#libatius borage

(takes place just before Lily speaks to Borage)

James and Lily walked back to the common room in silence.

"Okay, what's up? You've been giving me the cold shoulder all night." James stepped in front of his girlfriend.

"Why did you want to come tonight?" She asked.

"What?"

"You've always said the Slug Club was stupid--"

"It is."

Lily fixed him with a look. "Then why tonight?" He shrugged. "Did you know Severus was going to be there?"

"No and it's not my fault Borage offered me that apprenticeship."

"You hate potions."

"So? Lily do you know how huge it would be to be to be Libatius Borage's first apprentice in ten years?"

"Yes. Look, James...I just need some fresh air, okay? I'll meet you in the common room."

James frowned. "Are you okay?"

"Yes, sorry... I'm just a bit hot." She kissed the corner of his mouth.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009) by David Yates

(previously, Severus has been rejected by Libatius Borage for an apprenticeship and he's decided to leave Hogwarts)

"Mr Borage, thank you for accepting my invitation." Minerva greeted Libatius Borage as he arrived at her table.

"Libatius, please and I'd never miss an opportunity to dine with a beautiful lady." He clasped her hand and Minerva resisted the urge to pull away.

They made small talk (well, Libatius did Minerva just sipped her gin and tonic) before Minerva was able to steer the conversation where she wanted it.

"While I'm most pleased you've chosen a Gryffindor as your apprentice, I must ask if you are so sure of James Potter."

"I got into a sticky situation with your Ministry a few years back, James Potter Senior smoothed over what could have been a very embarrassing situation for me. The least I could do is take his son as my apprentice."

"I understand but should not the apprentice reflect their master and eventually surpass them?" Minerva studies Libatius. "James Potter...his gifts lie more with transfiguration than potions."

"Is this about the Snape boy?" Minerva faulted slightly. Libatius sighed. "That's all I seem to hear about. Abraxas Malfoy has a lot to say about him. I suppose I could reconsider but don't think for a moment I'm going to be persuaded."

- Lily spotted Severus sitting in his usual corner of the library and after a slight hesitation took a breath and walked towards him.

- he was scribbling in his notebook surrounded by advanced potions books and what Lily was sure were books about dark magic.

- "Hi."

- Severus looked up and was about to tell whoever had interrupted him to clear off when he realised who it was. "Lily."

- "I haven't seen in you class recently."

- "Yeah...there didn't seem much point."

- She frowned. "What do you mean?"

- "I'm leaving at the end of term."

- "What?"

- Severus fiddled with the corner of his notebook. "You're the first person I've told."

- Lily sat down in the free chair next to him. "Sev, I know you're upset about Borage but there's other potion masters. You don't have to give up."

- he shrugged. "Once word gets round that Borage didn't think I was good enough---"

- "You known that's not true." She put her hand on his arm.

- he pulled his arm away. "It doesn't matter, it's what they'll all hear."

- "Sev---"

- "Your boyfriend is looking for you."

- Lily looked over her shoulder to see James. "Please don't leave, Sev."

- James spotted her and frowned at who she was sitting with.

- "You'd better go."

- Libatius Borage watched Severus brewing, occasionally asking questions.

- Slughorn watched intently from the back of the classroom.

- after, they left Severus to clean up and left together.

- "Remarkable." Borage said with a shake of his head.

- "He's one of the best I've taught." Slughorn beamed proudly. "Does this mean...?"

- "Hm? Oh, no. I've offered the apprenticeship to James Potter."

- "James Potter? He's...lazy, not one of my best."

- "His father got me out of a sticky situation a few years ago."

- Slughorn stared at Borage. "Then why...?"

- "Curiosity." Borage shrugged. "Tell him I was impressed and I'm sure he will have no problem finding a Master."

@comicallyseductivesiren

"Mr Borage, please wait."

Libatius Borage turned to see Lily Evans hurrying up the corridor towards him. She reached him in a moment.

"Please give Severus a chance." She said a little breathlessly.

Borage raised an eyebrow at her. "We have not had the pleasure. You are?"

"Lily Evans. Please, Severus is...a genius. He creates his own spells and potions is like...breathing to him. It would mean a lot if you gave him a chance."

"He must mean a lot to you for to argue so passionately for him."

"He...he just deserves a chance, that's all." Lily stood awkwardly in the corridor as Borage studied her.

---

A week later, Severus was summoned to Slughorn's office.

"Well, my boy." Slughorn beamed at him. "You must have said something to impress old Libatius as he's requested a demonstration."

"A demonstration?" Severus's eyes went wide. "I didn't think I'd done anything to impress him." Slughorn handed him the letter.

"Don't waste this chance, Severus."