HOME IS WHERE HIS HEART IS

Chapter Eight
~ four years’ later ~


‘Ring’

‘Ring’

Harry groggily reached down at the side of the bed to his jeans pocket to answer his cell phone. “Lo?” He quietly said, so as to not wake Dean.

“Haze,” a choked voice cried.

Harry sat up straight hearing the distraught voice of his friend.

“Doreen. What is it? It’s – ” He looks at the clock on the bedside table. “One in the morning.”

“I know, and I’m sorry. You don’t get a chance to get away very much and I wouldn’t bother you, but . . . ”

“What happened, Dory? The boys – are they all right?” Harry asked, slipping on his jeans as he held the cell phone between ear and shoulder. “C.J? Is he okay?”

“It’s not Colby, Haze. He is a little shaken up, but he’s okay. It’s Michael. We’re at Rainhem hospital.”

“The wizarding hospital? What happened?”

“Please come, Haze. I’ll explain everything when you get here,” Doreen replied.

“Be right there,” Harry reassured, then ended the call.

“Everything okay, Haze?” Dean asked, looking up at Harry as he got dressed.

“Gotta go, Dean. It’s the boys,” Harry quietly said. “I’ll see myself out.”

“Call me, Haze,” Dean said, laying back down.

“I will,” Harry smiled, leaning down to kiss the blond on the mouth.

Harry quietly left and hurried to his bike. He rolled it behind the large oak tree, looked around, then disappeared with a pop to the underground garage of the wizarding hospital.

When he got to the right floor, his arms were soon full with Doreen, her tears seeping into his jacket. He looked around the hall to see the bustling mediwizards, and nurses.

“Where are they, Dory?”

“Colby is at home with Keith. Michael is asking for you,” Doreen rasped, pulling away to lead him to the room.

“What happened?”

“The boys were out trying to catch the fire fairies, when they were attacked. We didn’t think anything would happen. They always go into the woods. I guess they were running around when they stumbled on something – someone. Michael tripped and was grabbed by the creature and was bitten. Colby managed to Apparate right to us in the barn and we hurried over. When we got there, the creature was dead, and Michael was lying unconscious.”

“What kind of creature?” Harry asked, stepping closer to Michael’s bed.

“A werewolf, Haze,” Doreen quietly replied.

“And the man?” Harry asked.

“He was brought here, but didn’t make it. The man was poisoned with a bad batch of wolfsbane potion. He wasn’t in his right mind,” the Mediwizard spoke as he was cleaning the wound on Michael’s shoulder.

“Haze?” Michael softly said, reaching out. “So scared. C.J? Is he okay?”

“He’s fine, Mikey,” Harry smiled, reaching for the smaller hand.

“I couldn’t get away. I pushed C.J. away. Didn’t want to get him hurt,” Michael said, wincing as the doctor pulled the torn shirt from the gaping wound.

“Is he going to turn?” Harry asked.

The doctor looked to Michael then Doreen. “Mrs. Jeffries, perhaps we should step into the hall.”

“What? I want to know what’s going on,” Michael said. “It was a werewolf that bit me, right? I read about them in school. Am I going to turn into one?”

The doctor looked at Doreen again. “Mrs. Jeffries?” Doreen shook her head, closing her eyes, and reached a hand out to put on her son’s shoulder. “Go ahead and answer him. He’ll need to know.”

“I’m afraid so,” the doctor sighed. “The blood of the werewolf has integrated with Michael’s already.”

“And the poison?” Harry asked, squeezing Michael’s hand.

“It’s still there. We’ve contacted the top wizard in the field to look after him,” The doctor replied.

“Harry?” A voice spoke from the doorway.

“Severus? Can you help him?” Harry asked, his surprise taken back when Michael hissed in pain as the shirt was finally taken off.

“When was he bitten?” Severus asked, coming over to the bed, smiling reassuringly at Michael as he looked at the wound closer.

“About three to four hours ago,” Doreen said, reaching over to brush tears from Michael’s cheeks.

Severus looked at the wound, using a finger to brush against it. He brought up the bloodied finger to his nose. He said nothing as he reached in the bag at his side to take out a green vial of potion, and a pink one. He handed the vial of pink potion to Michael. “You need to drink this . . . ” He looked at Doreen.

