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 and any name you don't recognize, and isn't from the HP universe) are entirely my own.


Chapter 18: Spoofhounds vs. Sidewinders

Severus didn't know what was worse - watching over an unconscious Katherine after her injury from Bellatrix, or having to live with a pissed off Katherine, who wasn't allowed out of bed for an entire week. It was getting to the point that he would have picked the unconscious one. Unfortunately.

Although Katherine worked on potion notes and research for him, by the end of the week she was bored out of her mind. She had already read just about every new book in the house, plus a few that Elisa would bring over. But those books would tend to end up on the floor after the first few pages.

"Bloody books," Katherine grumbled, as she laid in bed the following Saturday morning. A thick paperback novel slipped from her fingers and landed with a thud on the hardwood floor below.

"What's wrong with that one?" Severus asked, as he levitated the reminisce of the breakfast in front of him.

"Every books Elisa has brought over has been a romance novel," Katherine complained, rubbing her hand over her eyes. "Every one of them has been about a witch in distress being rescued by a wizard with too much muscle and the mental capability of a mountain troll."

"Then why read them Katherine?" Severus asked with a sigh, as he waved his wand and send the dishes floating towards the kitchen.

"Because I have nothing else to do Sev," Katherine snarled. "I've been stuck in this bloody bed all week long, and I've done everything I can possible think of. Except..."

"Except what?" Severus asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Are...are you brewing today?" Katherine asked, becoming suddenly quiet.

"No," Severus said, shaking his head. "I completed St. Augustine's order yesterday. Elisa took it with her after your checkup."

"Then," Katherine paused, "Will you come back to bed with me for a little while?"

"Katherine, you know Elisa said that we are not suppose to..."

"I'm not talking about having sex Severus," Katherine snapped lightly. "I just...I just want to discuss something important with you. That's all." She looked down at her hands in her lap, as the suddenly silence seemed to become awkward for the both of them.

"Ah," Severus muttered, clearing his throat a bit. "Just let me set a spell on the dishes and I'll be right back."

"Alright," Katherine murmured, before Severus left the room. He quickly made his way to the kitchen and set the spell for the dishes to begin washing and drying themselves. He paused for a moment, leaning against the counter, and ran his hands over his face. Severus couldn't wait for Elisa to come back today and declare Katherine healthy enough to get out of bed. Katherine hadn't displayed any signs of fainting again since last Saturday, and seemed well enough, to him anyway, but the Healer insisted she remained in bed for the whole week.

Slowly, Severus pushed himself away from the counter and padded back to the bedroom. He hadn't dressed that morning, something that he had started doing on Saturdays and Sundays after the boy left. He was surprised how bloody comfortable those pajama pant things could be, and found himself more relaxed in them as time went by.

As he returned to the bedroom, he found Katherine propped up against the headboard with the Dumbledore Family Tree book in her hands. Her eyes were narrowed in on the page, quickly moving from left to right then back again.

"What in Merlin's name are you doing?" Severus asked, as he made his way to the bed.

"Try to find a name that doesn't exist on this bloody family tree," Katherine muttered, her eyes never leaving the book. Severus sat down next to her, propping himself up against the headboard as well.

"What for?" He asked, as he pulled the blankets back over his legs and bare feet.

"Well, if you think about it, there is only about three months left until someone makes their debut," Katherine stated, while pointing to her ever growing belly. "The baby will need a name, love."

"How are we suppose to name it, if we don't want to know what it is?" Severus asked, with a raised brow.

"We just pick out a couple of boy names and couple of girl names," Katherine said, looking up at him. "And then when the baby is born we can decide from there."

Katherine summoned a quill and paper to the bed, and together, the two began creating a list of boy and girl names. But nearly three hours past and it seemed that neither Katherine nor Severus could agree on two boy or two girl names. And in the end, they agreed to disagree. Katherine had been more focused on boys' names, while Severus could only think of girls. So it was decided. Katherine would choose the name for a son and Severus would choose for a daughter. In three months, they would know for sure the name of their soon-to-be child.

