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<div class="chap-title">
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7. Chapter 7
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</div>
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<div class="chap-text">
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<p><em>Hello, dearies. I need to warn you that while from this chapter I'm heading in
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the direction of Ginny/Harry, I don't like the pairing and this is not how it's going
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to go. Also, since romance really isn't my prime writing style, this following
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chapter will probably have the most romance in the entirety of this fic. It's simply
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to make Harry's seventeen-year-old brain seem more realistic. I'm sorry for those put
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off by it, but again, this is simply not how it's going to go. Trust me a bit on
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this!</em></p>
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<p class='c1'><strong>Chapter 7</strong></p>
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<p>Snape sneered maliciously as he sat alone in the staff meeting room. He resolutely
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despised these gatherings and was absolutely certain that he could spend his time far
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better than sitting there listening to some old fool proclaim Gryffindor greatness.
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And yet, Snape found himself with no choice in the matter. However less than ideal
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this situation might be, Snape was still employed to Albus Dumbledore and would,
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therefore, need to do at least as much as attend regular staff meetings, however much
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he loathed it. At least he had managed to avoid the onerous burden of 'Secret Santa'
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every year.</p>
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<p>Snape's mind snapped back to attention when Dumbledore moved on from his usual
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pleasantries and the ridiculous offering of lemon drops. It was only Hogwarts' latest
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addition that took one of the offered sweets. From the way Dumbledore's eyes
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sparkled, one would think he had just been gifted a particularly rare novelty. One
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that would do well on his desk alongside his other thingamabobs.</p>
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<p>"As the first point on the agenda I would like to inform you all of the very first
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apprenticeship we have had on school grounds in over a decade," Dumbledore said
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happily.</p>
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<p>Snape glanced around the room to see Slughorn, Poppy and McGonagall eyed him
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knowingly while the rest of the staff stared curiously at Dumbledore. "It has become
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apparent that Harry Potter displays quite the proficiency in potions. He has
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therefore been assigned as an apprentice to our very own Severus Snape."</p>
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<p>Taking in the reactions of the staff was rather amusing. Snape noted that Slughorn
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seemed beyond envious but this he had already gathered from Harry's explanation.
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McGonagall seemed rather pleased for some reason. Well, as Harry's head of house she
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was rather close to him. She must be very aware of the current relationship between
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what once were antagonists. Perhaps even more so than Dumbledore.</p>
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<p>Speaking of which, he was gauging the reactions of his employees as much as Snape
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was but the furious sparkle in those baby blue eyes did not diminish. In fact, they
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seemed to shine with a brightness that was rare even in Dumbledore.</p>
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<p>Hagrid was predictable as always. The good-natured oaf wasted no time in
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congratulating Snape by patting him harshly on the back, practically knocking the
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wind out of him. Snape did his best to keep up the appearance that he was unbothered
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by the half-giant's manhandling and graciously accepted his congratulatory slurs.</p>
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<p>Poppy simply beamed at him. She had definitely seen Snape at his worst, mentally
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speaking. Snape flushed when he recalled a few moments where he had nearly broken
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down over Harry's shattered body. It was a good thing that he could count on her
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discretion or his reputation would be permanently destroyed.</p>
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<p>Most of the others simply murmured congratulations, some more heartfelt than
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others. It was clear that some of his colleagues still deemed Snape unworthy of
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caring for Harry. But then again, they hadn't exactly announced their newfound
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rapport to the world so that was only to be expected.</p>
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<p>Maya Bell, the far too gleeful History professor with no sense of direction
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whatsoever was, of course, not aware of the history Snape and Harry shared. That is
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unless someone told her about all of the intricate details of the staff's
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relationships be it among each other or with students.</p>
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<p>Snape narrowed his eyes as he watched the brunette approach him, her eyes darting
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around the room as if to gauge everyone else's reaction first. He could see the exact
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moment she decided on her own tactic when her eyes stopped seeking validation and
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simply steadied to calmly meet his gaze.</p>
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<p>She smiled at him warmly and Snape had to keep himself from rolling his eyes at
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her. What was she even trying to achieve here?</p>
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<p>"Congratulations, Severus!" she said heartily, "I know I can expect great things
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from both of you in the future. And who knows –" She actually had the audacity to
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wink at him. "- you might even wind up in the history books."</p>
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<p>"Aren't we, already?" Snape drawled, sardonic eyebrow firmly in place.</p>
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<p>"Well of course you are!" Bell replied easily, "But I meant as academics.
