I know. I know. It's been a little while since I last posted a chapter. However, this one is long, so I hope that makes up for the long wait.

Chapter 9: Dealing with Pox

"Uncle Sev! Uncle Sev!" Draco cried from his bedroom. Severus groaned as he rolled over in his bed. He cast a tempus charm and noticed that it was only four in the morning. He sat up and slowly got out of bed. He grabbed his dressing robe and made his way to Draco's room. He groggily pushed the boy's door open.

"Draco, what has you shrieking like a banshee at five in the morning?" Severus asked as he sat down on the edge of Draco's bed.

"Uncle Sev," Draco groaned, and Severus looked at him with concern. "I don't feel good."

Severus lit one of the lamps and looked at Draco. The boy looked very pale, and his forehead was rather warm when Severus felt it. "Do you have a tummy ache, Draco? Do you feel achy? Do you have a headache?"

Draco groaned again, and Severus almost rolled his eyes at the boy's dramatics. "Uncle Sev, my tummy hurts, and I'm all itchy."

"Itchy?" Severus pulled down the covers and rolled up Draco's shirt, so he could examine his stomach. He had a feeling he knew what it was, but he was hoping that he was wrong. However, he saw the tell-tale green spots and knew Draco had Dragon Pox. It had been going around Hogwarts, and Severus had been trying to keep the boys away from the student population, so they wouldn't catch it. "Draco, can you wait here? Uncle Sev is going to get you a couple of potions to take."

"Don't wanna take potions, Uncle Sev," Draco moaned. "Want you to make the itch go 'way."

Severus gently rubbed Draco's back. "Draco, there's a potion I would like you take and then I shall run you a bath. I have something that will help with the itch for the tub, and I have a cream that will help."

Severus made to stand, but Draco cried out. "Don't leave, Uncle Sev. Stay with me, please."

Severus felt his heart break a little at the boy's request. "Draco, I shall be right back." He looked around and found Draco's stuffed dragon on the other side of the bed. "Here, Draco. Hold Dragon until I get back." Draco grabbed the dragon with a whimper, and Severus quickly went to retrieve the potions and creams he needed; he was thankful that he had been stocking up on it the last couple of weeks, so he didn't have to brew any. He quickly returned to Draco's room, after grabbing a glass of Draco's juice, and helped the sick boy sit up. "Draco, I need you to sit up and take this for me."

Draco shook his head. "Don't wanna take any yucky potions, Uncle Sev."

"I know, Draco, but it will help you feel better if you take it." Draco shook his head again. "Draco, I have a glass of juice here. You can have it after you drink the potion."

Draco eyed the glass wearily. "Can I have a drink now?"

Severus almost smirked at Draco's Slytherin question. "One sip, and then you must drink the potion."

Draco held out his hands. "Please." Severus helped him take a sip and then helped him drink the potion. Draco tried to spit it out, but Severus covered his mouth and made him swallow.

"Good boy. Now, I'm going to go run you a bath. How does that sound?"

Draco laid back down and cuddled with his dragon. "Don't feel good."

Severus carded a hand through Draco's hair. "I know, Draco, but I'm trying to help you feel better. The bath will help with the itching, and so will my cream that I have. Ok? Maybe we'll have Poppy come and check on you as well."

Draco miserably nodded and cuddled his dragon closer. Severus went to go and turn the bath water on and then went to floo Poppy. She was awake and came right over. She went into Draco's room to check on him as Severus finished with the bath. He placed a stasis charm on it until Draco was ready for it. He made his way back into Draco's room.

"Aunt Poppy, I don't feel good," Draco told her miserably.

Poppy nodded in sympathy. "I bet, but I also know that your godfather is going to take good care of you. Make sure that you listen to him." She leaned and Severus smiled at what she whispered in Draco's ear. "I bet that if you ask him real nicely, he would cuddle with you."

Draco gave her a weak smile. "I'll ask him."

Severus gave Poppy a grimace when she turned around to face him. "He'll be alright, Severus. Just give him the potions and creams and he should be fine in a couple of days. Now, Harry?"

"What about Harry?"

"Have you checked on him this morning?"

Severus shook his head. "Draco wouldn't let me leave his side, and Harry has not woken yet."

"Why don't you go and put Draco in the tub, while I check on Harry. I'll leave once I'm finished."

"Thank you. I appreciate it." Severus said as he picked Draco up.

"It's not problem at all; you know that. Harry will most likely still get it, but we may be able to hold it off for a couple of days until Draco is better." Severus nodded and carried Draco to the bathroom while Poppy made her way into Harry's room.