Just after lunch, Elisa flooed over for what would be, hopefully, Katherine's last bed rest checkup. The Healer waved her wand over Katherine from head to toe and back again; muttering spells under her breath and occasionally murmuring 'good' here and there.

"Alright Katherine," Elisa said, as she finished up the diagnoses. "Just a few questions. Any pelvic pressure?"

"No," Katherine said, slightly annoyed by Elisa's chipper mood.

"Good," Elisa smiled, crossing it off on her journal. "Baby's movement and kicking been normal?"

"Yes."

"Any severe or persistent abdominal pain?"

"No."

"Any vaginal bleeding or spotting or watery discharge?" Elisa asked, causing Katherine to scowl at her and Severus to swallow hard, in order to keep his lunch down.

"No," Katherine snarled.

"Any pain or burning when you urinate?"

"Elisa!" Katherine snapped. "Do we really need to go through that infernal list of yours?"

"It's standard Katherine, humor me will you?" Elisa said, growing serious.

"Fine, and no."

"Alright," Elisa continued. "Any severe or persistent vomiting?"

"Only the need to from those bloody romance novels or yours," Katherine growled, causing Severus to have to stifle a chuckle. "But not because of the pregnancy."

"Any chills or fever?"

"No."

"Any blurred or double vision, or are you seeing spots or floaters?"

"No."

"Any severe or persistent headaches, slurred speech or numbness?"

"No. No. And No."

"Any swelling in your face, hands, legs or feet?"

"No."

"Any severe or persistent leg or calf pains?"

"No."

"Any more fainting or frequent dizziness, rapid heartbeat or palpitations?"

"No."

"Any difficulty breathing, coughing up blood or chest pains?"

"No."

"Any severe constipation or diarrhea?"

"No."

"And finally," Elisa smirked. "Any increase in vaginal discharge or a change in the type of discharge?"

"Excuse me," Severus muttered, raising from the bed quickly and making his way through the French doors as fast as he could.

"No," Katherine snarled. "So, am I able to get up and move about finally?"

"I think so," Elisa said, smiling softly. "Just take it easy. Rest often and no heavily lifting anymore."

"Alright, alright," Katherine said, as she slowly turned herself to place her feet on the floor. She made to get up, but the two witches were suddenly startled by Hermes' screeching, as he flew in through the French doors, with Severus flowing closely.

The little owl landed on the massive bed, tangling himself in the green sheets; his wings fluttering wildly as he hopped about in the sea of green. After several minutes, Severus finally managed to grab hold of the little bird, and untied the letter from his leg. Hermes ruffled his feather slightly, and nipped at Severus' fingers before taking flight once again.

"Bloody bird," Severus growled as he broke the seal on the letter.

"Who's it from Sev?" Katherine asked, as Elisa helped her to her feet.

"Septimus," he said, glancing over the letter.

"Dear Mom & Dad,

First two week have been good. Professor Prescott had us make Draught of Living Death the first day of class. Needless to say, only two in the class actually came out right, my own and Chris Benson's. Our first Quidditch practice went well. We only needed two extra chasers this year; one went to a fifth year and the other to a four year. We're a young team, but I have a good feeling about this year. I've attached our schedule with this letter. Our first match is next Saturday at Ouachita! Can't wait! Hope to see you at the game...

-Septimus"

"Oh!" Katherine exclaimed, cheering up immensely because of the letter. "Let me see the schedule." Severus moved around the bed and handed her a page that was embossed with the New Salem crest.

