Claudia was a true free spirit, a loving person, with no fears and way too optimistic in Harry's opinion. She loved to dance, read, make jokes and explore. Even though, she was a Muggle, and she'd never experienced magic firsthand – she believed in it wholeheartedly.
She took him everywhere: El Yunque, a rain forest, The Camuy Caverns, surfing in Rincón, Jeep off-roading, Town parties, Family gatherings, El Morro in San Juan and of course, her favorite of all, La Parguera and "Bahía Grande" in Fajardo, just to see a very unique and remarkable night time phenomenon, a Phosphorescent Bay.
She explained to Harry, "The Bioluminescent Bay is actually made up of two bays, Bahia Monsio Jose and Bahia la Parguera. When the still waters are disturbed, they glow with millions of microscopic organisms known as din of flagellates. Those organisms sparkle and create a spectacular light show. This phenomenon occurs only in tropical areas, typically in mangrove-protected bays such as the one found here at La Parguera. Puerto Rico is the only place on the planet that has three sites where you can depend on this phenomenon to occur every night". Harry became fascinated with that natural phenomenon. One thought was swirling insistently in his head – what would Luna think of this?
Harry was fascinated with the rich culture and the friendliness of the people on the island. These people were so easygoing and lighthearted, so if it were for them to decide, they would celebrate everything – from christening to divorces. Or, even without any reason at all. They just loved to get together and start a party, one that neighbors, friends, and family could pitch in.
Harry was happy and, 'time flies when you are happy'. The Sanchez's home was nice and cozy; with four rooms, the kitchen, which like in the Burrow, was the heart of the home, a garden and a great balcony. Dangling everywhere, hammocks offered a beautiful view of the sea.
The Sanchezs were humble and hard working people. And what surprised Harry the most, that they were like magnets for people around them. The house was always full of friends, with people came and went all the time and being always welcome. Maria was simply like Mrs. Weasley, but more loving and less judgmental than Molly was.
Yes, it was a piece of heaven, which Harry was not going to give up anytime soon.
Then again, there was Claudia. Harry found himself drawn to her. He felt free for the first time in his life and Claudia quickly became his friend and confidant, although, he had never mentioned magic to her, only the war. She has never experienced anything like that and she was a great listener; the kind, which did not judge. She saw his broken and troubled heart and tried to help him as much she can.
Harry needed her, her warmth, her light, her tenderness, her compassion and her kindness. She was a pure heart and he loved her naiveté's and simple views for everything. For her, everything had a lesson that needed to be learned in order to go forward, she saw good in the most unexpected places.
Little by little, she got under Harry's skin.
For Claudia, even a sunset became a magic event. There was something enchanting; in the way, Claudia saw the world. And Harry began to see everything through her eyes. One thing lead to another and Harry decided that he would like to stay on this beautiful island. That decision made him feel at home, alive and with a sense of normalcy that he had never felt before.
Harry knew, of course, that he needed a clean slate if he wanted to be with her. He needed to tell her everything, but it wasn't easy – every time he started, the words just wouldn't come out. At a certain point it even became funny – Claudia was obsessed with a book series from JK Rowling, which were written with his life in mind, without knowing that she had the real Harry Potter in front of her. She read those books over and over again; but if only she knew and if only he wasn't a coward… he would have told her who he really was.
Harry would never forget their first kiss.
The time spent on the island had been the happiest time of his life. Everything was so simple there. But, his past and his friends always were in his thoughts.
After six months had past, Harry wrote to Ginny, explaining everything and letting her know about Claudia and his whereabouts. He told her that it wasn't his intention to hurt her, but he wasn't ever planning to return to England. It was difficult to write her, but Ginny deserved to know. She deserved an opportunity to love another and live her life.
Harry wrote to Ron as well. In Ron's letter, he was just asking him to understand, and, maybe to come for a visit. He never got an answer, and honestly, Harry understood. He had promised to himself that he would always go there if his friend would need him. Still, Harry decided to stay with Claudia. He needed this for his sanity and for his future. He knew that Ron would eventually come around; he just needed a little bit of time.
Hermione, well that is a completely different story; always a loyal and faithful friend – he got all the encouragement and support he'd always wanted. He told her that if she needed him he would be there in a heartbeat. She always wrote back.
She had an access to Harry's elves, and found him through them. She was worried. Harry's only answer to her letters was 'I am ok' or 'I am fine', no details, no nothing. When he left, she understood. All his life, he had to fight evil. First, it was his, so-called family, who treated him like dirt; and then Voldemort and his minions. No, Harry's life was not a piece of cake. So, when everything was finally over, she understood the he needed some normalcy in his life.
Harry's first letter after six month had explained where he was, but even he didn't know for sure how did he get there. In the letter, Harry told Hermione how he managed to find a little bit of peace and asked for their understanding and support. He sounded content and free, something he had never been.
Back in England, Hermione and the Weasleys were worried for Harry. Hermione in particular was not happy with the lack of communication with Harry. Short notes for the last six months and then, only one letter, in which he didn't say much either. She knew that he was in Puerto Rico, but the idea of him Apparating so far was simply unexplainable. She remembered that he was wounded and weak, and the way that people found him on a shore – no, there was no logical explanation for this. But again, when thing had been logical around Harry Potter?
One year had already gone by, and Claudia had been there for him the entire time. Yet, in all that time, he went without realizing that Claudia became his lifeline and anchor. He always gave thanks to all the deities that brought her into his life, but still she didn't know his secret.
He still could not believe how softly love had come around. A walk on the beach under a full moon, a smile, a tender touch. He felt contempt, complete, the Wizarding World with all its complications – a thing of the past.
Oh, how wrong he was. Nothing was ever simple in the world of Harry Potter.