37. Chapter 37

Christmas eve and yet so many of you read and reviewed. I could hardly believe it! But I couldn't very well keep from updating when so many of you are still on top of things. So here you all are! Another chapter for your amusement. Thanks for all your support.

Chapter 37

With a loud bang that sounded like a car backfiring, Harry found himself standing in front of what appeared to be a small Aztec pyramid. Only in appearance though for the weather was clearly still very much British and Harry was pretty sure that apparating only got someone so far. Snape removed his hand from Harry's shoulder and gestured towards the pyramid.

"Shall we proceed?" he asked.

Harry – who was too nervous to voice his agreement – nodded, clutching his bag with his research and his potion close to his chest.

"And stop worrying, for crying out loud," Snape told him. "You've faced basilisks, the Dark Lord and several Death Eaters in battle. Surely you can face some decrepit old men."

Harry snorted. "Dumbledore is old," he pointed out. "But I would rather not face him in a battle."

"You're not battling these men either," Snape said. He began walking and pushed Harry along with a firm hand between his shoulder blades. "You're simply presenting your Magnum Opus."

"Simply," Harry scoffed. "You're kidding, right?"

"Just keep walking," Snape urged. "We've been over this. Your paper is sound. Your theorem is well worked-out and we both know that your potion works."

"I know," Harry said. "And yet, I'm still nervous."

"I'm right here," Snape told him. "Now stop fidgeting like that or I'll have you writing lines when we get back."

"What for?" Harry asked in dismay, his nervousness somewhat forgotten.

"For not believing your Master when he tells you that you have done well," Snape supplied.

"Well, that's just –"

"Hush," Snape said. "I'd rather not have my esteemed colleagues listen to our bickering."

Together, they walked up the steps in silence until they reached the entrance at the very top. By the end of it, Harry felt rather winded while Snape appeared as if he had taken a leisurely stroll. Grumpily, Harry suspected that Snape had taken a potion for that.

Harry was wearing the dress robes that Snape had given him for his previous Christmas – the ones in crimson and silver - and felt rather dashing. Especially after Luna had given him her seal of approval. Snape didn't look half bad himself. Maya had taken him shopping for new dress robes for this occasion. It had taken a lot of convincing and - as Harry understood it - bribing, but Snape wore dress robes that were a combination of emerald and black with silver accentuations on the cuffs of his sleeves. Naturally, the robes still billowed.

"Deep breaths," Snape said quietly as he held his hand on the doorknob. "And relax."

Harry complied and smiled at Snape to signify that he was ready. He didn't know why but he held his breath as Snape opened the door.

Instantly, the sound of murmured voices coming to a halt reached Harry's ears. Snape stepped through the door and Harry followed closely. They stepped into a large chamber that was well-lit with torches. The walls were made up of large brick stones and knew very little decorative elements save for a few items that looked like weapons, one of which a winged staff with two snakes winding around it. Harry thought it would be wildly impractical to carry that thing into battle. There was also a sword with a silver blade and a shield shaped like a Gryphon tucking in its wings. Harry suspected that it was made out of solid gold.

At the centre of the room stood a large round table with fourteen chairs, thirteen of which were currently occupied by – as Snape had said before – old men. Harry only recognised one and wondered when exactly Professor Slughorn had arrived here.

"Gentlemen," Snape greeted evenly, standing tall. Harry felt sort of in awe when he saw just how confident Snape was, glancing at each and every face in the room with a positively bored expression on his face, his hands clasped behind his back.

"We do appreciate you being so very prompt, Severus," a short man said. His hair was long and silvery and tied into a thick ponytail and he wore a short beard. Something about his features seemed familiar to Harry but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. He noticed that he was fidgeting and willed himself to stop.

"Of course, Caratacus," Snape replied politely. "I understand that you are a very busy man. Especially these days. We will take no more of your time than absolutely necessary."

The other men all eyed Harry and Snape curiously but none of them spoke. Harry got the distinct impression that this Caratacus character was the boss of sorts. Even Slughorn didn't do anything but smile and nod at Harry. Though the small acknowledgement put Harry a bit more at ease, even if only slightly.

"Kindly present us with your Magnum Opus, Mr Potter," Caratacus said urgently. Harry hastily started walking over to the table when Snape stopped him with his outstretched hand and motioned for the boy to give him his research. Harry obliged willingly and watched how Snape duplicated the papers fourteen times, passing along a copy to each of the Masters present. He presented the bottled potion in the middle of the table and spoke.

"Harry James Potter who is apprenticed to myself, Severus Snape, is presenting his potion named Umbral Locum. I have supervised the creation of this potion as well as most of its test runs. You will find a detailed description of both the theorem and the practical findings in the papers in your hands. I kindly ask you to read through them and hold all questions until after you're finished."

