Chapter 2: Start of Term

Athena walked to her first class of the day, which happened to be one of her favorites. She made her way down to the dungeon for third year potions with Ravenclaw and thought about how Harry's first day was going so far. He had seemed in good spirits when Professor McGonagall handed out the timetables this morning at the feast. She was hoping that with Hermione with them she would balance out the other two.

She made it to the landing outside of the Potions classroom and noticed the door was open. Professor Snape was particular about students in his classroom. If the door was open, students were welcome. A closed door meant the students were to wait in the corridor until he retrieved them. Walking through the open door, she took her usual seat at a table close to the front, but not in the first row.

She began unpacking her books and quill, and made sure to study the board at the front of the class that had instructions for what looked to be a shrinking solution. She knew that Professor Snape liked to start the term off with either a pop quiz or a practical exercise, so she made sure to open her textbook and start reading up on the solution while she waited for the rest of the class.

"Prepared as usual, Ms. Potter," Professor Snape's voice brought her head out of the textbook.

"Potions require patience and attention, Professor," she responded looking up at the professor as he took his spot next to the board.

She watched as he read over the board and made notes on a piece of parchment. She waited until he was done before she got his attention.

"Professor," she called politely, "I was wondering if I might ask you a question before the other students arrive regarding a particular potion."

"I do not give out hints to my beginning of term curriculum, you should know that," he said absentmindedly.

"I would never expect anything of the sort," she reassured him before pulling out a piece of parchment she had copied the potion onto, "I was actually hoping to speak to you about the potion required for the animagus transformation."

Snape was not surprised by his student's choice to become an animagus. It was well known that she was a talented and studious witch, who had a way with all types of magic. It did surprise him that she would ask him this so soon in her studies though.

"That is a complicated potion, let alone endeavor," he said while grabbing a book off of a nearby shelf and moving towards her, "the potion you will need is in here."

"I actually already have it copied here," she handed him the parchment for him to look over.

She had not only copied down the potion and its ingredients perfectly, she had also made notes at certain steps about how to properly prepare the ingredients in further depth than any book would provide.

"Where did you find these notes?" Snape asked curiously.

"I made them," she anxiously, "I know that you have mentioned before that certain ingredients can be prepared by employing other methods to make them more potent. I made notes for specific ingredients in this potion to ensure that the overall potency would hold."

He reviewed all of the notes and had to admit that he was impressed. Not a lot of people understood the intricacies of preparing a potion outside of a textbook or recipe, but this demonstrated a deep understanding of how the ingredients interacted with each other.

"10 points to Gryffindor," he said as he handed the parchment back to her, "your notes are well thought out and you have a good grasp of the delicate nature of the potion. Have you spoken to Professor McGonagall yet?"

"I mentioned that I was interested last year, and she provided me with some reading. I studied over the summer term and wanted to make sure I had the baseline set before I began the actual process."

"That's smart."

She really is brilliant. She reminds me a lot of Lily when it comes to her natural abilities with Potions.

"Once you speak with Professor McGonagall let me know and I will lend any assistance you may need when it comes time to brew the potion. I will also help you gather the harder to find ingredients."

"Thank you, Professor," she beamed at him as she retreated back to her seat.

He would never say it out loud, but he had a soft spot for that Gryffindor. It wasn't because of her mother, though Minerva would say otherwise, but because she had earned it. She was smart but not overbearing. If she was asked a question she could answer it succinctly and in total. If she did not understand something, she would flesh it out to the point that she understood the basics and work her way to the topic. She was brilliant.

He was broken out of his thoughts by students entering the classroom. At least with the third years there was no useless chatter as they entered the room. Most of them had learned that he preferred silence as they entered, and for them to immediately get ready for the day. Within minutes all of the students were in their seats and had parchment and quills out and ready for whatever he may bring.

"You all see the potion on the board," he looked towards the students and watched them take in the instructions on the board, "Mr. Davies, what color should the potion be if correctly brewed?"

"A bright green," Roger Davies, a Ravenclaw, answered quickly.

"Correct, 5 points to Ravenclaw," Snape wrote the note on the board and then continued, "Ms. Potter, what is the risk of brewing the potion improperly?"

"The potion can turn poisonous, sir," she said without hesitation.

