Disclaimer: I do not own any of the people or places that belong to the wonderful world of Harry Potter, as they belong to J.K. Rowling. The OCs (Katherine, Septimus, Helena, Christoph, Elisa, Henry, Nick, Justin, Kyle, Carlos, Mike, Nurse Canter, Headmaster Mickels, Hunfrith, Olwen, Huffie, Sorsek, Bilik, Fossum, Lars and Sven) are entirely my own.
Chapter 8: Union Station
The week went by faster than anyone had anticipated. Back at home, Severus had the first chance at seeing Katherine's private lab in the cellar. He was amazed in the fact that the room was twice as large as the lab back at Hogwarts, and was relieved at the organization in the storage room. Since Katherine was not allowed to brew any longer, Severus set about making the anti-nausea potion, while she made her way to the gardens to check on the herbs and vegetables.
On Thursday, Christoph and Elisa stopped by again, but this time it was to discuss the kids. Katherine had made a large dinner for them, and afterwards they moved into the living room to finalize their plans.
"So we are all on agreement that Katherine will pick up Septimus on her own and Severus will be here waiting for them," Christoph said, as he leant back in his chair with a cup of coffee in his hands.
"I think that would be best," Katherine said, as she sat down on the couch and put her feet up on the ottoman in front of her. "We don't want to draw any more attention to ourselves then we possibly could."
"You're right," Christoph chuckled. "He'd probably yell 'dad' across the station, upon seeing Severus' face."
"You act as though the boy talks about me all the time," Severus scoffed, as the other three chuckled behind their cups.
"Merlin's sake Sev," Katherine said, still chuckling from behind her tea cup. "Septimus asked about you all the time."
"The last two years were unbelievable," Elisa grinned. "I don't think a day didn't go by when he would ask as to 'when do you think mom will be home' or 'do you think dad will come home with her.' I was relieved when school came around, and we were able to load him back on the train again."
"You cannot be serious," Severus frowned. "Why would he want to know about me?"
"You are his father," Katherine smiled. "It is only natural for a boy to want to know as much about his father as possible."
"Even though he's never met you, in his eyes, you are his idol," Elisa smiled at the dark haired wizard.
"I am no hero Elisa," Severus scoffed again.
"Ah...but to him you are," Christoph said, as he reclined himself further into his chair. "Katherine has only told him that you were a 'private potions tutor' for the wealthiest families in Europe, but to him you are much more than that."
"And when he finds out the truth..." Severus asked, looking around at the others.
"I guess we will have to see on Sunday," Katherine shrugged.
Sunday morning came all too fast for Severus, as he was woken with a start as the bed shifted beside him. He cracked open his eyes to find Katherine pacing the room, back and forth between armoire and the dresser. Clothes were bunched up in her hands, while others were strewn about across the dresser's top.
"Katherine?" Severus yawned. "Are you alright?"
"No," Katherine stated, as she continued to pace. Severus shifted on the bed and rose to his feet; his eyes blinked tiredly in the morning's light.
"Are you ill?" Severus asked, as he moved to block her path. Katherine came to a halt in front of him, but did not meet his eyes.
"No," Katherine said. "Just nervous."
"About?"
"Septimus," Katherine said, finally meeting his eyes. Her ice blue were brimming with unshed tears. "I'm afraid of what his reaction will be."
"Afraid?" Severus smirked lightly at her. "You, who faced Death Eaters, face Voldemort himself, afraid of a boy's reaction?"
"His trust means everything to me Severus," Katherine said, as a tear escaped her. "As yours. I cannot bare the thought of him never trusting me again."
"He may be angry at first, but he'll come around," Severus said, as he guided Katherine back towards the bed and gently pushed her to sit down. "We've discussed this. He deserves to know the truth now that he can know about it."
"I know, I know," Katherine sniffed, wiping her eyes. Severus carefully placed himself next to her, and pulled her into his arms.
"You know," Severus sighed into Katherine's hair. "You could have told him I did something else, rather than portray me as nothing more than a private potions tutor."
"It was the most believable thing," Katherine chuckled softly, through her tears. "Plus, it helped to spark his interest in potions. He's always wanted to be a good as you. When he was eight, I asked him why he wanted to do well in potions, and he said 'because it would make you proud.'"
"I've seen your memories Katherine," Severus said. "How could I not feel proud of the boy...but I must admit, I'm not sure how good of a father I will be to either one of them. I do not want to end up..."
"Stop Sev," Katherine said, pulling away from him to look up into his eyes again. "You are not your father. Just like I am not my mother. Parenthood isn't easy, believe me, but somehow I know you will be a wonderful father to Septimus and our new little one."
"How do you know that for sure Katherine?" Severus said, raising an eyebrow at the blonde witch.
"Because of how you are with me," Katherine smiled up at him. "You protected me and cared for me these past two years. You're not your father Sev; you're a better man than he ever was."
"I hope you're right," Severus sighed. "I guess my real first test will come this evening on the five o'clock train.
"At least," Severus smirked, as he rested his hand on Katherine's stomach. "I'll have a while to prepare for this one."