Snape took a seat in the last empty chair and started reading his own copy. Harry suppressed a frown. Snape had read through all his paperwork several times over. No doubt he knew several of the pages by heart by now. The man didn't even glance at Harry as he stood waiting as rigidly as he could. Harry suspected that this had everything to do with decorum and tried not to mind as much as he once would have. Instead, he occluded his mind and allowed himself to become at ease.

When he visibly relaxed, Harry could've sworn that he saw a smile on Snape's face but didn't know if that was because of the notes he was currently reading or because he knew that Harry had occluded.

It seemed to take forever for the men to read everything they had been given. Harry tried to read the facial expressions of the Masters present but they weren't exactly open books. Every now and then, one would glance at the potion in the middle of the table. Other times, one's eyebrows would go up so far that they almost disappeared into their hair. Harry saw some shake their heads where others smiled very lightly. When Caratacus started rapping his fingers on the table, Harry looked at the man only to find him staring right at him.

Harry immediately righted himself, neatly clasped his hands behind his back and tried to look worthy of the man's attention. He seemed to be waiting for something. Eventually, the other Masters closed their bundle of paperwork and folded their hands, waiting until everyone else was finished. When they were, Caratacus spoke first.

"This potion of yours needs to be personalized during its creation", he said.

"Yes sir," Harry replied, pleased that his voice sounded loud and clear.

"Then tell me, Mr Potter," the man continued, "just for whom was this particular potion brewed? The one now sitting in front of is."

"For me, sir," Harry answered again.

"Surely you understand that we can't test a potion that won't work on us. Has anyone but you ever tested this potion?"

"Yes, sir," Harry replied eagerly. He felt a slight tremor in his hands behinds his back and squeezed his fingers. "My Master – Severus Snape – has drunk the potion before."

This elicited a few quiet murmurs as the attention shifted to Snape who sat straight in his chair.

"Severus," Caratacus prompted. "Is this true?"

"It is," Snape replied honestly. "And I can testify that it does indeed work as promised."

"As long as you are able to Occlude," Caratacus pointed out. "What would happen to those who could?"

"We haven't tested that," Harry replied again. "And I would advise against it. I suspect the test subject might lose memories of the person they are meeting with. I would suggest anyone willing to try it who is not able to occlude to have an Occlumens join them for their protection."

"There aren't that many around, I daresay," Caratacus said again.

"No sir," Harry admitted.

"Very well," Caratacus coughed and flipped a few pages. "I must admit that it is rather disconcerting that this potion requires the use of blood." He gazed at Harry from across his spectacles, regarding him for a moment. "Surely, you understand that this is highly unorthodox and will likely be allowed only under various restrictions."

"I would hope so, sir," Harry replied. "While I created this potion to help people, I also understand that it wouldn't be to everyone's benefit to meet with the dead. If a mind healer would deem it helpful, I would hope that the patient would be allowed its use."

Harry was starting to feel rather proud of himself. He had prepared this meeting through and through. And while before, he had been worried that he might not be able to answer all questions, he found that so far he had no problems in doing so. He could feel Snape's gaze resting on him but didn't dare look away from Caratacus in fear that he would be deemed impolite for doing so.

"I suppose that would be agreeable," Caratacus said before flipping through more pages. After a while, he sighed deeply. "Mr Potter," he said. "The brewing of this potion requires the use of Occlumency, innate magic and an alchemical circle. These are all very rare skills and I must say that most of the brewers in our guild do not possess these skills. One perhaps but not two and only very rarely all three."

"I admit that the difficulty level of this potion is high," Harry said. "But the skills required to brew it – while rare – can certainly be learned. I assure you that anyone who is willing enough to brew the Umbral Locum will succeed in learning these skills. They might even benefit them in their own creations."

A new round of murmurs swept across the table and Harry wondered if he had said too much. This time he did glance at Snape and saw that the man was smirking, an amused glint in his eyes.

"As you say," Caratacus said when his colleagues quieted down. "I suppose the test is not to create a potion that is easy to replicate but rather to create something beneficial to our magical kind. Thank you for your presentation, Mr Potter. We shall take this into account as well as your other creations of late and put the question of your Mastery to a vote. We shall send you an owl with our decision."

"Of course, sir," Harry said respectfully.

"Gentlemen," Snape greeted again as he rose from his seat and joined Harry on his way out. He was – after all – not allowed to vote for his own apprentice.

"How did I do?" Harry asked. He had begun fidgeting again.

"You've done admirably," Snape said gruffly, an angry scowl in place.

"And yet, you don't seem happy," Harry pointed out. "What's wrong?"

