Disclaimer: Nope, Harry Potter and his fellow characters are not mine,
save for the Stensons of course. They all belong to J.K. Rowling as I'm
sure you all know by now. I'm just borrowing them.
Author's Note: Bet you were wondering if Harry would ever actually get cancer. Well it's here! Uncle Vernon's psychotic as usual. Poor Harry, his Christmas holiday isn't quite going the way he wanted it too. What am I telling you this for? It's right here for you to read yourself! Thanks to all my reviewers. I was having a really bad day the other day and then I was surprised with a bunch of reviews. I went from near tears to literally dancing around the room! It's nice to know that some people actually seem to like this fic! So thank you so much! On with the story!
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Uncle Vernon's eyes fell onto Harry and a malicious grin broke over his face. In two steps, he had reached Harry and grabbed a handful of his hair. Mr. and Mrs. Stenson were running down the stairs to try to stop Harry's uncle.
"Ah.... kidnapping, Stenson. That could land you in jail. Especially since you deliberately disobeyed a court order, judges don't look too kindly on that," Uncle Vernon growled at Mr. Stenson.
"Let that boy go right now!" cried Mrs. Stenson, but Uncle Vernon only pulled Harry closer into his grasp, one chubby arm snaking around his neck, the other pulling out a gun and resting it at Harry's temple. Harry stilled and Kota let out a cry of surprise. Mr. and Mrs. Stenson's attitude changed from ready to attack, to surprise, to a calmer pleading.
"Dursley, don't do anything rash. If you hurt Harry in any way, you know you'll be in more trouble with the police than we would ever be. Just put the gun down," Mr. Stenson tried, putting his hands in the air in front of him as one would to calm a growling dog.
"Oh this thing," Uncle Vernon asked giving the gun a little shake. "Oh well I found this on Harry. I've suspected for a while that you might be getting him involved in a gang of some sort and had kidnapped him. When I came to rescue him from your clutches, I found this on him, and if any of you try to attack me, I'll make sure that no one will doubt that I only shot out of self-defense." He had obviously thought out the story in advance and unfortunately, the police or judges would probably believe him. As his uncle started shuffling backwards towards the door, Harry had no choice but to be dragged along with him.
"I'm going to call a friend who just happens to be in a high position in the police force to make sure you don't take any strolls too close to my house, and if any of you do come, I'll have warned my friend about Harry's gang involvement. If I have to shoot him at any point out of 'self- defense' I'll have many sympathizers," Uncle Vernon said with a final sneer as he pushed Harry out the door in front of him. He shoved the gun into his back in such a way that if anyone who didn't know what was going on saw them on the street, they wouldn't have the slightest clue that anything was wrong.
With one final glance back, Harry saw a new set of tears streaming down the females' faces, but a far different kind of tears than he had seen just that morning.
.
When they got back into the Dursley house and the door was closed to any nosy neighbors, Uncle Vernon punched Harry in the face causing him to fall to the floor. Then he grabbed Harry by his hair and practically dragged him to his old cupboard, threw him inside, and locked the door.
"Consider this your warning, boy," Uncle Vernon hissed through the vent on the door before slamming it shut.
Harry heard his uncle make a phone call (presumably to that friend he mentioned) and told him his story: kidnapping, gangs, and all. It might have been entertaining if it wasn't such a serious situation. He then simply went upstairs and to bed.
Harry lay in his old bed, which seemed extremely tiny compared to the double bed that he slept in at the Stensons, staring at the ceiling. It seemed that he had got off far too easy. Granted there was a cut on his cheek where his uncle's middle knuckle had hit, but Harry had been afraid for his life. Harry could come up with only three explanations.
First possibility: Uncle Vernon could have been in a supremely good mood for scoring points in the family feud with the Stensons.
Second: he was lulling Harry into a false sense of safety and was waiting to strike when it was least expected.
Third: if not those then the only other explanation was that aliens had taken over his uncle's body and were planning to dominate the world, trying to act somewhat like his uncle to pull off their disguise but not truly concerned with an insignificant human being like Harry.
