November - Harry, Age 7
Harry rubbed his face within his pillow as he released the softest of whines, his arms curling around his pillow as he sniffed. His eyes felt heavy, much too heavy. Really he didn't even want to open his eyes! He raised his head slightly before letting it fall back with a cough down into the fabric.
"S-Snaaaape…" His voice was hoarse as he shifted around under the covers. He coughed once more, whining as he pushed the covers off and sat up slowly.
The child swallowed heavily, his throat aching as he sniffed loudly. "Snape," he whined softly, standing from his bed and slowly heading out of his room and into the hall. He coughed, one hand resting on the wall as he walked.
Snape had woken nearly two hours prior feeling like utter hell. He had been hoping for a quiet, relaxing day of rest but as he heard the small whine accompanied by the loud cough, his stomach filled with dread.
Slowly the man pulled himself from his spot in his armchair in front of the fireplace and made his way to the bottom of the staircase. "Are you alright?" He looked up at the child that was standing in the hallway.
Harry looked miserable. He sniffed once more as he carefully made his way down the stairs. He didn't verbally respond as he wrapped his arms around the man's waist, his head resting on Snape's stomach.
Snape sighed softly as he raised a hand causing the boy's blanket, pillow, and owl to appear on the couch. "Not feeling well?" he asked in a voice that was hoarse from his coughing. "I believe we caught the same nasty cold."
"Mnnn." Harry shook his head against the man at the question before he coughed roughly. "My throaaat," he whined softly, moving his head away slightly to rub at his eyes tiredly.
Snape nodded knowingly before he placed a hand on the small back and gently guided the boy into the parlor. "Let's get a potion in you." He swallowed hard, his own throat burning in the process.
Harry could hear the hoarseness in Snape's tone as he was guided to the couch. He sat down on the couch, coughing harshly into his arm.
Snape moved slowly across the room and into the kitchen. He opened the cabinet plucking a vial from it and walking back into the parlor. "This should help you feel better." Snape moved over to the couch, sitting with a soft sigh. He had taken the same potion ten minutes prior yet his headache and sore throat were stubbornly refusing to vanish.
The child eagerly held a hand out for the vial, anything to help! He swallowed it rather quickly with a cringe soon after. Holding the empty vial back to Snape, Harry rested his head on the man's arm as he pulled his legs up onto the couch. "It huuurts."
Snape hummed softly in agreement as he laid his head back on the back of the couch. The arm that Harry was not resting on reached out and grabbed the blanket, pulling it over himself and the child. "Give it a moment to work." He yawned softly.
The child moved to lay his head more on Snape's chest as he moved, wrapping his arm loosely around the man. He swallowed heavily as he hid his face into the man's shirt as a cough shook his body. With a whine, Harry shifted his head slightly once more. "Snaaape."
"Harry," Snape spoke the name a bit firmly. "I know that you do not feel well but I cannot listen to that whine all day." The man swallowed hard, his throat burning as he did so.
Tears burned at the child's eyes at the tone, coughing softer as he swallowed with a much softer whine. He sniffed, blinking as he rubbed at his face with the back of his hand. "'M sorry," he whispered, swallowing several more times which only resulted in the child's throat burning even worse than before. "It still huuurts."
Snape sighed heavily before waving a hand and causing a bowl of ice cream to appear on the coffee table. Normally he would be against every thought of the child eating ice cream for breakfast but if it ended the whining, even if only for a short time, he hardly cared. "See if that helps your throat." The man closed his eyes as he shifted his body slightly in an attempt to be more comfortable.
"Huh?" Harry opened his eyes, blinking slowly as his eyes settled on the bowl. Slowly the child pushed himself away from the man and leaned over to grab the bowl. "Ice cream?" He whispered, a small smile pulling at his lips as he leaned back against Snape.
He took a spoonful, happily eating a bite and letting it melt in his mouth before swallowing. It soothed his throat near instantly and the child sighed as he relaxed once more.
Snape gave a soft knowing hum as he felt the child relax against him. "A bit better?" His eyes remained closed as his hand rested on Harry's knee.
