Warning: if medical stuff freaks you out you might want to skip this chapter.

Thank you to all my anonymous reviewers! I wish ya'll had accounts so I could thank you personally but just know that I do appreciate you! Enjoy this chapter and feel free to tell me what you love or hate about it :)


Harry rolled onto his side and pulled the heavy quilt over his shoulder as he shivered. He swallowed and instantly regretted it. His throat felt like a thousand knives had cut it up into shreds.

A moment later he found himself shivering once more. The quilt was doing nothing in terms of keeping him warm.

"Harry you've got to get up," Neville said suddenly coming into Harry's view. "We're already late for breakfast."

The idea of food made Harry want to vomit.

"I'll be down in a minute," he said in a hoarse voice his throat hurting more with every word.

"Are you sick?" Neville asked in a concerned voice.

"No," Harry replied despite the fact that he knew it was a bold faced lie. "Just not that hungry. I might sleep for a bit more."

"Okay. Just don't be late for Potions," Neville suggested before walking away.

Harry shivered once more. He thought about getting up to find a shirt, his pajama shirt having been left down by the fire last night, but he didn't have the energy to move. Every part of his body hurt. His head was throbbing, his throat was on fire. His stomach was churning, he was freezing cold, and his entire body felt like he had fallen hundreds of feet off of his broom.

He wanted to sleep.

Everything in him wanted nothing more than to rest but he couldn't get warm enough and his head wouldn't stop pounding. His eyes hurt and every little sound made his head throb even more. Harry was sure that he could even hear the light shining through the windows.

He sniffled hard as he shivered once more. Throughout his entire childhood he had been sick numerous times. His aunt and uncle never cared. He was still made to go to school and do his endless list of chores. He only saw a doctor once a year for his physical in order to go to school. He had fought through every illness without any help from anyone and he could do it again.

Harry glanced at the clock on his bedside table. Breakfast was halfway over. He had to get up, get dressed, and get to Potions. If he was late Snape would go mental. As it stood he was likely already going to get an earful for missing breakfast.

Harry slowly sat up. The pain in his head instantly intensified. His stomach churned so badly that he was sure at any moment he was going to vomit all over his bed. His throat burned like he had swallowed fire. He was shivering so badly that his teeth were chattering. Maybe he did need help. He decided that he would go to Snape after Potions and tell him that he was sick. Surely Snape wouldn't know that he had been out in the pouring rain. There were numerous things that could make a person sick. It could be a virus that was already brewing long before last night.

Carefully, as to not cause himself any more pain, Harry stood up. He forced himself to swallow the wave of nausea that hit him like a ton of bricks. He walked across the room and pulled his school uniform from his wardrobe. The task alone completely wore him out and he found himself sitting on the edge of his trunk breathing heavily.

It took him a moment to feel as though he had enough strength to get dressed. As he buttoned his school shirt he wondered how some rain had made him so sick. A little cold he could understand but he felt like he was dying. Harry was nearly positive that it wasn't the rain at all. He must have been coming down with something before he went out last night.

Harry leaned over to tie his shoes. The action made him feel as though his entire stomach was going to come up and out of his mouth. He quickly sat up straight once more and brought his foot onto his trunk to tie his laces.

He contemplated going to the Hospital Wing but quickly pushed the thought from his mind. He liked Poppy well enough but he didn't love her poking and prodding at him. Harry was sure that she would force a dozen potions into him not bothering to even offer to flavor them. Snape would be the much better option. Harry swore to himself that the moment class was over he would tell his guardian just how bad he felt.


"The Blood-Replenishing Potion is a potion that tops up the blood levels of the drinker after blood loss from injury or other means," Snape lectured.

The classroom was dark, the overhead projector being the only light in the room as it illuminated a detailed outline of multiple potions and their properties. Snape was going through each one and defining them as the class took extensive notes.

Harry was trying hard to pay attention. His head was still pounding and his stomach was still churning. His throat felt as though it was bleeding it hurt so badly. His back, legs, and arms hurt. His eyes were heavy and despite his thick school sweater he was still freezing cold.

"The Deflating Draught causes anything swollen by magical means to shrink back to normal size. This is the opposite to a Swelling Solution and acts as an antidote to it."

Harry felt his eyes slowly closing. A second later he put his head down on his desk. He didn't care that he was in the middle of class. He didn't care if Snape got angry. All he cared about was closing his eyes and going to sleep.


"Harry," Hermione hissed in a desperate voice. "Harry!"

"Ms. Granger!" Snape snapped as he flicked his wrist causing the classroom to light up once more. "I do not recall asking you to wake Potter. Ten points from Gryffindor for your sheer meddling." He paused for a moment as he watched the girl's face turn bright red. If his son had been awake he would be getting a horrible glare for scolding the boy's best friend. "Now as long as no one else would like to act foolishly you may be dismissed."

Hermione glanced at her sleeping friend with a worried face before gathering her books and hurrying out of the classroom.

