THROUGH IT YET AGAIN
DISCLAIMER: Nope, I do not own Harry Potter. It belongs to J.K. Rowling and I am only dipping in.
Warning: If you find someone or things who does not seem to belong to J.K. Rowling, then that would be my fault since I'm only using her work to create my own version of Harry Potter.
Warning 2: Remember the time when I told you I was rather attached to slash well this might get one I don't know for sure so if you are not comfortable with it, please leave now. This needs, how should I say it -- An open mind.
The writer laughs then continued reading. The muse peeked in and laughs as well.
Writer: Aren't you supposed to be doing something?
The muse scratches her head, remembering what it is. The writer raised a brow.
Writer: Your story. What's taking it so long?
The muse pointed at the story the writer is reading.
Writer: Then stop reading what I am reading.
The muse glares at the writer.
Muse: I like what you are reading.
Writer: You can read after you pass me the next chapter.
The muse pouts.
Muse: Not fair plus I'm wanting to start this story I've been telling you about—
Writer: See see. That is why you shouldn't read any stories. You are losing interest on your own blend of coffee.
The muse's eyes went glassy and the writer got guilty.
Writer: Oh, okay. Tell you what, we'll talk about this story of yours but you have to promise me to continue this story you started.
The muse jumped with joy and gave the writer the flash disk. The writer narrowed her eyes.
Muse: Stop reading and start typing.
The writer sighed.
Writer: Why did I ever start this again?
Muse: Because you want to.
Writer: Yeah, right.
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Chapter 8
Sickness or Illness
James Potter rushed over to his son when he saw him falling backwards and was only in a few seconds before Harry hit his head on the floor. All the people present in the room yelped in shocked except Rian who was at his father's side in a flashed and supported him with Harry.
"Harry…" Rian called but his younger brother was completely out of it. He looked at his father in panic.
James was also closed to panicking and with a small amount of effort, he hoisted the boy up. It wasn't that difficult because the boy was small for his age and he was even more surprise that he was also quite light. It was clear to James that his younger son was neglecting himself.
"I'll call Madam Pompfrey." Remus and Sirius said simultaneously and didn't even notice that they said it at once. No one seemed to care as they immediately left.
The rest gave way to James and Rian, with Lily guiding them to a vacant room.
James put down his son gently on the bed then quickly checked his forehead. His eyes grew more concerned.
"He's burning up,"
"I'll get a warm water and a towel." He heard Molly say from behind because Lily could not get herself to leave her son as she changed his clothes with a spell into one of those Rian wore. The older brother sat beside Harry and enveloped the younger one's hand with his.
Arthur ushered his children to leave as well as Hermione so as not to crowd them. The Potters didn't even acknowledged them leaving as they were too worried for Harry.
After a few seconds, Molly came back, surprisingly Madam Pompfrey had arrived, too with Remus and Sirius trailing with them.
Lily met Molly half-way through the room and got the wash basin and the towel from Molly. She muttered a thank you before she washed the towel on the warm water, wipe the sweat on his son's face and gently put it on his forehead.
Madam Pomfrey urged Rian, Lily and James to stand away from the boy for a while as she examined him. They reluctantly agreed and watched the medi witch as she performed a series of inspection on their son. Molly, feeling awkward because she was not really a part of the family left them afterwards. Sirius and Remus stayed.
Just as when Molly left, Dumbledore and Severus barged in. Arthur had told them what happened to Harry and the headmaster was so worried that he didn't even had time to end his conversation with Severus and had unwittingly dragged the man with him to see his godson.
When James saw Severus he charged at the man at once and Sirius with Remus being his friends had to hold him. Not that they mind if James killed the man but because it wasn't even worth it.
"You. You did this to my son!"
"What in the blazes are you talking about Potter?"
"My son is sick. I bet it was the veritaserum you had given him. You shouldn't have doubled the dose."
"Nonsense. My potions are flawless. Do not accuse me of the things I am not at fault."
"Please, gentlemen," said Poppy in a higher voice. "I have a patient here. If you two are going to bicker, I suggest you find a place to do it not here."
"James! Severus!" Lily stopped the two with only the mentioned of their names. It was clear she was really angry at them especially at her husband.
Severus looked at Lily then to James again. "I will not stand here to argue with you Potter or to take any of your accusations. I am leaving." And with that he left the room.
Dumbledore didn't seem to mind them as he took a good look at the boy at the other side of the bed. The child was unconscious and looked rather pale as Poppy examined him.
