*Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Septimus Heap characters!

Chapter 1:

The snow was falling. It came down in little tiny little flakes, each unique with its own special pattern. Kind of like people, Septimus thought, as a couple of the flakes assaulted his hair, while others landed on his green tunic. He had just finished visiting Syrah, for only the second time since the whole Darke Domain debacle, and it had depressed him a little. Whenever he thought of how close she had come to dying – dying – when the things had came into the DisEnchantment chamber, it made him feel even more scared.

But, Septimus also had other important things to worry about. He walked as briskly as he could in the dense snow over to the palace to see Jenna. Both of them were going to go visit Aunt Zelda in the Marram Marshes to help her with something. None of them were quite sure what that something was exactly, in her letter she had just blatantly written, 'something very important and NOT to be ignored. Love and kisses, Aunt Zelda.'

So, both of them would be heading out in the blizzard weather to go see what exactly was needed. Which with how horrid the weather was would indeed not be ignored.

And so, about ten minutes later a very windblown and flustered Septimus Heap stumbled through the palace doors, very narrowly missing Passing Through an ancient ghost that was supposed to be standing guard.

"Excuse me, but do you know where I might find the Princess?" He asked politely, trying not to further offend the old ghost.

"Ah yes. Apprentice. So nice to see you again. Always a joy, always a joy. How are your studies going?" The ghost replied in a quite leisurely manner.

"Very well, actually, but-"

"Have you managed that um. . . What was it again? I believe it starts with a T, but silly old me can not seem to remember. What is it? The trans-"

"Transubstantiate Triple. Yes I have managed it." Septimus said. "But listen I-" He was cut off yet again.

"That's it! The Triple! You must be getting very refined in this Magyk business. What about the-"

This time, Septimus was the one who interjected.

"Listen sir, I don't mean to be rude, but I really need to find the princess. Do you know where she is?"

"Ah yes. Princess Esmerelda. I do happen to know where she is."

"Can you please tell me?" He was beginning to get impatient.

"She's in her chambers!" The ghost finally said, after much hesitation.

"Thank you sir!" Septimus called over his shoulder as he hurried down the softly lit hallway; the flames of the candles and their shadows flickering from the gust of air he sent as he hurried.

"So polite that young man. Very polite. Just needs to comb his hair." The ghost said, as he slowly floated down the hallway to go sit by the fire.

Septimus was almost to Jenna's room, and making good progress by keeping his head down and eyes averted onto the floor to make sure no more pesky old ghosts would get in the way of his mission. He knew they meant well, it was just how they could be so annoying. Whenever a relatively old ghost – especially ancients – were asked a question, it could turn from a simple question and answer session into a five minute ordeal. Sometimes it was a bit ridiculous, but still. They meant well.

So there he was, hurrying down the corridor, when bam! Septimus was flung backwards and hit promptly hit the floor. And so, for the second time that evening, he was a bit flustered.

"Hello Sep!" A voice from somewhere-over-there called. He pulled himself into a sitting position on the floor. The mystery assailant he had ambushed was Jenna.

"Jen! Finally! Sorry I'm late. The weather is downright horrid, and that old ancient down by the door was a bother again." Jenna laughed.

"It's okay!" She said cheerfully, her cheeks flushed from laughing and her gold circlet a little disheveled from her stumble. She held out a hand and helped Septimus to his feet.

"Thanks Jen." He said. "Now when do we depart?"

A couple things to say:

1. Sorry it took me over a month to update! I have been very busy with school, dance, friends, ect. I usually only come on FF via Droid, so I haven't been able to add new chapters and such. :)

2. Thanks to everyone who already read, reviewed, and even favorited it! It really means a lot!:)

3. What do you think so far? I'm trying to capture the way Angie Sage writes in a way to make it more authentic, but I don't know so far. Are the characters to OOC? Or is my lauguage to colloquial? To eloquent? Or just right? :) Please let me know!

Much love to everyone,

HouseOfGlass