Chapter 4

"Look Septimus. I understand your point but I still do not see how being Marcia's apprentice would help you achieve anything…"

Septimus bit his lip in frustration. This was not working out!

"It's not a matter of achieving anything Mum! It's just I loved—love!—being Marcia's apprentice!"

"Honey, the first thing you did after you got out of that young army mess was become her apprentice so it's not like you had any worthy comparison. Of course anything would seem fun after what you had to endure!"

"Mum! What is this all about? I should be allowed to choose whether or not I want to be apprenticed to someone right?!"

"And I should be allowed to decide whether my son can carry on living with a spooky wizard who has no manners whatsoever!"

"Oh my god that is so unfair! I can't believe you just said that Mum! You don't even know Marcia so how can you judge her?!"

And on those words, the boy stormed out into the cool summer night, illuminated by the last minutes of the sunset.

Marcia fished the first item out of her beloved box. It was a grey sweater; with the words "WANNA DANCE" marked in big cream-coloured letters at the back. She cradled the object for a few seconds and inhaled deeply in its smell. Despite the torrent of tears running down her face, the wizard allowed herself a small smile. 20 years ago, she had cast a spell on all these treasures to stop them loosing their smell and material and to prevent time and tears from wearing them away. Marcia delicately placed the cloth next to her and dug into the container once more. This time, she found an old ball invitation. It was of a light-pink tone and was bordered by purple and blue hearts. She stared at it for a second before laying it down besides the jacket. The third item was a crumpled up letter written in blood-red ink. It read:

Sweetheart,

I should be coming back from that hiking trip tonight. I miss you every hour although we have only been apart for two day. I know you do not like me leaving and to compensate, I wonder if you would accompany me to the little bar across from the Terry Tersal's shoe shop tomorrow night. Can I pick you up at around seven o'clock? I have something very important to tell you…

Love,

Xxx

Marcia thought she would faint. The sobs that were now coming up from her throat were suffocating her. That night where he had taken her out had been the best of her life. She missed him so much! Every moment spent with him was locked up inside of her forever. She remembered how they had decided to keep their relationship secret for the time being and never put any names on their messages. There was one last thing in the box. The woman knew she shouldn't take it out as she had linked it to a series of memories that would only hurt her more if she watched them. But temptation was strongest and she retrieved a silver ring. It was a simple silver band bearing a small silver heart. As soon as her fist had closed around the beautiful jewellery, Marcia was pushed in a world full of laughter, happiness, love and most of all, full of him.

Alther Mella was going for one of his midnight stroll—or flight—when he saw Marcia's rooms had light coming out from the windows. He shook his head, annoyed. She was working herself far too hard; she needed sleep. He flew up to the thick walls and attempted to pass though but was pushed out. Perplexed, he reflected for a moment. Suddenly, Alther realised what was happening. This was the spell he had taught Marcia all those years ago, one that ensured her safety when she couldn't do it herself. Basically, it locked the rooms completely because Marcia was in no condition to do it. This meant she was very unwell. The ghost became paler with worry as he realised the gravity of the situation. No one could help Marcia because no one could come in. Wait…almost no one. With a grim smile, Alther went in search of Septimus Heap.

Meanwhile, Marcia was reliving all her youth.

She was walking home from after-school job and it was pouring rain. Although Marcia was hoping to become the extraordinary wizard's apprentice, she still needed something to fund her small apartment, at least until next year when she would be 18 and would be able to take on a full job—until the apprenticeship. Her parents not being much help as they considered her a failure, Marcia did sometime feel lonely but she fought the sensation by assuring herself that soon, everything would change. Tonight was one of these difficult ones as the young 17-years-old girl had a hole in her umbrella and was dripping wet. Just as she was considering sheltering herself in a nearby shop, she heard footsteps behind her. Now, Marcia hadn't just decided she wanted to be the extraordinary wizard for nothing and she had quite a high level of natural ability in Magyk so she could tell that the person behind her was a man. She swivelled around angrily to ask what on earth he was hoping to do by following her. The girl opened her mouth but her tracker was quicker.