In any case, he'd have to be on his guard.
.
Harry lived the next week on practically no food and with a heavy workload. Last year, it wouldn't have been as bad when his stomach was smaller, but Harry could only figure that it must've expanded at Hogwarts and with the Stensons. At times he almost couldn't stand because of the gnawing pain in his stomach.
Along with this he was forced to do chores all day, everywhere except for the front yard. Uncle Vernon didn't want Harry to talk with the cops that were stationed in front of their house to guard against the Stensons.
Harry was thankful that he only had to wait until January forth to return to school, and as long as he didn't do anything to irritate his uncle, he would survive to see it. So he did his chores and ate his meager portions of food without complaint.
.
Finally, it was January third, the day before going back to Hogwarts. He cautiously mentioned this to his uncle along with the fact that the Stensons still had his things.
"Er...if it would be easier for you, I'm sure Dakota Stenson could drive me. I mean it's really out of your way and that way I'd get my things and..."
"Don't even think about it," Uncle Vernon cut him off. "I will drive you and we'll briefly stop by their house to pick up your ruddy things."
Harry nodded and went back to doing the dishes. He thought everything was going pretty good, all things considered. He had been walking on thin ice since December 26, but it looked like he was going to make it.
While lost in his thoughts, Harry became aware of a soft tapping at the window. He looked over to see Hedwig quietly tapping the window with her beak. Harry peeked in to make sure the Dursleys were still glued to the television and opened the window extremely slowly, leaving the water running to divert any suspicion. He took off the small piece of paper attached to Hedwig's leg and read a sloppily scribbled note from Dakota.
HARRY-
DAD HAD SOME KIND OF ATTACK OR SOMETHING. WE'RE GOING TO THE HOSPITAL. HIS CANCER'S SPEEDING UP. I THINK HE MIGHT DIE. PLEASE COME QUICK.
-KOTA
Harry couldn't believe it. Mr. Stenson was supposed to have until February! He quickly scribbled on the back of the note:
I'LL BE THERE ASAP BUT I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE DURSLEYS ARE ASLEEP. JUST GET YOUR DAD TO HANG ON UNTIL THEN. IF IT BECOMES AN ABSOLUTE EMERGENCY, SEND HEDWIG RIGHT AWAY.
-HARRY
Harry quietly whispered for Hedwig to take the note to Kota. Hedwig flew off quietly and Harry shut the window behind her. Finishing the dishes, he kept watch at the reflection in the window of the Dursleys gathered around the glowing screen in the living room.
Finally, the half hour was over, ending the show and the dishes. Harry went into his cupboard, his uncle locking it as usual before going up to bed. Harry listened carefully until there were no more sounds of any of his relatives creeping around.
He pulled out his wand, which he always kept in his deep pants pocket and whispered "Alohomora," unlocking the door.
With a glance out the front window, he saw that the police car was still stationed outside. He therefore tiptoed to the backdoor and crept out, thankful that the Dursleys were all quick to fall asleep.
He climbed over the fence ending up in the neighbor's backyard. He climbed over a few more fences until he was a safe distance away from 4 Privet Drive. Making sure the street was deserted, he ran to the Stensons, using the key they had given him to get in.
He raced up to the guest-room where his trunk still lay. He quickly dug out the potion needed for the spell. He had made it back at Hogwarts just as a precaution, in case he might need it early or if not, for practice. He grabbed the paper with the spell written on it, which he had luckily figured out how to pronounce and had memorized. He decided to bring it just in case his brain froze.
Once again making sure the street was empty, he darted out the door and basically sprinted the three miles to the hospital.
He entered the white and clean building, out of breath, only barely able to ask the receptionist for the correct room number, and then dashed there. As he approached the room, he saw Kota and Mrs. Stenson outside sitting in chairs both looking worriedly at the floor. Kota was biting her nails, as was normal for her during suspenseful parts of movies. When they saw him they both leaped up.
"How is he?" Harry asked while approaching.
