Author's Notes: This and previous chapters have all been written as a straight timeline of events and follow the daily happenings. Once this chapter is completed, I am going to be jumping ahead in the timeline based on where the story goes. If I didn't, this story would be about 100 chapters :) In this chapter, Katherine is going to be inundated with Severus' rules and will learn just how much she needs to learn.
Chapter 12: Rules and Revelations
Disclaimer: While I am borrowing many of the characters created by J.K. Rowling, all rights to those characters remain solely with her. I am neither receiving nor soliciting any monetary recompense for this story.
Dinner was finished and Severus made his way over to the Slytherin table. All the Slytherin students looked up as he approached, collectively holding their breath, wondering who might be in trouble. Just as quickly, those breaths were let out in relief when he ignored the rest of the table and approached his prefects. After a quiet word with the Slytherin prefects, Severus turned his attention back to Katherine.
"I will see you in quarters in 15 minutes," he told her, before turning on his heel and walking back to the staff table.
The other Slytherin's looked at Katherine curiously. Their head-of-house's voice had been firm, but was certainly lacking the tone that would indicate one, or more, of their number had somehow managed to get on the wrong side of the dour professor.
The fourth year girl that Katherine had been sitting next to throughout dinner approached her.
"What was that all about?" she asked. "Everything OK?"
"I think so," Katherine replied. "He indicated we needed to talk tonight so I am sure that is what he intended. Besides, I can't think of what I could have done between leaving quarters with him just before dinner and now," she said with a grin. "I'll see you later."
"Uhm, wait a sec," Katherine called to the girl who had just turned to leave. "Can I get you to show me how to get back?" Katherine said with a self-disparaging smirk. "I could probably find my own way in an hour or two but he gave me a 15 minute time limit and doesn't seem inclined to show me himself."
The girl laughed, Shiell Katherine recalled her name. "Sure, no problem. I'll take you the right way, no use confusing you with shortcuts…yet," she said mischievously.
Rolling her eyes, Katherine followed her escort. She hoped Severus wouldn't take too long with whatever he wanted to talk about; she wanted to get her stuff together so she could get back to Slytherin House and start learning about her new classmates.
8:10 PM
Severus walked back into is quarters after having a conversation with Albus and Minerva over Katherine's testing schedule for the weekend. He had suggested, and they had agreed, that it would be better for Katherine to remain in his quarters for the testing period and to move into her room in Slytherin sometime Sunday evening after her testing was completed. He had already approached the prefects with his intentions and had let them know he would notify them if the situation changed. He wasn't looking forward to this next conversation with Katherine. She had already shown a certain dislike for imposed rules and she wasn't going to like additional restrictions.
At exactly 8:15, Katherine walked back into the sitting room after changing out of her uniform and in to her comfortable jeans. As Severus had mentioned, she had found two green and silver striped ties lying on her bed. She remembered the complicated looking knot on the tie Shiell had been wearing and realized she was going to need help learning to tie the thing properly. She'd ask Shiell tonight.
Severus was just sitting down in his chair, cup of tea in hand thanks to the ever vigilant Carly, when Katherine entered.
Nodding towards the tea tray, Severus said "Carly brought tea if you wish some. I believe there is also a pitcher of pumpkin juice as well."
Katherine walked over and recognizing the sweet juice from that afternoon, she poured herself a glass and at Severus' gesture, walked back over to take a seat on the couch facing Severus, waiting for him to speak.
"I know we spoke a little about a couple of rules and consequences when we went over the articles, however, now that you have been officially sorted into Slytherin house, you need to know the rules and expectations I place on the house students, as well as those additional rules you need to follow as my apprentice and ward."
Pausing a moment, he saw that Katherine was relaxed and listening; he went on.
"I have made it a habit to have a talk with all the new first year students on their first night at Hogwarts. While the prefects are well versed in the rules and related consequences and would be more than happy to pass them on, I find hearing the rules and consequences from me first results in fewer, shall we say, incidents of misbehavior."
Katherine grimaced but Severus ignored it for now and continued.
