Chapter 1
Harry awoke feeling warm and content, something he hadn't felt since leaving Hogwarts a month ago. He could hear beeping and people talking and walking around. He couldn't quite make anything out just yet but as his mind became more awake and alert those sounds became clearer and sharper. Suddenly, his mind was swarmed with memories of what had transpired last time he was awake. He snapped his eyes open and became aware of a tube in his mouth that was giving him a steady flow of oxygen. He tried to keep up but soon found he couldn't and started to panic.
Just then a nurse came in to check his vitals and noticed that he was awake and panicking. "Mr. Potter, try and relax. I'm going to pull this out of your mouth. Now when I say when I want you to start coughing. It will help the tube to come out easier."
Harry nodded and the nurse began to pull the tube. "Ok, Harry, I need you to cough now." Harry began coughing and soon the tube was out of his mouth. He coughed for a few more minutes before he caught his breath. He took one last deep breath and let it out slowly, feeling much better. The nurse then began to fit a cord in his nose that had a much slower flow of oxygen. Seeing the look on Harry's face the nurse began to chuckle. "Sorry, but it's a necessary evil when you're a patient in a hospital. You won't have as much of a problem with this though."
Harry nodded in understanding. Once it was in, he swallowed painfully. "Can I have some water, please?" he croaked out.
The nurse nodded. "Of course, sweetie. I'll go and get it for you right now. I'll also have the doctor come by and check on you and answer any questions you might have." She walked to the door and stopped just as she was about to open the door. "Oh, and I shall inform your grandfather that you are awake. He's been here every day since you were admitted." With that she left the room.
Harry sat in shock. "Grandfather? All my grandparents are dead."
A few minutes later the door opened again and when Harry looked up he was shocked at who was standing there. "Professor Dumbledore?"
The old wizard smiled. "Harry. Thank Merlin." He quickly walked the rest of the way across the room and pulled the confused boy into a hug. Harry leaned into the Headmaster and savored the touch. Pulling away he looked up at the older man confused.
"Sir, what are you doing here? How did you know I was here?" he asked roughly.
"Ah yes, first off the nurse said she would bring you your water once she had informed your doctor that you are awake. As for how I knew, well, I believe you are familiar with a Ms. Figg? Yes, well, she is what is known as a Squib, that is someone who has no magical powers yet was born into a wizarding family, and she informed me of the fire when she saw the smoke coming from your home. I hurried here as soon as I could and told them that I was your grandfather in order to be allowed to see you."
Harry stared wide-eyed at mentor. "Oh, alright, Sir."
Albus Dumbledore's eyes twinkled merrily. "I think it would be best if you would call me some form of Grandfather. That way the Muggles won't suspect anything," he finished with a wink.
Harry smiled. "Alright, Granddad." Harry made to sit up but was stopped by the pain that went up his back.
Albus gently pushed the boy back into a lying position. "Stay down, child," he chided gently. "Most of the burns are still there, though they are healing."
"Burns?"
"Yes, child. Most were due to the hot smoke, but it's not as bad as it could have been. You were very lucky. According to the firemen that rescued you the fire was practically right in front of you."
Before Harry had the chance to respond the door opened once more. This time both the nurse from before and a doctor entered the room.
"Here you go," the nurse said, handing him a small cup of water. Harry took it gratefully and took a few small sips. When his throat was much less parched he nodded toward the nurse. "Thank you." The nurse nodded and smiled at him before leaving the room.
"Ah, Mr. Potter. It is good to see you awake. You had us all worried, especially your grandfather her." The doctor said as he stepped closer to the bed. "My name is Dr. Rodgers and I know that you probably have a lot of questions but before we do that let me take a look at how you are doing."
Harry nodded, but looked over at Dumbledore. "Can Granddad stay?" he asked in a small voice.
The doctor smiled at his young patient. "Yes, of course. He just needs to stand over on the other side of the bed so he doesn't get in the way of the examination." Dumbledore nodded and moved, placing a hand on top of Harry's head in a reassuring way.