The matron smiled at the sight that greeted her. Harry was sleeping peacefully with only his head sticking out from underneath the covers. Bill the duck could be seen on Harry's other side. Poppy sat down on the edge of Harry's bed and placed a gentle hand on his forehead. He didn't feel warm yet, so that was a good sign. Poppy smiled as Harry shifted under the covers, and she ran a hand through his messy black hair. She stood up and decided to let the poor boy sleep; he would need it the next couple of days.

Poppy made her way out of Harry's room and over to the bathroom where Severus was getting Draco out of the tub and wrapping him in a towel. "How are you feeling, Draco?"

Draco tiredly rubbed his eyes with a fisted hand. "Tired and itchy, Aunt Poppy."

"Did the bath help at all, Draco?"

Draco nodded, then leaned forward to rest his head on Severus's shoulder. The potions master gently picked the boy up and rubbed calming circles on his back. Draco slowly closed his eyes. Severus turned his attention towards Poppy. "I'm going to go put him to bed for a while. Thank you for your help, Poppy."

"You're very welcome, Severus. By the way, Harry is fine right now. He doesn't have a fever, and he is sleeping peacefully. Harry is most likely going to get it, but like I said before, hopefully his will wait a couple of days before surfacing."

Severus shifted Draco. "Is there anything I can do to hold it off?"

"No, not really," Poppy stated. "You could keep him completely out of these quarters until Draco is better, but I don't see that doing anyone any good. Harry has already been exposed to it, and being away from the two of you would make him very unhappy. Just keep an eye on him and everything should be fine."

Severus nodded. "I will. I'll see you later tonight?"

Poppy gave him a smile. "Of course. Severus, call your mother if it becomes too much to handle. She's already had Dragon Pox and won't be able to get it again."

"I'll see if I need her." Poppy merely nodded and left Severus's quarters. As soon as she was gone, Severus looked down at the blonde boy in his arms. He placed a kiss on top of the still damp hair.

"We'll get through this, Dragon. I know we will." Severus slowly made his away to Draco's room. He set the boy on the bed, so he could grab some fresh pajamas. Severus helped Draco dress, and then he gently placed him under the covers. Severus placed another kiss on Draco's head and was about to leave when a whimper stopped him.

"Please don't go, Uncle Sev." Draco whimpered quietly clutching his dragon. "Please stay."

Severus nodded. "Of course I'll stay, Draco. Let me just get a chair."

"No," Draco stopped him. "Will you lay wif me. Mommy used to when I was sick."

Severus felt his chest tighten at the mention of Narcissa, but he pushed it away. "Of course I'll lay with you. Always, Dragon." Severus magically widened the bed before crawling in next to Draco. He spread an arm out, so Draco could lay his head there and curl up against his side. "How's this, Dragon?"

"Good." Draco's reply was muffled due to his face being buried in Severus's shirt. "I wish Mommy and Daddy were here, though. They always made me feel better."

Severus carded a hand through the blonde hair. "I know, Draco, but I'm trying my best." Severus looked down and noticed that his words had fallen on deaf ears; Draco was sound asleep. Severus breathed a sigh of relief and closed his eyes. He figured he might as well get some sleep while he could.

Severus woke up a couple hours later to the feeling of being poked. He slowly opened one eye and saw a mop of messy black hair. He blinked and opened both eyes to look at Harry who was standing next to Draco's bed staring at his godfather. "Hello, Harry," Severus whispered.

"Morning, Sev'vus," Harry whispered back. "Why are you in Draco's room?"

Severus used one of his hands to rub his eyes. "Draco's sick, and he needed me last night. How long have you been up?"

Harry shrugged. "Dunno. Me and Bill were playing, but I'm hungry, and you told me I can't go in the kitchen by myself."

"Good boy, Harry," Severus praised. "I'll get up and make you some breakfast now. Why don't you meet me out in the living room?"

"Okay!" Harry exclaimed quietly as he knew Draco was sleeping. He hopped out of the room, and Severus slowly got out of bed, making sure not to wake Draco. He checked on the sleeping boy before he made his way into the kitchen. Harry was waiting for him with Bill at the table.

"What would you like for breakfast, Harry? Is cereal okay today?" Severus asked tiredly.

Harry nodded. "Yep! Can I have juice with it?"

"Of course," Severus set down a bowl full of cereal in front of Harry and poured milk into before placing a spoon into the bowl. "Would you like the juice in your quidditch cup?"

Harry took a bite of cereal and shook his head. "Sev'vus, it's Tuesday. That's—"

"Duck cup. Right. I must have forgotten," Severus said as he put the quidditch cup back and retrieved the duck one. He filled it with orange juice and placed it in front of Harry.

