Please note: This story follows Pose's Harry Potter and the Masters, completed in the early 2000s. Credit for the idea of the Order and Board of Masters, respectfully, go to Pose- I am unsure that they are still an active user on . This story comes out of a rereading of that story, as it led me to wonder: how would this version of Harry deal with the ramifications of a war brewing during his years at Hogwarts? I have a broad outline in my head, and indeed, have had one for many years, but I'm really just making this up as I go along for fun.
Chapter One: The Return to Hogwarts
Harry had greatly enjoyed the four weeks that he had spent with the other boy, and had grown much closer to him. Harry had enjoyed the opportunity to swim in the small pond on the property Terran's grandparents owned. He had even enjoyed getting to know Terran's younger brother, who was meant to attend one of the smaller wizarding schools for the first time this summer.
Within a week, the younger boy became attached to Terran and Harry. While Harry could tell Terran was somewhat annoyed, he put up with the boy simply because he knew how precious little he would see him over the coming year.
One thing that Harry noted was how quickly Terran's grandparents would hide away the newspapers when they arrived. Curious one morning after he and Terran had come back from their run, he unrolled a copy of The Daily Prophet, and found himself confronted with the depressing news in the headlines:
"Mass Escape from Azkaban!"
"Muggle Village Terrorized-35 Dead Before Aurors Arrive!"
"Minister Denies Death Eater Activities!"
Harry was stunned- he had not taken care to follow the news at all over the last several months, so entrenched was he in his studies. He made a note to continue to follow, and perhaps ask his Master what information the Order had released. After all, he knew that Master Silverwood was a part of a force that protected Britain- the Order must have their ears to the ground.
Harry sighed as his stomach rolled, thinking about the possibilities that the Death Eaters were active. That could not bode well. After a moment of ruminating, Harry decided not to think any more on it until he had a chance to speak to his Master. Shaking Terran's hand, and allowing Terran's grandmother to pull him into a tight hug, Harry said his goodbyes, promising to write, before apparating to London.
Harry was a bit forlorn, and mildly wished his leave could include his birthday. The last time he had seen his Master, had been after the Time of Testing, when he had brought Terran and Harry back to Hogwarts for the End of the Year Feast.
Then, Snape had been very proud of his performance at his tests, and had shown a small amount of affection toward his apprentice. Since then, Harry'd only heard from him for one terse letter giving him very specific instructions to meet him at 10 o'clock sharp on July 2nd at Platform 9 ¾ where they would ride the Hogwarts Express to Hogsmeade.
Harry was actually quite nervous to see his Master again, and after four weeks of what Terran's grandfather had jokingly referred to as "Civilian clothes," Harry felt a little self conscious walking through Kings Cross in his Apprentice uniform. Glancing down before he stepped through the wall that would lead him to the Platform, Harry fought the urge to fidget. He hoped he looked presentable enough for his Master.
Walking through the barrier, Harry was surprised to see how empty the platform was. He'd only been here when term was about to begin, so had only seen the platform packed. Now, in the middle of July, Harry noticed only three others boarding from London to Hogsmeade. He moved out of the way of the barrier, and began searching for his Master. It was, after all, less than 5 minutes to their meeting time.
"I am pleased you have not forgotten how to tell time," a snarky voice behind Harry made him jump slightly.
Spinning quickly, Harry bowed. "Good morning, milord. It is… good to see you again." Snape looked amused, though Harry couldn't fathom why.
"Indeed. Let us board the Express so we begin reviewing what you've forgotten." Harry groaned. "Excuse me, Aeternus? Do you have a problem?"
Harry shook his head hastily, beginning to follow the older man, "No, sir. I'm sorry, sir. Did you have a good vacation?"
Snape snorted. "Vacation? The reason you get a 4-week leave is so that we can spend some time in London going over the results and progress of the previous years. While you've only completed your first year, there is a great deal of planning for the third-years who are beginning to look at career planning."
"Oh," Harry said simply. "I didn't know that."
They were entering a compartment now. "Nor are you expected to at this point. But Saldor, Silverwood, and I are all quite pleased that you get on well with Ferraldin and Terran. As you know, Saldor will be joining us at Hogwarts to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts. It may be nice for you to have another Apprentice around- I imagine you are feeling somewhat isolated."
Harry nodded. "It will be good to have Ferral around, yes." He lapsed into silence as he sat across from his master.
Snape nodded. "We'll begin with Latin, 1st declension?"
As Harry easily recited the forms for puella, then puer, then monstrum, Snape nodded, pleased that Harry recalled the five declensions perfectly before moving on to verb tables.
"Bene," Snape acknowledged as Harry, miraculously to Harry's own opinion, flawlessly recited several forms of capio. "Perhaps we'll move our Latin into a few more practical uses this year," Snape mused.
Several hours later, as the train pulled into the station, Harry was absolutely confident he was to be flayed by his master. Though his Latin memorization was on par, some of his theoretical knowledge in other areas, including potions, suffered over his leave. Harry was forced to admit to his Master that he'd only opened his texts twice over the break. Snape didn't look surprised at this revelation, though he also did not look pleased by it.
It was nearing dinner time, as they strode through Hogsmeade, so Snape announced they would eat at the Three Broomsticks before heading back to the castle. "Menus?" Madam Rosmerta asked as she seated them.
"We won't be needing them," Snape shook his head. "Waters for both of us. Two bowls of your soup of the day, with side salads and a roll, please, Madam?"
Madam Rosmerta nodded, smiling. "You've got it, Severus." Her casual tone with the normally dour man through Harry off. Then again, Snape had been teaching for years, so it made sense that he knew the owner of the local businesses.
As they ate, Snape allowed conversation to turn to more friendly topics. "Did you enjoy your time with Terran?"
