A Christmas to Remember
AN: No Umbridge, but Voldemort did return.
Christmas had arrived to England, covering the ground with freshly fallen snow. In a house out in the country, Sirius and Remus were busy decorating the sitting room for Christmas, hanging garland, setting out candles on the mantle, and putting up the tree. They were trying to hurry because Sirius needed to get on the road to London to pick up Harry from Kings Cross Station.
This would be Harry's real first family Christmas. Last year, Christmas was spent at Hogwarts for the Yule Ball. Sirius wanted to make up for the twelve years of Christmases he had missed with Harry.
Sirius was looking forward to spending some bonding time with Harry. Harry's schedule this year was so busy that he didn't have time to just hang out with Sirius. OWLs were this year and Harry had hoped he had done well.
Remus also was looking forward to spending time with Harry. Sirius wasn't the only one who wanted to try to make up for the Christmas they missed. Remus did too as he missed time with Harry as much as Sirius did.
"Do you think Harry would help decorate the tree?" Remus asked.
"I'm sure he would," Sirius replied. "Do you think I've gone overboard?"
Remus moved to come out from behind the tree. "With the decorating or the gifts?"
Sirius shrugged. "Both."
"Well, the decorating I understand. This is the real first Christmas we're spending in this house even though we've been here for a year in a half. I would have done more actually. But the gifts…did you leave me anything to get him?"
"Yes, there were some books, Muggle books on his list," Sirius reminded him.
"The Lord of the Rings series?" Remus guessed.
"That and I think something about Catcher and Rye," Sirius murmured.
"Catcher and the Rye," Remus corrected. "We've talked about getting two copies of the same book as Harry tends to read more than I do and we'll read together. When we've finished it, we'll discuss them and then read another book together."
"And Harry and I would play video games together," Sirius added.
"Just don't let it turn into the Great Mario war of 1995," Remus requested.
"It's not my fault!" Sirius exclaimed. "Harry's good at it, but one time, can I win Mario Kart."
"You said the same thing about Clue and Monopoly."
Sirius sighed. "I still say Harry cheated. How can one person go to Jail so many times in one game?"
Remus chuckled. "You just got lucky. Although can we get through one game without you flipping the board."
Sirius picked up the empty box to move to the stairs to take back to the attic. "I'll try, but I can't make any promises."
He walked upstairs, carrying the boxes back into the attic. Returning to the second floor, he headed straight for Harry's room. He waved his wand to refresh the room and then stripped the bed, remaking it with fresh and clean sheets and the winter weight duvet. He checked to see if Harry had left any clothes in the closet or in the dresser.
"Sirius!" Remus shouted.
"What?" Sirius called back.
"It's about time to go get Harry."
Sirius cursed slightly, rushing out Harry's bedroom and into his own, grabbing a coat before rushing down the stairs.
"I'll be back," He called. He pulled out the keys to his Land Rover, getting the driver's seat. He started the SUV and pulled out of the driveway, heading towards London.
How little they didn't know there would be a wrench thrown in their plans.
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At Hogwarts, everyone was looking forward to Christmas break. Some were staying at school while others were going home for Christmas. Those who were going home for Christmas getting their stuff together to meet the Hogwarts Express to head back to London.
Hermione, of course, was packed and ready to go. She stood in the common room waiting for the boys, only to find that Harry and Ron were running late. She climbed the stairs to the boys' dorm.
"Ron? Harry? Come on! We're going to be late for breakfast!"
As she approached, scuffling feet in the boys' dormitory. Ron came out of the dormitory, putting on his jacket.
"I'm coming, I'm coming," he said.
When Harry didn't follow, Hermione called from halfway up the stairs, "Harry? Are you coming?"
"No," Harry replied. "I'll catch up with you. Go on."
Hermione and Ron shared a look between them for a moment. Then when Harry called back down assuring them he was fine, they left the common room to head down to breakfast. They briefly discussed if Harry was okay, wondering if they would need to bring Harry something back to eat.
Back in the fifth year boys' dorm, Harry didn't feel good, didn't feel like eating breakfast. His stomach rolled, churning. He groaned, rushing to the bathroom, where he threw up his previous meal in the toilet. He hoped he wasn't getting sick. He really hoped he didn't get sick, but he was probably coming down with something. He did hear there was a stomach bug going around.
