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 44: The Greatest Game Ever Played Part 3
"PRINCE LOST HIS GRIP! PRINCE HAS LOST HIS GRIP!"
The sea of students and guests were on their feet. In the mist of the New Salem student section, Ginny Weasley and Hermione Granger were struggling to keep Helena upright, as the group watched Septimus' body freefall towards the earth.
"NO!" Horrific screams echoed throughout the pitch from the New Salem crowd. They were helpless, as time seemed to slow down, especially in the parent section. Katherine, who had been previously gripping the railing, was now clinging to Severus' Polyjuiced body.
"He's too high," Katherine breathed harshly. "He's too high Sev."
Severus slipped his wand from his sleeve, but knew it was for not. The pitch was warded against outside interference; one's spell would bounce off the wards and right back at the crowd. Mickels and Darius stood right beside them; their eyes glued on their falling student.
'PRINCE HAS LOST HIS GRIP!"
The cries of the audience had stopped many of the Quidditch players in their tracks. The Pumas Chaser, Isabella Avis, had literally dropped the Quaffle in mid throw, as she had noticed the look on Kyle Fuchs' face.
Kyle's heart was nearly leaping out of his chest, as he was his closest friend, roommate and Captain fall from his broom. He was too far from Septimus. If he was closer…
"Closer," Kyle muttered. His eyes darted around the pitch, until they landed on his Beaters Justin Burke and Mike Palmer.
"PALMER! BURKE!" Kyle shouted. As the Beaters locked eyes with Kyle, he motioned towards their plunging Captain. Without hesitation, the pair took off in Septimus' direction.
Onyx eyes had locked onto the ground below him.
"Shit, this is going to hurt," Septimus thought as the wind rushed past his face. He knew this was a risky move. He had been too high. He had been going too fast for the barrel-roll.
Closing his eyes, Septimus knew that all he could do was brace himself for the impact.
Suddenly, a pair of arms surrounded him, and his fall came to a screeching halt.
"YAH!" a pair of voices cheered. "We got 'im!" Septimus' eyes flew open to see that he had been snagged out of midair by his own Beaters. Justin and Mike were beaming at each other, despite their paled faces; each had one of Septimus' arms in their own grasp.
"Come on Sept," Mike grinned, as crowd went into an uproar. "Justin, help me get him on my broom." Together, the Beaters managed to get Septimus on Mike's broom. The raven-haired boy shook slightly as he tried to calm his racing heart.
"You alright?" Justin shouted over the crowd. "Never seen you lose your grip before." But his question went unanswered. Instead, Septimus was staring intently at his right hand.
"WHAT A CATCH!" Redding cried over the roar of the crowd. "Well done New Salem Beaters!"
Tears were streaming down Helena's face as a sob of relief raked through her body. Hermione and Ginny held her close, both breathing a heavy sigh of relief as well. Ron and Harry stood with mouths a gape.
"Merlin," Ron breathed. "That was close."
"Yeah," Harry exhaled. "I know the feeling."
At the other end of the pitch, Katherine had her own tears running down her pale cheeks. Severus held her close, as she wept into his chest. He had his own lump in his throat, as his eyes intently watched his son being hoisted on his teammate's broom.
"I think I'm going to be sick," Darius muttered beside the couple. His hands were still gripping the railing, as he bent over to take some deep breaths.
"100 points to the seventh years," Mickels breathed, as he sat down heavily in his seat and wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Are you two alright?" His dark eyes turned up toward his student's parents.
"I think so," Severus whispered, as Katherine nodded into his shirt. "Remind me to buy those two boys whatever they wish after the match."
"Sept," Mike quipped, looking over his shoulder the best he could. "Bud, you alright?"
"Septimus?"
His black eyes never left his hand. His breathing was somewhat back to normal, but his heart was still thumping inside his chest. Slowly, Septimus opened his fingers up one-by-one until a small golden orb was revealed in the palm of his hand.