"You heard them," Snape sighed as he sat down on the very last step. "They're not going to allow you a Mastery this time."

Harry frowned. "Why not?"

"Saying that they'll review your other creations first," Snape huffed. "Honestly, this potion should have been more than enough to convince all of them on the spot. Also, they know very well what you've been brewing so far. I've kept them updated to the best of my abilities. Honestly, Lovegood just can't stand young talent and would rather convince his colleagues that you're too young rather than accept your talent."

"Lovegood?" Harry asked in confusion.

"Yes," Snape said. "Caratacus Lovegood. He's the head of St Mungo's."

Harry found himself gaping at his father. "What?" he asked. "And you didn't think that important enough to tell me?"

"Which part?" Snape asked cleverly. "That he's the head of St Mungo's or that he's your girlfriend's uncle?"

"Oh, I don't know," Harry replied sardonically. "Perhaps both?"

Snape chuckled softly. "Neither of these facts would have done you any good in your quest today. Your head was swimming with information already and I did not feel the need to add to your inner turmoil."

"Does he dislike me?" Harry asked.

"Hm," Snape replied. "Dislike is a strong word. But he believes that at least part of your success of late has much to do with your status and your defeat of the Dark Lord. He would probably need some more convincing before he sees that your skills are your own."

"As if you would ever allow me to cheat," Harry snorted. "You'd sooner become the next Dark Lord."

Snape laughed loudly at that. "As you say," he replied with another chuckle. "Now, I suggest we leave this wretched place behind. Worry not. There will be more chances."

"Sometimes it takes a couple of tries to get there," Harry said as he smiled at his shoes. He didn't see Snape's befuddled expression but just smiled feeling better with the consoling words Luna had given him before he even really needed them.

When Harry joined his friends in the great hall for dinner, it became clear that they had been waiting for him expectantly. Even Draco had joined the Gryffindor table again and Luna had taken a seat next to him. Harry swallowed a groan and took a seat next to Ron.

"So," Draco said. "Are you a Master yet?"

"Unfortunately not," Harry sighed. "Well, officially they will let me know their vote via owl post but Snape thinks they're just stalling."

Ron frowned. "Why would they do that?"

Harry shrugged. "Snape thinks said that they are very archaic in their way of thinking and difficult to convince. He also said that Mr Lovegood probably thinks I only got as far as I did because of my reputation." He glanced at Luna who was listening with a serene smile on her face.

"Hold on," Hermione interjected. "Lovegood, you said?" She then turned to face Luna. "I didn't know there was a Potions Master in your family."

"Oh yes," Luna said airily. "My uncle is quite an amazing potioneer. He really seems to listen to the elements, as I gather. Father is quite jealous of him actually. He doesn't do a lot of brewing anymore though. He doesn't have the time since he's running St Mungo's and everything."

Hermione nearly choked on her food. "Hang on!" she gasped. "He's the head of St Mungo's as well? That's amazing!"

Luna smiled. "Yes, he has always been quite ambitious," she admitted. "But it makes me feel sad for him. I don't think he ever finds the time to think about himself anymore. It made him somewhat difficult to approach."

"Hm," Harry responded. "He seemed stern but not unfair."

"That's right," Luna said. "You'll just need to convince him somehow. I am absolutely sure that you will get his vote once he sees what you can do."

This cheered Harry up somewhat. "Thanks, Luna," he said, putting his hand on hers. He glanced over at the high table where Snape was talking with Maya. She shook her head slightly and said something in a rather fierce manner that made Snape laugh. She glanced at Harry and when she noticed him looking at her, she looked at him sadly. Harry just shrugged and smiled at her.

"It's nice to see everyone so happy," Luna said. "I think Professor Snape might finally have rediscovered himself."

"Whatever that means," Ron snorted before helping himself to a roll.

"Good to see that you're all turning into a big, happy family," Draco said far to sarcastically. He skewered a piece of meat and inelegantly shoved it in his mouth.

Harry regarded the Slytherin carefully, remembering that things weren't well with his mother. "Draco," he said. "Is everything alright?"

Harry did his best not to say too much in front of his friends. He didn't think Draco would want the news about his ill mother to spread.

"As much as it was before," Draco sighed. "I'm sorry, Harry. That was uncalled for. You deserve to be happy and Snape does too. It won't do to be envious."

Harry bumped into Draco's shoulder with his own ever so slightly and grinned at the boy when he glared at him.

"Everything will be okay," he told the blonde. "Just you wait."

"How much longer?" Draco sighed.

"One day at a time," Harry told his friend. He ignored the odd glances their friends were giving them, as did Draco. He didn't seem too convinced but offered Harry a small smile nonetheless.

