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 19: All Hallows Eve

With September drawing to a close, Severus found himself swamped with orders from the hospital. Cold and flu season were upon them, and the lab at one point had nearly twenty cauldrons of 'Pepper Up Potion' going at once.

While Severus slaved away in the lab, Katherine concentrated on the finishing of the gardens. The weather was becoming colder and rainy in the first part of October and the beds slowly began to diminish in size over the course of two weeks. Herbs were dried, vegetables and fruits were canned or frozen, and magical herbs and plants were prepared for storage for the winter months.

Every other Saturday was spent traveling to Septimus' Quidditch games. They had won against the Torngat Golden Eagles, but fell short by ten points against the Belknap Springs Devil Dogs. Septimus had at least catch the snitch, but, with the game lasting nearly seven hours, they were outscored 190 to 180. But it didn't seem to put the boy down too much, and he had said in his last letter that he was looking forward to crushing the Isla Angel de la Guarda Pumas on the thirty-first of October.

Katherine was now into her second week of her third trimester. And although she never complained, Severus noticed that she was physically slowing down and more tired than normal. She was also constantly stirring in her sleep, as she tried to find a comfortable position while the baby decided to stir and kick at all hours of the night. All in all, he was glad that there were only ten weeks left, but at the same time, that thought also made him a bit leery. No matter how much Katherine reassured him that he wouldn't be his father, a part of him still believed that he would be.

Elisa was now making 'weekly doctor visits,' even though her and/or Christoph were usually seen in or around the house daily. The healer seemed happy with Katheirne's progress, and then constantly questioned the witch about when she was going to get the nursery set up, which usually caused Katherine to snap and end up in a bad mood the rest of the day.

One week before Halloween, Severus, who had been delivering potions to St. Augustine's, returned with a harsh scowl on his face and a letter in his hand.

"Sev?" Katherine asked, looking up from her book. "What's the matter?"

"This is the problem," he sneered, thrusting the letter at her. Katherine quietly took the envelope from his hand, and broke the seal quickly.

"St. Augustine's Hospital
cordially invites you to attend its' annual
'All Hallows Eve' Ball and Fundraiser

Saturday, the thirty-first of
October
Seven o'clock in the evening
The Moonstone Ballroom
Feldspar Hotel
7 Rynek Lane
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

All proceeds will fund the
Potion & Plant Poisonings Department

Black Robe Event
Cocktails at 7:00 pm
Dinner at 7:30 pm

RSVP by the twenty-seventh of October"

"Well," Katherine sighed, putting the invitation down on the coffee table. "I guess I'll have to have Elisa go shopping with me. I'm going to need a dress."

"You mean we're going?" Severus snarled.

"We have to love," Katherine said calmly, as she rubbed small circles on her protruding belly.

"We don't have to," Severus bit back, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Alright, so we don't have to," Katherine stated. "But, we should. This fundraiser is for our department, therefore it is not only funding the hospital, but us as well. It gives us extra money to buy ingredients for normal potions as well as ingredients for experimentation. It benefits us in the end."

"Fine," Severus sighed in defeat. "I guess I will have to buy dress robes as well."

"I'm afraid so love," Katherine said, smiling softly up at him.


The day of the thirty-first of October was nothing short of chaotic. Septimus' Quidditch match started at noon in New Salem and of course, the game last longer than they hoped. But in the end, the Spoofhounds did indeed crush the Pumas, with Septimus catching the snitch.

At five o'clock, Severus, Katherine, Elisa and Christoph portkeyed back home and rushed, as fast as they could, to get ready for the fundraiser. Severus emerged from the bathroom to find Katherine standing in front of the full length mirror.

He let his eyes wander over her form. From the back, one could hardly believe she was pregnant. Her hips had curved out a bit, but from her waist up she still looked slender. Feeling his gaze upon her, Katherine turned around to look at him.

Severus couldn't help but let his eye wander again. Katherine was wearing an sapphire blue empire waist dress, that gathered under her breast and fell loosely to the floor. It covered the protruding baby bump with layers of cascading fabric, while the halter top neckline drew the eye to her slender arms and shoulders. Her golden hair was swept up in a twisted, braided updo.

