I do not own any of this!
Chapter 34
Over the next week Harry and Terran completed the first stage of their testing. This consisted of written exams on all of the subjects they were supposed to study, and then some. Though for the most part Harry thought he had done well enough, there had been a few occasions where he had been forced to leave blanks on his papers, mostly when he didn't even recognise what was being asked.
Friday came, and with it the last day of theoretical exams, much to the relief of all the apprentices. However, much to their dismay, it also heralded the first of the social events Snape had casually mentioned. Early evening saw Harry presenting himself for inspection in front of Snape and Silverwood, alongside Terran. His stomach fluttering, Harry waited for the verdict. Finally Snape grunted.
'Acceptable. Come.'
Struggling to hide a smile, Harry did as he was bid. Coming from Snape, 'acceptable' was praise indeed.
Silverwood also beckoned to Terran, and shortly the two apprentices were trailing their masters into a previously unseen part of the building. At the end of a long corridor decorated with bronze statues were as set of ornate double doors, guarded by two robed heralds. Recognising the cue, Harry and Terran stepped up on either side and quietly told the heralds the titles of their master, before going back to their places.
As they walked through the imposing double doors, the heralds voice rang out, magically amplified.
'Masters Shadowman and Silverwood!'
The two apprentices, however, hardly noticed, entranced by the sight that met their eyes. A few meters past the doors was a wide staircase which descended to the centre of the room below. Above them, the ceiling was a curved dome, with runes that Harry recognised as protection and healing engraved round the edges.
Ignoring the astounded faces of their apprentices, the two masters continued down the stairs, Harry and Terran trailing behind, eyes wide. Even when they finally remembered to catch up with their masters, they remained slightly in shock.
The high walls were separated by tall windows, and [plush curtains hung from the ceiling. On one side of the room was a long table on which drinks and snacks were laid. The ballroom floor was highly polished, and Harry felt immediately sorry for the misfortunate apprentices who had done something to deserve the job of scrubbing it.
All around the room stood groups of people talking quietly, though to Harry's consternation many heads had turned when they had been announced, and several pairs had broken off and were now heading for them. As the first approached, Harry braced himself. As Snape nodded a greeting, he introduced the figure.
'Aeternus, this is Master Varneck. This is my apprentice, Aeternus.'
Harry bowed deeply, appreciating the nod he received in return.
'My Lord.'
As he rose, he took in the man, instinctively trusting him. He was tall, with brown hair and blue eyes, and despite the flowing robes they all wore, Harry could tell he was well built and incredibly fit. His eyes also flickered to the apprentice standing to the side of him. His thoughts were interrupted by Master Varneck.
'This is Eranil.'
As Silverman introduced Terran, Harry sent the older apprentice a small grin, and noted the quiet smile he was offered in return. As they were joined by several other, introductions became simply a matter of a name and a bow. After a while, one of the masters addressed Harry.
'Apprentice Aeternus?'
He bowed.
'Master Saldor?'
He looked up, meeting the appraising eyes before him squarely. After a few seconds the master gave a small smile.
'I understand your master is a professor at Hogwarts. How do you find this affects your studies?'
'If anything I feel that it gives me an advantage, my lord. I attend classes to practise the basics, and elaborate on that learning in my lessons. It does, however, make for very long days.'
The master nodded, then frowned slightly.
'There is another Master currently teaching at the school is there not? Do you also take classes with him?'
Harry gritted his teeth before responding.
'Yes, my lord. Master Gray. He teaches Defence Against the Dark Arts, which I do attend, but apart from that I see very little of him, disappointingly.'
This last word caused a raised eyebrow, something which confused Harry for several seconds.
'There is no need to lie to me, youngster, I have spoken with your master on the matter.'
Harry grimaced, sending a short glare at Snape's back, something which highly amused Master Saldor.'
'You would have preferred him to remain silent?'
Deciding that he might as well answer frankly, Harry half nodded.'
'I can handle it myself. Besides, a few deserved licks isn't going to kill me.'
Saldor nodded slowly, his eyes never leaving Harry's. As he inclined his head, he Harry though he saw approval on his face.
'I am glad we talked, Apprentice Aeternus. I hope we shall have the chance again.'
Harry bowed deeply.
'It was an honour, my lord.'
As Saldor walked away, Terran came over.
'The apprentices have been given leave while the Masters have a short meeting. Come on.'