Harry gathered his trunk and Hedwig's cage, slowly making his way down to the entrance hall to meet Ron and Hermione to get a carriage to head down to the train station.
Hermione and Ron found Harry sitting on his trunk. Together, the three of them, along with Ginny walked to the carriage. When they reached the train station, Harry followed Hermione and Ron to a compartment where he sat down beside Ron with Hermione across from them.
The ride back to London was quiet for the most part, only with short conversations. Hermione informed she was going to the Highlands with her parents for her Dad's family Christmas. Ron added that he and the Weasleys were going to spend Christmas in Romania, part of Bill and Charlie's present to their parents.
Before he was asked, Harry said Sirius and Remus wanted to spend Christmas at home this year. Otherwise, he would have remained at Hogwarts. Harry had declined Sirius's offer to floo home with him the day before, stating he wanted to spend some time with his friends before they left on their respective trips.
When the train made it to Kings Cross, everyone started to gather their things and exit the train. They met up with Molly and Sirius, greeting them with hugs.
"Hey Pup," Sirius greeted gently pulled his godson into an embrace.
"Are we flooing home?" Harry asked as they headed to the barrier, following Hermione.
"No, we're going out the Muggle exit."
After seeing Hermione had met her parents, Harry and Sirius headed to the exit. Sirius led Harry to where he parked the SUV. He helped Harry to get his trunk in the boot.
"Get in, Pup." Sirius climbed into the driver's side as Harry climbed in the passenger seat.
Harry watched from the passenger seat as the scene outside changed from London to the countryside, thankful that they weren't going to floo home.
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Upon coming home to Marauders Place, Harry immediately headed upstairs to his room to unpack. Once Harry was finished unpacking, he collapsed into the armchair at the foot of his bed. He leaned his head back, feeling sleepy and wanting nothing but to sleep.
He was about to fall asleep when Sirius knocked on the door. "Ready to eat?" he asked.
Just mere thought of food, Harry's stomach rolled. He didn't want to worry Sirius or Remus.
"Sure."
They walked downstairs, stopping in the downstairs bathroom to wash up before heading to the kitchen. During dinner, Harry sat at the table, picking at his plate. He could feel his stomach churn at the sight of food, focusing himself to eat a few bites. He tried to listen to the conversation Sirius and Remus were having, discussing something between them, sometimes including Harry in the conversation.
"Are you okay?" Sirius asked Harry, after noticing him pick at his plate.
"I'm fine. I'm just tired. May I be excused?" Harry requested, trying to assure Sirius and Remus he was fine, just tired.
"Sure, go on to bed. You look like you need some sleep, Pup," Sirius murmured.
"Alright. Good night."
"Good night, Harry," Remus said, as Harry left the kitchen.
Harry walked upstairs to his bedroom where he collected his pajamas and headed to his bathroom, began to strip to a shower. He wondered briefly should tell Sirius he didn't feel good. Other times Sirius had noticed he wasn't feeling good, like when he got food poisoning after Halloween.
He finished his shower, dried off, and then changed into clean boxers and his pajamas. He walked barefoot into his bedroom, crawling into bed, falling asleep instantly.
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It was two in the morning, Harry woke up with a bad stomach cramp. He rubbed his stomach, hoping that the cramp would stop or ease up. Instead, twenty minutes, it intensified, causing Harry not to go back to sleep, despite it being restless.
He sat up, pressing his hand to his stomach, wincing. Whimpering slightly, Harry pulled himself, feeling the pain get worse. He staggered to his bedroom door, opening it, slowly working to Sirius's room.
By the time Harry reached the door of Sirius's bedroom, he was clutching his stomach. Reaching with one hand, he turned the knob, slowly hobbled to Sirius's bed.
He gently shook Sirius awake, making him jerk awake. He turned to see his godson standing next to the bed.
"What's wrong, kiddo?" Sirius asked groggily, sitting up.
"Sirius, I don't feel good," Harry groaned.
Sirius got out of bed, proceeding to help Harry back to his bedroom.
"Come on. Let's get you back to bed."
When they returned to Harry's bedroom, Harry laid down on his bed. He felt Sirius push his fringe, placing the palm of his hand on his forehead.