Snape walked down the aisle and stood next to his son's desk. He waited until the last student had left the room before he picked up Harry's Potion book and dropped it loudly onto the boy's desk causing him to jump, his head jerking up.

"How dare you have the audacity to sleep during my class," Snape hissed. "And on top of that you missed breakfast? I have half a mind to tan your hide right here in my classroom!"

"No," Harry replied in a sad voice.

"What did you just say to me? I have warned you countless times about answering me in such a cheeky manner young man," Snape snarled.

"I'm sick," Harry said quietly.

Snape's face quickly changed from angry to concerned. He reached out and placed a gentle hand on Harry's forehead.

"You are burning up," Snape said tenderly. "How long have you felt this way?"

"Since I woke up," Harry answered honestly noting that as he did a small look of sternness crept into his guardian's features. "I was going to tell you after class. I promise I was."

"You should have told me the moment that you woke," Snape replied as he beckoned for Harry to stand. "Surely you know that I would have excused you from class this morning."

"Sorry," Harry mumbled as he slowly stood up. He watched as Snape picked up his books.

"Let's get you into bed."

Harry walked through the classroom as his guardian followed him.

"Aside from the fever you have, what else is bothering you?" Snape questioned as they started down the long hallway to his quarters.

"My throat hurts," Harry replied. "My whole body aches too and I keep feeling like I might get sick but I haven't." He paused for a moment as they approached the door to the parlor. His new symptom hadn't been there when he had woken up and Harry wondered if it was even worth mentioning. Surely it couldn't have anything to do with the flu he had caught. "My feet and legs itch. That just started though."

Snape raised an eyebrow as the pair walked into the parlor. He shut the door behind them before turning to his son.

"Sit on the couch please and take off your shoes."

Harry sat down and used his feet to push off his trainers and then his socks. He was laying back on the couch, his head rested on the comfortable big cushion.

"Interesting," Snape said in a serious tone. "Quite peculiar actually."

"What is?" Harry asked his eyes now closing. He was thankful that Snape's couch was so soft. He was sure that if he opened his eyes his head was going to explode.

"This rash that is currently all over your feet and spreading up your legs paired with your other symptoms is caused by a plant known as Venenum Sanguis. It grows in large patches of vines. Usually the closest known plant would be hundreds of miles away however, within the last few months one sprouted up in the Forbidden Forest."

Harry swallowed hard instantly regretting his decision to do so. He was sure his throat had never been so sore in his life. His stomach flipped over itself but it wasn't the nausea anymore. It was that familiar feeling of dread - the giant squid doing violent laps. Harry felt his heart beating out of his chest. It was so loud that he could hear it thumping away.

When Snape was met by silence he spoke once more. "There must be some mistake. Some other explanation for this. Surely you wouldn't deliberately disobey the rules and venture into the Forbidden Forest? You wouldn't act so carelessly would you Harry?"

Harry could feel the lump already forming in the back of his throat. He could hear the disappointment in his guardian's voice and it felt way worse than any sickness could. He loved Snape more than he could ever explain in words and he absolutely hated this feeling of upsetting him yet again.

Once more Harry refused to answer him so Snape continued. "Especially after being told numerous times how dangerous the Forest can be. I believe in the past you have even been punished for venturing into it. I know! Someone else must have gone into the Forest and somehow collected a piece of the vine. They must have rubbed it on you while you were fast asleep. Perhaps it was Mr. Malfoy or even Mr. Weasley, his anger over your name coming out of the Goblet far too strong. Or perhaps it was so windy last night that a piece of the plant somehow snapped off and flew through the air. Incredibly it flew into your dormitory window and landed on you. Perhaps I should summon Minka and have her check your dormitory for the plant before another student touches it and becomes infected. As I know that you would never do something so defiant, so dangerous, and so disrespectful to the rules which I have set. And certainly not when you are aware of what the punishment would be for such a disobedient act."

"Stop," Harry finally answered in a hoarse voice as he brought his head up. He willed himself not to cry. He was too old to act like such a baby over getting into trouble. Even if the tone of Snape's voice was enough to make him want to fling himself off the Astronomy Tower. "You know that none of that happened."

"Are you admitting to me that you went into the Forbidden Forest after you have been told countless times to stay out of it? And I suppose you did so under that blasted cloak of yours?"

Harry swallowed hard once more causing his throat to feel as though it was going to burst into flames. He shrugged softly before nodding.

"To bed. Now." Snape said in a stern voice. "Night clothes on. I will be in in just a moment."

Despite the fact that all morning moving had been a struggle Harry suddenly had no problem scrambling to his feet and quickly moving towards his bedroom.

Harry was sure that he had never changed clothes so quickly in his life. His only solace was that he didn't think Snape would actually punish him while he was sick. He couldn't be that mad could he?

Harry climbed into his bed. He still felt horrible about how things had gone with his guardian but he couldn't help but feel thankful for how comfortable his bed was.

