Ashes of Victory Ch 10

Disclaimer: Not mine. J.K. Rowlings.

Author Notes: Sorry it has been so long since I updated. Life got in the way.

Dinner had been delightful. Severus loved shrimp, and had his choice of how it was cooked. After dinner, Albus found a motel with a kitchenette that he decided to rent for a week. There was only one bed, but it also had a full size sofa one of them could sleep on. Having access to a fully stocked muggle kitchen would be useful, the Headmaster had decided. Severus had been to tired to argue. Flopping down on the couch, he was instantly asleep.

Albus chuckled. It still surprised him how quickly Severus could fall asleep, and just about anywhere. He guessed it was a result from the days Severus had spent as a spy. He covered his 'son' with a blanket and went to bed himself.

Sunrise the next morning found the both of them sitting at the end of a dock, fishing lines in the water. Severus had woken them both with a choked scream an hour before. Albus had known instantly that the motel room was not the place to discuss the dreams. He had hustled Severus into the shower, while he had cooked breakfast. Then, handing the younger man a cup of coffee, he had headed into the shower himself.

Now, they sat contently watching the sun as it rose above the water. Albus wasn't sure if this was the right time, but decided to breach the subject of dreams anyway.

"Want to talk about it?" he asked softly.

"Not yet. This place is too perfect to bring such ugliness into it," came the reply.

"Okay." Albus agreed. He wasn't going to push Severus into talking. It would be easier to convince the earth to stop spinning.

Later, as the sun shone brightly overhead, and the fishing poles had been returned to the hotel room, Albus insisted they walk the beach again. Severus hadn't argued. He had just walked and hummed different rock-n-roll songs.

Finally, he stopped. "I know that what I did was necessary. A few suffered to save the many. But it doesn't make it easy to accept that I am capable of hurting someone like I had to."

"You did your best to be merciful. That is all anyone could ask in the situation you were in. I am sorry," Albus added softly. He came to stand beside Severus. They both watched the waves come up to lap the shore.

"It wasn't your fault," Severus protested.

"I used you just like he did."

"You didn't make me get that damned mark burned into my skin. That was my Father's doing. You just gave me a way to save myself. My soul."

"I should have protected you from your family. You came to me and told me your Father had become a supporter of Voldemort. I could have made sure you didn't go home again."

"I couldn't abandon my mother to that. I didn't know at the time that she had been a Deatheater the whole time." Severus glanced at Albus and then started walking again. "I think that if we can get pass the trial, and actually get my name cleared, then it will all be okay. Because then I can do something to help rebuild. I can give my life direction."

"Do you still want to teach?"

"Yes, Albus, I do. I want to get my Master's certificate in Potions and find a quiet school to teach at. But it is going to be hard to find someone to Apprentice to. And I have a feeling that I am going to have to do it outside of England."

"You can always come teach at Hogwarts."

"I appreciate that. But it's too close. I think I am going to need to be elsewhere for a while."

"I understand. I just want you to know that you are always welcome where ever I am at." Albus paused, then added, "where are you thinking of?"

"I kind of like the beach. Maybe someplace tropical to Apprentice. If my name is cleared in England, I will probably go back to teach."

"Then that is what will happen. Look!" Albus pointed to a sand dollar in the sand.

Severus stooped and picked it up. He turned it over in his hand. Looking up at Albus, he handed him the shell. They turned and walked back to the motel talking about simple things.

That evening, they were back on the beach. Albus had bought Severus a second hand guitar, and the younger man sat in the sand playing and singing. Albus had built a small fire and was cooking fish in a skillet. Suddenly, Severus' voice was joined by a soft trill. Both men froze. On the sand beside them was Fawkes, a note tied to his leg. Vacation was over.