Forever Yours

Chapter 21: A Letter, A Bond and the Witch

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, Helena, Christoph, Elisa, Henry, Nick and any name you don't recognize, and isn't from the HP universe) are entirely my own.

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A huge storm swept across New Salem School, burying the school in pure white snow, just two weeks before the students were scheduled to depart for the holidays. The large dining hall was brimming with students that Friday evening. They fluttered between tables, while some studied for upcoming mid-term exams and yet others sat stuffing their faces with that night's dinner. Friends chatted happily between each other about the upcoming Quidditch game the following weekend, and also the nearing of the Christmas holidays.

The day had went by like any normal school day, and currently Septimus sat with Helena and his varsity teammates at the sixth years' table. They quietly discussed their game plan for the following week against Belknap Springs. Everyone was too occupied with their own doings; never noticing a little owl as it swooped down from an open window, carrying an envelope in its' claws. Everyone except Helena.

"Sept?" Helena questioned, as she watched the little bird flew towards their table.

"Yeah?" Septimus muttered, as he and Carlos looked over their notebook full of plays.

"Isn't that Hermes?" she asked, nudging his shoulder slightly in order to get his full attention. Septimus turned towards her with a frown, that soften slightly upon seeing the owl flying towards them.

"Yeah, it is," Septimus said, raising a questioning brow. "What's he doing out in this weather?" Hermes swooped down lower, and landed, not so gracefully, in a bowl of salad; scattering the lettuce and its' toppings everywhere. Those who saw the crash, chuckled as Septimus hastily plucked the bird from the bowl.

"You're embarrassing, you know that?" Septimus muttered darkly to the little bird, as he sat it down on the table in front of him. Hermes ruffled his feathers angrily, sending snow and drops of water all over the surrounding students.

"Oh Sept, stop it," Helena murmured, as she broke off a piece of biscuit for the owl. "Can't you see he's freezing?" Septimus quickly undid the letter for the owl's leg, before Helena scooped the bird up and wrapped him up in her outer robes. Septimus sat quietly for a moment, staring at the spidery script on the envelope's front.

"Who's it from Sept?" Justin asked, as he, Mike, Kyle and Carlos paused their discussion to watch Septimus open his letter.

"It's from my dad," Septimus frowned, as he ran his thumb along the seal and pulled out the letter.

"Thursday, December 3rd

Dear Septimus:

Your mother and I are pleased to announce the birth of your sister,

Serenity Selene. She was born early this morning at 3:17 AM,weighing 6 pounds, 4 ounces, and was 19 1/2 inches long.

Your mother requested that I enclose a photo, which I have. She

has also wished to send her regrets that she will not be able to attendyour match next weekend, but I shall be there. Elisa has requested, sinceyour sister was born two weeks early, that she not be exposed tothe cold weather so soon, but your godmother said that both will beable to attend the next match in January.