I do not own any of this!
Chapter 33
The halls of the order headquarters were very different to when Harry had last seen them. Clerks were pacing up and down, frowning as they struggled to balance heavy documents, while Masters glided through the crowd, apprentices having to duck and weave to keep behind them. It was a credit to Snapes reputation that the masses parted slightly in front of him, and Harry was able to simply follow in the created gap, looking around in curiosity.
Though the apprentices were dressed in similar clothes, the colours were very different, and each could be easily matched to his master. Harry was grateful now for his new robes, which allowed him to blend in fairly well with the finery worn by many of the masters.
Snape did not say anything until they reached a slightly less busy corridor, lined with doors, identical except for the names inscribed on the brass plates mounted on them. Stopping at the one marled Shadowman, Silverwood. Harry took his cue to enter the room. It was only when the door was half open that he realised Snape was walking back down the corridor.
Not wanting to question this strange behaviour, he simply entered the room. He was greeted by the grinning face of another apprentice, this time dressed more casually, with his robes draped over a chair. The boy was tall and lightly built, of a similar height to Harry. He had mousy brown hair, and blue eyes. This was all Harry had time to take in before he was questioned.
'Are you Masters Shadowman's apprentice?'
Harry nodded, not quite sure what to make of the situation.
'Yes, Aeter. And you are?'
It was only at the last second that Harry remembered to introduce himself using his formal name.
'Terranthil, Terran for short. Silverwood's apprentice.'
Harry nodded.
'Hi.'
Harry looked around, slowly taking in the two beds, two desks, shelves, and cupboards in the room. Slowly light began to dawn. He sat down on the bed, taking his trunk out of the pocket and enlarging it, placing it at the end of the bed.
'D'you know what we're supposed to be doing?'
Terran shrugged.
'We have to report to the apprentice hall for lunch, when we'll be told what we have to do. Apart from that, I have no idea.'
Harry nodded thoughtfully, then asked a question that had been bothering him.
'What's your master like?'
'As harsh as the rest of them, but calm. He doesn't get mad very often, but when he does.'
Harry didn't make him finish the sentence.
'But I like him.'
Harry nodded.
'How's yours?'
Harry considered this question, and answered slowly, thinking each word through.
'Sarcastic. Strict. Cold. But I trust him.'
Slipping his robes off his shoulders, Harry lay sprawled on the second bed, staring at the ceiling.
The next few hours were filed with several games of conjured chess, mindless talk, and discussions about the Mastery. Like Harry, Terran was a first year apprentice, serving his master, who lived in Cornwall, and was part of the active team of masters who defended the country away from the prying eyes of the Ministry of Magic.
Their relaxed chats were interrupted some time later by the door opening to reveal Snape, and another man who Harry took to be Silverwood. Both the boys scrambled to their feet and bowed, coming to attention.
The second man made a very obvious examination of Harry, then turned back to Snape.
'So, this is your apprentice. A pleasure, Aeternus.'
Harry bowed again.
'The pleasure is all mine, Master Silverwood.'
Eyebrows shot up.
'Master Shadowman has obviously managed to train some manners into you. I still struggle on that count with Terran.'
Terran simply grinned at this comment, busy observing his new friends master. It was Snape who spoke next.
'Yes, I can see he is in need of a bit of discipline.'
Terran looked slightly worried, whilst it was Harry's turn to grin. He knew people took time to get used to the fact that icy words were not always a signal of anger. The clue was the eyes.
'Your presence is needed in the Hall, where you will get your briefing.'
Snape added.
'I will see you at six in the main training room, you owe a few hours.'
Harry groaned, and Terran looked sympathetic. This look ended when Silverman added his share.
'That goes for you too, Terran.'
Exchanging looks both bowed again.
'Yes, my lord.'
The two picked up their robes as the two masters left the room, and left for the Hall, silent in their anticipation of what was to come.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I know this was short, but I felt you deserved at least a small update. I'm still in the middle of my exams, so don't expect any more for a while. I wrote this fairly quickly, and haven't really checked it, so there are probably loads of errors, for which I apologise.
