Disclaimer: The Harry Potter Universe is not owned by me but by the lovely J.K Rowling. I wish I was as brilliant as her. In that regards, this fan fic is 100% original and something that I dreamt one night. I just added onto it as I went along.

AN: Here is Chapter 3. I'm gonna have to slow down here in the posting aspect of this story. I have 20 chapters written but I haven't fixed them all yet and I don't want to get too far ahead of myself. Thank you for the continued support and reviews. I would love to reply to all of them. That is a definite goal this time around.

Chapter 3

Natalia worked with Madam Pomfrey for a couple of hours after the group went their separate ways. Making beds, emptying buckets filled with vomit, and finally, brewing a few blood replenishing potions. Natalia knew that being a healer was sometimes dirty work and the more that she interned at St. Mungo's, the more she realized that; yes, she liked helping people; she just didn't feel being a healer was right for her. She loved to learn. She loved to brew potions. She loved working on charms and spells. Sometimes all the things worked hand in hand and she loved experimenting. What Natalia truly wished to do was be a potions mistress. She sighed wistfully, thinking about her dream, and how it was unlikely to ever come to fruition.

"What is it dear girl, that makes you huff so dejectedly? Out with it! You know you can speak to little ol' me," Poppy said good-heartedly. Natalia smiled joylessly. Poppy was a kind and admirable woman, and since Natalia's mother died, the older woman almost seamlessly slipped into Natalia's life to fill in that particular ache in Natalia's heart. Poppy never tried to replace Natalia's mother. It would be an impossible task to fill the shoes her mother left behind. However, just knowing that the elderly woman was willing to be there to comfort her in times of sadness, or straighten her out in times of melancholy, was comforting to Natalia and she was thankful for Poppy.

She smiled timidly, caught in her self-pity and knowing it. "I don't know Poppy. I just feel stuck in a rut. I love healing people, but it's just...humdrum. It's not making me happy. I feel...complacent. I don't want to glide through life content. I want…" she hesitated for a moment, thinking of what she really wanted. "I want to achieve something. I want to do something worthwhile. Perhaps write articles that get published on some new potion that cures effects of the cruciatus curse or something of that sort… But I don't have the training or the money to be a great potioneer," she explained demurely.

Poppy thought deeply for a minute in silence and nodded. She left the brewing room without a word, presumably going to her private office, and came back a minute later with a little scroll tied with a silky red ribbon. Handing it to her charge she said, "Here is what I want you to do. I will finish this batch of blood replenishing potions. I want you to go see the headmaster for whatever business he needs you for. Afterward, if you have time, go to Professor Snape and give him this message. If he responds, bring it to me and then we can talk more about your future. I want what is best for you, my dear. I hope you always know that," Poppy said as she put a kind hand on Natalia's shoulder. The younger girl nodded gratefully and went on her way.

On her way to the Headmaster's office, she bumped into some students. She apologized quickly and continued on her path. As she went, she heard the students continue with their conversation as she left.

"Come on, Harry! We will both have dates to the ball by the time we return to the Common Room after dinner. Agreed?" She heard the question from a certain red-head, but not the response as she went further down the hall. Just as she arrived at the Headmaster's office entrance, she realized belatedly that she didn't have the password. The grumpy stone gargoyle was guarding the stairs with extra vigilance it seemed; Its scowl never left its face as she begged it entrance. She wondered how she would be allowed to enter when suddenly the gargoyle jumped to the side and a set of spiral stairs appeared and the periwinkle robes of the Headmaster shimmered in front of her.

"Ah, my dear. Perfect timing! I was just about to fetch myself a bit to eat, but now that you are here I will just have one of our house elves to forage something for the both of us in my office. Shall we?" he asked, motioning back up the stairs behind him. He stepped to the side, allowing her to go ahead of him. She smiled and went up the stairs briskly, slightly nervous at what the Headmaster had to say to her.

When they got into his office, she looked around. She had never been here, even as a student. She was a decent student; not one to get in trouble, but she also wasn't an extraordinary student either. Just staying in the shadows and minding her own business; Average. There was no need to draw the attention of the Headmaster. She looked curiously at the past headmasters and mistresses portraits. They were either sleeping or were absent from their portraits, spending time in some matching portrait miles away. Magic was interesting that way.

"Lemon drop?" Dumbledore offered. She nodded and smiled. She adored lemon drops. They were always her favorite candy as a child. While she didn't partake nearly as much as she used to, a sweet treat was nice now and again. She took one and popped it silently into her mouth. Sucking on the tart candy, she puckered her lips for a moment as the sour sensation melted over her tongue, then sighed contentedly as the sweet taste replaced the sour. She looked at the headmaster expectantly. His eyes twinkling he went straight to the matter he called her for.