"He's all right for now. The doctors say that he only has a few days left though," Mrs. Stenson started. She then gasped. "Harry, what happened?" she asked about his cheek, which now had a fading bruise and a scab where it had split.
"It's nothing. I'm fine, really," he said looking at the ground. "Can I see him?"
Mrs. Stenson nodded sadly and ushered him into the nearest door.
When they entered the room, Mr. Stenson was sleeping and Mrs. Stenson had to go shake him awake. He looked exhausted and shaky. Harry thought briefly about how he would probably look the same way in a few months, but when that happened, there was no getting out of it.
"Hey there Harry," Mr. Stenson started, scooting up into a sitting position against his pillows and ushered him over with a smile. As Harry approached, Mr. Stenson's smile turned into a deep frown. "He hit you again." It wasn't a question. Harry once again looked sheepishly at the floor.
"Yeah, well, it doesn't matter, I'm going back to school again tomorrow."
"Well, we're going to think of a way to get you out of there, okay?" Harry nodded.
"All right then, are you ready to try the spell?" Harry asked getting a bit nervous. "You do remember about the possible consequences, right?"
"Yes of course, why don't you give me a minute with my wife and daughter just in case."
Harry waited outside the room as the Stensons said their goodbyes in case it really would be goodbye. Meanwhile, Harry spent the time reading again over the spell, more to get his mind off the butterflies fluttering around his stomach than to learn it better.
Finally, a tearful Mrs. Stenson called him back in and then took a crying Kota out of the room. He took an empty cup off of the nightstand and filled it with half the potion. He then gave it to a waiting Mr. Stenson who looked at it quite skeptically.
"Er...Harry, what exactly is in this?"
"Well some eye of newt, bat droppings, and dog vomit."
Mr. Stenson looked horrified.
Harry grinned. "Just kidding. Actually, I don't think you do really want to know what's in it; I find it's best never to ask with potions. Remember to focus on expelling the cancer, okay? Concentrate as hard as you can. So, just drink up and be prepared for an awful taste," he said raising the vial to his own lips.
"Wait, Harry," Mr. Stenson said putting up a hand. "Just in case this is the last time I can say it, I want you to know that if I ever had a son, I hope he would've turned out as great as you."
Harry was a bit stunned. Nobody had ever said anything like that before. After a long pause of not knowing what to say, Harry finally spoke.
"Well don't worry, you'll still have time to have that son."
With that Harry downed his portion of the potion in one gulp. It tasted horrible enough to cause a shiver down Harry's spine and consider trying to wipe it off his tongue, but he refrained from doing so. It also made him feel a bit dizzy and felt like something cold was swimming around inside of him. 'At least it's better than Polyjuice,' he thought.
"Well, that had to be the most disgusting thing I've ever tasted," Mr. Stenson said with a slightly green look on his face.
"Ditto, that." Harry took out his wand and took a deep breath. "All right here it goes. Just lie down and close your eyes. I'm guessing this won't be the most pleasant feeling in the world."
Mr. Stenson nodded and lay back, shutting his eyes. Harry closed his eyes as well and willed all of his concentration into the words he needed to say and the effect it was supposed to have.
"Anackarinina demienne hemeness. Medetatu hatlaeh. Detutame recnac." He repeated the phrase three times and opened his eyes.
Mr. Stenson's hands were balled into fists and his face was in a grimace of pain. A green glow surrounded him and began turning redder and redder until there was no trace of green. Mr. Stenson became visibly relaxed but was still gasping for breath, keeping his eyes tightly closed as Harry had instructed only in order to prevent him from somehow seeing the cancer being transferred.
The light began to gather into a ball above his chest. Suddenly, a jet of the light burst out and hit Harry in the chest. It was incredible pain, like the Cruciatus curse but concentrated in one area. He dropped his wand and slapped his hands over where the light was entering but the light went right through his hands.
The ball of light became smaller as it traveled along the beam into Harry's chest. The more light that entered, the harder it was for him to breathe. He felt himself sink to his knees, gasping for air. The last thing he saw before collapsing to the ground was the last of the light being sucked into his chest.
.
"Harry. Harry!"
