Learn to Fly

"It's not much, but it's home."

Severus helped Alora drag her bags into the house.

It had been a mutual decision that she move in with him. She was going to the same school he taught at, she might as well live with him too.

Alora adjusted her eyes to the darkness.

The house was dark, yet cosy looking and surprisingly clean. She was about to ask how when her answer went whizzing past her.

"Master! Welcome home!"

Alora looked down and saw a smallish looking house elf.

Severus nodded a greeting to the house elf.

"Thankyou, Lenna. Would you mind taking these bags upstairs to the guest room?"

The elf bowed and smiled. With a point of her finger, the bags rose into the air and flew up the stairs, Lenna the elf hot on their tails. Alora watched as she disappeared over the top step.

Severus cleared his throat.

"I'll show you around the house."

As she was shown each new room, she stored the information deep in her brain. The last thing she needed was to end up in a broom closet on her way to the toilet.

"This is the living room."

Alora gasped with delight.

It was a small room with three very comfortable looking chairs, a Wizarding Chess set on the coffee table and splendid open fireplace.

Severus watched her face light up.

"I'm glad you like it."

They headed upstairs and saw Lenna coming out of a room. When she saw them, she grinned.

"Lenna has prepared the room for young Miss. Lenna hopes she likes it."

Severus nodded and she headed downstairs.

"This will be your room. It doesn't look like much, but it's comfortable enough."

Alora peered into it.

It was a plain room, quite big, with white walls, a wardrobe, a desk, a large empty bookshelf and a soft feather-filled bed.

"If you want, I can help you decorate it. You know, colour on the walls, that sort of thing."

Alora smiled at him. He was trying so hard.

"Thanks, I would like that."

"So, you know where everything is? If you need anything, my bedroom is down the hall and Lenna's is next to yours."

Alora nodded and he took his leave. She then proceeded to let her animal companions out.

Belle the cat leapt onto the bed and stretched. Cassie the barn owl flew out of her cage and settled herself on top of the wardrobe.

Alora peered into the last basket and smiled.

Cybil can let herself out later.

Alora had intended to begin unpacking straight away, but she felt so tired. So she walked over to the bed, flopped onto it and fell asleep almost instantly.

*

Severus groaned as he collapsed into his favourite chair.

This is going to be difficult.

Just then, Lenna poked her head through the door.

"Lenna thought Master should know that young Miss is asleep."

He nodded his thanks.

"Would Master like a drink?"

"A coffee would be great."

She promptly left the room.

Severus closed his eyes and his mind slipped back to fonder memories.

*

A young dark-haired man wandered aimlessly past the many shops on the road leading to the beach.

Not my scene really, but the weather is a nice change from the constant cold of England.

As he sipped at his to-go coffee, he caught a kid staring at him, his ice cream melting over his small, grubby hand. He scowled at him and sent him running.

Unfortunately, he was watching the kid and not where he was going. He slammed into another person and felt an icy cold sensation on his cheek.

"Oh, shit! Watch where you're going, why don't you?"

He used his sleeve to wipe the remainder of the choc ripple ice cream cone from his face, then turned to see the owner of it glaring angrily at him.

"You realise that this rash shirt is bloody expensive. I'm gonna destroy it trying to get this stain out."

She gestured to the skin-tight garment covering her upper body, which was now covered with a large, brown coffee stain.

"Well, I don't exactly appreciate being covered by your frozen confectionary."

The young woman surveyed him, smirked and sniggered.

"Wow, chocolate is really your colour."

He caught a glimpse of himself in the windows reflection and scowled angrily.

"Um, you might want to wash that off. The flies will be all over you."

He raised an eyebrow at her.

"And prey tell, where can I?" he asked in an annoyed tone.

She grinned, grabbed his elbow and dragged him towards the beach. He was so surprised by this sudden act that he allowed it. Before he knew it, she pushed him into the water.

"What the hell do you think you're doing, you crazy woman?!"

"Washing you off."

He spat out the salty water and glared at her through his wet hair.

"Looks like you need a wash too."

And before she could react, he pulled her into the water beside him. She shrieked and landed with a loud splash. She glared at him whilst he sat there smirking.

"Tit for tat."

"Well, two can play at that game."

And she splashed him straight in the face. He spluttered and retaliated, splashing her back. This continued for several minutes until they lay back in the water, exhausted.

"What do you say we call this a truce?" the woman panted.

The man nodded in agreement, to tired to speak.

She sat up and offered him her hand. He took it and sat up beside her.

