Chapter 3

Victoria woke the next day to find the sun shining brightly in her room. The sun was shining too bright for what should have been five thirty in the morning. Rolling over to check the time on her cell, Victoria found that it was not five thirty but it was ten thirty. She had overslept due to the time difference of the East Coast and London and only had half an hour to prepare for her meeting with the professor. Luckily,Victoria had set out her clothes for the day before going to bed the night before.

After rushing around to get dressed and grab a quick bite to eat, Victoria made her way to the private room that the front desk clerk had directed her to for her meeting. Arriving at the proper door, she knocked and then entered without waiting for an answer.

Professor Severus Snape had only been waiting a few minutes when he heard a knock and the door opening. Looking up from the folder in front of him, he noticed a young woman with long black hair entering the room. He scowled noticing that instead of the bookwormish woman that he was expecting, Victoria was actually a very attractive woman. She had chosen to dress in muggle clothing as most American witches and wizards did. Victoria had on a black skirt that came to about mid-thigh and hugged her hips, a snug dark green shirt, and wedge heels, adding about three inches to her height.

After entering the room, Victoria introduced herself to the professor. At the same time, she noticed his scowl and wondered what she may have done to earn such a black look so early on in her interview. Deciding that she would press on no matter what Victoria took a seat across from the professor.

"Why do you want to study with me?" the professor asked.

"You are the best Potions Master and I feel that you will push me until you have either broken me or gotten my very best." Victoria replied.

Severus kept a blank face but was slightly surprised at how straightforward and honest her answer was. Since he had already reviewed her information from Salem and made his decision that he would indeed take her on as an apprentice, Severus asked, "When were you planning on starting this apprenticeship?"

Victoria, surprised, stated "As soon as I can."

"Good. You can meet me here in one week, with all your belongings, and we will begin," Severus stated. "you can stay in a guest room in my house and we can use my lab to start. When I have to return to Hogwarts, you may join me at the school to continue your studies as well as assisting me with my duties at the school. You will have about a week while I am preparing my quarters at Hogwarts to sort out your things in America, since you will be here for several years studying. As for living arrangements during your studies, you can stay at the castle during the school year and before next summer we will discuss living arrangements"

Victoria was absolutely thrilled. "Thank you very much, sir. Would I be needing anything in particular before we start?"

"Just dragon-hide gloves and boots, your own set of potion knives, and any other brewing supplies that you have," Severus answered.

"Sounds great," Victoria replied, already planning ahead. Victoria and Severus stood to leave together. Severus noticed that while standing Victoria only came to his shoulder even in the heels that she was wearing. Severus also noticed the look of appraisal that she gave him as well.

Victoria gave the professor a once over from head to toe, taking in all the many buttons on his robes, noticing how the robes fit his broad shoulders and chest. She wondered what the rest of him looked like without the billowing robes that he had on. After giving him a once over, she flushed noticing that he had raised his brow. Exiting the private room they went their separate ways.

A/N:

This is my first attempt at a fanfic. Please leave me a review and let me know how I am doing. I don't plan on making this a real long fic but you never know. I will be trying to update as often as I can. I am updating as I am writing so it could take a couple of days for a chapter or like with the first two chapters you could get two chapters in one day. Thanks for checking this out. Please read and review.