Diagnosis
a/n: Thank all of you for the reviews. I do apologize for the long wait between updates. As some of you might've guessed, I got wrapped up in reading a fanfiction series. Still not finished reading it yet, but I decided that I should update for you all. You've waited a month after all. Without further ado.
'written by Harry'
"spoken aloud"
/parseltoungue/
Chapter 18: Quality Time
Disclaimer: I wish that I were JKR, since I'm not last time I checked, don't own the rights to the Potter verse.
Warning: There's a bit of Lavender bashing here in case that bothers you.
..:..
Harry's POV
Harry woke on Monday morning to a ray of sunlight shining in through a nearby window. He stretched then got up and got dressed. He went to take care of his dental hygiene and then woke his sleepy best friend for breakfast.
Once Ron was finished with his morning routine, Harry grabbed the muffins for Draco off of his bedside table. He had hidden them under a disillusionment charm so that Ron wouldn't eat them during the night. He also retrieved Brian from his tank before the duo left the Gryffindor dorm.
Once they got to the great hall, Harry and Ron sat beside one another, for once, Ron hadn't brought Lavender Brown along for the ride. Harry was relieved that he could have his best mate back for now at least. He secretly hoped that the two would break things off. But alas Harry knew that that would not be happening any time soon.
The annoying sixth year girl walked into the great hall and sat on the other side of Ron. Harry fought back a groan.
He watched on as the enthusiastic teen started snogging Ron at the table right in front of several students, and not all of them were Gryffindors either. The Gryffindors were use to seeing such a sight if not excepting of such public displays of affection.
'Good morning Hermione.'
"Good morning to you as well Harry," said the bushy-haired girl. "Have you sent the parcel to Draco yet this morning? You told me last night that you and Holly made the muffins."
'Not yet. I was going to wait and see if Hedwig would come to breakfast so that I wouldn't have to trek all of the way up to the owlery.'
"She has a way about always knowing when her master needs her doesn't she?"
'Yes.'
Harry was not disappointed when Hedwig arrived at the table, taking some food from her master's plate before waiting for Harry to attach a letter and the parcel of muffins to her leg.
..:..
Harry's POV
Harry sat in Severus's private office that night waiting for his Celmosphocide and Todesjefher to be administered.
He chatted with Brian until Severus came into the room.
"Hello Harry. How have you been feeling?"
'Just a bit tired, but having the weekend off from treatment has helped me in that regard.'
"Good. We got your lab work back and I wanted to let you know that your levels were a bit low but within range for me to go-ahead and continue with the treatment plan. Healer Robertson and I have decided to check your blood work every Friday night in order to best plan your treatment schedule accordingly."
'Okay.'
"It's important that you continue to take your Filgrastim on a regular basis so that your cell count stays within range for as long as possible."
'Okay.'
'How has the selling of the basalisk parts gone so far sir?'
"Fine. Though I haven't had much time to barter with the dark witches and wizards who wish for such rare parts to my satisfaction yet."
'Are we doing the right thing by selling them since you said that it was the darker variety of people who wish for the remains?'
"Yes. Remember Mr. Potter, dark does not necessarily mean evil, and neither does light necessarily mean good," rebuked Severus gently.
'Can I take care of some business before we start up the treatment sir?'
"Sure."
"Dobby," called Harry hoarsely.
"Yes sir," said the excitable elf. "You called Dobby. Do you be needing anything?"
"Yes, I need you to put Brian's tank on my bedside table in the infirmary. I'll be staying their throughout the week and will need you to transport it back and forth from the tower and the infirmary periodically as I go through my treatment. Is that to much to ask of you?"
"No sir. You be resting up Mr. Harry Potter sir. Yous need to be fighting the cancer hard to win."
"how do you know about my treatments?"
"Because the students be talking where we be overhearing them but not being able to be seen. That's how Mr. Dumbledore sir's jinxes not being triggered by Dobby knowing."
..:..
