This is quite a short first chapter, but I just wanted to see what people thought of the setup so far… Go on, review it – you know you want to!! 

"It's the most powerful love potion in the world!" said Hermione.

"Quite right! You recognized it, I suppose, by its distinctive mother-of-pearl sheen?"

"And the steam rising in characteristic spirals," said Hermione enthusiastically, "and it's supposed to smell differently to each of us, according to what attracts us, and I can smell freshly mown grass and new parchment and—"

But she turned slightly pink and did not complete the sentence.

Hermione Granger, on the Amortentia potion.

************

Further Education – Chapter One.

Dear Miss Granger,

We are delighted to inform you that you have been accepted on the Ministry approved course of potion making. As you already know, the

course is split into two sections – firstly, for a year, you will apprentice

alongside an experienced potions maker, then you shall decide which

route of potion-making you wish to pursue, whether it be healing,

teaching, or the such like.

After choosing, you will then complete 6 months intensive training in your preferred area, before graduating a qualified potions mistress in whichever field.

The name and address of the potions master you will be apprenticing alongside is enclosed within.

Congratulations on your choice of career,

Linda Perkins,

Head of Ministry Careers Department.

*************

Severus Snape pushed open the door of the shop, and stepped purposefully inside. Pausing only to swipe a packet of chocolate frogs, he strode towards the back aisle, and the potions ingredients. Suddenly, he stopped and almost did a double take, before the carefully composed mask of stony indifference was back in place, hiding the look of shock which had passed over it only moments before. There, on the shelf in front of him were row upon row of tiny figurines. Typical of the wizarding world, they were strolling up and down the front of their packaging, the mannerisms so perfect; it was as if the real people had shrunk.

Severus looked along the row, observing all the familiar faces. The Boy Who Lived, tensed and ready for anything; wand clutched in one hand, broom in the other. That Weasley boy, one hand in his pocket, from which a sellotaped wand protruded, the other holding a miniature version, of, yes, chocolate frogs, slouched along, shoulders slumped. The insufferable know-it-all, Miss Granger, hair all over the place, wand in one hand – book in the other, a tiny time-turner round her neck.

Yes, all the familiar faces from the last war were here, Fred and George Weasley, Sirius Black, Lupin, Tonks, Albus, Minevra, and then finally, Severus Snape. Severus stared incredulously at the mini version of himself, habitual scowl in place on his face and the tiny one before him. A textbook was in his hand, the lettering showed it was a potions textbook –'what else?' Severus thought sarcastically. The other hand was clenched around his wand. Tactfully, robes of his predictable black covered the dark mark on his left forearm.

Snape turned and headed for the back again, inwardly shaking his head, that, he survived a snake bite – to become a child's toy.

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