Chapter 3
I sat down in the chair opposite of my new mentor, knowing that I had much to learn. Not much was known about formal apprenticeships except by those who had been through them, and they were bound by oath not to reveal its secrets.
"A formal apprenticeship, as you have agreed to, is a serious commitment, and I am aware that you already know this. But it is perhaps more serious than anyone who has not be through it is aware. Most believe the minimum time is five years. That is not correct – the minimum time is twice that."
I said nothing, undaunted.
"There are no rules as to how or what I teach you, so long as you are proficient in the area you agreed to learn in. He locked eyes with me. This includes the Dark Arts minus the Unforgivables."
I raised my eyebrows a little but stayed quiet.
"There are also no rules as to how I punish you when it is necessary. And there will be times – everyone makes mistakes, though once you have graduated your apprenticeship you will make far less than the average person. Again, all that is forbidden is the Unforgivables."
I swallowed slightly, a little apprehensive about that bit, but I nodded.
"Yes, sir."
"Your training will not only encompass your chosen field, as some mentors do, but with me it will cover all areas of magic with an emphasis on your chosen field. You will study everything I tell you; without hesitation you will do what I ask."
Here he paused and pulled out a hidden dagger.
I knew what he was going to do, and I was ready.
Before he said anything, I pushed my robe sleeve back to my elbow and bared the underside of my forearm to him.
It was heavily scarred.
His eyebrows raised a little.
"Then you obviously know how to do it without killing yourself, or you know the charm to heal cuts."
"Both, sir."
He handed me the dagger.
"Do it."
A quick slice and I was done.
He produced a small vial and allowed about two milliliters of blood to fall into it. He corked it and said,
"Go ahead and heal it."
I muttered the quick charm and it was closed, leaving only a pink scar.
The man was pleased that I was unfazed by the test.
"That was necessary as part of the validation process, we will both need samples of our blood. Easier to do it now than later."
He marked the bottle as mine, and then repeated the process for himself, after sanitizing the blade with a quick charm.
"You did well. You will learn much over the next few days, Apprentice. There are customs to be followed, skills to be learned. And that is just the beginning. But for now," he stood. "We need to go to Diagon Alley. You will not pay for anything, I, as your Mentor, am responsible for everything you need. Do not worry about money, only those with enough funds to support an apprentice for a decade are even permitted to take on an apprentice."
I nodded.
"Yes, sir."
"First thing for you to learn is my proper title. You will call me Master, do you understand or have any objections?"
"No, Master."
He was obviously pleased.
"Then follow me, Apprentice."
He stood and walked over to the fireplace, and threw in some powder after lighting it quickly.
He spoke clearly.
"Diagon Alley!"