Chapter 2

Septimus was in his room, banging his bed repeatedly, a gesture which could have been done out of anger. But Septimus was not frustrated; not really. He couldn't forget the hurt look on his tutor's face – or at least his old one - when Sarah had said Marcia didn't care about him. Firstly, it meant there was a possibility that Marcia was actually really attached to him. And something in her eyes had reminded Septimus of the expression someone gets when they remember something. As if his mother's words had triggered an unpleasant memory in her past.

Suddenly, Septimus felt his stomach lurch as the realisation of what had just happened hit him. He wasn't going to be Marcia's apprentice anymore. The lessons he had had with her were always so interesting and fun. He was now a completely different person thanks to the numerous values she had taught him. He knew most children his age tended to be inconsiderate and rush in their judgement but Marcia had shown him that there were people who had more to them that meet the eyes. And in fact, she was one of them.

The young boy lowered his head in his hands and tears that he hadn't even noticed he was holding began to pour from his deep green eyes. How could he have let this happen?! He had just accepted an end to his apprenticeship with no attempt to change his mother's decision. Except a little "but". What would Marcia be thinking? Probably that he thought things were just as good this way. What if she assumed that he had complained to his mother? All this reflecting was too much to bear and, besides, it wasn't going to get him anywhere. Presently, he needed a bit of cheering up. And Septimus believed he knew just the right person to help him…


Beetle was feeling blissful. He was extremely happy because, today, at exactly 10:54, Jenna had smiled at him. Of course, Jenna smiled at many people but he felt that there was something behind that smile. As if the princess really liked him. And that was enough to make Beetle happy for a month. So when his best friends, Septimus Heap, Jenna's adoptive brother came rushing in to the manuscriptorium, the boy was even more pleased – if that is possible – for now, he had someone to share the news with.

"Wotcha Sep!"

"Wotcha Beetle." answered Septimus in a flat tone.

"Oh my god! You have no idea what j—hey what's wrong?" asked Beetle catching sight of his friend's face.

"My mum doesn't want me to be Marcia's apprentice anymore," he sighed.

"What? Why?"

"She thinks Marcia works me too hard…"

"Well I have to say she's quite right. Not that anything's wrong with that," quickly added the confused boy.

Septimus just sat down on an empty box and let his head drop. Beetle realised the situation must be really serious, he had never seen the apprentice look so sad.

Things were not right…


Meanwhile, after a hasty lunch, during which she had patiently explained to her husband for the 5th time that day why it was bad that their son was apprenticed to the extraordinary wizard, Sarah Heap was now, for the second time that day, walking towards the wizard tower. This time, Sarah was going to be firm but fair. That morning, she had realised shouting could help gain other's respect and was planning to use it again if necessary. However, there would no nasty comments; one was quite enough to make a person feel terribly guilty so one was all there would be.

Five minutes later, Sarah was banging on Marcia Overstrand double-doors as hard as she possibly could. The door opened and Sarah was surprised to see Marcia next to it when she knew perfectly well from experience that wizards could make the door open easily with Magyk.

"Hello Madam Overstrand."

If Marcia was taken aback with this mention of her name, she did not show it and instead, moved over to let her visitor come in.

"Hello Mrs. Heap." Sarah did react to being called so formally and looked up with round eyes before remembering she was meant to be in control and sitting down on the purple sofa that Marcia had guided her to.

"Right. I have come over to talk about cancelling Septimus' apprenticeship."

"I still think you are making a mistake—" began the wizard tentatively.

"Unfortunately Madam Overstrand, it is not what you think is right that matters it is what I think is right." Sarah was heating up.

"Well actually, you will find that, as Septimus' legal tutor for 4 years, I am very allowed to give my opinion on the matter although you will not have to follow it."

"And I am not intending to follow it. Now can we move on?"

"For goodness sake's Sarah he was born for this life. How can you be so foolish to deny it even when it is being pushed right in front of your eyes?!"

"It is not your decision to make Madam Overstrand. Septimus is my son!"

"Yes. Of whom you took such great care for the first 10 years of his life." Spat Marcia sarcastically.

"Oh," hissed Sarah. "Because you could have done any better."

Marcia let silence speak her answer, which was partly represented in the passionate look in her eyes. Her visitor seemed to blaze up and, realising she had crossed a border; she attempted to calm her down. But to no avail.

"Let me make this very clear Madam Marcia. Septimus is not your son. He is mine. Who do you think you are, barging into my life, stealing my husband's apprenticeship and then daring to suggest you could be a better mother for my son?!"

Marcia tried to say this wasn't what she had been meaning to say though, before she had the chance to, Sarah was off again.

"If there is one thing I cannot stand, it is people who are too sure of themselves. Septimus knows I am his mother and treats me this way. He respects me because of it and in a way he would only respect someone he considers like a mother. Of course, that doesn't mean that children cannot love two people as mothers and father for, look at Jenna with Milo and Silas! You have to admit this Madam Marcia, Septimus doesn't think of you like this mother. I am not so sure what he thinks of you but I would not be surprised if, to him, you are nothing but a troublesome tutor who cannot seem to leave him alone! Now I will say this one last time: Septimus is not your son. Septimus is my son.

There was a brief pause. Marcia, who had been waiting for Sarah to stop yelling, finally spoke:

"Yes Sarah, do not think I am not aware of this." She said her voice cracking.

The latter, who was about to go on another tirade seemed to reconsider the situation. She had promised herself not to be mean yet, there she was. She knew that the extraordinary wizard never showed her emotions so this morning, the hurt expression on her face had been very extreme. Now, seeing her close to tears was not something Sarah had wished to do. In a way, she understood as Septimus was a wonderful boy and after having been very attached to him for four years, it was normal to be upset at the thought of being torn away from him. The mother had not meant to be so harsh with her words and when she spoke again, it was in a softer voice.

"Look Madam Marcia, I talk to Silas and Septimus about this and when we have come to a decision, we shall tell you OK?"

Marcia nodded absentmindedly and, for the second time that day, Sarah Heap walked out on Marcia Overstrand.

AN: OK I'm sorry if this sounds a bit exagerated...Is Sarah out of character? Please R&R!