He wondered what the man was doing. He prayed that he wasn't transfiguring something into a paddle. Harry's whole body was already so sore that he was sure he would break with one whack.

A moment later Snape walked into the room with a silver tray in his hands.

"Roll over onto your stomach," Snape instructed.

Harry wanted to ask why but he was sure that he wasn't in any position to question his guardian. He quickly rolled over onto his stomach, his glasses pressing into his pillow.

He heard Snape set the tray down on the bedside table before the man reached his hand over Harry's head so that the boy could see it.

"Glasses."

Harry's hand quickly traveled to his face as he pulled his glasses off and handed them to his guardian.

"This is quite the mess that you have gotten yourself in," Snape said as he placed the glasses next to the tray. "Venenum Sanguis is very poisonous. Luckily the rash has only spread as far as your knees. Had it spread any further I likely would not have been able to treat you myself and you would currently be laying in a bed in St. Mungos. However, despite the fact that it is still in the early stages it will take some time before you begin to feel better and the process to get you there will not be easy. I certainly hope that your venture into the Forbidden Forest was worth it."

Snape moved the large quilt off of his son before sitting on the edge of his bed. In one swift motion he lowered both his pajama pants and his shorts.

"Snaaape nooo," Harry whined. There was not a doubt in his mind that he was in for a walloping. "I'm sick."

Snape nearly rolled his eyes at the child's dramatics but the whining kept him from doing so. "Although it would certainly not be undeserved you are not in for a spanking at this moment. We will deal with your blatant disrespect for the rules after you are well."

Harry turned his head to the other side. His vision was blurry but he saw Snape's hand reach onto the tray and pick up a needle.

As if his body was acting without his consent Harry instantly rolled back over and pulled the quilt over him. The fear that had taken over his body was far worse than any walloping could have caused.

"What in the world?" Snape questioned in an astonished tone.

"I'm not getting a needle," Harry declared firmly. "I'm not."

Snape eyed his son carefully. The boy was clearly frightened. In the four short years that he had known Harry he had never seen him truly terrified. Not after battling a Basilisk nor after facing a form of Voldemort on the back of Quirrell's head. Not when he told him about his Dark Mark or when discussing the idea of Voldemort returning. Never when awaiting punishment. He had seen him nervous and remorseful but never outright terrified.

"The poison from the plant has made you ill," Snape tried to explain calmly. "That illness can affect your bloodstream. The medicine that is in the needle will heal you faster than any potion could. Receiving the vaccine is not up for debate."

Harry shook his head. His lower lip was trembling both from his sickness and from the fear that was radiating through his body.

"Harry," Snape said in the tone he reserved for serious scoldings. He thought that perhaps the stern approach would work.

Harry felt his stomach flip at his guardian's pitch. He absolutely despised when Snape said his name that way. It was usually followed by a scolding, a walloping, or some other form of punishment. Typically it made Harry instantly give in and both obey and apologize profusely.

Today was different though. Instead of his normal reaction Harry shook his head. "No," he said rigidly.

Snape sighed deeply. Clearly being stern was not going to work.

"Harry," Snape said in a much gentler tone. "Surely you can not be this scared of a little needle? It will hardly hurt at all."

Harry shrugged at his guardian's words. He felt like an absolute prat but he could not give in. He hated needles. Every memory he had of them was horrible and traumatizing. He didn't care if Snape paddled him - he didn't even care if he belted him, he wasn't getting a needle.

Snape nodded once before leaning over and placing the needle back on the tray. "Okay," he said tenderly. "Do you wish to discuss why you are so afraid of getting a needle?"

Harry was always so careful about what information he shared about his previous life. He hated the idea of Snape, or anyone, knowing every rotten thing that the Dursleys had said or did to him. Normally he would refuse to talk or tell as little as he possible had to. But his head hurt, his throat was still killing him, his whole body ached, and his stomach was a mess.

"When I was sick they would never take me to the doctor's," Harry tried to explain. "They would never even give me medicine or take care of me or anything. The only time she ever took me to the doctors was to get a physical so I could go to school and she always said that she only did that because then she would be rid of me all day."

Snape felt his blood boil at Petunia's treatment of her nephew. If he didn't think he would lose Harry forever he would pay a visit to the Dursley's and curse them all until they never treated anyone badly again.

"She would always take me to a different doctor than the one that Dudley went to. He was old and mean and he used to call me the little mistake or the burden. He would hurt me when he poked at me. Push me onto the scale and then pull me off all rough."

Snape had a vision of finding this muggle doctor and torturing him until he begged for mercy.

"And I would always have to get a shot and he was never nice about it. He just shoved it into me roughly with no warning and if I cried he would smack me right where the shot had gone and she wouldn't even stop him, she would just laugh." Harry paused a little shocked at himself that he had just told Snape so much. His guardian looked furious. Harry didn't even care if the man's anger was directed towards him. "I'm not getting a shot", he repeated once more. "You can't make me Snape."

