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.


R.I.P. Alan Rickman
(1946-2016)
We'll love you 'always.'


Chapter 41: "Life Decisions"

The Northwoods slowly retreated from its' bleak and dreary gray skies into sunnier days. Blue skies emerged from behind dark pendulous clouds and white snow sank away to bring forth new green life.

The Easter hols were late this year; nearing almost May by that time. It would be Septimus' last holiday before graduation; something that was weighing heavily on both his and his parents' minds.

Katherine had already began to show by this time as well. They had the opportunity to inform Septimus of the new sibling after the last Quidditch match, and the young wizard seemed happy with the comfort of knowing that his younger sister would grow up with a sibling and a playmate.

Elisa had performed two more checkups since the first conformation; stating that the child was indeed healthy and growing at the appropriate rate. David Suttington, too, had been ecstatic to receive the news, even if it meant being down a potion master for nearly another nine months.

Katherine's birthday was a quiet affair, with dinner for just the two of them at the 'Nightowl' restaurant in Chicago. The beautiful eatery was located on the roof top of the Two Prudential Plaza, and offered a variety of cuisine from all over the world. Severus had felt guilt about not making her birthday as big as she had made his, but she merely told him that he had already gave her a wonderful gift, as she gently rubbed her swelling stomach. Never-the-less, Severus had still found her a rare copy of 'Brews & Potions' by Patience T. Brewer.

The kids arrived home the Saturday before the Easter weekend. Nick and Henry, full of spit and vinegar, bounded ahead of the younger couple.

Severus had traveled alone that day; as Christoph was called into an emergency at the office and Elisa had a witch who had gone into labor late last night and still had not delivered. Katherine was due to join him, but unfortunately they were awoken at four in the morning to a feverish and vomiting toddler.

So here Severus stood, with portkey in hand, waiting for the four teenagers to collect their trunks and begin to make their way to the Apparation spot to journey home. He knew May second wouldn't come fast enough for the young wizard, when Septimus would finally be able to apply for his Apparating license, and Apparate himself whenever and wherever he pleased. But that was still two weeks away, and Severus knew that the boy would be muttering…destination…determination…deliberation, under his breath until then.

Apparating classes had gone well enough; with neither Septimus or Helena splinching themselves. But only the final test would prove if they were truly ready.

The four meandered over to him, handing off their trunks to be shrunk small enough to be placed in their pockets. None of them seemed phased by the absence of the other adults, and merely followed Severus to the destination.

It was getting quite dark by the time the father and son finally arrived home. They had deposited the three Engel children off at their house on the south end of the lake, before trekking their way back north to the emerald green cabin.

The smell of Katherine's dinner wafted through the trees as they neared, bringing a small smile on both wizards' faces. They chatted lightly about the week ahead as their journey came to a close, but a bigger issue was lurking on Septimus' mind.

"He's been quiet the last few days," Katherine said, as they sat in bed, late Tuesday night. Severus was pouring over the Lycanthropy notes that he had received from Darius Prescott earily that day, as Katherine pursued the recent 'Potions Weekly Journal,' that had come by owl post that morning.

"He's been studying quite heavily for his NEWT exams Katherine," Severus replied, with his nose still embedded in the parchment before him. "I am personally happy that he is doing so."

"As am I," Katherine stated. "But I know my son well enough to know when something is bothering him. He throws himself into his work , unfortunately, much like his parents do."

The comment made Severus pause in his reading and look up at the witch. He quietly watched her rub her small protruded belly, something he noted that she had done when she was pregnant with Serenity, and when something was usually weighing on her mind.

"Then perhaps it is the Apparation test that is bothering him," Severus suggested, as he placed his reading material in his lap. "Or maybe the NEWTS themselves."

"No," Katherine sighed, as she put the Potions Journal on the nightstand. "I think it is what lies in the here after that is troubling him. He wants so much to do both Quidditch and Potions, but I think he's worried that he cannot handle both."

''He's a bright boy Katherine," Severus stated, as they began to settle themselves in. '' He will be able to handle both, if he chooses to do so. You heard what Maximus said, 'it is better for Septimus to have a backup plan just in case.'''

''I really rather not think about the just in case part," Katherine whispered, as Severus spelled the lights off.

"Neither would I," Severus sighed. ''But you know firsthand how dangerous Quidditch can be. If he were to become too injured to ever play again, at least he will have potions as a backup plan. From there at least he could become a supplier, or an owner of an apothecary , or a..."

"Professor?"

"Merlin I hope not," Severus scoffed, as he drew the witch to his chest.

"Would it be so bad if he was?" Katherine murmured in his cotton clad torso. "He would not be dealing with the same issues and demands that we had. He would be going into the profession by his own choice."

"I suppose you are right," Severus sighed again.

"Besides," Katherine continued. "He's an excellent tutor to Henry and Nick, as well as many of the underclassmen. He also helped tutor Helena in potions...she went from having a 'Poor' to and 'Exceeds Expectations' in less than a month."

