October - Harry, age 6

Snape sighed softly as he watched the small boy yawn over his dinner once more. In the past few hours the child had done more yawning than anything. He looked down at the boy's plate. He had eaten a good portion of his meal. Certainly enough for him to leave the rest of it. "Why don't you head up to bed? You have been yawning more than you have been eating. I will come up and tuck you in soon."

Harry slowly pushed his fork around on his plate, swallowing. He hardly heard Snape speak, looking up slowly after a moment. "Kay," he whispered, pushing himself away from the table after a moment. The child whined softly as he rubbed at his eyes roughly, leaning against the table. Normally he would argue against going to bed so early, but he simply didn't feel like it.

"Did you have trouble sleeping last night?" Snape questioned as he pushed his own chair away from the table and eyed the child carefully. "I expected a full fledged tantrum for sending you to bed early." He could hardly help the small smirk on his lips.

"No," Harry sniffed loudly, lowering his hands down. "Can...can I sleep down here? Pleaaase?" He looked over to the man as Snape stood, giving him a dejected expression.

"Do you feel ill?" Snape reached out and placed a hand on the child's forehead, surprised to find that it felt quite cool. "Does anything hurt?"

"My throat just itches," the child answered honestly, yawning once more. "Please? It's not that late. I'll ju-just lay down here!"

Snape tapped the small chin gently as he leaned down, putting his own face near Harry's. "Open up and let me see that throat of yours."

Harry whined at the request, but swallowed before opening his mouth for the man.

Snape peered into the child's mouth. A moment later he took his hand gently turning him so that he would have more adequate light to see. He frowned before standing up straight. "We need to get a potion into you." He moved across the kitchen opening a cabinet and taking out a small vial filled with a green potion.

"What? Ew, no Snape!" Harry backed up a step, shaking his head at the words. "It's fiiiiiine."

Snape shook his head firmly. "Do you wish to wind up sicker? You will take something for your throat now before it gets worse." He crooked a finger at the child. "Come here."

Harry stuck his lower lip out, slowly moving over to the man. This would be his first time taking a potion and they didn't look pleasant. "I'm not gonna take that," he stated matter of factly, shaking his head as he approached to look at the potion better.

Snape raised an eyebrow at the words. "You are absolutely taking this. I will not argue with you about it or listen to any whining over the matter. Now what is your favorite flavor?"

Harry blinked at the question, the look of defiance slipping away. He shrugged his shoulders as he thought for a few moments. "Mn... I like peppermint. Peppermint flavored anything is my favorite!"

Snape waved a hand over the vial before holding it out to the child. "Drink all of this and do it quickly. I want you in your pajamas and in bed."

Harry took the vial from the man's hand. He held it out looking at it with a disgusting look on his face. He brought it closer to his face before looking back up to his guardian and shaking his head firmly.

"Take that potion," Snape said in a slightly stern tone. "Now."

Harry whined softly, looking down at the liquid as he swirled it. "Snaaape!" He looked up, giving the man a pitiful look.

"If you think for one moment that I won't smack your backside simply because you have a little sore throat you are sadly mistaken. Now stop whining and take that potion."

Harry sighed at the words, looking back to the potion. He raised his eyes, staring at Snape for a moment before he raised the vial to his lips. He seemed uneasy, holding the vial still before he finally started to drink the liquid. Harry was tense as he started to drink the potion, visibly relaxing as he finished it. It actually tasted like peppermint! "Thanks," he forced a small grin, holding the vial out to the man.

"Now was that worth all that whining?" Snape questioned as he took the empty vial from the child. He walked across the kitchen setting the vial on the counter before heading for the parlor. "Come on. Let's get some pajamas on you."

Harry rubbed at his eyes once more, yawning widely. This time, his throat didn't ache as he did so. He followed after his guardian, giving a tired whine.

Snape stopped walking, waiting for the child to catch up to him. He picked the child up, carrying him towards the staircase. "We are getting pajamas on you and then you are going right to bed."

Harry wrapped his arms around Snape's neck, resting his head on the man's shoulder. "W-will you stay with me theeen?" He whined very softly.