'Quidditch Season 1998-1999

Saturday, Sept. 19 - at Ouachita - at 1:00pm (EST)
Saturday, Oct. 3 - vs. Torngat - at 12:00pm (EST)
Saturday, Oct. 17 -
at Belknap Springs - at 3:00pm (EST)
Saturday, Oct. 31 - vs. Isla Angel de la Guarda - at 12:00pm (EST)
Saturday, Nov. 14 - vs. Ouachita - at 12:00pm (EST)
Saturday, Nov. 28 -
at Torngat - at 11:00am (EST)
Saturday, Dec. 12 - vs. Belknap Springs - at 12:00pm (EST)
Saturday, Jan. 9 -
at Isla Angel de la Guarda - at 2:00pm (EST)
Saturday, Jan. 23 - -
at Ouachita - at 1:00pm (EST)
Saturday, Feb. 6 - vs. Torngat - at 12:00pm (EST)
Saturday, Feb. 20 -
at Belknap Springs - at 3:00pm (EST)
Saturday, Mar. 6 - vs. Isla Angel de la Guarda - at 12:00pm (EST)
Saturday, Mar. 20 - vs. Ouachita - at 12:00pm (EST)
Saturday, Apr. 10 -
at Torngat - at 11:00am (EST)
Saturday, Apr. 24 - vs. Belknap Springs - at 12:00pm (EST)
Saturday, May 8 -
at Isla Angel de la Guarda - at 2:00pm (EST)
Saturday, May 22 -
ROUND ROBIN TOURNAMENT AT TORNGAT - at 7:00am (EST)
Sunday, May 23 -
SEMIFINALS AT TORNGAT - at 11:00am (EST)
Saturday, May 29 -
FINALS AT TORNGAT - at 2:00pm (EST)'

"Well," Katherine grinned. "Looks like we have something to fill our Saturdays now."

"Indeed," Severus smirked.


On the day of Saturday, September 19th, Severus and Katherine, along with Christoph and Elisa portkeyed into the little wizarding village of Haggerty in Arkansas. The town was located in the Upper Ouachita National Wildlife Refuge and was surrounded by lush vegetation and swampy marshes. Carriages were present at the portkey sites, which would hull witches and wizards up to the school's Quidditch pitch, that was located allow the Fish Lake.

The pitch overlooked the large lake, and was adorned in orange and silver banners and flags, that blew wildly in the southern winds. Even with the strong wind, the temperatures were still well into the eighties. The two couples made their way to the visitors section to find their seat, and found themselves sitting amongst professors and other students' parents. A few sections down, students decked out in royal blue and white cheered loudly.

Katherine was greeted by many of the other players' parents, and all of them politely introduced themselves to Severus. He was surprised to learn that all four of Septimus' roommates were on the team and was relieved to hear that all of them thought highly of his son. The mothers seemed to congregate around Katherine, bombarding her with questions about her pregnancy, the baby and her due date, which Severus noticed that she answered each question calmly and with easy.

Severus and Christoph talked with the other fathers of the players, as they waited for the game to begin. Severus was surprised to learn that Richard Burke, Justin's father, was the head Healer in the Potions and Plant Poisoning division at St. Josephine's Hospital in New York; and he found himself being asked many questions by the man, about the recent 'Pepper Up' overdosing problems that were occuring in New York.

"Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the first Varsity Quidditch match of the season!" an announcer's voice boomed over the crowd, ceasing all conversations in the stands. "Today's match will be the New Salem Spoofhounds versus the Ouachita Sidewinders!"

Suddenly the crowd began cheering wildly, as flashes of orange and silver appeared above their heads, and flew into the arena. The home section of the pitch rose to their feet as the seven Ouachita players took their positions.

"Let's welcome our Sidewinders for the 1998 season!" the announcer yelled. "Keeper...Laura McKennely! Chasers...Marcus Adler, Steven Adler and Gloria O'Hare! Beaters...Team Captain Jacob Timblin and Dale Houlihan! And Seeker...Martha Lopez!" The Ouachita student section roared to life at the call of each name; waving their orange and silver banners and flags high into the air.

"Now, let's welcome the New Salem Spoofhounds!" the announcer continued. Suddenly flashes of blue and white flew overhead, and circled the arena once, before the players took their positions. "Keeper...Kyle Fuchs! Chasers...Gwen Monaco, Carlos Gonzalo and Caroline Matthews! Beaters...Justin Burke and Mike Palmer! And Seeker...Team Captain Septimus Prince!" The New Salem fans roared with excitement as their players hovered high above them. Severus watched as Katherine smiled up at their son, who was scanning the crowds for them. The boy's head finally turned towards them, and a smile broke out on his face as he waved down to them.