"Then, if he should chose to be a professor later on," Severus began, as Katherine burrowed further into his side. "I will support his decision."


"Name Jupiter's four largest moons," Helena stated, as she sat beside Septimus on the pier. The two had taken to habit to meet and study right after lunch every day that week. With their NEWTS only a little over a month away, the two seventh years had taken to quizzing each other in their subjects.

"Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto," Septimus listed, as he laid back on the wooden planks.

The day had warmed greatly, allowing them to venture out into nature. Severus and Katherine had been vigorously working over the gardens, preparing them for the new summer's harvest, while Serenity lounged nearby on a sun-warmed blanket.

"Right," Helena smiled, as she checked the question off on her study guide. "Name Orion's seven brightest stars." But no response came; all Helena could hear was the soft lapping of the lake on the shore and the birds that were flying over head.

"Sept?" Helena frowned, looking over her boyfriend.

Septimus was staring up at the bright blue sky; his black eyes fixed on nothing in particular. At the moment, his mind was far away; it had been the first time in weeks that he had been able to fully clear his head and just, somewhat, relax.

His thoughts had been jumbled since returning to school in January; worried about projects and tests, but now his mind was set on the future. Where he would go from here...what did he want to do with his life? The school counselors had been badgering all seventh years about that very thing, and frankly Septimus was a bit annoyed by it.

"Sept?" He was startled out of his thoughts as Helena shook him by the shoulder. "Did you even hear me?"

"Sorry," Septimus sighed, as he ran a hand over his eyes.

"Where were you just now?"

Septimus huffed in frustration, as his hands traveled from his face to his shoulder length black hair. A part of him just wanted to forego the studying this week and just bum about. A week off to not worry about NEWTS or graduation or careers; just a week to be worry free.

"Sept?"

"Do you ever wish that time would just stop?" Septimus asked, as he sat up. "For only a little while, so you can relax and just breathe."

"I guess everyone wishes for that power sometimes," Helena shrugged. "I take it that this isn't about the tests coming up, is it?"

"No..." he frowned, looking down at his hands in his lap. "Do you...do you what you want to do when you're done? I know you've always talked about working for the government, but have you chosen where?

"Well, I've narrowed it down to Magical Law or Magical Education," Helena said with a small smile. "But I'm leaning towards Magical Education the most."

"See...," Septimus sighed in frustration. "Even you know what you what to do when we graduate."

"You know what you want to do Sept," Helena frowned at her boyfriend. "You want to study potions and play Quidditch."

"But the school counselors said it would be too much for me to do both!" Septimus exclaimed with a growl. "They said no one would be willing to travel with me just to tutor me in potions!"

"But your parents said..."

"I know what they said Helena!" Septimus snarled as he slammed his fist onto the wood of the pier. "But what if the counselors are right! What if no one would take me as a potions apprentice?"

"I think you're worried about something that isn't true Sept," Helena said as calmly as she could. "Your parents said that there is someone who would be willing to travel with you. You're very good at multitasking, what would make this any different from school and Quidditch now?"

"I just don't know what to think anymore," he huffed, as he brought his long legs up to his chest.

"Listen," Helena sighed, closing the book in her hands. "Maybe we should call it a day. We've been studying all week and we need a break." Slowly she rose from her spot on the deck and brushed off her jeans.

"Are...are you leaving?" Septimus stuttered as he looked up at his girlfriend with wide eyes.

"I'm going to go home for a while," she murmured softly, before bending over to plant a small kiss on Septimus' cheek. "I'll floo you later. Ok?"

Without waiting for a response, Helena turned and walked away. His black eyes followed her, watching the strawberry blonde bid his parents goodbye before disappearing into the house to floo back to her own. Septimus glanced back out across the lake. He knew he should not have become upset with Helena, but he felt that no one understood the pressure he was under.

He had known since last year that the scouts had been watching him at the matches, and every game he felt more and more under pressure about putting his name in for the draft. But at the same time, he loved potions. It connected him to his parents on a deeper level, and he loved to talk about experiments and different solutions to brewing.

Could he do both? Or would he become overwhelmed?

"Septimus?" His mother's voice broke his concentration; he looked back over his shoulder watching her approach the end of the pier. Without responding, he took in her appearance. She was dressed in her normal loose jeans, that she always wore while working in the gardens, and a light blue, three-quarter length t-shirt. There was already a faint swell on her stomach and he noticed how tired she had been this week.

"Is everything alright with you and Helena?" she asked, as she gently placed herself on the bench.

"Yeah," Septimus sighed, as he glanced down at his knees.

"Oh?" Katherine questioned, raising a brow towards the boy. "Helena seemed a bit upset when she left." But Septimus didn't respond, instead he opted to continue staring at his knees.

"You've been different this week," she continued, watching Septimus closely. "Please talk to me Septimus. Is it your NEWTS? Or is it what lies beyond graduation?"

"No one understands," Septimus blurted out, as he stood up abruptly. "The school counselors are telling me to do one thing or another...teachers are trying to persuade me one direction or another...scouts are at every game...I don't know what to do! Tell me mom! What should I do?"