"Mhm." Harry nodded as he took several smaller bites, sniffing once more. His eyes fluttered closed as he continued to eat slowly, pausing after a moment to cough harshly.
Snape hummed softly once more as his fingers gently tapped Harry's knee. He would feed the child ice cream all day if it resulted in preventing the whining. "Enjoy."
After several more minutes, Harry placed the bowl back down and turned himself to press against Snape's side. One arm rested on the man's chest as he gave a soft sniff.
"It's just a little cold." Snape's hand gently rubbed the boy's knee. "You will be just fine."
"Mnnn." Harry stretched out his legs on the couch, He felt terrible and he was sure Snape was wrong right then. His head felt cloudy, eyes heavy although he didn't want to sleep...despite sleep sounding so nice right ice cream had settled in his stomach, and he certainly didn't have an appetite for more. "Snape?" His voice was much softer as he hid his head within the man's front.
"Hmmm?" Snape's eyes opened slightly as he looked down at the child.
Harry didn't reply, moving to sit on his guardian's lap and pulling the cover up with him. He rested his head on Snape's shoulder, sniffing once more as he gave a small shudder.
Snape wrapped an arm around the child before waving his other hand, causing the fire in the hearth to grow slightly. "Are you okay?" His eyes closed once more.
"I can't breaaath," he whined softly, nestling closer to the man as he sniffed once more. His eyes closed, arms tucking against his chest.
Snape waved his hand once more as his eyes opened. A large box of tissues appeared on the coffee table. "I am not going to ask you again to stop whining."
"I can't heeeelp it." Harry sniffed as he kept his face into Snape's front. "Don't be cross."
"Harry," Snape's eyes opened once more as his voice went slightly stern. "I do not feel well either. Now if you cannot control that whining we can certainly discuss it more seriously when we are both feeling better." Snape's hand moved to gently pat the boy's small backside.
Harry fell silent at the words, sniffing once more as he rubbed at his face with a soft, "sorry." The child pulled the blanket tighter around his shoulder.
Snape's hand moved to gently rub the small back. "There are tissues on the table, blow your nose."
Harry finally moved his head away with a sniff, looking over to the table before he moved slightly to grab one. He sat up slightly, blowing his nose slightly roughly before the action caused him to cough. His lower lip stuck out, clearly attempting to not whine about the situation.
"You need to be more gentle." Snape's hand rubbed the child's back once more. "You also likely need a potion for that cough."
Harry placed the tissue on the table before he curled up against the man's front with the softest of whines. "I don't want a potion."
"I do not want that cough to get worse." Snape's fingers tapped the boy's back gently before he stood and walked towards the kitchen.
"Snaaaape," the child whined, sniffing once more as he rubbed at his face. "Ugh." He hated being sick. He would rather be at school than be sick like this!
Snape walked back into the parlor with a small vial in his hand and a raised eyebrow. "We are going to discuss that whine later then?" He walked across the room, his own head pounding with a headache. He had taken a dose of potion himself in the kitchen however it was not working quickly enough for his liking.
"No," Harry whispered, shaking his head as he looked up at the man. "Sorry," he muttered, curling up under the blanket as he stared up at his guardian.
Snape sat down beside Harry once more, holding out the vial. "Take this please." He gave the child a serious look. "Without argument."
"I don't like potions," Harry complained, taking the vial and looking down to the liquid. He swirled the liquid slowly before he finally took it within a couple of gulps. Near instantly he leaned back against Snape, holding out the vial.
Snape took the empty vial, slipping it into his pocket. "You do not like being sick either. That potion should put an end to the cough you have." The man wrapped an arm around the boy, pulling him tightly against his chest as he leaned his own head back and shut his eyes.
Harry gave a hum as he was pulled close, glad that this potion at least worked better than the last. He closed his eyes, nestling his head on Snape's chest. "'M tired," he whispered.
