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Chapter 6

The next few days passed in a blur for Harry, getting up to work, eating, and rolling into bed at midnight feeling like he would never be able to stand again. Needless to say he always managed it in the end. And before he knew it two weeks had passed. Though he would not admit it, he was starting to gain a healthy respect for his mentor, and much to his surprise he actually thought that his hate for his potions master had diminished somewhat.

And he learned many things. He could reel of Latin verbs like it was his native tongue, and tell you the difference between combustion and burning, the foil and the sabre. He learned how to attack and defend, to block and to lunge. He learned to run when his lungs were on fire, and to move when he felt like lying down. He could recite complex potion recipes by heart, and, if asked, could name the origins of the mastery, or the first wizard to successfully apparate.

He had also learned to accept things that were out of his control, but to fight for the things that were in his control. He learned familiarity with the customs and phrases he had so hated at first, and to feel like he belonged in his uniform, not like he was at a fancy dress party. He had learned much, but, as Harry was beginning to realise, there was much that he should know, but that he didn't even know existed.

Snape had learned things too, some things about himself, and many about the boy who answered to him every hour of the day. It had only taken him a few days to realise that, in fact, he didn't hate Harry Potter at all, he hated 'The Boy Who Lived'. And when Harry was in the presence of his mentor, he was only an apprentice in front of his master, albeit a talented one.

One evening, Snape sat in his study, considering his plans for the next few days. Thought he had been putting it off, he realised that he had to go to London. The Board had requested his presence as soon as possible, and Snape knew in reality that meant now. One of the reasons he had been putting it off was his reluctance to interrupt the training he had adopted, though in the end he realised that it would be a perfect opportunity to introduce Harry to the social world of the masters, and to give himself a day to get some of the pressing chores off his mind. Finally, he called Harry in from the main room.

'Aeter!' He barked.

Harry came in, and gave a quick half-bow before waiting for the instructions that were sure to come.

'My lord?'

Snape leaned back in his chair, looking at his apprentice. He finally spoke.

'The Board of Masters has requested my presence. We are going up to London tomorrow, early. We will return late tomorrow evening. You will have a few hours free in Diagon alley in the afternoon that you can spend how you wish. Any questions?'

Harry hesitated. There was something he wanted to ask, but would it be allowed?

'My lord.might I be allowed to meet up with someone?'

Snape considered his request.

'I assume you are talking about your two friends. You may, you will be free by three. Have them meet outside Gringotts. Tell them not to be late. Oh, you may use the fire to convey your message.'

Harry grinned excitedly. He was going to see Hermione and Ron! Backing away, he struggled not to let his grin reach a rude size.

'Thank you, my lord.'

Snape nodded, before turning back to the letters on his desk, allowing his apprentice to escape. Having done so, Harry walked straight over to the fire. He grabbed a few pinches of the blue powder in the pot next to the one labelled 'floo powder', and threw it quickly into he flames, saying 'incenlatus-the Burrow' as he did so.

Immediately he could see into the kitchen of the Burrow through the flames of the fire. To his joy, Ron was sitting at the table, laying exploding snap cards out, trying to build a tower. From the state of his eyebrows, Harry would say he was not having much success.

'Ron!'

To Harry's amusement, it took Ron several second to realise that the voice was Harry's, and that it was coming from the fire. When he had done so, he knelt in front of the fireplace excitedly.

'Harry, how are you mate? I tried to get Dumbledore to let you come to ours but he said you had to stay where you were. Hey, where are you, are you doing this from you Uncle's?'

Ron had finally cottoned on to the fact that there was no way Harry could be living with his muggles if he was doing magic. Not wanting to explain Harry gave the simplest answer possible.

'I'm at Hogwarts.' Ron began to interrupt.

'No listen. I'm going to Diagon alley tomorrow afternoon. Can you meet me there? I'll explain then.'

Ron's head popped out of view for a few seconds, and Harry realised that he was consulting some responsible adult. Then it popped back into view.

'Yeah that's fine.'

'Cool, I'll meet you outside Gringotts at three. Try and be there on time.'

Ron's voice was confused.

'Why does it matter if I'm late?'

'You better hope you don't find out. Listen, is there any way I can contact Hermione quickly?'

'I'm way ahead of you on that one mate. She's staying here for a few weeks 'cause her parents are abroad. Course she'll come. She'd be talking to you now but she's in the shower, so.'

Ron shrugged his shoulders, as Harry grinned.

'I'll see you then then.'

'Yep. See ya.'

As Harry withdrew his head and ended the spell, Ron rushed up the stairs to tell a slightly damp Hermione that they were going to sere their best friend tomorrow, and ask what time she wanted to leave.

Knowing that he wouldn't be able to get to sleep, despite the late hour, Harry went to his room, and tried to make his eyes shut. Finally, he started to rattle off the Latin he'd learnt that day under his breath, hoping Snape would not hear him. He was still doing this in the early hours before he drifted off, dreaming that he met his friends but couldn't understand them, because they were speaking in a foreign language.

Ok - how was that? Not a particularly exciting chapter but we did get some news. How will Ron and Hermione react? I'm afraid you'll have to wait a while to find out, because the next chapter will be with the board, finding out what they want Snape to do. (Tiny hint there for you) Thanks for any reviews - Pose