Sooner or Later

By: AngelDusterBuster

Disclaimer: Let's face it. We all know I don't own any of the characters from the Harry Potter books. So if you see something here that was ever mentioned in the books remember that I was only given the material I didn't create it!

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Chapter Nine: More Bad News

Nobody spoke for at least the first five minutes after Ginny and Ron had been cleared away. Finally Sirius broke that silence.

"Well we won't take anymore of your evening away", Sirius looked over at Arthur Weasley who'd joined them moments before, "Come on Harry"

"I'd like to stay", Harry courageously spoke up, "Please"

"Harry", Remus put an arm on his shoulder, "The Weasley's want to spend Christmas eve as a family I'm sure"

"What's going on down here?", George Weasley asked stepping into the living room.

"We were just leaving", Sirius answered, "Thank you for taking care of him"

"But Sirius…", Harry spoke before he felt Remus' hand tighten on his shoulder making him know to stop.

"Come on let's just go home. We need to have a long conversation about a few things when we get home", Remus pulled an in a daze Harry behind him.

After the three had got outside the mood seemed to change. Instead of seeming angry Remus and Sirius looked the opposite.

"Thank goodness your okay Harry", Sirius pulled Harry into a huge, "I was so scared…why'd you do that Harry?"

"Leave me alone…please", Harry tugged himself away, "I just want to leave and be alone"

"You look pale Harry…", Remus noticed.

"Probably due to the fact that it's freezing out here", Harry shivered, "So can we please get home?"

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When they did finally get to Remus' house they were far from alone. Professor Dumbledore was the first to rush toward them.

"If you don't mind", Harry spoke before anyone could, "I'm really tired"

"Harry we should really talk about all this", Sirius looked down at him.

"You know what? I don't even care anymore. If you don't have one minute to tell me that your even dating…then why should I give you a minute of my time!", Harry spoke only to Sirius completely forgetting that anyone else was in the room.

"I think were going to go", Sirius whispered to Remus gripping on tightly to Harry, "I'm very sorry that we've ruined Christmas"

"I don't want to go anywhere with you!", Harry felt a sudden reluctance to be alone with Sirius.

"Your welcome to stay here the night Harry", Jodie added noticing she'd said the wrong thing.

"No", Sirius shook his head, "Professor Dumbledore…I'm really sorry about this"

"No need to apologize Sirius", Dumbledore finally added to the conversation, "But Harry I have to ask…are you feeling alright? You look a little off"

"I'm fine", Harry lied wondering how the headmaster had seen through him, "Really I am"

"Are you sure?", Professor Sanibel (whom I'll for now on except at school refer to by her real name) took a step toward Harry.

"Would everyone just please…please leave me alone. For the last time I'm--"

"Harry!", Sirius put his arms on his shoulders, "Harry what's wrong?"

Clutching his forehead Harry let Sirius catch him, "I don't know…"

Prying Harry's hand from his forehead Sirius placed a hand on it, "He's warm"

"I'll be…I'll be okay", Harry tried to stand back on his feet.

Sirius would hear nothing of that however, "Is it your scar?"

"No…I don't think so", Harry shook his head.

"Bring him over here", Jodie called from the living room, "Let him lie down"

"Can you walk?", Sirius tried to catch Harry's eye.

"I feel…sleepy", Harry muttered before closing his eyes.

"Whoa", Sirius motioned for Remus to help him. Carrying a seventeen year old boy by himself just wasn't going to happen.

Nikki turned to Professor Dumbledore while the other three adults tended to Harry, "You don't think it has anything to do with Voldemort do you?"

"It's hard to say. He came right out and said it wasn't his scar…but it could be something else. I just have…what are we overlooking? He couldn't have taken ill that fast…", Dumbledore trailed on, "Tell them to monitor him overnight. Poppy's gone because it's Christmas so…if worse comes to worse we'll have to call another doctor. Hopefully everything will be fine in the morning though"

"I sure hope so because…how much more does this poor boy need to live through? He was already ill earlier this year…and we thought that was horrible", Nikki grew tearful.

"Hey…he's tough", Remus came back into the room, "he'll be okay"

"Contact me tomorrow if he doesn't feel better", Dumbledore muttered to Remus before leaving.

"Where's Sirius?", Nikki brushed away a tear.

"He refuses to leave Harry's side", Remus shrugged, "He feels responsible"

"Maybe it's just a bug", Jodie grabbed something from the fridge for Harry, "Even Harry can get them you know"

"I'd like to think that. Really I would…but with Harry everything always seems to be just a little more complicated"

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"Ugh…", Harry groaned when he woke up later. He felt like his insides had been turned out, and that wasn't a good feeling. Harry shut his eyes wishing the feeling would go away. But instead he felt something new.

