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 29: A Big Decision
It was a routine that Severus was, indeed, now use to. On Sunday, March 28th, both he and Katherine, along with the Fuersts, Apparated to the small alley behind Union Station to collect their children from the school train. The Easter holidays were upon them, but unlike the Hogwarts' holidays, the students of New Salem were only given a week of vacation.
Severus watched, as his son and the boy's friends sulked their way off of the green steam engine. Septimus still towered over much of the student body, but Severus was glad to see that some of the boy's dorm mates were finally gaining some extra inches. All except for poor Kyle Fuchs, who was, undeniably, the shortest of the group of boys.
The group retrieved their trunks, and said their goodbyes for the week; knowing that they would be seeing each other again the following Monday. Helena and Septimus walked side by side, both looking drained from the long ride; while Nick and Henry brought up the rear. Severus frowned upon looking over the two younger boys, who were normally more talkative and energetic upon arriving home; but they were just as tired looking as their sister
"Hi," Septimus said quietly, as he approached his parents. Severus' frown only deepened as he looked over the boy. His shoulder length black hair was hanging lifelessly around his face, and his normally healthy glowing skin was white and pasty looking. There were dark circles under his obsidian eyes and his shoulders were slumped.
"Hello Sept," Katherine said, as she gently pulled Septimus into a quick one armed hug; carefully avoiding squishing the sleeping baby in her arms. "Are you feeling alright? You look ill?"
"I'm fine, mom," Septimus muttered, as Katherine released him. "Just tired is all."
"I would say that exhausted would be a better word," Severus said, as he took Septimus' trunk as shrunk it to fit his pocket. "Come along. Let's go home."
Despite the cold February, spring had come early in the Northwoods. The maples and oaks were beginning to bud out, and the ground foliage was slowly becoming green again. The morning still had been cold enough though that Severus had to cast a light warming charm over the gardens.
"I'll talk to you later," Helena said softly to Septimus, before the two families split at the Apparation Point. All Septimus could manage was a nod of his head, before joining his parents on the walk north to the cabin. The trek was fairly quietly, with only the soft coos from Serenity breaking the silence every once in a while.
"Are you sure you're alright?" Katherine asked her son once again. Septimus walked between his parents, shuffling his feet and hanging his head.
"I'm fine," Septimus muttered from behind his raven haired curtain. "Just tired."
"We've established that already," Severus said, rolling his dark eyes. "I have an inkling that school is becoming a bit hectic this time of year."
"You could say that," the boy said quietly, just as they reached the wards of the property. Severus paused, waiting for Septimus to elaborate a bit more; but upon receiving no other response, he waved his wand, lowering the wards around their home.
The sun was starting to set in the west, as they arrived at the front door to the cabin. Bright pinks, purples and gold lit up the large lake; shadowing its' western shores from the great pines that surround it. Severus cast one more warming charm over the gardens, before following his wife and children into the house.
The smell of beef roast intruded his senses upon entering the kitchen. Katherine had prepared the meal earlier before leaving for the station; placing a stasis charm on the food before heading out. Removing his boots and cloak, Severus wandering into the kitchen, where he found Katherine levitating their dinner and plates to the table. He looked around noticing that Serenity had been placed in her chair between his own and Katherine's, but Septimus was nowhere in sight.
"Where's Septimus?" Severus asked, as he placed himself in his seat at the table, next to his daughter. Serenity cooed lightly and looked up him with her big ice blue eyes; her little arms waving erratically in his direction.
"I sent him off to wash up before dinner," Katherine said, as she levitated the last of the food to the table, before crossing her arms over her chest. "Do you think he looks ill?"
"I don't think he's ill Katherine," Severus replied, as he allowed one of his long digits to be captured within his daughter's grasps. "I think he's just stress with all of his exams coming."
"I hope that's all it is," Katherine sighed, before joining Severus at the table.
"Why?" Severus asked, raising his dark brows in her direction. "What do you think is wrong?"
"It's nothing," Katherine said, waving him off.
