Chapter Text
Gifts of a Carnal Nature
Summary: - In his last year of school Harry begins receiving gifts from potential employees vying for his acceptance of apprenticeships but do these gifts come with hidden agendas.
Rating: - NC-17 or 18+ depending on country.
Pairing: - Severus/Harry
Warnings: - Let me get back to you on these - I'll warn you as the chapters are uploaded.
Disclaimer - You've heard it all before so here it goes again. I don't profess to own any of the characters or plot co-incidents with the Harry Potter series written by JK Rowling, contained within this story. All dirt, sex and other profanity is made from the sick genius of my own and while I use for my own and others amusements the character of JKR's stories, I do neither profit monetarily nor legally from anything contained within these pages.
Essentially READ AT YOUR OWN RISK
RIFFRAFF.
Chapter 1
With a Birthday it Begins
31st July
Dear Mr. Potter
Congratulations and felicitations on your 17th birthday, may this letter find you both healthy and eager for the beginning of your final year at Hogwarts. The Auror Academy accepts only exceptional applicants for our apprenticeship program and we are pleased to offer you just such an opportunity. When accepting our offer you will become a part of an exciting and rewarding group of wizards and witches, whom are dedicated to the security and protection of the magical world we reside in. Should you choose to join us we can offer you a choice of mentors that will both enrich your career and inspire greatness. While negotiation of the terms and agreement between mentor and apprentice will naturally remain purely undisclosed between both parties, we can however ensure that our mentors are well versed in the requirements of the apprenticeship program and laws surrounding it. Please accept the attached gift as an indication of our sincerity of the offer. We look forward to hearing from you within the coming month.
Yours Sincerely
Kingsley Shacklebolt.
Harry Potter sat at the dining room table staring at the letter and the wrapped gift in front of him. He’d re-read the letter twice already and yet still he was confused. His summer so far had been the best yet. Voldemort had remained suspiciously quiet and had allowed him the freedom to just be normal. With the Dursley’s holidaying in Spain without him, Harry had been left in the care of Remus Lupin for the entire summer. Not that Harry was upset; in fact he’d been ecstatic at being allowed away from his oppressive relatives for the entire six weeks. Now however with one last week remaining before he began his final year at Hogwarts, he had received such a strange letter delivered by a black and brown speckled ministry owl. Remus had been making dinner when the letter had arrived. However as Harry had begun to read the letter aloud, the dinner had been forgotten. The elder wizard had now sat down at the end of the dining room table to watch Harry’s reaction carefully.
“You better open it.” Remus spoke calmly as Harry looked up at him in confusion. Nodding, Harry carefully began unwrapping the brown paper from around the gift. With the string untied the paper fell open easily and Harry slowly removed the beautiful, navy colored Auror cloak and the pair of black leather gloves. The cloak was double lined wool and had a gold chain that would hold it closed at his neck. The gloves were clearly made of dragon hide and were soft and supple, allowing the wearer to still have precise control of their wand. “Impressive.” Remus carefully watched Harry as his younger charge inspected the gloves and cloak. “Trust the Ministry to get in early. Albus won’t be pleased at all.” Remus mused quietly to himself as Harry put aside the gift and re-read the letter to himself once more.
“I don’t understand?” Harry finally sat back in his chair and frowned deeply at Remus, who was staring absently at Harry in quiet quandary. With an almost reluctant sigh Remus sat back in his chair and flicked his wand at the bubbling pot of stew on the stove top so that the wooden spoon began stirring it gently.
“It’s rather complicated Harry…” Remus trailed off quietly as he flicked his wand once more and summoned tea for him and the green eyed boy that was sat opposite him at the kitchen table. Harry tried not to roll his eyes. Everything involving him was complicated, he really shouldn’t have been surprised. Harry bit his tongue so as not to interrupt Remus or worse cause an argument. Harry put two spoons of honey into his tea before taking a sip as he waited for his guardian to continue. “When a wizard turns 17 he becomes eligible for an apprentice program.” Harry nodded quietly the cup of tea held to his lips as he allowed the sweet steam to tickle his nose.