Receiving a short nod from Snape, Harry and Terran joined the throng of apprentices gathering around the buffet tables on one side of the room. Having helped himself to a plate, and filled it with sausage rolls, sandwiches, and other things he didn't recognise, Harry joined Terran and a few others sitting on one of the long windowsills.
Among the group he recognised Eranthil, as well as the apprentice he had seen with Saldor, but didn't know. One other joined them, bearing a tray of pumpkin juice, making their group seven.
As the group relaxed away from their masters, Grins and handshakes were exchanged. The tallest and oldest among them was the quiet Eranil. There were two other second years, Nut (Nunthor), and Grac (Graecon). The two other first years were Ferraldin, who introduced himself as Saldor's apprentices, and said he was known as Ferral, and Kinloth, a short, dark haired boy Harry immediately guessed to be a demon in combat.
Though a few eyes flicked up to his forehead, to Harry surprise it was his connection with Snape that most interested the rest of the group. After a while, Harry realised that his maser was hugely respected within the Order, and was such was admired by many of the apprentices, most of whom had never exchanged any more than pleasantries with the cold eyed master Harry served.
In the end the short meeting turned out to be a very long one, and it was past midnight when the masters emerged. It transpired that they had already eaten, so the rest of the buffet was left untouched, and the apprentices greeted their masters looking regretfully at the table loaded with food. Having promised to meet up in the Mess Hall the next morning, the group nodded goodbyes to each other, before falling in and following their masters away.
The Masters did not speak at all until the four had reached their rooms, and even then it was only a reply to the apprentices bowed goodnight. Harry and Terran undressed slightly mystified, but were too tired to discuss the matter, instead they simply fell into bed, dreading the early wake up awaiting them. As he did so, Harry felt a small squirming of nerves in his stomach at the though of the start of the practical tests he would face in the morning.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I know you've had a long wait for this and I apologise. However, my exams are now over, and I've recovered from a few very busy weeks of work experience and CCF.
Currently, I can tell you that the end of this story id near, and that I am hoping to finish it in two chapters, which should be written in the next week or so, before I go on tour. Should they not be written for any reason, or should an extra chapter be need I am sorry to say you will have a wait of several weeks (4) in anticipation of the final chapter.
That said, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Next, some practical testing, probably a conversation between Harry and Snape, and some more on the other apprentices. This should be out by the weekend.
Thanks for any reviews - Pose.
Chapter 34
Over the next week Harry and Terran completed the first stage of their testing. This consisted of written exams on all of the subjects they were supposed to study, and then some. Though for the most part Harry thought he had done well enough, there had been a few occasions where he had been forced to leave blanks on his papers, mostly when he didn't even recognise what was being asked.
Friday came, and with it the last day of theoretical exams, much to the relief of all the apprentices. However, much to their dismay, it also heralded the first of the social events Snape had casually mentioned. Early evening saw Harry presenting himself for inspection in front of Snape and Silverwood, alongside Terran. His stomach fluttering, Harry waited for the verdict. Finally Snape grunted.
'Acceptable. Come.'
Struggling to hide a smile, Harry did as he was bid. Coming from Snape, 'acceptable' was praise indeed.
Silverwood also beckoned to Terran, and shortly the two apprentices were trailing their masters into a previously unseen part of the building. At the end of a long corridor decorated with bronze statues were as set of ornate double doors, guarded by two robed heralds. Recognising the cue, Harry and Terran stepped up on either side and quietly told the heralds the titles of their master, before going back to their places.
As they walked through the imposing double doors, the heralds voice rang out, magically amplified.
'Masters Shadowman and Silverwood!'
The two apprentices, however, hardly noticed, entranced by the sight that met their eyes. A few meters past the doors was a wide staircase which descended to the centre of the room below. Above them, the ceiling was a curved dome, with runes that Harry recognised as protection and healing engraved round the edges.
Ignoring the astounded faces of their apprentices, the two masters continued down the stairs, Harry and Terran trailing behind, eyes wide. Even when they finally remembered to catch up with their masters, they remained slightly in shock.
The high walls were separated by tall windows, and [plush curtains hung from the ceiling. On one side of the room was a long table on which drinks and snacks were laid. The ballroom floor was highly polished, and Harry felt immediately sorry for the misfortunate apprentices who had done something to deserve the job of scrubbing it.
All around the room stood groups of people talking quietly, though to Harry's consternation many heads had turned when they had been announced, and several pairs had broken off and were now heading for them. As the first approached, Harry braced himself. As Snape nodded a greeting, he introduced the figure.
'Aeternus, this is Master Varneck. This is my apprentice, Aeternus.'
