Summary: What do you do, when all your hopes and dreams crumble at your feet? Well, you take a deep breath, put on a clean pair of shoes and start all over, that's what.
WIND BENEATH MY WINGS
Chapter 7: Domingo por la tarde (Sunday afternoon)
"I will put these things away and then I was planning on heading out to the beach for a swim. You are welcome to join me. You can just sit out there and relax if you prefer."
"When I leave at midnight tonight, I will be arriving back in time for my first morning class, so I think it would be best for me to try to sleep for a bit."
"Okay. When you finish your siesta, feel free to join me."
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Severus slept well despite the unaccustomed brightness outside. Ari was right – the ocean provided the perfect meditation. He awoke feeling quite refreshed nearly two hours later. Realising he was alone in the cottage, he went out to the porch. There were quite a few people on the beach doing all manner of activity – sunbathing, racquet ball, surfing, windsurfing, sailing, swimming and running. He could even see some fishermen further down on the rocks.
After observing for a few minutes, he noticed the two windsurfers coming ashore. They were greeted by a woman and a young boy. One of the men bent down, seemingly having a conversation with the boy. Then he stood and, carrying his board, heading towards the cottage. Severus realised with a jolt that it was Ari.
"Severus, how did you sleep?"
"Quite well. Thank you. Was that what they call 'windsurfing'?"
"Yes. I tried to take up regular surfing, but I found I wasn't steady enough. I prefer the reassurance of having something to hold on to. It's a good way to spend an afternoon. Anyway, I'm going to shower and change. I'll be back soon."
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When Ari returned, he asked, "Would you like to go for a walk? The sun will be setting soon, but we can head into town and have something to eat there."
"That sounds fine."
As the two men walked along the beach path, Ari asked for news from Hogwarts.
"Well, as you may have surmised, Minerva took over as Head of the school after Albus' passing and took Filius as her Deputy. They make quite a good pair. We have not had much chance to meet yet, but we have already set up discussions regarding changes in the curriculum, such as replacing Binns."
Ari laughed. "Binns is still teaching? Is there any living member of the British Wizarding World who knows any history that does not involve a goblin rebellion?"
Severus smirked. "Maybe it's a conspiracy to keep us wary of the goblins."
"Yeah. Maybe Binns' descendants get kickbacks from the goblins for keeping up their fearsome reputation."
Ari considered a moment, "You know, one of the most important changes you could make at Hogwarts is to separate the position of Head of House from the professors."
"Why do you say that? It's been that way for more than a thousand years. There's a tradition to it."
"Tell me honestly. Do you, as a professor, with planning, teaching, grading and office hours, and as the brewer for all the potions used at Hogwarts by both students and staff – and I won't even mention what your time must have been like when you were spying too – do you truly have time to meet with the students in your house regularly, to monitor their behaviour and their grades, to minister to homesick firsties and bullying fourth years, to check up on home lives and provide support for NEWT students searching for jobs, partners and homes of their own – just to name a few needs.
"I remember that Minerva was rarely available to our house. She entered the common room only to break up late parties and in an emergency. Maybe if she had been able to spend more time with us, she might have picked up on my home life – my wardrobe should have been hint enough, but she only ever saw me outside the common room, so she never saw me without my robes. She might have seen the bullying done to Hermione during first year and McLaggen's sexual harassment of the females in our house. If Filius had time, he might have noticed that Luna's possessions were steadily taken from her until she ended up wearing the same items of clothing every day and using library books for lessons. That continued until we became friendly in her fourth year and I threatened her housemates. There are many more instances I could give you, but I think you have the gist of it.
"A dedicated house master would be available every evening in the common room to pick up on those kind of things. I know that you are the only Head of House to ward the common room doors at night. How did your students contact you in an emergency? An in-house person would be available at all hours, allowing the professors the rest they need. They could manage individual meetings with every house member, counselling those in need one way or another. They could arrange for activities both within and between houses to further student relationships. They could organise revision groups, monitor study hall, be in charge of holiday celebrations and help with patrol duties. They could be a resource as substitutes so a professor who is feeling ill or has a family emergency will be able to take some time off."
"Those are all very good points, Ari. I will pass them on. I am sure all the current Heads would jump at the chance."
"So, if Minerva is now Headmistress, who has taken over teaching transfiguration and as Head of Gryffindor?"
"Transfiguration will be taught by someone yet to be hired. Minerva is managing it until then. The new Head of Gryffindor is our Defense professor, Joshua Kenobi. He was hired when you left. You were credited with having finally broken the curse on the position since you managed to remain in it for a full three years. Josh is a decent instructor – strict, but fair, and he knows his subject well. I can't say he can command a rapt audience as you did at the graduation ball – he can't carry a tune in a bucket and he's about 90 years old – but he's liked well enough."
"So you enjoyed my singing, then? It's nice to know."
They continued discussing the staff members that Ari had known on their walk into town. Once there, Ari led them over to a take-away stand and ordered two jibaritos, a large order of coconut-fried yucca sticks and a couple of beers. "These are meat and cheese sandwiches made with smashed, fried plantains instead of bread and these are chips made from the yucca plant and fried in coconut oil," he said, handing Severus his meal. "We can sit over there," he added, pointing to a bench facing the ocean.
"So, tell me about my year mates. What's happened in their lives?"
"You really cut all ties when you left, didn't you?"
