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Harry left the dishes in the sink. He would deal with them later. He made his way out of the kitchen and found Stan waiting for him in the doorway. He held out the phone to him but Stan shook his head,

"You can keep that now."

Harry slipped it in his pocket and followed Stan out. He got in the SUV. He was getting nervous. How was he going to face his mother? Well just like he had smiled for her and acted normal when he had been abused everyday by Mr. Crouch. She hadn't been able to tell then. She wouldn't be able to tell now. But Lord V wasn't like Mr. Crouch. If anything, he was the exact opposite. Lord V had had him under a trance and in his bed. He could have taken advantage of him last night. But he had been nothing but gentle with him last night and treated him with utmost care. That had increased the man's respect in his eyes tenfold.

Again, he was reminded of Mr. Riddle. He had thought of him last night as well when Lord V had been kissing him. He wanted to see him again. He wanted to apologize for everything he had done because he knew that he had betrayed him and disappointed him. Mr. Riddle had trusted him and placed his faith in him and he had given him nothing but disappointment in return. Harry felt his heart ache when the hurt expression on Mr. Riddle's swam to the forefront of his mind. He had never wanted it to be like that. Mr. Riddle had meant the world to him ever since he had taken him in his arms at the funeral. He had given him something to strive for, something to live for, something to help him make it through that year of abuse. He knew that he had to make things right. He wondered if Lord V would allow him to meet him. Stan's voice brought his train of thought to an abrupt hail,

"You're crying, doll."

Harry raised his hand to his cheeks and felt the wet tears there. How hadn't he realized that he had started crying. He wiped them away,

"I'm fine."

Stan extended a box of tissues to him. Harry thanked him and pulled one out. He wiped them away and tried to look out of the tinted windows. The car came to a halt. Harry wondered if they had reached the hospital already. But that wasn't possible. Stan inquired in a soft voice,

"What kind of flowers does your mother like?"

Harry's eyes widened at the question,

"White lilies. But why are you asking?"

Stan chuckled,

"You aren't going to visit your mother empty handed."

Stan stepped out of the car and returned a few minutes later with a huge bouquet of white lilies in his hand. He handed them to Harry and Harry couldn't help but breathe in the delicate scent. It felt soothing. The car began moving again and this time when it came to a halt. Harry was certain that they had reached the hospital. Stan began talking,

"Your mother is going to be discharged today so you'll get to take her back home. Your apartment has been cleaned up, so it wouldn't look like you haven't been living there for a while and the caregiver, that has been hired will be waiting for you and your mother at the apartment. We'll pick you up from your apartment at eight tonight."

Stan handed him a Press ID and some money. Harry looked at the ID closely. It looked authentic and Harry was confident that his mother would believe him. Harry slipped the money and the ID in his wallet, thanked them and exited the car.

His heart was pounding in his chest as he walked through the busy corridors crowded with people, patients and doctor. The smell of disinfectants was thick in the air and Harry was glad he wouldn't ever have to return here again. He reached the door, his mother was residing in and with a deep breath pushed it open.

Harry stepped into the room and found his mother seated on the edge of the hospital bed with a forlorn expression her face. She looked up and as soon as her eyes landed on him, her expression changed entirely. The joy was evident in her green eyes as she rose to her steadily and made her way towards him.

Soon enough Harry found himself lost in her embrace,

"Harry, where have you been?"

Harry buried his face in her shoulder, her dark, red hair tickled his face. How could he have ever lived without her? Harry felt his gratitude and respect towards Lord V increase tenfold and he was glad he had sold himself. It had all been worth it. He slowly spoke,

"I've been working, mom."

His mother pulled away from the embrace and asked him tentatively,

"Working where?"

Harry met her gaze and spoke,

"I left Death Pharmaceuticals, Mom. I'm working as a business reporter at The Daily Prophet now."

Harry watched her asses his answer and then she spoke,

"Prove it."

Harry sighed out. He had known this would happen and it was apparent that Lord V had known as well. He pulled out the Press ID from his wallet and handed it to her. She observed it closely and then smiled brightly. Harry felt relieved because he had passed her scrutiny and her smile indicated that she believed him,

"I'm so happy."

Harry hugged her again,

"I love you, Mom."

She rubbed his back,

"I love you too, Son. Now get me out of here. You have no idea how sick I am of these walls."

Harry laughed softly,

"Let me get rid of the paperwork. Then we can go home."

She kissed his cheek and handed him his ID,

"Hurry up."

Harry nodded and stepped out of the room to get rid of the paperwork. It didn't take long and he was back in his mother's room in under half an hour. His spirits had been dampened and he felt crestfallen when the doctor had handed him his mother's chemotherapy schedule. But when he stepped into the room and saw his mother, he just folded the schedule and pocketed it. She was practically beaming and Harry was glad that she was so happy. He picked up her bag and opened the door for her,

"After you, Mom."