“Great! Hermione will be excited and any help Ron receives in getting a job will be surely welcome.” Harry chuckled behind his cup of tea as he thought of his friend’s reactions to receiving similar letters to the one he had just got. Remus sighed as he took a sip of his own tea before slowly shaking his head.
“It doesn’t quite work like that Harry.” Remus paused and glanced up from the cup in his hands just in time to see Harry’s darkening expression. “The apprentice program is only open to males and although offers can be made to any eligible student it is usually only the select few who receive offers of apprenticeship.” Remus trailed off and pointedly avoiding looking at Harry directly. Harry wasn’t silly and despite Remus’ delicate handling of the topic Harry was quite capable of reading between the lines.
“Purebloods you mean.” Harry spat a little bitterly, his grip on his cup tightening a little.
“Not necessarily. The law was changed in the 16th century to allow all boys of 17 to become eligible but history shows that those students of more notable wizarding families are more likely to receive the better offers.” Once more Remus trailed off as he eyed Harry warily, cautious of the boys volatility when it came to the topic of wizarding inferiority and class.
“Well that puts paid to my interest in the topic then doesn’t it. I’ll just ignore the offers. I won’t participate in anything that is sexist and archaic in values.” Disgruntled and irritated Harry put aside his now empty cup and went to rise from the table. Remus’ stew would undoubtedly keep on the stove and Harry was hoping to fire call Ron about the letter and gift before dinner.
“Actually it’s not that simple. Now you have received an official offer you have to follow the tradition and protocol surrounding it.” Harry barely concealed a groan as he sat back down at the table with a huff. Once more, things were never simple. Knowing that Harry’s patience was wearing thin Remus decided to cut straight to the point. Albus had warned him at the beginning of the summer to be cautious of the topic but none of them had expected an offer of apprenticeship to arrive so early after Harry’s birthday. Without guidance from the elder wizard Remus had been left to address the issue with Harry alone.
“Of course it would not be that simple Remus, why would I expect anything less? So tell me what I have to do to reject this.” Harry gestured to the letter and gift he’d left on the table.
“To be offered an apprenticeship is an honor Harry. It means that an employer has acknowledged your skills and is willing to take you on and pay for all the costs needed to train you in your chosen career path. It is seen as a traditional rite of passage for young wizards.” Remus put aside his own cup of tea before reaching forward to take the beautifully hand written letter Harry had casually dismissed.
“Except that it’s not really fair. If you’re not pureblood or wealthy then forget about it.” Snorting indignantly Harry rolled his eyes and folded his arms across his chest as he glared at his guardian, who seemed to be advocating for the ridiculously unfair tradition.
“I did not say that Harry.” Remus muttered, his own irritation rising as he struggled to keep control of the discussion they were having. “Most boys will likely receive one or two offers of apprenticeship but those most prestigious offers are usually reserved for those young men that stand out.” Remus took a deep breath in and sighed as he held up Harry’s letter. “This offer for instance is quite prestigious. The Auror program only offers a few apprentice places each year. If you aren’t offered an apprenticeship then you simply apply through the normal channels. It is a very great honor to be singled out by them Harry.” Harry sighed mirroring Remus’ own serious expression.
“Fine I get it, ignoring the offer is rude. So tell me what does this whole apprenticeship thing involve?” With a smile Remus relaxed a little as he realized that Harry had calmed down and was willing to hear him out.
“Over the next few weeks you’ll receive official letters of offer from different employers and individuals outlining their intentions to vie for your acceptance of position as their apprentice. The letters and gifts are essentially a way of displaying their initial ability to provide you with suitable mentoring.” Remus got up from the table and walked over to the stove to dutifully check the stew still bubbling away on the stove.
