It had been a warm summer day when he and Elaine had come early to secure their portion of the campgrounds, set up defensive charms on the area and on the tents, and, most importantly, secure Solomon his tent. That had been the first thing on their agenda, and Solomon was perfectly happy sitting in his chair in the sun, observing the two work. Alaric would wheel him from location to location, not wanting to leave him alone, especially in an unfamiliar tent while he and Elaine worked tirelessly to set up the campsite.

Before it was time for the kids to arrive, he brought the older man to his tent. “Just for a few minutes. When I get back, we’ll get some more sunscreen on you, and then we’ll go back out in the sun. I promise.” He left the man with books and some food, not knowing if he was even up for reading. Once at the tent's entrance, Alaric looked back at him and took a deep breath before heading out to update Nora. He informed her that the campgrounds were all ready for the students and that Lear’s tent was secured. They would be out walking, well wheeling, until the sun started to set.

When he returned to the tent, he was met with a slightly disgruntled stare. “It wasn’t that long. Let’s apply some more sunscreen, and then we’ll soak up the last of the sun for the day, okay?” Alaric resisted from his vermillion eyes at the man because, after all, he owned the man that sat in the wheelchair before him. He gave him a job where he didn’t have to lie about himself, didn’t have to hide who he truly was, and, more importantly, he decided Alaric was trustworthy enough to do what needed to be done to protect the students like himself.

When Alaric handed him the sunscreen, his grip must have been recovery a little better than they thought because a large splotch of it hit Alaric right on the nose. It quickly brought out a hearty laugh from the dhampir. “Well, I guess my face is set. Go ahead and get yourself squared away.” He started to rub the sunscreen into his face. Once they both were set, Alaric wheeled him out of his tent and away from the students so they could continue to enjoy the sun while not being bombarded by the students. It didn’t take long for Nora to find them and join along the walk.

So though day was starting to fade to night and it was clear that the headmaster was getting antsy, so Nora and Alaric walked him back to his tent. Nora thankfully lit so many candles upon their return that you would never even know it was nighttime outside before saying goodnight to the two men and taking her leave. Alaric assisted Solomon in getting out of his wheelchair and into the bed before Alaric himself would grab a book and go sit on his cot and read.

To say that Solomon Lear slept well would be a lie. The man had moments of tossing and turning, accompanied by muttering things incoherently. You might get a single coherent word here or there but nothing to go off of. Alaric looked up from his book many times in worry, but it was usually nothing to actually worry about, well… Nothing he could do about it anyway. It wasn’t until Solomon awoke with a roaring NOOOOO! that Alaric jumped up, letting his book tumble to the floor. “Hey, hey, hey… Solomon. It’s me, Alaric. You are at the London Quidditch Stadium campgrounds, you are safe. I don’t know what you saw or where you were, but you aren’t there. They aren’t there. We are here. You are safe now. Breathe with me.” Alaric guided the man through deep breaths until he seemed to calm down at least a little. “Just listen, breathe, and sleep.” Alaric then started to sing:

Hush now, mo stoirin (my darling) Close your eyes and sleep Waltzing the waves Diving the deep Stars are shining bright The wind is on the rise Whispering words Of long lost lullabies

Oh won’t you come with me Where the moon is made of gold And in the morning sun We’ll be sailing Oh won’t you come with me Where the ocean meets the sky And as the clouds roll by We’ll sing the song of the sea

I had a dream last night And heard the sweetest sound I saw a great white light And dancers in the round Castles in the sand Cradles in the trees Don’t cry - I’ll see you by and by

Oh won’t you come with me Where the moon is made of gold And in the morning sun We’ll be sailing Oh won’t you come with me Where the ocean meets the sky And as the clouds roll by We’ll sing the song of the sea

Rolling, rolling, rolling…

Oh won’t you come with me Where the moon is made of gold And in the morning sun We’ll be sailing free Oh won’t you come with me Where the ocean meets the sky And as the clouds roll by We’ll sing the song of the sea.

The last line of the song is left off intentionally.