"I needed to find myself before I could tell them anything and then time just got away. Before I knew it five years had passed and then ten. By that point, I felt it was better that I just leave it be. I know that sounds like I was acting the coward, and maybe I was a bit, but mostly, I was a different person by then. I was no longer the doormat I used to be and I was afraid that if I reconnected, they would treat me the same as they had then.
"What can you tell me about the Weasleys?"
"Molly and Arthur are quite busy with their brood of grandchildren. She home schools them until they head off for Hogwarts. Bill, the oldest, still works with the goblins and is married to Fleur Delacour – I think you knew that. They have three children, Victoire, Dominique and Louis. Victoire, the oldest grandchild, is graduating this year and is engaged to Teddy Lupin, who graduated last year."
Ari gasped at that. "Teddy! How is he?"
"I don't think he blames you for leaving, if that's what you want to hear. Andromeda made sure he understood why you felt you had to leave and gives him the letters you left for him each year on his birthday. I am under the impression that he is sympathetic to you. He is pursuing a career in Magi-zoology as he has shown an affinity towards animals.
"According to Arthur, Charlie Weasley has been living with a fellow dragon handler, but that's all they know. Percy married a woman named Audrey and they have two children, Molly and Lucy. George married Angelina Johnson and are parents to Fred and Roxanne. Ron works with George in their store and has married Hermione. They have two children, Rose and Hugo. Ginevra is currently enjoying a career in quidditch and is not ready to settle down yet – a great disappointment to her mother, I'm sure – though I have seen her in the company of Terence Higgs quite often.
"Neville Longbottom married Hannah Abbot. She runs the Leaky Cauldron these days. Neville worked as an Auror for close to fifteen years before deciding to get his Herbology Mastery. He is intending to replace Pomona when she retires in two years. They have a daughter, Frankie, named for his father.
"Luna Lovegood married Rolf Scamander and has twin sons, Lorcan and Lysander. Together, they travel all around the world discovering and classifying many new species of animals. I understand she is writing a new animal compendium."
"What's up with Draco? Is he still in that band with Dean and Seamus?"
"Dean still works in the music business as an agent. He has become somewhat successful backing a number of groups and singers that have all managed to make it big. Seamus also works in the music business, but in a different aspect. He founded a quarterly, The Beat, that follows the music scene, both muggle and magical. He is married and has 4 kids. His youngest will be starting Hogwarts this year. His wife, Kim, used to play quidditch professionally.
"Draco left music and took over Malfoy Industries after his father died about 15 years ago. He has done a remarkable job cleaning up his name and reputation. He is engaged to Astoria Greengrass – you might remember her older sister, Daphne. She was in your year. The wedding is scheduled for Christmas this year. Maybe I can convince you to make an appearance? I'm sure he would be pleased for you to celebrate with him. He really felt terrible after he learned that you'd left. He feels it was his fault for forcing you to get on stage."
"I did warn him that it was a mistake, but he shouldn't feel guilty. I think it was bound to happen. All I had to do was make one mistake in your opinion and I would have been gone anyway."
"Ari …"
"No. Don't apologise, please. I could have stayed, but I took it as a sign to get on with my life. I needed to grow up and become my own person – not a caricature. And I think I did really well with my choices. I don't think you would ever have been able to see me as an adult otherwise."
"Alright, I won't. I do think you did well. Are you truly happy here? You put up a good front, but I need to know if behind that, you are where you want to be in life."
"I have everything I ever wanted except one thing…"
"And that is?"
Ari looked straight at Severus. "Someone to share it with."
Severus reached over and cupped Ari's face. He leaned in and gave him a slow, gentle kiss.
Ari moaned lightly, "Severus."
He pulled back and stood up. Then he walked a bit away. After a few minutes, he turned back – a determined look on his face. "Severus, the school board here is looking for the equivalent of a Deputy Headmaster for the upper school beginning next year. I will be taking on the twin spot for the lower school. Would you consider leaving England and living here? With me?"
Severus smiled and stood up, moving closer to Ari. "Alex offered me the job yesterday. I told him that I would not even contemplate it unless it was alright with you. I guess your question means that I will give it my complete consideration." He pulled Ari close again.
The men walked back to the cottage, hand in hand, just basking in the other's presence.
By the time they arrived back, it was nearly time for Severus' portkey to activate. "I need to finish my packing," he said half-heartedly.
"Then I will leave you to it so it will get done all the more quickly."
As Severus exited the bedroom with his packed bag, he found Ari on the porch watching the waves in the distance. Ari reached behind him and turned around to hand Severus a tall glass with a thick, white liquid filling it. It was flecked with brown and had a stick of cinnamon garnishing it.
"I introduced you to the coquí frog today. Now I am going to introduce you to the drink created in its honour – the coquíto. It's sort of like the Puerto Rican version of egg nog – without the egg. It is a blend of evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, cream of coconut, coconut milk, rum and vanilla. That's cinnamon sprinkled on top. I thought I would give you one last taste of Puerto Rico before you go."
"Mmmm, that's quite good. But it's not the last taste I want to take with me," Severus responded, setting down his glass and leaning in one last time.
A moment later, he was gone.
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(A/N: Where necessary, I have tried to use simple Spanish that can easily be understood from the context and/or from responses. I hope I have succeeded, but please let me know if I have not.)