Snape resisted the urge to point out that he could absolutely make the child if he wanted to. His thoughts were too consumed by how wretched a life his child had once had. He would have liked to erase every bad moment from Harry's memory.

Snape was also overwhelmingly touched. He knew from his own experience how difficult it could be to share bad childhood memories. His child had shown great bravery in sharing so much with him. Snape was quite sure that had the roles been reversed he would not have been able to do so.

"As I have already told you, this is not up for debate. You need the vaccine and you will receive it. Not only now but again tonight and for the next few days, twice daily."

Harry's eyes instantly filled with tears threatening to spill over at any moment.

"However I do promise you that I will not act as that doctor did. We will get through this together."

Harry gave his guardian a desperate look.

"You have my word that I will talk you through the entire process and I will not inject you until you are ready - within reason," Snape added hastily. He would not sit here for hours on end. Not over a small needle.

"Snaaape," Harry whined.

For a moment Snape considered fetching a Draught of Peace for his child but he instantly decided against it. Although it would calm Harry a great deal and make Snape's job a lot easier he did not feel as though masking his fear would help the teenager in the long run. This was a situation that was best dealt with head on.

"You are far too old to whine," Snape replied. "Now trust me Harry and roll back over."

Harry wanted to refuse but he couldn't bring himself to do it. He did trust Snape. Maybe more than he trusted anyone else. He wanted the man to believe that.

Slowly Harry rolled back over burying his face in his pillow. At least then if he cried Snape wouldn't see. He didn't protest as Snape removed the quilt once more.

Harry listened intently at the sound of Snape picking up the needle once more.

"I am going to clean the area first," Snape explained. "It won't hurt a bit however it will be a tad cold. Is that okay?"

Harry nodded into his pillow. A few tears had already escaped from his eyes and he didn't trust himself to speak. He held his breath as he felt something cold wipe across a small spot on his bum.

"Now that the area has been properly disinfected I am going to give you the vaccine. I give you my word that I will be as gentle as I possibly can. It will take all of five seconds and then it will be over."

Harry felt the fear rising up in him. He quickly pulled his head up from the pillow suddenly not caring if Snape saw his tears. "I'm thirsty," he said surprising even himself. "Can I have something to drink first."

There was a long moment of silence and then Snape stood and reached onto the tray and picked up a glass of water. He handed it to Harry who had propped himself up on his elbows.

Snape watched as Harry took the tiniest sip of water wincing horribly as it passed down his throat before handing the glass back to him. Snape did not believe for a moment that the child had been thirsty.

He was stalling and Snape knew it.

After placing the glass back onto the tray Snape sat on the edge of the bed once more.

"Are you ready now?"

Harry shrugged softly before burying his head into his pillow once more.

The child's shoulders shook slightly and Snape did not have a doubt in his mind that he was crying.

"I promise you Harry it will be over before you even know it has happened."

Snape needed some sign of permission. Despite the fact that he could easily give Harry the vaccine, he would not do so without his son's consent. When none came Snape tried once more.

"If you had let me do this before you had a drink it would already be over."

Harry nodded into his pillow. "Okay do it," came the muffled reply.

Snape put a hand on Harry's lower back, gently rubbing small circles, before his other hand administered the needle.

The moment that Snape withdrew it he placed it back on the tray and carefully pulled Harry's pajama pants back up to their rightful place before he continued rubbing the boy's back.

"You did very well," Snape said in a kind voice. "Very well indeed."

Harry slowly rolled over with tear stains on his cheeks. His eyelashes were still wet. "It wasn't as bad as I remembered it," he admitted in a hoarse voice. "And you are a lot nicer than that doctor was."

"I'll remind you of that when you are well again and we discuss the behavior that made you sick in the first place," Snape said as he reached over to the tray once more, picking up three small vials.

"I'm sick," Harry complained. "Isn't that punishment enough?"

Snape raised an eyebrow at the boy's words as he handed him the first vial. "I have already flavored all three to peppermint so I expect absolutely no argument about taking them nor any of that horrible whining."

Harry sat up and brought the first vial to his lips swallowing the contents before handing it back to his guardian and taking the second vial from his hand.

"You didn't answer my question," Harry pointed out before swallowing the potion in the second vial.

He swapped it with Snape for the third one.

"What question might that be?"

"Isn't being sick enough punishment?" Harry asked once more before bringing the third vial to his lips.

"Absolutely not," Snape replied. "What you did was incredibly irresponsible and blatantly disobedient. In fact I am only nursing you back to health so that once you are well I can blister your backside."

Harry squirmed slightly at the threat as he handed the final vial back to the man.

"But I really feel horrible," Harry tried.

"Which is your own fault," Snape reminded him as he placed the vials back on the tray and picked up a small jar.

"What is that?" Harry asked curiously.

