Forever Yours

Chapter 16: The Green Steam Engine

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, Justin, Kyle, Carlos, Mike, Nurse Canter, Headmaster Jeremy Mickels, Hunfrith, Olwen, Huffie, Sorsek, Bilik, Fossum, Lars, Sven, David Suttington, Darius Prescott, Gerard's, Grace, Zielinski, Wakanda, Raya Rasole & Julie Byrd) are entirely my own.

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It had been two weeks since Severus and Christoph's visit with Wakanda, and unfortunately for Sev, he had yet to find the right opportunity to confront Katherine. Her naps became more frequent as her pregnancy progressed, but Elisa had assured him that it was normal. But there was something else that surprised Severus even more.

Katherine's sexual appetite had doubled since she had reached the twenty week mark. It seemed that all it took was one little look or touch, and Katherine would be all over him faster than you could say 'Quidditch.' Severus was just happy that Septimus was out of the house most of the time when it would occur.

The boy had seemed to create a new schedule of his own, since Helena had agreed to be his girlfriend. He still ran and brewed every morning, but his afternoons became divided between Quidditch with Henry and Nick, or a simple walk or fly with the girl. Severus had caught Katherine several times, sitting on the porch, and watching the young couple fly around the lake or playing games on the pier.

Katherine would smile softly during those times, which made Severus feel a bit guilty. Neither he nor Katherine had ever been given the chance to experience the dating scene. Though Severus knew that Katherine had at least would have had a shot at it, considering most of the boys in Slytherin tailed her like lost puppies during their school years.

But despite Katherine's good looks, she was always one of the boys. The Dueler. The Quidditch Player. Or better yet, the Ice Princess, as the rest of Hogwarts called her. Her Slytherin teammates called her 'Hawk,' because Slughorn had said that her eyesight was the sharpest that he had ever seen.

Severus could still remember the harsh looks he received on the night of their Graduation Ball, as he led Katherine into the Great Hall as the top three students were announced. Avery's eyes nearly popped out of his head, while Mulciber and Macnair shot him looks of hatred.

Severus was snapped out of his thoughts as Fawkes landed on the railing of the porch, beside him. The poor bird had been looking dreadful for days, and Severus wouldn't be surprised if the Phoenix would burst into flames right there and then. The bird suddenly let out a soft cry and turned towards the lake.

Katherine stretched her neck while Severus narrowed his eyes, as both tried to figure out what the bird was looking at. Suddenly a small speck appeared above the western trees across the lake, flying straight for the house. Katherine rose from her seat as quickly as she could, which was slower than normal, and joined Severus near the railing. The two watched as the speck became bigger, causing wings and a tail to become visible. An owl.

"Bit late for mail, isn't it?" Severus asked, as they watched Katherine's Northern Saw-whet Owl, Hermes, swoop down to the pier and land in front of Septimus and Helena. The little owl hopped around as Septimus attempted to untie the letter that was attached to the bird's leg.

After several minutes, Septimus finally freed the parchment from its' carrier. The boy tore the letter open quickly before rising to his feet. He turned towards the house, where his parents were still watching, waving the letter in the air and a huge grin on his face.