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Chapter 28: Sun, Olives And Ouzo
It did not take long for Hogwarts to be clear of staff once all the patients were out of their hair. Over the next couple of days the magical population of Kalymnos increased to include many familiar faces, besides the dour potions Master and his mother. Minerva and Poppy were staying with Severus' aunts and getting all the good gossip on the wizard over meze plates, a lot of ouzo and much hilarity.
When it came to the second Sunday since Severus' release from the Hogwarts Infirmary, the family and the extended family were all called to YiaYia's. This is where the hospitality of the islands included the Hogwarts staff, who were all included in the invitation – or demand! – that they attend with the rest of the family. It turned out be an interesting day as the older women bossed the younger ones round and put the many hands that were available to work.
"So, Anastasia, where is your son today?" asked Poppy, who had not seen her patient in the couple of days since she had arrived on the island.
"He is fishing with his uncles," advised YiaYia pointing out to a group of men who were short hauling a net along the beach.
"Never! Severus is not out there!" exclaimed Minerva.
"Have a look at the middle one with the fisherman's cap on his head," advised Anastasia.
"He looks like he is thoroughly enjoying himself. Is that a smile I see? Who knew the dungeon bat can laugh and play?" said Poppy, before bubbling up in laughter at his antics. It was wonderful to see the change in this wizard. He looked younger and more content within himself than he had looked in a long while.
After bringing the net in and getting down to work on preparing the catch, the Potions Master greeted his two female colleagues who were staying with his extended family, before working with his uncles to process the catch quickly and efficiently. "You should lay off the ouzo today. We have visitors coming tonight and there will be dancing. You don't want to be in your cups today before they arrive," he advised them.
There was much teasing and laughter over lunch in the shade of the veranda of the house.
"What do you mean, Severus, that there will be dancing to night?" asked Poppy.
"Well since it's Grandmother's birthday we have a big party every year. It's a whole village type celebration that's why the kitchen is going ten to the dozen. The bakery and ovens all round the island have been going like the clappers today. Tonight is a Glenti, a very big party for her birthday. Don't be surprised if you see some other familiar faces," he warned the two British witches.
After a lovely luncheon, YiaYia commanded everyone to their siesta beds for a snooze before they would be called to help prepare for the party. It was late afternoon and the sun was starting to dip in the sky when they were woken to come and assist in the party preparation. The whole courtyard off the house had been wet down and fairy lights had been hung, stringing across the courtyard and along the veranda. There was a band area set up with chairs waiting for the musicians to arrive.
During dinner a young group of musicians played traditional bouzouki music on a range of instruments, which included fiddles, drums, xylophones, guitars, an accordion and a range of Bouzouki. The fresh fish were served in a range of dishes. The various guests had all brought a signature dish to this celebration. Running out of food was not going to be a problem. There were several long tables that made up the buffet of courses.
Poppy and Minerva were surprised when some familiar faces arrived while they had been helping to lay the dinner tables earlier. Kingsley, Remus, Tonks, Filius and Pomona portkeyed into the garden area near the courtyard. There was a Hogwarts table amongst the party that night and Severus managed to smile in the presence of Remus. The four Heads of House got into the ouzo and much hilarity was had by all concerned. It was later, after the dessert course, when the bottles of Commandaria were put on the tables that Anastasia visited the Hogwarts table to find her son.
Anastasia had a white handkerchief in her hand and there was an order in her eyes. Dance with me, my son. An older group of musicians were now in residence on the bandstand, and the familiar Sirtarki sound was starting up. Leading out with his mother, Severus collected his grandmother in his left hand to start a line of family dancing together. His grandmother broke off the line and conjured up a matching handkerchief to her granddaughter's. The three of them where surrounded by the other dancers forming rings around them.
After returning to the table for a rest and a drink. Severus's YiaYia was at the bandstand asking for him to come and play for her. She was holding out a beautifully inlayed bouzouki that he took from her.
"Anything in particular?" he asked her, dreading that she was going to make him play and sing, but he could not refuse her.
"Perigiali," was her request.
How like his grandmother to make him sing about change and how life moves on. Perigiali was all about the inevitable changes that occur in life and how eventually you have to let go of things you loved and cherished.
After warming up his fingers while ensuring that the instrument was tuned, he took a last sip of water to sing his YiaYia's request.
It was a surprising sound for the British contingent of witches and wizards to hear Severus Snape sing and play an instrument. He had a rich, warm, silky baritone and even though he was out of practice you could tell he was a gifted musician.
At the end of the song it was clear that there were quite a few tears amongst the women at the party and not just amongst those who were sitting at the Hogwarts associated table.
With a kiss to her great grandson's forehead YiaYia thanked him for his song before commanding him in Greek to get them up and dancing.
After a short discussion between the other musicians, Severus' fingers were soon dancing a more lively tune to encourage the dancers. YiaYia moved down from the bandstand and led out Filius, teaching him how to dance the traditional steps with her.
After another change of players on the bandstand, Severus moved back to the Hogwarts table. "Severus, why don't you play more often?" asked Minerva.
"Because when I was disowned by YiaYia all those years ago I left my instrument here. My life in Britain has never been conducive to music. I was too busy for far too many years with just trying to stay alive," advised the man before he poured another glass of Commandaria.
oOoOo
In a later lull when only Kingsley and Severus sitting at the table, the new Minister of Magic asked Severus what he wanted to do with his life now.
"I really don't know what I want. I acted as the Headmaster while Albus was off recovering here and I know that I certainly don't want that job. Nor do I want to spend the rest of my years trying to stop explosions in the potions lab. I'm not likely to be given a job in research or teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts so I just don't know where to go and what to do from here," advised the former dungeon bat.
"Do you know that you've been a given a full pardon for all your activities during the war? You've also been awarded the Order of Merlin First Class. So really, the world is your oyster. Slughorn has gone back into retirement. Do you mind going back into teaching if I can get you some teaching assistants, as we would like you to do more research? What about taking on a couple of potions apprentices?" asked Kingsley, hoping to get more of an understanding of this quiet man while he appeared to be in his cups and therefore more loquacious.
"I don't know and I haven't had enough booze yet for you to trick me into a hasty decision. All I do know is that I will be heading off to Japan for a month at the end of this month. I'm hoping that I will find some peace and some inspiration about what I want, rather than what someone else wants from me," he advised Kingsley.