"5 points to Gryffindor," he opened the door to the ingredients closet, "hopefully you were all paying attention to what it should look like and what the consequences are. I expect a vial of a properly brewed potion by the end of class."

All of the students immediately went for the closet except Athena. She read through her notes and began making notes of her own on the potion. The students started off with the Shrivelfigs, but Athena went for caterpillars first. She sliced them and added them to the cauldron over moderate heat. Athena peeled the Shrivelfig and shook it until it was ready and when the potion turned red she added it.

She turned the heat back on once the potion turned yellow and Severus watched as the potion went from yellow to turquoise, to purple. Next, she added the rat spleens and minced daisy roots until the potion turned green. Five drops of leech juice and more of the Shrivelfig turned it pink. The last bit of sliced caterpillar was added and the heat slowly yielded the perfect green color for a perfect solution.

She had completely changed the recipe, but had produced a perfect potion. Had Snape not created the same recipe almost 15 years ago he would have doubted the potion. She had somehow come to the same realization about the recipe that he had when he was a third year. There was a faster way to brew the potion with ingredients that would make the shrinking effects last longer.

"Professor," her voice brought him back to reality, "here is my vial. I altered the recipe quite a bit, but I think you'll find that by using the caterpillars first, it actually allows the Shrivelfigs to be shaken for longer and release more-"

"Ms. Potter," he stopped her, "I have actually taken to brewing this potion the same way for the last several years. You are quite right in your deductions about the ingredients and their use. How exactly did you think to alter the potion in this way?"

She went on to explain that she had read a couple of books over the summer about the alternative uses for ingredients when one is short on resources or the required ingredients were unobtainable. He was familiar with the book and it was something he had also read and had even contributed to.

"It was actually your piece about alternative uses for daisy roots that gave me the idea," she said confirming his suspicions.

"It is very impressive," he said almost reluctantly, "speak to me after class."

She nodded and the rest of the class continued to work on their potions. Only about half of the class was able to produce the potion in the allotted time, and there were a couple of vials of poison. Overall, it was a little better than what Severus had expected, though he wouldn't say it out loud. The students cleared out and Athena approached his desk.

"Ms. Potter I'm not sure if you are aware, but every now and then I ask a student or two to assist me with brewing potions for Madame Pomfrey," he watched as she took in the information, "I would like to offer that position to you under certain conditions."

"What are the conditions?"

"You will brew a set of standard potions that the Hospital Wing traditionally needs. I will inspect your process and will inspect each and every one. If your methodology and final products are perfect, I will allow you to help me throughout the year, or years, to replenish the school's stocks. You will need to stay on top of your other studies as well."

"I understand, Professor," she said, "when would you expect me to start brewing?"

"That is up to you, but preferably before the start of Quidditch season," he said dryly and was surprised when she let out a chuckle.

"I'll get back to you by tomorrow once I know the course load for the term, but I would be honored to accept," Athena smiled up at him before pointing towards his bookshelf, "is it possible to borrow a couple of book on the potions I would need to brew?"

"Of course," he turned to the shelf and skimmed through the titles before picking out 3 books all about modern and ancient medical potions, "these should be sufficient."

"I'll have them back to you tomorrow with a plan for brewing," she turned to leave but stopped and looked back over her shoulder, "thank you, Professor."

"For what exactly?" Severus was confused.

"For giving me a chance to explore my passion for potions," she said simply before she left the Potions classroom and headed for her next class.

Severus looked out across the classroom before waving his wand towards the board to have the instructions for his next class appear. He was sure that it would be an interesting and exhausting year.

Meanwhile….

Athena had performed above and beyond as usual in her Transfiguration class and was simply waiting for everyone to clear out before she spoke to Professor McGonagall. She was nervous that her professor would say no given their discussion last year was based on Athena starting her studies in her fifth year. One of the unintended perks of living with an aunt and uncle that did not want to see their niece or nephew more than necessary was the amount of free time she had to read.

"Miss Potter," Professor McGonagall called from the front of the room, "Impressive work as always."

Athena looked up to see the warm smile on her professor and head of house's face.

"Thank you, Professor," she smiled back before approaching the desk with the books she had been lent over the summer.

"I take it you read the books already?" Minerva knew that Athena probably read them several times over.

"Yes," she said excitedly, "And I found them fascinating. I was wondering if we could discuss the next steps in the animagus process?"

