Miss Granger,
I have accepted your request to become an apprentice. Come to my office this evening at 8 o'clock.
Professor SnapeHermione was bouncing through the halls with joy. When she ran into Will and Phoebe, she hugged them and kissed them both on the cheek before continuing her destructive path back to the Gryffindor Common Room. When she saw Harry and Ron, she ginned happily.
"I'm going to become an apprentice." She said, happily.
"Apprentice? But aren't you…" Ron paused when he saw Harry's glare. "It suits you Hermione. It's a really – uh… difficult path, but the… hardship's worth it, since a Master of a subject can find a really well-paid job anywhere. Yeah…"
Ron sighed with relief as Harry death glare receded. Harry focused his attention on Herminoe and smiled.
"Have you been accepted?" Harry asked.
Hermione beamed at him.
"Yes! At first I thought he'd turn me down. Phew! I'm glad that's over." Hermione sighed.
She had waited for over a week. Professor Snape had been very disagreeable when he found her outside his office stammering about returning his cloak. She had felt slightly relieved when he actually took the proposal, not without insulting her first, but still…
"Well done, Hermione." Harry said, hugging her.
"Which subject are you apprenticing in?" Ron asked, trying to look supportive.
"Um… Potions." Hermione said in a quiet mumble.
Unfortunately it was loud enough for both of them to hear.
"POTIONS!" They both shouted at the same time.
Hermione felt the worms in her stomach wriggling even more now.
"Congrats, Hermione!" Will said, putting a hand on her shoulder.
"Well done! How in Merlin's name did you manage to convince Professor Snape into accepting you?" Phoebe said, smiling.
Hermione knew they were both trying to give Harry and Ron time to get used to the idea of their friend apprenticing under their most hated Professor.
"Hermione, I'm not saying this isn't a good opportunity. It's great, but… I mean, this is Snape we're talking about!" Harry said, exasperated.
"So?" Will said.
"Professor Snape will be a complete git to her." Ron said, grinding his teeth together.
"And?" Phoebe said.
Both Harry and Will looked on in confusion.
"You should know what is in a standard apprenticing contract, Phoebe!" Ron said. "You're a pureblood after all."
"I don't think heritage really matters on what you know or you don't know. Anyone with live wizard ties to them would be told."
"Hang on, I have a feeling we've been told two completely different things about Apprenticeship from our parents." Ron said, rubbing his forehead.
"Oh no, Ron, we've been told the same thing."
"Okay, guys, I'm getting a little scared here." Hermione said, her voice nothing more than a high squeak.
"Basically, what Wizarding children are told by their parents is that under no circumstances should they decide to become an apprentice." Phoebe said.
Hermione paled considerably.
"Why?" she asked.
"Well, there is a catch to it. Most parents leave out the bit saying: 'unless you are sure you will be able to survive five years of pure torture or you are a masochist'. They also leave out the bit saying that a lot of Masters and Mistresses are actually quite nice to their apprentices."
"Unfortunately, I think I chose a sadist to apprentice me." Hermione said, voice trembling.
"Snap out of it, Hermione. Is Snape likely to kill you?" Will asked.
"I think the answer to that would be 'yes', Will." Hermione muttered.
"The thing about being an apprentice, is that it's not just learning more about the field. It's about learning discipline. It's learning the subtleties in the things around you. It's learning to obey orders and figure out why you are doing those things without having to ask. It's about learning how to survive and teach others to survive. You learn a lot more things from being an apprentice than anything else. You love learning, so I don't see why you should have a problem." Phoebe said, staring daggers at a nearby third-year Gryffindor who was about to jinx her.
The third-year gave a little squeak in form of an 'eep!' before scuttling away from Phoebe's trademark glare. Phoebe allowed herself a smirk of victory before turning back to the conversation. Hermione nodded, feeling the constriction in her chest relax slightly and she could breathe calmly again.
"Just read through the contract he gives you. I don't think he'll alter it too much to his advantage, but he may try to catch you out. The problem with Potions is that it is an art that requires a lot of attention to detail. I'm almost sure he'll put in something that you will definitely dislike if you notice it. Bring a magnifying glass with you, or something. Be suspicious of every line, word and meaning." Phoebe warned.