"You may come down on the couch." Snape started up the stairs. "However when I go up to bed I am carrying you up to your room."

Harry smiled then, nodding as he shifted to adjust his head on Snape's shoulder. "Thanks."

Snape stepped onto the second floor as he adjusted the child in his arms. "However you are going to go to sleep. Not sit up and try to talk with me. Are we clear?"

"Yeah," he whispered, shifting a hand to rub at his eyes. "Will you stay in there 'till I fall asleep though?"

"I will," Snape nodded. "I have some grading to do so I will be working on that." He stepped into Harry's room causing it to illuminate.

Snape moved over to the boy's wardrobe pulling out a clean pair of pajamas and clean underwear before walking across the room and sitting on Harry's bed. He carefully placed the child on the floor in front of him. "Shirt off and sleep shirt on." He picked up the pajama top and draped it over his knee.

Harry whined as he was placed down, releasing a huff. He didn't disobey though, pulling off his shirt and dropping it to his side. He yawned once more, stretching out before he reached and took the night shirt from his guardian. He didn't have much issue getting the pajama top on, only struggling briefly to find a sleeve. Once more, Harry rubbed at his eyes.

Snape moved the child back a step before reaching and picking up his sweatshirt. "Do not just leave your clothes on the ground. Nita is a house elf. She is not your maid." Snape's tone held a slight air of scolding. He sat back up straight putting the dirty sweatshirt on the boy's bed and picking up the clean underwear and pajama pants and laying them on his knee. "Finish changing please."

"Sorry," Harry muttered softly as he undid his jeans and pushed them down. He quickly changed placing his dirty clothes next to his guardian with his sweatshirt.

"Very good." Snape picked up the small pile of dirty clothes and carried them across the room dropping them in Harry's hamper. He walked back across the room picking up the child's pillow and pulling the quilt off his bed. "If you wake when I move you back up here you aren't going to argue with me correct?"

"I won't," Harry muttered softly, shaking his head as he followed after the man. He felt exhausted, and he hadn't even done much that day.

Snape nodded as he headed towards the door. "Let's get you settled in on the couch. I want to take your temperature just to be sure you aren't running a fever."

Harry fell into step with his guardian, quickly going to the couch as soon as they reached the bottom of the stairs. He sat on the couch, resting his head against the back cushion. "I'm fiiiine thooough."

"I just want to be sure," Snape replied as he headed into the kitchen to retrieve the thermometer from the kitchen cabinet. He walked back into the room and sat down on the edge of the coffee table in front of Harry. "Mouth open and hold this under your tongue please."

Harry opened his mouth, allowing the item to be placed under his tongue before he closed it once more. His eyes closed as he kept his head against the back cushion, his arms folding over his stomach.

Snape waited several moments before reaching out and gently pulling the thermometer from the child's mouth. "No fever. Lie down so I can cover you." He picked up the quilt from the couch before standing.

Harry fluffed up his pillow, laying down on his side and facing out towards Snape. His eyes closed before the quilt was even placed over him, giving a soft hum.

Snape laid the blanket over the child before placing a gentle hand on his back. "Sleep well. I will be right over at my desk if you need me."

"Kay," he breathed, pulling the blanket under his chin. "Wait!" Harry sat up, pushing himself up slightly. "I forgot my owl."

"Lie down. I will get it for you." Snape gently pushed the child back down onto his pillow.

Harry laid back down at the gentle push, swallowing as he pressed his face into his pillow.

Snape waved a hand summoning the stuffed owl from the boy's room. He plucked it from the air and handed it to the child. "Good now?"

Harry smiled, reaching and grabbing the item with a nod. He held it against his chest, tucking the owl under the covers in the process. "Thanks."

"You are welcome. Now close your eyes and go to sleep. I will be right across the room if you need me." Snape rubbed the child's back for a moment before standing up straight.

"Noo stay until I fall asleeeep.." Harry whined softly, turning to lay on his stomach, his owl pressed to the side of his face. His eyes closed tightly for a moment before he relaxed, releasing a slow breath as sleep quickly pulled at his mind.

Snape sighed before sitting back down. "I don't know why you think I won't set a spell on you making it unable for you to ever whine again." He reached a hand out gently rubbing the child's back once more.

