AN: Oh my goodness!! I am so so so very sorry I haven't updated in like… a month or something. I was busy lately and my brother got a project so I barely got enough time on the computer to read and review people's fanfiction, let alone write my own =S! Then, I was planning to write a long chapter but I had no time…

Anyways, I won't be offended if no-one wants to read this anymore because they have forgotten the whole story, really, I deserve it!

Oh and by the way, this is for Camilla Richard – I don't know if you are reading this – but if it wasn't for you 'nudging me' I wouldn't even have continued at all!

Chapter 11

Septimus was sitting in the hospital's waiting room on a battered bench and talking to Sarah. It was comforting that, despite the fact that she had died and was now a ghost, she was still exactly the same than she had been as a human. Well not exactly because, although the young boy did not know it, his mother had gained much wisdom as well as maturity through the change. At first, both were slightly uncomfortable, Septimus because he was not sure what sort of conversation one should have with his recently deceased mother – should he avoid mentioning anything to do with life or, on the contrary, share the excitement of having a real body and the feeling of the cold iron bars holding the bench together. Sarah was rather embarrassed too, for a strong realisation had just hit her, as she now saw crystal clear the mistake she had made earlier that week. She had been blinded by love, maybe even jealousy and she owed her son a serious apology and had to help him making things right.

"Septimus", she began sorrowfully, "I don't know how to say this but I have to let you know before it is too late. I have made a very foolish decision which of which I can now fully understand the consequences."

Septimus leaned forward, not sure what to expect.

"I was wrong to stop your apprenticeship with Marcia. You see, I hardly ever got a chance to see you and I saw no reason for that…woman to get to spend all her time with you when I, your mother, wasn't so lucky. What I didn't really grasp though, was that the duty of a mother is to ensure her children's happiness, no matter what it means for her. Marcia and I have never gotten along but there is no reason for that to influence you in your opinion of her – and the same applies to your father. I am ashamed that it took me so long to comprehend it whereas your tutor had enough intelligence to ignore the matter totally…"

The boy just stood there, wondering if he was dreaming. Or more accurately, if there was any possibility that he wasn't. Less than 24 hours ago, Sarah had begged him to annul the apprenticeship and suddenly, she was urging him to continue it. His mind in turmoil and trying not to sound too confused, Septimus inquired:

"Wait…You want me to remain Marcia's apprenticeship."

"Well, if you want to, that is. I'm sure that if you say so, she can't be all that bad!"

The woman almost laughed at her son's astonished expression.

"You know honey; things often do seem different when you're a ghost…" she offered by way of explanation.

Just then, Silas walked into the room, a bag full of clattering objects swung over his shoulder.

"Oh hello Sarah, Septimus. What are you doing?"

"Well, I was just encouraging Septimus to forget what I had told him and remain Marcia's apprentice. But he finds that difficult to believe…" There was a tad of sadness and remorse beneath Sarah's light tone.

"Oh that's nice…But you might want to hurry up and tell Marcia before she actually cancels it officially."

"Oh yes", gasped Septimus, "I'll go right now."

In his eagerness, he stood up a little fast and the floor swayed slightly from under his feet.

"Are you alright dear?" questioned Sarah, her voice concerned. "You do look a bit pale, Silas, feel his forehead for me, would you?"

The latter reached up a hand and pulled it back, his face aggravated.

"Hmmm…Yes you're a tad bit warm! I don't think you should go out, it's very cold…"

"What?! But you just said I had to go tell Marcia that—"

"Silas will go tell Marcia." Cut Sarah. "And while he's down there, he might want to tell her something else." She sent her former husband a meaningful glace, which he studiously avoided.

With a sigh, the man walked out as quickly as he had walked in, and headed of to the wizard tower…

The wizard tower hall was full of shadows and plunged in darkness. The lack of visibility caused Silas to bump his knee painfully on the first step of the enchanted staircase but he was so deeply immerged in his thoughts that he barely acknowledged the impact.

The wizard's mind was in turmoil. In fact, he was feeling quite apprehensive. He was not sure whether he wanted to do what Sarah had told him to. That was, to admit his feelings to the one he loved and had loved since he first saw her. The problem was there was no way of knowing if she loved him back. Silas did not want to be rebuffed and pushed away so he was not about to say anything until he was certain of what the girl thought of him.

The stairs gently halted at the top of the tower and it took the man a few seconds to remember why he was here. Suddenly, Silas felt very nervous. He realised there was an awkward conversation with Marcia coming up considering that last time they had met, she had been sobbing on his chest. Maybe, the subject of Septimus' apprenticeship would keep them busy long enough. Finally, squaring his shoulders, he gave the door a loud knock. There was no answer. He tried again several times but in vain. Silas sighed, exasperated; Marcia couldn't be that stubborn could she? Just as he was about to give the door a kick, another thought struck him. What if Marcia had another one of those crying fits? If that was the case, Silas knew he should just leave her alone and spare her the embarrassment of being seen by the same person twice. But the idea of her tears was so unbearable that he turned the handle and walked in the room.

The first thing he noticed was that, whereas he should be feeling Marcia's presence, he couldn't. Just then, the wizard almost laughed at his own stupidity. Of course! She was out. But then a faint heartbeat strained his ear. Marcia was in her rooms, yet much weaker than usual. Silas let the sound guide him to an open balcony door. In front of it, the extraordinary wizard lay unconscious, hardly breathing.

Sick with panic, the man fell to his knees and lifted her inert body onto his lap. Then using one arm to support her so that she was sitting, he rubbed his free hand in various patterns on her back, a trick that Sarah had shown him a while ago, in case of an emergency with the boys. Sure enough, the woman's breathing evened out and, soon, she was sleeping peacefully in his arms…

AN: Well, yes, it really is a short chapter! The story is almost finished now… Oh and thank you to all those who just read this last chapter!