Chapter Seven-Searching
Harry paced Dumbledore's office for the next three hours, as his grandfather watched him.
"Harry, you're not accomplishing anything by pacing, except causing a trench in my floor." Dumbledore said calmly.
"My best friend is probably an alcoholic, how should I react?" Harry asked.
"Harry, please sit down, and tell me about the fight one last time," Harry sighed and nodded.
FLASHBACK
Harry walked through the halls of his Dorm at Hogwarts University. Opening the room to his double dorm he smiled at his best friend Ron. He didn't notice how angry Ron looked, or that he had a beer bottle in his hand.
"Ron, I did it, I passed the tests. I'm going to be the youngest Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher in twenty years!" He said happily.
"Big Fuckin' deal," Ron slurred.
"Ron, what's wrong?"
"You! Your what's wrong!" Ron yelled.
"Me, what did I do?" Harry asked, truth was he had seen a fight between them coming for three years now.
"Everything! First you stole my girl friend! You have fame, you kick Voldie's ass, and you pay my brothers to get me new clothes!" He hissed.
"Ron, just calm down okay, the only reason I asked your brothers to buy you clothes was because you spent an entire year pissed off with me."
"Bastard!" Ron yelled.
"Ron! What the hell is wrong with you!" Harry yelled back.
"Mr. High and Mighty. Can't you ever screw up! Or are you always going to be pretty perfect Potter… oh wait you ain't a Potter no more. You're a Snape, guess that puts greasy assed git all over your reputation," Harry stared at his friend in shock and horror.
"Back off Ron," Harry said.
"Why, great git don't wanna fight. Too good for the Gryffindors now aren't you, good enough to steal the WOMAN I LOVED! But you can't socialize with us anymore!" He screamed.
"What are you talking about?"
"Almost as low as that stupid prick Malfoy," Ron spat.
"Would you chill out!" Harry asked as Ron moved towards him and pushed him slightly.
"Hit me," Ron yelled.
"No," Harry said.
"HIT ME!" Ron yelled.
"NO! Ron, I will not hit you, I don't care what you tell me, I don't care what you do. You're drunk pal, and you've lost your damn mind."
"Why, is it more dangerous to push Potter than to push Voldie, Perfect little Potter, his reputation is shot all to hell now. Your father's an ass hole and you deserve to die!"
"Ron," Hermione yelled from the door. She had been coming back to go with the guys to study.
"Bitch!" Ron yelled.
"Back off Ron, I'm not kidding." Harry warned.
"Or what, you already stole Hermione from me. Kill me Snape! That's your new name isn't it? You and your Deatheater father!" Ron yelled.
"RON BACK OFF!" Harry yelled.
"No! You back off, all my life I've had to live in someone else's shadow, I thought you would be different!" Suddenly with all the strength he had Ron hit Harry in the jaw, knocking the young man to the floor.
"I don't ever want to see your face again!" Ron yelled and ran out of the room." Harry looked up at Hermione who had tears running down her face.
END OF FLASHBACK
"Something had to be wrong with him," Albus said.
"I lost my best friend that day. I haven't seen him since," Harry said quietly.
"Find him Harry, I don't care how, just find him." Harry nodded.
"Albus," he said turning around.
"Yes,"
"Can I have Monday off?" Albus nodded, he understood the boy's need for looking.
"Of course my child. Harry do be careful."
"I will."
~~~~~~
Harry sat that night poking at his dinner, not really wanting to eat the food in front of him. Sighing he got up from the table and walked out of the hall, all eyes on him.
Harry stood in his private chambers, a glass of wine in front of him, as he stared at a picture on the mantel.
"He lives on 92 Orchard Rd., You should find him easily. He makes it very obvious. It's about forty minutes from my grandparent's house," Charlie's voice said softly.
"Do they know that?" Harry asked, never turning to face the child.
"No, Dad didn't want to bother anyone ever again. Will you help him?"
"Yes, I have to, he's my best friend."
"He talks about you a lot. He really does miss you."
"When he's sober," Harry said.