"Cause you won't," Harry whispered softly, struggling to open his eyes before the child gave up and simply let sleep take over.

Snape hummed softly at the reply. He stayed in his spot, his hand gently rubbing the small back for several more moments before he was convinced that Harry was asleep.

Slowly and quietly he moved across the parlor. He sat down at his desk, pulling a large stack of papers in front of him. He picked up his quill and began grading the first paper.

Several more hours passed, Harry had shifted in his sleep several times. He drifted in and out of sleep for the last hour, finally giving a small sound from the back of his throat. He didn't feel... right. Certainly not good. He turned on his side, holding his owl tighter to himself as he swallowed. The child's mouth instantly started to water again and Harry pushed himself up quickly.

Harry kicked the covers off himself, not even paying as he ran down the hall to the bathroom. He barely made it to the toilet, heaving his dinner into it before he sobbed loudly. Sweat clung to his forehead as he sat down on the floor, coughing up once more."Sn-Snaaape!" Harry sobbed out.

Snape was on his feet the moment after the child was. A step behind him the entire way to the bathroom. "I'm here," he said softly as Harry called out for him. He placed a gentle hand on the boy's back as he squatted down behind him. "I'm right here."

The child sobbed hard as he closed his eyes tightly, heaving once more before he whined. "Wa-water," he whispered. Harry's eyes still remaining closed. "Heelp," he coughed, wrapping both arms around his middle tightly.

Snape waved a hand causing a glass of water to appear. "Do not swallow too much of this. Rinse your mouth out and spit it out." He held the glass of water out to the child.

Harry opened his eyes for a brief moment to locate the water, grabbing it quickly. He took a large gulp of the water, rinsing his mouth before he closed his eyes and spat it out.

After remaining still for several more minutes, Harry pushed himself away from the toilet while sobbing into his hands. He placed the glass of water on the floor next to him, his breath hitching as he curled into himself slightly. A moment later, Harry opened his eyes for a brief moment to locate the water, grabbing it quickly. He took a large gulp of the water, rising his mouth before he closed his eyes and spat it out.

Snape reached out and flushed the toilet before carefully sitting and pulling the child into his lap. "Calm down," he said gently. "If you are done being sick I can give you a potion for your stomach. You will be okay Harry. You likely caught a little virus."

Harry wrapped his arms around Snape's neck as he was pulled into his lap, shivering. "Snaaape." His whine was soft, pressing his face into the man's shoulder.

Snape hugged the small child tightly to his chest. "Do you think you are done being sick for the moment?"

"I-I.. maybe," he whispered, his grip tightening just slightly as he swallowed heavily. Harry fell silent for a few moments before he slowly nodded, pressing his face into Snape's neck. He felt beyond terrible.

Snape moved the child off of his lap for a moment. He quickly stood and that carefully picked up Harry. "We are going to get you up into bed and then I want to take your temperature once more and give you something for your stomach." He moved into the parlor, stopping at the couch to pick up the boy's owl before he waved a hand sending both his pillow and quilt back upstairs. Snape handed Harry his owl before setting off in the direction of the staircase.

Harry held the owl tightly in one arm, while his other remained around Snape's neck. "Can -can I have water up-upstairs too?" His mouth still tasted terrible, and even though he no longer felt like he had to get sick, it made his mouth water. His cheek rested against Snape's shoulder, sniffing loudly before he shivered once more.

Snape nodded as he walked up the stairs. "After I take your temperature you may. I want to get some socks on your feet as well. You feel cold." Snape stepped on to the second floor and walked down the hallway towards Harry's room. "Is anything else hurting? Your head? How is your throat?"

Harry hadn't paid much attention to it, but his head was hurting a lot and his throat was bothering him once more. "Both," he said as several more tears fell down his face. He tightened his hold on his owl. "I don't wanna take potions what if I throw 'em up?"

Snape walked into the boy's room, placing him gently in his bed. "Under the blankets please."

He walked over to the child's wardrobe once more and pulled out a pair of socks before moving across the room to Harry's bed. He moved the quilt for all of a moment to put the socks on the child's feet. "I am going to give you a potion to prevent you from getting sick again."