"Katherine," he warned her; knowing that Katherine's mind was working up something more than what the problem really could be.
"It's just that," Katherine sighed again; her blue eyes meeting Severus' black ones. "Helena looked a bit ill tonight and...I don't know...I just hope they haven't done anything rash."
"I'm sure they haven't done anything...rash," Severus stated, as he gently pried his finger from Serenity's hand. "They're not that foolish."
"We weren't much older than them when we had our first time," Katherine whispered.
"Yes, but there is an enormous difference between them and us," Severus pointed out. "They have or had a choice...we were forced." Upon the words leaving his lips, Severus realized how that must have sounds to his wife. It had sounded as though he regretted what happened between them.
"Katherine," Severus faltered slightly. "I didn't mean it the way it sounded..."
"No Sev," Katherine piped up, cutting him off. "You're right. We were forced into our first time..., but I like to hope that it still would have happened regardless of that fact."
"You know there can be no certainty that it would though," Severus commented. "Although looking back now, I wish I would have realized your feelings earlier. I might not have been stuck with that mark for all of those years. So many things might have been different, but I don't know if I would have wanted it to change."
"So you don't regret what happened that night all those years ago?" Katherine asked; her sapphire blue eyes searched his obsidian ones.
"I don't think that we would have continued on as we did..." Severus sighed, as he reached across the table and took one of the Katherine's hands in his own. "Or married...and remarried if I did regret it."
Their conversation died away, as the sound of footsteps thundered down the stairs. Septimus had changed out of his Muggle clothes and opted for a pair of pajama pants and an old faded t-shirt, sporting the logo of the Fitchburg Finches. The boy still looking completely drained, as he plunked himself down at the kitchen table.
"Hungry Sept?" Katherine asked, as she smiled softly at their sixteen, almost seventeen, year old son. But she only received a slight nod in reply, as he accepted a bowl of boiled potatoes from Severus. Septimus' eyes remained downcast, as he began to fill his plate, causing Katherine to glance at Severus worryingly.
"Sev," Katherine whispered in his mind. "Something is wrong..."
"Patience," Severus hissed inside her head. "Just give me a moment."
"Septimus," Severus started, but only received a slightly lift of the head from his son. "How is Dueling Club coming along?"
"Fine, I guess," Septimus mumbled; his head still down.
"How are your NEWT projects going?" Katherine asked; her eyes still searching for the reason behind the boy's quietness.
"Good," the boy whispered.
"Sept," Katherine sighed heavily. "If there is something bothering you, you know you can talk to us. Right?" Septimus only nodded once again, causing Katherine to sigh once more. It was obviously to Severus that this wasn't normal behavior for the boy, and he could almost feel Katherine's heart breaking. Dinner went on in silence, with only the clinking of silverware and Serenity soft cooing filling the void. Just as they were nearing the end of the meal, the boy finally spoke up.
"Mom. Dad," Septimus said, clearing his throat softly. "I have something to tell you." Severus glanced over at Katherine, who had gone a few shades whiter at the simple statement. A thought prickled at the back of his mind, that it had really did have to do with the boy and his girlfriend, but he mental shook himself knowing...no...hoping that that wasn't the case.
"What is it Septimus?" Severus asked, knowing that Katherine would never get the words out as her mind hummed loudly against his own. He knew she was thinking of all of the possibilities that something was wrong.
"Well," Septimus started, as his fingers fumbled with his fork. "Every year, Professor Prescott chooses two sixth year N.E.W.T students to accompany him for two weeks on a research and gathering trip. He takes them to three different locations were rare ingredients grow and they harvest them and learn more about them...
"And he's asked me to be one of his two students to accompany him," Septimus said in one long breath.
"Well Sept..." Katherine smiled, as she released the breath that she hadn't realized she was holding. "That's wonderful!"
"Indeed," Severus said, offering his son a small smile, before returning to his meal. "And where are these three destinations that Professor Prescott is taking the two of you?"
"Well um..." Septimus stuttered. "We're going to be gone for fifteen days. Five days, we're going to be in Venaco, Italy searching for Hellebore; then another five days in the Black Forest of Germany, hunting for Death Caps...