"Take a nap." Snape's hand moved to rest on the small of the child's back. "Where is your owl?" He lifted his head and opened his eyes, moving the blanket to reveal the small stuffed toy.
Harry leaned and grabbed the toy, leaning back against Snape once more. He tucked himself against the man's side as he sniffed softly. His head was starting to hurt, and his eyes were so heavy, he couldn't imagine keeping them open a moment longer. He held the toy tightly to his chest as he released a ragged breath.
Snape covered the pair of them with the blanket once more before he leaned his head back, closing his eyes again. His arm wrapped around the child tightly. "Rest will help you feel better."
Harry didn't respond, one arm moving to rest on Snape's stomach in a half hug. He gave a soft hum, clearing his throat before he sniffed softly. His lips parted slightly for easier breathing as he drifted off within minutes.
Snape gave a soft sigh as he opened his eyes and carefully pulled the blanket up over Harry's shoulder. He closed his eyes a moment later allowing sleep to take over his body.
Harry remained still for several hours, his breathing uneven. He wasn't sure how long he was asleep for, what he did know though was that the nap didn't help greatly. His stomach did feel better at least.
He gave a soft whine, shifting finally and moving against Snape's side to get more comfortable. His shoulders shook as a much softer cough than before passed his lips, a loud sniff soon following. "Mnnnn."
The child's eyes opened partly, staring towards the dying flames of the fire. His throat still ached, though not as terrible as it did that morning, still, it caused enough for him to just whine softly.
Snape shifted slightly at the sound of the small whine. His eyes opened before he lifted his head and looked down at the child. "Are you feeling any better?" His hand gently moved across Harry's back as he swallowed, his own throat feeling painful. He was thankful, however, that his headache was gone.
"Little." Harry's voice was hoarse as he raised the back of his hand to rub at his eyes. "My throat." The same hand fell to rub at his neck, swallowing once more as he raised his eyes up to just guardian.
Snape hummed. "Mine as well." He reached down, gently removing the child from his chest. "A potion for both of us and then perhaps some more ice cream for you?" The man moved the blanket off of him before he stood.
Harry held the blanket to himself as he watched Snape stand, closing his eyes as he leaned back. He didn't reply, simply sniffing loudly and pulling the blanket up to his chin. He was hungry but he just couldn't swallow and the idea of eating was not appealing.
Snape emerged from the kitchen a moment later with two vials in his hand. He sat back down on the couch, handing one over to Harry. "Let's get that throat of yours taken care of."
The child instantly curled back against Snape's side when he sat back down, pulling his legs closer to his chest. "Kay," he whispered, reaching to take the vial. Anything to help his throat at this point!
He slowly took the potion this time, lowering the empty vial down with a soft sigh at the soothing sensation the potion gave this time.
"Very good." Snape was pleased that the child had taken the potion so easily and without argument but he could not help but worry that the action spoke volumes about how ill the child felt.
He took the empty vial from Harry slipping it into his pocket before he swallowed his own vial of potion. "More ice cream?"
"Mhm." Harry nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Please." He rested his hands on top of the blanket, sniffing once more.
Snape waved his hand causing a bowl of vanilla ice cream to appear. "You will need to eat real food at some point today. Perhaps later for dinner." The man swallowed once more pleased to find that his throat hurt a great deal less than it had.
Harry nodded as he took the small bowl, tucking himself into Snape's side as he took a small bite with a hum. "Thanks, Snape," he murmured, taking a few more small bites that caused the soreness to cool over.
Snape sighed softly once more pleased that the child was agreeing so easily and without argument. He moved his hand, pressing it gently to Harry's forehead as he silently scolded himself for forgetting to check for a fever earlier. His hand dropped a moment later, pleased to find that the boy felt cool. "I think that your nap helped you a great deal."
Closing his eyes at the touch, Harry gave a soft sound before he took another bite. "'M still sleepy," he whispered, opening his eyes once more and looking down at the ice cream.
"When you are done eating and can rest some more." Snape rested his hand on the child's knee. "Do you want to move back up to your bed? You would likely be more comfortable."
