Chapter 3: Reviving Traditions
"I want to thank you all for coming here on such short notice."
Severus watched from the shadows of an alcove as Dumbledore welcomed the gathered staff members to the meeting. Eight professors including himself as well as Madam Pomfrey were present. Talking to his colleagues while they all waited for their employer to arrive, the Potions Master had found out that not every teacher at the school had received an invitation and also that no one, not even those who had gotten one, knew what this unexpected meeting was actually about.
"I am certain that every single one of you is wondering about the nature of this gathering," the headmaster said with a rather cheeky smile. "Well, I have decided that since we now have finally reached a period of peace again, I want to bring back a centuries-old Hogwarts tradition. A tradition that some of you who have been a part of our staff for a long time may still remember."
Severus raised an eyebrow. What crazy thing had the ancient nutter come up with now?
Noticing the professors' confused looks, Dumbledore carried on, "I am talking about a practice which was a significant part of this school's educational history for hundreds of years. However, it unfortunately had to come to an end during one of the darkest times of the First Wizarding War as the whole institution had to focus its forces on stopping Voldemort." Madam Pomfrey and Professor Trelawney both slightly flinched at the sound of that name.
Giving them a sympathetic look, the grey-haired wizard continued, "To cut it short, I have decided to bring back Hogwarts' prestigious apprenticeship programme. This means that every single one of you here today will be assigned a student who is interested in your subject and wishes to further his or her knowledge in that area. Your apprentice is currently in his or her sixth or seventh year. You will accompany them for the rest of the school year and teach them more about your field of study outside of the regular curriculum. This is going to take place at least twice a week during fixed hours; however, you may agree on more meetings. To aid with this, you will all receive your respective apprentice's schedule at the end of this assembly. They may also assist you in teaching the first-, second- and third-year students."
The Dungeon Bat's eyes grew big. He had obviously heard of the apprenticeship programme before, just like anybody else who had thoroughly read Hogwarts: A History. He even seemed to vaguely remember hearing about it taking place during the beginning of his own years as a student. However, it must have been terminated not long after since it definitely hadn't existed anymore during his final year at Hogwarts.
Ignoring the obvious astonishment of everybody present, Dumbledore proclaimed, "And I am especially delighted to announce that for the first time in the history of this school, an apprentice will be assigned to the Hospital Wing! Poppy, your protégé will be the lovely Miss Abbott. As I have heard, she is considering becoming a healer after taking her N.E.W.T.s and would love to aid you in taking care of our students."
While the elderly matron seemed thrilled and yet slightly perplexed about being the first healer to have ever been appointed an apprentice, Severus was still somewhat in a state of shock. There must have been a mistake, he thought. After all, he was very aware of his status as the least popular teacher in the entire school. Even his own Slytherins weren't too fond of their Head of House; at least not enough to voluntarily become his apprentice and therefore being forced to spend even more time with the so-called greasy git.
"Minerva, I think that you will be pleased to hear that Miss Ginevra Weasley has applied to be trained by you. I believe that we are both well aware of her magical abilities – especially in the field of hexes," Dumbledore said with a twinkle in his eye. Professor McGonagall herself also seemed quite pleased with her future trainee.
Severus carefully considered all of his Slytherins. But in his opinion, not even Draco Malfoy would willingly become his apprentice.
Meanwhile, the headmaster continued to assign students to the different teachers. "I likewise believe that it doesn't come as a surprise that our dear Mr Longbottom wants to further his education in the field of Herbology, Pomona. I am certain that the two of you will work together quite well. And I also think that you, Remus, will not be surprised to hear that Mr Potter has asked to be under your guidance." The werewolf gave a slight knowing smile in response, while the Head of Hufflepuff had a broad grin on her chubby face, some pieces of food from last night's supper still stuck in her teeth.
The old man carried on in this fashion, assigning the Ravenclaw Padma Patil to Professor Flitwick and her Gryffindor twin sister Parvati to Professor Sinistra, as Severus was still racking his brain trying to figure out who could have possibly requested to be his apprentice. No Gryffindor, that was for sure. And Hufflepuffs, while being obedient, in general lacked the needed backbone to face him.
In the meantime, the wacky Divination professor nodded her head in agreement when Dumbledore declared, "I am sure that you have already foreseen who your mentee will be, Sybill. Miss Brown surely does seem to have a lot of potential as a seer."
Not even the Ravenclaws, known for their thirst of knowledge, would want to further their education in the field of Potions if that meant being tutored by Slytherin's head snake. Snape was rummaging about in the deepest corners of his brain, but he simply couldn't come up with the name of a student who was genuinely interested in his subject while also being brave enough to apply for the position.
"And my dear Hagrid, I am so very happy to say that a student has asked to be further instructed when it comes to your beloved magical creatures. Miss Lovegood seems delighted at the prospect of helping you take care of them." The friendly giant was obviously shocked and overwhelmed to learn that a student was that interested in his famously unpopular subject. Close to tears, the gamekeeper was shaking so much that he had to be held up by a clearly struggling Flitwick.
"And last but certainly not least: Severus!" The half-blood's head shot up, startled by the headmaster calling out his name so suddenly. "Now don't act all surprised, my boy. Somebody has indeed asked to be your apprentice. After all, everyone here knows that Miss Granger never backs away from a challenge," Dumbledore explained with a wink.
Granger! Of course, how could he have forgotten about the insufferable know-it-all herself? Only she would be interested enough in such a complex subject to sign up for a year of forced collaboration with a former Death Eater. Severus groaned – how was he supposed to make it through an entire school year with the irritating Gryffindor Princess as his personal apprentice?!