Harry's POV
So far, Tuesday was turning out to be a satisfactorily pleasant day. Harry had tolerated taking his morning medications, going to all of his classes and even eating a bit of food for lunch without throwing it up. He also kept his lunchtime meds down. Things were beginning to look up for the young powerful wizard.
Harry now found himself loitering outside of the great hall waiting to see his boyfriend. An idea had struck Harry last night during the course of his cancer treatment. He wanted Draco if he was willing to accompany him throughout the remainder of his treatments. The boy had seemed comfortable enough in the Muggle world on Halloween and Harry desperately did not want to be alone. He knew that he could ask any one of his friends to go with him and that they'd say yes, but for some inexplicable reason, it was Draco that he wished to be at his side the most.
"Oi Draco, over here," said Ron. Harry had asked Ron to stay back and be his voice.
"What do you want Weasley," asked the platinum blond.
"It's Harry, he wants to ask you something in private."
Draco walked over to the duo and looked his recently found lover in the eyes directly.
Harry's breath hitched at the look of adoration in the blonde's eyes.
"could you accompany me to my muggle radiation treatments from now on? I just…really don't want to be alone throughout this whole process anymore," croaked Harry.
"Sure. Let me go ask my Head of House first. I'll meet you here in ten minutes if you're ready to leave."
..:..
Harry's POV
Harry and Draco stepped into the muggle hospital together. It had taken quite a bit of convincing on Draco's part, but he had finally talked professor Snape into agreeing to allow him to accompany Harry to hospital.
Not being able to use his wand to communicate at the moment and being also unable to write to the blond using a muggle pen and paper because they were at present walking Harry said, "Did you like the Muffins that Holly and I made?"
"Yes. Vince and Greg also enjoyed them."
Speaking from experience Harry replied, "It's nice when you can finally share something precious or delicious with your best mates isn't it Draco?"
Draco smiled and nodded his head.
"How much longer until we get their," asked the blond.
"Not long," said harry his voice coming out hoarse sounding.
Before long, the two reached the radiology waiting room.
"And this is where I must leave you Draco. I'm afraid that family members and friends have to wait out here due to the danger of the treatments. I'll see you when I get back," said Harry kissing Draco once on the lips before the nurse came to fetch him.
Draco was not worried as he had his wand on him and he could take any muggle on any time. Plus it wasn't as if the Dark Lord knew where Harry was at and that he was currently vulnerable to attack. Though the risk to his boyfriend was significantly less now that another wizard was here just in case of attack.
..:..
Harry's POV
'Thank you for coming to sit with me Draco,' wrote Harry as the duo were now back at Hogwarts.
"It was no problem."
'Would you also like to sit with me during my chemotherapy draft?'
"Yes. Didn't you say that Severus is the one to give you the potions?"
'Yes. Let's go. You don't think that he'll object to badly do you?'
"No. He was only reluctant to allow me to go with you to hospital since we're both underage. He also brought up that you should in his opinion be accompanied by a proper adult just in case, but he was upset that he can't perform the duty himself. At last, he finally agreed, as long as I stay vigilant."
The couple made their way to Severus's quarters holding hands.
Harry uttered the password quietly so that Draco couldn't overhear it. He trusted his boyfriend but knew that if Severus did not want Draco to know the password that he should be discrete.
"No need for all of the secrecy Harry, I know the password too. How do you think that I found my godfather earlier to ask about going with you silly?"
'Good point,' wrote Harry with his holly wand.
The passageway opened and the two entered Severus's quarters.
"In here boys," called Severus.
'How did he know that you were with me?'
"As you will get to know him better, you'll learn that not much gets past the man," said Draco mysteriously.
"Draco are you sure that you wish to remain here throughout your boyfriend's treatment? He can grow quite ill during the process. It isn't always easy to watch."
"Thanks for the warning, but I can handle it."
"If you're sure, come over here and sit Mr. Potter."
Harry sat down letting out a yawn. He blushed in embarrassment that Draco saw him so tired. He logically knew that the fatigue was from a combination of the treatment and the affect that his cancer had on his body, but he couldn't help but feel childish for being tired at such an early hour.
