A Push in the Right Direction – Chapter One – emersli1!

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8 Minutes

Severus Snape was excited.

He stood at the rail and watched the grey waters of the English Channel slip past the ferry, and felt freer and freer as the miles lengthened between him and his past.  Looking forward towards where the French coastline would soon become visible, his mind was full of possibilities and plans.

He would complete his Level 3 apprenticeship.  He had sold the only asset he had to finance it, but if he studied hard and applied himself, he could finish in a year.  A Brewer’s License would allow him to work at any legitimate shop, under the supervision of a Level 2 or Level 1 master.  That would allow him to earn a living as he studied for his Level 2 license.  

He would have to find a sponsor for that, since the little house in Spinner’s End had only brought in enough money to cover his Level 3 fees.  But that was a problem for next year, and right now Severus was just grateful to be on this ferry, headed into his future.  He was never going to go back to the house of his childhood anyway.

Severus looked up at the overcast sky, spinning daydreams and plans.  A Level 2 license usually took between three and five years.  And the fees would be too steep for a shopworker to cover, but if he excelled at his Level 3, his master might recommend him to someone.  A sponsor, who would cover his Level 2 fees in exchange for a term of service afterwards.

And who knows?  If he impressed his sponsor, and provided good value, maybe … The idea of getting his Level 1 license danced in his head.  A Level 1 generally took between five and seven years, but if he could complete it?  Dreams of his own little apothecary, tucked into a sunny side street but close enough to the main road for foot traffic and casual shoppers.  Someone humming at the shop counter in the front as he brewed in the back.  Maybe even a son or daughter, laughing as they peeled shrivelfigs or carefully sliced ginger root.

The sound of the horn from atop the ferry and the answering call from the port drew Severus out of his dreams for the future.  Butterflies danced in his stomach as he waited impatiently for the call to disembark.  

His first stop would be the portkey office in the wizarding section of Calais.  With portkey travel coming out of Britain currently restricted, he hadn’t been able to portkey directly to Marsala … but really, Severus had enjoyed his time on the ferry.

Hearing the captain call for foot passengers to disembark, Severus bravely joined the line heading off the ferry and into the rest of his life.

The next year was full of the hardest work Severus had ever done.

Most people took a Level 3 Brewer’s license in about two years.  Severus was determined to do it in one.  He knew it could be done, and he was eager to prove himself.  He needed to distinguish himself from the herd of apprentices under Master Tourno, and that was going to be very difficult, considering the man’s own son was part of the herd.  Michael Tourno was brilliant, and with his family connections and wealth would have no trouble pursuing a Level 1 license, if that was what he wanted.

For most of the year, Severus and Michael had been neck and neck, completing their assignments and brewing at stations situated side by side in the massive laboratory.  Master Tourno’s gaze had lingered more and more on Severus as he worked diligently, giving him hope that the man would help him when the time came to seek out a sponsorship.

Over the last few months, invitations to the Master’s dinner table became more and more frequent.  Severus wondered, as Master Tourno clapped him on the shoulder in praise for a well-made brew, if this was what having a father who was proud of you might feel like.  

More and more, Severus’s dreams had featured Michael’s golden smile and Mama Tourno’s fresh bread.  Master Tourno owned a winery as well as the potions laboratory, and sometimes in the evenings he and Severus and Michael would sit together companionably and talk about their plans for the future while sipping a smooth, red wine.

Michael was off to university in a month, to obtain his Level 2 license that way rather than through the more traditional method of apprenticeship.  And Severus had received interest from several masters throughout Southern Europe, so all he needed now was that sponsor.

The Potions Guild Boards for Level 3 took all day.  Severus was grilled like a fish by the three members of his committee, but he emerged with the all-important license.  He was even noted as passing with distinction.

Michael was waiting for him when he left his testing room, having already passed his Boards the day before.  The hug lifted Severus’s flagging energy, and the invitation to dinner with the family filled him with hope that Master Tourno had found someone who might be interested in sponsoring him.

At dinner Severus found he wasn’t the only guest.  Master Tourno introduced the man as “Signore Gaunt” and mentioned that he was a political reformer and a businessman with his fingers in many pies.  Mama Tourno had prepared a feast to celebrate ‘her boys’ for passing their Boards on their first tries, and Master Tourno smiled over them both with pride.

Following the meal Michael was dismissed and left to continue celebrating with the other apprentices who had passed, or maybe to commiserate with those who hadn’t depending on where the better booze was.  Master Tourno smiled at Severus knowingly.

