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, Serenity, Helena, Christoph, Elisa, Henry, Nick and any name you don't recognize, and isn't from the HP universe) are entirely my own.


Chapter 24: A Family Christmas Part 2

The first couple of days at home past by quickly enough. Between the Fuerst family flickering between households and Katherine now joining Severus back in the lab, life fell into an easy pattern for all of them.

Helena often stopped by to help Katherine with Serenity, as the young witch was eager to babysit the new baby. This gave both Katherine and Severus the much needed rest they both craved after the first three weeks since their daughter's arrival. Septimus usually perched himself on the couch during those time, quietly observing his girlfriend coo over his baby sister, while the two girls laid together on the living room floor.

Katherine also returned to her daily exercise routine; running with Septimus before breakfast, which left Severus and Serenity home alone. Needless to say, it left the elder wizard paranoid for the first few days. Every little sound or movement the infant would make, Severus would be at the bassinet's side in a heartbeat. He became so paranoid to the point that on the second day, Katherine and Septimus returned home to find him sitting in his chair, in the living room, just staring at the child, unblinking.

"Severus," Katherine smirked lightly, as she and Septimus removed their shoes at the backdoor. "What in Merlin's name are you doing, love?"

"You instructed me to watch our daughter whilst you were away," Severus murmured, as he finally broke eye contact with the crib.

"When I asked you to watch her, I didn't mean to sit and stare at her for the entire hour," Katherine stated, as she planted herself on the arm of Severus' chair.

"Every time I walk away from her, she moves or makes a noise," Severus grumbled. "Do you realize how much she truly does that?"

"About probably the same as you do when you sleep," Katherine replied with a smirk. "Do you know that I only slept about a half hour the first night I was back in a bed with you? I had forgotten how much you moved and grumbled in your sleep." Severus' only retort was the roll of his eyes, as he leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms.

"Mom?" Septimus asked, as he joined his parents in the living room. "Can we please talk about this again?"

"Septimus," Katherine sighed irritably. "We discussed this throughout the entire run this morning, and my answer's still no."

"But mom..." Septimus whined lightly, as he crossed his arms over his chest, mimicking his father's actions.

"No," she stated again. "Sept, we went over this. Town is too busy this time of year for you to go in by yourself. If something would happen, you would have no way of defending yourself since you are not of age."

"I'm only five months out of being seventeen though," Sept huffed. "And the law states that I can use spells to defend myself if something happens."

"Be that as it may," Katherine said, glaring lightly at the boy. "But I do not want to see it come down to that. Plus you only know a handful of spells that will help defend you. The answer is still no. Now end of story."

"But..."

"Your mother said 'no' Septimus," Severus stated sternly, glaring up from his seat to where the boy stood. "End of discussion."

"You two went shopping by yourselves when you were my age," Septimus stated, throwing his hands up and raising his voice a little. "And that was London! That's a lot bigger than Amadahy!"

"First of all Septimus Severus," Severus stated, his voice lowered back into his old teaching habits. "Lower your voice before you wake your sister. Second, your mother and my situation was entirely different from your own. Our home life was completely different from yours.

"Now then..." Severus paused, waiting to see if Septimus had finally stopped his insolent whining. "I have to go into town anyway today, to see Lars about supplies. If you wish to join me, we can do your shopping from there."

"That's my only option, isn't it," Septimus sighed, as he uncrossed his arms in defeat.

"Indeed."

"Alright," Septimus said quietly. "I'll go get changed." Katherine and Severus watched as Septimus sulked quietly from the room and disappeared up the stairs to his room.

"What was that all about?" Severus frowned, leaning back in his chair and pulling Katherine into his lap.

"I'm actually not quite sure," Katherine said, furrowing her brow in the direction of the stairwell.


In ten minutes the boy was ready. Septimus bounded down the stairs, still wearing the scowl that he had left with earlier; as the boy was still unhappy about being sixteen and still needing to be chaperoned.

He turned towards the living room, expecting to see his father waiting at the fireplace, ready to Floo to the Apothecary. But Severus wasn't there. Instead Septimus found him standing at the back door, waiting with his heavy winter cloak on.

