Chapter Ten: A little bit of everything.

It had been several weeks since Petunia had been to Hogwarts. Harry was feeling tired nearly all the time now, and he was often very sick. He took potions to give him energy, as well as Pepper-Up to make himself seem more alert, but he felt himself slowly losing, and he often wondered what he would have to do if things got any worse. He was having more trouble getting out of bed as well.

While lying in his bed, as it was still early, he thought back to the Monday after his aunt had left.

He had been slightly late for his first class of the day, and had nearly run through the halls until Snape's drawl stopped him. He had slowly turned around to face the man, and had been given a detention for near running in the hallways. Harry had thought it to be very unfair, and had to cancel the DA-meeting for that night, as he would serve his detention.

So after dinner he had gone to Snape's office, dreading what he would need to do. He had managed to behave and keep out of detentions. He hoped he wouldn't need to clean cauldrons or something like that, as he was still tired, even though he had slept nearly the entire weekend away. Therefore he was pleasantly surprised by what would happen that evening.

Snape had motioned for him to sit in the chair opposite his own, and Harry had done so, quite apprehensive about it all. The man didn't even sneer at him. And then he started talking. "Your aunt called on me last Thursday. She remembered I used to be a good friend of your mothers' and asked me if I would like to tell you more about Lily. I agreed. Therefore you are here. As she was my friend for nearly eight years, you can understand I will give you more detentions in the upcoming weeks, so I can tell some things to you. I will also be able to show you some pictures."

Snape had then looked up at Harry's face, and saw surprise combined with great longing on the face. Sighing softly, he had known this was the right choice.

So he started talking. He talked about how they met, by bumping in each other on the train ride to Hogwarts, how Lily had been insecure, and how Severus had liked her spirit and her friendly character, as she had offered to share her lunch with him (Harry had to stop from gaping, as he had done the same to Ron). He told Harry about their pairing up in classes, what Lily could do best (Charms) and how everyone seemed to like her so much. When it neared curfew, he told Harry to come back on Tuesday night the next week, and they would talk some more then. Harry had readily agreed, and had written to his aunt the next day, telling her everything as well.

Yawning, Harry thought that his aunt was wonderful for going to Snape. He had met Snape once every week now and loved hearing more about his mother. He hoped to see some pictures soon, but didn't want to ask. Besides every time he thought of asking, another story came up that he wished to hear, and then he would forget asking about the pictures again. For now though, he would be satisfied with stories, which he wrote to his aunt, to make sure she knew more as well.

When he heard the other boys start to wake up, Harry got up out of bed, not noticing Ron was keeping a close eye on him. Hermione and he had started to worry slightly about Harry, as they saw him eating less than usual, he also had little free time, though they didn't really know what he was up to. They knew he told them he was in the library or something, but they now knew that wasn't so. So Hermione and Ron had decided to keep a closer eye on him. He had told them his aunt wasn't doing much better, so perhaps it had something to do with that as well. Ron had noticed Harry came back happier from detentions with Snape, and wondered just what was going on down there. Hermione had started to look into mind altering charms and such things, afraid something was very wrong for Harry to be happy to have detention with Snape. So far they hadn't come up with any good explanation. They would continue looking.

In the bathroom, Harry is taking several of his pills and some potions, to get him through the day. He still has to research potions, to find some that would give his immune system a boost. He knew the chemo wasn't working as it should be, and he was preparing for the worst, though still hoping for a cure. Today he expected news from his aunt. Doctor Romanov would have decided how the rest of the treatment would proceed, and Harry thought he would get to hear it today. He felt a nervous fluttering in his stomach. Or perhaps it was just the beginnings of his usual nausea. He always used silencing, and diversion charms to make sure none of the other students knew he was often throwing up in the bathroom.

Today he would also go to the Common Room again. Because he felt so tired all the time, he used his free hour to sleep, instead of doing homework, like he used to do. Luckily Hermione had decided to help him with his homework, as she saw it was harder for him with visiting the hospital. He had told her and Ron a half truth about that. He had told them, it was difficult to do his homework, as every moment nurses and doctors could walk in, and they would find it very strange to see someone working with parchment and a quill, let alone his magical books. They had agreed. Of course Harry 'forgot' to mention he couldn't do his homework, because he was just feeling to sick to do anything at all.

He had reduced his time in the Common Room to only a maximum of two hours each time. There were more students now, and he had appointed several third and second years to solve any problems if he wasn't there. The other students had agreed with his choice. Harry was very proud to see his idea growing so much. He had all the second years, and many third years from Gryffindor and Huffelpuff. The Slytherins were harder to convince, and older Ravenclaw students had the tendency to just live in their books, and their own little world. Harry did wonder if it wasn't time for him to go and tell his friends. After all, they could then bring in students from their own year. But then he decided against it, as it would mean also telling the SL, and he didn't want to answer difficult questions now.