Harry felt a pair of hands gently shaking him and he opened his eyes to see Kota standing over him. He tried to say something to her but it came out as a groan.
Then, suddenly remembering why he was lying on a cold, hard floor, he sat up quickly causing his head to swim. Kota helped him stand.
"Harry, are you all right?" Kota asked frantically. Harry guessed that they hadn't expected to come in to find him unconscious on the floor. Well, he hadn't exactly known about that either.
"Yeah, I'm just a little light headed. Big spells can take a lot out of you. How's your dad?"
Instead of answering him, she stepped aside to give him a view of the hospital bed. Mr. Stenson was sitting up, very much alive and looking much more lively than he had before. Mrs. Stenson was sitting beside him holding his hand and silently crying through a smile. Both were looking torn between worried for Harry and happy that Mr. Stenson was very much alive, but as Harry walked over, their worries were relieved.
"How do you feel, Mr. Stenson?"
"Better than I have in quite a while. I can't feel any of the symptoms. I think you were right about it not being the most pleasant feeling in the world though," he laughed.
"Well, before you get your hopes too high, can you get re-tested for it?" He hated the idea that after getting everyone so hopeful, he would let them down and it would really still be there.
Mr. Stenson pushed a button to call for the doctor.
When the doctor did come in his first reaction was to shoot a surprised look at Harry.
"I'm sorry, but only family members are allowed to be visiting."
"He is family," Mr. Stenson said winking at Harry. The doctor looked skeptical but decided to not pursue it.
"So, Mr. Stenson, what seems to be the problem," he said referring to being called in.
"Actually it's the opposite. I'd like to get tested for cancer again." The doctor was taken aback looking at Mr. Stenson like he was crazy and then glancing guiltily at the rest of the occupants in the room.
"Er...Mr. Stenson, this type of cancer doesn't just turn around like that, especially so late..."
"Listen, I'll pay whatever it costs, but I want the tests done all right?" There was no arguing with him. The doctor just nodded his head and drew a blood sample.
"There's a quick test we can do right in the lab in this hospital so it shouldn't take long. It should be fairly easy to tell if the cancer has disappeared, but try not to get your hopes up," the doctor said, exiting the room.
After about an hour, the doctor came back in looking a bit dazed, mystified. It reminded Harry of Lockhart after he had lost his memory.
"It seems..." he paused and shook his head as though not believing what he was saying. "It seems that in at least preliminary tests, we...we can't find any trace of the cancer. We'll have to do more extensive tests as we had to do originally to see if there's any in there but.... well, frankly, Mr. Stenson, you are a medical miracle. I guess you're free to go and we'll call you if we find anything." He opened and closed his mouth as if trying to say something but not knowing what, turned around and left the room.
Everyone laughed and Harry was showered by hugs and thanks.
The Stensons drove Harry home, or near to his house as to not get in trouble with the police . Harry told them that he would see them briefly tomorrow to get his things from their house and waved goodbye as they drove away.
As Harry neared 4 Privet Drive, he noticed that the police car was no longer parked outside the house. Either they always snuck off in the middle of the night to get donuts or Uncle Vernon had said that they would no longer need them after January 3rd, which, being after midnight, was yesterday. The police must have taken him quite literally on that.
With no one watching the house, Harry crossed the front yard, jumped the fence and went in the back door, being the only one unlocked.
The house was totally dark and Harry tiptoed back to his cupboard, extremely pleased that the spell worked, though slightly dreading the effects. He didn't feel anything besides weariness from the amount of magic he had used, so he supposed that he was starting at the beginning of the illness.
He made sure the path was clear and went to his cupboard and opened the door, turning to step inside. He started to step in but suddenly heard the kitchen door creak open behind him.
He whirled around to see his uncle standing in the doorway with a malicious grin on his face.
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A/N: Well there you go! A rather long chappy just for you guys. Isn't Uncle Vernon creepy? Rather like a murderer from a horror movie if I do say so myself. Poor Harry, it looks like he's in trouble and let's just say he's not just going to get grounded. How do I know this? Because I've already written the whole story of course! So, please please review and I'll get the next chapter up in a few days!
