Chapter Seven

"In fact that's where music comes from" – Peter Gabriel

Hermione took a deep breath as she stood outside the infirmary. She was Madame Pomfrey's only apprentice this year. The rest of the Sixth and Seventh years were in Transfiguration, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Charms, and Potions. Even Trelwany didn't have any apprentices.

She pushed the big oak doors open and walked into the room where she was greeted by the small, grey haired witch. "Ms. Granger, I'm glad to have you to teach over this year." Madame Pomfrey said as she ushered Hermione to her office. "First things first, my dear," She said as she sat behind the large oak desk. "You are permitted to call me Poppy while we're working together." Madame Pomfrey said as she pulled out a small stack of paper. "Oh, then please call me Hermione instead of Miss Granger." Hermione responded quickly. "I shall," Poppy replied with a small smile. "Second, I may be forced to call you in the night. I will do that by patronus." She told Hermione as she flicked her wand and spoke the incantation, a blue-silver dolphin leapt from the tip and swam around the room. Hermione giggled and released her own patronus, a playful otter, and watched as the two animals frolicked the room together. "Alright," Poppy started, "Serious now, I have a regular patient that visits the Hospital Wing with severe injuries, if I didn't feel you needed the experience I wouldn't expose you to it, but it's important for you to learn how to deal with these things." She said with a grave tone. "Yes ma'am. Wh- who is it?" Hermione asked timidly. "In due time dear. In due time." The mediwitch responded. "Now these papers are most of the issues you'll see here and the ways they can be treated. Your first task is to read through and familiarize yourself with each situation, ok?" Poppy said as she passed the papers to Hermione. Hermione nodded and started reading.

Two hours later and Hermione was done reading and had started organizing the potions stock. Burn Salves, pain potions, and various other healing potions. She had just gotten to the last shelf when the infirmary doors opened and Professor Sprout came in supporting a younger Hufflepuff who had apparently fallen in the dorm showers and hit his head. "Hermione dear, I need a hand with this one." Poppy called from the front room. Hermione jumped to her aid and helped the boy to a bed. "Alright dear what gets done first?" Poppy asked her. "An assessment?" Hermione said skeptically. "Are you asking me or telling me?" The older witch responded. "Telling you." Hermione said with more confidence. "Very good." Poppy said as she waved her wand and several numbers appeared above the boys head. "These are his basic vitals. I'll teach you more about these at another time." Poppy told Hermione quickly. "What do you think we should use to remedy this?" Poppy asked. Hermione looked carefully at the boy and the gash on his forehead. "Um… I would say a wound healing salve and a mild pain relief potion." She said looking to Poppy for confirmation. "I agree. Go grab them from the cabinet." Poppy said as she turned to talk to Professor Sprout. Hermione grabbed a little jar that contained a mint greenish slave and a bottle of light blue potion and walked back out to the boy. "Do you think you can administer the potions yourself, Hermione?" Poppy asked her. "I think I've got it." She said as she turned to the boy. "This first one will close the gash. It'll feel a little weird but it shouldn't hurt." Hermione told the boy, who just nodded. She scooped a small amount of the salve on to her fingers and she spread it onto to the cut. The boy jumped once she touched his head. "It's very cold." He said.

"Yes it's because it has ground mint leaves in it. It's to help soothe the pain." Hermione told him

"Oh." Was all he said in response.

"This." She said as she poured the blue potion into a little cup, "Is a mild pain reliever. It's going to taste horrible but you have to drink it all." She handed him the cup. He sniffed it and recoiled, but he tipped his head back and downed it. Professor Sprout escorted the boy out and Poppy praised Hermione for her good work and sent her back to her dorm for the night. Hermione exited the infirmary and cast a time charm, 11:00 P.M., She decided to forgo the library and head to bed.

By the time she reached the Gryffindor common room most of the House had gone to bed. Just a few 6th and 7th years were up, including Ron and Harry. "How was the infirmary, 'Mione?" Harry asked. "Too tired… tell you in the morning." Hermione responded as she dragged her feet up to the 6th year girls' dorm. She quickly changed into her pajamas and went to bed.

*HGxSS*

Severus pulled himself out of his chair and re-adorned his teaching robes and headed back to his classroom to start his Apprenticeship. They were starting Polyjuice Potions so it would be two months of brewing one potion. He was very interested in seeing the outcome. He threw open the door that led between his classroom and office. The 6th and 7th years didn't even flinch. He felt incredibly disappointed. He waved his wand and several ingredients appeared on the tables in front of them. "These five ingredients in front of you are incredibly rare, expensive, and practically useless for anything except one potion. Can anyone tell me what that potion is?" He drawled. His godsons hand shot up, Severus gestured at him. "Polyjuice Potion, sir." Draco responded with a smug grin. "Yes Mr. Malfoy, very good." Severus said as he waved his wand at the bored and the first half of instructions appeared on the bored. "But sir!" Exclaimed a Ravenclaw in the back of the room. "Brewing a Polyjuice Potion is against school rules!" She yelled at him. He glared at her, prepared to take points away, then he remembered that they weren't allowed to reward or take points during apprenticeships. He stuck to glaring at her as he explained that since he was a teacher and a Potions Master he was sure that it was ok. He told them to follow each instruction in great detail or it could be fatal. He took his seat as his desk and started grading essays while the children worked, checking on them every now and then to make sure they didn't mess up.

After a couple hours of brewing he went to each cauldron and checked their progress and stasis the potions for the next night. He dismissed the students and returned to his quarters and collapsed into his chair. He poured a cup of whiskey and lit a cigarette. He took several drags and then entered his study where the grand piano was. He sat at the bench and began to play. His tune started slow and swelled to crescendo as his stress melted away. His peace was interrupted by a sharp pain in his left arm. He hissed in pain and cursed. He touched his wand to his mark and was dragged away from his peace. He opened his eyes and found himself in front of Malfoy Manor. "Here we go…" he said as he entered the pit.

A/N I hate this chapter. With a passion. I worked on it for so long but this is all I got. I hope you guys are at least ok with it. If not i understand.