The big day for the new school year came. I was very excited and eager to meet all the new students. One of the professors informed me that the Triwizard Tournament would be occurring this year and it was being held at Hogwarts. All the teachers sat at a long table behind Dumbledore's podium. I took my seat, as the other teachers took theirs.

Snape took a seat on my right and Professor McGonagall sat at my left. I glanced at Snape, but he kept his eyes forward.

"It's not polite to stare." he said, slowly.

I quickly glanced away. Suddenly, several students poured in and sat at the tables. I tried to make a good impression and smiled. Several students waved at the other teachers, making me feel eager for the day they would recognize me as an old teacher.

Dumbledore stood at his podium and the room was silent. I tried to glance at Snape without him noticing, and I realized he had his eyes fixed on something.

I looked into the crowd of students, but I couldn't make out who he was staring at. I simply shrugged and listened to Dumbledore. Snape's fists began to clench, making me even more curious as to who he was looking at. Then, I noticed who it was.

A young boy with a pair of round glasses caught my eye. He had bright blue eyes and light skin. One look at the scar on his forehead, and I knew exactly who he was.

Before I knew it, Dumbledore announced that I had recently joined the staff. He looked at me and motioned for me to stand.

"I'd like you all to give a warm welcome to Miss Arabella Strauss." he said. "She has come as an assistant teacher and as an apprentice of Professor Snape."

WHAT?

Snape seemed to be thinking the same thing. We looked at each other in confusion. The students' applause slowly ceased at the mention of Snape's name. Clearly, Snape didn't have that grand of a reputation at Hogwarts.

The students were dismissed to their dorms for the night. I headed to Dumbledore's office immediately. When I arrived, he seemed to be waiting for me. He was standing by the door of his office, hands clasped behind his back.

"Professor Dumbledore, I-"

"It's alright, dear. I know you have every reason to be upset."

I shook my head. "Oh, no, no, sir. I'm not upset. I'm just-"

The door to his office opened again and Snape rushed inside.

"Headmas-Oh. It's you." he said, stopping beside me.

Dumbledore cleared his throat. "I know you're both distressed by my announcement. But, I have decided to make you, Miss Arabella, Professor Snape's apprentice. I feel that you two can work off each other just fine."

"I am not upset at you, headmaster." I said. "I just wish you could've informed me...us before. It was just a surprise for me. If you wish for me to be his apprentice, I will"

Snape wasn't going to go through with it. "Headmaster, if I may, I believe that apprenticeship is to be given by the actual-"

"It is as I say, Severus." Dumbledore stated. "I'm well aware that you two haven't had the best greeting, but you've both been acting so childishly since you've arrived, Miss Strauss."

I lowered my head, taking in his words. As much as I hated to admit, he was right. This behavior had to stop. I turned and looked at Snape. He had the same look of disgust that he had when we officially met in front of Dumbledore.

I bowed my head. "I am ready to be your apprentice. And, I apologize for creating such a reputation for myself so early in the year."

Snape gave me a hard stare. "Very well."

Then, he left the room without another word.

"He'll have to accept it one way or another." Dumbledore said, turning his back to me.

He walked towards a window and stared out into the wide sky. I started towards the door, but then I stopped.

"Don't you think you're putting too much pressure on him, sir?" I asked.

Dumbledore didn't remove his sight from outside the window. "How so?"

I bit my lip, trying to choose my words carefully. "I meant that, you've told me so much about him. Doesn't that seem a bit unfair to you? After hearing about how he felt with...Lily Potter, I don't think working with me will help him."

He chuckled and turned his head to me. "You're very right. Severus is not in the right place to have an apprentice like yourself. But, that's why it's crucial that you take the job."

"I'm not understanding, sir."

"Severus is an introvert. He isn't as open as you. That's why you're the perfect choice."

"So, you want me to...?"

"I hired you so you could become a teacher. But, to become a teacher is more than just teaching students. It's working with other teachers. Severus needs-"

"Sir," I said, instantly, "I didn't come here to babysit a teacher. And, I especially didn't come here as your puppet of fate."

Dumbledore raised his eyebrows in surprise.

"I'm sorry. If I am to be Professor Snape's apprentice, let me do it my way, please. I truly want to help him overcome his serious state, but I want to do it as a loyal apprentice. Not because I was told to do it."

I turned and left the room, Neither of us said another word.


I hurried to our classroom, taking out my books. Perhaps, I was too excited, but I didn't care.

I placed a quill, bottle of ink, and a textbook neatly on the desk. Smiling, I looked proudly at my work. Suddenly, the door opened. Snape stepped inside and paused when he saw me.

"You missed the names being drawn." he said, walking to his desk.

"Drawn for what?" I asked.

"The Triwizard Tournament. The Goblet of Fire will declare the competitors tomorrow night." he explained.

"I have more important things to worry about than a tournament."

"That may be true, but the Triwizard tournament is a traditional event. Many competitors die in the tournament." he explained.

"Well, that sounds rather lovely."

"Still, you're right. There's other important things to focus on. Right now, you should get some studying done if you want to master potions."

I eyed a textbook and picked it up. My fingers traced the over the cover and I took a seat to begin reading.

"How long did it take you to master potions?" I asked, curiously.

"Several years. Now, read and focus." he replied, dully.

He walked out of the room, saying he was going to his storage room. He had several throughout the castle, but they were well hidden. I continued reading and tried to make a brew myself.

I gathered a few herbs and tossed them into my cauldron. The brew boiled and quickly started giving off steam. I reread the book and looked nervously at my cauldron.

"Is it supposed to do that?" I asked myself.

The brew boiled more and more. I flipped through the book in a fright, trying to find a way to bring the boiling to a minimum.

Suddenly, my brew stopped boiling and I looked inside the cauldron.

POOF!

A large puff of gray smoke attacked my face and I screamed. I stepped away from the brew and coughed. My hand immediately started attempting to wave away any smoke. My eyes watered from the stinging heat and smoke.

I glanced into a mirror and saw that my hair was popping up like I stuck my tongue in a toaster. Groaning, I calmed down when my brew settled. I put out the flame and sighed aloud.

Defeated, I gathered my books and exited the room. As I turned a corner, I bumped into the worst possible person.

"What on earth have you been doing?" Snape asked, giving me a full body scan.

"I was just brewing something...and well, the brew seemed to have-"

Snape's face darkened. "Don't you know how dangerous it is for you, an unexperienced potion maker, to make a brew without proper supervision?"

My mouth twisted and my eyes wandered. "Well, it's not like-"

He stepped so close to me that I took a frightened step backwards. I dropped my books and his eyes dug deep into my soul.

"Never attempt to make a brew without my permission. Do you understand?" he asked.

"Yes, but I-"

"Do you understand?" he asked, angrily. "What if something happened to you? Do you not understand that you are now my responsibility? If anything happens to you, I'll probably get the sack."

I bit my lip and nodded. "Yes, sir."

He looked away and stormed off to the classroom. I knelt down and picked up my books. Then, I turned and headed to my room.