"The coaches for today's match are Professor John Mattzinger for New Salem and Professor Marion Ellis for Ouachita. Today's referees will be Rachel Barnsworth and Francis Algust both from the N.A. Quidditch Association," the announced called. "And I am your announcer, Ryan Redding, of the N.A.Q.A."

"Captains!" Referee Algust shouted up to the players from the field below. "Shake hands and return to you positions!" Gracefully Septimus flew forward to the center of the field and shook hands with the large, red headed beater from Ouachita, before returning to his post.

"Now I want a nice clean game from all of you!" Referee Algust shouted. "You will be allowed three fouls each, after that you will be pulled out of the game! Do I make myself clear?" After one finally look at each of the players, he continued. "Alright! Good luck to all of you, and may the best team win!"

Referee Barnsworth reached down and unlocked the clamps from the bludgers, allowing them to take off high into the air. The snitch was next, followed by the quaffle.

"The quaffle is released! And the game begins!" Announcer Redding shouted. "New Salem chaser Monaco grabs the quaffle, passes it to Matthews, to Gonzalo then back to Matthews again! Matthews passes it to Monaco ...NO! WAIT! Ouachita chaser O'Hare cuts Monaco off and takes possession!

"O'Hare passes to M. Adler, who passes it back O'Hare, who passes it off to S. Adler, then off to M. Adler! Adler lauches the quaffle towards New Salem's keeper Fuchs and Fuches misses! OUACHITA SCORES! 10 points for the Sidewinders!" The Ouachita crowd roared to life, waving the banners and flags again.

"New Salem in possession!" Redding yelled. "Matthews takes the quaffle, passes it to Gonzalo, back to Matthews, back to Gonzalo, who passes it to Monaco! OH! Monaco nearly got hit in the head by a bludger, sent her way by Timblin! Monaco passes the quaffle off to Gonzalo, who releases it towards Keeper McKennely...and McKennely misses! NEW SALEM SCORES! 10 points for New Salem!"

The parents and student section for New Salem cheered loudly, rising to their feet. Carlos' parents, who were sitting in front of Severus and Katherine, shouted their praises to their son, as he flew back down the field to get back into position again.

"Ouachita back in possession!" Redding shouted. "M. Adler to S. Adler, back to M. Adler, back to S. Adler, over to O'Hare then to M. Adler, back to...WAIT A MINUTE! There goes Prince! He must of spotted the snitch! And there goes Lopez, hot on his heel!"

Katherine rose to her feet, along with half of the parent section, as Septimus took off in the opposite direction of the field. His royal blue cape billowing out around him as he lowered himself to his broom, in order to gain more speed. Severus and the Fuersts had rose to their feet as well, trying to spot the snitch themselves.

"Do you see it Katherine?" Severus shouted over the crowd's cheering and Redding continuous shouting.

"Above Ouachita's right goalpost," Katherine shouted back, her eyes never leaving the spot where the little snitch hovered.

"How in Merlin's name can you see that from here?" Elisa asked her.

"Are you sure you're not a hawk animagus Katherine?" Christoph laughed.

"No," Katherine chuckled, "It's called years of training."

"OH! M. Adler take a bludger to the face from Palmer, knocking him off his broom! That had to hurt!" Redding shouted. "Quaffle back to Monaco, and...SHE SCORES! 10 more points to New Salem! The Spoofhounds now lead 40 to 20!"

"Prince and Lopez are now flying neck and neck!" Redding yelled, as Septimus and the Ouachita Seeker flew side by side around the field, ducking and dodging players and balls in their paths. The snitch was just within their reach, and Lopez stretched her right arm out, her fingers a mere inches from the little golden ball.

Septimus lowered himself flush with his broom, stretching his right arm out as well. It was Septimus height that gave him an advantage over the Ouachita's 5 foot 3 inch seeker, and within seconds of stretching out his arm, his long fingers enclosed themselves around the tiny snitch.

