Five days into Harry being sick and he hated every bit of it. As Poppy told Harry, she had sent word to all his teachers about being sick and that he would not be in class until he recovered. Draco collected Harry's assignments for him, but Harry spent most of his time sleeping or in the bathroom to take a shower and relieve himself. More than a few times throughout the day; it was to throw up. Draco tried to be there for him when he could, which was usually only the time before breakfast, or after dinner. Harry worked on assignments when felt okay enough to be sitting up at his desk, but Draco would make him stop and go back to bed if he saw Harry trying to force himself to work at it. Harry despised being sick, but he supposed what made this time around different was that people actually cared and were trying to help him. Right now, it was the 8th and a Thursday. The time was 9:00 pm as Draco made it upstairs to the dorm and went right over to Harry's four-poster bed to find him asleep, but one curtain open. It was always the curtain that faced Draco's bed, so that Harry could see Draco after a nightmare and it helped to calm him down.
Draco smiled softly as he bent down to press a light kiss to Harry's forehead, finding that he didn't feel warm. Such information made him happy.
"What are you doing to Harry?" Ron demanded.
Draco quickly pulled back. "I was checking if he still he had a fever." Draco commented. "He's been sick for days, have you not even considered he may be getting worse without proper monitoring?" He remarked. In the entirety that Harry had been sick so far, Draco noticed that Ron just kept his distance. Never really checking on Harry at all. Ron would look at Harry when he slept and tell Hermione that Harry was sleeping, or the times Harry went to shower or use the bathroom, Ron just shrugged and went about whatever he was doing. Draco found it annoying because if Harry got worse, who would help him? If Draco were still living in Slytherin Dungeons, no one would even be there to check on Harry.
"I'm sure he'd tell us." Ron said.
"You didn't even know he was sick to start with, Weasley. That night in the hall when he left, you didn't go check on him. I did. He didn't send word to you about going to Pomfrey, he sent one to me. All this time, you haven't once been here before your so-called best friend to make sure he was alright." Draco scoffed.
"Don't tell me how to be his friend." Ron glared.
"Enough you two," Blaise came into the room. "Argue elsewhere before you wake Harry up."
Ron stomped off back downstairs. "I know he's Harry's friend, so I attempt not to fight with him…But never once since Harry got sick did he check on him. What if we were still living in the dungeons? And Harry was sick. I fear Harry would have been left on his own to suffer…" Draco mumbled.
"I'm sure Weasley is just keeping his distance because you're the one who is at Harry's side and we know he doesn't like you." Blaise offered. "How is Harry?"
"Fever seems to be gone. That's what Weasley came in on, me kissing Harry's forehead, but I told him I was only feeling for a fever." Draco informed. Harry moaned a bit, finally opening his eyes as Draco got his glasses for him. Harry managed to sit up and wake more. "Harry…" Draco said softly. "How are you feeling?"
"Honestly…Better than I have all week," Harry admitted. "Still a little off, but I think that's just the tail end of the illness overall. Headache is fading, not as tired…Not nauseous. Appetite is coming back slowly…" He said.
"That's…Good. I'm happy to hear that," Draco sighed in relief. "Your fever is gone too. Are you hungry? I can get you something light to eat from the kitchens."
"It's after hours," Blaise reminded Draco.
"He's right, Draco. It's alright…I've got the nutrient potion I can use. Pomfrey gave me enough to use for three meals a day." Harry stated. "I think it runs out tomorrow night because that marks seven days since I first felt sick."
"A week seems pretty normal for the flu," Blaise shrugged. "I'll leave you two to chat until the rest come to bed. Glad you're feeling better, Harry," He then left the room.
"So you really are feeling better, babe?" Draco asked his boyfriend.
"I am, Draco." Harry nodded. "I think I'll be totally fine by tomorrow. Which is good…I can use the weekend to catch up on all that work." He smiled.
"There really wasn't too much." Draco admitted. "I take it you'll return to class on Monday?"
"Probably. Poppy said all week she told the teachers I'd be out." Harry agreed. "I'm kind of looking forward to it. Going back to class and seeing everyone. I'm sure Hermione is worried."