“Severus, if you have a moment, I’ve been talking to Signore Gaunt about you, and he would like to discuss a business opportunity.  Do you have time tonight?”  Severus’s heart immediately leapt into his throat.

This was it!  Master Tourno thought highly enough of him to arrange this meeting.  Now it was up to Severus not to blow it.

“Yes, of course Master.  Signore.  I would be very pleased to discuss business.”  Even if the man just wanted to hire him to work in his lab … it could be a step in the right direction.  Severus followed the two men into Master Tourno’s study.

“Now Brewer Snape, Master Tourno tells me you are the best and brightest apprentice he has mentored in years.  High praise from a man with such high standards.  He even ranked you above his son.”  Signore Gaunt smiled at Severus, who tried to smile humbly.

“Nothing but the truth, and I have the Boards results to back me up on that.  Severus is the only one of the apprentices this year to pass with distinction … and he has done it in only one year.”  Master Tourno looked at him with such pride, Severus felt the butterflies in his stomach settle down.

“I have always loved potions.  And I’m grateful for Master Tourno’s sound instruction and mentorship.”  Severus had learned diplomacy by fire, in Slytherin House.  Now it came to him naturally, for all he was only nineteen.

“Indeed.”  Signore Gaunt smiled.  “Now, I understand that you currently lack the finances to continue your apprenticeship to Level 2?  It’s really tragic that there aren’t resources available to help with that.  We need to do better for our young people than that.  Another reform to consider, but for now… I have need of a skilled Potions Master, and I’m willing to fund a Level 2 apprenticeship with the master of your choice.”

Severus kept his head with an effort.  “And what would be the terms of our agreement?  I believe most sponsorships are two for one?”

Signore Gaunt nodded decisively.  “Yes indeed.  Two years’ service for every year funded.  I am pleased with that agreement.  And after that … well, there is always Level 1, is there not?”

A possibility of a Level 1 sponsorship?  Dreams of that little apothecary tucked into a side street seemed more possible than ever!  Severus smiled.  “We shall see how our working relationship gets on.  For now, funding for my Level 2 fees in exchange for twice the time in service…”

“We are agreed.”  Signore Gaunt produced a bright key.  “I have already deposited the amount to cover the fees for a standard Level 2, plus a bit extra .. a man must have a few luxuries when he works as hard as you do.”

He offered Severus not the more modern handshake but the traditional forearm clasp between warriors.  Smiling Severus returned the clasp.  “We are agreed.”

No sooner had the traditional words left his lips than Severus felt a terrible pain in his arm, and an assault against his magic.  Pulling back from the armclasp did not stop the burning pain, nor did it relieve the sensation of something burrowing into his core.

Signore Gaunt smiled.  “Good.  Take your time Severus.  I will send for you when I receive notice from the Guild.  Work hard, learn all you can, and I will be pleased.”

The man turned to his host.  “Thank you Tourno.  I appreciate your help.”

With that the man apparated away with a sharp crack.

Severus tore back the sleeve of his robe to stare at his arm in horrified shock.  The mark of the Dark Lord Voldemort stood out in stark relief, pulsing as though with an intent of its own.  

Master Tourno clapped a hand on his shoulder.  Severus looked up at him for something, help of some kind.  Only to see an impersonal expression where before he would swear he’d seen pride and affection.

“He demanded my best.  That was always going to be you or Michael.”  The man gave a casual shrug.  “It’s a pity, but you do what you must for family.”

Tourno steered the shocked young man out into the common area of the house where Mama – no – Mistress Tourno was waiting with a small bag.  “I took the liberty of having Maretta pack up your things.  As you know, Sicily will not allow Death Eaters on the island, so you had better make your way off quickly.”

Mistress Tourno smiled at her husband in relief while speaking to Severus.  “I’m so grateful he found you.  Now, I’ve put a little something in the bag for your travels.”

Numbly Severus accepted the bag that apparently contained his belongings and began to leave the warm, gracious home.  He was still reeling from the unexpected turn and the assault against his magic .. his dreams now turned to ashes in his mouth.  Stepping over the threshold of the house he thought he’d been invited into with affection and respect, Severus didn’t really have any idea where to go.

“Oh, Severus.  Don’t forget your vault key.”  Master Tourno pressed the key into Severus’s numb hand … and closed the door gently but firmly in his face.