Asylum

A special thanks to my beta, Saeadame.


Asylum

Chapter 10

When Harry entered the hall his eyes were immediately drawn to the ceiling. Hermione, of course, had filled him in on the details of Hogwarts including the enchanted ceiling. She had practically forced him to read Hogwarts: A History, though he absorbed the information faster when his friends told him about Hogwarts.

Although he knew about the ceiling being enchanted to look like the night sky, looking at it for the first time took his breath away. He didn't expect to see the sky so clearly. Why do the students of Hogwarts need to go outside for astronomy class when they have a perfectly useful ceiling to look at?

As Harry walked towards the head table, as Severus previously instructed, Harry could already hear the whispers and rumors start.

Some students pointed as they whispered into their neighbor's ear, while others were not so discreet with their words, practically shouting across the hall.

"That's not a first year."

"Is he heading to the head table?"

"I bet he's here to teach defense."

"…too young to be a professor."

"How old do you think he is?"

"Maybe he's one of those child prodigies, coming to teach us at such a young age."

"…here so the ministry can keep tabs on Dumbledore."

"…think he's hot."

Harry shuddered as the Hogwarts rumor mill turned, producing a thousand wild theories a minute, everyone making sure their own thoughts were heard. He was suddenly glad that none of them knew he was Harry Potter. He couldn't even begin to imagine what kind of crap people would start saying about him then. Probably some kind of wild theory of either being caught and trained as a death eater, or that he has been kept in hiding all these years; trained by Dumbledore to kill off Voldemort and overthrow the corrupted ministry.


Harry took a seat next to Professor Snape, making the whispers get louder. Snape simply acknowledged him with a nod, not saying a word.

The first years were eventually brought in and sorted as usual, and it was finally time for the Headmaster's speech.

Dumbledore rose from his seat and held his hands in the air, calling the students to attention.

Silence immediately ensued.

"Welcome. And to all of the returning students, welcome back. I would first like to make a few announcements. First of all, I would like all students to remember that the Forbidden Forest is just that - forbidden. Our caretaker, Mr. Filch, would also like to remind you that no magic is to be used in the hallways between classes at anytime." here a few snickers were heard along with soft mutterings of 'yeah, right.' "Also, an updated list of items forbidden from Hogwarts is now posted on Mr. Filch's door. The list now includes all products from Weasley Wizard Wheezes."

The headmaster cleared his throat. "Now I would like to introduce you to the new members of our staff. Back because of high demand, Professor Remus Lupin has decided to once again take up the Defense Against the Dark Arts post."

Here the headmaster was forced to stop his introductions due to the roar of applause and excited cheering of the students. Even some of the Slytherins were clapping, however faintly.

The headmaster raised his hands once again to silence them. "Yes, we are all glad to have Professor Lupin back. However, during times of the full moon, his assistant Sirius Black will be teaching the class as well as generally helping Professor Lupin instruct the class."


Sirius waved to all the students happily, grinning broadly, soaking up as much attention as he could get.

"And lastly, to Professor Snape's left is Dorian Augustine, Professor Snape's new apprentice."

Everyone gaped, unable to comprehend what the headmaster had said. Someone willingly put themselves under Snape's care, a whole year staying with the great greasy bat, the git of the dungeons. Nearly everyone knew it is tradition for apprentices to stay with their "Masters." Who was this Dorian Augustine, and why the hell would he willingly live with Snape of all people for a year? And since when did Snape take on apprentices? He was one of the better Potions Masters in Europe, but had always refused to take on apprentices before, so why now? Perhaps he was a death eater or - Merlin forbid - Snape's son. Some people shuddered at the thought. They couldn't imagine anyone who would want to have sex with their git of a potions professor.

"Now everyone, I expect him to be treated as one would treat a professor. I don't want to hear of anyone bothering Mr. Augustine. Like Mr. Black, he will be able to add or remove points. He will also be able to report any wrong doings to Professor Snape, who can then decide to assign punishment. I expect no one to give Mr. Augustine any trouble." Dumbledore then peered at all the tables, making sure he got his point across.