"I am not sure what is wrong with him," said the medi witch after sometime.
"What do you mean you're not sure?!" asked James angrily.
Madam Pompfrey was taken aback for the moment. James was a nice person and she had never seen the man lose his composure before.
Lily put her hand on her husband's shoulder. "James, please."
"How can you not be sure?!" it was Rian's turned to talk.
"Rhianne Rodolphus Potter, apologize to Madam Pompfrey at once." Lily scolded him.
The older teen knotted his brows stubbornly. "She took so long to examine my brother and all she could tell us is 'I'm not sure?' What kind of a medi-witch is she if she can't even tell what is wrong with my brother."
"Rian!"
"Please," Madam Pompfrey had to cut in. She didn't want to see anyone fight because of her. As much as shocked as she was to learn that the boy was one of the Potters, it was not the same as seeing the ones she knew act in an out of character attitude. "I'm sorry if I can't determine it. He has a fever, yes but I don't know what caused this. His health seems okay, I think its emotional. Is he undergoing stress lately? Is he worrying about something? That kind of emotions may trigger his abnormal sickness."
All of them fell silent. May be the boy had been experiencing the shock of his life since he came from another world. They didn't even know what to feel if they were in his shoes, losing your loved ones then learn about this world only to find everyone who were supposed to be dead alive in there.
Lily knew from the look of Poppy that she had to be informed what was really going on but she figured this was not the time to do so.
Rian sat on his brother's side once again and caught one of Harry's hand to his, rubbing it mildly. James took the other side of the bed while Lily at the foot.
Sirius and Remus glanced at one another. Now they were feeling left out.
Madam Pompfrey knew she had hit the nerve and pull out some of the potions on her bag. She gave it to James and instructed him to give it to the boy every after meal. "He needs some rest and I suggest no more stress for him. Don't give him worries, okay." The three only nodded even Sirius, Remus and the headmaster.
"We will see you outside," Remus offered when she bid farewell and glared at Sirius with the promise of death when he refused to leave the room.
"I think I will have to stalk Severus again and resume our little talk." Dumbledore said when he figured he couldn't do anything anymore. He followed the two marauders and the medi-witch outside.
"He will be alright, isn't he dad?" Rian asked looking really concern at his brother.
James only smiled. "You really are happy to have him here with us, huh."
The teen lit up at the thought. "Of course."
Lily fondly looked at her family as they converse about what they would do once Harry gets better. Now she could say everything was perfect for her.
ooo
Harry Potter woke up with a headache, his vision blurred. He couldn't even determine where he was and how he ended in the dim lit room. He remembered a sense of déjà vu, the same one when he first woke up in St. Mungos but he didn't feel like what he was feeling right now when he woke up that day.
He weakly sat up and found out how much effort he had to put up just by sitting up. He was surprised to see his parents sitting on the chair while their heads on the bed.
He looked at them with an overwhelming joy. He didn't know anything about his parents and he knew how he longed for to see them personally. But now he didn't know how to react.
He snapped out of his reverie and silently crept on the other side of the bed to stand up. He still wouldn't admit that he really had made up his mind to destroy the dark lord of this world and protect the people here at all cost. He would save them even if it killed him and this time he won't take his mission lightly.
He stood up, swayed a little as the dizziness hit him. He summed up strength and began walking for the door. He found himself stopping from time to time when exhaustion took him. He felt really angry. He didn't know how he had gotten himself sick like this and didn't like the feeling. He stopped again right in front of the door. He leaned over it for support as another wave of exhaustion hit him. When he thought he could continue he touched the door knob to be open but another hand clutched his hand. When he looked up he saw James Potter with his stern face.
"What are you doing?"
Harry swallowed. He hated explaining himself and he was not definitely in the mood to talk. Even to his supposedly father.
"I said where are you going?!"
"I have to go now."
James got angrier at the words of his son. He could see how sick Harry was just by looking at him. He couldn't even stand on his own.
"Ánd where do you think you're going?"
This time Lily woke up at the voice of her husband. She almost had panicked when she saw the empty bed then heard James at the door arguing with their son. She could see her husband steaming with anger even in the dim light. She pulled out his wand and whispered somethingthen the lights glittered the room.
"I told you I came here to defeat Voldemort."
"And how do you think you can do that. You can't even stand."
"I'm fine."
"You don't look fine to me."
"This won't kill me. I've had worst."
Lily stood up and went to her son's side. "Honey, you should go to bed. You are not well."