Severus had taken to dressing in his high collared black frock, trousers and boots once winter had arrived. The bitter winter winds of the Northwoods reveled the ones of Scotland, with high temperatures in the mid twenties and lows in the single digits, but sometimes dipping well below zero due to the wind coming in off of the lake.

"We're not flooing into town?" Septimus asked with a frown, as he grabbed his own heavy winter cloak from the closet.

"No," Severus stated simply, offering his son no further explanations. His arms were crossed over his chest and a deep frown wrinkled his dark brows.

"Why aren't..." But Septimus was not able to even finish his sentence, as Severus had stormed out the backdoor before Septimus could even get his cloak on. The boy hurried to fasten his cloak as he attempted to rush after his father.

By this time, Severus had made his way hastily up the path, despite it being covered with several new inches of snow. Septimus bolted after him, determined to catch up with his father's long strides. The bitter cold was making his cheeks turn red and his breaths came out ragged against the winter air.

"Dad!" Septimus shouted, his voice echoing through the quiet forest around them. "Wait!"

Severus finally slowed to a stop, and turned on his heel to face the boy, who was still trying to catch up with him. His face was set in a scowl usually reserved for first years who had just ruined their potion for the fifth time that month. Septimus halted to a stop upon seeing his father's face. The boy's eyes widened upon seeing the coldness in the elder wizard's black orbs.

"Dad?" Septimus muttered, his brow furrowing slightly.

"I cannot beginning to describe how completely horrible that was of you back there," Severus said, his hands clenched as his sides. "Your insufferable whining was worse than that of Moaning Myrtle's."

"Who...?"

"Never mind," Severus snarled. "All I am trying to tell you is that your mother should not have to endure that unbearable whine. All because you wanted to go into town shopping on your own."

"I'm sorry," Septimus muttered. "I'm just sick of being treated like a little kid. I want to be treated like an adult and not be watched every moment of the day. I want to be able to go to town by myself and do other things by myself without having to have anyone else make my decisions for me."

"That day will come soon enough Septimus," Severus said, relaxing his posture slightly. "But for know you are still an adolescent...and if you continue to act as you did earlier, you will be treated as one until you have gained that sort of trust. The trust of showing us that you can act like an adult."

"Yes sir," Septimus muttered again, looking down at his snow covered feet.

"Well...come along," Severus said, resuming his route back towards the Apparation point. "It's already noon, and I wish to finish our shopping before dark."


To say that the little town of Amadahy was crowded, was an understatement. A big understatement. The main street was flooded with wizards and witches, who were carting children and packages alike. Carolers tried with all of their might to sing over the loud noise of the shoppers, but were failing miserably.

Severus decided to hopefully make their trip shorter, by stopping at Olsen's Apothecary first and dropping a list of needed ingredients off to Lars. But it was in vain, as the crowds only became worse as the sun in the sky began to make its' descent.

Septimus' first stop was Klingbeil's Joke and Toy Emporium; where he picked up a few new select games for Nick and Henry, and also a plush calico kitten for Serenity. Severus was wise to remain outside of the shop while Septimus gathered his presents, as the boy looked extremely frustrated as he left the shop.

"What?" Severus asked, as Septimus handed him the shopping bag to shrink.

"Now I know why you wanted to wait outside," Septimus grumbled, as he began walking towards Carnelian Jewelers. "Mobs of people grabbing at anything they can get their hands on. I don't know who was worse! The little kids or the adults!" Severus chuckled lightly, as he followed his disgruntled son into the tiny jeweler shop.

The store was no very big on the inside, but luckily there were only two other customers. Severus silently thanked Merlin that the shop was quiet as he watched Septimus browse through the case that held bracelets.

"May I help you young man?" an elderly witch from behind the counter asked. The little old witch smiled sincerely at Septimus and Severus, waiting patiently for the boy to make up his mind. Severus couldn't help but muse a little bit at the witch's appearance. She was dressed head to toe in midnight blue robes, and was adorned in more jewelry than Narcissa on a major holiday.

"I...um...I'm looking for a gift for my girlfriend," Septimus mumbled, as his eyes never left the bracelets. "I was kind of thinking about a bracelet, maybe a charm bracelet..."