"Thank you, Sev'vus," Harry said after he had taken a drink.

"You're welcome. Keep eating your breakfast while I floo the headmaster."

"Why do you need to talk to Grandpa Albus, Sev'vus?" Harry asked.

"Because I need to have someone cover my class while Draco is ill."

"Oh." Harry looked down at his cereal and didn't say another word on the matter. Severus noticed the boy's change in behavior but decided to deal with it later; he needed to speak to Albus about his classes. He made his way out of the kitchen and over to the fireplace in the living room.

"Headmaster's office!" Severus shouted before sticking his head in the fireplace. Albus was sitting at his desk doing some paperwork. "Headmaster."

"Ah, good morning, Severus, my boy," Albus exclaimed as he turned to face his potions master. "What can I do for you this morning?"

"Draco is ill, and I will be unable to teach my classes for the next couple of days."

"Dragon Pox?" Severus nodded. "Well, are going to stay with both Harry and Draco until they have both had it?"

"I imagine so. Poppy was over this morning, and she says Harry will most likely get it within the next couple of days. I just don't know what to do with my classes."

"Is your mother going to help you?"

Severus shook his head. "I don't think so unless I absolutely need it."

"Well, there you have it. She can cover your classes."

Severus gave him a skeptical look. "Are you sure that's a good idea? It's not that I don't trust her, but—"

"How about I help with the fifth years and up? I know she can handle the rest without a problem," Albus assured him.

Severus pondered the idea for a moment then nodded in agreement. "Will you be able to speak with her? I have to get back to Draco and Harry. Thank you, Albus."

"You're most welcome, my boy. Good luck," Albus said before standing and watching Severus's head disappear from the flames.

Severus walked back into the kitchen to find Harry just finishing his breakfast. "Are you finished, Harry?"

Harry nodded but didn't say anything. He rose from the table and set his empty bowl and glass in the sink. Severus raised an eyebrow at Harry's strange behavior. "Harry, is something the matter?"

Large green eyes looked at him. "Draco's sick, Sev'vus. Don't want to be a nuisance."

"Harry, why would you be a nuisance?" Severus asked rather confused. "Draco's ill, yes, but that doesn't make you a nuisance."

Harry shook his head. "Gonna go play in my room quietly, Sev'vus." Harry started to make his way to his room when Severus stopped him.

"Harry, you don't have to stay locked in your room while Draco is sick. You can stay out here and play."

Harry looked at him hesitantly. "Don't you want me out of the way while Draco's sick?"

Severus shook his head and knelt down to Harry's level. "Harry, I don't want you out of the way. Draco would appreciate it if you were quiet while he was trying to sleep, but you are a good boy, and I know that you will be kind to Draco. You can even help me if you like."

"You want me to be a helper?"

Severus nodded. "If you would like."

Harry still looked skeptical. "Okay, Sev'vus. I guess I can help, so long as I'm not in the way."

"You won't be, Harry. I—"

Severus was interrupted by a call from Draco. "Uncle Sev! Where are you?" Severus sighed as he stood up and made his way to Draco's room.

Over the next two days, Draco slowly got better. The itching went down as well as the fever. It would still be a couple of days before Draco was healthy again, but at least he was up and moving again. Harry had been rather helpful the whole time. He would sit and talk with Draco when he was awake. He would help Severus bring Draco potions. Harry would also play quietly while Draco was asleep. Severus also noticed that Harry was rather quiet and withdrawn the rest of the time. He didn't engage in his usual chatter with Severus, not even when he would play with the boy. He didn't ask for anything. Heck, Harry barely talked to Bill anymore. Severus figured Harry was just trying to help Draco feel better, but this behavior really worried Severus. He fell asleep that Thursday night with the thought of talking with Harry in the morning.

Friday morning brought sunshine, a much healthier and happier Draco, and an even more withdrawn Harry. Severus allowed Draco to eat breakfast at with them. Draco ate like a starving man while Harry just pushed his food around on his plate. Severus knit his eyebrows together in concern. "Harry, aren't you hungry?"

Harry looked up at him. "No. Not hungry, Sev'vus."

Now Severus was quite concerned. "Are you feeling sick, Harry?"

Harry shook his head. "Just not hungry, Sev'vus." He pushed his plate away. "Can I go to my room with Bill, Sev'vus?"

Severus nodded. "Drink your juice first, Harry." Harry drank the rest of his juice, then slid off his chair and trotted into his bedroom closing the door softly behind him. Severus stared at the closed door. What was the matter with Harry? His thoughts were broken by Draco.