“Michael,” Doreen supplied.

“Michael,” Severus finished. “It will help rid your body of the poison. It will put you asleep, but we’ll take care of this little bite for you while you sleep.”

“Bubblegum,” Michael smiled, licking his lips, before closing his eyes and drifting off to sleep.

“Bubblegum?” Harry smirked. “Since when do you make the potions taste better?”

“Prat,” Severus grinned, applying the green potion to the bite. They all watched it foam, then draw the skin close. “He’ll have a scar, and unfortunately, turn on full moons. The wound will seep for the next couple of hours as Michael’s body rids itself of the poison.”

“Is he going to be okay, Sev,” Harry asked. “Really?”

Severus stood. “Yes. I’ve already initiated an investigation on the apothecary around here. Wolfsbane does go bad if left in the wrong temperature or left out too long.”

“Remus said you’ve made it better. His transformations are relatively painless,” Harry said.

“For him, yes. Young Michael may find it painful at first. But with my wolfsbane potion, it will be easier and he’ll be able to be around other people without hurting them.”

Harry got up and wrapped his arms around Severus’s waist. “Thank you, Sev,” he softly said against Severus’s neck.

Severus put his arms around Harry’s back, holding him close. “It’s what I do Harry,” he grinned, squeezing once more before stepping back.

“But still, Michael is lucky you came,” Harry said. “Do you need to be back right away?”

“Not until late tomorrow. I want to check on Michael in a few hours, then assist on the werewolf’s autopsy. I hear he was in mid-transformation when he died.”

“I should check on Colby,” Harry said. “Do you want to come with me?”

“Go on, Harry, Colby needs you too. I’ll call if there’s any change,” Doreen smiled.

“I am curious how you’ve been. The damn wolf won’t tell us anything,” Severus sighed, following Harry to the Floo. “And who is Colby?”

Harry stepped in the fireplace, pulled Severus beside him and held on tight to his hand. They both disappeared in the green flames to appear in Doreen’s living room. As soon as Harry stepped through, a blond haired, green-eyed boy ran into his arms.

“Shhhh, it’s all right, Colby. Mikey will be okay,” Harry quietly said, holding onto the trembling body, stroking the back of the blond head.

“I was so scared,” Colby cried.

Harry picked Colby up, dramatically groaning. “You’re getting too heavy for this,” he smiled, kissing the wet tear stained cheek.

“You’re strong, Daddy. You can handle it,” Colby smartly said, kissing Harry’s cheek back.

“Colby. I’d like you to meet one of my professors from school. He is also a friend, Severus Snape. Severus, meet Colby James, my son.”

“Hello, Colby,” Severus smiled, quickly masking the surprise in his eyes.

“You’re the potions’ man?” Colby asked.

“Yes, I suppose so,” Severus replied, raising his brow questionably to Harry.

“Remus talks of everybody when he comes to visit,” Harry said in reply. “Which – I should give him a call.”

“Can I phone him, Daddy?” Colby asked.

“No, you are going to bed.”

“But Daddy . . . ”

“Bed, then tomorrow we can visit Michael,” Harry said.

“Can I sleep in Mikey’s room?” Colby quietly asked.

“I’m sure he wouldn’t mind. Sev, I’ll be back in a bit. Keith here, will keep you company until I get back.

Severus watched Harry, listening to the reassuring words to his son. Once gone, Keith asked him what he’d like to drink. He was left alone to look at the many pictures as Keith went to make a pot of tea. There were many pictures of Michael with Doreen on the mantle. He noticed that there was just as many with Harry holding a baby, assuming that baby was Colby when he was younger. What caught his eye was the pictures of a dark-haired man on a wild horse and bull.

“Those were taken last year,” Harry said, startling Severus from behind when he placed a hand on the older man’s shoulder.

“Your new life then?” Severus asked, picking up a picture of Doreen, Harry, Michael, and Colby.

“I’ve been living here at the ranch for about four years now. Doreen has helped me in so many ways.”

“Is she?”

“The mother?” Harry finished. “No, Colby’s mother died during childbirth. Cheyanne was my best friend here, and my one-time lover. She had cancer.”

“Sorry to hear that,” Severus said, sitting down beside Harry on the couch, Keith silently leaving to go to the hospital.