"Gold, silver or copper?" the little witch smiled.

"Silver," Septimus said. "Definitely silver."

"Alright," the witch said, and with a wave of her wand, all the silver bracelet appeared in front of them on the counter. Septimus' eyes roamed over the selection, before picking up a simply silver bracelet with a heart charm hanging off of it. The heart, in itself, is what caught Septimus' eye. It wasn't flat like the one that adorned Helena's necklace, but bubbled and it held a small, but beautiful amber gemstone.

Septimus carefully plucked it from the counter to take a closer look. From far away, all you could was the golden stone, but upon closer inspection, Septimus could see a small heart within the stone itself. The tiny heart glittered greens and blues, which reminded Septimus of Helena's eyes.

"Unique piece, isn't it?" the witch commented. "Just came in yesterday. The bracelet itself is simple, but it's the charm that is the most unique about it."

"And what is so unique about it madam?" Severus sneered, hoping that his son was being, as the muggles say, taken for a ride.

"The amber stone is charmed," the witch smiled. "When the gift giver gives the bracelet to the special person it is intended for, it will recognize that person only. So whenever the gift giver thinks about that wearer, the stone warms causing it to glow slightly."

"What about the small heart inside the stone?" Septimus asked, still holding onto the bracelet.

"That is the most interesting piece of all," the witch said, as her pale grey eyes lit up. "As the amber stone warms and glows, it also warms the small heart. The greens and blues become magnified, and if the wearer is holding the charm in hand, they can feel it pulse like an actually heartbeat; but in reality it matches the heartbeat of the gift giver's own heart."

"Wow," Septimus breathed, as he stared at the charm in his hand. "How...how much is it?"

"Twenty Galleons," the witch said, as she waved her wand, vanishing the other bracelets back into the case.

"Tw...twenty Galleons," Septimus sputtered, as he carefully set the bracelet back on the counter. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his coin pouch. He knew twenty Galleons was a lot of money, but he also knew Helena was worth it. To him, she was worth all the Galleons in the world. Septimus plunged his hand into the pouch and laid all of the coins he had left on the counter. From his hand fell seventeen Galleons and fourteen Sickles. He was two Galleons and three Sickles short.

"I guess I'll keep looking," Septimus muttered, as he went to collect his money from the counter. But before he could, three Galleons dropped onto his small pile of coins. Septimus spun around quickly, and found his father tucking his coin pouch back into his cloak.

"Dad..."

"Take it," Severus said, putting up a hand to stop his son from trying to give the coins back. "Consider it an advance on your allowance that you are given for helping in the lab."

"Thanks," Septimus smiled, before turning back to the elderly witch. "I'll take it."

"Would you like it gift wrapped?"

As Septimus waited for the witch to finish with the sale, Severus browsed the cases. He had purchased a few small items for Katherine for Christmas, but nothing of the personal nature. He wasn't sure about jewelry, as potion masters were discouraged from wearing rings because the metal could affect certain ingredients. And Severus rarely saw Katherine without her mother's locket, and she almost never wore earrings or bracelets.

"Can I help you?" a man's voice sounded above him, as Severus was glancing at the case that was full of diamond engagement rings. "Looking for an engagement ring for your girlfriend?"

"No," Severus said, straightening up to glare at a young wizard with blonde hair, that was standing behind the counter. "I'm just waiting for my son. And besides, I'm already married." Severus towered over the boy, who looked to be no older than his own sixteen year old son.

"Oh, sorry sir," the boy paled immensely upon seeing Severus' intimidating posture. But before the boy could say anymore, Severus turned on his heel to rejoin his son.

"I can't believe you just did that," Severus heard a young woman's voice mutter. "I mean, we know his wife. She comes in here quite a bit to have Carnelian appraise certain jewelry."

"Who?" the young wizard's voice asked quietly, but not quietly enough for Severus to hear.

"That leggy, blue eyed, blonde, you're always eyeing up," the woman hissed. "The one I told you that was too old for you."

"Her?!" the boy hissed. "He's married to her?!"

"Yes," the woman snarled lightly. "Their son looks just like him."

