Chapter ten

Six weeks after the students returned to Hogwarts, Harry was sitting at his desk, Hermione beside him. Ron was behind them with Seamus beside him which of course had them saying a few things about Harry and Severus that Harry and Hermione heard but not Snape. One time Hermione got her professor's attention, she nodded her head towards her old friends to let Snape know they were still at it. Halfway through that class Ron and Seamus had detentions and points lost.

The rest of the class were concentrating on their potions when Hermione caught sight of something out of the corner of her eye.

'Harry, your nose is bleeding.'

Harry put his hand to his nose and when he pulled it away it saw blood, a lot of blood. Hermione held out a tissue, so he quickly pushed it tight against his nose.

'Professor, Harry's nose is bleeding, it doesn't want to stop,' Hermione said sounding worried.

'Mr. Malfoy can you please take Mr. Potter up to the hospital wing. Miss Granger, you can continue on your own, pack up Mr. Potter's belongings, I will get them back to him after class.'

Harry sighed as he stared at Severus and could see the concern on his face, but followed Malfoy out of the classroom.

'I can take myself Malfoy, I really don't need an escort.'

'Do you really think I was going to say no to Snape, not unless I'm suicidal which I'm not.'

'But he's your godfather, surely he'd let you get away with that.'

'Not really. But you don't seem concerned that your nose is bleeding and it's not a normal small bleed either, it's gushing,' Draco saw Harry shrug, 'You've had these before haven't you?'

'A few, but since we have a few minutes, what do you think about Severus and I?'

'I just want my godfather happy Potter and if that's with you then I support it. I can't believe the change in him, he smiles which as you know he never did. I think you're good for him.'

'Thanks, but I think he's good for me. Just know that I will never do anything to hurt him. But, we're here, you can go now,' Harry went to walk into the hospital but noticed Malfoy was following and he knew he wouldn't get rid of the blond, 'Madame Pomfrey.'

Poppy looked up and sighed, 'You know what to do Mr. Potter, I will get your potions. Do you require anything Mr. Malfoy?'

'No, ma'am, Professor Snape asked me to bring Potter here.'

'Well he's here, you can go now.'

Harry and Poppy waited until Draco Malfoy left then Harry went to the bed closest to the matron's office, he tilted his head back and kept pressure on his nose.

'When did it start?' Poppy asked as she held out a vial of thick yellow liquid, placing two on the cabinet beside the bed.

'Not long ago,' Harry sighed, 'So I need the treatment again?'

'Yes, I'm sorry Harry, but it looks like this will be an ongoing occurrence.'

'If this keeps happening in front of everyone someone might pick up on what's wrong with me, someone like Hermione.'

'They might, it is you that does not want anyone to know.'

'I know that it might be impossible to hide forever, I just want to wait as long as I can.'

'This is your decision, but since Severus is not here, then you will remain until he comes to get you.'

'There is one thing I was going to mention, something that's happened a couple of times.'

'Tell me before you drink the potion.'

'I sort of get this twitch, is that because of the tumour?'

Poppy sighed, 'Yes, it's where the tumour is located that's causing it, I will check to make sure.'

'If this keeps happening will it just stay as a twitch or will it get worse?'

'Until I examine you again I cannot say.'

'Best guess then.'

'Worse-case scenario, it could mean you could have a seizure. You whole body will start to twitch as you say, it will flex and shake, you could clamp your mouth shut, even bite your own tongue and deeply. I have a mouth guard and a potion that you can keep with you if this occurs.'

'I saw someone have an epileptic fit once, when I was out with my aunt, will it look like that?'

'Sort of Harry, everything is different as is everyone, but yes, it's similar. Now here, take your first potion.'

Two hours later Severus hurried into the hospital to see Harry lying with his eyes close and Severus knew he was asleep.

'How is he Poppy?'

'He's tired. The treatment will be ongoing, I just can't say how often he will need it. The symptoms will tell him. He explained about something else happening to him.'

'I've noticed he will seem to jerk, his whole body does.'

'Yes, it's the start, it means he could have seizures, it could stay as a slight twitch, we won't know until they continue. I have these for him,' Poppy held up the potion and mouth guard.

'What is that thing?'

'A mouth guard, Severus, if these seizures get severe then he could bite his own tongue off, that is in the most extreme cases. He will need to be given a potion straight away then this guard will need to be put in his mouth. The potion will take about a minute or two before the effects of the seizure wears off.'

'Did you explain this to Harry?'

'Yes, he didn't seem that upset.'

'He probably believes it won't work this time. Thanks Poppy, I'll sit with him until he comes around.'

'Maybe you could work on the potion again?'

'I have been, I need more time and some other ingredients which I'm getting on the first Hogsmeade weekend. I had to order them since they are rare ingredients. I explained to Minerva that I needed to head to the apothecary, which means Harry has to stay here until I return.'

'I'll make sure he does, if he needs me, I'll be in my office.'

Severus stared down at Harry's pale face and noticed a few strands of hair sitting on his pillow. He pulled his wand and summoned Harry's beanie ready for when he woke. His eyes never left Harry's face until he saw the first signs of him waking, then he got Poppy's attention.

'Sev,' Harry said as his eyes slowly opened.

'I'm here my love, how are you feeling?'

'Tired, sick, like before.'

'I think this is showing you that the stress of the work is just too much for you Harry. Let me talk to Minerva, see if we can work something out.'

'I really wanted everyone to see I wasn't getting any special treatment just because we're together.'

'I know, but you can't keep up that level of work, your sick Harry, accept it.'

'I'm dying Sev and I have accepted it,' Harry slowly pushed himself up then put his head against Severus' chest, 'I don't want to leave you.'

'Then keep fighting, and the first thing you will do is stop all classes. You can still dine down with your friends, you just won't be attending any classes.'

'I might as well stop, it's not like I'll use my N.E.W.T.s, but you're right, I'm struggling in everything when I never did before.'

'I did explain that becoming too stressed would not be good for you. But you need to come back right after dinner.'

'I'll be here Madame Pomfrey, thank you.'

'Here, keep these on you, the potion will stop the seizures and the mouth guard will protect your tongue.'

'You could put a chain on the mouth guard, hang it around your neck. Now which pocket will you keep the potion in, we can't take time finding it if you do have a seizure?'

'Top left, it's easy to get to. Can we go now?'

'Yes, you can go Harry, but rest.'

Harry and Severus watched the matron head back to her office, 'Here, let me clean you up,' Severus pointed his wand at Harry's face, 'There, do you want this yet?' he held up Harry's beanie.

'Might as well get everyone used to seeing me wearing it,' Harry slipped the snitch beanie on his head then looked at the pillow, 'The hair loss earlier this time.'

'I noticed, that is why I summoned your beanie. Come on love,' Severus put Harry's shoes on before he put his arm around Harry and helped him to his feet, 'Nice and slow.' Severus was worried, Harry sounded depressed again. When the treatment worked the first time some of his old spirit returned, so much so he laughed and made sure to come back with some comments whenever he heard anyone say anything about them being together. Now though, his voice had lost is laugh, his life, his spirit and Severus wasn't sure what to do.

'There going to ask, you know they will.'

'I know, but I promised that I would not say anything even though I believe you should.'

'I know, I'll think about it,' Harry kept his head against Severus as they walked down through the school. They saw the curious looks on everyone's face that they passed. They never acknowledged them in anyway, just kept walking until Severus helped Harry undress and into bed where he fell asleep straight away.