I do not own any of this!
Chapter 32
Harry spent the next few weeks preparing for his stay in London. Considering Snape refused to reveal what he would actually be required to do, this was quite difficult. Despite this, it seemed to Harry that subtle hints were dropped. Snape often made Harry duel against several opponents, or with some sort of handicap. By the fourth week of May, he felt confident he could handle himself in a duel.
He also worked with his other teachers. He spent several afternoons in Hogsmeade practising his apparition, which he was unofficially tested on by McGonagall. Her silence told Harry he had passed, and it was with pride that he reported to Snape that evening.
He spent time in his animagus form, getting used to his new body and how it worked. He even spent one entire night padding around the floor of the forbidden forest, using his newly developed sense of hearing and smell to explore.
His back healed well, until only a criss-cross of scars remained. Though Harry was never told, he knew Snape had talked to Gray. Though the master continued to bait him in class, he was never again in a position to punish Harry outside of the classroom.
However, there were also preparations of a different sort to take care of. A trip into Hogsmead with his master left Harry with a new, startlingly short haircut, which Harry liked none the less. Harry also took his blades to be sharpened, as well as buying small gifts for Hermione and Ron with his won money.
Also on the agenda was a trip to Madam Malkins, where Harry was outfitted with a new set of training clothes. He was taken by surprise when Snape made him try on several sets of new robes over his uniform. It was not until Snape nodded, satisfied, that Harry asked what they were for. Handing them back to his master, he frowned questioningly.
'My lord?'
'They are the equivalent of dress robes. When attending evening functions as my apprentice, you must look the part.'
In fact, Snape had to admit that Harry looked every inch the part. Lightweight leather boots, loose black trousers, and flowing white shirt tucked in at the waist. At nearly fourteen, he seemed every inch the saviour of the wizarding world. Lean and fit, green eyes were hard and level, and he moved with a cat-like grace. He had done well, and for a moment Snape allowed himself to feel pride.
Snape smirked at Harry's dismayed face at the mention of evening functions. Living at Hogwarts, Harry was forced to attend very few social gatherings, unlike most apprentices. It would give him a chance to prove he could acquit himself well in the social world of the Mastery.
They walked back to the castle, Harry questioning his master about his won experiences during the Time of Testing. Snape ensured his answers were annoyingly elusive, and Harry finally gave up. He would have to wait to find out.
As it was a Sunday, Harry was able to spend the day before they left with his friends, lazing around on the shore of the lake, swimming and talking. Harry was also grateful to Snape for excusing him from the customary greeting at lunch, meaning he could just sit down with his friends, and act for once like he was normal.
For the three, the day passed too fast. All too soon it was time for Harry to return to his chambers. Seeing their glum faces, Harry promised to meet them in the Entrance Hall the next day to say goodbye. They agreed, before making their way up to Gryffindor Tower in a depressing silence.
Harry went to bed early that evening, and though he tossed for what seemed like hours, he managed to get a few extra hours sleep before he woke. He found himself staring at the ceiling wide awake early the next morning, as opposed to his usual pattern of dozes. He didn't bother moving for a while, just enjoyed the stillness of the early hours, and the sun spilling through the windows high in the ceiling.
Finally deciding to get up, he took a long shower, enjoying being able to take his time. He stepped pout and towelled off, before pulling on his rousers. He was half way through rubbing what was left of his hair when Snape poked his head through the door. Harry grinned, and bowed, though he didn't bother to drop the towel.
'Morning, my lord.'
'You're up.'
This comment was accompanied by a railed eyebrow. Harry just shrugged in reply, and Snape left, sending a warning that breakfast would soon be ready.
Despite feeliu8ng perfectly calm when he woke up, by the time he had finished towelling his hair Harry felt like some of the eel's he used in potions had escaped and were slithering around his stomach. Looking in the mirror, he glared at himself, trying to look confident. It worked, though Harry was still left with a slightly diminished appetite for breakfast.
He slid his best shirt over his head before adjusting the buttons, then sat on the bed to put on his boots. Next he tucked his shirt in, and rolled up his sleeves. Belt on. Knife. Wand. Straightening up, Harry was forced to count his breathing once more. He mentally chided himself.
Looking into the mirror, he slowly slipped his new robes around his shoulders, and straightened his collar. He had avoided wearing them until today, wanting to save the experience. As he had hoped, it calmed his nerves.
Looking back at himin the mirror wasn't Harry Potter, scared teenager, but Aeternus, Apprentice to the Mastery. Even to himself, he looked different. Finally, running a hand through his hair, he shrank his trunk and put it in his pocket, and walked out to join Snape.
An hour later he was standing in the Entrance Hall, saying final goodbyes to his friends. To his surprise, it was not just Ron and Hermione there to see him off, but several other Gryffindors, as well as Professors McGonagall, Fletcher, and Dumbledore. He was grateful.
Giving Hermione a hug and shaking hands with Ron in a mockingly solemn way, he was soon on his way. Giving his master a nod to say he was ready, Harry walked out of the castle behind Snape, not sure what he was going to, but ready for it.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Okay, huge apologies for taking this long to get this chapter up. I had some problems with a disc, and having been home as much as normal. I hope you liked this chapter, though there wasn't really anything too exciting in it. Next, introduction to the tests, and a new friend!
Unfortunately, my exams have now started, so please don't expect it anytime in the next four to five weeks. According to nearly everyone, GCSE's are more important.