Author's Note: Bet you were wondering if Harry would ever actually get cancer. Well it's here! Uncle Vernon's psychotic as usual. Poor Harry, his Christmas holiday isn't quite going the way he wanted it too. What am I telling you this for? It's right here for you to read yourself! Thanks to all my reviewers. I was having a really bad day the other day and then I was surprised with a bunch of reviews. I went from near tears to literally dancing around the room! It's nice to know that some people actually seem to like this fic! So thank you so much! On with the story!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Uncle Vernon's eyes fell onto Harry and a malicious grin broke over his face. In two steps, he had reached Harry and grabbed a handful of his hair. Mr. and Mrs. Stenson were running down the stairs to try to stop Harry's uncle.
"Ah.... kidnapping, Stenson. That could land you in jail. Especially since you deliberately disobeyed a court order, judges don't look too kindly on that," Uncle Vernon growled at Mr. Stenson.
"Let that boy go right now!" cried Mrs. Stenson, but Uncle Vernon only pulled Harry closer into his grasp, one chubby arm snaking around his neck, the other pulling out a gun and resting it at Harry's temple. Harry stilled and Kota let out a cry of surprise. Mr. and Mrs. Stenson's attitude changed from ready to attack, to surprise, to a calmer pleading.
"Dursley, don't do anything rash. If you hurt Harry in any way, you know you'll be in more trouble with the police than we would ever be. Just put the gun down," Mr. Stenson tried, putting his hands in the air in front of him as one would to calm a growling dog.
"Oh this thing," Uncle Vernon asked giving the gun a little shake. "Oh well I found this on Harry. I've suspected for a while that you might be getting him involved in a gang of some sort and had kidnapped him. When I came to rescue him from your clutches, I found this on him, and if any of you try to attack me, I'll make sure that no one will doubt that I only shot out of self-defense." He had obviously thought out the story in advance and unfortunately, the police or judges would probably believe him. As his uncle started shuffling backwards towards the door, Harry had no choice but to be dragged along with him.
"I'm going to call a friend who just happens to be in a high position in the police force to make sure you don't take any strolls too close to my house, and if any of you do come, I'll have warned my friend about Harry's gang involvement. If I have to shoot him at any point out of 'self- defense' I'll have many sympathizers," Uncle Vernon said with a final sneer as he pushed Harry out the door in front of him. He shoved the gun into his back in such a way that if anyone who didn't know what was going on saw them on the street, they wouldn't have the slightest clue that anything was wrong.
With one final glance back, Harry saw a new set of tears streaming down the females' faces, but a far different kind of tears than he had seen just that morning.
.
When they got back into the Dursley house and the door was closed to any nosy neighbors, Uncle Vernon punched Harry in the face causing him to fall to the floor. Then he grabbed Harry by his hair and practically dragged him to his old cupboard, threw him inside, and locked the door.
"Consider this your warning, boy," Uncle Vernon hissed through the vent on the door before slamming it shut.
Harry heard his uncle make a phone call (presumably to that friend he mentioned) and told him his story: kidnapping, gangs, and all. It might have been entertaining if it wasn't such a serious situation. He then simply went upstairs and to bed.
Harry lay in his old bed, which seemed extremely tiny compared to the double bed that he slept in at the Stensons, staring at the ceiling. It seemed that he had got off far too easy. Granted there was a cut on his cheek where his uncle's middle knuckle had hit, but Harry had been afraid for his life. Harry could come up with only three explanations.
First possibility: Uncle Vernon could have been in a supremely good mood for scoring points in the family feud with the Stensons.
Second: he was lulling Harry into a false sense of safety and was waiting to strike when it was least expected.
Third: if not those then the only other explanation was that aliens had taken over his uncle's body and were planning to dominate the world, trying to act somewhat like his uncle to pull off their disguise but not truly concerned with an insignificant human being like Harry.
In any case, he'd have to be on his guard.
.
