Hello everyone! I'm extremely sorry that I haven't updated in awhile. Please understand that I do have a job that keeps me busy and take both karate and piano. This week's excuse is that I've been on vacation and haven't had internet access until tonight, but the good news is that I've got some great chapter all written up for you! The reviews have been fantastic, in fact I've inspired someone so much they've threatened to stalk me. Wow, my first stalker... anyways, keep up with the reviews for more and enjoy my story!
The dungeon of Hogwarts, though all too often believed to be its depths, held the staircase to its own basement beneath the Slytherin dormitory and Severus' own chambers. This room was transformed into a training area and bedroom solely for Harry. Severus had brought his new apprentice back immediately after they had performed the Magus' Bonding Ceremony and the Apprenticeship Ritual. He had been pleasantly surprised by Harry's significant knowledge of the two rituals and his quick adjustment to having Severus' presence in the corner of his mind constantly. This was the mindlink created between the Magus and his Guide that would allow Severus access to the younger wizard's mind in a way that Occlumency could never manage. It allowed him to examine Harry's thoughts, subconcious, emotions, memories, knowledge, and even communicate at an unlimited distance.
The center of the basement held a round room resembling a modern coliseum in which Harry trained the most with eight arches leading to separate hallways. These four hallways led to other rooms, each in clusters according to their use. The fist cluster was in the northernmost hallway and consisted of Harry's own bedroom, private bathroom, kitchen, living room, and dining room. In the eastern hallway there were four classrooms, the library, study, and laboratory. The western hallway housed multiple rooms used for fitness training and offered everything imaginable for exercise- an Olympic sized pool, running track, and other resources- while the southern hallway held the entrances to Severus' chambers, the Slytherin dorms, the Great Hall, and the Founder's Room.
Severus explained the rules to Harry as he gave his apprentice a tour of his new home, "You are welcome in all of these rooms at any time according to your liking; however, all of these rooms are monitored at all times and-"
"All of them, sir?" Harry asked frowning.
"Yes. If you've researched traditional apprenticeships as you so claim, you would not have questioned that." Severus answered shortly, "Now, the library includes books not readily available to the public. You are not to allow Ms. Granger to have free access without my permission. Some things are not for dabbling even with good intentions."
"But we will be anyways?" Harry asked amusedly.
"Of course, Lord Magus." Severus smirked.
Perhaps it was because Severus Snape was the first to address him as Lord Magus, but the title felt odd to Harry. One would think he should be quite used to titles, what with the Daily Prophet's inventions. This, however, was not his only insecurity. Even though he would rarely admit it, Harry greatly respected Severus and felt that the potions master was for sure the only wizard with both loyalty and skill apparent enough to train him. Despite this knowledge, he dreaded the time when he would have to inform others of the new relationship- Dumbledore, Ron, Hermione, Ginny...
Though, it did not look as if he would be having much time to socialize.
"Your first training session begins tomorrow at seven o'clock in the morning. This is a bit later than usual, but we will need at least an hour for breakfast and the staff's reaction. The heamaster, I believe, will understand there is little he can do. Be in the Great Hall by six o'clock. Goodnight, apprentice." Severus said and turned to leave.
"Good night, my lord." Harry bowed.
Suddenly Severus paused before pushing open the door and called back, voice softer than Harry had ever heard it before, "And, Mr. Potter, if you have trouble sleeping do not hesitate to wake me. I have plenty of sleeping draughts for you, but I'd rather not have you dependant on them. I trust you can tell the appropriate time for its usage."
"Thank you, sir." Harry nodded his understanding.
A/N: Right, so I'm sure I've got some of you pissed. This was a boring chapter, but I wanted to give you guys something after neglecting you for so long! Please don't avada kedavra me at least until chapter three is posted. Oh, and just to be a tease, the next chapter offers (drum roll, please!): Harry and Ginny talk, Dumbledore's reaction, a little blackmail, and Severus... proud of his apprentice? Always Yours In The World of Fanfiction, Nic.