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 32: Training Days

The last days of school for Septimus and his friends came quickly enough. Between studying for exams and his training, and extensive Quidditch practices, Septimus was finding himself rather overwhelmed by the time the Round Robin Tournament began on Saturday, May 22nd. Katherine had left Serenity with Elisa and Christoph that day, so the little girl wouldn't have endure the two day long weekend sitting in the Torngat stands.

The Spoofhounds found themselves three to one by the end of the day, and Sunday proved no different for the team, as they earned themselves a date with the championship the following weekend. Septimus and his teammates found themselves facing off against Belknap Springs on the twenty-ninth of May; the team that they had first lost to in the beginning of the season.

Both teams played hard. Chasers pushed themselves to the max, causing the fans to only see streaks of royal blue and white or red and black blaze pass where they sat. Beaters swung their bats violently, sending wild bludgers in all directions; while Keepers fought with all of their might to keep the Quaffles from their goals.

Septimus had hovered for what it seemed like hours; his black eyes hungrily scanned the pitch for any signs of the little golden Snitch. Finally a glisten of gold caught his eye, and in a heartbeat, Septimus sped off after it. But he hadn't been the only one; the Devil Dogs' Seeker, Sarah Jameson, had seen it too.

The two raced neck and neck; banging into each other every so often, in hopes to throw the other off course. But in the end, Septimus' chase had been in vain, as he was thrown off course by a Devil Dogs' bludger that was head straight for him. He had managed to veer out of the way in time, but it was enough to allow Jameson to grab the snitch and win the game.

270 - 120.

Katherine had fled to the boy's side after leaving the pitch; immediately pulling him into a tight embrace. Severus watched as Katherine spoke soft, encouraging words to their son, whom was trying not to break down in front of the crowd of people. After a few moments, Septimus left his mother's arms and threw his arms around his father. Severus stiffened slightly, but eventually relaxed and gathered his son in closer.

"I'm so glad you're here," Septimus murmured, still refusing to let the elder wizard go.

"So am I," Severus whispered. "So am I."


A week had passed by quickly after that. Septimus, Helena and the rest of the students found themselves sitting their final exams for the year's end; while Severus, Katherine and Darius Prescott devised their lesson plans for Septimus' following week.

The emerald green train arrived back to Union Station on Sunday night; bringing home the first through sixth years only. The seventh years were still back at the school, but for the last time, as they would graduate today.

The first Monday in June was considerably warm, and the weather was promising for the first day of training. Professor Prescott had Flooed in quite early that morning, and between himself, Katherine and Severus, outlined the schedule for the upcoming week.

At exactly six in the morning, Katherine and Septimus had hit the backwoods trails for their morning run. Darius and Severus, on the other hand, began to set up the dueling area in the yard. The house had been given extra wards, just in case, and the trees and gardens had been given extra protection as well. The last thing Severus wanted to do was repair the cabin due to a wayward blasting spell.

By the time Katherine and Septimus had returned, everything was set. Serenity had been deposited into Helena's care at the Fuersts, and Septimus, with wand in hand, took his position in front of his parents and professor.

"Are you prepared?" Severus asked sternly; his posture shifting into former professor mode. Both Katherine and he had crossed their arms in front of their chests, and their eyes bore into the blacks of their son's. All three adults stood stiffly; mouths set in firm, straight lines, and brows furrowed slightly.

"I guess so," Septimus shrugged lightly; not quite sure of what to expect from the three of them.

"You...guess...so," Severus sneered; his lips turning upwards in disgust to the simple answer. "Unfortunately there is no time for guessing in a real life situation. Over the course of the next week you will be learning and relearning the many varied spells of protection and defense against the Dark Arts. The Dark Arts, themselves, are many, varied, ever-changing, and eternal. Fighting them is like fighting a many-headed monster, which, each time a neck is severed, sprouts a head even fiercer and cleverer than before. You are fighting that which is unfixed, mutating and indestructible.

"So..." his voice lowered, causing Septimus' eyes to widened and slouch slightly under his father's glare. "First things, first. A simple blocking spell. You will first learn to block unfriendly spells, such as Expelliarmus or Stupefy, and the like."

"We learned those second year," Septimus said, shrugging a bit.

"Good," Severus stated sharply with a scowl. "Then this will not take long." Within seconds of Severus finishing his last word, Katherine had her wand withdrawn from her robes.

"Expelliarmus," Katherine shouted; aiming her wand at the boy. Septimus' oak wand leapt from his hand and flew into his mother's outstretched one.

"Hey!" Septimus shouted in surprise. "I wasn't ready yet!"