"Misses you even more when he's drunk. I don't know why you want to see my father all of a sudden, but knowing it's important, just please don't let my dad die." Harry finally turned around, placing the picture back on the mantel.
"I don't have any intentions on letting him die Charlie. Thank you for your help."
"Sure. Alex, Steffi and I, we remind you a lot of you guys at a young age don't we," Charlie said. Harry smiled and handed the boy the picture. Charlie smiled at the three twelve year old faces looking back at him.
"He looks really happy."
"We were."
"I'm sorry dad got so upset, even more I'm sorry he messed up."
"I messed up too Charlie, I should have gone after him."
"You're going after him now, it may be eleven years later, but you're still willing to try."
"You're a good kid," Harry said.
"Dad tells me the same thing all the time."
"Yeah, I figured. Would you do me a favor?" Charlie nodded.
"Take care of Alex and Hermione while I'm gone. I'll be back by Tuesday, hopefully with your ever so sober father in tow."
"Sure," Charlie said. Harry nodded and lifted his duffle over his shoulder.
"How are you getting there?"
"By car," Harry said.
"Good luck."
"Thanks kiddo," Harry knelt down in front of the boy and scooped him up in a much needed hug. Charlie rested his head on his God-father's shoulder.
"I'm glad dad made you my god-father," Harry smiled.
"I just hope someday we're close enough you can call me Uncle Harry, instead of Professor Snape." Harry got up and ruffled the boy's hair, he then slowly walked out of the chambers.
~~~~~
It was raining that Monday evening when Harry pulled up to 92 Orchard Rd. He sighed and looked at the house, amazingly the house was brick red, Harry smiled slightly, yes, Ron did make it amazingly obvious who lived there. Sighing he reached for his coat and got out of the car. Walking towards the door he knocked. The lights were on, and he watched silently as a flash of lightening bolted across the night sky.
He heard the door unlock and saw it slowly open, an older Lavender Brown opened the door, her big eyes growing wider. She let out a tiny screech and hugged Harry tightly around the neck.
"Harry, how are you, I haven't seen you since graduation. My god, you look great, tired but great. Come in," she said smiling.
"Lavender, who's at the…" the strong baritone British voice stopped and stared into the eyes of his former best friend.
"Hi Ron," Harry said softly.
"Harry," he responded.
"Harry, tell me how are you?" Lavender said, sensing the tense feelings between the two.
"I'm okay, I'm teaching at Hogwarts, uh, my eldest children are there at the moment. How about you two, I've talked to Charlie, he's handsome, looks like you Ron," Harry said smiling.
"Ron named him after you, you're his…"
"Lavender," Ron stopped her.
"Ron, we need to talk," Harry said softly.
"Yeah, I suppose we do," Ron said. Harry gave a sigh of relief and thanks. Lavender smiled.
"Harry would you like anything to eat or drink?" He smiled.
"Um, a small sandwich would be lovely Lavender, I haven't eaten since I left Saturday evening." Harry said calmly. She smiled and hurried into the kitchen, leaving Harry and Ron standing in front of one another.
"Look Harry."
"Ron," they said at the same time. They smiled softly.
"You go first," Harry said.
"Harry, I'm sorry for what I did, I'm sorrier that I never saw you again, but well, I don't know I'm really sorry."
"I'm sorry too Ron, I forgive you, but part of me thinks I should have gone after you," Harry explained.
"You're here now, and while we may never be the exact same anymore, we can certainly try," Ron said. Harry smiled.
"Come here you jerk," Harry said pulling his best friend close. Ron wrapped his arms around Harry's shoulders, as Harry did the same.
"I'm really sorry I let this go on so long," Ron whispered.
"Me too buddy, me too," Harry responded. They parted and chuckled slightly. Just then Lavender came into the room with a sandwich and some milk.
"Here Harry, Ron I'll be upstairs if you need me," Ron smiled and kissed his wife's cheek.
"Thank you sweetheart," Ron whispered. Ron ushered his friend over to a chair by the fire so they could both sit down. Harry took a bite out of his sandwich and looked at Ron.
"How many?" He asked, Ron looked at him curiously.