"Is that?" Justin gaped, as he glanced down at his Captain's hand. "You got it?"
"Got what?" Mike questioned, whipping his head back and forth, trying to see behind him. "What's he got?"
"The Snitch," Septimus murmured. "I got the Snitch."
"Holy shit."
"Prince looks a bit shaken up," Ludworth's voice echoed across the pitch. "We're waiting to see if the refs will call for a medical time out to check Prince over… WAIT ONE MINUTE…"
The pitch went silent, as all eyes were on Septimus.
The Spoofhounds' Captain now had his right hand thrusted in the air; the sun reflecting glints of gold in his fingertips.
"I DON'T BELIEVE IT!" Redding's voice boomed. "PRINCE HAS THE SNITCH! PRINCE HAS THE SNITCH"
"SPOOFHOUNDS WIN!" Ludworth shouted. "SPOOFHOUNDS WIN 250 TO 160 OVER THE PUMAS!"
The New Salem fans exploded into cheers, and the students began to charge the field. Chaos ensued as the Spoofhound players landed on the field. Septimus was being grabbed in all directions, as everyone wanted a chance to see the Snitch. But his eyes were searching for someone else.
Grace Juarez had landed near her keeper's posts and was making her way towards her teammates. Her shoulders sunken in utter defeat and her broom dragged deafly behind her.
"Juarez!" Septimus shouted, but it was drowned out by the crowds. Huffing in annoyance, Septimus shoved the Snitch into his pocket and began pushing his way through the sea of students towards the Pumas' Seeker.
"JUAREZ!" he shouted again. The Pumas' Keeper, Horacio Duarte, had heard his cry, and stopped the girl before she left the pitch. Pushing through the throng of students, Septimus was finally able to reach her.
"Prince," Juarez said softly. Septimus could see tears welding up in her golden eyes. "Felicidades."
"Thank you," Septimus replied, silently thanking Merlin that New Salem taught Spanish to their students. "I just wanted to say, 'Good Match,' and that you're a great Seeker. I'm sure whatever team you get drafted to this summer will benefit greatly from your skills."
"Oh, thank you," Juarez said softly, blushing slightly. "But I'm not throwing my name into the draft."
"What?" Septimus stuttered. "Why not? You're one of the best seekers…"
"My father is a Sastre," Juarez murmured sadly. "He expects me to take over his shop after I graduate."
"Sastre?"
"Tailor," Juarez explained. "He owns Juarezes Finas Túnicas. It's the only school robe shop in Mexico."
"But you're so good."
"My father doesn't care for Quidditch," she went on. "He said I can't settle down and have a family if I'm on the road all the time with a national team. My family expects me to get married and have children and continue the family shop. Those are the priorities."
"Their priorities or yours?" Septimus frowned. "You're one of the best seekers in the school league. They should be proud of that."
"One would think," Juarez sighed. "They've never been to a match."
"Never?"
"No," Juarez replied, her eye casting downward. "I'm the eldest of eight…well almost nine. My mother is a No Mágica. She believes when I graduate that I must help my father, marry and give my Marido lots of bebés. She said those are the purposes of a good Mujer."
"No offense Juarez, but that's a bit medieval thinking," Septimus scoffed. "Don't you agree?"
"It's what expected of me. It is what they want."
"But is it what you want?" Septimus asked firmly. "You have so much talent. Why let it go to waste in a robe shop where you clearly don't want to be?"
"Sept!" a voice called for him from the crowd. Septimus glanced back to see Helena waving to him as she pushed her way through her classmates on the pitch, with the Brits in tow.
"Juarez," Septimus said calmly, looking back at his greatest rivel. "Think about it. You are your own person. Do what you want to do. Not for your parents, but for yourself. Do what makes you happy."
"Gracias," Juarez breathed, as Septimus noticed her eyes shining a bit brighter. Slowly, he stuck out his hand, and the two Seekers shook their farewells.