“I’m okay now. Colby helped,” Harry smiled.

“How old is he?”

“Four.”

“He Apparated tonight I hear,” Severus smirked.

“That’s the first time. Every now and then, there’s something happening with Colby, but everyone here helps him, makes him see that it’s not unnatural for him. I don’t want him to be afraid of his magic.”

“He’s the man of your life?” Severus asked, just remembering what Draco had told him all those years ago.

“Yes, he’s my everything,” Harry grinned. “So, how are things with you?”

“You’ve probably heard from the wolf that I head the Research Department at St. Mungos?” Harry nodded. “I’m still there, and I actually enjoy my work now,” Severus added.

“No more dunderheads to teach?” Harry teased.

“No, thank Merlin,” Severus laughed. “So, you ride?” He asked motioning to the pictures.

“Yes, it seems I have a way with animals,” Harry explained. “I specialize in working with traumatized horses who have been in fairly severe accidents. It’s one of the things the ranch is known for, besides turning out rodeo champions,” Harry added, grinning rakishly, while Severus rolled his eyes. “I used to compete to help put the ranch’s name out there. Now, I just do it for fun.”

“Harry Potter – a cowboy. Didn’t see that coming,” Severus smirked.

“I’m not Harry Potter anymore. Only a select few know my old name.”

“So, why haven’t you called back home?” Severus asked.

“No excuses,” Harry sighed. “I should have but I wanted to – to not hear of things back there.”

“Like Draco?” Severus softly asked.

“Yes, like Draco. I’m sorry I hurt him all those years ago, but now he has his life, and I have mine.”

‘Not much of one,’ Severus thought to himself, thinking of Draco’s workaholic ways. “You’ve been to visit others?”

“Just the Weasley’s and Remus. Never had enough time to visit the school. I only was able to take a day or two off from the ranch. I’ve been working, learning, and raising Colby the best I can over the years.”

“No special love of your life?” Severus teasingly asked.

“No. There’s been acquaintances, but nothing serious,” Harry smiled. “How about you?”

“On and off again relationship,” Severus replied.

“Sounds like Remus,” Harry grinned. “Which reminds me, I should give him a call,” he said, taking out his cell phone from his pocket.

“I should be getting back to the hospital anyway. I’ll see you before I go?” Severus asked, getting up from the couch.

“Yes. Colby and I will meet you for a late breakfast, if you’d like?”

“That would be nice, Harry. Say hi to the wolf for me,” Severus said, giving Harry a quick hug before Flooing back to the hospital.

Harry sat back down again, calling the familiar number, a few tears slipped from his eyes at the comforting voice on the other end.

~*~

After sleeping till midmorning, Harry woke up surprised that he slept in that late. He was up quite late the previous night, talking with Remus, who Flooed through right after the call. He climbed out of the guest bed of Doreen’s house and heard Colby talking a mile a minute with Remus getting a word or two in somehow. He peeked his head in the kitchen.

“Hey, Daddy. We’re ready to go,” Colby grinned.

“I see that,” Harry smiled, leaning down to kiss the top of Colby’s head. “I’ll go have a quick shower then we’ll go. Thanks, Remus.”

“Not a problem, Harry,” Remus grinned, handing Harry a cup of coffee.

Harry drank about half of his coffee before Colby was pushing him out of the kitchen toward the bathroom. Harry complied, showering quickly, and was ready within a half hour to go to the hospital.

Once at the hospital, Colby clung to Harry’s hand. “Is Mikey really going to be good?” Colby asked.

“Yes, Michael will be fine, and he’s been waiting for you,” Severus said hearing the boy’s worried question when he came up behind them.

“Really?” Colby asked.

“Come and see for yourself,” Severus smiled, leading them into the room.

When they came in Michael was sitting up in bed. A smile of welcome was on his face when he saw Remus and Colby. “Remus, C.J., I was waiting for you,” he grinned, patting the side of the bed.

Colby let go of Harry’s hand and climbed up on the bed. “I brought your Gameboy from your room. I slept in your bed. Was that okay? Are you really going to be all right?” He asked, seeing the bandaged up shoulder.

“It hurts a little, but it’s getting better. Thanks so much for the Gameboy C.J.; it’s pretty boring here,” Michael said, ruffling Colby’s hair. “And yeah, it’s okay you slept in my bed,” he smiled.

