Freddie woke up a little late the next morning, but not too late. She dressed quickly and headed to the Great Hall for a hurried breakfast. She didn't see Daniel at the Ravenclaw table or anywhere at the Gryffindor table. She told herself she didn't care and shoved one last biscuit in her mouth as the bell rang.
She felt almost bored during Potions class as they brewed a Wound-Cleansing Potion, something she felt like she could do in her sleep. She'd brewed it at least a dozen times before at home, practicing for her career at St Mungos.
You can't be bored with this, this is what you're going to do for the rest of your life, she told herself. Healing Potions, Wound-Cleansing Potions, Blood-Replenishing Potions...
Snape tapped one finger on her desk, drawing her attention. She followed the long, pale finger up his arm to his expressionless face.
"See me after class," he said quietly.
Freddie nodded and watched him walk away before turning her focus back to her potion.
When the bell rang a while later, Freddie put her things away. She slung her bag over her shoulder and lingered at the front of the classroom until the others were gone.
"There was nothing wrong with my potion," she said, leaning against his desk ready to argue with any fault he had perceived.
"No, there was not,:" he said, looking up at her with some unreadable expression in his dark eyes. "You have a study period after Transfiguration, correct?"
"Uh- yeah. Yes, sir."
"Are you caught up on your homework?"
"Yes sir – although McGonagall will likely pile more on."
"There is a book and a cauldron for you in my Brewing Room. Head there after your Transfiguration class and begin work on your Felix Felicis – unless you have something better to do?" he asked, raising his eyebrow.
"No sir! Thank you," she said happily.
"Get to class," he said, nodding to her.
"Yes sir."
Freddie met Daniel on the stairs up to McGonagall's class.
"Hey," he said, grinning at her. "How was the ingredient gathering by moonlight?"
"Oh it was cool! We saw Mooncalves doing their mating dance."
"Oh, that's so cool! I wish I could've seen that. I've always wanted to see one – they only come out of their dens on the full moon."
"Yeah. Maybe next full moon we could sneak out, go find them?"
"Yeah? I've been practicing my Disillusionment Charm, I think I've got it done. I bet I can get us out of the castle undetected."
"I'm down," she said as they entered the classroom together. "So...how'd it go yesterday? The Gryffindor girl?"
"She's great, isn't she?" he asked, grinning again.
"She's...pretty," she said awkwardly.
"Her name is Heather Ross. And get this – she asked me out! She wants me to go to the carnival in Hogsmeade with her weekend after next."
"Oh. I thought – well, that's cool. That's great, actually. Congratulations."
"Thanks."
#
Freddie couldn't wait to get out of Transfiguration. She had a potion waiting for her, a cool, complicated potion. She didn't want to sit in Transfiguration and listen to Daniel talk about his girlfriend while they worked.
10 minutes before the bell was due to ring, Freddie waved down Professor McGonagall. She pulled out her old pass and told McGonagall she had to work on something for Professor Snape.
"Very well, Miss Gray. You have your homework written down?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Then you may go."
She gathered her things and hurried out of the room, waving to Daniel who looked confused. She hurried down the stairs, heading for the dungeons, but was surprised to meet Albus Dumbledore in the entrance hall.
"Miss Gray," he greeted, smiling at her. "Shouldn't you be in class?"
"Uh, hi, Professor Dumbledore. Um, yes, sir, well I have a potion I'm working on – well, I'm about to start it, I have a free period next so..."
"So you ducked out of Transfiguration early?" he asked with a knowing smile.
How does he know my schedule? She thought.
"A- a bit early, sir," she admitted.
"I was pleasantly surprised when Professor Snape requested to take you on as his apprentice. He is extremely critical of his students."
"Yes sir," she said. "Although that might be an understatement."
Dumbledore chuckled lightly.
"Well there's no denying you must be exceptionally talented. Severus does not allow many people to get close to him."
"Sir?" she asked, confused.
"How are you doing in your other classes, Miss Gray? Are you enjoying them?"
"Y-yes sir. I'm doing well in all of my classes. We're learning about Occamys in Care of Magical Creatures. McGonagall is teaching us conjuring spells."
"How's the homework treating you? I know 6th year can be overwhelming for some."
"Oh it's a breeze, sir. A really strong breeze," she joked. "But I'm keeping my head above the water."
"What happened to your hand?" he inquired.
"Oh it was an accident," she said, glancing down at her bandaged hand. "Grindylow – my own fault, really. Professor Snape patched me up alright."
"Good, good. Well, carry on, Miss Gray. Enjoy the rest of your day."
"Thank you sir," she said, quickly slipping off into the dungeons.
She was halfway to Snape's office when the bell rang and a swarm of terrified-looking first years poured out of the Potions classroom. Freddie stood against the wall to let them pass.
"Miss Gray."
Freddie looked up to see Snape standing in the doorway of the classroom. He did a little come-here motion with his finger and she crossed the hall.
"You left Transfiguration early?" he asked disapprovingly.
"Just a little bit. I wanted to get started on my potion," she said sheepishly.
"I assume you used the pass I gave you?"
"Yes sir," she said, looking down at the floor.
"Do not do that again without my permission," he said in a dangerous tone. "Detention. My office. 7 o'clock."
"Yes sir," she said with a sigh. He nodded to her and she continued on her way.
"Freaking Dumbledore," she muttered to herself.
"What did you say?" Snape asked.
"Uh," Freddie hesitated, then decided it wasn't worth lying about. "Professor Dumbledore. He stopped to talk to me in the Entrance Hall. Otherwise you never would have seen me and I'd already be started on my potion."
"What did he say to you? Dumbledore?"
"Asked me about my classes and crap," she said with a shrug. "Told me I was lucky you took me on as an apprentice."
"You are," he said. "Carry on, Miss Gray."