Forever Yours

Chapter 33: Dodging Hogwarts, Part 1

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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June 12, 1999

Dear Helena:

Today is our last day here in Venaco and I'm kind of sorry for leaving. The mountains are amazing, and there are so many small towns hidden within them. We've been staying with Potions Mistress Concetta Fiore and her family just outside of the village. Her home is incredible! They have a small stone house with a huge balcony that overlooks the valley. We've spent every night out on it, sitting around a fire and eating real Italian food. The island may belong to the French, but there are several Old Italian families living in the area.

Nearly every morning we've spent in the mountains harvesting Hellebore. I think we harvested about a hundred plants just on the first day! The afternoons were mainly devoted to exacting the syrup, seeds and drying the plants. I know, I know, you're not into this as much as I am, but it is really amazing!

Mistress Fiore told us that we were only going to harvest in the morning because of hot temperature during the afternoons. Yesterday it was 94 degrees, and it's been that way most of the week! But it does drop down in the fifties at night.

Well, I have to get going; I still have to finish packing before our portkey leaves for Germany. Love you and miss you.

Septimus

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June 17, 1999

Dear Helena:

These past five days we've spent most our time in the Black Forest, here in Germany. Potions Master Wolfgang Weiss has been kind enough to us, but most of his conversations steer towards Professor Prescott alone; so Zach and I have spent most of our nights mainly playing wizards' chess or reading.

Master Weiss lives near the small town of Seebach in the district of Ortenau in Baden-Wurttemberg in Germany. I know, it's confusing, but I think I got that right. He lives on the Acher River in a small white-washed wooden beamed house. It's been in the 70s for most of the week, dropping down into the low fifties to high forties at night.

The area is very beautiful, but rather creepy at night. Master Weiss told us that the forest it home to bears, wolves, foxes, as well as magical creatures like Bowtruckles, Erklings and even Werewolves. I'm kind of glad that we only venture out during the day to collect the Death-Caps.

Well, that's all for now. We leave in about an hour for Scotland. I got to tell you that I'm a bit nervous about it. I love you, and I'll see you on the 23rd.

Septimus

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In the blink of an eye, they had left the dark damp forests of Germany and popped into existence amidst a cool sea breeze and warm, setting sun. Their chipped dinner plate portkey was shrunk and placed within the traveling cloak of Professor Prescott; who turned himself towards two large iron-rod gates flanked with winged boars.

Septimus looked around him, taking in the vast forest off in the distance and the large flowing valley sweeping up towards the surrounding mountains. The great lake simmered brightly in the sun and he could see the winding path that lead down towards a small town.