The 'Master-Apprentice'-Type Relationship

[alt_moderator]

Alternity dealt with themes of education - formal, informal, and via one-to-one tutelage. Which makes terrific sense when you're writing a story that encompasses the span of schooling for its young protagonists. But in Alternity, the scholarship relationships outside of the classroom offered opportunities for characters to work side by side - and often, secretly at cross-purposes.

Through the magic of my phenomenal alt-moderator powers, I have the pleasure of being able to introduce to this thread some very special guests. These individuals forged deep, close connections with each other in either actual or virtual master-apprentice relationships.

We invite you to ask any questions you may have - about their training, about their relationship, about their suspicions, about how their training prepared them for the fights they eventually fought, or lessons they learned that they would pass on - whatever you want to know! Time and space are immaterial here; the individuals who are participating are free to answer in whatever way they see fit, depending on what's called for in your questions.

Please welcome:

Antonin Dolohov
Justin Finch-Fletchley (Noble Arts)

Severus Snape
Hermione Granger (Potions)
and
Draco Malfoy (Occlumency)

Aurora Sinistra
Evelyn Longbottom (Astronomy)

Barty Crouch, Jr.
Hydra Lestrange (Death Eaterdom)

Savitha Desai
Ron Weasley (Auror training)

Poppy Pomfrey
Sally-Anne Perks (Healing Arts)

Comments

[stormyhearted]

For Antonin Dolohov: How did mentoring Justin compare to some of your other mentoring relationships, like Regulus and Barty?

[atheilen.livejournal.com]

For Antonin and Justin,

I wrote a long thing about the tragedy of how your relationship ended and why you were so convinced you should destroy each other, but I should probably confine myself to questions.

Antonin Nikolaevich, what was it that made you so adamant that Justin should be trained in the first place when he clearly didn't want to learn the Arts? What made you so convinced he was dangerous even when he said he wanted to put them aside, after the war?

Justin, after you revealed your true allegiance, you were adamant that you were playing Dolohov all along and there was no real respect or affection in your relationship. Was that really true? How do you think your relationship changed your ways of thinking, even when you might not have wanted it to?

Both of you, what was the deal with the book Justin baited Antonin with at the end of the game? Inquiring Ravenclaws want to know!

And, what would you both have done differently if you could change things?

[alt_sinistra]

For the others in the conversation, I admit I'm very curious about your comments about apprenticeships that went in unexpected directions. Tosha, Savitha, Barty: do you feel a sense of betrayal, or something else?

I've thought a lot, over time, about Raz and Harry, and the importance of an apprentice (or whatever we're calling it) being their own person, and making their own choices, even when that's sometimes awfully complicated.

(And then I think about the fact that it's my work that took down on of my own Master's biggest projects, for all I think she was rather hoping someone would.)

Or even the milder forms: part of me wishes that Evelyn had stayed much more on the magical side of our field, even while the rest of me is delighted to get letters from her explaining the Muggle science that she's learned in far more depth than I have, and also understands what attracts her there.

[alt_molly]

For Antonin Dolohov: I have so many questions for you, as you can imagine, but given the topic parameters, I'll confine myself to just this one for now: exactly how many of your students ended up dead because of what you taught them? (Or because you killed them yourself; why don't we include those too, just to be thorough).

[(Anonymous)]

I have a question for Auror Crouch:

At the end, when you were dueling Hydra, were you hoping your student would surpass you and win? (I'm told most teachers hope their students surpass them, though I know a couple who don't fit that mold, sadly.) Hydra reported that she thought you were still treating it like a training duel, in some ways.

-- Keshwyn (at work, can't log in)

[alt_arthur]

I am delighted, simply delighted, that Severus did such a tremendous job of finding and awakening the potential I'd sensed in Hermione (I remember so vividly the day I found her in the camps: an engaging little urchin with out-of-control hair and a preternaturally advanced vocabulary). I do feel a great deal of proprietary pride, especially since your collaboration is what allowed the Sleepers to awaken. Severus, this may seem like a peculiar question, but here goes: what do you think your and Hermione's unorthodox paths to your meeting brought to your Master/apprentice relationship? In other words, you both had gone through dreadful ordeals before you ever met--you in Azkaban, and Hermione due to her Muggleborn status. Was that an entirely a disadvantage, or did it unexpectedly mean advantages, too, in any way?


Professor Desai: had I been alive when you began as Ron's mentor, I am sure my heart would have been permanently affixed itself to my throat, given my worries for him, considering both your true loyalties. (And how relieved I would have been--I am!--that he has turned out such a fine Auror, and such a fine young man.) I hadn't thought he would pick a career like that, although it seems obvious in hindsight. Tell me, What made you choose him? What did you discover about his unique traits and potential? What did you want to develop in him the most? What did you spot in him that you thought would be his greatest strength as an Auror, and did you turn out to be correct? What did you think would be his chief weaknesses, and did he overcome them as you hoped?

[(Anonymous)]

Professor Snape,

Did you teach either Hermione or Draco to bake? (I'm guessing you didn't teach Draco, given his issues with toast.) I find kneading bread to be moderately meditative, and wonder if you actively considered it as an avenue for allowing the idle mind to chew over difficult problems. I know you had some inspiration for the Sleeper problems while you were working on the brioche.

Also, did you leave your recipe books to anyone? I expect Hermione is probably too busy to bake these days.

-- Keshwyn (still at work)

[annia]

Antonin has already answered this but to the other masters/mentors, what was your proudest moment as a mentor? Also, least proud moment? (For the Death Eaters, least proud moment other than the fact your protégé was a member of the Order, please. )


For the apprentices, what was the most useful/important thing you learnt from your mentor?

General question

[atheilen.livejournal.com]

This is mostly for Professors Dolohov and Sinistra, but I would also love to hear the thoughts of anyone else, student, teacher, or parent.

Professors, one of the things I enjoyed most about your conversations was seeing your thoughts on the Hogwarts curriculum and how it could be improved. Obviously the fact that you lived in a time of war was a factor, but that so many of you formed these close one-on-one bonds suggests the students needed more than Hogwarts could give them (those that attended Hogwarts, that is.)

What are your thoughts on the state of wizarding education? Have things changed much since the founding of Albion, with the re-establishment of the universities? (For that matter, I always got the impression that education was a factor in what led to the Protectorate, too...pureblood wizards felt they couldn't teach Noble Arts/pass on wizarding culture.) What do you think is done well and what should still be changed?