"You definitely got a fever," Sirius commented. "What hurts, Prongslet?"
"Stomach," Harry whimpered, curling into a ball, arms wrapped around his stomach.
"I'm going to find a thermometer. I'll be right back." Sirius left the bedroom in search for the thermometer. He returned with a thermometer, to find his godson, curled into a tight ball, moaning slightly as he gripped his belly.
Sirius sat down on the edge of Harry's bed, rubbing Harry's back through the blanket, in soothing circles, trying to comfort his godson.
"Here Prongslet, we'll see if you're running a fever," Sirius said, soothingly. He managed to get the thermometer in Harry's mouth. When the thermometer beeped, Sirius pulled it out, checking it. "102. Pup, when did you start feeling sick?"
"This morning, or rather, yesterday morning," he amended. He felt his stomach grumble and cramp, then something rising in his throat. "Sirius, I'm gonna be sick."
Grabbing the trash bin next to Harry's desk, getting to Harry in time for him to throw up what little he had eaten the day before. When Harry finished, he laid back down, snuggling himself into the warm bed. He felt a straw rub against his lips.
"Here Pup, we can't have you getting dehydrated."
Harry sat up long enough to sip some water. When he finished, he laid back down, glanced up at Sirius, when he heard the sound of his pillow and blanket coming in the room when Sirius summoned them.
He went to the other side of the room where he conjured a cot.
"Try to sleep, kiddo. I'll be right here," Sirius assured his godson. He laid down on the cot, waiting to fell asleep until he heard Harry's breathing even out and he knew was asleep.
When Harry finally asleep, Sirius settled back into the pillow and fell asleep.
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Remus woke up when the sunlight shined through his bedroom window. He got up, heading to the bathroom, dressed for the day. When he finished getting dressed, he left the room. The first thing he noticed when he entered the hall was Sirius's door was opened. This alarmed the werewolf. Sirius slept the dead and Harry was a typical teen who would sleep until noon if he could.
He walked down the hall to Harry's room. The sight that greeted him wasn't what he was expecting.
Sirius was sleeping in a makeshift bed one side of Harry's room. He was still sleeping, snoring quietly. Harry was curled up in a ball, the pain evident on his face.
Remus slowly approached Harry's bed, realizing what was going on. He gently reached down, feeling Harry's forehead.
Harry woke up at the touch.
"Sorry Cub," Remus murmured. "I didn't mean to wake you up. Are you not feeling well?"
Harry slowly shook his head. "Not really."
"You're running a fever cub. Did Sirius take your temperature?"
"Yeah," Harry replied, sleepily. "102. That was around two this morning." He winced at the cramping in his stomach.
"What hurts?" Remus asked, settling down on Harry's bedside.
"My stomach," Harry groaned as another cramp seized his belly.
Remus sat down on the edge of Harry's bed, beginning to rub Harry's back, hoping to bring some comfort to the sick teen.
"When did you get sick?" Remus inquired.
"I woke up feeling a little sick yesterday. I felt sick off and on yesterday. I thought I would feel better later, but I was slowly feeling worse. I woke up at about two this morning with a bad stomach cramp. I woke up Sirius. He took my temperature then."
Sirius woke up about that time. He glanced over at Harry's bed, noticing Remus sitting there.
"Good Morning, Remus, sorry I didn't wake you up."
"That's okay, Sirius," Remus replied, rubbing Harry's back.
"The thermometer is on his bedside table. Can you check his temperature?" Sirius asked, heading out of the room for the bathroom.
"Sure Sirius." Remus picked up the thermometer, guiding it in Harry's mouth. He glanced at the readout.
"103.2!" Remus called out. Sirius returned to the room before he could say anything Remus handed him the thermometer.
"His fever had gone up," Sirius murmured. "What should we do?"
"I'll go down, call Healer's Morris's office. Find out if he could see Harry sometime today."
"Okay." Remus left, leaving Harry to Sirius.
"How are you feeling, Pup?" Sirius asked, noticing Harry was curling into a tighter ball.
"Not any better," Harry replied, wrapping an arm around his stomach, wincing. "This is the worst one yet."