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Inventors perhaps. I know you are already well established as a potioneer but I can't
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wait to see you elevate Harry to the same heights!"</p>
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<p>Snape wondered if Bell was always this energetic and whether she consumed a
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regular dosage of pepper-up potion for it.</p>
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<p>"Thank you," he replied sullenly, not in the least interested to continue this
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conversation. He had hoped that his cold demeanour would cause the woman to flee but
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she did not. Instead, she glanced around the room, clearly noticing that Snape had
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chosen to sit somewhere secluded and took the empty seat next to him as he exhaled
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loudly in response. Bell either didn't notice or didn't care.</p>
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<p>"Excuse me, Headmaster," Slughorn then said. Snape kept his gaze steady. <em>Oh,
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here it comes.</em></p>
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<p>"I think it rather unwise to have a talent such as the one Harry possesses be
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under the sole attention of Professor Snape. Not that I in any way disregard his
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talent for the craft nor his diligence in brewing his creations but we have to keep
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in mind that this is his first apprentice."</p>
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<p>"I appreciate your concern, Horace," Dumbledore said kindly, "As I'm sure Severus
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does as well –" Snape didn't even attempt to look appreciative at Slughorn's
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meddling, "- but as I'm sure you're well aware, the contract has been signed."</p>
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<p>"Yes, I gathered as much," Slughorn continued, "And I would never even dream of
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taking Severus' place in the boy's life. Absolutely not. But perhaps Severus too
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could use a mentor of sorts."</p>
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<p>Snape narrowed his eyes dangerously.</p>
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<p>"To make sure that he follows protocol and leads Harry in the right direction, I
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would suggest that I am allowed to oversee their interactions, and when I deem it
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necessary, intervene. If all is well, they will, of course, not encounter any sort of
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intrusion on my part."</p>
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<p>Dumbledore seemed to think this over, much to Snape's chagrin.</p>
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<p>"Will all due respect, headmaster," Snape spoke up, "I am quite sure that I have a
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handle on things. There is no need for a third party to be present."</p>
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<p>"Actually Severus, I do believe there is some merit to Horace's idea," Dumbledore
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said, "I'm sure Harry would be delighted with the extra set of helping hands to guide
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him forward. You will, of course, remain his mentor and he, your apprentice, make no
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mistake of that. But perhaps it would be wise to allow for a substitute so to speak.
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For when you are indisposed or unable to discuss something with Harry for whatever
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reason. How does that sound to you?"</p>
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<p>It sounded very much like Dumbledore didn't leave Snape any choice in the matter.
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But alright. If Slughorn wanted to play this game, Snape would happily deal him his
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hand. And who knows, the old yet admittedly competent master might come in handy
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sooner or later.</p>
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<p>"That will be agreeable," Snape said evenly, once more ignoring the murmurs from
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his colleagues.</p>
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<p>When everyone settled down, Dumbledore smiled brightly and moved on.</p>
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<p>"As for the second point on our agenda, I would like to inform you all that the
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History lessons have been a grand success."</p>
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<p>This time everyone clapped without scruples. Snape simply nodded curtly in Bell's
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direction. It was the smallest sign of respect he at least felt he needed to allow
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her. She smiled brightly at everyone involved.</p>
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<p>"I realize that it is rather unorthodox for students to take on a class they have
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previously dropped, especially for those who are in their seventh year, but I feel
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that we must allow it this once," Dumbledore added. "The knowledge they attain this
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way will not be wasted whether the students pass their NEWT's or not. And if they
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enjoy it, I see no harm in allowing their interests to develop further."</p>
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<p>Snape noticed everyone nodding in agreement as Bell sat there with a
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self-satisfied smile on her face. She looked as if Christmas had just come early. Of
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course, she would bask in the glory of her victory already. She hadn't even achieved
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anything yet. They would see, by the end of the year if she would remain
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victorious.</p>
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<p>"As for the third point on our agenda, we need to urgently discuss the upcoming
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courtship of the house-elves. I expect every Professor to be sympathetic to a
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decrease in their services for a short period of time. As such, I would like to
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emphasize…</p>
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<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"/>
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<p>Ginny was softly stroking Hedwig's feathers while Harry was pouring over the
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experimental potion he had messed up yesterday. As he was making the necessary
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calculations he started seriously regretting that he had taken divination instead of
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Arithmancy but he powered through nonetheless.</p>
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<p>When Ginny had asked him if she could accompany him to the dungeons - empowered to
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do so by the obvious ruse that she was interested in his apprenticeship and how
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things were working out – Harry had happily agreed. But while her presence was quite
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nice, it was a hindrance to Harry's work. In fact, he was forced to scratch out his
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calculations for the third time already when he realized he messed up again.</p>
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<p>The fact that their relationship status was yet to be determined did not help
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quell the musings in Harry's mind that overshadowed his academic interests. Ginny was
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talking softly to Hedwig as the snowy owl tilted her head in understanding. Since he
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was the man in all this, wasn't he supposed to take the first steps? Not exactly a
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modern idea but the wizarding world was rather archaic and Ginny was a pureblood.