"It is a salve for your rash though I must warn you that it may sting a bit," Snape explained.

"Can't you do something to it to make it not sting?"

"I cannot," Snape replied as he pushed Harry's pajama pants up revealing his feet and lower legs. He unscrewed the lid on the jar and dipped his fingers into the salve before applying a liberal amount to Harry's right leg.

Harry hissed in pain. "That burns!"

Snape worked quickly to rub the salve in to the teeanger's foot and leg as Harry winced in pain. The moment the last of it absorbed into the boy's skin he moved onto the left side causing the same reaction.

"That was worse than the shot!" Harry complained as Snape fixed his pajama pants and pulled the quilt over him once more.

"Perhaps it will work as a deterrent to keep you out of places that you are not allowed."

Snape picked up a thermometer from the tray. "Arm up," he instructed.

Harry obediently lifted his right arm allowing his guardian to reach under his shirt and place the thermometer in his armpit. Harry lowered his arm and a moment later a bright red light illuminated his entire side.

Snape pulled the thermometer out and eyed it carefully. "103.7," he read. "A few degrees higher and you would be in St. Mungo's. I certainly hope that you are proud of the situation that you put yourself in."

"I'm sorry," Harry said in a miserable voice as Snape placed the thermometer back on the tray and walked over to his wardrobe. He pulled a second quilt from the top shelf.

"Oh you will be," Snape promised as he opened the quilt and placed it over his son. "I am going to cancel the remainder of my classes for the day," Snape informed him. "You will sleep and when you wake you will eat some lunch."

"I'm not tired," Harry complained.

"The Dreamless Sleep that you just took will begin to take effect and then you will be."

"You didn't tell me that I was taking Dreamless Sleep," Harry complained with a hint of a whine. He didn't know why he was complaining. Snape was making him better and he had wanted to sleep all morning.

"I don't recall you asking," Snape replied as he pulled the blankets up around Harry's shoulders. "You also took something for your throat as well as something to elevate your fever and headache."

"What about my stomach," Harry questioned through a yawn.

"The vaccine should help your stomach however you may not feel a major improvement until after the second dose," Snape explained as he waved a hand causing the room to grow dark. "Now get some rest."

Harry obediently closed his eyes. He really was exhausted and his bed was more comfortable than he ever remembered it being in the past.

Snape watched as Harry's breathing deepened signifying that the potion had done its job.

He leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on Harry's forehead before picking up the tray and exiting the room.

Snape deposited the tray on a shelf in his supply closet before walking into the parlor.

He snapped his fingers causing Minka to appear.

"Master Snape," she bowed deeply.

"Please inform Professor Dumbledore that Harry is ill and therefore I am canceling the remainder of my classes for the day."

"Yes Sir," Minka replied. "I will immediately Sir."

"Thank you. That will be all Minka."

The small house elf bowed once more before vanishing in a puff of smoke.

Snape walked over to his desk and retrieved a pile of essays that his sixth year students had written. He figured at the very least he could complete some grading.

In all the years that he had been a Professor he had never canceled a class, let alone an entire days worth of classes.

Not when the war had been raging. Not if he was ill. Not even when he had lost her. Yet one careless, cheeky, disobedient venture into the Forbidden Forest from Harry and an entire day was wasted.

Snape vowed to himself that the moment that child was well he would put him over his knee and paddle the daylights out of him. Better yet, he would lean him over the arm of the couch and make good on his threat to take a strap to his naughty backside. And that would only be after Harry spent a full hour in the corner. Had it been ten years prior Snape would have reported the misbehavior to Harry's Head of his House. A meeting with Minerva's wooden hairbrush would likely do wonders for his little delinquent. However she no longer resorted to such punishment unless it was a last resort and Snape couldn't imagine her doing so with Harry. If he was being completely honest with himself, he couldn't imagine allowing her to either.

The absolute nerve of the child both astounded and unnerved him.

The utter cheek that was required for Harry to actually put on his cloak and venture out. His behavior had not been a mistake. It was a carefully calculated plan and had he not come in contact with the vines he likely would have never been caught. It made Snape wonder how many Forest trips he was not aware of.

Snape sat down in his favorite armchair and picked up a quill from the side table ready to grade. He said a silent prayer that the essays would be intelligent. He did not need anymore annoyances on this day.

Snape began to read over the first essay, making marks and corrections where needed however he was having difficulty concentrating. His thoughts roaming back to his son despite how hard he attempted to resist.

He couldn't help but think about what could have happened had Harry had a different class this morning or no class at all.

Of course the child had said that he had intended to be truthful and seek help for his illness but Snape wasn't convinced that the words hadn't been a lie; blurted out when Harry had seen the rigidness of his guardian's features.

Had even another hour passed the rash would have spread to his torso and the teenanger would be lying in a bed in St. Mungo's right now fighting for his life. The strap certainly would not be undeserved.

Snape sighed deeply as he pinched the bridge of his nose, letting his hand fall into his lap after a moment.