"I'm fine. I have to go now." He snapped at her without looking but James firmly stopped his hand from opening the door.
"You're not going anywhere." He could see the fire on the younger teen. He knew Harry would give him a fight if he stops him but there was no way he would let go of his boy.
"You can't defeat him in your present state, honey," said Lily patiently.
Before Harry could answer, James lifted him off the floor. His son immediately fought him with all his frailty condition.
"Put me down."
"Stop struggling."
But Harry certainly would not listen to him as he wriggled from his grasp. James could only gripped him tighter to keep his son from falling. The struggle stopped suddenly and he caught the ragged breathing from the silence. He swore because Harry had clearly exhausted himself.
Lily smooth the bed as James laid their son on it. Harry's face had gone pale again and she bit her lip from scolding Harry for being stubborn. She tucked him in and waited for the protest. Nothing came. When she peeked in, he was looking at her with those green eyes of him. She couldn't determine what he was thinking and felt awkward about it. She wanted to knock her head on the wall. How could she feel awkward on her son? Must be the eyes which looked as if he knew something she don't.
"What is it, hon?"
"Do you want to eat something, Harry?" James cut in from behind Lily.
Harry glanced at his father. If he could he would've used his powers to get out of the place he was in but as of now he knew he was not up to it, his magical capabilities seemed to be gone for a while. He was not bothered at all and figured it must be of his strange sickness.
"I am not hungry." He answered briefly.
"But you haven't eaten anything from yesterday. I'll get the house elf to cook you something."
Harry closed his eyes as sleep wants to claim him again. "I am not hungry." He repeated.
James and Lily exchanged glances. They really didn't know how to react around their youngest son.
The door burst open and Rian came running in with a smile on his face.
"Rian, what are you doing here." Exclaimed Lily in a lowly voice.
He could only smile with his mom and gave her a smacked on the cheek then proceeded to his brother's bed, sitting on the same side he was in a while ago.
"You're finally awake. How are you doing?"
Harry was still in shocked as he looked at his supposedly elder brother. He then looked at the clock on the wall at the far side foot of his bed. It stated 3:10 am. How could it be possible that a person could be this energetic at this time?
"Fine." He answered dismally.
"He tried to leave the room or much rather leave the house a while ago. Good thing I woke up and caught him before he did." His father said to Rian that made him groan.
"What?" screamed Rian. "How could you do that! You are not well."
"I have a mission and I intend to uphold it."
"Well damn that mission!"
"Rian Potter." Said Lily in a warning tone. "Your brother is sick and you are here screaming at him. What are you doing here anyway. You're supposed to be sleeping in your room and how in the world did you know him awake at this time?"
Rian grinned with those mischievous eyes of him. Gone was his anger.
Lily knotted his brows as if sensing what her elder son did and glanced around the room and sure enough he caught sight of the little device on the lower portion of the table next to Harry. It was the device used on babies. It was like a radio instrument that lets you hear when your baby is crying. She picked up the device and stared hard on Rian. His son was really clever to pull this off. She and his father wouldn't even think him of using a muggle device to spy on his brother.
"Well, I wouldn't have done it if you had allowed me to sleep with him in the same room." Rian reasoned.
James patted Rian's shoulder. "Very clever, son."
"James!" called Lily.
James cleared his throat. 'I mean you shouldn't have done that. When me and your mom tell you to do something, you should do it."
Harry observed the three from his bed. He couldn't help but suppressed his laugh from the scene. So this was his father was like? He envied not having known him personally in his world. Again that thought brought him back to reality.
"Okay, dad." Rian winked at his father then went back to his brother. "And you, Harry. No more sneaking. You should take a rest. Madam Pompfrey said you needed it with all that stress and worries you're in."
"I am not under stress nor worried."
"Yeah, right." Said Rian in a sarcastic way.
James and Lily took hold of the beautiful sight of their two sons. This was supposed to be the scene every now and then if their Harry had not died. Anyway, this child on the bed is still Harry no matter what planet he came from. They certainly could not separate that thought.
"Are you hungry?" Rian asked and Harry groaned again. This would be the second time he was asked if he was hungry from the time he woke up.
"No."
But Rian was already calling a house-elf called Nimfy who immediately popped in the room.
Harry watched Nimfy, the house-elf as she mumbled. Now that he think about it, he wondered whether house-elves ever slept.
"Masters want something. Nimfy is here to do anything what the masters want." The house-elf said happily.
"Bring us foods for my little brother."