Harry smiled. "Yes, sir. Terran's family is fantastic. His grandmother is an angel- she asked me to tell you, and I quote, 'Tell him to feed you! You need more food for all that running you do!' Her words, not mine."
"Of course," Snape rolled his eyes. In fact, he was quite used to the guardians of apprentices, at least some of them, trying to dictate rules he ought to follow. Usually the Board was able to prevent that. "As we know your academics have slipped, did you and Terran do any training?"
Harry wondered if the rough housing could be considered sparring practice, briefly before shaking his head. "We did short runs a couple times a week. Some push-ups, but nothing like we should have to keep in shape."
Snape nodded. "I expected as much, though I am somewhat disappointed in you both, as you've cost me a galleon to Silverwood."
Harry was expecting a lecture, not the calm acceptance. "Sir?"
Snape shook his head. "Oh, you're going to pay in training this week, do not doubt that. You'll have quite a bit of pain coming due to being out of condition. But that is particularly normal after the first leave. Apprentices never realize how quickly their endurance goes, no matter how red in the face I get with a lecture."
"I'm sorry, Sir," Harry bowed his head.
"You'll be more sorry," Harry recognized it as a statement of fact, not the threat he might have thought previously.
As Harry and Snape entered the castle, they were greeted by Dumbledore and Fletcher. Dumbledore was the first to speak, "Welcome back Severus, Harry."
Severus returned the greeting, "Headmaster, Fletcher."
"A safe trip?" Fletcher grinned.
"Quiet, as we hoped. The quiet won't last long," Snape admitted solemnly. Harry was confused, but wondered if it had something to do with the mysterious deaths that had been reported over the summer thus far.
"Harry," Dumbledore began.
"Sir," Harry interrupted, "Could you call me Aeternus? While I appreciate the Potter legacy, Aeternus is the name of my legacy."
Harry did not see the smile before it disappeared from his master's face, but he did see Dumbledore's. "Of course, m'boy. Well, I imagine you both have unpacking to do. It's good to have you back."
Fletcher looked at Snape. "Saldor asked me to let you know he will be arriving next week. In the meantime, I'd love to get a feel for how Aeternus' fitness has dropped over the last several weeks, so I can be prepared for the three-months' worth of laziness from the rest."
Snape nodded. "Absolutely, we'll be in the training hall at six tomorrow morning. Feel free to join us.
Harry withheld another groan, knowing it would not be well-received. He really should have been getting up earlier all summer. Tomorrow would be somewhat painful, he realized.
When they arrived to their quarters, Harry took his trunk into his bedroom and unshrunk it, putting everything where it belonged, knowing how Snape loathed a mess. Upon finishing this task, made easier by magic, he returned to the living room.
"I highly recommend, Apprentice, that you review your material before calling it an early night. I'll expect you up at 5."
"Yes, milord." Harry agreed. "Sir, Ron mentioned that his mum wrote-"
"About your birthday, yes," Snape nodded absently. "Which is still four weeks away. I am inclined to wait and make sure that you can focus adequately on your work before providing you with additional distractions."
Harry supposed this was as good of an answer as he was going to get from the other man, but was pleased, at least, that it wasn't a flat out "no." Harry returned to his room, returning with a Potions text in his hand and settled down to revise his Potions.
Harry was surprised to find Fletcher already at the training hall when he and Snape arrived the next morning. Exchanging greetings, the three entered the hall. "Shirt and shoes, Aeter," Snape ordered. "We're going to see how well you perform on the framework first. Stay in the center."
Harry slipping off his shoes and shirt and placing them neatly in the appropriate cube beside the door, nodded and went to stand in the center of the framework, waiting patiently for Snape to activate it. After ten minutes of dodging the framework's arms, Harry spared a glance at his Master who had slowly been raising the intensity of the mechanism. He looked unimpressed, and nowhere near budging.
Harry, personally, felt extremely lucky that he'd not yet hit the ground, though as soon as that thought crossed his mind, he found himself sprawled. Rolling to dodge another hit, he rose to his feet again. The intensity, again, increased.
By twenty minutes, he was fighting a terrible side ache, but was too proud to give up his own intensity in the exercise, even though he found himself hit more and more as the minutes ticked by. Finally, after thirty minutes of the exercise, the framework stopped, and Harry stooped with his hands on his knees.
"Press ups, to my count," Snape ordered. Harry, knowing all too well what would happen if he delayed, came over to the two men and got into position. "Down, One. Down, two…" Snape's rhythm was steady, and after a dozen, Harry found his arms straining at the now unfamiliar motion at such a quick pace. Though he was falling behind, he dare not allow his arms to give out below him as they approached twenty.
After another set, this one shorter, of the framework, followed by additional sit ups and planks, Harry was permitted to put on his shoes and shirt. His last task, before breakfast, was a five kilometer time trial on the grounds. Harry was familiar with the route described by his master, and set off.
Running, Harry felt, was something he could do forever, when in the right frame of mind. His pace was quick, and in this manner, Harry did not think his fitness had declined at all. He felt strong, all the way through his final sprint back to where the two men stood, waiting.
Snape nodded, not betraying whether or not he was impressed. "You said you continued running through your leave?" Only a nod in response. "Continue running."
Harry nodded. "Yes, sir."
Fletcher shook his head. "Well, Aeter, with the exception of your running, you've lost some fitness in only four weeks. I can't imagine your peers will be any better off."
Snape snorted. "After three months? I imagine some of them must be worse than you started with!"
The three of them wandered back into the castle. In the Entrance Hall, they ran into Dumbledore, making his way to breakfast from his office. Snape shook his head, "Headmaster, it's just us here, isn't it? Why don't we all take breakfast down in our quarters?"