Author's Notes for Potions Protégé

Rather than try and do this in the first chapter or a prologue, I chose this section to give the background to this story as well as try and explain some of my thoughts. I never agreed with the ending to Deathly Hallows and felt that J.K. Rowling did Severus Snape a disservice in not allowing him to survive. Given his contributions and sacrifices, and even his somewhat dour wit, I felt he should have been allowed to finally live a happy life, free from his past. I realize, however, that when things are being written, the character often "speaks" to the author asking for a certain path to be taken. It is this ability to "hear" the characters that makes a good writer. :)

This story takes place 7 years after the fall of Voldemort and I took a little artistic license in unofficially modifying some of the events recorded in Half-Blood Prince and Deathly Hallows. At the moment, I do not intend to use any direct lines from the books written by J.K. Rowling, however, if that information is used, it will be duly noted and appropriate credit will be indicated. The standard disclaimers and any warnings about content will be given at the head of each chapter. Some of the event modifications:

1. Severus Snape did not in fact kill Albus Dumbledore. A completely healthy and unscathed Dumbledore was in a highly secret and safe location, directing the work of the Order of the Phoenix from behind the scenes; Dumbledore's magical double was the one who "died" that night. While Snape and the Order knew of the double, Harry was not aware so to him, and the rest of the magical community, Dumbledore was in fact gone. The Order had been sworn to secrecy until such a time as Voldemort was defeated and until that time, Dumbledore remained in hiding. Dumbledore returned to his position as headmaster of Hogwarts.

2. Snape was still attacked by Nagini that final night, however, having planned for the possibility, her bite was not fatal. Once Voldermort was defeated and Dumbledore was able to make his presence known, Snape was cleared of all charges related to his involvement in the war, given the appropriate awards and recognition for his unerring loyalty and sacrifices, and was offered, and gladly accepted, his restoration to the teaching staff at Hogwarts as the Potions Master/Professor and head of Slytherin house.

3. Snape and Harry "had it out" when the truth behind Snape's involvement with Lily Potter was revealed completely. While Harry and Snape had come to an early truce based on that information, eventually that truce turned to friendship. As the years passed, the friendship grew to the point that now, Harry and Snape, while living separate lives, have a deep friendship and respect for each other.

4. Harry and Ron went on to become aurors. Due to some political unrest within the ministry and the auror department, however, and based upon Harry's experience and dedication, he was elevated to the head of the auror department within 5 short years. Following the lead taken by J.K. Rowling in Deathly Hallows, the pairings of Harry and Ginny, and Ron and Hermione, remain intact with references to their family structure also following along published story lines.

While the characters and events are still evolving, I hope to entertain you and look forward to where these characters may lead. This story has been burning for a long time and finally, I have given in to the voices of the characters to get it on paper....so to speak.

And now........Potions Protégé begins.

Secret Songbird