"You have to be ready at all times!" Severus hissed, rounding the boy quickly. "This is not dueling club. There is no one giving you the ready, set, go. You have to be prepared to defend yourself at all times."

"Throughout this week, Septimus," Katherine said lowly. "You will be learning everything from the simplest of defensive spells to the most complicated one. Some that even are not found in books."

"We have one week Mr. Prince," Darius finally spoke up. "We know this is a lot to take in, but you have the capability to master all of them. Remember, we are scheduled to leave next Monday."

"With that said, let us begin," Severus said, as he withdrew his own ebony wand.


"Arghhh..." Septimus groaned in frustration, before flopping down onto the grass. "I can't do this!"

"Yes you can," Severus said dryly, from where he sat upon a tree stump.

"I can't," Sept growled lightly. "I've been practicing for the last month, and I still can't get it right! And there's only two days left!"

Severus sighed heavily, running a pale hand through his midnight colored hair. The boy had achieved every spell they had thrown at him; all except the Patronus charm. He knew it was going to be difficult, and a part of Severus wondered if his son would ever truly be able to produce a corporeal one. So many couldn't, but he was at least satisfied that Septimus could produce a shield; it would help at least fight off two, or maybe three Dementors.

"I don't mean to pry," Severus said softly. "But what are you thinking of when trying to conjure your Patronus."

"Anything and everything," Septimus sighed, as he sat up, in the grass, to look towards his father.

"Give me an example," Severus snorted lightly, as he fought off rolling his eyes.

"Flying," Sept stated. "The first time I ever flew a broom by myself."

"That's not strong enough," Severus sighed. "Try again; give me a different memory."

"The first time I ever made a potion on my own," Septimus groaned.

"Still not strong enough," Severus muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger. "What was the last memory you used yesterday? It seemed to put out the strongest barrier I have seen all week."

"Oh, um..." Septimus murmured, looking down to study the grass around him; as if it had suddenly become very interesting. "It's kind of stupid."

"Apparently not as much as you think it is," Severus stated, as he watched his son intently.

"It was..." Septimus paused. "It was the first time I kissed Helena. We were eight and it was just on the cheek, but..."

"You were out on the pier I believe, were you not?" Severus asked, as his black eyes remained focused on the boy.

"How do you know about that?" Septimus asked; his eyes shooting back up to meet his father's.

"About two years ago, your mother let the memory slip from her mind while we slept," Severus smirked slightly.

"Ughhh..." Septimus groaned again, flopping back into the grass. "She saw us!"

"She did," Severus chuckled lightly. "Up with you now. Let's try again."

"Do we have to?"

"Yes," Severus stated. "Come on. Up!"

Septimus groaned a third time, as he rose to his feet and took his stance. Breathing in deeply, he closed his eyes and focused on the memory. He could see it as plain as day; even after eleven years, it was still fresh on his mind.

He was sitting next to Helena on the pier, looking out over the lake. They were talking quietly with one another, having just finished a game of Gobstones. He turned to look at her and finally made up his mind. Quickly, he leaned towards her and planted a soft, hurried kiss on her cheek before pulling back. He felt himself go pink, but regardless of his actions, Helena smiled softly at him. Her hazel eyes were shining brightly in the setting sun. Somehow, even then, he knew he loved her.

"Expecto Patronum," Septimus whispered, waving his wand with steady movement. A bright light burst forth from Septimus' oak wand. The shield grew and grew as Septimus held onto the memory, but it didn't seem to be enough to become a corporeal one. After several minutes, Septimus let his wand hand drop back down to his side.

"Better," Severus said encouragingly.

"But it still wasn't a corporeal," Septimus sighed in frustration. "What if I never get it?"

"You will," Severus stated.

"Can...can I see yours?" Septimus asked quietly, turning his eyes back to his father. Severus rose silently from the stump and withdrew his wand. Taking a deep breath himself, he allowed his arm and wand flow through the motion of the spell.

"Expecto Patronum," Severus whispered. From his wand, a silver fox emerged and darted about the forest floor, before fading off within the thick of the trees. "The fox represents one whom has patience, wisdom, intelligence and adaptability. Those people can be high strung or exceedingly calm, charismatic or mysterious...prone to stand out or blend in, keep peace or make mischief. They tend to be partially rooted in the spirit world, living day to day in sort of a 'world between.' Foxes are a strong symbol of femininity, shape-shifting, illusion and magic."

Septimus frowned at his words. He opened his mouth to ask what exactly his father meant by what he said, but stop at the sight of his father's soft smile.