"Ready?" Katherine asked, as she walked towards him. Well, it had become more of a waddle the last couple of weeks, but in the long flowing dress, no one would know. As she stopped before him, Severus gently cupped her cheek and lowered his lips to hers.

"You look beautiful," he said, before kissing her softly.

"Thank you," Katherine said, as they parted. "But I feel as big as a house."

"We do not have to go you know."

"I know," she said, "But I want to."


Severus and Katherine entered the Feldspar Hotel through the floo, arriving only seconds after Elisa and Christoph. After ridding themselves of soot, the four proceeded into the main lobby, that literally stopped Severus in his tracks. The lobby was beyond elegant, something that you would only find in the richer pureblood homes or inns.

The large lobby was adorned with white marble, gold in-lays, and three large gold chandeliers that floated magically under an midnight ,starlight enchanted ceiling. Large white marble columns adorned entryways and luggage floated by itself in front of guest and hotel attendants. A large sweeping staircase allowed guests access to the second floor open balcony, that was lined with ornate gold railings and black accents.

'If only Lucius could see this,' Severus thought to himself, as he made to catch up with the other three.

If the lobby was something, the Moonstone Ballroom was beyond words. The starlight ceiling had followed into the large room, as well as the marble floors and gold in-lays. Hundreds of lit jack-o-lanterns floated high above their heads and the marble pillars that surrounded the room, where transfigured into black gnarled trees that disappeared into the 'night sky.'

Silver trays of hors d'oeuvres and drinks floated, by themselves, in between the congregated guests, music, from the small orchestra near the dance floor, flowed throughout the room.

"Severus! Katherine!" a voice bellowed from the direction of the small bar, causing Severus to snap out o f his trance. The two had just enough time to turn around, before coming face to face with David Suttington.

"Glad to see you could make it! Come! I want you to meet the others that will be sitting at our table for dinner!" Suttington said, as he clasped Severus shoulder and began pulling the pair towards a group of four men and three women.

"Severus, Katherine," Suttington slurred, making it more obvious that he had been there drinking for a while already. "I would like you to meet Jim and Gabriela Simone, both writers for the US Wizarding Journal; Asa and Elthia Lee, both Healers in the Creature-Induced Injuries Department at St. Augustine's; Tempest Abdima, of the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes in Washington,D.C.; Alonzo Rashnu, of the Wizengamot in San Francisco; and the current owner of the Fitchburg Finches, Maximus Brankovitch, the third.

"Everyone," Suttington announced to the small group. "I would like you to meet two of my most prestigious potion suppliers, Severus and Katherine Prince."

"David stop," Katherine whispered, as she and Severus exchanged handshakes with the others.

"Prince?" Brankovitch questioned, as he shook Severus' hand. "Any relation to a Septimus Prince, that goes to New Salem?"

"Indeed," Severus said, eyeing the wizard. "He's our son, actually."

"Really!" Brankovitch smiled. "I don't want to sound imprudent, but we at the Finches have been watching him closely. Pretty much all of us on the board think that he's one of the best seekers to come out of our American schools in a long time. He'll be a shoe-in for a round one drafting spot for any of the North American teams."

"You don't say," Jim Simone said, a wide grin appearing on his face. "That good eh?"

"I thought you weren't allowed to scout students until they're of age?" Katherine said, as she plucked a cup of punch off a nearby floating tray.

"We're allowed to follow their school career and go to the matches," Brankovitch explained. "But we are not allowed to approach them or talk to them until they are of age. Believe me Mrs. Prince, I follow the Administration rules to a T."

"Well, come along everyone," Suttington announced. "Let's find our table. Dinner is about to start." As Suttington began leading the way, Katherine stopped Severus short.

"I'll be right back," Katherine whispered, before heading towards the loo.


"Hello Mrs. Prince," a young woman's voice said, as Katherine exited the restroom. Katherine turned around to find Grace, St. Augustine's receptionist, right behind her. "How are you?"

"Hello Grace," Katherine smiled softly at the younger witch. "I'm doing well. Yourself?"

"Oh good, I..."

"Well, well, well," a nasally high pitched voice came from behind them. "Hello Prince. Grace." Katherine and Grace turned around to tall, gangly brunette, with a turned up nose, a faked charmed tan, and too much makeup on. She was flanked by two witches who were both equally over done.