"And then five days looking for Aconite in..." But Septimus suddenly stopped; his eyes were glued on his plate, determined not to look at his parents.
"In where Septimus?" Severus asked, as both he and Katherine raised their eyes towards the boy.
"In...in Scotland," the boy swallowed; his black eyes now flittering back and forth between his parents. "Can I go?"
Severus and Katherine glanced at each other, and he could see the color drain away from her face once again. They had expected the boy to have had a problem with school or his girlfriend, but this absolutely shocked them both. Severus could feel Katherine's mind prickling against his; he could feel her anger towards Septimus' professor for even deciding a trip to Scotland, especially since they both knew where the Aconite could only be found.
"No Septimus," Katherine spoke out first; her face hardening slightly as she directed her ice blue orbs on the boy. "I am sorry, but you cannot go."
"Wh...What?" Septimus stuttered; his black eyes widening and his mouth hung open like a fish. "Why not?"
"It is too dangerous in Scotland and the UK as of yet," Katherine said firmly. "If they discover who you are, there is no telling what could happen to all of us. You will have to tell Professor Prescott that you will not be joining him."
"But...but," Septimus exclaimed, as he drew his black eyebrows together. "Dad!?"
"You heard your mother Septimus," Severus stated. "She is correct. Traveling to the UK is still too dangerous. You will not be going."
"That's not fair!" Septimus hollered, causing Serenity to fuss in her seat.
"Well, it may have escaped your notice," Severus sneered. "But life isn't fair. Your mother and I know this very well."
"You do realize that I was one of only two chosen for this right?" Septimus carried on, as he stood up quickly from his chair. "This is really important to me! I want to go!"
"Sept," Katherine growled slightly, as she picked up Serenity and tried to calm her. "It is just too dangerous..."
"For who?" Septimus lipped. "For me? Or for the two of you?"
"Watch your tone boy!" Severus snarled, rising slowly from his seat.
"You know what," Septimus barked back. "Fuck this."
"Septimus Severus," Katherine scolded. "Watch your language. You know better than that."
"I know one thing," Septimus hissed. "I'll be of age in a few weeks. Then I can not only use magic outside of school, but I can make my own decisions. And my first one is that I'm going on this trip."
"While you are under this roof, you are under our rules," Severus stated firmly, his voice going even lower. "And not only are you not going, but you're grounded for the rest of the week as well."
"Grounded!?" Septimus cried out in disbelief. "Seriously!? I'm sixteen!"
"Would you like your broom taken away as well?" Severus challenged him, matching his son's scowl.
"Fine," Septimus growled. "I'll be in my room." The boy turned quickly on his heel and fled the room. Severus, who was still seething, turned back towards Katherine; but the sight that greeted him, quickly melted the anger away. Katherine was still sitting in her seat, with Serenity resting against her shoulder. Her face was ashen and her free hand covered her mouth. Her blue eyes glazed over with tears.
"This is the last thing I ever expected," Katherine mumbled from behind her hand. "I've never seen him like this."
"I would like to know what Darius was thinking when he made those arrangements," Severus growled, as he sat back down in his chair. "Do I go too far with the boy?"
"No," Katherine said, before sighing heavily. "I don't know Sev. He's never acted out like this before...,but then again I did miss two years of his teenage life."
"That is no excuse Katherine," Severus grumbled, as he ran a pale hand over his face. "He needs to understand the danger that this trip would hold. If Darius was here right now, I'd wring his neck."
"Well you can do that on Thursday then," Katherine said, as she stood and placed Serenity in Severus' arms, so she could start clearing the table.
"I had almost forgotten that he was coming over," Severus muttered, as he shifted Serenity in his arms.
"Just don't wring his neck too hard Sev," Katherine snarled, as she levitated the dishes to the sink.
"And why is that?"
"Because I would like a chance to throttle him as well."