"What's wrong with your umbrella?" he inquired.

Marcia was about to point out that it was none of his business when she noticed the man was around her age and quite handsome his blond hair was perfectly dry underneath his black umbrella and he had deep hazel eyes which were looking at her with concern.

"Aren't you cold?" he spoke again. There was something reassuring about his voice and, all of a sudden, Marcia felt at ease.

"A little…" she admitted.

"Well here! Why don't you let me take you home? My umbrella's big enough for two."

Marcia froze. The words of her schoolteachers came back into her mind: Don't talk to strangers and don't go anywhere with them.

Yet there was something about that boy…just once could do any harm! But just once was enough to ruin her life, Marcia reminded herself. Finally, against all her instincts, she answered.

"OK thank you!"

They walked through the deserted streets in silence, enjoying each other's company. The good thing about sharing an umbrella with someone, thought Marcia, was that you got to be very close to them. She realised what she had just understated and cringed inside.

"So um…where do you live?"

"Why do you want to know?" snapped the girl without thinking.

"Well it might be useful if I'm to take you home…" he replied, a hint of sarcasm in his enchanting voice.

"Oh right!" she blushed. "I'm so sorry! I'm not really used to…" she trailed off. If she said that, at 17 years old, no man had ever walked her home, what would he think?

"It's fine!" he answered kindly.

Marcia told him her address and when they reached the place, she couldn't stop the regret that such a magical journey was coming to an end!

"Well I guess this is goodbye…"he muttered, his eyes searching her sky-blue ones, streaked with green from the Magyk.

"Maybe we will meet again?" she said hopefully.

"Maybe…,"he paused. "What…"he seemed to gather his courage, probably recalling her outburst from earlier.

"What is your name?"

"Marcia. Marcia Overstrand. What is yours?"

"Its—Oh my god! I must go! I am sorry but my father will be so angry! Goodbye Marcia!"

And on those words, he ran off, unaware that the young woman he had rescued from the rain was now getting drenched as she watched him become a little dot in the distance.

*****

The real Marcia felt herself being jerked out of the memory and thrown into another.

*****

She was a t a beach party full of people her age. Normally, Marcia wasn't really a party type of person but her best friend Endor had managed to drag her out of her studying, to make her wear faded skinny jean, a peach tank-top and spotty flip-flops and to make her come to Monica and Lauren's birthday party. The twins were turning 18 and their rich father had invited the whole castle to attend the joyful event. Endor was quite proud because it wasn't that easy to get Marcia out of her crummy flat and she had won all the arguments – except for the makeup one which her best friend had soundly refused; but that wasn't very surprising.

The one thing that Endor didn't know was that Marcia had agreed to all that, in the hope of finding her mysterious stranger from the other night. Now as she stood next to the refreshment table, nervously twisting a strand of her dark curly hair, she was beginning to wonder if it was all worth it. It was obvious that he wasn't coming!

"Marcia Overstrand!" called a voice behind her, which she recognised instantly. She turned but, this time, with a smile.

"Hello!"

"Hi!"

"W-when did you get here?"

"Oh. Just now. Look I want to ask you something."

"Go ahead!" dared Marcia, her heart pounding.

"I've been thinking about you all this time and…well I know we hardly know each other but…I was wondering if…you would go out with me someday!"

The young girl's face broke into a huge grin.

"Yes I'd love too! Your face has been haunting my dreams too! However, I wish I had a name to associate with it!"

"Oh yes I'm sorry about that! My name is—"

It was at that moment that fireworks began explode from everywhere and the boy's name was drowned by the tumult that followed so that only Marcia could here it.

But the real Marcia was sure that, as the young man had shyly put his arm around her younger self's shoulders, she had repeated his name dreamily:

"Silas Heap."

AN: Well here goes chapter 4! There's going to be much more memories coming along. Please tell me what you think! Many thanks to all those who review; even if I don't always reply, I really appreciate it!