Bernice Stern wasn’t too sure about what she would do with her life now. She had just finished her studies in Hogwarts, and while she knew she should have a plan, she didn’t have one yet. Not because there was nothing she could do. On the contrary, there were many options she could pursue in her life. She could pursue an internship in St. Mungus, or open a potion shop, or try to become an auror, or pretty much anything else she could imagine. It was only a matter of making up her mind.
Bernice was at home with her mother - an elegant and strict witch she admired greatly - when an owl came flying into the house. The girl didn’t even think it would be a letter for her at first. Apart from her parents and an eventual relative, Bernice rarely received letters, after all.
Still, even though the girl didn’t think the letter was for her, Bernice stopped what she was doing - studying and taking some notes to keep her mind busy - and went to collect the letter brought by the owl. “I believe it should be for you, mother”, she commented, giving the bird a little treat and untying the parchment from its foot.
Watching the bird stop and wait for a while, Bernice noticed that the letter was for her. “I shall send an answer later”, she said to the owl, watching it fly away before going back to the table. Opening the letter, the young woman read it a few times, before looking at her mother. “Looks like I know what I will do at least for now”, she stated, getting up and walking up to her mother with the letter.
The older woman read it in silence and nodded. “I believe you will be in good hands with Professor Snape. Send him my regards when you write him back”. Bernice nodded and took the letter back, excusing herself.
In her small study, whose walls were covered with bookshelves, she wrote back to Snape.
Professor Snape,
I am honored by the opportunity of apprenticeship under your tutelage. I shall be in Hogwarts at 8 o’clock sharp.
Kind regards from myself and my mother,
Bernice Angelique Stern
Once she was satisfied with this brief letter, Bernice called her barn owl to her and tied the note to its foot, sending it off. As soon as she saw her owl fly away, Bernice started moving. She planned on taking something to Professor Snape; for one, because she didn’t want to show up empty handed; and also because the item she planned on taking with her could only be produced with magical skill, and it was an item that she had developed herself due to a necessity. Locking her door with a spell, Bernice went to work. It had to be perfect, after all.