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Harry sighed and dropped his quill. He was getting nowhere with this.</p>
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<p>"Ginny," he called out to the redhead. She turned to face him and smiled brightly,
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causing a weird churning feeling in Harry's stomach.</p>
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<p>"Yes?" she asked softly, halting her movement of stroking Hedwig's chest. Her eyes
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darted over to Harry's mess of notes and he quickly buried them under his crossed
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arms.</p>
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<p>"I –er…" What was he going to say again? He had no plan whatsoever and was feeling
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more nervous than he had been taking his OWL's. Wasn't that silly? He was seventeen
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years old which made him of age. He had bested some of the most powerful wizards of
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his time and numerous other dangers that had been flung his way. In fact, he had
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saved Ginny's life at some point during his never-ending ordeals so where was his
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courage now? Had he used the last of it when he was fighting Malfoy?</p>
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<p>Oh no, she was staring at him, her brown eyes shimmering with curiosity and dare
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he name it hope?</p>
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<p>Mentally slapping himself, Harry steeled his resolve and stood from his seat,
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stepping close to Ginny. Her eyes never left his but the closer he got, the more
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flushed her face became. It was nothing short of adorable.</p>
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<p>"We should probably talk about what's been going on between us," Harry said, not
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sure how he had managed to speak that entire sentence without allowing his voice to
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tremble. He was glad for it. It would make him appear strong and confident.</p>
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<p>Ginny simply responded with a shy nod that was anything but helpful to Harry's
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difficult task. He cleared his throat and continued.</p>
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<p>"The truth is, Ginny," he said softly, "that I like you. I mean, <em>really</em>
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like you. And I suppose I'm wondering if you –"</p>
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<p>Harry wasn't even able to finish his sentence when Ginny lunged forward without
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warning and flung her arms around Harry's neck with such intensity that he was forced
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to take a few steps back until he was backed up against his desk. She kissed him
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passionately and rather hungrily as her lithe form pressed against him. Gingerly,
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Harry returned the embrace as well as the kiss, all the while thinking about how
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lucky he was.</p>
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<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"/>
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<p>When Harry and Ginny joined Ron and Hermione at dinner that evening, they looked
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sort of dishevelled but luckily, Ron didn't notice. He was far too busy explaining to
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Hermione why he deemed the 'Starfish and Stick' one of the more useful moves for a
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keeper to learn. Hermione was doing her best to seem interested but was failing.</p>
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<p>"Hi guys," she greeted happily at the pair's arrival, obviously glad for the
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distraction from the Quidditch talk. She did a double-take before narrowing her eyes
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at Harry but said nothing.</p>
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<p>Harry – who felt strangely put in the spotlight – tried straightening out his
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robes as he searched for a change of topic.</p>
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<p>"So Ron, heard anything from Fred and George yet?" he asked.</p>
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<p>Ron snorted. "Hardly," he said, "Bill sent a letter to mum practically begging her
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to come and get the twins away from him for some reason but mum insists that they're
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of age and don't need her to tell them what to do anymore. Not that they've done a
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bang-up job listening to her in the past, of course."</p>
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<p>Harry frowned. "Why does he want them gone?"</p>
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<p>"Because they've been there for ages, I suppose," Ron said, shrugging, "And now he
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can't get rid of them. They must really like Egypt."</p>
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<p>"Yeah, that must be it," Harry agreed, "But I hope they come back soon. Their joke
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products might run out if they don't."</p>
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<p>"Not yet," Ron said, "They already set up and pre-paid a long term delivery.