"Those old goats need to be replaced anyway," Maya said as she passionately pointed her fork at Snape. "Any person with half a brain could see that Harry knew what he was talking about." She huffed as she cut her pasta into very small pieces. "I have half a mind to go over there myself and tell them what's what."

Snape chuckled. "You will do no such thing," he told her. "In fact, you wouldn't even know where to go."

"So tell me," Maya urged.

"Eat your food," Snape told her as he cut into his own vegetables.

"I am," Maya protested. She ate a forkful of pasta and glanced at Gryffindor table. "Harry seems to be taking it well."

"He has good friends," Snape told her. "And he knows that he can always try again later. In any case, it would have been rather early for him to become a Master, wouldn't you say?"

Maya shrugged. "What does age matter if your talent speaks for you?"

"He could probably do with some more life experience first," Snape said plainly. "Perhaps then those old coots would take him more seriously."

"And where would he be getting that experience?" Maya asked incredulously. "He needs to finish his education first."

"I'm thinking about it," Snape replied with a sideways glance at McGonagall. "Don't worry so much. You're supposed to be impartial about your students."

Maya snorted indignantly. "Since he's your son, I can't do that," she pointed out. "As if you are impartial."

Snape chuckled. "Much more so now than I was a few years ago," he admitted. "I don't let my personal relationship with Harry get in the way of my classes, in any case, nor of his apprenticeship."

"Neither do I," Maya said. She dumped another handful of cheese on her plate and meshed it in the dish. "But I can feel sorry for him while I sit here where no other student can hear me."

"I suppose," Snape agreed. "Just don't grade his essays unfairly simply because he's a bit down about his result."

Maya chuckled. "You and your essays," she said, swatting his shoulder playfully.

Snape raised a sardonic eyebrow. "Surely, you would not have them submit drawings about their favourite historic event?"

Maya just winked at him and took another bite of her food, not acknowledging Snape's question with an answer. Dumbledore seemed to be humming pleasantly in the background.

"I am working with lunatics," Snape mumbled amusedly and somewhere to his left, McGonagall snorted.

It was only the next morning when Slughorn had returned to Hogwarts and had taken his seat at the high table. Harry looked at him anxiously – a part of him still hoping that Snape had read too much into Lovegood's response – but was met with a neutral mask of indifference. Snape was talking to him in what appeared to be a hushed whisper but he too showed no emotions.

Harry was drawn out of his thoughts when a soft, fleeting kiss was pressed against his cheek. He looked up just in time to see Luna sitting down next to him.

"Good morning, Luna," Hermione greeted her kindly. "I hope you slept well."

Luna smiled at her sweetly. "I always do," she replied. "I like to dream, you see. I never tire of dreams."

"I suppose," Hermione said uneasily.

"Was I in them?" Harry asked, smirking slightly.

"You were," Luna admitted. "But in my dream, you were a golden snake swimming in a sea of green."

Harry grimaced. "How would you know that snake was me?"

Luna giggled. "It was a dream," she replied. "I just knew, of course."

At that moment, the owl post arrived and Harry retreated out of the conversation to look up at the parliament of owls now soaring through the halls as they dropped letters and packages.

A particularly large, white owl swooped down gracefully and landed in front of Harry; extending its foot. It looked up with large blue eyes and waited patiently. Harry inhaled sharply and removed the letter.

"You flew a long way, didn't you?" Luna asked the owl kindly. "Would you like some bacon, Mr owl? Or would you prefer a sausage?"

Relieved of its burden, the owl hopped over to Luna to accept her offering before hooting in thanks and flying off again. Harry glanced at the high table where Snape was watching him intently and opened the letter.

For the eyes of apprentice Harry Potter

Mr Potter,

We have read both your theorem and the accompanying paper with much interest and curiosity. The foundation for the Umbral Locum is sound and its effects could one day be implemented by mind healers as you suggested.

At this time, however, we feel that the creation of this potion has been somewhat rash and it hasn't been tested properly. Two test subjects – one of those being yourself – is not enough to stave a scientific breakthrough.

And while you have invented a few other potions as well, we would like to see what you're able to come up with in the future before we fully accept you into our ranks.

If you are serious about your desire to become a Potions Master, I expect you to not allow this first refusal to shake the foundation of your goals. Persevere, Mr Potter and perhaps one day you will stand among us as our equal.

Master Caratacus Lovegood.

Harry sighed in resignation. He folded the piece of parchment and put it in his pocket.

"Bad news?" Hermione asked.

"As Snape expected," Harry sighed. "They won't accept my contribution."

"There's only one thing you can do, I suppose," Luna said as she grabbed his hand.

"Oh yeah?" Harry asked. "What is that?"

"Try again, of course."

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On that note, Merry Christmas to you all!