"What's your name?"

"What's yours?"

"I asked first?"

"Fine. It's Severus."

The woman smiled cheekily.

"Jesika. But everyone calls me Jes."

*

Severus snapped out of his thoughts when Lenna entered with a steaming cup of coffee. Severus took a large gulp.

Oh, yeah. That's better, he thought as he felt the warmth spread to his fingertips.

He opened his eyes and saw Lenna fixing him with a penetrating stare. He smirked.

"Yes, Lenna. I am going to tell you who she is. You can stop giving me the death stare."

Lenna looked embarrassed as she settled herself into one of the chairs.

Severus took another mouthful of coffee before he continued.

"She's my daughter. Her mother died recently and she needed a place to stay. She will be attending Hogwarts this year and we thought it would be logical if she lived with me."

Lenna's ears drooped.

"Poor young Miss. Is there anything Lenna can do?"

Severus shook his head.

"I think she needs to handle this herself. If she wants help, I'll gladly give it to her. But if I was in her situation, I would want to be left alone."

Lenna nodded but thought otherwise.

Not all people suffer in silence, Master.

*

As the days wore on, Alora grew more and more restless. She felt that Severus was avoiding her. He seemed far away.

He was being nice enough, painting her room purple and allowing her to decorate it however she pleased. Alora had it looking really cool now, decorated with pictures and posters. Her muggle CD player was installed and her pets were settling in.

She had found a friend in Lenna, who affectionately called her 'Miss Ally'. It was nice to have someone to talk to other than Cybil.

Not that talking to Cybil was bad; she always seemed to know where Alora was coming from.

As Alora sat on the bed, she felt her stomach growl. She headed down to the kitchen to make a sandwich. As she passed the living room, she heard a moan.

Alora froze and peeked into the living room.

Severus was asleep in his armchair. From the way he was thrashing about, Alora knew he was having a nightmare, a bad one. Alora moved closer and heard catches of what he was moaning:

"No! Don't hurt her! Please!"

Alora could see the sweat glistening on his brow. She laid a hand across his forehead. He was feverish.

"Severus. Severus, wake up."

Her calls failed to rouse him.

"Severus. Severus! SEVERUS! WAKE UP!"

Her final yell yanked him to reality.

He woke up gasping for breath.

"Severus, calm down. You were having a nightmare. It was just a dream."

Severus managed to slow his breathing, staring into a corner of the room. Alora stepped towards him.

"Are you okay?"

He flushed.

"I'm fine."

She touched his arm.

"You sure?"

Severus stared at her hand and slowly lifted his gaze to her face. She looked so concerned, she looked like...Jes.

He nodded.

"I'm sure."

She still looked concerned as she went to stoke the fire. Alora glanced around the room and her eyes fell on the coffee table.

"Hey, Severus? Wanna play chess?"

*

"Check. You've got to keep a closer watch on your pieces, Alora."

Alora screwed up her nose.

"I thought I told you to call me 'Ally.'"

Severus gave a sly smirk.

"Must have slipped my mind."

Alora gave a mock glare.

"Slipped-my-arse. You do it deliberately to piss me off."

Severus really scowled.

"I will not allow that language in my household."

Alora's face showed a look of supreme innocence.

"Yes, Severus. Oh, by the way. Checkmate."

"What?"

Severus quickly scanned the board. He looked impressed.

"Well, you certainly didn't learn that from Jes. She was terrible at chess."

"Guess I must get it from you," she murmured as she set up the board. "Wanna play again?"

Severus was tempted, but felt dead on his feet.

"I think I'll pass. I need to get some sleep."

"Okay. See you in the morning, then."

Severus nodded.

"Goodnight."

He then swept out of the room.

Strange man, thought Alora.

*

Severus was dozing, when he heard a muffled sort of scream that brought him to his senses.

What was that?

Grabbing his wand, he slunk out of his bedroom into the hall. He heard it again.

Shit! It's coming from Ally's room!

As quietly as he could, he partially opened her door. He then heard...sobbing?

Confused, Severus entered the room.

Alora was in bed, rolling around in her sleep. She was crying out something between her sobs.

As he crept closer, he heard her cry, "Mummy? Mum? Where are you?"

Severus sighed.

She's dreaming about Jes.

In an effort to calm her, he knelt by her bed and began stroking her brow. She slowly settled down, eventually sleeping peacefully. Severus sighed with relief.

Poor Ally. I know exactly how she feels.

With one last look, he left the room, heading to his own bed. He'd never felt that much like a father before.