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Almost as if they've anticipated staying away for a while, now that I think about
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it."</p>
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<p>"Well, they're nothing if not crafty," Harry replied, "I'm sure they've thought of
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all scenarios before leaving their shop behind."</p>
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<p>"Honestly, I think they're going to come home with an amazing new prank," Ron said
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as he bit off a huge chunk of the steak he pierced with his fork. Hermione scrunched
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up her nose in disgust but chose to roll her eyes instead of berating her
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boyfriend.</p>
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<p>"Hey guys," Draco interrupted as usual. He went to take a seat when he froze and
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allowed his gaze to drift over Harry and Ginny. Ginny met his stare defiantly but
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Harry squirmed somewhat in his seat. He became even more uncomfortable when a devious
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grin spread across Draco's face.</p>
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<p>He altered his course ever so slightly to worm his way in between Harry and Ginny,
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draping an arm around both of them.</p>
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<p>"It's about time, you two," he said happily. Ginny shoved him away, causing him to
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almost land into Harry's lap, sniggering all the while.</p>
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<p>"What are you talking about?" Ron frowned, "About time for what?"</p>
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<p>"Isn't it obvious?" Draco exclaimed, easily straightening Harry's tie, "These two
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snogged."</p>
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<p>"What? No way," Ron said dismissively, "What are you on, Draco? And can I have
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some?"</p>
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<p>"Fine," Draco said, grabbing a clean plate and filling it up, "Don't believe me.
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And while you're at it, you can ignore that tell-tale blush on both of their faces as
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well."</p>
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<p>"Harry, tell him he's full of it," Ron chuckled. His smile faltered somewhat when
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Harry stared decisively at the chicken filet on his plate. "Ginny?"</p>
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<p>"And what of it?" Ginny said casually, "I'm sixteen years old, you know. I have
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needs, the same as you."</p>
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<p>"No you don't," Ron said, "You're my baby sister. All you need is Quidditch and
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hanging out with your friends."</p>
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<p>Ginny huffed as she got up from her seat, walked over to Harry so Draco wouldn't
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physically be blocking him, grabbed him forcibly by the necktie and planted a
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passionate kiss right then and there on the unsuspecting boy's lips. Several of the
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surrounding students cheered and whistled. Not that Harry minded. Oh, he didn't mind
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in the least.</p>
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<p>"I'm not a child anymore, Ron," Ginny told her brother as he stammered
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incoherently, "I'm a woman and want to be treated as such. And if I may say so, I
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advise you do the same to Hermione before she runs off and finds a man who is more
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than willing to. Pass me the butter, Harry."</p>
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<p>Ginny casually buttered a nice warm roll, resolutely ignoring the stunned faces of
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the golden trio and the self-satisfied grin on Draco's. Harry could only admire her
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straightforwardness and aloof mannerism at this point. He himself felt an odd
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combination of mortification and gratification. The mortification only won out when
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Harry remembered that Snape was probably sitting at the high table and had no doubt
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seen it all.</p>
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<p>As if in slow motion, Harry gazed up at the spot Snape usually sat at and was met
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with obsidian eyes that were accompanied by a much too cheerful smirk. And then that
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sarcastic git raised his glass in salute and winked. Harry groaned, wishing that the
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ground could swallow him whole right then and there.</p>
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<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"/>
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<p>Harry was glad that Snape didn't really seem to want to have a conversation about
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his newfound relationship. Other than the occasional snarky comment, he made no fuss
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or anything for which Harry was grateful.</p>
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<p>What he was less grateful about was Slughorn's interference. But when it seemed
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that Snape was not at all concerned about it, Harry relaxed as well.</p>
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<p>"As I've mentioned before, he's a useful ally to have," Snape had reminded Harry,
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"and he might be able to help you when I'm otherwise engaged."</p>
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<p>What that had meant, Harry had no clue but it wasn't farfetched to think that
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Snape had various side projects he wanted to make progress on, like the one he had
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used the Weasley twins for.</p>
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|
<p>It was a few weeks later when Harry received his latest issue of 'The Practical
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Potioneer' which was sent out mainly because of the position of Mars and the effect
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that would have if you started brewing '<em>Ares' draught'</em> within the next
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couple of days. Hermione had explained to Harry that while the magazine seemed to be
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distributing at random, the latest edition always had something to do with the lunar
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cycle or that of the other celestial bodies.</p>
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<p>Happy to have something other to read about than the various attacks on innocent
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muggles and muggle-borns, Harry started thumbing through the magazine while Hermione
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did the same. Their respective partners shared an exasperated look before beginning a
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discussion on quidditch.</p>
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<p>"Harry!" Hermione gasped, "You've been published!"</p>
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<p>Harry frowned. "That can't be," he said easily, "I haven't actually done anything
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yet and I promise you that I didn't send anything in."</p>
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|
<p>"Yes, because I'm sure that there are multiple apprentices to Professor Snape out
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there that go by the name of Harry James Potter," Hermione replied sardonically,
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"Skip to page eight and see for yourself."</p>
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<p>Harry did what Hermione said and was perplexed to find about half a page dedicated
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to one of his recent discoveries which he had forgotten all about.</p>
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<p>'<em>On the increased potency of the antivenom potion'</em></p>
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<p><em>While a rare occurrence, it does happen every now and then that an apprentice
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shakes awake the community with a simple yet important discovery.</em></p>
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<p><em>Esteemed Master Severus Snape reported to us that his apprentice Harry James
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Potter offered to exchange the sprig of rosemary for azalea leaves. Risky and
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unnecessary you say? Many would agree but under the watchful eye of his Master,
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apprentice Potter took that risk and therefore elevated the potion to new levels of
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potency.</em></p>
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<p><em>As always, we recreated the potion to test the theorem ourselves and after
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multiple tests, we can conclude that this discovery is indeed viable. Therefore we
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urge everyone to take note and adjust their recipes accordingly.</em></p>
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<p><em>Why an apprentice was found to have such a profound understanding of potions
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and, more importantly, their ingredients can only be traced back to the Master
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himself. Severus Snape – of whom you'll find more information on page 14. – has
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graciously taken Harry Potter under his wing which allowed the pair of them to best
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you-know-who.</em></p>
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<p><em>It goes without saying that we will be expecting great things from this future
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potioneer and can only hope that his prowess will match his Master's.</em></p>
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<p>"Wow Harry," Hermione breathed, "This is amazing! I'm so jealous of you."</p>
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<p>"I'm not even sure how they know," Harry frowned.</p>
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<p>"Oh, isn't it obvious?" Hermione said excitedly, "Professor Snape informed them.