His mother was dressed in a pink blouse and a floral skirt and she looked stunning. Harry felt his heart ache when he imagined what the chemotherapy sessions would do to her but they were important. The doctor had told him that they were needed to get rid of any remaining tumours. Harry pushed his hands into his pockets as he walked beside his her.

Once they were outside the hospital, he watched his mother as she drew in a deep breath,

"I want to go to Hyde Park."

Harry hailed a cab. That was better than going home. He opened the door for her and once she had gotten in, he got in beside her and shut the door. He told the cabbie where to go and leaned back the seat. He was almost missing Stan and Ernie right now. He watched his mother looking out the window with a look of wonderment in her eyes. She was glowing with joy and every passing minute made Harry feel more and more satisfied with the decision he had made.

Hours later, they were seated in the terrace of the Serpentine Bar and Kitchen and stared at the quaint lake. He loved the peace and he felt more relaxed than he had felt in a long time. Harry heard his cell phone ring and he fished it out to find an unknown number on the screen. His mother looked at him inquisitively as he held the phone to his ear and took the call,

"Hello."

Lord V's silky-smooth voice reached Harry and he relaxed,

"How is your day going, Harry? How are you and where are you?"

Harry found it difficult to reply because the concern in Lord V's voice was making his heart explode with joy,

"I'm fine, Sir. I'm at Hyde Park. My mom needed some fresh air."

Harry heard the disapproval in Lord V's when he spoke next,

"Harry, you should have asked me for my permission. You have to understand that you cannot just wander around like that now. There are people who can hurt you. Take your mother to the apartment now and Stan will bring you to me afterwards at the time you agreed upon with him."

Harry closed his eyes. Why did he always end up disappointing everyone who placed their faith in him?

"I'm sorry, Sir."

Lord V ended the call without saying another word and Harry felt like crying. Why had he disappointed Lord V like that? Why hadn't he sought his permission or atleast informed him about where he was going? His mother's hand on his shoulder brought him out of his musings,

"Harry, who was that?"

Harry summoned up his well-rehearsed smile and spoke,

"That was my boss. I have to get back to work soon but before that I have to get you home."

His mother frowned,

"You can't have one day off?"

Harry cupped her face in his hands,

"Mom, I just got this job and after the health allowance I used up and the advance salary that I requested, I really should be grateful to them instead of asking for a leave."

She seemed to understand and then rose to her feet. Harry stood up as well and they departed from the park.

An hour later, they were standing outside the apartment. Stan had said that the caregiver would be here so knocked on the door. He noticed the curious look his mother gave him. The door was opened. A young woman was standing in the doorway, a woman of such breath-taking beauty that the room seemed to have become strangely airless. She was tall and willowy with long blonde hair and appeared to emanate a faint, silvery glow. She beamed when she saw them and took his mother's hand and pulled her in gently,

"You must be Miss Lilly, Mr. Potter's mother."

Harry tried not to look too shocked. She was too beautiful to be a caregiver and Harry realized that he didn't even know her name. The woman led his mother to the couch and sat her down,

"I am Fleur Delacour, Mr. Potter hired me to take care of you."

Harry was relieved to know that he at least knew her name now. His mother was looking at him and Harry saw too many questions in her eyes. He made his way towards her and sat down beside her. Fleur smiled cordially,

"Would you like tea or coffee?"

His mother turned to Fleur and spoke softly,

"Tea will do, Dear."

Fleur went to the kitchen and put the kettle on the stove. Harry watched his mother turn to him and spoke,

"Explain this, Harry."

Harry made himself comfortable on the couch and spoke,

"Mom, my job requires me to travel a lot and I can't be here to take care of you. That's why I hired Fleur. She'll take care of you and keep you company."

Harry saw tears well up in her eyes and he hugged her gently,

"Don't cry, Mom. Please. I'm doing this for you."

She kissed his forehead,

"I understand, Harry. I'm not going to stop you."

Harry rested his head on her shoulder,

"I will come to visit you whenever I can and I will call. You won't even know that I'm gone."

She patted his head softly,

"Don't give me false hope, Harry. You never called me or visited me when you were in college. I'm pretty certain that you won't do it now."

Harry sighed out in defeat,

"I can't ever win an argument with you."

His mother laughed softly and Harry laughed with her. He still had some time with her and he decided that he would spend it wisely and cherish it to its fullest.

Check out my new fanfic named "Ensnared". It's actually a Harry Potter Version of "The Beauty and the Beast" Let me know what you guys think. Just follow the link below or visit my profile. Looking forward your feedback

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