"Oh, yes. She's been harassing Weasley to check on you at all available times." Draco chuckled.
"I should get up and go shower," Harry muttered.
"Come on, I'll walk with you." Draco offered. Harry got himself out of bed and stretched before grabbing his shower things and walking hand-in-hand with Draco to the bathrooms for 6th year students. "I'll meet you back in the dorm, maybe we can lay together for a bit? I kind of miss it."
"That's fine with me." Harry nodded. Draco gave Harry a kiss on the cheek, then left the bathroom so Harry could shower and probably relieve himself.
Harry did just that, and ended up dressed in fresh pajamas and slippers by 9:30 pm. Harry returned to the dorm and found Draco waiting on his own bed, reading a book. Harry put his things away and joined a readied Draco on his bed. Draco flicked the curtains closed on Harry's bed, then his own as they assumed their normal cuddled up position. Harry was laying on Draco's shoulder, arm splayed across Draco's midsection.
"As soon as you're given the clear from being sick, we're going on a date in Sev's office." Draco told him, one hand linking with Harry's hand, then the one around Harry's shoulders was lightly running his fingers up and down the man's back.
"Can't wait," Harry sighed gently.
"Something on your mind, love?" Draco wondered.
"And the end of the year, I'm telling Ron and Hermione about us being together." Harry mentioned. "At that point, we'll have been together six months and they deserve to know."
"I can't disagree with you, but I suppose I'm wondering why you want to wait another month?" Draco asked.
"Because if they decide to hate me over it and walk away…I'll have the summer to get over losing them and then being able to handle seeing them for seventh year. Remember that I'm not just telling them we're dating, but that it also outs me as gay…Two huge revelations in one sitting, that I've kept secret for half a year now. It might be too much for them to take in under the reasoning we didn't want it getting back to Voldemort." Harry stated.
"You really think they'd walk away over it?" Draco questioned.
"Hermione might get upset and not talk to me for a while. I don't know if she'd walk away forever…Ron, though…Well, he got all jealous and angry when my name ended up in the Goblet of Fire. I told him I didn't put it in there, but he still got mad thinking I was aiming to get more attention." Harry explained. "We eventually talked and made up, but still."
"I understand, Harry, don't worry." Draco reassured. "I can be with you when you reveal the truth. You don't have to shoulder that alone."
"I appreciate that, Draco." Harry smiled. "I'm going to tell them on the train ride home."
"Then I'll be at your side." Draco leaned in and kissed Harry some-what deeply. Harry, of course, returned the action fully. "Do you want to stay in my bed tonight?"
"You don't mind?" Harry looked up at him.
"I never mind," Draco chuckled. "I've gotten pretty used to us sharing a bed, hence missing it while you've been sick."
"I'm sorry." Harry closed his eyes.
"Don't be, love," Draco lifted Harry's chin up. "Wizard, witch, or muggle…Everyone gets sick." He informed.
"I got sick plenty of times at the Dursley's, always having to take care of myself," Harry mentioned. "But once I came here at eleven, haven't been sick since."
"Factor in that you haven't been sleeping well, Harry. That affects your health, which is why I wanted Sev to make that potion for you, so you can sleep peacefully a good amount. The lack of sleep, stress…It's affecting your overall health, babe."
"I know. The potion does help a lot…" Harry admitted. "It's nice not to have the nightmares…"
"The potion can only help so much, Harry. I think that's why Uncle Sev suggested the mind healer, so you can work through what you've been through and actually heal." Draco mentioned.
"I know that's what it's for. I guess I'm just nervous…I've never told people about my past before. I know I won't be judged, but. It's just weird to me." Harry admitted.
"But it will help, love and that's what is important. Eventually, you'll be able to rest easy knowing you've moved on in life and more so when Voldemort is gone." Draco told him.
"Can't wait for that day," Harry relaxed a bit. "Voldemort being gone."
"I think we all feel that way about him," Draco smiled. "Him being destroyed for good will be your ultimate step into moving forward towards the future."
"I agree." Harry closed his eyes.
"Get some rest. I'll be right here. Did you take the potion from Sev tonight?" Draco asked.
"Not yet," Harry said.