Draco sat in a chair beside the transfigured bed in Severus's private office.
"Hold out your hand Harry," said Severus not unkindly.
Harry held out his left forefinger to be pricked for blood this time. A trickle of blood flowed into the purple potion, turning it a bright red.
Harry sat their calmly as Severus accessed his port and administered the Celmosphocide.
A wave of dizziness hit Harry and he was grateful that he was laying down in bed.
"Does that hurt Harry," asked Draco.
'The Celmosphocide doesn't hurt but it feels a bit warm as it goes in. But the Todesjefher does burn. The Todesjefher is the chemotherapy draft and the Celmosphocide is the MCDI that allows the chemotherapy draft to attack the cancer and stops my magic from blocking out the side-effects of the tumor.'
"Why do you want to do that exactly?"
'Because if we don't, then it makes the Todesjefher less affective without the MCDI.'
"Oh okay."
After that was through, the potions master hooked up the magical infusion pump and hung the anti-amedic.
"Is that the chemotherapy draft sir?"
"No Draco, this is a muggle drug that lessens Harry's nausea."
Harry and Draco spent the next hour playing exploding snap from a deck of cards that Severus had brought them to pass the time. Harry's arm only brushed up against the tubing hanging from his body occasionally but nevertheless found that it hurt a bit each time that the tubing attached to the port in his chest from a special needle when he did so.
Harry smiled when Draco lost the game as Draco's eyebrows got singed.
'Ha, gotcha.'
"I'll have my vengeance next go-around," vowed Draco.
"I'm afraid that you'll have to wait until tomorrow evening to seek revenge Mr. Malfoy."
"Why's that, this bag is only just emptying sir. Doesn't he still have the potion left to go?"
"Yes, but you see, the chemotherapy draft will make him to ill to continue playing. Would you like me to read to you again Harry?"
Severus felt free to let his guard go around Draco and Harry now that he had heard that Narcissa had lost all respect for Lucius. He could finally be the godfather that Draco needed and the mentor that Harry needed without risking Draco blabbing to Lucius. This warmed his heart. For even if he had to hide his true colors around the rest of the school due to the all to real risk of the children of death eaters telling their parents about his fondness for the duo. This sinareo was happening in private and Severus would be damned if he let the Dark Lord rule his actions tonight. That's what Occlumency is used for after all.
'Please. Do you mind Draco?'
"No. He's a good storyteller."
'I know.'
Harry tried to relax as Severus started the drip of Todesgefher.
'Severus,' wrote Harry timidly.
"Yes Harry?"
'I was wondering if you would mind it if I borrowed some potions ingredients for an extra credit assignment for Professor McGonigall.'
"Really Harry, are you really going to try and become an animagus," asked Draco.
'Yes why not. Hermione and I received permission from Professor McGonigall herself.'
"It's a difficult potion to brew plus a difficult process to becoming one," said Severus. "But if you're going to take up such a challenge, I'd feel much safer if you used the ingredients from the store room and my private stores instead of trying and buying your own as I can vouch for the quality of the ingredients here."
'Thanks. You're a big help. And I promise that I'll only help Hermione with the parts of the brewing process that I've been approved to do by you and my healer sir.'
The three lapsed into a companionable silence after that and the silence was only broken by Harry when he retched into a bucket provided by Severus. Draco rubbed his back attempting to comfort Harry as he threw up again and again.
Draco dutifully gave him sips of water to drink and also gave him some water to gargle and rinse his mouth out with between bouts of sicking up.
Fortunately for the trio, as all things pleasant and unpleasant do, time went on and with a sigh of relief, Severus detached the tubing from Harry's port after stopping the drip. He flushed the port with saline and held the needle in place with a bit of medical tape.
"Draco would you mind accompanying Harry to the hospital wing before returning to Slytherin?"
"Yes sir."
..:..
Draco's POV
"Where have you been this evening," asked Blaise when Draco entered the Slytherin common room.
"Spending time with Harry."
"How'd that go Dray," asked Pansy.
"Fine," said Draco. He didn't see any need of telling them how attractive he found the Gryffindor or of how ill his boyfriend really was.