"This is not a good day", Harry whispered falling off the couch.

"Harry? What are you doing on the floor kid?", Sirius ran into the room after hearing the bang.

"Thought it was more comfortable", Harry sat up leaning against the couch.

Sirius took a seat on the floor next to Harry, "How are you feeling?"

"Awful", was all Harry said.

"But it's not your scar?", Sirius asked.

"Believe me I know the difference. In fact pretty quick I'm going to need to runt to the bathroom", Harry rubbed his eyes.

"Well as long as it's not--"

"It's not", Harry tried to stand up, "Help?"

Sirius jumped up leading Harry to the bathroom, "Do you want me to stay"

"No I think I'll just lay here for a while"

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"It's just so sad…he finally can have Christmas with his family and he's sick", Jodie looked over at Remus when they had finally gotten up that morning.

"He's a tough kid though", Remus shrugged not sure what to say.

"I know that Remus but….he's just had so much happen to him already at such a young age", Jodie grabbed some clothes from her closet.

"We all know that Jodie. There isn't anything we can do…no matter how much you try to protect Harry something always slips by", Remus yawned.

"Didn't you sleep last night honey?", Jodie sat down next to Remus.

"I don't think a lot of us did", Remus once again shrugged, "and Sirius just feels so guilty…he thinks he's failed James"

"Well I never met James but I'm sure he'd be proud of both of you. All you've done to care for Harry in the last few years", Jodie smiled at him, "Just remember that. Harry could still be at the Dursley's if it wasn't for you two"

"I guess", Remus half smiled.

"You know I'm right", Jodie walked toward the bathroom.

"I'll go see if they're up", Remus shouted walking out of his room, "Sirius? Sirius are you up?"

"Right here", Sirius called standing next to the bathroom door, "he must have the flu or something"

"And where would he have picked that up so suddenly?", Remus reminded his friend, "I don't know maybe I'm jumping to conclusions but--"

"You sure are!", Sirius accused, "Harry has a perfectly normal illness!"

"Is something wrong with me?", Harry leaned against the wall for support.

"Of course not. Now come on it's Christmas we should make the best of it right?", Sirius smiled at his godson.

"Oh Sirius…I really don't feel like even being awake", Harry put his hand around his throat, "please…"

Sirius sighed walking away, "What's it matter anyway! This Christmas is ruined"

Harry turned pale. Remus watched Sirius walk off, "Oh Harry…he didn't mean that"

"I always seem to ruin everything", Harry rubbed his eyes.

"Harry? You should really lie down", Harry heard Jodie's voice.

"I'm really sorry", Harry spoke, "I didn't mean to ruin everyone's day"

"You didn't ruin anyone's day", Remus guided Harry to the guest room instead of the couch.

"Harry he brought it on himself dear", Jodie pulled the sheets out for him to climb in. Not thinking straight Harry did so.

"Don't worry about anything that's going on", Jodie sat down next to Harry after he'd gotten in, "most of it is Sirius' fault. He just doesn't want to admit it"

"I don't think I can sleep now", Harry looked up at the two adults.

"Harry if you don't try were going to have to make you a sleeping potion", Remus reminded him knowing how much Harry hated taking them.

Sighing Harry made himself more comfortable. Jodie and Remus got up to leave when he spoke, "Ron's still mad at me"

Both turned around staring at Harry. Jodie felt close to tears, "Oh Harry…it's only been a week honey"

"Just try to get some rest", Remus pushed Jodie out of the room.

"He's killing him", Jodie whispered to Remus as the two made there way toward the kitchen, "he can't handle having his best friend acting this way"

"There's more bad news I'm afraid", Remus sighed accepting a glass of coffee from his wife.

"What more could go wrong?", Sirius walked into the room.

"You!", Jodie grew angry, "I can't even start with you right now…"

"I repeat", Sirius ignored her, "What is the bad news?"

"Ron isn't going to be coming back to school right away…I talked to Arthur the other day", Remus fixed his glance on Sirius.

"Why not?", Sirius jumped in.

"There too afraid to send him just yet", Remus explained, "of course he'll be back eventually but…I don't know how Harry's going to take that"

"So don't tell him", Sirius stared at Sirius.

"Of course we have to tell him!", Jodie busted out loud, "what kind of a parent are you!"

"Me? You're the one who didn't even tell your husband you were pregnant for seven months!", Sirius jumped up out of his chair, "I have to get out of here for a little while. Please take care of Harry"

"Sirius don't do this", Remus put a hand on his friends shoulder, "don't run. I know this is a lot on your shoulders but Harry needs you"

"I'll be back soon", Sirius pulled away slamming the front door behind him.