"If you remember, I mentioned the fact that there can be dissent between the houses. In the past, Slytherin house had the misfortune to enjoy the reputation of producing dark wizards," at Katherine's confused look he explained, "evil wizards. Without going in to long details at the moment, the last dark wizard to be defeated, just 7 years ago, was out of Slytherin and unfortunately, the resentment he caused in the wizarding community has spilled over to the children, and thus the reputation of Slytherin house has been slow to recover. As such, it is imperative that Slytherins present a united front; I do not tolerate fighting within the house. Slytherins are expected to protect each other from bullying from the other houses and to look after those students younger than themselves. Older students are expected to assist younger students with homework or other problems that might arise, or to bring those problems to me if deemed necessary. I have an open door policy when it comes to Slytherin house and I expect students to come to me at anytime, for whatever reason. As such, I have little tolerance for rule breaking or excuses related to poor grades . Slytherin students are required to maintain passing grades at all times. If a student is having problems and the prefects or other years are unable to help, students are expected to come to me and ask for help. Receiving a failing grade after asking and receiving help but still not understanding the material will not be punished beyond extra study time and tutoring, however, receiving a failing grade because a student has not bothered to ask for help, will be addressed with a spanking in addition to restriction and extra required study time. "
Severus paused here, taking another long sip of his tea and giving Katherine a minute to absorb what he had just told her.
"The rest of the house rules are simple. 1. You will show proper respect and decorum at all times. That means using the appropriate address to the professors and being polite. As I stated this morning, you will address the professors as professor or Sir/Ma'am as appropriate. You will address me as Professor, Sir, Master or Master Severus. If we are alone in these quarters , as we are now, I give you permission to use my given name unless we are interacting as teacher and student. 2. Obey curfew. General curfew for Hogwarts is 10 pm, however, I have set different curfews depending on the year. First and second year curfew is at 9, third through fifth year is 9:30. Sixth and seventh years follow the normal Hogwarts time schedule; lights out is 30 minutes past curfew. Weekend curfew for Hogwarts is 11 pm, however, my set weekend curfew, Friday and Saturday, for first through fifth years is 10. Once curfew has been reached and the first years have retired at 9:30, I expect quiet in the common room area. Older students may read, study or talk quietly until their time is reached but there is to be absolute silence by 10:30. Under no circumstance, beyond illness or emergency, is a student to leave their common room after curfew, or their dormitories after lights out, unless permission has been requested, and received, from me in advance. If caught out of the common room after curfew without permission, my punishment may be a spanking depending on the hour, but definitely restriction and possibly an in-house detention. If caught by another staff member, the student will be required to serve that staff member's punishment, if applicable, in addition to anything I decide to set. Do you understand so far?" Severus asked Katherine.
"Yes sir," she answered, but Severus could see she wanted to comment; he didn't give her the chance.
"3. You are expected to adhere to the general Hogwart's rules;" Severus handed her several sheets of parchment. "As you can see, most of those rules are not any that are beyond normal behavior lines. The punishments listed, detention, loss of house points, lines and so on are self-explanatory. I, however, employ the idea that if a student is punished at school, meaning by another teacher, they also face punishment from me, so fair warning. 4. As my apprentice you will possibly be brewing higher level potions. Under no circumstances are you to brew any potions beyond the OWL year without my being present. If you test out where I think you will, you will be having potions with the seventh year N.E.W.T. students. This is the only time, other than any one-on-one time we may have, that you are allowed to brew higher level potions. This is a safety requirement as higher level potions may contain toxic and/or volatile ingredients and the restriction is not negotiable. If I catch you brewing something that is restricted, you will find yourself over my knee among other things," he said, his voice stern. He went on, "I have already told you about lying and willful disobedience. Do I need to go over those again?" he asked.
"No sir," she answered, wishing he would finish up so she could go. A quick look at the cloak showed it was 9 pm.
"Do you have any questions?" he asked, noticing her looking at the clock.
"No sir," she answered.
"Do you understand what I have told you?"
"Yes sir," she said, somewhat distractedly as she looked at the clock again.
"Katherine, look at me," he said sternly. Once he had her full attention again, he said,
"I do not accept any excuse of 'I didn't know' if someone breaks a rule or gets into trouble. I do not give warnings as I feel covering the rules as I do IS the warning. I will ask one more time. Do you understand what I have told you?"