"I cannot," Katherine said calmly, causing Septimus to gape at her. "I cannot tell you what to choose Septimus. It's your own choice."

"You don't get it," Septimus let out a harsh sigh and shook his head. "You don't understand what I'm going through." He was breathing heavily, now, as he turned his back to her. His strong arms were crossed over his broadening chest. Katherine studied the boy closely; he was becoming more and more like his father every day. And, although, his voice hadn't deepen into his father's velvet tones, they had lowered greatly since the year before.

He had grown up much too fast in Katherine's eyes.

"Septimus," Katherine whispered, as she plucked an object from a hidden expandable pocket of her jeaned trousers. Heaving another sigh, Septimus turned slightly back towards his mother.

With a gentle flick of her wrist, she tossed the small item at his person. Septimus deftly caught it in midair; his long nimble fingers curled around a tiny golden sphere.

"A snitch?" Septimus frowned down at the orb in his hand.

"It's not just any snitch, Sept," Katherine smiled softly. "Read the date on it, love." Slowly, Septimus rotated the golden snitch in his hand until his eyes came to rest on a very small date engraved near one of the wings.

"May 27, 1978?" his frown deepened. "This is..."

"Mine," Katherine simply said; the small smile never leaving her face. "That was the last snitch I ever caught at Hogwarts. It was also my decision maker on what I wanted to do after graduation."

"How did a snitch help you to choose potions?"

"I was contracted be a national team when I graduated," Katherine replied, as she beckoned Septimus to take a seat beside her. Slowly, the young wizard looked up at his mother; his mouth a gaped and black eyes wide.

"You played professional Quidditch?!" Septimus gawked, as he sat down by her side. "Why wasn't that in your memories?"

"It really wasn't that important to me at the time," Katherine shrugged lightly.

"Not that important!" Septimus exasperated. "Mom! We're talking about a National Quidditch Team! You flew for a professional team!"

"I was contracted only, Septimus," Katherine explained, as her smile disappeared. "I flew practices and attended the games, but never flew in them."

"What?!" Septimus sputtered. "Why? I don't understand."

"I was contracted by the Holyhead Harpies," Katherine enlightened with a sigh. "But I was only a backup for the real Seeker. Meredith Glasson's contract didn't come due until January of 1982, and she was planning on retiring. So I flew practices with her, and traveled to the games just in case she became injured or ill."

"But you never got the chance," Septimus muttered, as he stared down at the tiny snitch in his hand.

"No," Katherine smiled sadly. "Meredith was a player known for never missing a game. Plus after my arrest, the Harpies terminated the contract."

"Your arrest?" Septimus glupped. "You mean...me."

"Whether you came into my life or not Septimus, my heart was no longer in the game as it once was," Katherine reassured him. "I was under too much pressure between my potions apprenticeship, brewing and doing missions for Voldemort, and spying on the Dark Lord himself. Plus I was starting my first year of teaching that fall."

"So you found it to be too much to handle," Septimus stated. "And lost the love for it. Do you think that would happen to me if choose to throw my name into the draft?"

"You are your own person Septimus," Katherine continued. "My life then is completely different from what yours is now. You are not some pawn in a greater scheme, doing the bidding of two masters. If you choose to do one or another only, it is your choice. If you choose to do both...then your father and I will support and help you in any way that we can.

"Just remember," Katherine smiled softly at her son, as she placed a gentle hand on his cheek. Black eyes met blue, as her thumb stroked his slightly tanned flesh. "We will always be there for you...no matter what."


Easter Sunday was a beautiful morning, with clear blue skies and promising temperatures in the mid 60s. The Fuerst family had joined them this year, as Elisa's brother was traveling with his family abroad.

Katherine had prepared a full Easter brunch buffet with a wide variety of dishes. Roasted asparagus with goat cheese dressing, Cruclité with dips, fresh fruits, assorted cheeses, a slow smoked beef brisket with homemade horseradish crème, a brown sugar roasted pit ham with orange marmalade glaze, oven roasted baby redskin potatoes; followed by a strawberry cheesecake and lemon meringue pie for dessert.

As the group finished with their meal, Septimus stood from his chair and cleared his throat. They quieted, and turned towards him with expectant eyes. The young wizard fidgeted slightly, before taking a deep breath and squaring his shoulders.

"I've been thinking a lot about what I want to do after graduation," Septimus paused again, and took another deep, calming breath. "And I've made my decision...I'm going to pursue potions..."

"...and Quidditch."


A/N: Sorry about the long wait...again...I've been writing slowly because I want to make these chapter as good as possible. Plus my husband and I have been taking on extra work in order to save up for our trip to London next year! YEAH!

Thank you so much to all of you who have continued to follow this story. Your support and reviews and views mean so much to me!

A special thanks to Mira Severus Sirius Black-Snape, Salauka, Snowfire218, xxyangxx2006, 'guest', and HarukaJKGG for their wonderful reviews :) You guys always make my day! Thanks again!