"Clarissa," Katherine sneered, as she nodded slightly towards the other witch. "Brooke, Morgan. Nice to see you three."

"You too," Clarissa said snobbishly, as she eyed Katherine's form. "I'm actually surprised to see that they let you back into the country. And by the looks of it, you either worked your way through Europe's finest and richest foods or Europe's easiest and horniest wizards."

"Clarissa!" Grace gasped quietly, as Brooke and Morgan giggled beside Clarissa.

"It's alright Grace," Katherine said coolly.

"Your son must be excited to finally get a sibling," Clarissa continued. "Obviously, since it took so long, you must not have been able to spread your legs wide enough for American wizards, but definitely wide enough for European ones."

"Mrs. Prince maybe..." Grace started, but was interrupted by a gasp erupting from Brooke.

"Clarissa! Look!" Brooke gasped, pointing in the direction near the small bar. "New wizard at ten o'clock." All five women turned towards where she was pointing. There stood Severus, talking to Christoph and Elisa.

"Who is tall, dark and handsome?" Clarissa asked, with a smirk on her face. "He's not a new healer, or I would have seen him around the hospital already."

"Maybe a supplier?" Brooke said, gaping openly at the wizard.

"Or maybe just a rich donor," Morgan said hopefully.

"He's so tall!" Brooke said, with a gleam in her eyes.

"But I bet he's worth the climb," Clarissa smiled seductively. "Look at those long slender fingers and that nose. There are so many possibilities between the two."

"Mrs. Prince..." Grace whispered again, only to be hushed by Katherine.

"Sev?" Katherine said, reaching her mind out to her husband. Instinctively, Severus turned to look for her, but upon not seeing her by his side, reached out his mind to her.

"Katherine?" Severus asked. "Where are you?"

"Near the entryway to the restrooms," Katherine said. Severus turned, and found his eyes come in contact with not just Katherine's, but four others as well. "Will you come here for a moment?"

"He's looking our way!" Morgan gasped, as they watched Severus pardon himself from the healer and the unspeakable, and begin making his way over towards the small group of women.

"Oh Merlin, he's coming over here," Brooke squeaked.

"Calm yourselves," Clarissa snapped at her two lackeys. "You might as well leave Prince. I highly doubt he would want another wizard's sloppy seconds." As Severus neared them, Clarissa pushed herself to the front of the group and stuck her hand out to him, before Severus could reach for his wife.

"Hello," Clarissa said in a sickeningly high voice. "I'm Clarissa Fairwater, and this is Brooke and Morgan. I don't believe we've seen you around here before?"

"Indeed," Severus said, shaking the woman's hand lightly and quickly. "I'm a new supplier to St. Augustine's.

"Katherine? What is going on here?" Severus questioned Katherine's mind.

"Just play along for a bit love," Katherine told him, as she watched the three witches hovering around her husband.

"A supplier?" Morgan grinned, offering her hand as well.

"Potions supplier," Severus stated, shaking her hand as well while maintaining his normal demeanor.

"Oh you must work with Suttington then," Brooke inquired, as she tried to push her way to the front of the small group.

"Indeed," Severus confirmed, before glancing over at Katherine and Grace. "Ms. Grace." He said, nodding to her.

"Hello sir," the young witch said softly.

"You...you know Grace?" Brooke sputtered, turning slightly to glare at the quiet witch.

"Indeed," Severus said. "She checks me in at the receptionist desk every time I make an order delivery."

"Oh! Grace why did you say something earlier?" Clarissa scolded her, before turning back to Severus. "Well sir, you know our names, but we, unfortunately, don't know yours."

"Prince...Severus Prince," Severus smirked lightly.

"Well, Sever..." Clarissa faltered, her seductive grin sliding right off her face. "Did you...did you just say 'Prince'?"

"Indeed," Severus said, holding his hand out for Katherine. "I see you know my wife, Katherine."

"Your wife..." Clarissa sputtered, as Katherine took his hand and glided as gracefully as she could to his side. "You're...married to her. You're married...to...each other."

"For nineteen long, wonderful years," Katherine smirked, as Severus wrapped an arm around her waist. "Twenty in March."

