grateful for something to think about on besides Death Eaters and copulating old people. Lucy stared blankly at her paper. She had a delayed reaction when Severus snatched the paper from her hands. "What…?"

"Here, let me see," Severus said. They were using Arithmancy to predict the product of two reactants in an unknown potion. "Here's your problem," he said, pointing to her paper. "All of your numbers are off by one. You're reading the chart wrong."

Lucy snatched her homework back and scrutinized her paper. "Damn, this is the second time I've done this," she muttered. "Don't tell Mama or she'll force me to get glasses."

"You'd still be the cutest bookworm I know," Severus teased.

"Thank you—I think," Lucy smirked as she began to scratch out her wrong answers.

Severus smiled back despite himself. It made him happy knowing he made Lucy happy.

He continued to help Lucy un-jumble her calculations. Lucy felt a little pressed for time because she did not have as much time as Severus that day. Severus had yet and additional study hour while Lucy had to attend History before he headed off to Herbology. Arithmancy would be their last lesson of the day.

It took about forty-five minutes to get everything sorted out and for Lucy to get the whole mess rewritten. It was almost time for lunch, after which Lucy would be in class and Severus would have to find a way to avoid Lucius for an hour after a short meeting with Dr O'Conner. Board members usually dined in the Great Hall with the Headmaster after their meetings. If Lucius were truly looking for him, undoubtedly he would see Severus sitting at the Slytherin table with Lucy.

Lucy got up from her chair and began to gather up her books. Severus got up too but hesitated. "Erm…Lucy…are you really hungry? I mean, can we skip lunch."

"Are you kidding?" she said as she shrunk a stack of books and stuffed them into her rucksack. "I'm starving."

"Oh," Severus said more to himself as he scratched the back of his head and tried to think of something else. Truthfully, he was hungry too, but he really wanted to avoid the Great Hall.

As he reached for her rucksack, to carry it she looked at him. Her eyes narrowed with concern "What's wrong? Why don't you want to go to lunch?"

"I just don't feel like eating," he lied.

Lucy looked as him as if she didn't believe him. He followed Lucy to the librarian's desk and waited patiently whilst Lucy checked out her book. The student intern eyed them suspiciously. They quietly left the library side by side.

They received a couple of curious glances from other students, but that was all. Although they had only been a real couple for almost a week, Severus and Lucy had been practically inseparable since the beginning of term. Most people had become accustomed to the idea that there was a girl out there who actually liked Severus… even if she was a pretty girl.

Once they were in the corridor, Lucy stopped. She looked both ways. They said nothing, as two Hufflepuff boys, probably no older than Second Year, passed them and entered the Library without bothering to look up.

Now that they were alone again, Lucy spoke. "Severus, what's going on?"

"Nothing's going on," Severus nearly hissed. Lucy looked momentarily shocked by his tone. He hadn't meant to answer as harshly as he did. He made sure to soften his voice when he elaborated. "I'm sorry. I just…I just don't feel well. My stomach hurts." It wasn't a real lie. The more he thought about trying to come up with an excuse to turn down Malfoy's Christmas invitation, the more it soured Severus' stomach.

Lucy looked slightly relieved, "Well, that's easy enough to fix," she said taking him by the hand. "We'll just go to my folk's chamber. Daddy'll have a Stomach Draught in the medicine cabinet and we can fix something to eat while we're there."

Already Severus was feeling better. The longer he could avoid Lucius Malfoy the better. If Malfoy didn't see Severus in the Great Hall, the less likely it would be that he could catch Severus at all. In fact, Severus could hide himself away in Dr O'Conner's lab for that final hour after he met with the professor. Students normally wouldn't be allowed access to the professor's private lab, but as Dr O'Conner's assistant, Severus was the exception. Malfoy would never think to look for him in there. Severus' day was looking better already.

***12:39 pm***

Severus almost regretted seeking refuge in Dr O'Conner's lab—almost. Dr O'Conner was happy for Severus' arrival. Good Dr O'Conner had planned a surprise quiz for his First Years during the last half of the lesson and Severus had been given the sudden, unenviable position of proctoring the little ankle-biters. Thankfully, once they finished their quiz, the students were dismissed, but that still left Severus with the even more objectionable task of actually grading the damnable things whilst Dr O'Conner went over the lesson plans for the next project of his OWL students. The only thing that made it all worth it was the news Dr O'Conner had given him.