"How many kids?" He asked. Ron smiled.
"Three Charlie is one, Harmony is my second oldest, she four, and our youngest is Artie, he's two." Harry smiled.
"Sounds like you're really happy, I was talking to Charlie, Ron… are you okay?"
"I'm getting better if you're talking about my drinking problem. Charlie and I need to talk about it, but I'm sorry for what I done. How about you Harry, are you and Mione happy?"
"Yeah, we really are. We've got four kids. Twin boys, Alex and Jamie they're eleven, and two daughters, Lillian or Lilly who is five and my youngest Maggie who's about fourteen months old right now," he said smiling.
"And you teach at the school."
"Yeah, we both do, Hermione teaches Astrology."
"Wow, never imagined her for the up in the clouds type," Ron said smiling. Harry smirked.
"Yeah, she's something all right. We've changed, I've become the worrier and enforcer and she became the hugger and coddler."
"Sounds like Mione. So tell me Harry, why are you here, obviously there is a reason," Ron said.
"Voldemort is back, and Dumbledore wants your help. He will understand if you say no, but truth is we need all the help we can get," Ron sighed and shook his head.
"Of course I'll help, Lavender can care for the kids."
"So you'll come back with me?"
"Of course, look Harry, you're still my best friend. I was your best man at your wedding. It's time for me to repay you for some of your generous things."
"Thanks Ron," Harry said smiling.
"When do we leave?"
"I have a class tomorrow bright and early, I told your son I would be at breakfast, so as soon as we can. I'm sorry." Ron held up his hand and smiled.
"No, I told you I would come, let me go grab some of my stuff and say goodbye to the kids, I'll be down in a few minutes."
"Okay, thanks Ron."
~~~~~~
Harry stuffed Ron's bag into the trunk and climbed into the Driver's side. It was raining and cold outside. Lavender stood at the door waving good bye with the kids. Ron smiled at them and waved back as Harry pulled the car into gear and set off into the sky.
"So, what has changed?" Ron asked.
"A lot, a whole lot Ron." Harry said. They were back within five hours after dinner. Harry pulled into his drive way and hurried into the house, Ron right behind him with his bags.
"All right, into the Floo, best yell Harry Snape's chambers, it'll be quieter there." Ron nodded and grabbed the floo powered. Harry followed him.
~~~~~~
"Dinner has been over for a long time," a voice said. Harry looked up and smiled at his wife.
"Hi beautiful," Harry said kissing his wife's lips.
"You're soaked," she said. She looked down and smiled at Ron.
"Hi Ron," she said. He smiled and stood up.
"Hi Mione," she smiled.
"Go clean up, both of you. Ron you're room is the second door to your left down that hallway and you have your own bathroom. Harry Dumbledore wants to see you as soon as your back." Harry nodded and headed towards his shower, knowing that Dumbledore could wait another twenty minutes.
Harry emerged a good half hour later, feeling much warmer and more pleasant. He smiled as he saw Ron hugging Hermione tightly.
"I've missed you," she said hugging her red headed friend tightly.
"Me too," he whispered. Harry smiled. Hermione spotted her husband. Moving over to him she graced him with her usual beautiful smile and a strong hug.
"And you," she said holding him tightly.
"How is everything?" He asked. She smiled.
"You worry too much. Fine, Alex and Jamie are both seekers for their teams."
"Oh boy," he said slightly worried.
"Yeah, well it's going to be a bigger oh boy if you don't straighten your son's attitude before Severus does."
"Yeah, I'll handle him."
"Your class was very good today by the way," she said.
"Really, which one did you get stuck with?" He asked.
"The first years."
"Yeah, well I think they're afraid of me."
"Get out of here," she said laughing. He smiled and pecked her cheek.
"I'll be back later tonight."
"I know you will." He smiled and together he and Ron walked out of the chambers.
~Hey ya'll I'm really sorry that it's taken me so long, busy doesn't begin to describe some of the things that have occurred. I had a rough end to my summer, and then I got started in other things. But I did finish the story and I will be posting the end over the next could weeks. Steph~