Harry bowed deeply, appreciating the nod he received in return.
'My Lord.'
As he rose, he took in the man, instinctively trusting him. He was tall, with brown hair and blue eyes, and despite the flowing robes they all wore, Harry could tell he was well built and incredibly fit. His eyes also flickered to the apprentice standing to the side of him. His thoughts were interrupted by Master Varneck.
'This is Eranil.'
As Silverman introduced Terran, Harry sent the older apprentice a small grin, and noted the quiet smile he was offered in return. As they were joined by several other, introductions became simply a matter of a name and a bow. After a while, one of the masters addressed Harry.
'Apprentice Aeternus?'
He bowed.
'Master Saldor?'
He looked up, meeting the appraising eyes before him squarely. After a few seconds the master gave a small smile.
'I understand your master is a professor at Hogwarts. How do you find this affects your studies?'
'If anything I feel that it gives me an advantage, my lord. I attend classes to practise the basics, and elaborate on that learning in my lessons. It does, however, make for very long days.'
The master nodded, then frowned slightly.
'There is another Master currently teaching at the school is there not? Do you also take classes with him?'
Harry gritted his teeth before responding.
'Yes, my lord. Master Gray. He teaches Defence Against the Dark Arts, which I do attend, but apart from that I see very little of him, disappointingly.'
This last word caused a raised eyebrow, something which confused Harry for several seconds.
'There is no need to lie to me, youngster, I have spoken with your master on the matter.'
Harry grimaced, sending a short glare at Snape's back, something which highly amused Master Saldor.'
'You would have preferred him to remain silent?'
Deciding that he might as well answer frankly, Harry half nodded.'
'I can handle it myself. Besides, a few deserved licks isn't going to kill me.'
Saldor nodded slowly, his eyes never leaving Harry's. As he inclined his head, he Harry though he saw approval on his face.
'I am glad we talked, Apprentice Aeternus. I hope we shall have the chance again.'
Harry bowed deeply.
'It was an honour, my lord.'
As Saldor walked away, Terran came over.
'The apprentices have been given leave while the Masters have a short meeting. Come on.'
Receiving a short nod from Snape, Harry and Terran joined the throng of apprentices gathering around the buffet tables on one side of the room. Having helped himself to a plate, and filled it with sausage rolls, sandwiches, and other things he didn't recognise, Harry joined Terran and a few others sitting on one of the long windowsills.
Among the group he recognised Eranthil, as well as the apprentice he had seen with Saldor, but didn't know. One other joined them, bearing a tray of pumpkin juice, making their group seven.
As the group relaxed away from their masters, Grins and handshakes were exchanged. The tallest and oldest among them was the quiet Eranil. There were two other second years, Nut (Nunthor), and Grac (Graecon). The two other first years were Ferraldin, who introduced himself as Saldor's apprentices, and said he was known as Ferral, and Kinloth, a short, dark haired boy Harry immediately guessed to be a demon in combat.
Though a few eyes flicked up to his forehead, to Harry surprise it was his connection with Snape that most interested the rest of the group. After a while, Harry realised that his maser was hugely respected within the Order, and was such was admired by many of the apprentices, most of whom had never exchanged any more than pleasantries with the cold eyed master Harry served.
In the end the short meeting turned out to be a very long one, and it was past midnight when the masters emerged. It transpired that they had already eaten, so the rest of the buffet was left untouched, and the apprentices greeted their masters looking regretfully at the table loaded with food. Having promised to meet up in the Mess Hall the next morning, the group nodded goodbyes to each other, before falling in and following their masters away.
The Masters did not speak at all until the four had reached their rooms, and even then it was only a reply to the apprentices bowed goodnight. Harry and Terran undressed slightly mystified, but were too tired to discuss the matter, instead they simply fell into bed, dreading the early wake up awaiting them. As he did so, Harry felt a small squirming of nerves in his stomach at the though of the start of the practical tests he would face in the morning.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I know you've had a long wait for this and I apologise. However, my exams are now over, and I've recovered from a few very busy weeks of work experience and CCF.
Currently, I can tell you that the end of this story id near, and that I am hoping to finish it in two chapters, which should be written in the next week or so, before I go on tour. Should they not be written for any reason, or should an extra chapter be need I am sorry to say you will have a wait of several weeks (4) in anticipation of the final chapter.
That said, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Next, some practical testing, probably a conversation between Harry and Snape, and some more on the other apprentices. This should be out by the weekend.
Thanks for any reviews - Pose.