Then there had been the ease at which Harry had shared what had been the cause of his paralyzing fear of needles.

Snape was certain that he had felt something shift slightly in the relationship with his son. Of course Harry had shared stories of his past life before but never with such ease and in such detail. Snape could not deny that it felt as though Harry fully trusted him.

The boy had even allowed Snape to administer the vaccine without too much argument or stalling. Snape had expected many more tears. He had expected pouting and whining until his head rang. He had expected stalling followed by defiance. He had expected a full on temper tantrum. Snape had been prepared to keep his patience throughout it as well however, he had been pleasantly surprised when it had not come to that.

Yes there had certainly been a shift.


Harry's eyes slowly opened. His stomach felt wretched. For a moment he actually thought that he was hungry. Then he felt his mouth start to go incredibly dry. He swallowed several times knowing exactly what was happening.

Harry quickly sat up, pushing and kicking the blankets off of him.

He scrambled out of bed and ran down the hallway. He threw the bathroom door open, nearly not making it in time. Seconds later he upheaved into the sink.

Harry wasn't even sure how he had anything in him, he hadn't eaten since the night before.

Seconds later he heaved once more, two tears making their way down his face as he did. His throat felt like it was on fire from the pain.

Harry felt a gentle hand touch his back.

"I'm sorry," he moaned before throwing up once more.

"I'm not quite sure why you are apologizing," Snape said softly as he softly rubbed his sons back. "You can hardly control this."

"Because I went into the Forest and got myself sick," Harry replied gagging after the words left his mouth.

Snape made a soft humming noise in response. He refused to have a serious discussion about this until Harry was feeling better. The child was in no state to really hear and process everything that he had to say and Snape was not going to repeat himself in a day or so.

After a moment of silence Harry stood up straight. "I think I'm done."

Several more tears had leaked from his eyes and he quickly wiped them away with the back of his pajama sleeve.

"Back into bed with you," Snape said as the hand that had been rubbing Harry's back dropped to his side. "I'm going to get you something to drink and a potion to take that may help your stomach."

Snape waved a hand over the sink causing the mess to vanish.

"I thought you said that the needle would help it," Harry said his voice whining just a bit.

"I also believe that I told you that it would take some time to work effectively," Snape replied. "Earlier you were not vomiting. Now that you are I believe a potion for your stomach would do wonders."

Harry sighed softly as he padded down the hall towards his room. He watched as Snape stopped at his supply closet and withdrew a small vial.

"You said you would get me a drink too," Harry reminded him as he passed the man.

"And I shall. Into bed, now please. I will be right there."

Harry walked into his bedroom and climbed into his bed. He pulled the heavy quilts over him as he began shivering once more. He reached his arm down under the blankets and scratched his left shin.

"Do not scratch," Snape instructed as he walked into the room. "You will only irritate the rash."

"But it itcheeees." Harry's hand instantly stopped scratching and reappeared on top of the quilt.

"I imagine that it does," Snape replied ignoring the child's whining. "However you still have an hour before I can apply more salve to it."

"That stuff burns," Harry complained with a frown.

"Perhaps you should have thought about the consequences before you disregarded the rules," Snape pointed out as he held his hand out containing the vial.

"I said I was sorry," Harry reminded the man as he slowly sat up.

"Not as sorry as you will be when you are well," Snape retorted as Harry took the potion from his hand. "I fully intend to make sure that this is the last time we have to address this particular subject."

Harry swallowed the potion. It was flavored peppermint and Harry was extremely grateful for it. "You mean sneaking out of the castle?"

Snape took the vial out of his son's hand as he raised a stern eyebrow. "Is there some other misbehavior that I am not aware of?"

Harry quickly shook his head. "No I swear. But Snape I had a good reason for sneaking out, I really did!"

"You went to see the dragons," Snape supplied.

Harry's mouth dropped open. "How did you know?"

"Because I know how you think," Snape replied as he handed Harry the glass of water that he had gotten the boy. "Just as I know that you must get it through your thick skull that you will not be competing in the Tournament."

"But what if I have to?" Harry dared to ask as he took a sip of the water. He winced in pain as it traveled down his sore throat. "What if I don't have a choice?"

"I am not discussing this until you are well," Snape declared firmly.

"No you just want to punish me when I am well," Harry replied with a hint of a whine in his tone. He took another small sip of the water wincing once more.

"Incorrect. I want to have a long discussion about your actions as well as the Tournament. After said discussion, you will have a long session over my knee."

"That's not fair," Harry whined loudly. "I'm sick!"

"You are also not the adult and you do not decide what is fair and what is not," Snape replied. "You broke a major rule and I happen to think that warming your backside for doing so is completely fair."

Harry frowned at his guardian before taking one more sip of water and then handing the glass back to the man.

"Then I'll stay sick," Harry decided. The moment he said it he felt extremely immature but he didn't care. He felt horrible. Snape should take that into consideration and not punish him at all for sneaking out.