"Indeed," Katherine smiled, as she rested her hand on top of his.
At four-thirty that afternoon, Severus watched as Katherine, Christoph and Elisa Disapparated from the Apparation point, with a loud crack. He stood still for a moment, thinking about what Katherine had said that morning.
With a sigh, he turned and headed back towards the house. It would only be a half an hour before his son would step off the train, and probably another fifteen minutes for Katherine to collect him and Apparate the two of them back home.
Their memories were already prepared in the lake's pensieve, so there was nothing more for Severus to do; other than wait.
Katherine, Christoph and Elisa arrived just outside Union Station in Chicago was a loud pop. The alley that served as an Apparation point was crowded with wizards and witches hurrying in to collect their children from the New Salem Train. The station was much more modern than King's Cross, but the entrance to Platform 7 1/4 was much like 9 3/4 back home.
The three followed the crowd and made their way through the brick barrier onto the train's platform. Hundreds of parents and guardians gathered there, awaiting the emerald train to arrive. The older of the wizards and witches were dressed in old world wizarding robes, while the younger, more around Katherine's age, would have been able to walk among the Muggles, without getting a second glance.
The half hour ticked by slowly, as more and more people arrived on the platform. Then finally a low whistle sounded in the distance, and a shiny emerald green train rolled into the station. Children hung from the windows, waving to the people on the platform, until the train came to a full stop.
Suddenly, it was if the flood gates opened, and there were twice as many people on the platform as there was before. Children ran to their loved ones, who enveloped them in their arms. The old students hugged each other goodbye for the summer, knowing they would see each other again in the fall; while others gave their last goodbyes, for they had graduation, and would be going off and starting the new lives.
Katherine stood on her toes to try and get a better view. Even though she was 5'9", 5'11" in her heels, she felt as though she could not get high enough to see over the heads of the crowd.
Then she saw him.
Her son.
Their son.
He had grown since the last time she saw him. Just as lanky as his father had been at that age, but with slightly more muscle in his arms. His nose, hair and eyes just like his father's as well, but ears and lips were hers.
Katherine couldn't help herself, and she trusted a hand into the air; waving it furiously to draw his attention.
"Septimus," Katherine tried to shout over the crowd. "SEPTIMUS!"
The young man stopped dead in his tracks, and glanced around him wildly. Finally, his eyes found hers, and for a moment they filled with disbelief. Katherine smiled brightly at him, as tears filled her eyes for the second time that day.
"Mom?" Septimus whispered to himself, as he stared at the smiling blonde witch. He couldn't believe it. She was home. She was really home.
"MOM!" Septimus all but dropped his trunk, abandoning it in the middle of the crowded platform. He pushed his way through the crowd, as Katherine did the same, until they meet in the middle.
Katherine threw her arms around him, as he did the same; both hold each other as tight as their possibly could. Slightly, Katherine pulled back from him, to take him all in. The boy had grown tremendously in two years time, now standing at 5'10", maybe even 5'11". His arms were stronger, but his hair style had remained the same.
"Are you home for good?" Septimus asked her, with a hopeful look in his eyes.
"Yes," Katherine smiled at him, pulling him into a hug once more. "And I don't plan on leaving again anytime soon."
"Good," Septimus sighed, releasing his mother once again.
"Grab your trunk, and we'll head home," Katherine told him. "I have a few...surprises at home for you."
"A new broom?" Septimus smirked, as he picked up his trunk and carryon bag. Katherine smiled at the sight of him. The smirk on Septimus' face was in every way Severus, and she couldn't help but smile at that look.
"No," Katherine smiled, shaking her head. "It something much better than a new broom."
"What could be better than a new broom?" Septimus grinned, as he began following Katherine towards the Apparation sight.
"You'll see when you get home."
At twenty after five, Katherine and Septimus had reached the boundaries of their propriety. Septimus had talked nonstop since they had arrived north woods. He talked about school, Helena, Quidditch, and just about everything in between. Katherine smiled at him on the outside, but on the inside she was still worried about her son's reaction to the coming news.
All of a sudden, Septimus went silent. Katherine, who had been watching the path beneath her feet, looked up towards her son, and found him staring off towards the lake. But it wasn't the lake he was staring at. It was the lone figure, dressed in black trousers and a plain white button down shirt, that had caught the youth's eye. A man. A tall man with black shoulder length hair.
Katherine gently took her son's hand and beckoned him to follow her. As the two reached the beginning of the pier, they stopped again. Septimus gasped and his black eyes widened, as he came to realize who the man was.
"Dad."
a/n: Sorry! Cliffhanger :) So Septimus is home, and in Chapter 9 we will get to see his reaction to Sev and Katherine's news. Chapter 9 should be posted some time around next Wednesday or Thursday!
A big thanks to tigerlili48, RequiemWolfenstein87, Missyick, Mira Serverus Sirius Black-Snape, Grumpirah, lexiloo124, , MRSSPICY, Edwardswife1988 and LemonDropsWoolSocks for their wonderful reviews!