"Now, I assume you are all famished from your long ride here. Just a few last words before we eat. Oddball. Twinkle. Dopey. Hullabaloo." He then clapped his hands twice and food appeared on all the tables. The headmaster then sat himself down and reached for a chicken leg. The noise in the great hall rose as the students filled their plates.

"I didn't know I would be able to take points." Harry said quietly, grabbing some Sheppard's pie.

Snape nodded. "Yes, they are almost just like teachers. They are above the students as they are training to be future Masters in their field of study. This requires excessive training. Half the teachers here don't have their Masters in their field, so you pursuing this degree gives you a high amount of respect." He kept his voice low, so the teachers not involved with the Order couldn't hear him.

"Really," Harry said surprised. He looked at the teachers at the staff table. "Which ones have their Masters?" He was genuinely curious.

"McGonagall has hers in transfiguration, as does Dumbledore." He then pointed to a short white haired dwarf. "Flitwick has two Masters, one in charms, the other in dueling." He then pointed to a somewhat portly woman with graying hair. "Madame Pomfrey, although not a teacher has her Masters in healing. Then there is Professor Sprout who has her Masters in herbology and Professor Vector who has her Masters arithmancy. No one else on the staff have theirs. Lupin tried to get his, but do to wizarding law was unable to get it do to his lycanthropy. He even went through the apprentice program for a year, but was unable to obtain it in the end."

Harry shook his head sadly. He couldn't imagine doing all the work to obtain such a high degree, and then be denied it simply because of prejudice.

Everyone was finally sent off to bed, and Severus escorted Dorian to their rooms. They came upon a portrait of a man with long, straight brown hair, pale skin, and piercing blue eyes. He had a long blood red velvet overcoat. He was obviously someone from the late 19th century. He was sitting in a straight back chair holding a wine glass that held with what Dorian assumed to be red wine. As they approached the man grinned showing a fanged smile.

Harry had a sudden feeling that it was not red wine in the glass as he had first assumed.


"Hello Severus. Who is your little friend? Surely you wouldn't be inviting students to your private quarters at such a late hour. It might cause people to assume things." The man said silkily, showing the faintest hint of a French accent.

Snape glared. "Louis, this is Dorian Augustine, my new apprentice. He will be staying in my quarters for the next year. I trust you will not give him to hard a time."

The man flashed another smile, once again showing his elongated canines. "Sure Severus, make excuses. You don't have to lie to me. Feel free to bring as many handsome young men to your private quarters as you want. You know I won't tell as long as long as I get a peek."

Snape's glare upped a few notches. "Crucible."

The vampire smiled and opened his portrait, allowing them entry. Once they were inside Dorian looked around at the stoned walls that had Slytherin tapestries hung on them.

"Forgive Louis, he's a bit too forward for my liking, but he knows how to scare the students away." Severus said.

"Yes, Master Snape."

Severus sighed. "Harry, we will be living in close contact for the rest of the year, when we are in this room you can call me Severus."

"Okay, Severus." He looked around towards the three doors on the left wall of the room. "Which one is mine?"

"The one furthest to the right is yours. The one in the middle is the bathroom, and the one on the left of that is mine. I put Saami on your bed."

Harry nodded to show he understood. "I better go and see him before he freaks out about me leaving him alone for too long. I'll see you tomorrow morning, Severus."

The door to his room closed followed shortly by Severus'.

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A/N: Hope you like Louis. I’m rather fond of the vampire myself.

I don’t know why, but I have had the hardest time concentrating lately. Chapters are coming later and later….*sighs* I think with my next story I will type the whole thing out first and then post, that way the readers will get a chapter every other day or so. This will also help, because I can go back and change a chapter or make it longer whenever I want to before posting. There is also the added benefit of not being influenced by ones readers, sometimes I get such good suggestions, but when I write them in the story it changes the whole concept and plot of the story.

Please review!!!