Harry stayed sitting up, whining once more before he nodded. "Kay," he murmured while holding his owl close to his chest. He didn't have any fight within him to argue, he didn't even want to argue after throwing up.

Snape arranged the quilt over the child once more before he stood up straight. "I will be right back," he promised before heading out of the room and quickly down the hall to collect the thermometer and necessary potions.

Harry whined as Snape left, sitting up against the headboard. He pulled the covers up to his chin, sniffing softly. He hated getting sick.

Snape returned a moment later carrying a thermometer and three potions in his hands. "I already flavored them all so there is absolutely no reason to whine or argue about taking them."

He sat on the edge of the bed as he held out the thermometer. "Open that mouth of yours."

Harry eyed the vials his guardian held, looking up to Snape's face when he spoke. Without complaint, he opened his mouth to allow the thermometer to be placed under his tongue. Harry gave the man a sad look as he closed his mouth, tears blurring his vision.

"There is absolutely no reason to cry," Snape said gently as he waited the appropriate time for the thermometer. "We will fix this so that you feel better." Snape carefully removed the thermometer from the boy's mouth frowning as he read it.

Harry rubbed at his eyes, his breath hitching. "My heaaad," he whispered, pressing his face into his hands. His shoulders shook with soft sobs, sniffing loudly.

Snape's frown deepened. He held out one of the vials. "Take this for your head please."

"I don't wannaaa," he whined softly, turning his head away from the vial. "I don't wanna get siiick!"

"You are already sick." Snape tapped the boy's knee gently on top of the quilt. "Take this and it will make your head feel much better."

"I don't wanna throw it up," Harry complained, taking the offered vial and looking down at it.

"You will be taking something for that as well." Snape raised an eyebrow at the child. "If you want to feel better you must take the potions."

"It'll really help?" Harry sniffed, swallowing once more as he kept staring at the liquid in the vial.

"It is medicine." Snape explained patiently. "Medicine will help you feel better. If you refuse to take it we will have to visit the doctor in the morning and I know that you do not want that."

Harry shook his head, still staring down at the potion as he sniffed. Earlier that potion he took did taste like a peppermint. It hadn't been nearly as bad as medicine he had taken before. He raised the vial to his lips, swallowing the liquid in several gulps before he held the vial back out.

"Very good." Snape nodded as he took the empty vial from the child and held out a full one. "Take this so you don't get sick once more."

Harry took the vial, taking it as well without complaint. The peppermint flavor helped rid him of the taste in his mouth and he was thankful for that if nothing else. He rubbed at his eyes with his free hand while he held the vial back out to Snape.

Once again Snape took the empty vial and held out a full one. "For your throat. The last thing you want is a nasty throat infection."

Harry took the potion, giving a soft whine as he looked down at the liquid. "This is it riiight?" He swirled the potion slowly as he kept his gaze down. He knew the last one was to make sure he didn't get sick again but he didn't want to take anything else.

Snape nodded. "I will take your temperature again in the morning and if it still high you will take more then but for tonight this is it."

Harry took the potion without complaint, enjoying the taste soothing over the rest of the foul taste that had remained. He handed the vial back as he laid back down, pulling his owl to his chest tightly.

"Very good." Snape nodded. "Thank you." He took the empty vial from the child's hand.

Snape pulled the quilt up over the child's shoulder. "Try and go back to sleep."

Harry grabbed the man's wrist before he was able to pull away, giving Snape a desperate look. "Don't leaaave," he whined, only releasing the wrist after he was sure Snape heard him.

Snape raised an eyebrow at the words and the action. "I had no intention of leaving you."

"Good," Harry whispered, tucking his hand back around his owl as he nestled down into his covers. "Thanks."

"Do you feel any better after the potions?" Snape pulled the blanket up a bit higher on the child, tucking him in tightly.

Harry shrugged slightly, sniffing once more as he turned onto his stomach. "I guess a little."

Snape reached out a hand gently rubbing the small back. "Try and sleep. Rest with help."

"Staaaay," the child whined, his owl pressed close to the side of his face. His aunt had always left him alone if he felt sick and he hated it every time. Often the child would of done everything he could to be sure he wouldn't get sick. Harry's eyes closed, swallowing once more.