“What then?” Harry pushed, as he closed his eyes and inhaled on the delicious smell of fresh bread. Remus had just opened the oven and checked the steadily browning loaf within it
“Once all the offers have arrived you will have a few weeks to look over them before making responses. You only make responses to those you’re interested in. There are several steps after that but the most important is the meeting of your intended mentors at the seniors winter feast.” Remus closed the oven door once more before turning around to smile at Harry warmly. “I can’t stress enough how important it is to choose your mentor carefully Harry. These men are often powerful and very influential wizards. You should be very sure that if you choose any of their offers that they have your best interests at heart.” Remus’ expression darkened seriously as he turned back around to face Harry. “An apprentice and mentor relationship is one of respect and trust. It is key that if you choose a mentor that they have both those characteristics.” Harry nodded seriously as Remus waited for the positive acknowledgement of the boy’s understanding.
“Did you choose a mentor?” Remus cast his eyes downward at Harry’s question, his hands twisting in his lap a little nervously as if the question had rattled him. Harry regretted having asked but when he was about to change the topic of conversation Remus replied.
“Yes, I was apprentice to Professor Alfred Darcy.” Harry frowned at the name having never heard it before. Remus continued without prompting. “He was the foremost researcher on Werewolves and Wolfsbane in England. He and I remained friends long after my apprenticeship ended, however he passed away several years ago.” Remus seemed saddened to have to retell the story and so Harry didn’t further the conversation as his guardian turned back to the stove in order to begin serving dinner.
“Do I have to choose someone?” Harry spoke calmly as once more the kitchen was filled with the smells of stew and fresh bread.
“No. You may choose what you wish but be prepared for them to be persistent for your attentions. A mentor and apprentice relationship is special, along with the obvious aide towards your chosen career path; a mentor will often have you accompany them into wizarding society, to parties and social events. They teach you about laws and history. You learn from them how to be a respectable member of wizarding society.” Harry sighed in pleasure as Remus placed the generous bowl of stew in front of him along with the freshly baked, cut and buttered loaf of bread.
“What’s in it for the mentor? They can’t possibly be doing it out of the good of their heart.” Harry hastily dipped a slice of the bread into the stew and began greedily eating.
“Ah, well…” Remus hesitated as he sat down at the table with his own bowl of stew. “That is something that is negotiated between mentor and apprentice but we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.” The way Remus casually brushed off the question irritated Harry immensely and the boy frowned a little as he finished his mouthful of bread.
“What did your mentor ask from you?” Harry spoke calmly as he broke off another slice of bread and proceeded to dunk it into the stew.
“It’s generally considered quite rude to ask a mentor or an apprentice that question Harry. What is negotiated between the two parties is private and isn’t spoken of again once the negotiations have been settled.” Remus bristled a little and Harry’s intrigue about the subject deepened at his guardian’s reluctance to give a straight answer.
“Oh, sorry then.” Harry muttered as he turned back to his stew. The pair of them ate in silence for a while, the only sounds in the kitchen were the sounds of spoons on porcelain as the meal was devoured.
With a satisfied burp behind his hand Harry finally sat back away from the table his hands coming up to rub over his now full stomach.
“Well that was well done if I do say so myself.” Remus chuckled as he rose from the table and collected both his own and Harry’s now empty bowls.
“Lovely,” Harry sighed as he too stood up from the table. “I’m going to go and fire call Ron, to see if he’s got the Hogwarts book list yet.” Harry made towards the door from the kitchen but was stopped by Remus’ hand on his shoulder.
“Remember what I said Harry, just think about the apprentice program. It might be something to you’ll appreciate once schools finished?” Remus handed Harry the coat, gloves and letter that he’d left carelessly on the table earlier. With a sigh Harry nodded and accepted the items albeit reluctantly.
“Ok I’ll think about it.” Satisfied by Harry’s reply Remus turned back to continue the washing up leaving Harry to wander from the kitchen. Harry had already decided what he was going to do. Although he was intrigued by the premise he had however no intention of agreeing to any apprentice program. Determined to fire call Ron and ask about the program Harry jogged up the stairs and into his bedroom. With luck the second youngest Weasley was still awake and willing to chat.