"What do you know of Lord Voldemort, Natalia?" he asked carefully.

She was surprised and almost swallowed the candy whole. She choked for a moment before she caught her bearings. "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, Sir?" she asked warily.

"Ah. Do not fear his name, my girl. It only brings fear of the thing itself, and he is gone. No need for fear now, surely. But yes, what do you know of him?"

Natalia thought carefully, curious as to why he was asking her. "Well, sir. He is a great Dark wizard. Defeated by Harry Potter when he was just over a year old due to an unforgivable curse rebounding and killing Him. He has been gone for about twelve years now, I think. Before He tried to kill Harry, He killed Harry's parents, who sacrificed themselves in order to try to save their son, or so the legends say. History tells the rest."

Dumbledore just nodded. After a moment of silence, he asked, "And what about the First Wizarding War? What do you know of it?"

"Well, just what I have read in the Daily Prophet and in some other articles. I was so young at the time. It had been brewing for many years, but really started coming to a head in 1970. He proclaimed himself a Dark Lord and had gathered followers, Death Eaters, whom He branded with Dark Marks, and they wreaked havoc on Wizarding Britain, all to fight for blood superiority. Many people; half-bloods, pure bloods, and muggle-borns alike died. It was awful," Natalia summarized, starting to feel queasy and still not understanding the reasoning for these questions. So she decided to ask. "Why are you asking, sir? Surely you know more than I. It is said that the only thing He feared, was you."

Dumbledore's eyes lit up again with mirth and he nodded. "Yes. That is said, but there is something else that Voldemort is afraid of. However, we will get to that another time. Have you heard of the Order of the Phoenix, my dear girl?" Natalia shook her head. The headmaster continued. "The Order of the Phoenix was a group that I assembled during the First Wizarding War to fight against Voldemort and his supporters. The Order tried to defeat him and save the Potters, unfortunately unsuccessfully. Many of the Purebloods, Half-bloods and even a muggle-born or two that were killed were part of the Order. It is this Order that I have a feeling we will need to reestablish in the very near future"

"Why do you say that, Sir? Surely, V-Voldemort is dead. He has been gone for over a decade. His body would be rotted, even if magic had tried to keep him in stasis. Spells like that would only last so long," she said curiously.

He smiled and nodded. "You are quite right, my dear girl. However, whenever I have an inkling of a feeling, I am wont to follow it and I am, most of the time, correct. I was wondering if you may be interested in joining this Order. We will be in need of a healer, even one with a beginners training such as yourself."

Natalia frowned. She had just told Poppy that Healing wasn't making her happy. At least not while apprenticing at St. Mungo's. She thought for a minute and sighed. "I am not sure, Sir. I would love to help you and to keep your peace of mind that He is gone. However, healing just doesn't make me happy. I feel like I have other talents that may be of more use… I just have to figure them out myself still," she explained. He smiled and nodded.

"I am confident that you have many talents for us, my dear. I am sure that I will ask them of you later. However, you are a talented Healer already and I believe that out of the chaotic atmosphere of St. Mungo's, you would flourish. Just think about it, would you? That is all I ask. I am aware that you visit Poppy quite often. Once you think more deeply on the subject, come meet with me again and we can talk about your future."

Natalia nodded, unsure. "Of course sir. And are you certain that you will still be needing me for the Yule Ball? I would still like to help where I can with that."

Dumbledore smiled and nodded. "Of course. We would be glad to have you, even if only as a guest. I would hate to just use you for your services. I would hope that you would be able to have a dance or two before the students get too drunk and in need of some sober-up potions." His eyes gleamed with mischief and he gave her a grandfatherly smile. "Well, my dear. That is all I wanted to discuss with you. Would you like something to eat? I did offer some refreshments, but it seems we got right down to business. "

She shook her head. "No, sir. Thank you though. I have one last bit of business to take care of before I return home."

He nodded, almost expecting that answer. "Well, I hope that you have a wonderful rest of your day, my dear. Give Severus my regards."

She gasped, surprised. He just smiled again, his eyes twinkling and she left, fingering the little scroll in her pocket. She would learn soon enough that almost nothing was a secret from Dumbledore. Not when it concerned his potions master at least….

Natalia scurried down to the Dungeons at a brisk pace. She always was confident in how fit she was. She exercised regularly and the heavy lifting of some patients in St. Mungo's had given her a lean and toned body that she was proud of. Yet, even with all that work, she was still slightly winded by the time she got to the dungeons. That's what she got for skipping her cardio exercises.