Harry lived the next week on practically no food and with a heavy workload. Last year, it wouldn't have been as bad when his stomach was smaller, but Harry could only figure that it must've expanded at Hogwarts and with the Stensons. At times he almost couldn't stand because of the gnawing pain in his stomach.
Along with this he was forced to do chores all day, everywhere except for the front yard. Uncle Vernon didn't want Harry to talk with the cops that were stationed in front of their house to guard against the Stensons.
Harry was thankful that he only had to wait until January forth to return to school, and as long as he didn't do anything to irritate his uncle, he would survive to see it. So he did his chores and ate his meager portions of food without complaint.
.
Finally, it was January third, the day before going back to Hogwarts. He cautiously mentioned this to his uncle along with the fact that the Stensons still had his things.
"Er...if it would be easier for you, I'm sure Dakota Stenson could drive me. I mean it's really out of your way and that way I'd get my things and..."
"Don't even think about it," Uncle Vernon cut him off. "I will drive you and we'll briefly stop by their house to pick up your ruddy things."
Harry nodded and went back to doing the dishes. He thought everything was going pretty good, all things considered. He had been walking on thin ice since December 26, but it looked like he was going to make it.
While lost in his thoughts, Harry became aware of a soft tapping at the window. He looked over to see Hedwig quietly tapping the window with her beak. Harry peeked in to make sure the Dursleys were still glued to the television and opened the window extremely slowly, leaving the water running to divert any suspicion. He took off the small piece of paper attached to Hedwig's leg and read a sloppily scribbled note from Dakota.
HARRY-
DAD HAD SOME KIND OF ATTACK OR SOMETHING. WE'RE GOING TO THE HOSPITAL. HIS CANCER'S SPEEDING UP. I THINK HE MIGHT DIE. PLEASE COME QUICK.
-KOTA
Harry couldn't believe it. Mr. Stenson was supposed to have until February! He quickly scribbled on the back of the note:
I'LL BE THERE ASAP BUT I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE DURSLEYS ARE ASLEEP. JUST GET YOUR DAD TO HANG ON UNTIL THEN. IF IT BECOMES AN ABSOLUTE EMERGENCY, SEND HEDWIG RIGHT AWAY.
-HARRY
Harry quietly whispered for Hedwig to take the note to Kota. Hedwig flew off quietly and Harry shut the window behind her. Finishing the dishes, he kept watch at the reflection in the window of the Dursleys gathered around the glowing screen in the living room.
Finally, the half hour was over, ending the show and the dishes. Harry went into his cupboard, his uncle locking it as usual before going up to bed. Harry listened carefully until there were no more sounds of any of his relatives creeping around.
He pulled out his wand, which he always kept in his deep pants pocket and whispered "Alohomora," unlocking the door.
With a glance out the front window, he saw that the police car was still stationed outside. He therefore tiptoed to the backdoor and crept out, thankful that the Dursleys were all quick to fall asleep.
He climbed over the fence ending up in the neighbor's backyard. He climbed over a few more fences until he was a safe distance away from 4 Privet Drive. Making sure the street was deserted, he ran to the Stensons, using the key they had given him to get in.
He raced up to the guest-room where his trunk still lay. He quickly dug out the potion needed for the spell. He had made it back at Hogwarts just as a precaution, in case he might need it early or if not, for practice. He grabbed the paper with the spell written on it, which he had luckily figured out how to pronounce and had memorized. He decided to bring it just in case his brain froze.
Once again making sure the street was empty, he darted out the door and basically sprinted the three miles to the hospital.
He entered the white and clean building, out of breath, only barely able to ask the receptionist for the correct room number, and then dashed there. As he approached the room, he saw Kota and Mrs. Stenson outside sitting in chairs both looking worriedly at the floor. Kota was biting her nails, as was normal for her during suspenseful parts of movies. When they saw him they both leaped up.
"How is he?" Harry asked while approaching.
"He's all right for now. The doctors say that he only has a few days left though," Mrs. Stenson started. She then gasped. "Harry, what happened?" she asked about his cheek, which now had a fading bruise and a scab where it had split.
