Merlin's Apprentices

Chapter 3

Harry sunk deeper into his bed after Dumbledore left. He had wanted to ask more questions, but the headmaster had abruptly changed the topic to sweets before gliding out of the room Harry was trapped in. It made the young wizard groan in frustration.

He was surprised when, not a minute after the headmaster had left, Snape poked his head into the room and looked around cautiously. Seeing no one but Harry, the professor entered the room and sat in the chair beside the bed. "We need to talk," Snape announced.

Harry's heart sunk. Had Snape learned that they had assumed that he was the one trying to steal the stone? Was he going to kill him now? "About what, Professor?"

"You touched the stone, Potter."

Harry didn't see a problem with that. "So?"

Snape scoffed. "Surely you did some research on the thing."

Harry nodded. "Of course."

"Then tell me what you know so I can fill in the obvious gaps in your knowledge."

"The Sorcerer's Stone was created by Nicolas Flamel using alchemy. It creates the Elixir of Life," Harry recited. He was happy that, finally, someone was going to give him straight answers. Even if it was Snape.

"Alchemy?" Snape asked incredulously. "Who told you that the stone was created using alchemy?"

Harry frowned in confusion. "Hermione found it in a book."

Snape scowled. "Trust Hogwarts to blind its students," he muttered angrily. Then he shuddered as though a terrible thought had just occurred to him. "Imagine if I wasn't Lin's apprentice. I would be as blind as Potter."

Harry perked up. "Who's Lin?" he asked. He had heard of certain witches and wizards talking on apprentices, but it was rare because of the schools. Only very powerful and old people did it anymore and they had to find someone worth the trouble. He was amazed to learn that Snape had been an apprentice.

Snape waved a hand dismissively. "You will meet him in the morning. Now, what you need to know is that the stone was not made with alchemy, but with sacrificial magic. It's a very dark artifact and touching it should've killed you. Since you're obviously still alive, you must have some very powerful magic and you need trained. Hogwarts won't be helpful to you in this matter."

"What do I need to do then?"

"My former master has agreed to meet with you in the morning. I have asked him to take you as his apprentice and teach you to control your magic. You are starting a bit late, but, with you being raised by the muggles you were raised by, I am not surprised he didn't find you sooner."

"You mean Lin?"

"You will address him as Master while you are under him," Snape instructed. "This is something you must not share with anyone. Not even those friends of yours."

Harry nodded slowly. "Wait... if I can't use magic during the summer, how am I supposed to learn?"

"You will be registered with the ministry as an apprentice and therefore will be able to use magic, as long as you remain within the Statute of Secrecy."

Harry grinned, thinking of getting to use magic throughout the summer. "Okay, I'll do it. What time tomorrow?"

"Be in my office by eight."

"Yes, Sir."

Harry waited until Snape had left before letting out a victory shout. Ever since he had heard of apprentices he had dreamed of being good enough to be chosen as one. Now, he had that chance. He couldn't wait.