Snape rolled his eyes at his son's childish dramatics. "You will do everything I ask of you to make yourself well. Should you refuse I will add to your punishment when you are well."

"Git," Harry muttered softly to himself as he laid down and rolled onto his side, turning his back to his guardian.

"Watch your cheek," Snape said sternly as he landed a soft smack to Harry's backside.

He knew it hadn't hurt. Aside from the fact that the boy had two quilts covering his bum, Snape had hardly put any force into the smack. Snape had not intended for it to hurt. He had intended for it to get his child's attention. Despite that, Harry rolled over and scowled at the man.

"I'm siiiick," he whined.

"If you do not stop with that aggravating whining I promise you Harry that when you are well you will spend five minutes in the corner for every word that comes out of your mouth in a whine," Snape threatened. "Now try and rest. I will wake you in an hour for your vaccine and medications."

"I just woke up. I'm not even tired," Harry complained.

"I don't recall telling you to sleep. I told you to rest," Snape replied. He was beginning to feel his patience running thin at Harry's incessant whining and complaining. "Now stay in this bed for the next hour unless you need to use the bathroom or there will be a consequence for your actions regardless of whether or not you are sick."

Harry frowned deeply at these words. This wasn't fair! He was sick and Snape still smacked him and now he was threatening him. "Okay," he agreed in a soft voice.

Snape nodded as he placed the glass of water on Harry's bedside table. "If you need me, summon Minka and she will retrieve me."

"Okay," Harry said once more through a yawn.


Snape was on the last essay that he needed to grade. He was pleased that he had finally made some progress. He had summoned Minka twice in the past three quarters of an hour and both times she had assured him that Harry was fast asleep in his bed.

The child was absolutely exhausting him. Under normal circumstances Harry could wear him out but when he was sick it was ten times worse. It wasn't even time for supper yet and Snape felt as though he could go to bed at any moment.

He glanced up at the clock noting that he had fifteen minutes until he would need to wake Harry for his medications. He prayed that giving him the vaccine would be easier this time around.

The thought was barely out of his mind when his son appeared in the parlor. His pillow was in his left hand as his right hand dragged one of his quilts behind him.

"I thought I told you to stay in your bed," Snape said in a stern voice.

"Don't be mad," Harry said in a whiny voice. "I wanted to lay on the couch."

Without waiting for Snape's reply Harry put his pillow on the couch and instantly laid down on it, pulling his quilt over him.

"Absolutely not," Snape replied. "You are sick and you should be in bed."

"I don't want to be alone," Harry said in a sullen voice.

"You need another needle as well as more potions and the salve applied," Snape explained. "Therefore you need to go back to your bed."

"Can't you just do it here?" Harry questioned in a small voice.

Snape noted that the boy had not complained about needing another shot as he had expected him to do so.

"If I allow it then you will allow me to do what it takes to care for you without resisting or stalling the process."

Harry thought about his guardian's words. The needle hadn't been nearly as bad as he remembered it being in the past. Snape talking him through it had really helped. The salve burned something horrible but Harry guessed he could handle it.

"Will you talk me through the needle again?" Harry asked thoroughly hating himself for sounding like such a sodding baby.

"I will however I meant what I just said, there will be no stalling and no resisting or you will go back to your bed."

"Okay," Harry agreed.

Snape placed the essays on the side table before walking down the hall to retrieve the necessary supplies from his storage closet.

He reappeared in the parlor a moment later with the silver tray.

Harry watched as he placed the tray on the table and picked up the thermometer. Before Snape could tell him to do so he raised his right arm.

Snape placed the thermometer under the boy's armpit and Harry dropped his arm to his side. A moment later he removed it and read it carefully.

"102.6," Snape read. "A vast improvement."

"Do you think I will better by the night after tomorrow?" Harry asked. "Hermione and I were going to go visit Hagrid."

"How do you know that you won't be on restriction?" Snape questioned as he placed the thermometer on the tray and picked up the needle.

"Snaaaaape! That's really not fair! You already said I was going to have to stand in the corner and that you were going to spa- punish me! You can't put me on restriction too!" Harry affirmed. "You can't!"

Snape gave the teenager a stern stare. "You had best get one thing straight. I am the adult and your guardian. If I decide to make you stand in the corner, paddle your bare backside, and put you on restriction until you are of age then I will do so and you will obey me. As it stands I have not decided if you will be on restriction or not however your cheekiness is not persuading me to go any easier on you."

"Sorry," Harry replied. He could feel his ears burning in shame at Snape's words.

"Now please roll over so I may administer the needle."

"Don't be mad," Harry begged as he rolled over onto his stomach.

Snape was silent as he moved the quilt and pulled down Harry's pajama pants and shorts as far as they needed to go.

"Then do not be a cheeky little brat," Snape retorted. He took a deep breath willing himself to calm down before he spoke once more, this time in a much more soothing tone. "I am going to clean the area first just as I did last time."