As Thursday night rolled around, Katherine shooed Septimus off to the Fuersts for the rest of the evening; even after another short spat between the three of them. She stood in the living room waiting for Darius Prescott to floo himself over, and at exactly seven o'clock, the floo flared up. Darius stepped and brushed himself off, before looking up at Katherine with a soft smile.
"Hello Katherine," Darius said, shifting his notes in his hands. But the smile slid quickly off of his face, as he looked at her. Katherine's face was hard; her mouth set in a thin, firm line. Her ice blue eyes were dark and cold; and her brow set in a scowl.
"We are in the kitchen," she said simply, then turned on her heel and headed in that direction.
"Alright then," Darius muttered, as he followed Katherine into the kitchen. There he found Severus sitting at the table, scribbling away on a piece of parchment; his nose only inches away from the books on the tabletop.
"Hello Severus," Darius greeted the dark haired wizard warmly.
"Prescott," Severus sneered in greeting; his eyes never looking up from his work. Even Katherine had yet to truly greet Darius the way she normally did. Instead, she remained silent as she plucked Serenity from the playpen, and settled in at the table with the child in her lap.
"Such a warm welcome," Darius muttered as he placed his book and papers on the table, before planting himself across from Severus. The dark haired wizard had still yet to raise his eyes, which were currently intently focused on his writing. His quill flowing flawlessly across the parchment, never missing a beat.
"Septimus enjoying the break?" Darius finally asked; as he was getting a bit annoyed by the lack of discussion.
"Well enough," Severus muttered from within the pages of his writings.
"Where is he?" asked Darius, as he eyed Katherine and Severus cautiously.
"At the Fuersts," Katherine said sharply, as she kept her eyes on her work, while cradling the sleeping infant against her chest.
"Oh," Darius said softly, as he began to separate his notes. "I was kind of hoping he would be here, so we could all discuss the trip to..."
"He will not be joining you on the trip," Severus said firmly, stopping Darius from finishing his sentence.
"Sorry?" Darius stammered, his hazel eyes widened and his mouth a gaped.
"Septimus will not be joining you on the potions trip," Severus snapped. His black eyes were now dangerously cold; glaring daggers into the boy's potions professor.
"Not...not going?" Darius breathed, looking back and forth between Katherine and Severus. "Why not? He seemed very excited about it when I asked him to join me."
"Katherine and I believe it is too dangerous for him to go on such a trip," Severus hissed violently, causing Darius to flinch.
"Dangerous?" Darius questioned; frowning towards the other two. "How in Merlin's name is this trip dangerous?"
"What are you thinking Darius?" Katherine sneered. "Have you lost your mind?"
"No, I haven't," Darius replied sternly; his dark hazel eyes hardening towards the two. "Septimus is extremely intelligent in Potions, and it's something he wants to do in his future. I'm just trying to give him a head start. He'll benefit from this travel greatly."
"But why Scotland for Merlin's sake?" Severus growled; his grip on his quill tightened so much, that the tip broke off and shattered.
"Scotland is the only place to harvest Aconite during that time of the year," Darius exclaimed. "You both very well know that."
"Yes, we do," Katherine frowned. "And we both know exactly where it is found. It's just...it's just too close."
"And where exactly did you plan on staying while there?" Severus asked; his brow and eyes narrowing even further.
"I, well...I have a contact with another Potion's Master that I met years ago," Darius stuttered, suddenly becoming interested in the linen tablecloth. "He offered us some rooms in trade for some Death Caps from the Black Forest."
"Who is it, Darius?" Severus growled again.
"Horace...Slughorn," Darius muttered. His eyes were still on the table and his quill fidgeted in his finger tips.
"NO!" Severus said, his voice rose with anger. "Absolutely not. He will definitely not be going."
"Let's see reason Severus," Darius said exasperated, dropping his quill onto the table.
"There would be too many questions raised," Severus snarled. "The student body would still be there during that time; there will be too many that will notice the resemblance between the boy and myself."
"The boy is smart enough," Darius stated, becoming quickly frustrated with the other two. "We derive a story, something simple and believable, but believable enough to be accepted by others."