"Of course master Rian." Then the house-elf vanished with a popped.
"You have a house-elf?" Harry asked disbelievingly, forgetting that he was not really hungry. This Potters have a house-elf? They must be very rich in this world.
"Yes, we have." Putting the emphasis on the 'we' to let his brother know he also owned them. "About five of them. That one is Nimfy and she is in charge of the foods."
"You have fi-five house-elves?!"
"You'll meet them soon enough."
Another popped and Nimfy came back. She snapped her fingers and a table and chair appeared, then the foods came next.
"That is all." Said Rian and Nimfy vanished again.
Lily went over the table and picked the food for her son. James sat on the chair at the side of his younger son, guiding the boy in a sitting position.
"But I'm not hungry." Harry said again when Lily sat next to him with the tray.
"Nonsense, hon. You will eat."
Knowing they wouldn't take no for an answer he complied with them. He was about to protest to eat on his own but found himself being fed by his mother, not giving him a chance to say anything.
When the meal ended, which of course took several protests that he has had enough, James went to the table beside him and picked up the potion Harry knew was for him.
"What's in this?" Harry asked when his father gave it to him.
"Sleeping potion with a draught of replenishing strength." He answered.
"I don't want to sleep anymore."
"But you need to sleep. Its still early." Lily said.
"And this time, I won't leave you." Said Rian.
"Rian!" scolded Lily.
The older teen put up his most puppy eyed expression. "Please mom, I want to be with him when he wakes up again."
"But you have your own room."
"Come on, sweet." Said James. "Let him sleep with his brother."
"But James, where will he sleep?"
"Anywhere. There are plenty of rooms here." Said Rian.
Lily took a moment to think but when she saw Rian in his own pleading look. She gave in. Rian could really be sneaky at times.
"Alright, you'll sleep on the couch."
Rian bounced up and down like he was a three year old child then quickly remembered he was on the same bed as his brother so he stopped abruptly. Not wanting to cause his brother any nuisance.
"You should drink the potion, hon." Lily said when she saw his younger son still clutching the bottle.
Harry looked at the potion again. He was a little taken with Rian. He could not get over the fact that a person older than him had acted that way just by being with him.
"Harry…"
Harry now looked at Rian.
"Drink it now. If you want to get better, you drink that now. I'll be here when you wake up, I promise."
He raised a brow. "I am not a child. Don't treat me like one." He said then drank the potion all the way. James got the bottle again as the potion took effect and he found himself going back to bed. Lily tucked him in, brushing back his messy hair then kissed his forehead before the sleep caught him.
"What's this about the mission my brother is talking to, dad?" Rian asked when he had made sure Harry was now sleeping.
James and Lily looked at each other. They had not yet told Rian about the reason his brother was here in their world. They had only told him about Harry who came from another world because of the woman called the keeper. The full detail was not yet referred to him and they didn't even know how he would react about it.
"We will talk about this some other day." Said James.
"But I want to know now. He sounded serious. Didn't you hear how determined he was?"
Lily sighed. "Okay, but we will talk at the other side of the room. I don't want you to throw another of your tantrums when I tell you." She stood up, called Nimfy and ordered her to get the left-over foods together with the table and the chair she provided.
When the task was done, James and Lily guided Rian outside for a long talk but not before they whispered nox.
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The timeline can be really a pain. I've researched about the ages and the dates really confused me. Some said that James and Lily were born in 1960, others 1958 and some 1957. It was not even stated when they got married but I found some sites which said immediately after they graduated. Now let us take the consideration that in the wizarding world, a wizard is already a man by the age of 17 so I guess its ok to have a child even when you haven't turn 20 and that made me think it might be okay to have an older brother for our little Harry.
Okay, lets try this again, my muse was not into dates but now that you did the math for me and all my research got me nowhere other than the fact that Harry was born on July 31, 1980, I think I'll do some calculation and get back on that one.
The only reason my muse gave Harry an older brother rather than a younger one was because I don't have a younger sibling but an older one. Can't really help my muse if she writes a fic from which I haven't experienced yet.
Everything is crumbling down now. When my muse first started this, I knew the dates would get in the way and like Rowling, she tries to adjust her timeline and admitted she was not good in those thing and I found this site which stated how she contradicts herself often in dates. I am mumbling again, grrr.
This is an altenate universe-a parallel dimension so things could happen that we'll never know.
Notes again: Sorry it took me so long. I was a bit distracted for a while. ("o")
Review?