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 8: Hasta la vista
Already feeling a deep sense of loss, Severus opened his eyes upon returning to his quarters. Noting the time, he quickly went through to his room, showered and prepared for his day. Students noted that he seemed rather subdued.
At lunch, Minerva leaned over to ask how his weekend went. "Did you have a chance to tour the island, Severus? You seem to have a bit of colour and you do look somewhat relaxed."
"It was an experience I will never forget – one that I would like to discuss with you more in depth this afternoon, if possible."
"By all means. I would be pleased to hear of your adventure. Come by my office after your last class."
"Actually, could I implore you to come by my quarters instead? I prefer this conversation to be private – if you understand my meaning."
"Of course, Severus. I will be by at half five if that is acceptable." At his agreement, Severus stood and left the Great Hall. Minerva's eyes followed curiously.
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After settling down with some tea and biscuits in the living room, Severus opened the conversation. "Minerva, did Albus ever mention Alex Ferrara to you?"
"Yes – quite often. Albus mentored him in his role as headmaster. I presume he was the headmaster at the school you visited?"
"He was. I gather you never met him, but you probably will this summer at the IHC. Anyway, he was very welcoming. His deputy is Aristo Verde."
"I see. Why is that important?"
Severus got up and paced. "El CodeMa caters to magical students from the age of six to 18 and includes apprenticeships as well. It has grown tremendously over the years. So much so, that they are splitting the school into upper and lower years. Aristo, Ari, will be taking over the lower school." He paused and looked directly at Minerva, "Alex offered me the position of deputy for the upper school. It seems to fit my needs perfectly and I also believe it is what Albus wanted for me. I think that is part of the reason he sent me there."
"Why do you believe this was Albus' intention?"
He handed her the letter Albus had left him. "I see," she said after reading the letter. "He does imply that you would be happier if you were to leave Hogwarts and that El CodeMa was the perfect answer. I gather you are planning to take the job?"
Severus straightened. "I am."
She took a long sip of her tea. "When do you have to be there?"
Severus looked at her incredulously. "You are taking this much better than I expected."
Minerva nodded her head slowly. "I can't say that I am entirely surprised by this development. I wondered myself how long you would… hmmm, stagnate, for lack of a better word – after Albus was gone. I know that you have felt unfulfilled here for a long time. We, I, will miss you terribly, but I understand. You mentioned that there is another reason Albus sent you."
Severus sat, "Yes." He paused, "But you must promise to keep this under your hat for the time being – at least until Christmas." Minerva nodded for him to go on.
"Aristo Verde is Harry Potter."
Minerva smiled like the cat that got the canary. "I guessed as much. I could not figure out, at first, why Albus would send a personal letter to Aristo and not to Alex. He never had any relationship with Aristo, to my knowledge, but he was quite friendly with Alex. It took me a while to piece it all together, but I thought that might be the reason."
"Very good, Minerva," he nodded approvingly. "You'll make a fine replacement for Albus."
"So, tell me about Aristo – Ari, is it?"
Severus refilled their cups, leaned back and told Minerva of the weekend.
Severus sent off his acceptance letter to Alex the next day, noting that he would be arriving on the the 31st of July.
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The staff met each week to strategize the changes they wanted to implement. Severus provided them with many innovative suggestions gleaned from his visit to El CodeMa and his conversations with Alex and Ari. Many letters to both were sent back and forth asking for advice and clarification.
The final agreed-upon plan included: adding courses for mathematics, muggle science, world history and composition; replacing ineffective teachers and hiring new ones; allowing for some fluidity among the years in order to accommodate students who were ahead (or behind) their peers in a particular course; hiring trained counsellors for the head of house positions; and offering introductory courses during the summer for incoming muggle-born and raised students so they could begin their school career already understanding the basics that wizard-born students learn at home. Other changes such as the weekend study groups, additional fitness training and social events would be left to the new heads of house to organise.
All in all, Severus felt no guilt about leaving – in fact, he felt quite good regarding the programme innovations he helped arrange. It was with a full heart and sense of excitement that Severus finished packing his quarters in preparation for his departure the next day. All that remained was the bon voyage party from the staff and his farewell to Albus that he had been putting off ever since his return from that weekend.
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Severus walked into the staff room for his last time as a teacher at Hogwarts. The entire staff was gathered to wish him well. As soon as he walked in, there was a loud cheer.
"Ah, so you are happy to be getting rid of me, I see," he responded in a sardonic tone.
"On the contrary, Severus," Filius explained. "We are cheering you on for being the first one of us to leave this place by choice. You give us hope that there might be something out there, beyond the microcosmic world of Hogwarts. Most of us retire or pass on from this post. I don't count those who left due to possession, criminal activity, affliction or similar. We are quite happy for you and wish you only the best."
He continued. "Now that we are all here, everyone please take a glass." The tray of champagne was passed around and Filius lifted his. "As you know seven is a very powerful number in our world. As such, we have decided to send you off with seven blessings of our own. Hagrid, why don't you begin."
Hagrid, raised his glass, and gave his blessing followed by each of the others: May your new job be interesting and challenging.
Filius: May your new co-workers be reliable, professional and friendly.
Pomona: May your new community fill you with peace and belonging.
Poppy: May your home always be filled with happiness, warmth and comfort.
Minerva: May you find romance, love, appreciation and understanding.
Septima: May you enjoy all that life has to offer – the beauty, the adventure and the celebration.
Aurora: May your guestroom always be filled with one of us.
"Hear, hear!" sounded from all sides.
The round of blessings was followed by a period of conversation, drinking and eating. There was lots of reminiscing and laughter of events past. Eventually, it began to get late.
"And now, before we retire for the night, it is time for the gifts," Filius announced. He proceeded to place a large covered basket on the table in front of Severus. "This is from all of us."