"And what if it isn't accepted?" Katherine whispered in a dangerously low voice, as she still held Serenity close to her person. "What if something slips out and we are found? The wizarding world in the UK will not accept the fact that we are alive. We are still murderers by their books, and they will have us arrest and trialed as soon as we are found. What will happen, Darius? What will happen to our children after that?"
"Katherine, Severus," Darius sighed heavily, trying to push his frustration aside. "You know I would never try and put Septimus, or your family in the path of danger. If I didn't think we could make the trip there, I wouldn't have even insinuated it. You have my word that I will keep him safe; and not because of that vow, but because I see him as a son, one that I never had." The three fell silent; all contemplating the effects and outcomes of such a trip.
"I can see that we won't get any work done here tonight," Darius said softly, and began gathering his notes and quills. "I'll owl in a week or two, after we've all settled down a bit, and discuss an evening to get together to go over the Wolfsbane notes again. Goodnight."
Pushing himself up from the chair, Darius tucked his notebook and folder under his left arm, before turning towards the living room. But before he could even place a foot into the next room, Severus' soft, velvet voice halted him in his tracks.
"We will let you know what we decide before the week is out," Severus murmured; his face now softened a bit as he lightly brushed the bits of broken quill off of his parchment.
"That's all I ask," Darius breathed, before quickly stepping towards the fireplace and flooed from the cabin.
That night had been unbearably cold, both physically and mentally. Septimus arrived home shortly before ten in the evening, and without a word, went straight to his room, and Katherine followed suit shortly after putting Serenity down for the night. Severus knew that this was hard on her; he could read her like a book. And ever since their souls had been healed a week ago, her mind had been fully opened to him. Their souls may have been no longer attached physically, but he could still feel her emotions wash over him like a tidal wave.
Their bedroom was partially dark when he entered around eleven; the only light being that from the soft orange glow of the small fireplace. The little flame danced lively shadows across the room and the furniture within, and Severus could just make out the faint outline of Katherine's form, which was sprawled out across the bed. Her legs were twisted within the top sheets and her golden hair was fanned out wildly across both of their pillows.
Sighing quietly, Severus reached out and gently brushed a stray lock away from her face. Her pale eyelids fluttered for a moment from the soft contact, before opening completely.
"Sev," Katherine whispered, as she looked up at him with sad ice blue eyes. "What are we going to do?"
"I don't know Katherine," he muttered, as Katherine shifted back to her own side of the bed, so Severus could get in. He gently eased himself in next to her, and allowed Katherine to wrap herself around his person. Despite the warm fire, the master bedroom felt horribly cold that night.
"A part of me wants him to be able to go," Katherine mumbled into Severus' chest. "So he can get the experience of being out in the field and so he can get a better chance to exceed in his studies."
"And so he is not mad at us anymore, correct?" Severus asked quietly, as he rested his chin on the top of her head.
"Yes...that too," Katherine sniffed softly.
"Katherine," Severus said, pulling her away from his person slightly, so he could look her in the eyes. "I, too, want to see our son become accomplished in his studies, but I have been talking to Christoph. England is not safe enough yet. There are still rouge Death Eaters and Dementors at large, and Hogwarts has not even been fully restored yet. He could not successfully defend himself if attacked.
"If we had more time...," but he didn't finish, and instead opted for pulling Katherine back against him.
"If we had more time what?"
"If there was more time," Severus sighed again. "Perhaps we could have taught him the spells that he would need."
Easter Sunday was a quiet affair. Septimus had fled the breakfast table as soon as he had finished, and made his way out to the lake to fly. Katherine busied herself in the kitchen, preparing the leg of lamb for dinner that night; while Severus took Serenity with him into the sitting room to work some more on the Wolfsbane researching.
It was the first sunny day they had had all week, and the sun shone brightly through the large picture window that overlooked the lake. Severus placed Serenity gently down in her playpen, before seating himself in his chair. From there he could see Septimus flying gracefully above the tarn's glassy surface. Severus ran a weary hand over his face; he didn't know how much more of this silence he could take. He remembered all of the times he wished for silence like this at Hogwarts, but never received it; especially with the Golden Trio running amuck. But this setting was different; it was his family.