"Remus went to see if you can you in to see Healer Morris sometimes today." Before Harry could protest Sirius added, "I don't know what's wrong, you're going to the healer. We'll find out what's wrong with you, get something help you feel better. Okay?"
Harry sighed, knowing he wasn't going to win this fight. "Okay."
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One hour later found Harry and Sirius in the waiting room of Healer Morris's office. Harry laid down, curled up in a tight ball on the loveseat next to Sirius.
"Poor thing, he's not feeling good isn't he?" an elderly witch asked, sitting across from Sirius.
"No," Sirius replied, pushing down Harry's hair over his forehead, covering the scar. "He's running a high fever. I think he might have the flu that's been going around."
The elderly witch awed in sympathy. "How old is he?"
Sirius cleared his throat. "Fifteen."
"I hope he feels better soon," the witch said, as she got up and followed the welcome witch when she called her back to see the other healer.
Harry got up, rushing to the restroom. "Thank you," Sirius murmured, glancing towards the restroom door, wondering if he should check on Harry. Before he decided, Harry emerged from the restroom, paler than before, glassy-eyed and clutching his stomach with one arm.
"What happened?" Sirius asked as Harry when he sat down beside him, putting his head down on his shoulder.
"I threw up," Harry mumbled, as Sirius rubbed his back soothingly.
"Harry Potter," the welcome witch called. Sirius helped Harry stand up and followed him to the welcome witch. She led them to one of the exam rooms.
Healer Morris was a healer who only saw children from birth to age 17. His exam rooms were decorated in wizarding children's story characters and Muggle children's characters. The welcome witch led Harry and Sirius into a room decorated with the nursery rhyme The Cat and the Fiddle.
"Healer Morris will be right in," the welcome witch said, laying down Harry's file on the desk.
"What is the Cat in the Fiddle?"
"A rhyme about a cat playing the fiddle, how the cow jumped over the moon which made the dog laugh and the dish ran away with the spoon," Harry explained, looking up at the painting.
Any further thoughts or discussions were interrupted when there was a knock on the door. It opened to reveal Healer Morris. He stepped in the room.
"Hello Harry, I hear we're not feeling well," the healer greeted, closing the door behind him.
"Not really," Harry replied.
"Sirius, how are you?" The healer greeted.
"I've been good. Did Remus tell you what's going on?" Sirius asked.
"Yes, he did." The plump and gray-headed turned to Harry. "I see you are running a high fever, stomach cramps, and stomach pain. Are you vomiting any?"
"Yeah, the last time was fifteen maybe twenty minutes ago."
"When did you start feeling sick?" Healer Morris asked, making some notes in Harry's file.
"Honestly, I kind of felt sick when I woke up yesterday morning, but it came and went yesterday. Not like it is today."
Healer Morris hummed, taking notes. "What's different?"
"The vomiting, for one," Harry replied. "The stomach cramps and pain increased."
"Okay, let's see if the fever has got up or down. Remus said it was 103.1 when he called."
He waved his wand over Harry, murmuring the charm that would tell him Harry's vitals. He reviewed the results when they appeared on the paper in Harry's file.
"It hasn't changed," Healer Morris informed Sirius. "It's still 103.1."
"Okay, can you open your mouth wide for me?"
Harry obeyed as the healer shined a light, slipping a stick in his mouth, checking his throat.
"Looks good," he commented. "Now look straight at me." He checked Harry's eyes followed by his ears.
As he felt Harry's head and neck, he said to Sirius, "Everything looks good far," he said to Sirius.
"Good," Sirius said. "Is there a flu going around?"
"A few different types," Healer Morris replied, getting out his stethoscope. "Can you lift the back of your shirt up for me?" He asked. Harry pulled it up so Healer Morris can listen to his lungs.
Harry shivered a little when the cold bell met the warm skin of his back.
"Deep breath in," He directed. Harry inhaled. "And out." Harry glanced at Sirius he cleared his throat.
"Lungs are clear," He said, moving the stethoscope to his chest to listen to his heart.
"So not the Muggle Flu or the Wizard's Flu?" Sirius asked.
"No. Breathe normal," he directed. He listened for a few minutes before he removed the stethoscope and made some notes in Harry's file.
