Disclaimer: See Part 1.

Part 14

Harry opened his eyes to see two tennis ball sized eyes looking down at him over flowing with worry.

"Dobby?" he croaked in mild confusion. Harry looked past the small house-elf to see unfamiliar bed curtains surrounding them.

"Dobby!" the exclamation came seconds after Harry's own soft whisper of the name. Harry felt the small weight shift atop him, as Dobby turned to look behind him. It caused his own body to ache from the pressure and dull though it was, pain erupted in his chest and limbs. He groaned in realization. He always felt the same way the morning after. He thought back to the previous night and remembered.

"Dobby!" there was that voice again. Harry turned his heavy head and saw Remus, standing at his bedside and looking sternly down at the mismatched elf sitting atop Harry's chest. "I told you not to bother Harry. He needs to rest." Dobby's face crumpled.

"Dobby is sorry! Dobby didn't mean too! Dobby is a bad elf! A bad elf!!" Harry managed to summon the strength and reached up a hand to pat the house-elf's thin shoulder.

"Don't start that up again. You are the best Elf I have ever had the honor to call a friend. Dobby, you didn't wake me up, the late hour did." Harry assured him. The joy that spread across the small face was worth the effort it had taken to speak and to move. Dobby patter Harry's chest affectionately.

"Yes! Harry Potter is Dobby's friend. Harry Potter thinks Dobby is a good elf. Dobby will be bring Professor Harry Potter Sir his favorite coffee!" with a pop the small weight on Harry's chest was gone. Harry sighed at the glorious release the sudden absence provided. His whole body ached and the weight, slight though it was, had been agony.

"How are you feeling, Harry?" Remus slipped in closer and perched on the side of the bed.

"Oh, like the entire student body used me as a door mat. Remus?" his voice was questioning.

"Albus explained about your condition and Hermione explained you reasons for leaving. But I want to hear it from you, in your own words. I can, however, wait until you are up and about again. I want you to tell me, when you feel better. Until then, you need rest and time to get better. Then we can sit down and have the talk you promised me." Remus left no room for argument. Harry nodded.

"That sounds fair enough. You deserve to hear the truth from my own mouth," he conceded. He felt his eyes fighting to close again. He was always so tired the next day. The door at the end of the room eased open. Harry fought open one eye to see who the new arrival was. He could still feel Remus' presence beside him on the soft mattress. Severus Snape stood in the doorway, looking as stern and formal as always. The fact that he wore day old robes and looked sleep deprived somewhat ruined the illusion though. He looked tired. Harry didn't think it was a good look on him.

"Ah, I see you've decided to rejoin us, Harry. Come on sit up and take these." he held out to small pink pills. Harry recognized them as his muggle pain medication. He allowed Remus to pull him up right and took the pills without a fight with a sip of cool water. He sighed slumping back down into the feather pillow.

"Thank you Severus, Remus." he said quietly, feeling the room spin around him.

"How is he feeling?" Severus asked Lupin.

"He said that he feels like the entire school used him for a doormat." Remus answered.

"I am capable of answering for myself." Harry interjected. He lifted his head slightly and the room spun more violently around him. He groaned looking a little green around the gills.

"You need to rest. You look like you're about to be sick all over *my* bed. Do try and not get overly excited." Snape warned. Harry forced a small smile.

"Oh, Sev. You know you've always wanted me in your bed. There's no need to deny it now!" he joked. As long as he didn't move anything other then his mouth he felt a little better. He glanced up at Severus who had merely raised a questioning eyebrow. "I'm only kidding, Severus. Thank you for allowing me the use of your bed. It was very kind of you." Harry watched the dark eyes blacken even further. "Not that any of us will be letting that little tidbit out into the student population... I can assure you." Harry added as an after thought. He heard a choked laugh from his other side where Remus still sat. He turned to look at the werewolf. "Remus... my classes. I can take the afternoon lessons if you can take the one this morning..." he trailed off again. Unsure of how Remus would react to such a request.

"Albus had all the classes canceled for the day and you aren't going anywhere until you are fully recovered. That is when Poppy and Severus have both deemed you to be *fully* recovered." Remus answered. "Until then I would be happy to take over your classes for you." Remus smiled and stood, heading for the door.

"But, I'm fine. Remus!" Harry called. He winced at the raised sound of his own voice and visibly slumped again into the mattress. He turned his eyes to Severus. "I'm fine," he said quietly. Snape sat still and silent for a moment before answering.

"No. You really aren't. You are in constant pain, Harry. And if anyone had bothered to tell be eight years ago all that had happened, I could have helped you. Saved you a lot of pain and suffering with that hip." Harry rolled his eyes.

"I know you are a world renowned potion's master, Severus, but there wasn't anything you could have done then and there isn't anything that you can do now." Harry paused. "I can't have spells place on me. I can't ingest something that has an active spell in it and that means No potions." Severus looked at him sternly for a moment.

"You never did pay any attention in my class did you? Really, Harry!" he growled.

"What do you mean?" Harry questioned. He hadn't seen that level of irritation on Severus' face since seventh year potions.

"Did you never wonder why you have to say spells when brewing certain potions?" a blank look. "Because it's quicker then doing it without! A spell can sometimes speed up the length of time it takes to brew a potion by days, weeks, even months. If you have the extra time and patience you can achieve the same affect using just herbs and magical ingredients. The more simple potions don't even need a spell to be uttered. Given the right amount of time I could have come up with the appropriate potions to cure your hip years ago. Experimentation and some cooperation could have saved you a lot of pain and wasted time. I may even have been able to undo the little curse you're under that makes you react so badly and so differently then everyone else to wizard magic." he almost spat the words out at Harry. The younger man's eyes widened with the realization.

Snape, Severus Snape might be able to help him. To cure him? Harry smiled.

"You can help me?" he asked quietly. His voice radiated hope and almost awe at the possibility. Severus looked at the young man lying on his bed, asking for his help and nodded.

"Yes, I can help you. But it's going to be a long painful journey Professor Potter. Are you up for the challenge?" he asked.

"Always. I was a Gryffindor, Sev." was the whispered reply. A sardonic smile in reply. 

"Don't remind me. It might make me change my mind."

Harry laughed.

Tbc.