Katherine called Septimus in just shortly before noon, and the boy grudgingly obeyed; sulking all the way up to the house. It was just the four of them for this holiday, as the Fuerst family had left to spend the day with Elisa's older brother, who lived in the state of Washington.
Katherine had laid out a elegant, yet simple dinner, consisting of roasted leg of lamb, spring vegetables and cabbage, Jersey Royals, fresh mint sauce, and Hot Cross buns. Simnel Cake followed the meal; one that was finished quietly, only to be interrupted by a now fussy Serenity, who demanded to be feed herself. Septimus downed his cake quickly, and began to rise when Severus stopped him.
"Septimus," Severus addressed sternly, causing the boy to stop in mid-movement. "Sit." The boy hesitated for a moment, before doing what he was told.
"There is something we need to discuss," Severus proceeded, as he folded his hands around his teacup. "Your mother and I have come to a decision, and we have agreed to let you join Professor Prescott on the Potion's trip."
"You...you really mean it?" Septimus stuttered; his black eyes widening immensely. "I can go!"
"Yes, but there are a few ground rules that we must go over before then," Severus paused for a moment, to take a sip of his tea. "First, we will discuss a proper history for yourself and our family, so if anyone should ask about us, you will have a plausible story to go by.
"Second," Severus continued. "Both your mother and I wish to go over the spells that you already know. Since you will be seventeen in a few short weeks, you will be able to perform magic outside of school. The week between the end of school and the beginning of the trip, you will perform each of the spells that you know for us and we will work to strengthen them.
"And finally," Severus paused once more. "You will be taught the Patronus Charm before you leave."
"But that's a seventh year spell," Septimus gasped. "And Professor Lindt said that more than half of his NEWT students fail to produce one by the end of the year."
"Indeed," Severus said, leaning back in his chair and slyly observed Katherine out of the corner of his eye. "But it can be achieved. "
"Go floo Professor Prescott, Septimus," Katherine said, as she smiled lightly at the boy's sudden happiness. "Tell him that we've given you permission to join him."
"Thank you!" Septimus cried, leaping from his chair and into his mother's outstretched arm. "Thank you so much!"
"Just promise me that you will be careful," Katherine muttered, as she hugged him to her person as best she could.
"I will," Septimus laughed lightly, before releasing himself from his mother and flinging himself towards Severus; attaching himself in a full hug. "Thank you!"
"You're welcome," Severus said, stiffening a bit. He had gotten use to the boy giving him a causal one arm hug, but this was still new to him, and still caused him to feel a bit uncomfortable. "Now go floo your Professor."
"Right," Septimus breathed, as he released his father from his grasp, and made a beeline to the living room.
"Do you think he'll be able to produce a Patronus in time for the trip?" Katherine asked, as she lifted Serenity to her shoulder, in order to burp her.
"We managed to produce one within a week," Severus pointed out; his black eyes watching his wife and daughter closely.
"Yes," Katherine sighed lightly. "But we had very little happy memories to go by. Sept has had a much better and happier life than we had by that age."
"True," Severus said, before sipping his tea. "Let's just hope that he can think of the right memory quickly then."
a/n: Okay, I know...it's been way too long. Life has been chaotic. I had been planning on having this chapter done a while ago, but things have happened in my life. My best friend, who is more like a sister to me, lost her youngest brother in a motorcycle accident this summer, and I've found myself helping her and her family out a lot. It's been a hard summer all around.
Anyway, on to better news! Chapter 30 should come quicker, and will be centered around an important day in Septimus' life!
A big thank you to xxxMadameMysteryxxx, AdaYuki, RemaSofiRuin, xxxyangxx2006, Missyick, Mira Severus Sirius Black-Snape, lightbabe, PMtheHBP fan and Tara Cytherea for the wonderful reviews! And thank you to all who have been patiently waiting and following this story!
