Forever Yours

Chapter 29: A Big Decision

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.

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It was a routine that Severus was, indeed, now use to. On Sunday, March 28th, both he and Katherine, along with the Fuersts, Apparated to the small alley behind Union Station to collect their children from the school train. The Easter holidays were upon them, but unlike the Hogwarts' holidays, the students of New Salem were only given a week of vacation.

Severus watched, as his son and the boy's friends sulked their way off of the green steam engine. Septimus still towered over much of the student body, but Severus was glad to see that some of the boy's dorm mates were finally gaining some extra inches. All except for poor Kyle Fuchs, who was, undeniably, the shortest of the group of boys.

The group retrieved their trunks, and said their goodbyes for the week; knowing that they would be seeing each other again the following Monday. Helena and Septimus walked side by side, both looking drained from the long ride; while Nick and Henry brought up the rear. Severus frowned upon looking over the two younger boys, who were normally more talkative and energetic upon arriving home; but they were just as tired looking as their sister

"Hi," Septimus said quietly, as he approached his parents. Severus' frown only deepened as he looked over the boy. His shoulder length black hair was hanging lifelessly around his face, and his normally healthy glowing skin was white and pasty looking. There were dark circles under his obsidian eyes and his shoulders were slumped.

"Hello Sept," Katherine said, as she gently pulled Septimus into a quick one armed hug; carefully avoiding squishing the sleeping baby in her arms. "Are you feeling alright? You look ill?"

"I'm fine, mom," Septimus muttered, as Katherine released him. "Just tired is all."

"I would say that exhausted would be a better word," Severus said, as he took Septimus' trunk as shrunk it to fit his pocket. "Come along. Let's go home."

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Despite the cold February, spring had come early in the Northwoods. The maples and oaks were beginning to bud out, and the ground foliage was slowly becoming green again. The morning still had been cold enough though that Severus had to cast a light warming charm over the gardens.

"I'll talk to you later," Helena said softly to Septimus, before the two families split at the Apparation Point. All Septimus could manage was a nod of his head, before joining his parents on the walk north to the cabin. The trek was fairly quietly, with only the soft coos from Serenity breaking the silence every once in a while.

"Are you sure you're alright?" Katherine asked her son once again. Septimus walked between his parents, shuffling his feet and hanging his head.

"I'm fine," Septimus muttered from behind his raven haired curtain. "Just tired."

"We've established that already," Severus said, rolling his dark eyes. "I have an inkling that school is becoming a bit hectic this time of year."

"You could say that," the boy said quietly, just as they reached the wards of the property. Severus paused, waiting for Septimus to elaborate a bit more; but upon receiving no other response, he waved his wand, lowering the wards around their home.