“Does it hurt, Remus?” Michael asked.

“It might the first few times,” Remus smiled, sitting on Michael’s other side. “If you’d like I’ll be here with you for your first few transformations. I’m sure Severus will have some potions for you to take too.”

“I won’t hurt anyone?” Michael asked worriedly.

“I don’t think so,” Remus replied. “We can be by ourselves at first until you’re comfortable. It’s like being a big dog for a while.”

“Severus gave me a book to read on werewolves. Will my hearing and smell really get stronger?”

“Most likely. You will – are still Michael. You are still you with just a little extra . . . ”

“Abilities,” Michael finished.

Michael smiled gratefully to Remus, then held out his arm for Colby to snuggle against his good shoulder, both soon involved in the Gameboy.

“Thanks for that,” Harry quietly said to Remus.

“I remember when I was bitten – about the same age as Michael. I was scared too. I want to be there for him,” Remus replied.

“Any thoughts on what we talked about a few months ago?” Harry asked, watching as Severus talked quietly to Doreen.

“I wouldn’t want to be a burden on you, Harry,” Remus said.

“You wouldn’t. I would love to have you closer. You’re my family, Remus. We can even build you your own place if you want your privacy. Colby would love it – not to mention Michael.”

“That’s low, Harry, using the kids,” Remus smirked. “I do like the quiet here. I could work on the book I want to write.”

“No pressure,” Harry grinned. “I’d like to see you here. I’m always sorry to see you go after your visits.”

“I’ll let you know.” Remus smiled.

“Ready to go for breakfast, or should I say lunch,” Severus said, looking at the clock on the wall.

“We had to wait for Daddy to get up,” Colby spoke up, not taking his eyes away from the game. “Can I stay here, Dad, with Mikey?”

“I’ve eaten with Michael already, so you three go,” Doreen smiled.

Harry came closer to the bed, and kissed Colby’s head, then Michael’s. “I’ll bring you one of those donuts you like,” he whispered to Michael.

“With the whipped cream inside?” Michael whispered back.

“Me too, Daddy,” Colby whispered, leaning closer to Harry.

Harry shared a smile with Doreen then left with Severus and Remus to a restaurant in Rune Valley, a few blocks from the hidden entrance of the Rainhem hospital.

After a good meal and easy conversation, Remus and Severus waited outside while Harry went in to buy the donuts and hot chocolate for the boys.

“Did you tell him about Draco?” Remus asked Severus.

“Tell him what? That Draco is in a farce of a marriage? That he sees his husband maybe once a month while Oliver plays Quidditch? That he works himself too hard?” Severus asked.

“It’s that bad?” Remus asked.

“Draco and Oliver should not have gotten married. Oliver was convenient for Draco after he gave up on Harry. Oliver knows this,” Severus sighed.

“Harry still loves him,” Remus quietly said.

“I know. I saw that when Draco’s name came up yesterday. Draco still loves Harry too, I think.”

“Both stubborn,” Remus shook his head. “Do you think we should – I don’t know . . . ”

“Intervene?” Severus finished. Remus nodded. “Soon. Yes.”

“Harry’s in a rodeo in a few months. Maybe you can persuade Draco to take some time off of work. Spend some time with his godfather,” Remus smirked.

“Let me know the dates,” Severus said, his mind going through the scheme. He leaned closer to Remus’s ear when he saw Harry come out of the shop. “I forgot to mention – you forgot your journal at my place.”

Remus felt the faint brush of Severus’s lips by his ear. “Tomorrow?”

“I’ll be waiting.”

Note: Rainham Hospital - Wizarding and fictional - in Rune Valley (also fictional) across town from the Muggle hospital where Colby was born.

Thanks for the reviews: paigee07; spedwouthermedz; Engwaaearren; thrnbrooke; shinythiefxblast; momoko; Oompa; snappy pants; RRW; manx65; Lilith; and of course my fellow COVEN group Graballz and SnapesSweetheart
Also, harrydraco4life - butterbeer has been written in many fics, a few I have written myself, that it is alcolohic in nature. In this fic it is not. I will be putting a note to that effect in the chapter. Thanks.

tbc