A Potion Induced Advent's Time
by Healer Pomfrey

Please refer to the content/warnings/disclaimer note above page 1.

December 6

Harry was just about to head outside, completely ignoring Severus' protests, who struggled to get down on his feet, when Helga called him over to the door, which her portrait was guarding.

"She probably went to see Madam Pomfrey," Helga explained gently. "She asked me to open for her, but I refused, because I could not understand her. I only understood her name and promised to fetch her later on, but she didn't listen and ran out through the other door. I'll advise Madam Pomfrey to put up a portrait for that door."

Harry gratefully looked at the Founder and finally put Severus on the floor, just when the portrait opened and Minerva toddled into the room, followed by Madam Pomfrey. "Thank you, Helga," Pomfrey said, before she turned to Harry. "Minerva insisted that I should check on you, because your hands were very hot. She also complained that you didn't eat anything the whole day."

"She was quietly reading her book, while I was bathing Severus, and then she was suddenly gone," Harry stammered in a daze, suddenly feeling like he was moving although he wasn't. He heard Poppy speak to him, but her voice sounded like from far away.

"Lie down on your bed and let me check on you," the Healer ordered him and Harry complied, feeling too miserable to care what was happening. "You caught the flu," Pomfrey informed him, sighing.

"Oh no, will the children catch it from me?" Harry asked, terrified.

"No," Pomfrey replied in a soothing voice. "They received their flu protection at St. Mungo's like all teachers did before the beginning of the school year. The problem is that you won't feel well enough to look after these two for at least a few days. Unfortunately, Ms. Weasley, Mr. Longbottom and nearly all other seventh years were taken ill as well today. Maybe I need to ask the twins. They're the only healthy ones..."

"No!" Severus interrupted her angrily, causing the Healer to look at the children, who had climbed up on the bed and were sitting next to Harry.

"No, Hawwy pwease," Minerva agreed, letting out a huge yawn.

"It's all right, Madam. I'll look after them," Harry promised, feeling much better now that the Healer had spelled two potions into his stomach. "I think we already got used to each other."

"The problem is that this kind of flu, which is going around, is not the normal wizard's flu but the more dangerous mermaid's flu, which can turn into pneumonia and lasts longer than the normal wizard's flu," Pomfrey explained. She remained pensive for a moment, before she said thoughtfully, "I'll help you with these two; however, you must stay in bed and not aggravate your own condition; otherwise, I'll have to think of a different solution."

"Okay," Harry promised, feeling very reassured when the Healer instructed him to rest and proceeded to put the two children to bed. He soon drifted off into a potions induced sleep that was only interrupted when he heard Severus wail a few hours later. Harry jerked awake, noticing that he could barely open his eyes. "It's all right, Sevvie; I'm coming," he croaked, shivering badly as he tried to sit up.

"Harry, lie down and go back to sleep," Pomfrey's voice penetrated his ears like from far away, and Harry sighed in relief as he automatically obeyed.

Harry woke up the next time to something ice-cold touching his face, noticing immediately that his potions must have worn off. However, he couldn't help smiling at the sight as he slightly opened his achy eyes. Severus was still fast asleep next to him, and Minerva was sitting between Severus and him, carefully trying to wipe his hot face with a cool towel.

"Thank you, Minerva," Harry whispered, feeling very comforted by the two-year-old's kind gesture. 'Nevertheless, I have to get up to clean and dress the children,' he realised and slowly dragged himself out of bed, ignoring the fact that the small girl glared at him. "Now, let's get you dressed, Minerva," he whispered and lifted the girl onto the changing table.

"Hawwy awwigh?" Minerva asked, giving him a piercing look.

"Of course, little one," Harry whispered, in spite of not feeling all too well. He inwardly sighed in relief when Pomfrey bustled into the room and sent him back to bed immediately.

Harry gratefully observed the Healer change and dress Minerva and couldn't help laughing when she asked her if she and Severus had behaved well for Harry the previous day.

"Minnie vewy good but not Sevvie," Minerva replied with a stern expression on her face.

"So then are we going to have two little Gryffindor lions here today?" Pomfrey asked, smirking.

Minerva glanced at Severus, who was still sleeping, and said, "Yeah pwease. Sevvie must be good fow Hawwy too but he wasn't."

Harry couldn't help laughing at her stern expression. Unfortunately, he ended up in a coughing fit that made Severus wake up, and he began to wail right away. Harry reached out for the small boy and pulled him close, noticing in surprise that he stopped wailing and contentedly snuggled into Harry's pyjamas. "I believe that Severus behaved as well as Minerva did," he said hoarsely, "and I think Severus should wear clothes, which he likes."

"Sevvie Gwyffindow colouw," Minerva insisted, pouting.

However, Severus chose to ignore her and remained quietly in Harry's arm, until Poppy placed Minerva on the floor and held out her hands for him. "Come Severus, let's get you dressed as well," she said gently.

HP

Harry more or less spent the whole weekend in bed, feeling very grateful towards Pomfrey, who apparently had cast a charm on the children that alerted her when they were hungry or had to be changed, and to Minerva and Severus. Apart from the occasional quarrel, the two children busied themselves playing with their new toys, reading their books or cuddling with Harry. Only on Saturday afternoon, they began a huge fight, when Minerva was slowly flying around their quarters. Apparently, she found a left over pea from lunch, and, whilst flying over Severus' cauldron, she threw the pea right into the light pink liquid that let out an angry hiss.

tbc...

Thank you very much for your kind comments! No need to pity poor Harry; he'll be all right in the next chapter :-) See you tomorrow...