"How was I suppose to know she was married?" the boy questioned hoarsely. "I've never seen a ring on her finger."

A ring. Those words stuck in Severus' mind as the voices from behind him faded. He had never even considered it before. They had been in the mist of war when he and Katherine had married, and the exchange of rings had never occurred. Plus, if either had been spotted wearing one, questions would arise and their missions would more than likely be compromised.

Severus' gritted his teeth at the thought of the young salesman eyeing up Katherine. It unnerved he to think that there were other wizards out there as well, who thought that she was still available; even though he knew she would never be disloyal, but then again, look what Lucius had done even though Voldemort had set her off limits.

He decided then and there that he would find Katherine a proper wedding ring. His mind raked over the possible rings that would suit the blonde witch; he knew upon seeing the rings in Carnelian's cases, that Katherine would think that they were too gaudy and tacky for her liking. She would want something simple...something that would hold a special meaning to her. Something like...

"Dad?" Septimus' voice broke Severus' train of thought. "I'm ready." Severus glanced down, noting the small gift wrapped box in the boy's hands. The package was wrapped with a glittering silver ribbon and bow that shone brightly as it held the paper of magnificence emerald...

"Emerald..." Severus whispered, as he stared at the green present. Septimus was staring at his father in confusion, but started suddenly as Severus quickly turned on his heels and strode out of the shop without muttering another word.

Septimus quickly followed, but as he exited the store, he noticed his father had gone to the left, instead of to the right in order to head back to the Olsens.

"DAD!" Septimus shouted weaving in and out of the crowd of shoppers that still lined the street. Finally he caught up with Severus' long and purposeful strides. "Where are we going?"

"The vault."


The ornate wooden sign outside of the Superior Bank fluttered in the cold northern wind, as Severus and Septimus made their way past the burgundy cloaked security guards and through the large wooden doors at the building entrance. The white marble floors glistened in the fading light that was still peeking through the tall windows that flanked either side of the building. The goblins behind the counters were finishing up the last of their transactions for the day, as the bank would close in only a half an hour.

Severus and Septimus made their way to the withdrawal window, where an unpleasant looking Sorzek sat, scribbling on a long parchment on his desk.

"Sorzek," Severus said curtly, as he placed his small silver key down on the counter in front of the goblin.

"Mr. Prince," Sorzek greeted him in a rough voice. "And young Mr. Prince."

"I need to make a withdrawal from my vault," Severus said.

"Very well," Sorzek grumbled, just as he did on the first day Severus had met him. "Bilik will show you down."

"Thank you," Severus nodded, as he watched Bilik take the key and beckon the wizards to follow him. Septimus quietly followed the pair as they entered the lift.

"Hold on," Bilik grumbled, as the lift's doors closed, and the elevator shifted backwards for several feet before plummeting into the earth. The three remained silent as the lift descended further down, until Septimus finally broke the barrier.

"Why are we going to the vault?" he asked his father, whose face remained expressionless as the lift continued to plummet.

"There is a certain article I wish to obtain for your mother," Severus said, just before the lift came to a halt.

"Hall six hundred and eighty-two," Bilik announced as the doors opened wide, and the goblin lead them out into the narrow hallway and down to the 'Prince' vault.

"Vault eleven hundred and three," Bilik announced again, as he put the key in the hold and opened the door to the vault. Severus strode in, with determination, and stopped beside the table that was filled with gems and jewelry. His black eyes scanned the table quickly, until they came to rest on a small ring box, that was Slytherin green in color, with an ornate silver "P" inscribed on the lid.

Severus quickly plucked the ring box from the tabletop and opened it to inspect the ring inside. There, settled in the black velvet material, sat the emerald and diamond silver ring. The stones sparkled just as brightly as they did on the day that he first saw them.

"Bilik," Severus said, striding back over to the goblin at the door. "What do you know about this ring?" Quietly, the goblin took the ring box from Severus' hand in order to inspect the ornate ring.

"Hmmm..." Bilik mused. "The silver is goblin made, but it is very unusual."

"How so?"

"The silver is made of the correct metallic elements that we use to make weapons, armors and jewelry, but there is another element interlaced within it. One they call Potion Master's Silver."