"I...um..." Clarissa stammered. "Con...congratulation on...that. And...on the baby.

"Come on girls," Clarissa snapped, and began walking away hastily, with Brooke and Morgan in tow.

"Katherine, what was that all about?" Severus murmured, as the three of them watch their retreating forms.

"I'll tell you later love," Katherine said, smirking triumphantly.

"That was fantastic!" Grace beamed, making Severus realize that that was the loudest he had ever heard her talk. "You know she tried to talk my date out of taking me tonight. Luckily Healer Spurrier is much more mature than most of the younger healers."

"Where is Healer Spurrier by the way?" Katherine asked her, with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh my gosh," Grace gasped. "Excuse me." The receptionist took off quickly towards the center of the room, becoming lost to them in the sea of wizards and witches.

"EVERYONE PLEASE BE SEATED!" a voice boomed over the crowd. "DINNER WILL START MOMENTARILY!"

"Shall we?" Katherine asked, as Severus nodded and turned them towards the table harboring Suttington and the rest of their party.


The eight course dinner that was served was above and beyond anything Severus could remember from Hogwarts' feasts. The spread left everyone feeling completely stuffed and it was hard to image dancing on such a full stomach. A dinner well worth its' hundred galleon per person fee.

Their first course consisted of Blue Cheese Baguette Spread - cream cheese blended with fresh chives and toasted walnuts, spread on freshly baked baguette slices and served with red grapes. Second course was a Arugula, Pear and Asiago Cheese Salad, served in a wide golden goblet. A third course of a Chilled Pumpkin Soup served with a Sourdough Crisp. The fourth course was a simple Shrimp Cocktail served in a martini glass with a slice of lemon. Fifth course consisted of Linguine Paster in a Shiitake mushroom garlic cream sauce drizzled with White Truffle Oil. The sixth course was a simple Lemon Sorbet, which allowed the guests to cleans their palates before the main entree...the seventh course of Beef Tenderloin stuffed with wild mushrooms and a flavorful shallot dressing, and served with a tomato pedal flower garnish. Then there was finally the dessert course...the eighth course of Peppermint Ice Cream, served in a tall stemmed glass, and garnished with a maraschino cherry and a fresh sprig of mint.

"My word, what a meal," said Suttington, who openly groaned as he leaned back in his seat, rubbing his full stomach. "I think it gets better every year!"

Soon the music started and the Simones and Lees left to join the dancing. Tempest Abdima and Alonzo Rashnu soon followed, only leaving Severus, Suttington, Brankovitch and Katherine, who had just returned from her fifth trip to the loo, at the table.

"Well Katherine," Suttington said, rising to his feet. "Care for a small spin around the dance floor?"

"I'm afraid I won't be much of a dance partner right now David," Katherine said, as she tried to find a comfortable position to sit in. "Besides being a bit off centered at the moment, my ankles are tad swollen as well."

"Oh well," Suttington sighed. "Maybe next year then. Unless you two decide to start working on a third right away. Well, I'll talk to you both later! Time to mingle!" His comment causing both Severus and Katherine to shift uncomfortably in their seats. The three remained in silence for a bit, until Brankovitch slid over a seat so that he sat right next to Katherine.

"If I might be so bold Mrs. Prince," Brankovitch said quietly. "When is the baby due?"

"Not until the fifteenth of December," Katherine said, smiling softly at the younger wizard.

"My wife is due any day with our first," Brankovitch smiled, looking down at his hand. "A daughter. I'm excited about it, but nervous at the same time. I didn't want to leave her tonight to come here, but she insisted. St. Augustine's is home to some of my former classmates who have become healers, plus they've done a pretty good job at patching up some of my players throughout the years.

"Speaking of players," Brankovitch continued. "I meant what I said earlier. Your son will be fought over by all of the North American teams. Suttington says he's a wiz with potions too."

"Indeed," Severus said, taking a sip from his wine glass. "He received an O on his O.W.L.s , plus a comment from the examiner about 'never seeing someone more astute in this subject.'"

"That's good to hear," Brankovitch said. "Does he plan to further his studies in potions?"

"He hasn't made any final decisions as of yet," Katherine said. "But he has stated that he would like to try and do both Quidditch and potions."

