Severus reviewed the results of his NEWT students. A faint smile curved his lips, barely noticeable as more then just a small twitch at the edge of his lips. That name was: Bernice Stern. His best Potions Student. Something he didn't say often. Actually it was something he never said. He'd definitely never said it aloud. Not even to her. No he'd watched her. Watched her closely and when she got an O on her OWLs with a note that she had even gotten both bonus questions correct Severus had kept an even closer watch on this one. Rare was it for him to consider taking on an apprentice. It was certainly a new thing. He'd never done it before. Likely wouldn't even consider it. Except that looking at her grade and the note that again stated she'd gotten both bonus questions correct. She had an O on both her practical and theoretical marks. Yes. She was perfect for apprenticeship. She was also Slytherin.<br/><br/>Pulling a parchment towards himself he wondered. He'd never considered this before. Did he really want to responsibility. No that wasn't even the problem. Not even close. That was simply an addition. What was the problem was Severus never allowed anyone in his private lab or private office. His public office and the classroom were fine. He didn't care about those. His private lab. That was a space he kept beyond pristine. To have another inside it. Touching it. Potentially altering his meticulously ordered world.  It was a thought that induce intense paranoia in the man. He didn't like anything inside his private space touched.<br/><br/>Sighing he came to a decision on this after many days of thinking of it. Running it over in his mind. He would offer her a test. If she passed it he would then try her on for three months with no requirement to keep her if she so much as set one toe out of line. His eyes narrowed he took out a piece of parchment and his quill. Setting the parchment flat on his desk he wrote out the following letter.<br/><br/><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic">Miss. Stern,<br/><br/>Upon reviewing your N.E.W.T. level grades I have come to the conclusion that you might be a candidate to become my apprentice in order to receive your mastery in potions. If this opportunity interest you, you are to arrive at Hogwarts on Wednesday of next week promptly at 8. Prepared to undergo a special test I have devised to judge your potential. <br/><br/>I expect a reply by owl no latter then Tuesday Morning.<br/><br/>Professor Severus Snape</span></div><br/><br/>Severus re-read his latter. Satisfied that it was perfectly done. He rose and walked over to the perch where his eagle owl sat. He lifted him up and gave him a small pat on the head. Tying the letter to his leg he instructed the bird, "take this to Bernice Stern," in his stern neutral voice before releasing the bird out the small shoot the owls used to reach the dungeons.<br/><br/>Severus returned to his desk and started to sort through a book of his own personal research notes. Looking for the perfect test to have her complete when she sowed up on Wednesday. He gave a smirk at the paper thinking about how complicated this potion would be. Something she'd have never seen before. Something only he had ever done. Yes, that was a test worthy of this endeavour. For if she couldn't accomplish that much she was not worth his time.<br/><br/><a href="//www.creativefreedomrpg.com/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&amp;u=110082">@Shades</a>