Severus' mother had owled the professor back and given Severus permission to be his apprentice. Severus did not have to wait until he was seventeen to sign the contracts. His mother had done it for him.

Severus was officially a Potion Master's apprentice and he was only sixteen! If he worked hard enough he could be a Master by the time he was twenty. It would be difficult, but it could be done. Severus had to admit he was nervous that Dr O'Conner might find out that he had kissed Lucy.

How much did Lucy tell her parents? Did they know? It's not as if Severus and Lucy were hiding their relationship. The held hands as they walked to class and gave each other chaste kisses as they parted regardless of who was around. Surely they must know something, but the fact the Dr O'Conner hasn't said anything was leaving Severus feeling a bit on edge.

Returning his mind to his task, Severus read the next quiz and groaned.

"What's wrong, Mr Snape?" Dr O'Conner asked without looking up from his work.

"Can I write 'Dunderhead' across the top of this one…in big red letters?"

Dr O'Conner chuckled, "I don't know. What does it say?"

"Well, you asked them to expand the recipe of a simple Boil Cure three times. This genius wrote the instructions three times larger."

Dr O'Conner laughed hardily, "You get at least one every year. I wish I could give points for use of imagination, but unfortunately for…whose quiz is it?"

Severus looked closer at the name on top. "Nathan Aubrey." Severus guessed that it must be the little brother of Bertram. Two years ago, Bert was stuck in the hospital wing for a week when Potter and Black cursed his head twice its normal size. It was one of the times that the toe rags managed to land themselves in detention. Severus thought they should have been expelled.

"Well too bad for Mr Aubrey," Dr O'Conner sighed. "Mark it off, but I'm afraid you'll have to keep the comments to yourself."

Severus dipped his quill into the red inkwell, ready to mark a large 'X' over the entire page when someone entered the room.

"Ah, Richard. I see you have some help today."

Severus looked up at the sound of the Headmaster's voice. The headmaster stood in the doorway, clad in his usual elaborate attire. This time his colour of choice was blood-red accented with gold-thread stars and moons. Behind the Headmaster were four wizards and a witch, all members of the Board of Governors. Amongst the grey beards and salt and pepper hair was the unmistakable platinum blonde head of Lucius Malfoy.

Dr O'Conner turned his attention to the Headmaster. "Why, yes, Albus. The details were just finalized today. Mr Snape is now my apprentice a position of which he is well deserving. Already, I am finding his help invaluable."

Severus felt a surge of pride well in his chest with Dr O'Conner's accolades. Four of the governors seemed as duly impressed with Severus as the Headmaster seemed to be. Of course Lucius Malfoy looked as though he just swallowed a dung beetle.

Severus cursed to himself. Lucius had found him after all.

"Congratulations, Mr Snape. I see defence is not the only subject in which you excel," Dumbledore said as he nodded genially to Severus. "No doubt you will make your family and your professor proud."

It took a moment to register that the headmaster was speaking directly to him. "Oh…yes, sir. I will do my best."

"I know you will, young man." There was a twinkle in Dumbledore's blue eyes that Severus found strangely knowing and comforting.

The headmaster turned his attention back to Dr O'Conner. "Richard, the governors were curious as to how your classes were coming along. I thought it would be nice if they could hear first-hand from you."

Severus wondered if something was wrong, but Dr O'Conner did not seem concerned as he waved his wand and conjured just enough extra chairs for his guests. "Actually, it's been a great start. Please, gentlemen—madam, have a seat."

Severus looked at his watch and began to gather his things. "Dr O'Conner, I need to leave for Herbology. What do you want me to do with the rest of these quizzes?"

"Put them in my inbox, thank you, Mr Snape. I'll finish them later. You'd best be off."

"Thank you, Sir."

Severus grabbed his rucksack, shook hands with the headmaster and two governors that offered theirs and said his perfunctory goodbyes before hurrying out the door.

Severus hurried for the door as much as was socially acceptable. He didn't want to seem rude by rushing out the door, but a combination of wanting to tell Lucy of his official apprenticeship and needing to get away from Lucius Malfoy motivated his feet.

As Severus exited he heard Dumbledore mention his name and stopped for a moment just outside the door.

"I think Mr Snape will do well under your tutelage, Richard. He has always been an excellent student and I think you've been a positive influence on him."