Hermione could only nod.
"And you two! If you don't start supporting Hermione I'll hex you into next year, is that clear?" Phoebe said, growling.
Both boys paled significantly and nodded. They had heard enough stories from Will about Phoebe's infamous hexes, since Will had received more than one of them during his time at Phinxgild.
"Good. Anyway, Will and I are going for a walk, coming?"
"In a second." Hermione said.
Both nodded and left Hermione alone with Harry and Ron.
"Sorry, Hermione, I think I overreacted, putting a silly grudge in front of your happiness." Harry said, hugging her.
"I'm sorry, too. I just don't like the idea of apprenticing, but, if you need anything, you can owl us, and we'll come straight over and beat Snape up for you." Ron said.
Hermione smiled.
"Thank you."
They separated from their group hug, and Harry and Ron returned to their game of Wizard's chess while Hermione joined Will and Phoebe outside the portrait-hole and started on their walk. Hermione had an hour before she had to go and meet Snape, and so they chatted happily as they walked to the top of the Astronomy tower.
"Will, what are you planning on doing after school?" Phoebe asked.
"Me? I'm training to become an Auror. I'm sure it'll be fun. Plus, someone with the brains has to go with Harry and Ron."
"I'm afraid that neither Hermione nor I can go with you guys, so you'll have to find your brains somewhere else." Phoebe snorted.
Will pouted, but looked down over the edge. The view was beautiful. The sun was setting beyond the horizon and the sky was lit up in a mixture of fiery pinks and bright oranges. The forest looked large and daunting in the diminishing sunlight and the lake sparkled with increased fervour as the light began to fade, bringing darkness. Hagrid could be seen, pottering about in his garden. All three wondered what monster he was tending, and shuddered.
"Phoebe, what are you doing?" Hermione asked.
"Me?"
"After you've taken your NEWTs."
"Oh. I was actually going to take a Potions apprenticeship, but when I asked Snape, he had refused."
"Oh my God, I'm really sorry, I—"
"Hermione, he only takes in the best, and there's no doubt that you are the best this school has seen in ages." Phoebe said, cutting off her apology.
"Thanks. What are you going to do instead?"
"I've sent out proposals to other Potions Masters in the World."
"But didn't you want to be a Healer?" Will asked.
"I do, but a Healer is quite easy to find. It's a Healer with a Potions Mistress, or Master, qualification that is so rare."
"So you're planning on becoming a Potions' apprentice and then entering Healing?" Hermione asked.
"Yes. Though, I hope I get accepted by a Potions Mistress."
"Why not a Potions Master?" Will asked.
"I don't trust them. I mean, it would have been great if Snape had accepted me, because I can be sure he won't decide to rape me, but with other Potions Masters…"
Hermione had gone pale again.
"Hermione, there's nothing to worry about. Snape is trustworthy. He wouldn't do that sort of thing." Phoebe reassured her.
Hermione nodded and allowed herself to believe those words.
"Besides, with Dumbledore around, Snape won't be able to get away with doing anything to you."
Hermione smiled with relief.
"It's time for me to go. I'll be late, otherwise."
"We'll go with you."
And so, the trio made their way down to the dungeons, and it was with a heavy heart that Hermione said good bye to them, but, when she thought of what a wonderful opportunity had been presented before her, she began to feel excited once more. She knocked on the office door, entering only when she heard a loud, irritated 'enter'.
"Professor?"
"You are two minutes late, Miss Granger. I hope that you will be more prompt during your apprenticeship, or else it will not be an enjoyable experience for you." Snape scowled.
"Yes, sir." Hermione refrained from shuddering.
"All you have to do is read through the contract, and sign it. A warning, Miss Granger, once you have signed this contract, you will not be able to terminate it until I feel that you have finished your apprenticeship."
Hermione nodded and sat down in the chair, before reading through the document. She read through it once, without finding anything she did not like, but remembering Phoebe's words, she read through it once more, slower and more suspiciously this time. That was when she found the catch.