Severus unwrapped the basket and began lifting out the items: a large boxed assortment of English teas ("I know how you love your tea in the morning and I imagine you can't get this there," explained Filius), a bottle of fire whiskey ("Because this is something one must always have when reminiscing," stated Minerva), a couple of 'Hawaiian' shirts and pairs of 'Bermuda' shorts ("After all, you need something for the Caribbean that's appropriate," came an amused comment from Poppy), a set of artist supplies ("To capture those Caribbean sunsets when you have time to relax," said Septima), an assortment of Honeyduke's Finest ("Chocolate can never be wrong," Hagrid asserted), a selection of rare plants Severus used often in his brewing ("Just in case you can't find them where you are going," noted Pomona) and a cookbook of traditional English foods ("To keep you connected to your roots," explained Aurora).
Lastly, he reached into the basket and withdrew a large and heavy wrapped square. After unwrapping it, Severus discovered a photo album. Minerva explained, "We have collected pictures from everyone we can think of – past students, mentors, business associates and, of course, all of us. We asked each person sending a picture to write a small note regarding the memory expressed in it and any other comment they would like to add. It's all in there. We hope that it will give you many hours of pleasurable memories."
Severus was at a loss. He set down the book and reached over to give Minerva a hug. He pulled back, looked around him and said, "I am going to miss all of you. I didn't realise how much until now." Then he went around the circle hugging each female and shaking the hand of each male. "You are all welcome to visit me in Puerto Rico after I've settled in. Give me a few months and then, don't all come at once, but please do come. Thank you all so much. I really do feel like I'm leaving my nest."
With that unprecedented show of sentiment, Severus gathered his gifts and left. He decided that he was a bit too emotional right then to visit Albus' portrait. It could wait for the morning.
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Severus packed the last of his quarters and shrunk the final box before leaving it to be cleaned by the house elves for the next occupant. He said good-bye to his door guardian and headed off to breakfast despite it still being a bit early.
Minerva was the only other person there. "I knew you would be here early. You must be quite full of excitement."
"I am. I cannot remember ever feeling so… energetic? I don't even know what to call this emotion." He shook his head with a wry smile.
"How about 'happy'?"
"I suppose that might work. Listen, Minerva – do you mind if I make private use of your office for a bit? I would like to speak with Albus' portrait. I have been putting off this meeting ever since his funeral, but I cannot any longer."
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Severus stood in front of his sleeping former mentor's portrait with his hands behind his back. He cleared his throat.
"Severus, my boy! How are you? I haven't seen you in a while. You don't come visit Minerva as you did me."
"No, Albus, I don't. Without you, we have had more responsibilities lately. You have probably heard Minerva's complaints about it. We have been working very hard to update and modify some of Hogwarts' curriculum and hire new teachers in time for the new school year."
"I have heard that a new Potion's Master is also needed. Are the rumours true that you are leaving?"
"Yes, they are. It's also part of the reason as to why I have been so busy. There is much to prepare for the incoming teacher before I leave."
"May I ask where you are going?"
"I think you know the answer to that. After all, you were the one to send me there to deliver a letter."
"Ah, yes. Don Aristo Verde. How is he?"
"Ari is quite well – thriving even. I spent the weekend enjoying his hospitality and then your friend, Alex, offered me a job as the Deputy Headmaster for the upper school. I don't know how you managed it, Albus, but thank you for getting me this second chance."
"It was truly none of my doing beyond asking you to hand-deliver a letter to Don Aristo. Anything else was all your doing."
"Regardless, you were the catalyst."
"When are you leaving, my boy?"
"Just after lunch. In fact, I need to head over to Gringotts before I run out of time."
"When will I see you again?"
"I will be back at Christmas for Draco's wedding."
"Will Ari be coming with you?"
"I don't know yet. I hope to convince him that now is a good time to reconnect. If he agrees, I will be sure to bring him to talk with you."
"Thank you, Severus. Well, it looks like this is goodbye for now. I wish you all the best. Please send my love to Ari."
"Thank you. I will. Have a good rest, Albus." And Severus left.
He spent the next few hours in Diagon Alley, arranging his finances and making last minute purchases. Finally, he returned to Hogwarts just in time for lunch.
As lunch finished, Severus tapped his glass to get everyone's attention. "I would like to say goodbye to you all one last time. My portkey leaves in a short while. I hope to see you all at Christmas when I will be back for my Godson's wedding. Until then, I wish you all the best with the new changes in the upcoming school year. Minerva, if you will come with me, I will give you a few last minute items to pass on to my successor."
Severus was met with a flurry of good wishes from all the staff. He and Minerva left the Great Hall and headed for the last time down to his quarters. After setting a carton on the table for Minerva to forward to the next potions professor, he shrunk his bags and put them in his pocket and lifted the crate containing all his potions ingredients.
"Well, I guess this is it for now. Have a good year and I will see you at Christmas." Severus took hold of the portkey, missing the quick flick of Minerva's wand and the mischievous grin on her face as he was whisked away.
Severus landed slightly off balance in the middle of Ari's living room. He kept his eyes closed for a moment as he regained his equilibrium and heard Ari's quickened footsteps coming to see what the noise was.
"Severus?"
Severus opened his eyes, noting an odd look on Ari's face. "Are you well?"
Ari cleared his throat, making an effort not to laugh. "Yes, I am. I just didn't know when you were going to arrive and wasn't expecting you this early."
"Well, Happy Birthday, Ari."
"May I open my gift now?"
"Gift?"
Ari conjured a full-length mirror for Severus.
He swore. "That witch! Just wait! I will take my revenge at Christmas!"
Ari laughed loudly as he stepped up to Severus and removed the gold bow from the top of his head before helping to divest him of the green robes with gold-coloured polka-dots on it.
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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.)