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Look, it's right here at the bottom."</p>
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<p>Harry glared at the finely printed text, '<em>Supervised and collected by highly
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esteemed Potions Master Severus Snape and derived by his Apprentice Harry James
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Potter'</em>.</p>
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<p>"I'm not sure I like this," Harry growled, "Yet another reason to be in the
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spotlight."</p>
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<p>"I think it's brilliant," Hermione said, "You're good enough to get published
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already."</p>
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<p>"Yeah, that's amazing!" Ginny interjected as she grabbed the magazine from Harry.
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"Wow, my boyfriend must be really smart." She winked at Harry when Ron groaned. "I'm
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proud of you," she then added earnestly, kissing him softly as if in reward to his
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achievement.</p>
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<p>"What does it say about Snape though?" Ginny then asked, flipping the pages
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accordingly.</p>
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<p>'<em>On the brilliance of Master Severus Snape'</em></p>
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<p><em>It is easy to become complacent once you've attained the status of Master but
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Severus Snape has never fallen for that particular trap. With talk of his already
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famous apprentice Harry James Potter, it might be easy to lose sight of the Master
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behind the student but we will remind you exactly why you shouldn't.</em></p>
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<p><em>Severus Snape is not only the youngest Potions Master in over a century, he
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has also made leeway on a lot of important potions of our time. Not only has he
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improved tremendously on the 'Wolfsbane Potion' – which though originally created by
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Damocles Belby left much to be desired – he also shared some astounding research on
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the staff of Caduceus and invented the Ares' draught which is featured on page
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3.</em></p>
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<p><em>When we take a look at his creative process …</em></p>
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<p>The article went on and on about the various potions Snape had created and
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improved upon. Testimonies from other Masters who grudgingly admitted to Snape having
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a hand in the success of their own creation and even some prizes he won such as the
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golden chalice which he apparently received thrice.</p>
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<p>"Wow, Snape is more impressive than I thought," Ron finally added to the
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conversation. He had been reading Hermione's magazine over her shoulder. "Or are they
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embellishing?"</p>
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<p>"I somehow doubt that," Hermione said, "This is a very respectable magazine. It's
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not like the daily prophet, you know."</p>
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<p>"They didn't even mention the limerick potion," Ron snorted, "Who knows how many
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unregistered potions he created to punish people."</p>
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<p>Hermione sighed, "You got what you deserved, you know."</p>
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<p>"And it was hilarious too!" Ginny interjected, "I hope you step out of line at his
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home again."</p>
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<p>"Never again!" Ron said, "I will be on my best behaviour at his house from now
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on."</p>
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<p>Harry glanced at Snape who was reading the same magazine they were with a look of
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mild interest and couldn't help but think that he was lucky to have such a respected
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Master to guide him. He knew Snape was good, but he had never truly known just how
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accomplished and well-respected he was in the community.</p>
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<p>And at once, he was overcome with a sense of pride. Not for himself, but for the
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dour man currently sitting at the high table, raising a sardonic eyebrow when he
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caught Harry staring.</p>
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<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"/>
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<p><em>And there you all go. I hope you liked the chapter and I wonder what you all
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would like to see next.</em></p>
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<p><em>Please review! It pleases me so.</em></p>
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