"Other than the high fever and stomach issues he's apparently healthy. His ears were clear, no infection. His throat is clear. His heart and lungs are good. So now, all I have left is the abdominal exam."
He made his notes in Harry's file before started the exam.
"So the symptoms started yesterday?" He confirmed.
"Yes, sir," Harry replied.
"Okay," he pulled out the extension on the exam table and pulled the lever to lay the table back. "Lie back and let's check your belly."
Harry laid back, knowing what was going to happen next. He pulled his shirt up as he knew that was going to be asked to, baring his belly to the slightly warm room. Healer Morris placed the stethoscope on Harry's abdomen, beginning low on his belly. He moved the bell of the stethoscope across his skin, listening closely for bowel sounds.
"His bowels are very active. When they are this active it's usually a sign of stomach flu," Healer Morris explained.
"Is that what you think is wrong?" Sirius inquired.
"Possibly," he replied, removing the stethoscope. "Alright, Harry, now I'm going to move on to palpation, pressing your abdomen. Tell me if it hurts anywhere I press."
"Okay," Harry murmured. He hated this exam, more than any part of a physical exam.
Healer Morris began pressing on Harry's abdomen, starting on his right side, asking him if it hurt when he pressed. Harry shook his head.
"If it hurt when I pressed or released, it could be appendicitis," Healer Morris explained to Sirius who had moved to stand at the foot of the exam table, watching as Healer Morris moved up Harry's belly.
"I'm going to start deep palpation," The healer warned. Harry nodded.
Healer Morris began deep palpation on Harry's abdomen, pressing deep in Harry's belly, moving up his abdomen.
"Okay, I'm going to do a diagnostic charm," Healer Morris explained, placing his hand flat on Harry's belly, adding slight pressure, waving his wand over his hand.
"Harry has the stomach flu. I can give you extra strengthen stomach soothers and stomach calmers. I also include some fever reducers."
Harry sat up, pulling down his shirt as he did. "How long does it last?" He asked.
"Twenty-four to forty-eight hours," Healer Morris replied.
Sirius wrapped his arm around Harry's shoulder, noticing Harry leaned into him, laying his head on his shoulder, a clear sign to Sirius that Harry didn't feel good.
Healer Morris left the exam room, returning a few minutes later with a bag of potions. He handed the bag to Sirius. "These are the stronger stomach soother and stomach calmers. They will calm his stomach and help with nausea and the stomach cramps. Need a stronger stomach soother and stomach calmer stop by and we'll get you the potions."
"Thank you, Healer Morris," Sirius murmured, rubbing Harry's back.
"If his fever goes up or if he isn't feeling better in two days, bring him back into the office."
Sirius helped Harry off the table, leading him to the floos where they flooed home.
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Remus sat in the armchair sitting at the foot of Harry's bed, watching Harry sleep. He smiled at how peaceful Harry look when he was asleep, how young he looked. He didn't look like a fifteen-year-old.
Sirius was asleep in the makeshift bed he had conjured the night before.
Remus didn't know how long had sat there in the armchair until he heard a slight moan from Harry. He glanced at Harry, watching as the sick teen curled into a ball. Sirius had woken up to go to the bathroom. When he returned, he saw the distressed look on his godson's face.
Suddenly, Harry shot up with a slight green tinge on his face. Sirius grabbed the bucket, getting it in front of him before he started vomiting. Harry shoved his head into the bucket, vomiting. When the sounds of retching stopped, Harry pulled his head out of the bucket, lying back down slowly.
"I feel sick," he moaned, hugging his aching belly.
Sirius rubbed Harry's head, pushing his fringe his forehead. He shared a look with Remus and was about to ask what they could do to help Harry when he groaned.
"What's the matter Cub?" Remus asked, looking at the sick teenager with slight concern.
"It hurts," Harry whimpered. Remus got up, telling Sirius he would be back shortly, leaving the room. The floo downstairs activated.
"I think Remus went to get you something to help with the stomach cramps other than the stomach calmer," Sirius said, sitting down at Harry's bedside.
Harry winced, hugging his stomach as he felt more cramps roll through his abdomen. The pained expression on Harry's face made Sirius think back to a day fourteen years ago.