"It's nothing. I'm fine, really," he said looking at the ground. "Can I see him?"
Mrs. Stenson nodded sadly and ushered him into the nearest door.
When they entered the room, Mr. Stenson was sleeping and Mrs. Stenson had to go shake him awake. He looked exhausted and shaky. Harry thought briefly about how he would probably look the same way in a few months, but when that happened, there was no getting out of it.
"Hey there Harry," Mr. Stenson started, scooting up into a sitting position against his pillows and ushered him over with a smile. As Harry approached, Mr. Stenson's smile turned into a deep frown. "He hit you again." It wasn't a question. Harry once again looked sheepishly at the floor.
"Yeah, well, it doesn't matter, I'm going back to school again tomorrow."
"Well, we're going to think of a way to get you out of there, okay?" Harry nodded.
"All right then, are you ready to try the spell?" Harry asked getting a bit nervous. "You do remember about the possible consequences, right?"
"Yes of course, why don't you give me a minute with my wife and daughter just in case."
Harry waited outside the room as the Stensons said their goodbyes in case it really would be goodbye. Meanwhile, Harry spent the time reading again over the spell, more to get his mind off the butterflies fluttering around his stomach than to learn it better.
Finally, a tearful Mrs. Stenson called him back in and then took a crying Kota out of the room. He took an empty cup off of the nightstand and filled it with half the potion. He then gave it to a waiting Mr. Stenson who looked at it quite skeptically.
"Er...Harry, what exactly is in this?"
"Well some eye of newt, bat droppings, and dog vomit."
Mr. Stenson looked horrified.
Harry grinned. "Just kidding. Actually, I don't think you do really want to know what's in it; I find it's best never to ask with potions. Remember to focus on expelling the cancer, okay? Concentrate as hard as you can. So, just drink up and be prepared for an awful taste," he said raising the vial to his own lips.
"Wait, Harry," Mr. Stenson said putting up a hand. "Just in case this is the last time I can say it, I want you to know that if I ever had a son, I hope he would've turned out as great as you."
Harry was a bit stunned. Nobody had ever said anything like that before. After a long pause of not knowing what to say, Harry finally spoke.
"Well don't worry, you'll still have time to have that son."
With that Harry downed his portion of the potion in one gulp. It tasted horrible enough to cause a shiver down Harry's spine and consider trying to wipe it off his tongue, but he refrained from doing so. It also made him feel a bit dizzy and felt like something cold was swimming around inside of him. 'At least it's better than Polyjuice,' he thought.
"Well, that had to be the most disgusting thing I've ever tasted," Mr. Stenson said with a slightly green look on his face.
"Ditto, that." Harry took out his wand and took a deep breath. "All right here it goes. Just lie down and close your eyes. I'm guessing this won't be the most pleasant feeling in the world."
Mr. Stenson nodded and lay back, shutting his eyes. Harry closed his eyes as well and willed all of his concentration into the words he needed to say and the effect it was supposed to have.
"Anackarinina demienne hemeness. Medetatu hatlaeh. Detutame recnac." He repeated the phrase three times and opened his eyes.
Mr. Stenson's hands were balled into fists and his face was in a grimace of pain. A green glow surrounded him and began turning redder and redder until there was no trace of green. Mr. Stenson became visibly relaxed but was still gasping for breath, keeping his eyes tightly closed as Harry had instructed only in order to prevent him from somehow seeing the cancer being transferred.
The light began to gather into a ball above his chest. Suddenly, a jet of the light burst out and hit Harry in the chest. It was incredible pain, like the Cruciatus curse but concentrated in one area. He dropped his wand and slapped his hands over where the light was entering but the light went right through his hands.
The ball of light became smaller as it traveled along the beam into Harry's chest. The more light that entered, the harder it was for him to breathe. He felt himself sink to his knees, gasping for air. The last thing he saw before collapsing to the ground was the last of the light being sucked into his chest.
.
"Harry. Harry!"
Harry felt a pair of hands gently shaking him and he opened his eyes to see Kota standing over him. He tried to say something to her but it came out as a groan.