"Yes sir I understand," Katherine said, barely holding on to her temper. Good grief, she was 14, not 4.
"Very well," he returned. Glancing at the clock himself, he noted it was 9:15.
"Go ahead and get ready for bed then. You can read out here or anything else until 10. Your first test is Charms with Professor Flitwick, and will start promptly at 8am tomorrow morning. You will also complete the Transfiguration and Astronomy tests tomorrow. On Sunday, you will start with Defense at 8am, followed by Herbology and then Potions. Everything should be completed by dinnertime on Sunday."
Katherine's jaw had dropped.
"I wanted to stay in the dorms tonight," she said a little petulantly. "Why do I have to stay here tonight?
"First, it is nearly curfew. Second, since you are going to be testing this weekend, I feel it is better for you not to be, distracted. You may move into the dorms after you finish testing on Sunday," he said, his voice even in the light of her burgeoning attitude.
Katherine pouted a bit but for once, didn't argue.
"May I go Sir, I am tired," Katherine said, still pouting.
Severus sighed. "You may. I will wake you in time for breakfast before you need to see Professor Flitwick. Katherine," he said, wanting to get her attention. Once he had it he went on.
"I know you are, disappointed, about the dorm. Keeping you here until Sunday isn't a punishment. You may still speak with your classmates and housemates at meals and spend time in the common room or dorm tomorrow after your testing is completed. Given the number of tests, however, you are probably going to be feeling mentally, if not physically, tired and will more than likely want somewhere quiet to relax. The common rooms and dorm can get rather, active, during the weekends."
Katherine sighed. "I understand Sir, goodnight."
"Goodnight," he returned.
As she left the room, Severus rubbed a hand over his face. 'I'm getting too old for this," he thought to himself.
Sunday, 5:00 PM
Katherine walked into Severus' quarters having just finished the Potions test and practical, and rubbed a hand over her face. Man she was tired. She wanted to go to bed and sleep for a month. Saturday's practicals had gone well but she knew the written exams were a complete wash. Apparently, Master Marconi had glossed over the theory and just showed her the "how" of doing spells. Astronomy went well enough as there wasn't any theory; it wasn't like the star configurations and planets changed their forms. Today, the Defense practical again was easy but she had ditched the theory exam after the first couple of questions. No reason to put forth the effort when there was no chance of getting the answers right. The only two tests she had actually felt comfortable with was Herbology and Potions. She had blown through the written Herbology exam easily enough ad the practical was simple plant identification and verbal recitation of properties. She could tell Master Severus had set the potions test. The questions had gotten successively more difficult and the test had been challenging; she had actually enjoyed it. She knew she didn't get everything right but figured that was his goal; to see just how much she knew. The practical was surprisingly easy; Master Severus had only required she brew a simple sleeping draught. She figured he was looking more at sequence and technique since many more advanced potions usually took more than a day to brew.
She went into her room to change out of her uniform. Looking at the bags she had packed that morning, she decided to forego the dorm tonight, if Master Severus would allow it; she was too tired to socialize. 'Dammit,' she thought to herself with a grimace, 'he was right.' Taking the bags off the bed, she decided to lie down for just a few minutes to unwind.
7:00 PM
Katherine rolled over and opened her eyes, then looked around a little confused. There was a blanket covering her and somehow, the jeans and shirt she had changed into after changing out of her uniform had changed into a set of loose, comfy pajamas. Going over things in her head, she gasped a little as her eyes found the clock; 7 PM, she'd been asleep for two hours!
Standing up, she found her slippers and slipping them on, made her way to the bathroom where she splashed some water on her face to wake herself up. She took out the braid that she had put in that morning and ran a brush through her hair. Turning around, she headed to the sitting room, her stomach rumbling. Maybe Carly could bring her something.
She saw Master Severus in his usual place in his favorite chair, reading a journal. He looked up as she came into the sitting room.
"Awake I see," he said with a teasing note.
"I didn't mean to go to sleep, I just closed my eyes intending to relax for a minute," she said wryly. "Guess I was more tired than I thought."
"You have had a long few days. I knew that once you got through the testing that the lack of nerves was going to finally shut you down. You've been running almost on adrenaline alone; you needed the rest," he said.