"What if I told you he could," Brankovitch said, causing both Severus and Katherine to glance up at him quickly. "Now I know that most Masters don't like their apprentices take on more than one task at a time. But I know a man who I think would be very interested in taking on your son.

"You might have heard of his," Brankovitch continued. "His name is Professor Regulus Moonshine..."

"Moonshine?" Severus questioned, with raised brows. "You mean the wizard who developed the potion that suppress hags' normal appetite for human flesh?"

"That's him," Brankovitch smirked. "He taught at Belknap Springs for years, before retiring. He's taken on a few apprentices since then, but not many. He's very picky about who he interns. But I think he would jump through fire to have Septimus under his wing." Brankovitch dug a hand into his pocket, and pulled out a business card. He silently handed it to Katherine and Severus.

"I think he would be willing to travel with Septimus in order to intern him," Brankovitch said. "No matter what team the boy goes to or if he decides to play at all. I, personally, like to see my players have a backup plan, you know, just in case."

"Just in case?" Katherine asked, with a furrowed brow.

"Umm..." Brankovitch sighed. "A few years ago, there was a player that I knew who had been drafted into the league right out of school. He didn't pursue anything else besides Quidditch, and he paid for it later on. He was a seeker, too, and took a bludger to the head. The healers told him, that if he were to play and get hit in the head again...it would cost him his life. The owner of the team released him, and he had nothing. No job, no career, no profession. I don't want to see that happen to my players, so I always encourage them to have a backup plan.

"Well, I best get going," Brankovitch said, raising from his chair and shaking both of their hands. "I would like to get home to my wife, before it gets too late. It was a pleasure meeting you both, and I look forward to seeing your son play again. He'll be a fine addition to any team. Goodnight."

"Goodnight," Severus and Katherine said in unison. Both were silent for a moment, and Severus noticed Katherine's face furrowed in thought.

"Katherine?" Severus said. "What is it?"

"It was him," she whispered.

"What?"

"The wizard he was talking about," she said. "The one that got hit by the bludger. It was him."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes," Katherine nodded. "I had taken Septimus to that game. He was hit right in front of where we were sitting. I remember reading in the 'Journal' a week later that he had been released from the team...That was him Sev."

"Do you think that Brankovitch was right about Moonshine?" Severus asked, moving his hand to Katherine's lower back, rubbing it lightly with his fingers.

"I hope so," Katherine sighed, as she stifled a yawn.

"Tired?"

"Very much so. Plus my feet and back ache a bit."

"Then let's head home," Severus said, raising from his seat to help Katherine up from hers. "It's been a long day for all of us."


It was well after eleven at night before Severus and Katherine landed in bed, curling into one another. Both felt tired, but sleep wasn't coming easy to them. Both of their minds were on a different Halloween night from so many years ago. The night they lost an old friend. Lily.

"Sev?"

"Hmm..."

"Does this night ever get easier for you?" Severus didn't respond right away, causing Katherine to attempt to roll over to face him. "Sev?"

"It's been easier since you have been back in my life," he said, reaching out to gently brush a lock of golden hair out of her face.

"I cried," Katherine whispered, as a tear escaped her eyes. "Every Halloween. But it wasn't just for Lily. It was for you and for their child. I often thought of what it had been us, and what would have happened to Septimus if he had been born already. I'm still somewhat angry with her, but miss her at the same time."

"I miss her as well," Severus murmured, wiping the tear from her cheek and placing a soft kiss on her lips. "But we have each other now. And our children. The pain will lessen, as long as we remember the better times with her and not the worst."

"You're right," Katherine whispered, as she slowly started drifting off to sleep in his arms. "I love you."

"I love you too."


a/n: So sorry about the wait. A few explainations. 1) Maximus Brankovitch, III was a seeker for the Finches and the North American Quidditches team between 1986-1991, according to HP Wikia. 2) Clarissa, Brooke and Morgan will show themselves again, as they work as secretaries for three head healers at the hospital. 3) Regulus Moonshine is also a character from Rowlings world.

Chapter 20 should be posted sometime next week. And we will get to meet the newest member of the family then!

A big thanks to MRSSPICY, Mira SeverusSirius Black-Snape, RequiemWolfenstein87 and AdaYuki for the wonderful reviews!