Draco talked to his mates for a bit before retiring for bed. He was knackered.
..:..
Harry's POV
On Wednesday Harry had a nice breakfast and took his medications. Last night had been a bad night as nausea went and Harry had been grateful for the blonde's presence. He had not wanted Draco to leave him once they had reached the hospital wing and Harry had seen the expression of pain on the blonde's face when he had begged him to stay.
The group of Gryffindors made their way to transfiguration. Harry was excited to see what they'd be doing in class today.
The class filed into the room and all took their seats. Harry and Hermione chatted quietly Harry telling her that Severus had agreed to allow them access to his private stores and that they wouldn't need to take a trip to Diagon Alley to get the ingredients for the potion. The duo agreed to begin brewing the animagus revealing potion in the Room of Requirement tonight. It would take a months' time to complete the draft.
Professor McGonigall entered the room a no-nonsense look on her face. "Today we'll begin the challenging process of transfiguring small random items found in the everyday world into large objects capable of blocking the Avada Kedavra curse. As you know, there is as of yet no spell, charm, hex, jinx, or curse capable of stopping the Killing Curse. Your only hope is either to dodge the curse or block it. If your block is successful, the transfigured item will blow up on impact. You will still probably be hit by some of the shrapnel, but at least you if successful might survive. Professor Dumbledore is one of the only wizards capable of such a feat."
"Then why are we going to waste our time in learning this," asked Seamus.
"Because it might very well save your life if you ever face battle at the hands of a more capable witch or wizard than yourself."
Professor McGonigall waved her wand and the room transformed into an exact replica of Diagon Alley with small inconsequential items strewn through the streets for them to attempt to transfigure them into solid brick walls and the like.
" Partner up and I'd like one of you to try and "kill" the other who will attempt to block unfriendly spellfire. You may begin."
..:..
Harry's POV
Later that evening after Harry and Hermione had retrieved all of the ingredients for the animagus revealing potion, Harry and Hermione sat in the Room of Requirement brewing the potion. Much to Harry and Hermione's delight, when they had asked the room to have a place to hide and brew a secret potion, the room had opened up into a room filled with all kinds of stuff that students over the years had hidden away. Harry had dubbed it the room of hidden things.
They came across fanged Frisbees, dark books that were clearly not allowed at Hogwarts, cauldrons full of stuff, bags full of gold that tried to bite anyone who tried to steal from them, and towers full of useful yet forbidden things. Harry had also came across the other vanishing cabinet that he had heard someone talking about in Knockturn alley over the summer. Clearly the student that he had heard threatening the proprietor of the shop had succeeded in his threats to the man and gotten ahold of the other cabinet. He wondered once more what the student was planning on doing with a vanishing cabinet of all things.
Harry had also came across a diadem that oozed a dark aura. He hadn't dare touch it for fear of being cursed.
After they had continued their exploration of the room at long last they had begun to brew the potion. Harry knew that it would take a long time to brew but he had his mind set on brewing the potion.
Once they had brewed for a while, Hermione had cast a stasis spell on it to hold it at the current stages of brewing until tomorrow evening. She had also cursed the area around it with a dangerous spell to prevent anyone with nefarious intent who entered the room to not allow them to tamper with the potion. Harry had cast a disillusionment charm on the cauldron and ingredients just in case before they left the room.
..:..
Harry's POV
Harry and Draco found themselves once more in Severus's private office awaiting Harry's treatment.
"So how'd you do in McGonigall's class today," asked Draco curiously.
'Excellent, I succeeded at the transfiguration, blocking Ron's green sparks with a solid brick wall on my fourth attempt. The other times, my wall was either not solid enough or had weak spots that Ron could curse me through.'
"I think that you're the only one to succeed to be honest with you."
"Succeed at what," asked Severus.
'At blocking a fake AK in transfiguration.'
"Oh so she's begun that part of the curriculum then?"
"Yes sir."
'I think that my MCDI is increasing my magical power since I grasped such a complex transfiguration spell so easily.'