"Accio Harry's Sleeping Potion," Draco said gently as the vial flew right into his readied hand to catch it. Harry sat up a bit to down the dose for tonight, then he tossed the vial back to his desk before getting comfortable against Draco. Harry let out a yawn and snuggled up.
"Night…" Harry whispered and fell right to sleep.
"Goodnight, my love. Sweet dreams," Draco pressed a kiss to Harry's lightning bolt scar, then he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep next.
. . .
Harry did, in fact, feel much better on the 9th and still reported to Madam Pomfrey to be checked over; she gave him a clean bill of health and sent him along to the great hall for dinner. Needless to say, Hermione, much like second year, immediately gave Harry a large, and tight embrace. Harry hugged her back, of course, then shook hands with Blaise and Ron before getting a comforting pat on the shoulder by Draco. The rest of the night was peaceful, and Draco promised that Harry and he could have dinner in Severus's office on Saturday night. Today was Saturday, of course, and Harry had gone to Hogsmead with Ron and Hermione, Severus had taken Harry to the mind healer, Madam Miriam Strout. Severus waited only until the woman took Harry into her office and then he left, saying he'd take Harry to his friends when the appointment was over. Not much went on as Miriam mainly took information about him and then Harry touched only on subjects that caused him hurt, mainly deaths over the years and mentioned the abuse he took from his muggle relatives. Miriam had advised that they just go through his life from when things first began, but promised that with each thing they discussed; it was completely confidential and they wouldn't move on until Harry had coped with old subject, unless some things intertwined with one another.
Around noon, Harry had left Miriam's office with a handshake and her setting his next appointment for next week. Harry left the place and saw Severus sitting across the way with tea. Harry walked over and Severus had just finished his drink, so he took Harry to meet Ron and Hermione for lunch. It was a nice day, but Harry was looking forward to his dinner with Draco, which was happening now. Harry reached the dungeons and was heading down the hall to Severus's office.
"What's a lion doing in the snake's den?" Commented Gregory Goyle's voice.
"The hallways are neutral territory," Harry remarked.
"What are you doing here, Potter?" Theodore Nott spat.
"None of your business," Harry said trying to get by them.
"You're in the Slytherin Dungeons and you're not a Slytherin, so what are you doing in our territory?" Pansy Parkinson demanded.
"I don't have to explain myself to you," Harry tried again, but got shoved back. "Move."
"No." Vincent Crabbe scoffed.
"I think we should teach him a lesson," Theodore folded his arms, then snapped his fingers as Goyle and Crabbe grabbed Harry's arms, shoving him against the wall.
"Let go." Harry ordered.
"We don't take orders from you," Pansy smirked.
"No, just the dark lord, right?" Harry sneered. "I'm not scared of you, or him."
"You should be." Theodore said before socking Harry in the stomach. Harry grunted before Theodore lifted his head to backhand Harry, but when the male didn't respond, Theodore tried to do it again and found unforgiving green eyes staring into his own.
Harry got his arms free by jerking them outward to knock Vincent and Gregory away, then he shoved Theodore away. "The only ones scared should be you…Of me." Harry's eyes flashed a glowing color as Theodore flinched. Pansy pulled her wand and Harry drew his. "You don't want to do this, Parkinson…" Harry warned.
"Stup-," Pansy started.
"Depulso!" Harry cast as Pansy was pushed back slightly, obviously Harry wasn't trying to hurt her.
"He can't take all of us!" Gregory told Theodore and Vincent, then all four of them had their wands on Harry. The group fired what looked like fire snake.
Harry cast a shield around himself of water as the snakes went out. "I hope you can do better than that…" Harry mentioned.
In Severus's office, Severus sat with Draco as Draco was waiting for Harry to arrive. "He's taking a while…" Draco pointed out.
"I'm sure he's on his way." Severus reassured. Suddenly, students were rushing by as Severus got up and opened the door to his office, stopping a Slytherin from running by him. "What is going on?"
"There's a fight happening down the way to lead here. Slytherin against Gryffindor." The student informed.
"The only Gryffindor that would be down here would be Harry…" Draco whispered, concern filling him.