Shaking himself from his thoughts, he quickly dressed, and together with Ron and Hermione he walks down for breakfast. When he looks up at the staff table, he notices Remus looking very pale. Of course, the full moon would be in three days. Harry felt rather guilty. After all, he had hardly seen Remus except when in class. And he had really wanted to visit and talk with the man. On the other hand, he knew of the man's enhanced sense of smell, and he was afraid that somehow Remus would be able to smell that something was wrong. However, he resolved, tomorrow night he would go and visit Remus. With that he gave the man a small smile, and it grew when Remus smiled back at him.

Hermione noticed the exchange and wondered about it. After all didn't he see Remus several times a week? If so, why would Harry look guilty for a moment? She decided to file this information away to look at a later time, as the mail arrived, and she wanted to look at the newspaper.

Harry spotted Hedwig nearly right away. She was clutching a rather large envelope in her talons, and Harry felt himself go slightly paler. He offered Hedwig some bacon, and took the letter from her talons. She nipped him lightly on his ear, and let herself be stroked, but then flew away, since Pig came flying at them.

While Ron was busy with catching Pig, Harry stuffed the letter in his bag, and decided to read it after Charms as he would have a free hour then. Eventually they stood up and headed down to their classes, for Hermione had Potions, while Ron and Harry went off to Charms. Harry wasn't sure why, but it seemed his magic hadn't suffered from him being ill. The only downside to using magic was that he was easily tired nowadays.

After an enjoyable two hours with Flitwick, Harry went up to the dorms. They had been made to use charms in practical applications, like a duel, or when working. It had been rather fun, especially when Flitwick made the fruit dance while they waited to being cut into little pieces, for his fruit salad (which he would eat for lunch). Harry had rather concentrated on duelling, and had made objects jump in front of spells and hexes, and had won a duel with Ron, purely because he used Wingardium Leviosa on the fruit basket that was on the desk. Ron had apparently forgotten how they had beaten the troll in first year.

Lying in his bed, Harry nervously eyed the letter as if it could do something to him. Eventually he opened it, as he hoped to sleep some before Herbology. His aunt had written an accompanying note with the letter from Doctor Romanov.

"Dear Harry,

I talked long and hard with Doctor Romanov, but can't change the outcome. He made it clear to me that the treatment is not going well. I am sure you know best. He feels we are losing. So he suggested having you stay in for a week long chemo, during the holidays. It will be in two weeks already, so I hope this doesn't shock you too much. I cried, I have to admit. Doctor Romanov finds it very difficult as well, as he has known us for quite some time of course.

Please arrange to go home for the holidays Harry. After the chemo, which I have to say, is an all or nothing treatment, you can stay in the flat, and we can celebrate Christmas together. Of course, it will be Christmas while you're in the hospital, but we can still celebrate it a few days later. Just tell your friends that I need this treatment, we will continue with our story as before. I hope you are feeling good enough at the moment, I know how hard it was the last time, as well as having seen you every weekend.

Lots of love, Petunia."

Shakingly Harry lowered the letter. God, he would only have one chemo left, a whole week of it. A tear slipped down his cheek. His lip trembled, this was a bad sign, he wouldn't make it this time, and it seemed his luck was running out. Angrily he wiped away the tears and pulled himself together. If he was correct, Professor McGonagall would put up the list for the holidays today. He would sign up to go home, and tell the Headmaster and his friends that his aunt would need to get a last week-long chemotherapy. They would let him go without asking too many questions.

For now, he tried to go to sleep, not caring to look at the test results that were also in the envelope. He could imagine how they looked.

Later that day, Ron and Hermione noticed Harry seemed more withdrawn. They didn't ask anything, until they saw him sign up to go home for the holidays. He'd only done so last year, so this was something new.

"Harry, is something wrong? You are so quiet." Hermione ventured to ask.

Harry looked up at her, having nearly forgotten that he should tell his friends the story.

"Ehm, yes Hermione. I got a letter from Aunt Petunia, and she told me that they're going to give her a week long chemo during the holidays. So the first week we'll stay in the hospital. We'll celebrate Christmas after that though."

Hermione hugged Harry hard, not knowing she hurt him, as he was so bony underneath the glamour.

"Oh gods Harry, I'm so sorry. It must be very hard to go home because of that, and not because you're going to celebrate Christmas like everyone else."

Harry nodded, and allowed himself to cry a little. He pulled away however, when he felt Hermione started to shake lightly.

"shh, it'll be all right 'Mione. You don't have to be upset." He rubbed her back, and looked pleadingly at Ron. Ron had noticed that Harry pushed away his own feelings to be able to comfort Hermione, and he was sure to tell her this later on. It was just one more thing to add to the growing list of 'Harry things'.