"Your mother," Severus said, confirming Septimus' question. "We share the same corporeal Patronus, but it belonged to her first. Mine adapted into hers' mate because of the love I hold for her."

Septimus mulled over his words for a time, before turning to his father again. "Can I try again?" Severus' black eyes held the boy's for a moment, before nodding his consent.

Taking his position once again, Septimus took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Focusing his mind on a happy memory, he waved his wand in the correct motion.

"Expecto Patronum!" Septimus exclaimed. From his wand, the silvery light burst forth once more; but ever so slowly, it began to take shape. Wings appeared, large claws with sharp talons emerged and the body of the light shifted into shape.

A hawk.

A Broad-winged Hawk.

"Clear-sighted," Severus whispered in awe, as the two watched the silvery hawk soar about the clearing. "Observant, with a far-memory. Those with a hawk represent guardianship, courage, wisdom and illumination. They are able to see the larger picture of life. They are creative, experience, and yet are wise and speak only of the truth. They easily overcome problems; have a keen recollection and visionary power.

"They are defensively strong and constantly search for fulfillment in life," he continued. "They are the messenger, bringing forth messages from spirits and recall past lives. The hawk represents nobility and new life."

A sudden gasp shook both wizards out of their thoughts, causing the hawk to fade into the trees after his father's fox. Turning towards the sound, they found Katherine standing on the steps of the backdoor. Tears were streaming down her porcelain face as she slowly made her way towards her son.

"Mom?" Septimus asked, with slight worry, but his next question died from his lips, as Katherine pulled him into a hug.

"I'm so proud of you," Katherine said through her tears; but a smile was plastered on her face. Slightly she pulled away, just far enough to take his face in her hands. "So very proud of you."

"Did you use the memory from the lake?" Severus asked quietly, as he conjured a handkerchief for Katherine.

"No," Septimus said, shaking his head. "I didn't really use a memory. I just thought of Helena...and the both of you, along with Serenity, Christoph and Elisa...Henry, Nick...and the rest of my close friends. I just pictured us all together. I just pictured everyone I really cared about, and everyone who has ever cared about me."

"That means you are ready," Severus said softly.

"You mean...I can go?" Septimus asked cautiously, his black brows rising slightly.

"You completed every spell we have thrown at you, have you not?" Severus asked, with a raised brow. Septimus nodded slowly, hoping he knew what the answer would be. "Then...you can go."


Monday, June 14th, 1999

"You have all of your clothes?"

"Yes mom."

"And your books that Professor Prescott asked you to bring?"

"Yes."

"And you remember everything we went over about what you can and cannot tell people about your family?"

"Yes mom," Septimus sighed heavily, running a hand through his shoulder length black hair. "I have everything and will remember everything we went over."

"I just want to make sure..."

"Katherine," Severus sighed as well. "He is only going to be gone for two weeks. Everything will be fine."

"Well, alright," Katherine muttered, as she shifted Serenity on her hip. The four of them were making their way to the Apparation Point, where a portkey awaited them. It would take them to New Salem, where Septimus was to meet up with his Professor and classmate.

Septimus had said his goodbyes to Helena earlier, promising to write to her with his journal as often as he could. After several kisses later, Severus finally pulled the boy away, before they would miss their portkey.

A clipped dinner plate is what they found there; dirtied from the mud soaked ground, cause by the heavy rains the day before. At exact ten o'clock, the plate glowed blue, and the Apparation Point was void of life once again.

Professor Prescott and Zach Winters were already waiting for them when the four popped into the grounds of New Salem. The skies were overcast; the darkened clouds threatened to burst open at any moment.

After they final hug goodbyes, the professor and his students clutched a hold of their portkey and vanished before Severus and Katherine's eyes.

"Do you think he'll really be alright?" Katherine asked, leaning into Severus' side as she cradled Serenity close to her.

"He's a clever boy," Severus stated, as he wrapped an arm around his wife's waist. "I believe he will be just fine."


a/n: Hello again! I'm back! I got a bit sidetracked this past month, as I found myself working a bit on the prequel to "PM&HBP." That's right I said prequel :) I've been working on it for a while now, and tend to write a chapter every so often. I mainly do this, so I don't lose track of the facts from my other two stories, and then hope that they will all link up correctly in the end.

Anyways, a big thanks to xxxMadameMysteryxxx, lightbabe, HarukaJKGG, Mira Severus Sirius Black-Snape, PMtheHBP fan, Tara Cytherea (times 2!), xxyangxx2006 and Missyick for their ever wonderful reviews! Also thank you to all who have added this story to their favs and/or alerts!

Hopefully Chapter 33 will be posted with a month! Thanks for being patience :)