"Good luck Juarez."
"You too Prince."
"Sept!" Helena shouted again, as Septimus turned back toward the crowds.
"Helena!" Septimus smiled as she neared, but he was caught off guard as her hands rose up and shoved him hard in the chest.
"Are you crazy!?" Helena snapped, shoving him again. "What were you thinking?" Again, she moved in to shove him again, but Septimus caught her wrist and drew her near.
"Let me go," Helena cried angrily, as she wrestled against his arms and chest. "You're an ass. You could have been seriously hurt; you know…"
But she never had a chance to finish her sentence as Septimus caught his lips to hers. Slowly, her body went limp in his arms as continued the kiss.
"Ahem…"
The couple broke apart quickly to see the four Brits watching the scene. Helena blushed fiercely, then shoved Septimus once more as he began to chuckle at her embracement.
"Some game mate," Ron smirked, coming over to shake Septimus' hand. "Don't ever think I've seen a more daring move. That is, except for the time Harry stood on his broom to grab the Snitch."
"Ron," Hermoine chastised her red-headed boyfriend.
"Thanks Ron," Harry muttered, as he approached. "Good game."
"Thanks," Septimus grinned, as he dug the snitch from his pocket and handed it to Helena.
"I must admit," Ginny piped up. "I've never seen that type of move. Thank Merlin your teammates are quick."
"Honestly," Septimus grimaced, "I've never practiced it that high in the air. Usually, I'm closer to the ground and when I let go it's not so much of a killer to do so."
"Merlin," Ron breathed, as all four of them stared wide-eyed at the American. "You let go on purpose?"
"Well yeah," Septimus said, rubbing the back of his neck. "I mean, I've practiced the move loads of times over the lake. Mom taught me the right way of doing it."
"Your mum taught you that?" Hermoine gaped.
"Yeah, actually."
"I can't believer your mom taught you that move!" Helena gasped, looking just as horrified as the rest of them. "I never knew that! And I've known her all my life!"
"She's a good flyer," Septimus shrugged. "Where did you think most of my moves came from? Plus, she's done that move loads of times."
"And I can only imagine what your dad looked like when she did!" Helena retorted. "Probably just as horrified as I was."
"Actually, dad was probably ready to rip her head off. I'm sure he chewed her from one end to the other every time she left the pitch."
"Wait," Ginny interrupted. "Did your mum play professionally?"
"Oh, umm…"
"Mr. Prince, Ms. Fuerst." a low voice called from the exit. The group turned to find Headmaster Mickels standing in the alcove. "A word please. And bring your things, the portkey will be leaving soon."
"Of course, sir," Septimus said, before turning back to the group and silencing summoning his broom. "Thank you for coming to the match. It was great to see all of you."
"It was good to see you too," Ginny stated as she gave him a hug. Hermione followed suit, while the boys shook hands.
"We'll listen for the draft in a few weeks!" Ginny shouted as they left the pitch through a different exit.
Quickly, Septimus and Helena made their way to their Headmaster, and continued to follow him towards an outlaying tent.
"In here please," Mickels stated, opening the tent's flap for them. As the teens ducked inside, they paused suddenly at the couple standing before them. A woman with ink black hair and a nose like his, and a long dark cloak wrapped around her. The man was well-built, with brownish-blond hair and dark blue eyes. Septimus didn't hesitate to shove Helena behind him and grab his wand from his sleeve.
"Merlin's sake Septimus, put your wand away," the man chastised him. Septimus frowned. The voice was that of his father's, but that wasn't the man standing before him.
"Dad?"
"Polyjuice will be wearing off shortly," Severus muttered, pulling at the collar of his shirt, before extracting his own wand from his sleeve. "Katherine."
Severus turned toward the woman and frowned again; still unnerved at the sight of his wife looking like a female version of him. With a few short movements, Katherine's hair lightened back to her blonde tresses, and the black eyes cleared into her icy blues. Her face lost its' narrowness and her petit nose returned to normal.