Flashback
Sirius sat on the couch in the Potter's living room talking to James. He had stopped by to visit his best friends James and Lily, but his main reason for visiting was his godson, who currently was fussy.
"What's wrong with Harry, Lily?" James asked, concerned.
"I don't know. I think his tummy hurts," Lily replied, laying her son down on the couch.
"What's wrong, Pup. Have you got a tummy ache?" Sirius asked, in a baby voice. He softly rubbed Harry's stomach that was poking out between the hem of the shirt and his nappy, gently rubbed his godson's upset stomach. Harry calmed instantly.
Dumbfounded James and Lily looked at their son, shocked.
"Thanks, Padfoot."
End of Flashback
Since then anytime Harry had a tummy ache, Sirius would rub his godson's cranky belly. That was so many years ago now. He looked down at his godson, watching the pained expressions on his face.
Sirius remembered he had rubbed Harry's stomach before when he had stomachaches before.
"Do you want me to rub your stomach for you? If it hurts I'll stop," Sirius promised.
Harry thought about it for a moment and nodded. Sirius moved his hand under Harry's t-shirt, placing his hand on his stomach, rubbing slow circles. The same slow circles he had done when Harry was a baby.
Harry relaxed instantly, feeling Sirius's hand massaging his stomach.
"I did this when you were a baby. When you had colic, gas, or an upset stomach, I would rub your stomach until you settled down or went to sleep."
Harry didn't respond. Sirius smiled. "I see it still works."
He rubbed in small circles, watching Harry's face get more relaxed, his eyes getting droopy.
Harry relaxed, feeling Sirius's hand on his stomach, rubbing in soothing circles. Despite the fact that Sirius's hands were rough, the soothing circles felt great on Harry's belly.
Sirius felt the muscles in Harry's abdomen relax as he rubbed. When he checked on Harry, he noticed he seemed to be relaxed, his eyes closed. He knew this was temporary since he knew soon the spasms and cramps would return.
"How am I doing, Pup?" Sirius asked.
"Good. Hopefully, the spasms and cramps are over," Harry deadpanned.
"Me too, Pup. Me too." The one thing that never changed was Sirius never liked seeing his godson in pain.
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Remus returned fifteen minutes later, a bag in his hand. Sirius looked up from the Quidditch magazine when Remus entered the room.
"How is he?" He asked.
Looking at his sleeping godson, he replied, "He had some bad stomach cramps after you left. He threw up, almost projectile vomiting."
Remus sympathetically, looked at Harry, gently reaching over, pushing back some stray hair that fell into his eyes. He firmly, gently felt his forehead.
"Have you checked his temperature?" Remus inquired.
"No."
Remus picked up the thermometer, quickly cleaned it with his wand. He handed it to Sirius, who slipped it in Harry's mouth, waiting for the beep.
When it did beep, Sirius sighed in relief.
"It's lower," He murmured. "101." Returning over, he felt Harry's forehead, noticing it felt cooler. "He feels a lot cooler than he did earlier."
Running his fingers through Harry's hair, watching as he slowly woke up. He noticed that his green eyes were no longer glassy.
"Did I wake you?" Sirius whispered.
Harry yawned. "No."
"How are you feeling? Remus asked.
"A little better," Harry answered. He turned over, noticing the apothecary bag sitting on the table. "What's in the bag?"
Remus reached for the bag, pulling out vials of stomach soothers and stomach calmers.
"I stopped by Healer Morris's office, picked up the stronger stomach soother and stomach calmer."
"Thanks," Harry murmured.
Sirius poured out the required dosage, handing them to Harry one at a time, giving him a sip of water in between. Remus left the bedroom momentarily returning with the heating pad he had picked up in a Muggle pharmacy over the summer.
Sirius took it from Remus, unfolding it and plugging it in. "Here, Pup."
Harry turned over on his back, pulling his shirt up. Sirius placed the heating on Harry's abdomen, setting it on medium.
"How's that, Prongslet?"
"Feels good," Harry commented. "Thanks."
"You're welcome, Cub."
Sirius covered Harry back up with the blankets, tucking them around him. Soon the teenager was asleep.