Severus and Draco left the room and came up on the mass of students surrounding the hallway, encircling the people fighting. Severus fought his way through and saw Harry dealing with Crabbe, Goyle, and Nott.
"Incendio!" Theodore yelled as fire streamed at Harry.
Without speaking, Harry simply waved his wand upwards, creating a shield of water to put out the fire.
"Quit playing around!" Vincent scolded.
"Not my fault the three of you can't take on one person!" Harry remarked.
"Diffindo!" Pansy screeched.
Harry blocked it silently. "Expelliarmus!" Pansy's wand was ripped from her hand. "Ebublio," Harry muttered as Pansy ended up in a large bubble.
"What is happening down here!" Minerva's voice yelled, coming up with Albus. Severus and Draco only just got to the front to see things.
"How dare you!" Theodore glared. "Let's see you get out of this one," He paused as all three raised their wands.
"CRUCIO!" The three males called, aiming for Harry. There was a silence over the area, and gasps at what was cast.
There was shock in what got cast by not one, but three people at the same time, but when the attack hit; Harry only went rigid for a moment; his eyes closing as their was a minor look of discomfort on his face before he shook his head and stood straight and opened his eyes. Completely unaffected.
"Impossible." Vincent said, stepping back a moment.
"You should be on the floor, writhing, begging for it to stop from one person casting it. Never mind three!" Gregory stared.
"I'm stronger than that you assumed I would be…" Harry remarked.
"Sectumsempra!" Theodore aimed for Harry.
"No!" Severus yelled in what anyone could tell was fear. He knew that spell. He created that spell!
It wasn't a spell Harry knew, but based on Severus's shout of worry; it wasn't anything good. Harry put a shield up to block the attack as it ended up only pushing him back slightly and with slight cuts appearing on his person in various places. Of course, Harry was bleeding, but it wasn't major like Severus assumed it would have been. Harry ended up against the wall, only slightly bowing forward to see the work the spell had done. His wand slipped from his hand while he was getting his bearings back. "Enough of your childish behavior," Harry brought his hand up, in their direction. Harry sent all three boys back against the wall, hard. Snapping his fingers, all three of their wands ended up pulled from their hands and into Harry's. The males looked at Harry with surprise, as did many others. Harry used a pretty powerful spell on them, and only with his hand. "Unless you can do both wordless and wandless magic, you've been defeated. Now, shut up, sit down, and stay there. Immobulus…" The three males were unable to move from their spot.
"Normally, I'd be furious about the use of dueling in the halls…However, I'm sure there is a reason for what just occurred," Albus stepped forth now. "Explain, Harry…"
Harry winced a bit as he opened his robes to see the blood, then he staggered to stay standing. "Now is not the time for explanations," Severus came forward.
"Severus is right, Albus. Harry is hurt," Minerva informed.
"They came at me, Headmaster," Harry said. "I was down here to talk to Professor Snape about an assignment before dinner and they attacked me first. I was only defending myself…"
"I expected so. Well done, Harry…" Albus said calmly. "Minerva, call the ministry to collect Mr. Nott, Mr. Goyle, and Mr. Crabbe. They must face whatever punishment for using an unforgiveable curse." He instructed. "Mr. Potter…I believe it best for you to be taken to the hospital wing."
"N-No. I'm alright. It's just a couple cuts," Harry said.
"I wasn't asking your opinion, Harry," The man smiled.
"I'll take care of him, Headmaster," Severus assured. "We're closer to my office."
"Very well, Severus," Albus nodded.
Severus have Draco a look, which he understood was to help Harry walk. Of course, Draco grabbed Harry's wand for him too. Blaise jumped in to help as well, but Harry did hand over the three wands to Dumbledore. Draco and Blaise escorted Harry to Severus's office, with Severus following behind the group of three. Albus was dispersing everyone else while Ron and Hermione were trying to follow the Slytherin's who had Harry.
"Mr. Potter is in good hands. I'm certain that Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Zambini will return him to the common room afterward. Let's move along, students." Albus informed.
Hermione and Ron had no choice but to listen, but they were worried for their friend. Hermione and Ron turned to leave with other Gryffindors; they'd be going to the hall for dinner and then their common room beyond that.