"Mr Snape is a fine, talented young man," Severus heard Dr O'Conner say. "And like any young man, he only needs a sense of direction in order to fully realise his talents."

Severus practically jumped with excitement before rushing down the corridor. It was all he could do to keep from sprinting to get to Lucy.

Students had just been let out and Severus was hoping to become lost in the sea of black robes.

"Severus!"

Severus knew that haughty voice. He pretended that he didn't hear as he approached the stairs. He was hoping to reach them before the owner of the voice caught up with him. Lucy would be waiting for him at the main castle doors not far beyond the stairs. Maybe Lucius would lose track of Severus once he was outside.

Severus' heart sank when he saw the mass of humanity on the stairs. He tried to work his way through the bottleneck when he felt a tug on his sleeve. "Severus, old chap, I thought I'd never get your attention."

Severus supressed a sigh. He stepped aside with Lucius and waited for the worst of the foot traffic to die down.

"You're a hard man to track down. I didn't see you in the Great Hall at lunch," Lucius said as he watched a fourth-year Slytherin go by with a sneer of disdain. "I must say I certainly don't miss this."

"If you wish to say something, Lucius, you're going to have to talk and walk," Severus said as he started up the stairs again. "I'm going to be late for class."

"Of course," Lucius said. "We can't have a star pupil—such as yourself late for class, now can we?"

Severus cut him a narrow look as they continued to walk. "What do you want, Lucius. I don't have much time."

Lucius sighed. "Still as blunt as always as see. Try as I did, I suppose it was too much of me to expect social grace from a half-blood."

"Or tact from a pure-blood," Severus countered. "If this is about your Christmas invitation, I'm sorry I haven't responded, but as you can see, I've been busy."

"As a matter of fact this was about the Christmas invitation," Lucius said curtly.

"I don't know what I'm doing at Christmas, Lucius. I'm afraid I'll have to decline."

"Yes, I see you have procured an apprenticeship without my help. I wish you would have contacted me first."

Severus frowned. "I didn't realise I or, rather, my mother, needed your permission in matters of my career," Severus said. He stopped. He knew he would be late for Herbology at this rate, but they were approaching the castle door where Lucy was waiting and Severus did not want to discuss such matters in front of her.

Lucius leaned in and spoke softly. "I spoke very highly of you to the Dark Lord, Severus. He was very interested in meeting you. I'm afraid he'll be very disappointed."

"I'm only a student, Lucius," Severus said. "Why should…The Dark Lord…,"he felt foolish using the moniker, "care about me or, for that matter, under whom I apprentice."

"I never thought of you as someone who lacked vision, Severus," Lucius said. "You don't understand what He can do for the Wizarding world."

Severus looked over Lucius' shoulder to see Lucy hurrying his way. The halls were empty and the final bell had rung. He was officially late.

"You'll have to enlighten me some other time, Lucius. I must go."

"You would have found an agreement procured through him quite lucrative." Lucius took a scrolled parchment from his inner robe pocket and handed it to Severus. "Give this to Professor Sprout. She'll understand. And the invitation for Christmas remains open. Feel free to pop in," Lucius said with false sincerity.

Severus opened the scroll Lucius gave him. It excused Severus' tardiness for having to meet with a school governor. Severus rerolled the scroll, but did not bother to thank Lucius.

"Severus! You're late."

Lucy stopped just short of joining Severus and Lucius. Severus said nothing to Lucius as went to join Lucy.

"She's very pretty, Severus."

Severus looked over his shoulder as he linked his elbow in Lucy's and said, "I know," as he ushered her away from Lucius Malfoy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~To be Continued~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I bow down and beg your forgiveness. Nearly a year and a half without an update is inexcusable. But it seems that under my new doctor I am beginning to feel better though I will continue to wrestle with my health issues. But since I am feeling better, my muses have decided to return as some of you may be able to tell by my updates over the last month. I even have the next chapters to all of my stories in the works. YAY!

So, from the bottom of my heart, thank all of you who have stuck with me through this, and all of my other stories and I am sincerely sorry for the delay. And if I ever get this lax again, my awesome beta, tambrathegreat, has my permission to kick my as…um…hiney back into gear.

~Missyann

P.S. Check out my profile page where my dear friend, Luck, has created another fun fan trailer for this story.