"Mhm," Minerva looked at her student for a moment, "after everything that you read, do you feel that you are ready for the rigorous training?"

"Yes, but I did want to discuss something else with you. I was presented with an offer from Professor Snape," she said hesitantly, fearful that her desire to pursue both opportunities would make one of her professors reconsider their offer.

"Ah yes, he did mention something at the end of last term about asking for your assistance. He doesn't often offer this position," she paused and watched her student uncharacteristically worry her bottom lip between her teeth, "so I think the only logical answer would be to accept the offer."

"Would I still be able to start the training to become an animagus?"

Minerva looked at the young woman and couldn't help but chuckle lightly. There was so much of Lily in her that it was like looking back on previous memories.

"It will be a lot to juggle," she said seriously, "you will have all of your classes, the potions for Professor Snape, and the training to become an animagus can sometimes last for hours outside of your normal classes."

"I understand," Athena said with a determined air.

If anyone was going to be able to do it all, it would be her.

"The moment I start to see you are compromising with any of your work, we will pause the training and will reevaluate at a later date."

"Of course, professor" Athena was failing at hiding her enthusiasm.

"We will meet Thursday after classes here," Minerva said simply, "we will go over the basics and layout a training schedule for the term."

"Thank you again, professor," Athena smiled and surprised Minerva with a hug.

"You are welcome," Minerva smiled down at her favorite student, "now run along and get ready for the feast."

Athena nodded before gathering her things and leaving the classroom.

Later that night, everyone had gathered in the Great Hall for dinner and the students were excited as usual. Harry, Ron and Hermione sat down next to Athena, Fred and George and were soon laughing about Harry and Ron's run in with Professor McGonagall earlier. While the students caught up with each other, Severus made his way into the Great Hall and found his seat next to Minerva.

"Minerva," Severus said politely as he sat down next to her.

"Severus," she smiled warmly at him, "I was wondering when you would join us."

"I had a couple of cauldrons to clean out thanks to your Gryffindors," he sneered.

"Not everyone can be as gifted in potions as a Potions Master that studied for years," she said simply as she tucked into her food.

"But I can expect them to be competent enough not to blow up my classroom," they both knew who he was talking about with that comment.

"Every first year class has one," she gestured towards the Weasley twins, "don't you remember how bad they were their first year?"

"Don't remind me," he shivered just thinking of all of the pranks that took weeks to clean up, "but at least Ms. Potter's introduction into their lives has helped lessen the damage."

"She does have a way of calming them down," Minerva looked fondly at the young woman, "she also has a way with magic."

"That she does," he turned to look at her, "and I take it she talked to you about being an animagus?"

"Yes," the pride was impossible to hide on the witch's face, "but I think she was even more excited to be your apprentice."

"Jealousy is unbecoming of you, Minerva," it was his turn to hide his pride.

"It's not jealousy, Severus," she grabbed his arm under the table, "I'm actually very proud of her, and I think it will be a great opportunity for both of you. You will get to complain less about the work you have to do for the castle, and she will get to study under one of the best Potions Masters in the world."

Not many people knew, but the animosity between them was only friendly banter between house rivals. Minerva and Albus were the only two people that knew about his friendship with Lily, and Minerva was the one to check in on him after her death. She had found him in his flat with everything he owned in shambles. Severus had hated himself for the role he had played in her death.

As much as he hated James Potter, he had slowly come to realize that Lily had found her happiness. As much as people thought it was some unrequited love for Lily that drove him to Voldemort, it was more to do with his lack of personal connections. If there was anything that Voldemort prayed on it was someone's need to belong. He thought he had found his spot and by the time he realized what it cost, he had lost everything.

Minerva had been the one to talk to Severus after Albus shared the news. The headmaster had asked her to check on him while Albus delivered the news to the Order and figured out placement for Harry. She had been reluctant to talk to someone she considered to be a traitor, but she had done as Albus had asked and found him absolutely destroyed. She had realized then that he was the same young man she had taught just a few years prior, and from that day on, their friendship started its rough road forward.

"I was worried that you would not let her assist me if she was pursuing her animagus training," Severus said bringing himself back to the conversation, "thank you."

"We both know she is talented," Minerva smiled, "and I know that if it becomes too much both of us are able to pause her individual studies. And you are welcome. I can't wait to see what she will do with your knowledge behind her."

TBC….