Thanks for any reviews - Pose
Chapter 32
Harry spent the next few weeks preparing for his stay in London. Considering Snape refused to reveal what he would actually be required to do, this was quite difficult. Despite this, it seemed to Harry that subtle hints were dropped. Snape often made Harry duel against several opponents, or with some sort of handicap. By the fourth week of May, he felt confident he could handle himself in a duel.
He also worked with his other teachers. He spent several afternoons in Hogsmeade practising his apparition, which he was unofficially tested on by McGonagall. Her silence told Harry he had passed, and it was with pride that he reported to Snape that evening.
He spent time in his animagus form, getting used to his new body and how it worked. He even spent one entire night padding around the floor of the forbidden forest, using his newly developed sense of hearing and smell to explore.
His back healed well, until only a criss-cross of scars remained. Though Harry was never told, he knew Snape had talked to Gray. Though the master continued to bait him in class, he was never again in a position to punish Harry outside of the classroom.
However, there were also preparations of a different sort to take care of. A trip into Hogsmead with his master left Harry with a new, startlingly short haircut, which Harry liked none the less. Harry also took his blades to be sharpened, as well as buying small gifts for Hermione and Ron with his won money.
Also on the agenda was a trip to Madam Malkins, where Harry was outfitted with a new set of training clothes. He was taken by surprise when Snape made him try on several sets of new robes over his uniform. It was not until Snape nodded, satisfied, that Harry asked what they were for. Handing them back to his master, he frowned questioningly.
'My lord?'
'They are the equivalent of dress robes. When attending evening functions as my apprentice, you must look the part.'
In fact, Snape had to admit that Harry looked every inch the part. Lightweight leather boots, loose black trousers, and flowing white shirt tucked in at the waist. At nearly fourteen, he seemed every inch the saviour of the wizarding world. Lean and fit, green eyes were hard and level, and he moved with a cat-like grace. He had done well, and for a moment Snape allowed himself to feel pride.
Snape smirked at Harry's dismayed face at the mention of evening functions. Living at Hogwarts, Harry was forced to attend very few social gatherings, unlike most apprentices. It would give him a chance to prove he could acquit himself well in the social world of the Mastery.
They walked back to the castle, Harry questioning his master about his won experiences during the Time of Testing. Snape ensured his answers were annoyingly elusive, and Harry finally gave up. He would have to wait to find out.
As it was a Sunday, Harry was able to spend the day before they left with his friends, lazing around on the shore of the lake, swimming and talking. Harry was also grateful to Snape for excusing him from the customary greeting at lunch, meaning he could just sit down with his friends, and act for once like he was normal.
For the three, the day passed too fast. All too soon it was time for Harry to return to his chambers. Seeing their glum faces, Harry promised to meet them in the Entrance Hall the next day to say goodbye. They agreed, before making their way up to Gryffindor Tower in a depressing silence.
Harry went to bed early that evening, and though he tossed for what seemed like hours, he managed to get a few extra hours sleep before he woke. He found himself staring at the ceiling wide awake early the next morning, as opposed to his usual pattern of dozes. He didn't bother moving for a while, just enjoyed the stillness of the early hours, and the sun spilling through the windows high in the ceiling.
Finally deciding to get up, he took a long shower, enjoying being able to take his time. He stepped pout and towelled off, before pulling on his rousers. He was half way through rubbing what was left of his hair when Snape poked his head through the door. Harry grinned, and bowed, though he didn't bother to drop the towel.
'Morning, my lord.'
'You're up.'
This comment was accompanied by a railed eyebrow. Harry just shrugged in reply, and Snape left, sending a warning that breakfast would soon be ready.
Despite feeliu8ng perfectly calm when he woke up, by the time he had finished towelling his hair Harry felt like some of the eel's he used in potions had escaped and were slithering around his stomach. Looking in the mirror, he glared at himself, trying to look confident. It worked, though Harry was still left with a slightly diminished appetite for breakfast.
He slid his best shirt over his head before adjusting the buttons, then sat on the bed to put on his boots. Next he tucked his shirt in, and rolled up his sleeves. Belt on. Knife. Wand. Straightening up, Harry was forced to count his breathing once more. He mentally chided himself.
Looking into the mirror, he slowly slipped his new robes around his shoulders, and straightened his collar. He had avoided wearing them until today, wanting to save the experience. As he had hoped, it calmed his nerves.
Looking back at himin the mirror wasn't Harry Potter, scared teenager, but Aeternus, Apprentice to the Mastery. Even to himself, he looked different. Finally, running a hand through his hair, he shrank his trunk and put it in his pocket, and walked out to join Snape.
An hour later he was standing in the Entrance Hall, saying final goodbyes to his friends. To his surprise, it was not just Ron and Hermione there to see him off, but several other Gryffindors, as well as Professors McGonagall, Fletcher, and Dumbledore. He was grateful.
Giving Hermione a hug and shaking hands with Ron in a mockingly solemn way, he was soon on his way. Giving his master a nod to say he was ready, Harry walked out of the castle behind Snape, not sure what he was going to, but ready for it.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Okay, huge apologies for taking this long to get this chapter up. I had some problems with a disc, and having been home as much as normal. I hope you liked this chapter, though there wasn't really anything too exciting in it. Next, introduction to the tests, and a new friend!
Unfortunately, my exams have now started, so please don't expect it anytime in the next four to five weeks. According to nearly everyone, GCSE's are more important.
Thanks for any reviews - Pose
