Harry had fallen asleep after Hermione had left and there were no disturbances the rest of the night. He woke up to his hand being squeezed and he slowly opened his eyes, taking moment to remember where he was. Nicholi was watching him intently, his eyes were the clearest they had been in days. But Harry could still see fever and tiredness in them.

"Feeling better?" he asked speaking slowly and also signing. The sick man nodded and relaxed back against the pillows.

"When did your friend leave?" he asked. His voice was hoarse but clear. It didn't sound like most other deaf people since he had already known how to speak before he had lost his hearing.

"Last night, she'll be back to check on you today, probably." Harry replied reaching up and touching the other man's cheek. His skin was still hot with fever.

"She didn't know about me." This time Nicholi signed it instead of speaking. It must have been less strenuous to sign. Harry hesitated remembering the conversation he had had the night prior with his best friend.

"I was going to introduce you soon when the time was right." Harry replied. He always spoke out loud and signed when he talked to Nicholi. It felt weird to just sign. There was a heavy silence before Nicholi started coughing. It took him minute to catch his breath and Harry was ready with a glass of water.

"Thank you." He signed laying back against the pillows. Harry straightened the blanket on the bed and then leaned back in his chair. His entire body was sore from sleeping in the chair and he still felt so tired.

"Go home and get some rest. I'm not going anywhere." Nicholi stated out loud. He had closed his eyes and seemed to be drifting back off to sleep, which gave Harry no room to argue.

"I'll go get freshened up and get a couple of things and then I'll be back, alright?" he said standing up and leaning over to kiss Nicholi on the forehead. He knew Nicholi didn't hear him. The older man smiled and snuggled deeper into the hospital bed.

He closed the door behind him and stopped by the nurses' station to tell them he was leaving and where he could be reached if there was a problem. He felt so guilty leaving his lover in the Wizard hospital alone but it had been the other man's suggestion, so Harry brushed it off. He walked down the street at a slow pace watching the world pass him by. He had never become a fan of apparition. He preferred to walk or ride everywhere. When he finally got to his flat he collapsed on the couch and slept harder then he had ever slept in his life.

Nicholi woke up abruptly for no apparent reason then he felt as if he wasn't alone and he was right. Harry's friend Dr. Granger was standing beside his bedside, reading his chart.

"Good morning, Dr." he said rubbing his eyes. He must have startled her because she flinched and then smiled at him weakly.

"I can read lips quite well so we can communicate." He added because she seemed at loss for words. She smiled again and brushed a piece of hair out of her face.

"How are you feeling today?" she asked making sure to speak slowly and to articulate.

"Much better, thank you. I still feel weak and congested though." He replied. She nodded and wrote that down on the chart.

"I bet there are several other questions you would like to ask not pertaining to my health." He said, moving to be more comfortable. He saw her tense up and he knew that had made her uncomfortable.

"You had better ask them down before Harry returns." He added. She pulled the chair closer to the bed and sat down.

"I actually have just one question." She muttered, sitting on the edge of the chair.

"You want to know if I know about Harry and my brother." Nicholi interrupted her. She had a look of shock on her face and then she nodded slowly.

"Yes, Dr. Granger, I do. Severus and I were very close before he died. He told me everything, every secret, every fear. I believe I knew that he loved Harry before he did." he explained.

"So you must know that Harry-" she started.

"Is using me as a substitute to my brother. I knew that from the very beginning," he interrupted her again, " but I'm alright with that."

"How can you be alright with that? She asked again.

"Answer me this, Dr. Would you rather play second violin or not play in the orchestra at all?" he asked.