originally published: 28.03.02
updated: 01.07.04
illustrations updated: 15.12.02

Five years. Two wizards.
[cover illustration]

Illustrations for The Sorcerer's Apprentice are copyright Snaples.

1. Snape Takes an Apprentice. In which Mr. Potter has a strange request, and Snape is unaccountably delighted.
2. The Apprenticeship Begins. Spittle and focus: the cornerstone of any good relationship.
3. Diagon Alley. Shopping is hard. Let's do math!
4. One Apprentice, Slightly Shaken. Mr. Potter and slime don't mix.
5. Confrontations. Snape and Arthur Albion don't mix, either. Neither do Mr. Potter and Slytherin House.
6. If You Don't Like Conversation in a Book, Skip This Chapter! In which everyone talks far too much, and nothing is resolved.
   [illustration: "Sheep?"] [illustration: Myrrh]
7. The Rain Before the Storm. More things are ruined by this than Malfoy's reputation.
8. London Calling. One tube station, hold the Dementors.
9. Blood Tell. Poker in a holding pattern.
10. Looking Through Windows for Demons. More blood. More Albion. More pranksterism. Possibly some minor plot advancement.
    [illustration: "I caught a bottle out of the air by its chain and held it up to the light."] [illustration: Collapse]
11. The Dark Tree Bears Bitter Fruit. Snape, Draco, and why they're not the same - and why they are.

Year Two. They haven't killed each other. Yet.

1. Earth Magic. In which Snape sows seed, Harry brings bad news, and a new Defence professor arrives.
2. Blood and Bindings. Snape and Harry proceed with their mutual antagonism-with-love plan, and Minerva is distressed.

Thanks owed to Fox, Kass Rachel, Mary Ellen, Beth, Roman, Predatrix, Shawn, Regsnake, and everyone else who has been there along the way.

Extra-special thanks to my betas: Mandragora, who graciously agreed to check me over for British language and culture; Debra Fran Baker, for careful and intelligent midwifing; Bryan, for sound and thoughtful commentary; Nat, for sanity-checking.

Blame for parts of this story apportioned to: Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin and his translator M.F.K. Fisher, Anthony Bourdain, Dorothy Canfield, William Blake, the Clash, Frank Bidart, David Bowie, Jim Crace, and L. Frank Baum.

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