"PRINCE CAUGHT THE SNITCH!" Redding hollered over the crowd. "NEW SALEM WINS! NEW SALEM WINS 190 TO 20! WHAT A VICTORY LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!" The New Salem crowd cheered wildly, as the players landed in the center of the field and celebrated their victory. Septimus thrust his hand into the air, the shiny snitch glittering in the bright sunlight, as he smiled from ear to ear in the direction of his parents.

"Come on," Katherine shouted to Severus, as she took his hand and led them to the stand's staircase.

"Thank you to everyone for coming out on this fine day," Redding announced, as Severus and Katherine made their way to where the player's would exit the field. "Hope everyone has a safe journey back home. And remember don't drink and fly! Goodnight everyone!"

The players slowly started to trickle out of the stadium; greeting parents and friends alike. Katherine and Severus were soon joined by Elisa and Christoph, who got stuck in the crowd on the way down from the stands. Then towards the tail end of the group of players, Septimus finally emerged from the arena.

"Mom! Dad!" Septimus shouted as he ran over to greet his parents. Katherine quickly wrapped him in her arms, both smiling madly.

"Congratulations Sept!" Katherine said, as the boy pulled back slightly.

"Well done," Severus said, grasping the boy's shoulder and giving him a small smile.

"Thanks," Septimus said, panting slightly, as he was still winded from the flight and from celebrating with his teammates.

"SEPTIMUS!" a girl's voice shouted over the crowd. Septimus released his mother, just in time, as a body came lunging at him. Septimus quickly wrapped his arms around the person, and leaned back slightly to avoid tipping both of them over. In the boy's confusion, he suddenly found a pair of arms wrapped around his neck and a pair of lips crushed against his own.

"Helena!" Elisa scolded her daughter. "You act as though you haven't seen him in weeks."

"Sorry, sorry," Helena muttered, as she quickly released Septimus from her hold and blushed furiously. "Just a bit overexcited I guess."

"I'll say," Christoph chuckled, earning a elbow to the stomach from his wife.

"NEW SALEM STUDENTS!" the voice belonging to Headmaster Mickels boomed over the crowds. "YOUR PORTKEY LEAVES IN 5 MINUTES! PLAYERS, YOURS LEAVES IN 10! DO NOT MISS THOSE PORTKEYS!"

"We better get going," Septimus said, turning back to hug his parent once more.

"Alright," Katherine smiled. "We'll see you again in two weeks."

"Okay," Septimus said, still winded. "Love you."

"We love you too," Katherine shouted, as Septimus and Helena took off in the direction of the portkeys.

"Well," Christoph said, turning back to Severus and Katherine and wrapping an arm around his wife. "Shall we get a bite to eat?"

"I think we better head home," Katherine said, as Severus wrapped an arm around her. "My ankles are swelling a bit, and I'd like to get a nap in...

"And I hope someone will join me in bed," she whispered only loud enough for Severus to hear.

"Very well," Christoph smirked. "We'll see you both later then." The Fuersts waved goodbye and made their way towards the village to find a place to eat.

"Somehow I don't think a nap is truly on your mind," Severus murmured, as they made their way to their portkeying location.

"Are you reading my mind again Mr. Prince," Katherine teased, as Severus lightly caressed her side with his thumb.

"I just have the feeling that you wish to celebrate our son's victory with something more than just a nap," Severus smirked, letting his hand wander down to her hip. "Am I correct?"

"Indeed you are," Katherine smiled up at him, as the two grasped their portkey and vanished into thin air.


a/n: Well, I think I'm back on schedule for posting! We are getting closer to Katherine's due date, and their little one will make his/her appearance in about two chapters! Chapter 19 will be posted next weekend!

A big thank you to Mira Severus Sirius Black-Snape, Missyick, AdaYuki, RequiemWolfenstein87, MRSSPICY (times 3) & Love me like snape loved lily ALWAYS for their wonderful reviews!