"Uncle Sev?"

Severus turned to face him. "Yes, Draco?"

"Is something wrong with Harry? Is he sick, too?"

Severus looked at the closed door then back at Draco. "I don't know, Draco. He may just be sad that you haven't been able to play with him for the last couple of days. Maybe you should play a game with him after you finish your breakfast."

Draco nodded excitedly. "Okay, Uncle Sev." Draco quickly went back to his breakfast while Severus just pushed his away. He just couldn't help thinking that something was wrong with Harry. "I'm done, Uncle Sev. I'm going to go see if Harry wants to play."

Severus just nodded and let Draco go ask Harry to play.

Severus watched the boys play. He noticed that, while Harry was engaging in their game, he wasn't really into. Harry didn't eat very much at lunch either. Harry didn't want to play after lunch. Harry didn't want to eat supper. Harry wanted to go take a bath and go to bed after eating three bites of his supper. Severus knew that something was wrong.

Severus gave Harry his bath and frowned when the boy only played with the two rubber ducks. "Harry, are you feeling sick?"

Harry shook his head. "No, Sev'vus. Feeling just fine."

Severus began washing Harry's hair. "Why aren't you playing with your bath animals then?"

Harry pushed one of ducks into a mound of bubbles. "They're tired today. The duckies haven't been played wif in a long time. They wanted to swim."

"Are they enjoying their swim, Harry?"

Harry shrugged. "They're tired, too, Sev'vus. They been swimmin' after each other for a long time. They just wanna go to bed."

Severus tipped Harry's head back and got the shampoo out of his hair. "Do you wish to go to bed as well?"

Harry nodded as Severus soaped up a washcloth and began quickly washing the boy. "Bill's tired, Sev'vus."

Severus merely nodded as they quickly finished Harry's bath in silence. He lifted Harry out of the tub and wrapped him up in a thick, fuzzy towel. As he was drying him off, Harry suddenly swayed, and Severus quickly caught him before he feel. Harry rested his head on Severus's shoulder. "Don't feel good, Sev'vus."

Severus picked Harry up and held him close. "I thought you may be feeling yucky." He walked to Harry's room and quickly dressed the boy in his pajamas. He got him under the covers and brushed his fringe off to the side. Severus frowned when he noticed that Harry had a fever. "You feel warm, Harry. Does your tummy hurt? Does it itch anywhere?"

"Tummy hurts a little and a little itchy. Just feel tired and hot, Sev'vus." Harry told him as he wiggled under the covers.

Severus stood. "I'm going to go and get you some potions." Severus quickly went and retrieved the required potions. When he returned, he had Harry sit up. "Harry, I need you drink these. They'll make you feel better."

Harry eyed the potions wearily. "Will they taste yucky?"

"They will, but they will also make you feel better."

Harry still didn't move to take them. "Can I sleep after I take the potions, Sev'vus?"

"Of course, Harry." Harry nodded and opened his mouth. Severus helped him take the two potions he needed to take and then gave him a few sips of water. He then helped Harry get under the covers. "Harry, why didn't you tell me you were sick?"

"Not supposed to. Aunt Petunia said freaks are burdens when they're sick."

"Oh, Harry," Severus moved the boy over a little bit, so he could lie down next to him. "Harry, your aunt was wrong. You're not a freak, and you are not a burden when you're sick. In fact, I want to know when you're sick, so I can help you feel better. You and Draco both."

"You mean it?"

Severus nodded and cared a hand through Harry's hair. "Always, Harry. I want to help you feel better. It's my job. Now, why were you avoiding me when Draco was sick?"

"Not supposed to be a burden then, either. Sick kids are more important."

"Harry, I needed to help Draco get better, but that didn't mean I didn't want to be around you. I love you and Draco the same even when one of you is sick."

"Love you too, Sev'vus. Sorry I didn't tell you." Harry yawned. "Gonna sleep now, Sev'vus."

Severus placed a kiss on Harry's head. "Okay, Harry."

Just as Harry closed his eyes, Draco stepped quietly into the room. "Uncle Sev. Is Harry sick?"

Severus nodded and beckoned for Draco to come over. "Are you ready for your bath, Dragon?"

Draco nodded. "Yep. I'm ready."

Severus placed a kiss on Draco's head. "The next time one of you gets sick, please wait awhile before the other one gets it. I don't think I can handle another double round again."

Draco looked at him seriously as he rose from Harry's bed. "Ok, Uncle Sev, but I can't stop the germs. They have minds of their own."

Severus just laughed.

There we have it. Thanks for reading and please leave a review. The next chapter will feature a day at the carnival.