"That's an expected side-effect of the Celmosphocide Harry."
'I know sir.'
"How's the animagus potion going for you Harry?"
'Good Draco.'
Severus went over to the workstation and collected the right amount of the MCDI into a beeker then came over to prick Harry's finger for the blood needed to activate the potion.
"Have you been changing the plaster and applying the salve onto your scar Harry?"
'Yes sir. It's healing well. I expect that it might not even leave a scar. The Hogwarts rumor mill will go crazy if that happens. Why however are they going to recognize me without my famous scar on display.'
..:..
Harry's POV
Harry had been pleasantly surprised the night before when he had only been sick once during his treatment.
Harry currently found himself sitting at the Gryffindor table picking at his lunch.
"Are you actually going to eat that Harry or just play with it," asked Hermione.
'I don't feel like eating right now,' wrote Harry in the notebook before scooting it over to Hermione. 'The nausea is pretty bad.'
"Could you try a few bites for me?"
'I suppose.'
Harry slowly took a forkful and placed it in his mouth. He chewed painstakingly slowly.
In seconds, his stomach rebelled and he was sick in his plate. He was mortified but before anyone could get a good look at his predicament, Hermione had vanished the sick that had landed in his plate and cast a freshening charm on the area for the smell. A cup of water was sent up by the Hogwarts elves with a small container for Harry to rinse his mouth. He refused to try and eat again for the remainder of the meal.
Harry took his lunchtime dose of the steroid with a sip of water.
Finding his new plate of food anything but appetizing, Harry wrote on the notepad, 'On Saturday during the Hogsmeade trip I'd like the six of you to accompany me to Arnold's armory once we get to Hogsmeade before we split up to do our own thing. I have a surprise for you lot.'
Harry handed the notepad to Hermione and Ron who read it. Then he scanned the great hall for Luna and Neville. To his surprise they both were at the Ravenclaw table holding hands no less. Since when were they a couple? He walked over to the Ravenclaw table after Ron and Hermione had agreed and handed the message to the two. They read it then agreed and Harry congratulated them on being a new couple. The last thing he did before collecting his bag and leaving the great hall was go and ask Draco to accompany them. He knew that Severus had said that the basalisk skin would probably only make six sets of armor but Harry had his suspicions that the owner could do seven when pressed or more likely bribed to do so by Harry, who would do anything to protect his friends and boyfriend.
..:..
Harry's POV
Harry and his friends were sitting at the dinner table on Friday evening when a brown owl swooped over to their table with a letter and a parcel attached to it's leg. Harry had been surprised to see an owl flying to him during this delivery of mail. The owls had been delivering the mail to the students at different days and times for security reasons.
He gave the owl some scraps and took the parcel and letter from the owl thanking it with his hoarse voice before it flew off.
Harry tore open the letter to see a letter from Remus. The werewolf had finally written back to his letter of so long ago. A smile crossed Harry's face as he read:
Dear Harry:
How have you been? Things have been busy around here. I've been doing odd jobs for the Headmaster here and their. That's one of the reasons that it's taken me so long to write you.
The other reason is because I spent my time researching through the Marauder's old notes to find the spells that we used when creating the two-way mirrors that James and Sirius used when in school since yours got broken. I finally succeeded in recreating the process on a new pair and have sent you one. All you need to do to contact me is say my name into the mirror that I've sent you. I may not always be able to answer you due to my work for Albus but if I'm not busy you can feel free to call me to chat anytime.
Call me this weekend so that we can catch up in a risk-free manner, not by letter. Albus was upset that you contacted me at all though I'm not sure if it's because of the risk of interception or his meddling ways.
Remus.
"Who was the letter from Harry," asked a curious Neville.
'Professor Lupin. He's sort of stepped in as a surrogate uncle for me since Sirius passed away.'
"Since when did Sirius Black look after you," asked Neville shocked.
'Since the end of my third year but he was innocent.'
"Why am I not surprised. The Ministry never can do anything right, convicting an innocent man like that."