"He won't be back for a while you know", Remus put his head in his arms, "Every time we fix one problem another comes…"

"It'll all turn out okay…once Harry gets back to school things will get better", Jodie reminded him.

"I don't know about that Jodie. There are a lot of things I haven't told you. A lot of things Harry himself doesn't know"

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A week later Harry was feeling up to going back to school. He was still feeling quite weak but forgot about it with his new worries. Sirius had disappeared last week and it was all his fault.

"I'm going to miss you", Jodie hugged Harry tightly, "make sure you write"

"I will", Harry pulled away. It had been decided Harry wouldn't take the Hogwarts Express. He was told it was because of being ill, but he knew there were other reasons.

"Don't worry about Sirius he'll come back after he's sorted things out. It's just how he is, the minute things get over his head he freaks out", Remus turned to Harry next.

After some difficult goodbyes, Harry sat down outside in the corridor outside of the great hall. He didn't know what to expect when Hermione arrived. He knew she hadn't been informed of the absence of Ron like he had. And for the first time ever the trio would have to go on living with one missing.

A short time later though students started piling into the school. Harry stood up looking around for Hermione.

"Harry!", he heard a voice call him. He looked over and saw Hermione rushing toward him pushing her way through the crowd.

"Hey", Harry waved to her when she got closer.

Not saying a word Hermione hugged Harry so hard he his stomach felt a little uneasy again, "Hermione…I can't breathe"

"Ron wasn't on the train", Hermione stared at him.

"Yeah…he's um he's not coming back just yet", Harry took a deep breath before saying.

"Oh", Hermione looked close to tears.

"I saw him last week. It's probably a good thing", Harry assured her.

Hermione swallowed hard. It was hard to come into terms with everything that had been going on. Ron was gone and Harry might as well have been himself. Looking over her friend she could tell Ron's absence was eating him up inside. And the fact that there was nothing she could do, well that hurt worse.

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Author's Note:

I know I probably missed another deadline…but I did post twice last weekend! Oh and I hope to maybe possibly get another chapter up by Sunday. I bet not even one of you will be able to figure out Harry's odd sudden illness! At least not yet…now you probably won't be able to figure it out just yet.

Well taa taa for now! Oh and thanks for all the reviews for the past two chapters. Were well on our way over one-hundred now!

AngelDusterBuster

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Arwena: All my others really? Well…cool! I haven't updated them in a long time. But pretty soon I'll be far enough into this story to postpone just a few days. Oh no! I didn't mean to get you in trouble…. Ha substitute Sirius ran! Well thanks for reviewing as always!

Summersun: No kidding. I totally agree with you…

Bob the Builder: "Can we fix it!" Sorry…couldn't help myself. Sirius and Remus apparated most likely…I'd have to ask them but I'm assuming so. And I'm guessing it was pure instinct. But thanks for reading!

Ginny5: I'm causing a lot of Sirius haters aren't I? And after this chapter…Well anyway hope to hear from you again soon!

Princess Kattera: Yeah the whole Ginny/Harry thing is "slowly" starting up. Now I'm not saying there going to become an item or anything, but they're defiantly becoming better friends. And thanks! I hope I can!

PadfootsPeanut: I read your mind did I? And your plot is completely different then mine so if you want to use the idea feel free. And I majorly apologize for not reviewing your newest chapters! I have read them and there wonderful, I just have absolutely zero time to hardly even get my own stuff up. Thanks for understanding!

Fickle: Are you serious? When I started this story I never expected this kind of a response! Every freak once in a while you create a story that people really like. And it's a wonderful feeling, I just hope I can keep up to the standards I've created for myself!

Anti Pasta: I never said George wasn't taking it hard! I just haven't incorporated him…yet. And thanks so much for the compliments!

WillowGyrl29: Does it really get better every chapter? Hmm…guess I should read what I wrote…ha j/k. And I really really really want to update Can't Stay Away and Pathways soon! I'm just so into this story…

Dark Luna Angel (x3)- Yeah I'd grab a sweater too! But I guess you really wouldn't be thinking of things like that. Was it really your favorite? I like knowing things like that so I can read what I wrote and try to put that same touch on the following chapters. Well thanks for reviewing!

Nobody In Particular: Yeah I'm pleased too I have to say. And that's a hard thing for an author to suck in and say. Were always more critical of our own work, and me especially. Thanks for reading!

Harystwin: Ha…that's funny. And thanks!

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Contact Me:

*Email: AngelDusterBuster@msn.com

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Until next chapter remember to review this one! The more reviews I get the faster you'll see the next chapter. So why wouldn't you review? Hmm…that sounds pretty good to me!