"Yeah, yeah, had to get in the 'I told you so' didn't you?" she said with a cheeky grin.
"A master's perogative apprentice," Severus shot back playfully.
"Well, Master," she emphasized the title, still in a teasing manner "is it your perogative to starve me to death or can I get some food here?"
Severus laughed. "I tried to wake you for dinner but you mumbled something that sounded suspiciously like 'go away' and then you promptly turned over and went back to sleep. Carly," he called.
Carly popped in. "Yes Master Severus? Good evening Miss Katherine," the elf greeted.
"Carly, Katherine missed the evening meal. Would you be so kind as to bring something for her?"
"Oh of course, right away," the elf said happily, popping back out.
A few minutes later, a platter with a variety of sandwiches and a large tureen of onion soup appeared, along with pitchers of milk, pumpkin juice and water.
"Good grief, how much does she think I am going to eat?" Katherine said, looking at the pile of food.
Severus chuckled. "House elves are very accommodating; you definitely won't starve here. I have your results here. Do you want to eat first or can we go over them while you are eating?"
"During," Katherine said, snagging a sandwich and a bowl of soup. "I pretty much know what you are going to tell me so it isn't going to be a surprise."
"Well," Severus went on, "you actually did better than I thought. Your grades in Charms and Transfiguration on the academy entrance exam were fairly accurate given your scores here. I take it Master Marconi didn't show you the theory behind spells?" he questioned.
"He had me read the books but he didn't actually go over things with me. He was more interested in showing me how to work the spells. Once I realized he wasn't going to ask about what I was reading, I just didn't feel the need to make the effort."
"You are behind in the theory in Charms and Transfiguration. Professors Flitwick and McGonagall put you at about the second year level, but with the successful practical, they are wiling to let you continue in regular fourth year classes. You'll have to study the theory from the previous years but you should easily be caught up by the Christmas break. Astronomy went well; you are easily at fourth year there. As with Charms and Transfiguration, you are going to need to work on the theory for Defense for second and third year, otherwise, you will be in class with the fourth years. It is no surprise that you are past N.E.W.T. level in both Herbology and Potions. This is good as it will give you a little extra time to work on catching up in Charms, Transfiguration and Defense. For now, you will not need to attend classes in Herbology but we can use the N.E.W.T. potions class to start on the advanced potions," he handed her a schedule.
"You need to make a decision on two electives for fourth year. You can choose Arithmancy, which is valuable in potions, Ancient Runes, Divination or Care of Magical Creatures; you can make that decision tomorrow. For tomorrow, you have Charms, Transfiguration, Defense and History. Professors Flitwick, McGonagall and Marken will have extra assignments ready for you to start getting you caught up. Since you only have classes until 1, you can work on the extra assignments in your free class hours. This will also follow in your schedule for the rest of the week. Any free class time should be spent on getting caught up and then use your regular after class hours to do the other work."
Katherine nodded. "Sounds easy enough as long as I can find my way around this place. Can't say as I like the idea of doing nothing but studying though. I'd like a life, eventually."
"I don't think you will find the schedule difficult. I said you would easily be caught up by the Christmas break but I have a feeling it will be sooner. Your memorization ability will help you to learn and retain the required theory in Charms, Transfiguration and Defense. Since you know the wand movements and verbage required to work the spells, the rest is just a lot of reading, but," and here his voice hardened a little, "you will be tested on the information so no skipping the reading."
"I get it, I get it," Katherine said with a smile. "I wanted to ask you if I could stay here one more night," Katherine ventured. "I am not up to socializing tonight."
"Of course," Severus said. "You can stay here whenever you want; your room is your room. You don't even have to move all your belongings into the dorm if you don't want to; you have free access to these quarters."
"Thanks," Katherine said with a sleepy smile. She was feeling very drowsy now that her stomach was satisfied. It was only 8 but she was ready for her pillow again.
"I think I am headed back to bed. Maybe I'll actually be awake for classes tomorrow," she said with a grin. "Goodnight Master Severus."
Severus nodded. "Goodnight apprentice. Sleep well."
Katherine walked back to her room and crawled under the covers with a sigh of pleasure as her body relaxed and she drifted off. 'Maybe this won't be so bad,' she thought, as sleep claimed her.