"Ok, Mr. Potter," Dr. Rodgers said, as he took his stethoscope from around his neck and rubbed it with his hands to get rid of the chill. "I'm going to check your vital signs first." Harry nodded and Dr. Rodgers began to check his heart and lungs. After having Harry cough a few times to check his lungs he sighed and removed the instrument. "There is still an excess amount of smoke induced damage to your lungs. I'm going to order an inhaler prescription for Harry so that we can begin to clear them out."
Harry looked up at Dumbledore in confusion just to see that the older wizard was just as confused. "What is an inhaler and why would Harry need it?"
"Well, an inhaler is a little device that gives out little puffs of medicine when used to help open up the breathing passages when they get closed up or tightened. In Harry's case, it will also help to clear out his lungs of excess smoke and help him breath easier."
Both Dumbledore and Harry nodded at this. "There is also a possibility that you might develop some form of asthma, Harry. If this does happen then you will be using your inhaler whenever you feel short of breath and can't catch it right away or you get a full asthma attack. Which is when you feel your chest tighten and you can't breath. The inhaler will help to open your passages again so you can breath easier."
Harry's eyes widen at this and the doctor chuckled a bit. "Don't worry Harry. The chance of you getting a full blown attack are small, especially if you catch it right away. Whenever you feel short of breath, use your inhaler and it will help you to breath and stop it from getting worse."
Harry nodded at this but still looked and felt a bit dazed at all the information. He barely noticed when his grandfather began firing questions at the doctor in hopes of understanding Harry's new condition. He became so lost in thought that he didn't even hear when the doctor and Dumbledore began chuckling softly.
"Harry?" Dumbledore's voice drifting through the fog in Harry's brain. He shook his head to clear it and blushed when the two older men chuckled louder. "Finally with us, Harry?"
"Yes, sorry granddad," Harry whispered. "I-I didn't mean to.."
Dumbledore held up a hand to halt his apology. "It's quite alright, my dear boy. After all the information we just got, it's only natural that you would get a bit dazed about it all. It is quite a lot to take in."
Harry nodded at this. "You can say that again." Just as he finished speaking he was under a coughing attack that shook his whole body.
Dumbledore rushed to his side and rubbed his back gently, helping to ease the coughing. Once the coughing subsided, Harry leaned back into the pillows weakly. "That hurt," was all he could manage to say. Dumbledore held up the glass of water and Harry drank greedily for a few moments, hoping the water would soothe his now sore throat.
"I'm sure that it did, Harry," Dr. Rodgers said sadly. It was obvious he hated to see his patients in pain. "I'm afraid that you may have these fits every now and then while you recover as your lungs try and clear themselves of the smoke. All we can do is attempt to ease it."
Harry nodded weakly at this. He wasn't sure if he could take another round of coughing like that. This one already left him pretty tired and before he even realized it he was yawning widely.
Dumbledore and the doctor chuckled softly. "I think it's time you had a nap, Harry. You don't want to strain yourself by trying to stay awake. While you are sleeping, I'll send this prescription in and get you a temporary inhaler so that you can practice." At seeing Harry's confused look, he went to explain further. "A temporary inhaler is just like the one I prescribed to you but it just has a generic medicine in it. The one you'll get in a few hours has medicine in it that is geared to help heal and strengthen your lungs. Along with, of course, clearing your lungs."
Harry nodded and blinked owlishly as he fought to stay awake.
"Go to sleep Harry," the doctor said gently. "I'll explain to your grandfather how to use the inhaler but if you have any questions or you start to feel worse push this button and I'll come running. Alright?"
Harry looked over to where Dr Rodgers' pointed and noticed a controller connected to the bed that he hadn't noticed before.
With Harry's nod of understanding, Dr Rodgers left the room, leaving the two wizards alone once more.
AN: I know. I know. I'm sorry this wasn't updated earlier but honestly my work has been running me ragged lately. In the past two weeks I've worked a total close to about 70 hours. Give or take a few. Which leaves no real time for writing. So I know this is short, but it's the best i can do at the moment. Enjoy! And let me know if my explanations on asthma and inhalers are accurate. I'm hoping the next update won't be so long in coming as this one was but I can't and won't promise anything.