Ron stepped forward and took over hugging Hermione. Harry stepped back slightly; glad to see his friends would still have each other if he wouldn't be there anymore. Then he berated himself for thinking like this.

"Ehm, Ron and 'Mione? I'm just going to the Headmaster, to tell him about this, alright?" They nodded, while Hermione was drying her tears.

Harry quickly turned around and walked out of Gryffindor Tower, also being watched by several of the first and second years who were worried about their 'big brother' as he was now known by, in way of a secret code name (some muggleborn second year had watched to many 007 movies). They didn't dare tell Harry they really felt he was their big brother.

On his way to the Headmaster, Harry saw someone with blond hair walking towards him, and he smirked slightly. "Hey Ferret face, how are you this fine evening?" he teased.

The blond stopped immediately. "Oh, it's you scarhead. My evening was just fine, until you had the nerve to call out." He grinned.

Then they slapped each other on the back, and Harry took a slight detour to an unused classroom, to have a chat with his friend.

Draco settled himself on a desk, and looked at Harry expectantly. "Well, are you staying at Hogwarts this year, or are you actually going somewhere?"

Harry cursed observant Slytherins. Draco always seemed to know something was up, though he never seemed to notice Harry was sick. "I'm going to the hospital for the first week, as my aunt is going to have her last chemo. Then we're going to the flat and celebrate Christmas a bit late."

Draco smiled, it seemed he had misunderstood. "So your aunt is nearly cured then, to get this last chemo whatever?"

Harry sighed. "Not quite. She's getting the last chemo, because it doesn't work. Nothing is working anymore, but they're giving it one last chance. If we didn't know the doctor so well, they wouldn't even have done so many chemos."

Draco winced. He hadn't expected that. It really wasn't fair in life for his friend. Not only losing his parents, godfather, uncle and cousin, but now he was losing his aunt as well.

"You know where I'm going?" he tried to distract Harry by telling him something funnier.

Harry shook his head "I have no idea. You're not going to your father, that's for sure."

Lucius Malfoy had gotten out of Azkaban, and had become slightly unhinged to say the least. It wouldn't be safe for Draco to be near his father, as the man was slightly mad and would be capable of doing anything.

"Actually, I'm going to a certain secret house where my godfather will be staying. I have heard some redheaded family is going to stay there as well."

Harry laughed, and Draco was glad his diversion had worked. "Oh gods, you're going to stay at Grimmauld Place with Snape, and my friends? Oh gods, they'll try to kill you."

Draco grinned, and then said in a hurt tone, "well, it's nice to know you like me to be dead. Thanks a lot, see if I want to be your friend any longer."

Harry hugged him, still laughing. "Actually you can't end up dead, as I have a job for you."

"Oh?" Draco raised his eyebrow, like his godfather would do. "And what is this so called job? As you know I am a Malfoy, and they don't do 'jobs'. They either work, or supervise."

Harry grinned some more. "Well, you wish to be my manager at the orphanage right? I wish for you to look at the building and make a list of what needs to be done to make it suitable for children. You know more about it than I do. Perhaps you can let the others help you as well, though you're not to reveal the reason."

Draco nodded "I promise."

Still laughing, joking about godfathers from hell, and giving heart attacks to the Weasleys, they left the room, pretending to hate each other again.


Eventually Harry made it up to the Headmaster and managed to tell him about staying in the hospital. The Headmaster became quite sombre when he heard the bad news, but of course would let Harry go. He would be escorted to the flat, but then the wards would become active, and would protect Harry and his aunt while in the flat and hospital.

The rest of the weeks at school went in a rush. Harry still went to the hospital that one weekend, but it was more to give him enough rest to be able to start chemo.

Petunia was anxiously awaiting the day the holidays would start.

On Friday evening, Remus once more rings the doorbell, and Petunia opens the door, walking in her pyjamas, and dressing gown, her hair in more of a mess. He didn't know she did this on purpose; after all it would be strange if she continued to look good while supposedly being very ill. She had applied a pale concealer, so she looked sickly, and had applied some make up to make it look as if her eyes were more sunken. Her neighbour had done so, as he was a professional grime-man working at a theatre, and he enjoyed practising his skills. The people in the neighbourhood knew it was really Harry that was sick, and that for safety reasons Petunia pretended to be sick. Of course they thought that Harry's teachers actually knew. They believed the story about needing protection, as they had all seen the news of the horrible murders on Vernon and Dudley. So they played along.

Remus gave Harry a last hug, and then left, worrying about Harry and his aunt.


A/N: Hope you liked it, more chapters coming up very soon. Thanks for azntgr01, my beta!