"What's that?" Septimus asked, from where he standing and examining the piles of old tomes.

"It is a special element that will not allow the silver to interact with potion ingredients," Bilik explained. "It is very rare Mr. Prince, very rare. Possibly the only one to even exist."

"And what of the stones?" Severus asked.

"I am not an expert on gems and stone Mr. Prince," Bilik said, handing the ring box back to the wizard. "I believe Mrs. Carnelian would be able to tell you more about it than I."


Carnelian was just about to close up shop for the night, when Severus and Septimus reentered the store for the second time that evening.

"Back again," the elderly witch smiled. "Can I interest you in something else tonight?"

"Not quite," Severus said, as he reached inside of his cloak and pulled out the green ring box. "What can you tell me about this ring?" The witch carefully took the box and opened it. Her pale brown eyes lit up at the sight of the beautiful ring nestle in the black velvet.

"Oh my," Carnelian gasped. "This ring is magnificent! Goblin made silver, if I'm not mistaken. And the emerald!"

"What about the emerald?" Severus asked, as both he and Septimus leaned in closer to look at the ring as well.

"The emerald itself is over two and a half carats," Carnelian said, as she turned the ring in her hand. "And the diamonds are a carat each. With brilliant cuts and qualities.

"Emeralds, themselves, are said to have healing properties," Carnelian continued. "Healers use them to help heal the heart, and their powers are at the highest at the full moon. Others have claimed that they are heal any disease of the eye. You simply place the emerald in a glass of water overnight and then pour the water into the eyes the next day, and it will cure the ailment.

"Seeing that this was a anniversary gift makes sense," Carnelian stated, as she noticed the inscription on the box's inside cover. "Emeralds are thought to preserve love and are a symbol of hope. And others consider it to be the stone of prophecy and a tranquilizer for a troubled mind. It is said to bring the wearer reason and wisdom, and faithfulness."

"Wow!" Septimus muttered, as he watched his father take back the ring and box.

"What about the diamonds?" Severus asked.

"Now diamonds," Carnelian smiled, as she pointed at the two smaller stones. "Do not have a specific healing nature, but it does supplement the energy of other stones. The diamonds will increase the power of the emerald to a higher level, but care must be used when wearing them as they can block the energy flow if the wearer has negative thoughts or feelings.

"They are a symbol of innocence and constancy," Carnelian exclaimed with a smile. "That is a very rare and unique ring mister...umm..."

"Prince," Severus said, as he put the ring box into an inner pocket.

"Well Mr. Prince," Carnelian smiled widely. "I would appraise this ring at about...ohh...twelve thousand Galleons."

"Twel...twelve thousand Galleons," Septimus sputtered, as both wizards stared at the elderly witch.

"Are you sure?" Severus asked, his pale face remained unreadable, but inside his mind was turning.

"Quite positive Mr. Prince," Carnelian said, watching the pair of wizards with a glimmer of amusement. "The emerald alone is worth three thousand Galleons; the diamonds at five hundred a piece. The silver about three thousand, craftsmanship about three thousand, and finally the spell and charm work around two thousand."

"Spell and charm work?" Severus asked, his brow furrowing.

"There are several complicated protective charms on that ring," Carnelian explained. "Including a locating spell and a self sizing charm. Whoever had this ring made truly wanted to protect someone very important."

"Important?" Septimus asked.

"Oh like a government official's or president's wife," Carnelian said cheerfully. "Or a dignitary or legal supporter to an important changing movement."

"Who would have been that high up in our family?" Septimus asked his father. "And why did they need that much protection?"

"I think I have a good idea why," Severus muttered, knowing that he would find himself back in the study later on that night.


A/N: I apologize greatly for my absents. Life has become completely chaotic around my place between work and the holidays. Chapter 25: A Family Christmas Part 3 will be the next segment of this story.

A big thanks to grumpirah, Mira Severus Sirius Black-Snape, lightbabe, Missyick, AdaYuki, lexiloo124, RemaSofiRuin, adellameeka and xxyangxx2006 for their wonderful reviews!

I hope to have the next chapter out around Christmas. Thank you for your patience!