"He never got a trial so he was never convicted wrongly, but not receiving a trial was still a gross miscarriage of justice," said Hermione passionately.
"So you three knew about Black's innocence all of this time and you lot never told me?"
'I'm afraid so. Professor Dumbledore didn't want us to talk about it and stir up unnecessary trouble. It's not like we didn't trust you Nev,' wrote Harry on the notepad.
"Yeah," said Ron standing by his best mate of six years.
"So what'd Remus want," asked Hermione.
'He wanted to give me a mirror so that we could talk more securely,'
"That's great mate, I thought that you'd broken yours at the end of last term."
'I did, that's why it took him so long to reply to my letter, he had to make a new set for us to use.'
"Fantastic."
..:..
Harry's POV
Harry and Draco sat in Severus's office holding hands and talking.
Harry jumped in surprise when their potions master entered the room.
"Did I scare you Mr. Potter?"
Harry nodded.
"It's time to give you your medications; are you ready to begin?"
'Yes sir.'
Severus brought over a beeker of purple potion and pricked the boy's finger, dripping the right amount of blood into the Celmosphocide. It turned a bright red color, indicating that it was ready to be given to Harry.
Draco watched on as Severus continued doing his duties for the Gryffindor, accessing the boy's port and giving him the MCDI.
Severus then hooked up the anti-amedic.
Harry and Draco decided to finally have their exploding snap rematch while the couple awaited the time for the Todesgefher.
Harry was only inconvenienced by the line patruding from his port when he had to reach for a particularly oddly placed card. The two seemed to be having a good time. Severus was glad that Draco had decided to stay with Harry throughout his treatment, if Harry's facial expressions were anything to go by, Draco's presence was having a positive affect on the boy's overall health.
Harry tolerated his chemotherapy draft pretty well that night, only being sick twice.
After Severus had flushed the port, he drew Harry's blood to check his cell count. Draco had had a hard time looking on as Severus drew Harry's blood.
After the potions master was done, Draco accompanied his boyfriend to the hospital wing for the evening.
..:..
Severus's POV
Severus made his way hurriedly to the Headmaster's office with a goblet of steaming hot liquid. After many weeks of hard labor, he had finally concocted a potion to contain the curse to the Headmaster's right hand for a few months. This was a great step forward for the Order; they would now have their general for a few more months than they would've if his hard work had not been successful.
"Lemon drop," intoned Severus.
Once the gargoyle had stepped aside, Severus stepped onto the moving spiral staircase. After reaching the door, he used the Griffin knocker to announce his presence.
"Come in my boy," said Albus cheerfully. "What brings you to my office so late in the evening Severus?"
"I've finally finished brewing a potion for your hand. This potion will negate the curse for a time, containing it to your right hand and hopefully increasing the time you've got left."
"So I'm still terminal," asked Albus sadly.
"I'm afraid so. The cursed object that you foolishly picked up and put on has done irrepable damage to you, but this potion will allow you to finish explaining things to the Potter boy and will allow you to set your affairs in order before you die."
"Thank you. So you mentioned the last time that you visited that the chemotherapy draft has destroyed the horcrux in the boy?"
"Yes, and he's reported to me that the scar is healing nicely. He doesn't think that it'll leave a scar once healed either."
"That's fantastic news. What of his parseltoungue abilities?"
"They're still intact."
"Great."
Severus handed the goblet of potion to the Headmaster and waited to leave until every last drop was drained.
..:..
A/N: I hope that you liked the chapter. I tried to tell the story with some detail yet not to much. Please let me know how I did.
Recommended story of the chapter, the Grey Maiden series by Chris widger on SIYA. I'm not usually into hp/gw but this series is exceptional and I highly recommend it, even if you don't usually read anything but slash I think that you'll still like it. Thanks for taking the time to read my fic. How will Remus take the news of Harry's cancer now that he's given him the mirror? Or will Harry be able to hide it?
The whole blocking the AK idea is not an original idea of mine; it's one that I've seen done before in another fanfic. And the real question is who pressured the shop owner into giving over the cabinet and what are they going to do with it once it's been fixed?