"As I have already said I intend to stay with you until you fall asleep." Snape continued to rub the small back. He couldn't help but wonder how his relatives had treated him when he was ill to cause such behavior. "Just calm down."

Harry released a sigh, his shoulders slowly relaxing as Snape continued to rub his back. He rubbed his cheek against his pillow, giving a soft hum. He hoped Snape was right and that the potions would work.

"No school for you tomorrow," Snape said softly. "You will spend the day resting and working on getting better."

The child nodded at the words, a ragged breath passing his lips as sleep pulled at his mind. "Ni-night," Harry whispered softly.

"Goodnight. Sleep well." Snape continued rubbing Harry's back. "I am right across the hall if you need me. I will leave your door open as well as mine."

"Leave a light on? Please?" Harry opened his eyes slightly, looking up towards his guardian.

"I will leave the hall light on," Snape promised. "If you need me just call for me."

Harry slowly nodded, sniffing as he moved his other arm under his pillow. His stomach churned though he didn't feel like getting sick again. "Mmn." He curled into himself, pulling his legs up as sleep pulled at his mind once more.

It took several more minutes before the child's breath evened out. Snape stayed in his spot, continuing to rub the child's back for several long moments before he slowly stood. He pulled the quilt back up over Harry's shoulder once more, tucking it gently under his chin.

As promised he left the boy's door open and illuminated the hallway before going into his own room across the hall, leaving the door open as well.

A few hours passed, before Harry started to toss and turn under his blanket. He whined softly as he started to wake up, closing his eyes tightly. He was burning up. He kicked his legs pushing his covers off of his body with them.

"Snaaape," he whined softly, twisting and pushing himself up. The child coughed, holding his owl close to his chest as he whined once more. "Snaape!" Harry pressed his chin into the head of the owl, sniffing. He raised a hand, rubbing at his eyes before hiding his face into his stuffed owl fully.

Snape awoke with a jump. He was on his feet in seconds, wrapping his cloak around him before he moved across the hall and into the child's room.

"What is it? Do you feel as though you are going to be sick?"

"It's so hoooot," Harry whined, rubbing his forehead against his owl.

Snape frowned as he pulled the heavy quilt off of the lower half of the child. Once his feet were exposed, Snape carefully took the child's socks off. "Calm down. All this acting up will only make you warmer."

Harry sniffed, a soft whine passing his throat once more as he raised his head to look up at the man. "'M sorry," he whispered, holding the owl closer as a cough shook his shoulders.

"There is absolutely no reason to apologize. You are sick that cannot he helped." Snape paused for a moment as he reached out and placed a hand on the child's forehead. "When did that cough start?"

"N-noow." Harry coughed once more, covering his face with his arm as he bowed his head forward against his owl once Snape moved his hand.

Snape sighed with a small nod. "Let me get you something to take for that. Does anything else hurt right now?"

"Everythiiing!" He whined into his owl, curling up as he slipped back down. Tears burned at his eyes as he curled up on his side. Harry's whole body ached,

"Be more specific. You don't feel nearly as warm as you did earlier. Does your throat still hurt? Your stomach? Does your body ache?" Snape tried to keep his tone calm, working hard to keep his patience.

"My boooody." Harry shifted his head, looking towards Snape miserably. He sniffed, raising a hand to rub at some of the tears that escaped.

"I will get you something for your body as well." Snape nodded as he stood. "I will be right back.

"Kay," Harry whispered, pressing his face back into his owl. He peeked past the stuffed toy to watch his guardian.

Snape was out of the room and back within moments. In his hands he held a small vial as well as a larger jar. He sat back down on the bed once more holding out the vial. "It is flavored and it will help with that dreadful cough that you now have. "Sit up and take it."

Harry pushed himself up, taking the small vial and slowly drinking it fully. Swallowing, his eyes settled on the jar. "What's that?"

"This is a salve for your body aches. Can you get up for me? You have my word that I will work as quickly as I can to get it on you so that you may get back in bed." Snape screwed the lid off of the jar setting it on Harry's bedside table.