Harry nodded into his pillow a moment later feeling the coldness.

"Now when you are ready I will give you the needle. As you said earlier, it is not that bad."

Harry wanted to stall. He wanted to put this off for as long as he possibly could but he had told Snape that he wouldn't and he really didn't want to have to go back to his bed. He also didn't want to make his guardian mad. After all, his bare bum was on display.

"I'm ready," Harry said as he once again turned his head so that his face was buried in his pillow.

Snape couldn't help the shocked look that took over his face. Despite Harry's agreement to accept the vaccination without resisting or stalling he had still expected the child to go back on his word.

Snape administered the medication as quickly as he possibly could, his left hand once again resting on the small of Harry's back as he did. The moment he was done he returned the boy's clothing to it's rightful spot before standing and placing the needle on the tray and retrieving the three phials of potion.

He handed the first to Harry as the boy sat up and instantly ingested it before handing it back.

"I must say that I am impressed," Snape commented as he handed his son the second vial.

"Well I want to stay on the couch," Harry replied before swallowing the contents of the second phial. "And I don't want to be punished when I am better."

Snape took the second vial from Harry's hand and handed him the third.

"Stop worrying about that now," Snape instructed as Harry swallowed the potion in the third vial.

Harry handed the small glass bottle back over to his guardian before laying back down. "Easy for you to say. It's not your bum."

Snape picked up the small jar and moved the quilts off of Harry's legs. "When we are done here I want you to try and eat some soup."

"My throat still hurts," Harry replied.

"You haven't eaten in nearly twenty four hours," Snape said as he dipped his fingers into the salve and began rubbing it on Harry's left leg. The boy instantly tensed up, his leg twitching slightly.

"It burns so bad," Harry complained loudly. "Do you have to do this?"

"Unfortunately I do," Snape answered as he dipped his finger into the salve once more and set to work on Harry's right leg.

Snape frowned as the child hissed in pain. He did not enjoy this one bit. However, without the salve the rash would not vanish.

Snape finished the job as quickly as he could before pulling Harry's pajama pant legs back down and placing the quilt over his feet once more. He returned the small glass jar to the tray before snapping his fingers and causing a small bowl of tomato soup to appear.

"My throat still hurts," Harry informed his guardian once more.

"So you have said," Snape replied motioning for the teenager to sit up. "Regardless I would like you to try and eat this soup. You cannot go a full day without eating something."

Harry took the spoon and bowl from his guardian. He scooped up a small spoonful of the soup and put it in his mouth. Swallowing caused him to nearly tear up. The hot soup burned his throat in a way he didn't think was possible.

"I can't do it," he said as he held the bowl of soup out for Snape to take. "It's too hot and it hurts. Don't be mad."

Snape sighed softly before taking the bowl. Against his better judgement he waved his hand over it and held it back out for Harry to take.

"I don't want cold soup," Harry complained.

"Take the bowl," Snape instructed.

"It'll be disgusting," Harry whined. "I don't want to eat that."

"Stop with your dramatics," Snape ordered. "Do as I have said and take the bowl."

Harry let out a pitiful sound before taking the bowl from his guardian. He hated when Snape called him dramatic. He wasn't dramatic at all! He would have rather been called a cheeky brat; not that he was that either!

He looked down at the bowl expecting to see the tomato soup. A smile spread across Harry's face as he realized that the soup had been replaced with vanilla ice cream.

"It's ice cream!" Harry stated the obvious happily.

"Against my better judgement it is," Snape replied. "Perhaps something cold will feel better on your throat. Only vanilla though, you do not need all the added sugar that is put in other flavors."

Harry took a large spoonful of the ice cream and ate it. The coldness of it felt amazing on his throat. By the third spoonful his throat was beginning to feel numb.

"I see you are not having a problem getting that down," Snape commented as he sat back down in his armchair.

"No it feels amazing," Harry replied. "Thanks for thinking of it."

"If you are still hungry after that you may have one more bowl but after that you will lie down and try to sleep. The Dreamless Sleep will be kicking in shortly and I will not listen to any cheekiness about fighting it."

Harry resisted the urge to answer with cheek and instead focused on his ice cream. He silently vowed to himself that he would be absolutely perfect from here on out until he was well. He was sure that if he was that it would somehow make up for his trip into the Forbidden Forest and that Snape would forget all about wanting to punish him.

"Thank you again for thinking of it," Harry said as he finished off the last of the bowl and held it out for his guardian to refill.

Snape leaned over and waved a hand over the bowl causing it to fill with vanilla ice cream once more. He was thankful that the ice cream had succeed both in persuading Harry to eat something as well as improving his mood.

Snape hoped that by the morning the teenagers temperature would be even lower. That the rash would be nearly gone. That the child would not vomit again or complain of a sore throat. He was not sure how many more days of this he could take.

TBC...