"Thank you," Katherine murmured, as she removed her hair from the bun, before turning towards her son. "A bit too high, don't you think?"
"That's your first comment," Severus sneered, as his face began to contort as the Polyjuice began to wear off. "Fucking hell Katherine, why in Merlin's name did you teach him that move."
"Come off it Severus," Katherine retorted, crossing her arms. "I never taught him to do it that high in the air. Always three to four feet off the ground and no more."
"You shouldn't have taught him that at all!" Severus reproached. His face was now his own again, frowning heavily at his wife. His clothes hung loosely on his narrow frame. "It was bad enough watching you pull that, but to watch our son…"
"You're being a bit dramatic Severus."
"Dramatic," Severus scoffed. "If you had to sit up in the stands and heard the sound you make when your back would hit the ground."
"Told you," Septimus smirked at Helena. "Chew her head off." Helena grinned up at him, before the two realized that the older couple had stopped arguing. Looking towards them slowly, Septimus gulped as he noted that both his parents had their eyebrows raised in annoyance at him.
"Three to four feet only," Katherine stated as she approached the boy and threw her arms around him. "Congratulations. Not the way to go about it, but well done."
"Thanks mom," Septimus muttered as he hugged her back.
"Nearly gave us four a heart attack," Severus reprimanded him once more, before approaching and drawing him close for a short hug. "Well done son. And, I think you may have impressed some league owners."
"What?"
"He's right," Katherine said. "The Finches' owner and the Sweetwater's owner were sitting behind us. Quite a few good comments about you were thrown around between them."
"And the Hammer's owner was talking to Mattzinger after the game," Mickels stated as he entered the tent. "I'm sorry to cut this short, but the portkeys back to school will be leaving in five minutes. Team pictures will be taken back at school."
"Ok," Septimus replied, before hugging his parents one last time
"Well done, love," Katherine smiled lightly. "We're so proud of you."
"Thanks," Septimus smiled back, before turning to follow Mickels and Helena to the portkey.
"Severus, Katherine," Mickels continued as he held the flap for his students. "Goodbye Stranger."
Severus and Katherine nodded, before Mickels disappeared from the tent. The simple phrase had let them know that the Gryffindor quartet had gone home, and it was safe for them to venture out into the crowd without changing their appearances.
"Are you all?" Severus asked as he retrieved their portkey from his pocket.
"I think so," Katherine grimaced, as she rubbed her bump. "Hopefully someone will settle down when we get home."
"Are you sure you're alright?" Severus questioned her again. "You are a bit peaky."
"So were you up in those stands," Katherine glanced up at him. "He could have been killed at that height."
"Believe me I know," Severus sighed, frowning at the mere thought of it. "Come, let's get you home so you can get your feet up. At least the house will be quiet since we are not picking Serenity up until tomorrow morning."
"So, we can relax?"
Severus paused in his movement to activate the portkey to look at his wife. Her eyes gleamed with playfulness and arousal.
"Four months gone and still randy," Severus muttered seductively, as he pulled Katherine close to his person. Her bump pressed against him, and he couldn't help but to reach out and stroke it. She wasn't far enough along for him to be able to feel the baby's movements, but he always knew when they turned as Katherine's expression softened when it did. Dipping his head, Severus claimed her lips as their portkey glowed a brilliant blue, and they disappeared from sight.
A/N: Well, here I am again. Almost 2 years since the last chapter, and life has been pretty rough. While I may have paused with writing, Severus and Katherine have never fully left my thoughts. I don't know what sparked the writing bug this past week; maybe it was the head cold or just trying to escape the reality of my crazy life. I will slowly keep writing, and it is a goal to finish this story, along with the others. A special thank you to maxisaraviamgs, HarukaJKGG and Skyler1510 for their wonderful reviews. Happy Writing - FonzFan