Then, suddenly remembering why he was lying on a cold, hard floor, he sat up quickly causing his head to swim. Kota helped him stand.
"Harry, are you all right?" Kota asked frantically. Harry guessed that they hadn't expected to come in to find him unconscious on the floor. Well, he hadn't exactly known about that either.
"Yeah, I'm just a little light headed. Big spells can take a lot out of you. How's your dad?"
Instead of answering him, she stepped aside to give him a view of the hospital bed. Mr. Stenson was sitting up, very much alive and looking much more lively than he had before. Mrs. Stenson was sitting beside him holding his hand and silently crying through a smile. Both were looking torn between worried for Harry and happy that Mr. Stenson was very much alive, but as Harry walked over, their worries were relieved.
"How do you feel, Mr. Stenson?"
"Better than I have in quite a while. I can't feel any of the symptoms. I think you were right about it not being the most pleasant feeling in the world though," he laughed.
"Well, before you get your hopes too high, can you get re-tested for it?" He hated the idea that after getting everyone so hopeful, he would let them down and it would really still be there.
Mr. Stenson pushed a button to call for the doctor.
When the doctor did come in his first reaction was to shoot a surprised look at Harry.
"I'm sorry, but only family members are allowed to be visiting."
"He is family," Mr. Stenson said winking at Harry. The doctor looked skeptical but decided to not pursue it.
"So, Mr. Stenson, what seems to be the problem," he said referring to being called in.
"Actually it's the opposite. I'd like to get tested for cancer again." The doctor was taken aback looking at Mr. Stenson like he was crazy and then glancing guiltily at the rest of the occupants in the room.
"Er...Mr. Stenson, this type of cancer doesn't just turn around like that, especially so late..."
"Listen, I'll pay whatever it costs, but I want the tests done all right?" There was no arguing with him. The doctor just nodded his head and drew a blood sample.
"There's a quick test we can do right in the lab in this hospital so it shouldn't take long. It should be fairly easy to tell if the cancer has disappeared, but try not to get your hopes up," the doctor said, exiting the room.
After about an hour, the doctor came back in looking a bit dazed, mystified. It reminded Harry of Lockhart after he had lost his memory.
"It seems..." he paused and shook his head as though not believing what he was saying. "It seems that in at least preliminary tests, we...we can't find any trace of the cancer. We'll have to do more extensive tests as we had to do originally to see if there's any in there but.... well, frankly, Mr. Stenson, you are a medical miracle. I guess you're free to go and we'll call you if we find anything." He opened and closed his mouth as if trying to say something but not knowing what, turned around and left the room.
Everyone laughed and Harry was showered by hugs and thanks.
The Stensons drove Harry home, or near to his house as to not get in trouble with the police . Harry told them that he would see them briefly tomorrow to get his things from their house and waved goodbye as they drove away.
As Harry neared 4 Privet Drive, he noticed that the police car was no longer parked outside the house. Either they always snuck off in the middle of the night to get donuts or Uncle Vernon had said that they would no longer need them after January 3rd, which, being after midnight, was yesterday. The police must have taken him quite literally on that.
With no one watching the house, Harry crossed the front yard, jumped the fence and went in the back door, being the only one unlocked.
The house was totally dark and Harry tiptoed back to his cupboard, extremely pleased that the spell worked, though slightly dreading the effects. He didn't feel anything besides weariness from the amount of magic he had used, so he supposed that he was starting at the beginning of the illness.
He made sure the path was clear and went to his cupboard and opened the door, turning to step inside. He started to step in but suddenly heard the kitchen door creak open behind him.
He whirled around to see his uncle standing in the doorway with a malicious grin on his face.
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A/N: Well there you go! A rather long chappy just for you guys. Isn't Uncle Vernon creepy? Rather like a murderer from a horror movie if I do say so myself. Poor Harry, it looks like he's in trouble and let's just say he's not just going to get grounded. How do I know this? Because I've already written the whole story of course! So, please please review and I'll get the next chapter up in a few days!