Harry groaned softly, slowly pushing himself off his bed and standing up carefully. He kept one hand on the bed, looking up to Snape.

Snape reached out and carefully lowered the boy's pajama pants. A moment later he dipped his fingers into the salve going to work on Harry's right leg. "This should also help with the slight fever that you still have."

Harry rested against the bed, watching Snape before he closed his eyes to rub at them with both of his hands. "I'm tiiired."

Snape quickly finished the boy's right leg before moving onto the left and completing that. "You will be back in bed and able to go to sleep very soon. Turn."

Harry did so, sniffing as he continued to rub at his eyes. "'M sorry for wakin' you," he muttered softly.

"Do not apologize for such a thing." Snape swallowed hard before quickly lowering the boy's underpants and setting to work on rubbing the salve on the tiny rear end.

Harry's back tensed, moving a step forward as if he was expecting a swat. When none came and Snape started to rub in the slave, the child instantly calmed down.

"You honestly think I would smack your backside when you are feeling so poorly?" Snape pulled the boy's underwear back up before pulling his pajama pants up as well. He gently turned Harry around.

"Aunt Petunia would if I woke her," he whispered softly, looking to the floor as he was turned around.

"If you were ill?" Snape questioned as he took hold of the bottom of the boy's top. "Arms up."

"Didn't matter." Harry raised his arms tiredly, shifting his head as the shirt was removed. "I try not to get sick." His voice was soft, lowering his arms back to his sides.

Snape dipped his fingers into the salve setting to work on the child's stomach and chest. "I thought that she only swatted you sometimes with her spoon?"

"Yeah, if I did somethin' during the day. I wasn't supposed to wake them up though cause Uncle Vernon had to work," Harry spoke as if the information was completely reasonable. He shifted away when Snape rubbed the salve on his stomach. He couldn't help the small giggle as he did so, despite how terrible he felt.

"What would happen if you woke them at night?" Snape questioned as he set to work on the boy's right shoulder and arm.

Harry shrugged, tilting his head so Snape had better access to his shoulder. "Depends. If I was whining or somethin', then she'd get the spoon and swat me. Sometimes they'd just lock the door so I wouldn't be able to bother 'em in the first place."

Snape gave a soft hum as he moved to the boy's other shoulder and arm. "Listen to me very carefully, can you do that?"

"Yeah," Harry nodded, watching as Snape moved to his other arm.

"If you need me in the middle of the night, no matter what time it is, you wake me. You will never be in danger of being in trouble for doing so. Do you understand?" Snape gently turned the boy before he set to work rubbing the salve into his back.

"Yeah." Harry's voice faded slightly, eyes blinking as he struggled to stay standing up straight.

Snape quickly finished on the child's back and then gently spun him back around. He picked up his pajama top and pulled it over the child's head, helping him get his arms through. "Back into bed with you."

Harry didn't need any further prompting, crawling back into the bed and looking over to the man. "Can you stay for a little?" His voice was soft. He moved over some so that Snape had room to sit. "Please?"

Snape nodded at the request as he pulled the quilt up over the boy. He reached over and retrieved the lid to the jar of salve from the table and secured it once more.

"Does your body feel better?" He turned his attention on Harry.

Harry slowly nodded, though he whined as the quilt was pulled back over him. "Noo, too warm stilllll." He pushed at the quilt, pushing it away from his shoulder.

"Though I will not smack your backside for doing so the whining can stop at any time now." Snape moved the quilt further down the child exposing both his legs and feet.

Harry's cheek flushed softly at the light scolding, holding his owl to his chest and tucking his chin against it. "Sorry."

"It's okay." Snape gently tapped the boy's knee. "Just be aware of it."

Harry turned to lay on his side, his eyes closing with a soft hum. Already he felt loads better than he did earlier in the night, he just hoped it stayed that way.

Snape reached a hand over the boy and gently patted his back. "Try and sleep. You should start feeling better soon."

Harry rolled over to face the other way, bringing his owl with him as he nodded. "Kay," he agreed, tucking his arm under his pillow. "G'night."

"Goodnight. Sleep well." Snape's hand moved to the boy's back as he rubbed it gently.