As always, thanks for any reviews - Pose
Chapter 33
The halls of the order headquarters were very different to when Harry had last seen them. Clerks were pacing up and down, frowning as they struggled to balance heavy documents, while Masters glided through the crowd, apprentices having to duck and weave to keep behind them. It was a credit to Snapes reputation that the masses parted slightly in front of him, and Harry was able to simply follow in the created gap, looking around in curiosity.
Though the apprentices were dressed in similar clothes, the colours were very different, and each could be easily matched to his master. Harry was grateful now for his new robes, which allowed him to blend in fairly well with the finery worn by many of the masters.
Snape did not say anything until they reached a slightly less busy corridor, lined with doors, identical except for the names inscribed on the brass plates mounted on them. Stopping at the one marled Shadowman, Silverwood. Harry took his cue to enter the room. It was only when the door was half open that he realised Snape was walking back down the corridor.
Not wanting to question this strange behaviour, he simply entered the room. He was greeted by the grinning face of another apprentice, this time dressed more casually, with his robes draped over a chair. The boy was tall and lightly built, of a similar height to Harry. He had mousy brown hair, and blue eyes. This was all Harry had time to take in before he was questioned.
'Are you Masters Shadowman's apprentice?'
Harry nodded, not quite sure what to make of the situation.
'Yes, Aeter. And you are?'
It was only at the last second that Harry remembered to introduce himself using his formal name.
'Terranthil, Terran for short. Silverwood's apprentice.'
Harry nodded.
'Hi.'
Harry looked around, slowly taking in the two beds, two desks, shelves, and cupboards in the room. Slowly light began to dawn. He sat down on the bed, taking his trunk out of the pocket and enlarging it, placing it at the end of the bed.
'D'you know what we're supposed to be doing?'
Terran shrugged.
'We have to report to the apprentice hall for lunch, when we'll be told what we have to do. Apart from that, I have no idea.'
Harry nodded thoughtfully, then asked a question that had been bothering him.
'What's your master like?'
'As harsh as the rest of them, but calm. He doesn't get mad very often, but when he does.'
Harry didn't make him finish the sentence.
'But I like him.'
Harry nodded.
'How's yours?'
Harry considered this question, and answered slowly, thinking each word through.
'Sarcastic. Strict. Cold. But I trust him.'
Slipping his robes off his shoulders, Harry lay sprawled on the second bed, staring at the ceiling.
The next few hours were filed with several games of conjured chess, mindless talk, and discussions about the Mastery. Like Harry, Terran was a first year apprentice, serving his master, who lived in Cornwall, and was part of the active team of masters who defended the country away from the prying eyes of the Ministry of Magic.
Their relaxed chats were interrupted some time later by the door opening to reveal Snape, and another man who Harry took to be Silverwood. Both the boys scrambled to their feet and bowed, coming to attention.
The second man made a very obvious examination of Harry, then turned back to Snape.
'So, this is your apprentice. A pleasure, Aeternus.'
Harry bowed again.
'The pleasure is all mine, Master Silverwood.'
Eyebrows shot up.
'Master Shadowman has obviously managed to train some manners into you. I still struggle on that count with Terran.'
Terran simply grinned at this comment, busy observing his new friends master. It was Snape who spoke next.
'Yes, I can see he is in need of a bit of discipline.'
Terran looked slightly worried, whilst it was Harry's turn to grin. He knew people took time to get used to the fact that icy words were not always a signal of anger. The clue was the eyes.
'Your presence is needed in the Hall, where you will get your briefing.'
Snape added.
'I will see you at six in the main training room, you owe a few hours.'
Harry groaned, and Terran looked sympathetic. This look ended when Silverman added his share.
'That goes for you too, Terran.'
Exchanging looks both bowed again.
'Yes, my lord.'
The two picked up their robes as the two masters left the room, and left for the Hall, silent in their anticipation of what was to come.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I know this was short, but I felt you deserved at least a small update. I'm still in the middle of my exams, so don't expect any more for a while. I wrote this fairly quickly, and haven't really checked it, so there are probably loads of errors, for which I apologise.
As always, thanks for any reviews - Pose