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Sunshine through the window woke Harry up the next morning. He reached over, slipping on his glasses. He laid there in bed for a minute, realizing he wasn't feeling sick. Last night was the first night he had slept all night without a nightmare waking him up. Turning on his side, feeling something move on his stomach. He pulled down the blanket, finding his shirt pulled up and a heating pad sliding off his belly.
He removed the heating pad, pulling down his shirt.
He laid there for a moment to see if he was really feeling better or if he was still sick. He lifted a hand to his forehead, feeling sweat. Pressing his palm to his forehead, he learned that his fever had broken sometime in the night.
"You're awake."
At the voice, Harry turned his head towards the door, finding Sirius standing there, leaning against the doorway.
"How are you feeling? Any better?" He asked.
"Much better. I think my fever broke," Harry replied. Sirius approached the bed, reaching his head to feel Harry's forehead.
"Your fever did break last night," Sirius commented, raking his fingers through Harry's hair. "Does your stomach still hurt?"
Harry paused for a moment, realizing that his stomach didn't hurt. It still felt sore from the constant cramps and spasms, but he didn't feel sick to his stomach.
"No, it feels sore though."
"Remus got you a potion that should help with that," Sirius informed him as he dug around the laundry basket for a clean pair of pajamas. Remus had cleaned out Harry's trunk, washing the dirty laundry and mended a few shirts that had missing buttons.
Harry got up, shuffling to the bathroom, shutting the door behind him. Sirius started cleaning up the bedroom, giving him something to do while Harry was in the shower. He stripped the bed of the sweat-soaked sheets, changing them for a clean set. He remade the bed the Muggle way, something Harry had taught him when, after his attempts at doing it with magic failed.
Remus knocked on the open door as Sirius banished his pillow and blanket back to his room, banishing the cot.
"Is he hungry? I made porridge," he said.
"I'll ask." Before Remus could stop him, Sirius barged into the bedroom.
"Sirius! Do you knock?" Harry shouted over the sound of the shower running.
"Keep in mind that I have changed your nappies and had given you a bath from time to time," Sirius retorted.
Peaking his head out from the shower, he asked, "What do you want Sirius?" His tone telling Sirius he better be quick.
"Hungry?" Sirius asked. "Remus made porridge."
"Sure," Harry agreed. "Just not a big bowl."
Sirius nodded, leaving Harry in the bathroom to finish his shower. He went downstairs to fix a small bowl of porridge and a glass of orange juice.
The cricking of the old staircase brought both of their attention to the doorway. Harry appeared in the doorway and to Sirius's relief, he wasn't walking slowly.
"Feeling better?" Remus inquired.
"Much," Harry replied. He sat down at the table, taking the bowl from Sirius and began to eat the porridge. To Sirius's surprise, Harry ate the whole bowl.
"By the way," Harry said, breaking the silence. "Thank you for taking care of me."
Sirius and Remus stopped what they were doing, sharing a look with each other before turning to Harry.
"It's part of our job to take care of you, Pup," Sirius began, wrapping an arm around Harry. "Regardless if you're sick or injured, we'll always take care of you."
"I know, it's something I'm still getting used to. So, what are we getting into today?"
"Decorating the tree," Remus replied.
After breakfast Harry helped Sirius and Remus decorate the tree, taking a break to eat lunch and dinner. Once the tree was complete, Remus, Sirius, and Harry settled on the couch, sipping hot chocolate, enjoying the completed tree and each other's company.
"So, James finally caved. The next day Lily and James went out to the woods to look for a real Christmas tree. I think Lily set it on fire after Christmas was over. Now when we celebrated the next Christmas, which was your first…" Sirius trailed off when Remus shushed him, pointing at Harry, who had fallen asleep, leaning against Sirius's shoulder.
"When did he fall asleep?" Sirius whispered.
"Fifteen minutes ago. You can finish the story later."
Sirius stood up, placing a feather light charm on Harry before he picked the sleeping teenager, carrying him to his bedroom. Between Remus and Sirius, they changed him into his pajamas. As a testament to how tired Harry must have been, he never woke up once as Sirius and Remus changed his clothes. They tucked him into bed, kissing him goodnight.
Despite being sick, his first family Christmas was one he would remember for the rest of his life. Harry would look back on this Christmas with warm memories, remembering how nice it was to be cared for. It was definitely a Christmas to remember.