"No." He shook his head, taking another bite after the word before speaking at an attempted normal tone. "I wanna stay with you."
Snape nodded in reply thankful that the child had not whined. "That is fine as well." The man wrapped an arm around the small body, pulling Harry closer to his side.
Harry lowered the spoon down after he got close to eating half the bowl before leaning and placing it down on the table. He yawned, opening his mouth as little as possible before he whined and pressed his head to Snape's shoulder.
"I certainly hope that wasn't a whine I just heard." Snape's fingers gently tapped Harry's side. "You are getting too old for such things."
"I haaaate being siiiick!" He coughed softly as his voice had risen slightly, his shoulders hunching over slightly. "And don't be cross." Harry sniffed once more, resting his cheek on Snape's chest.
"I do not recall stating once today that I have been cross." Snape looked down at the child on his chest. "I do not enjoy being sick either. However, you are too old to be whining in such a manner and I am feeling too poorly to listen to it."
"Sorry," Harry muttered as he rubbed his face slightly against Snape's front before wrapping an arm around him in a tight hug. "My head hurts."
Snape's hand moved once more to gently press against the boy's forehead, pleased to find it cool. "Are you still tired? Or is it a headache bad enough to need a potion to help it?" He raised an eyebrow as he looked down at the child.
"I don't want a potion." The child shook his head as he sniffed once more. "It just aches."
"We will give it a few moments to stop hurting on its own." Snape moved his hand to rest it on Harry's back. "Close your eyes and rest for a few moments."
Harry didn't have the fight in him to argue against the words, sniffing softly as he once more started to breathe through his mouth. His eyes fluttered for a moment before closing completely once more. "I wanna be better."
Snape's fingers gently tapped the child's back. "If you want to feel better than you need to rest and take potions when I tell you to."
"Mn." The child raised a hand to rub at his eye before he lowered it back down to rest over Snape's middle. With another loud sniff, he took in a breath before releasing it past his lips. "Fine."
Snape gently removed the child from on top of him before standing once more. "Honestly Harry, you act as though I torture you." The man walked into the kitchen emerging a moment later with a new vial. "Imagine, some parents do not flavor potions at all for their children." He sat back down on the couch beside the boy.
"Then they're mean," he huffed, resulting in a soft cough as he pulled a leg up to himself. Harry raised a hand for the vial, though a frown crossed his lips. "And stop leavinnn'" A soft whine passed escaped as he watched Snape.
Snape raised an eyebrow as he handed the vial over to the child. "You are coming dangerously close to having a consequence for that whining in the near future." Snape reached out a hand and gently tapped the child's chin. "I am only leaving to get you what you need."
"I just want you to stay," Harry muttered softly as he took the vial and looked down to it with a sniff. He really didn't mean to whine, but he felt so miserable he just couldn't help it!
"Take that potion before you do find yourself in trouble later." Snape reached out and tapped the small chin once more. The man was feeling better than he had this morning however he was still exhausted and in no mood to deal with anything but good behavior from the child.
With the smallest of whines, Harry did as asked, downing the potion within a few swallows and holding the vial back out. He sniffed, pulling the covers back up around himself.
Snape took the empty vial from the child, setting it on the table beside him. "Perhaps you would like to rest some more?"
Harry slowly nodded, wrapping his arms around his knees as he pulled them up to his chest under the blanket. "Please."
Snape hummed softly as he adjusted the blanket around the child before pulling him closer to his side. "Just relax."
The child nestled his cheek into Snape's side, soon moving it so it rested on the man's chest. Closing his eyes, Harry focused on Snape's breathing under his ear as he slowly nodded.
"Very good," Snape hummed as his own eyes closed. He leaned his head back, allowing his body to relax. He was sure that all they needed was a bit more time to rest before they both felt much better.
Harry stretched his legs out over his guardian's lap, in an attempt to trap the man from moving again. His chin tucked under the covers slightly as he gave a small yawn. Sleep was swift to take over his exhausted mind once more, one arm loosely hanging onto Snape's shoulder.