The door to the Potions classroom was open and there wasn't a class in session yet. She thought back and noticed that there weren't many students in the halls on her way down there either. She concluded that this may well be Severus' free period.

She knocked soundly on the door and he looked up from his work. He seemed to be grading essays. "What is it, Ms. Rook? I am a little busy."

Natalia blushed and walked inside closer to him. "I'm sorry, Sir. Madam Pomfrey sent me down here with a note for you; said to wait and see if you would reply. I'm sorry for disturbing your free period."

Severus sighed and put his hand out. Natalia immediately reached in her robe's pocket and pulled out the parchment wrapped in ribbon. He tore the ribbon off unceremoniously, looking almost annoyed that Poppy had even added that bit of frivolity. His dark brown, almost ebony black eyes skimmed over the text and then glanced up at her before returning back to the note. Natalia bit her lip nervously and started twisting little bits of her hair. It was a nervous tick that she had done since she was a child. The serious professor spoke, breaking her out of her own thoughts.

"According to Poppy, you are unhappy with your current occupational endeavors Ms. Rook. Is that correct?"

Natalia cleared her suddenly dry throat and dipped her head in affirmation. "Yes, sir. While I enjoy helping people, I would prefer to do so with more focus on Potion making. Since leaving Hogwarts, as I told you this morning, my interest in Potions has become significantly greater. I was under the impression that Healers at St. Mungo's did a lot of Potion work. However, they just administer the potions. They have potion makers on hand to make the actual potions," she explained unnecessarily.

"I am quite aware of how St. Mungo's works, Ms. Rook. I brew for them on the occasion per a contract," he started "So are you wanting to be an apprentice to a potions master? Or will you just work in an apothecary, being too overqualified for the job? I am sure Mr. Mulpepper would enjoy your company…" He trailed off, a slight sneer on his lips. She trembled, reminded at just how intimidating he could be as a professor. Especially when she was feeling admonished by him in his classroom. She gulped, trying to get her stomach out of her throat.

"Well, sir. I hadn't thought about it much. I was just talking Poppy's ear off and I mentioned my stagnancy at St. Mungo's. She sent me away shortly after with that note. I don't even know what it says."

"It says, Ms. Rook, that Madam Pomfrey is asking for a formal request for an apprenticeship with a potions master, one Severus Snape." He snarled out his own name. "She is willing to pay for said apprenticeship. A supposed gift for a friend. She insists that you would be the model student and not likely to waste my time. What do you think of that assessment, Ms. Rook?" he asked in a drawl. His eyes narrowed, looking to her.

She gulped, her stomach jumping into her throat again. "Uh- I-I am surprised she did that Professor. I didn't ask her to do that if that is what you are thinking. I just-"

"Do not presume as to know what I am thinking, Ms. Rook. That is a huge annoyance to me," he said. Then he fell silent as if for her to continue. She nodded.

"I would be honored to be your apprentice, sir. I am a quick study, and I don't think I would be wasting your time. I know that you are a professor here and taking on an apprentice would most likely take up every last bit of your spare time and I wouldn't presume to ask that of you," she finished.

He glared at her, his eyes piercing. "Madam Pomfrey didn't seem to have a problem presuming to ask that of me," he spat.

Getting frustrated she replied, "I am not Poppy, sir. Her thoughts, while appreciated, are her own." She looked back at him unwavering. While he was intimidating, she refused to back down. Her integrity was being examined, she felt, and she wouldn't cower now. If she did, what would that say about her?

Severus thought deeply for a few moments. The silence was choking but finally, he nodded. "Very well. We will begin the Saturday after the Yule Ball. I will expect you to give your notice to St. Mungo's. I will need all of your spare time Ms. Rook. Evenings during the week. All day during the weekends. Working around my schedule during school breaks. Is that understood?"

Natalia was flabbergasted. Her mouth was hanging open. She was surprised that he had actually accepted the apprenticeship. He was one of the last Potions masters alive in England that were willing to do so. "Uh, thank you, sir. I will not let you down?"

He almost smirked. "Was that a question Ms. Rook?"

She shook her head, flustered. "I will not let you down sir. Will I see you at the ball?"

He looked up at her questioningly. "Perhaps. I am supposed to chaperone. We will see. Good day, Ms. Rook."

Natalia recognized a dismissal when she heard one and took it at face value. She heard shuffling in the halls and assumed that class was soon to start. She left the potions classroom, only looking back once to see the potions master looking after her. She quickly turned away to return to Poppy, (who was ecstatic to hear the news Natalia brought) and left Hogwarts.