Disclaimer: I don't own it.

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Part Thirty-Two: Sick?

Hope was sitting out by the lake when rain starting pouring down. She knew she should get inside, but she honestly didn't care anymore.

She had been constantly trying to spend more time with Severus, but he always appeared to be busy. She wasn't angry with the man. He didn't seem to realize how badly he was hurting her, but she figured that her father would want to spend time with her.

She laid back, now completely soaked, and closed her eyes, allowing tears to fall. She had lost her parents, gained an adoptive family, lost them, gained another adoptive father, and now it seemed as if he didn't want her around. What was she supposed to do?

She sat in the rain for a couple hours, when she made her way back up to the tower to change. As soon as she walked in, she was bombarded by people.

"Where have you been? Why are you wet? Were you outside in the rain? Are you insane Hope? Do you realize that everyone has been looking for you? Harry's been going nuts." All these things awaited her entrance to the tower.

"I'm fine, I was outside, yes I was in the rain, where is Harry?" All of them said Dumbledore's office at once so Hope abandoned her mission of dry clothes and went to reassure her boyfriend.

She reached his office and muttered the password before allowing the gargoyle to take her up. She entered the room and saw four sets of eyes turn to look at her expectantly.

"Didn't know I'd have an audience…" She muttered to herself as Harry jumped up and pulled her into an embrace.

"Where were you? I've been worried sick!" He scolded her, the fear evident in his eyes. "Hope, you're wet, do you want to get sick?!"

Hope shook her head before nodding to the others. "I assume everyone missed me?"

"Miss Collins, may I induce if you were in the rain for the past three hours?" Hope nodded. "Then I must say you were incredibly foolish and will be lucky not to get the flu!" The headmaster said with a smile. "You're all dismissed; get the girl some dry clothes."

They all left and made it to Severus quarters before her father turned on her.

"What were you thinking? Why did you stay out in the rain? I distinctly remember telling you to go study!"

"I have studied every night for the past week because you told me too. I deserved one night off so I went to sit by the lake and it started raining. I didn't feel like coming in to face you only to get yelled at so I stayed out!" She retorted loudly.

Severus' face was red. "Go change and then go to your room and stay in there. Harry, go to your common room, she will not have visitors tonight."

Right as Severus said that, Hope bent over in a coughing fit. Harry stayed out of worry for his girlfriend, and over the fear from the hated potions master.

"See what you've done now, you silly girl? You've gone and gotten yourself sick. Go change and lie down and I'll bring you a cough-resistant potion."

Hope glared at her father before leaving. "No thanks! I don't need your potion; I'm just fine on my own." She turned to Harry and gave him a quick hug. "I'll see you tomorrow," she said and went to her room.

Hope didn't sleep well that night due to the tossing and turning. She'd also acquired a nasty headache that didn't help matters. When light shone through the window, she got up and got dressed, willing the headache to go away. She had just gotten ready when she dissolved into another coughing fit.

Severus had heard the girl and got a potion for her to take, and walked into her room just in time to see her straighten herself and rub her forehead.

"Hope, here's a potion that should help," Severus offered, as he set the potion on the dresser.

"I don't need it!" She yelled back before coughing again. Severus looked at her and noticed her pale complexion. He also was able to tell she had a headache from the pain on her face.

"You do, but if you refuse to take it, there is nothing I can do," he said with a pointed look at the girl as she coughed harshly again.

"I'm fine, thanks. I'm going to the great hall. Bye," she said and hurried out of the room. She sat down and looked at the food before feeling nauseous and pushing it away. About that time, Harry sat down next to her.

"Hey, you look horrible," he said to her.

"Thanks," she replied sarcastically.

"No, seriously Hope. You look like you feel horrible," Hermione said in more polite terms.

"I don't feel great, but I'll live," she said with a pointed look at Harry.

Both shrugged and began eating, encouraging Hope to do the same. She refused and waited for them to finish before they went outside.

They had been outside for a couple hours when Ginny rushed out.

"There's going to be a ball!" She exclaimed.

"When!?" Hermione exclaimed, already excited.

"Next Saturday. It's an end of term thing, so it will be the day after our last final and two days before we go home!!"

Hermione and Ginny talked about dresses and hair and boys while Hope relaxed against Harry, trying to fight sleep.

A little while later they all got up and went back inside for lunch, and once again, Hope refused to eat because of the nauseous feeling she received when looking at the food. She was on her way to the library with her friends, when Severus stopped her.

"I would like a word, Hope. In my office."

"It's a Saturday, Professor. Surely whatever it is can wait?" She said, challenging him with her eyes. "I have to spend some time with my boyfriend and I've not broken any rules, so it can't be important."

He glared at her. "Bring Mr. Potter with you then. Just be in my office in five minutes."

They all watched as he stormed off before looking at Hope. She sighed and looked at Harry with pleading eyes.

"I'll come with you," he assured her, knowing she was upset with her father. They made their way down the dungeons and entered the man's office to see him sitting behind a desk.

Both took seats and waited for the professor to begin.

"Hope, I don't know why you are so angry at me, but I insist we discuss it now."

Hope sighed. "I'm not angry at you, I simply don't agree with you yelling at me yesterday. I broke no rules and put nobody other than myself in danger, so you shouldn't have reacted that way. It's not like you would've noticed I was missing if it wasn't raining. You're too preoccupied with making potions with Draco," she said with scorn in her voice.

Severus' face gained a look of understanding. "That's why you wanted to brew the potions? Because you were jealous of the time I was spending with your brother?"

Hope shook her head then regretted it from the dizziness that followed. She took a minute to regain her bearings before continuing. "I merely wondered why you didn't want to spend time with me. You said you wanted me as a part of this family, then after the first week, your actions disproved your words."

Severus watched her worriedly, not sure how to respond.

"If you don't want me, Severus, then cancel the adoption," Hope said with tears in her eyes as she stood. "I won't be mad at you, but don't keep me in your family if you don't want me." Her voice cracked as she finished her statement and stood. "Think about that."

Hope left the office and went halfway down the hall before sitting against the wall. Harry was behind her shortly and knelt down in front of her.

"Hope?"

"I don't feel so good…" She muttered. He pulled her to her feet and started down the opposite way, toward the hospital wing.

Severus was exiting his office as Harry walked past it supporting Hope, causing Severus to panic and motion him into the room. Harry hesitated before obeying, because he knew the man could do more for Hope than anyone else.

He checked Hope for a fever before giving her a potion for headaches and coughing. After Harry reported she hadn't been eating, he also gave her one for the nausea. After Hope took all the potions, she leaned against Harry and fell into a deep slumber.

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A/N: Poor Hope, and poor Severus. :( It has to happen sometime though. Let me know what you think. Love ya all.

Kayla