Harry Potter And The Father

Chapter 27

Sickness

To say Severus Snape was tense would be putting it lightly, he had asked Minerva to get her children to send them Muggle medicine of every kind. He was taking Poppy's advice using Muggle medicine, if he got worse then he would use his kind. Once they had been delivered he had read the instructions back to front before giving anything to his son. The first thing he had given Harry was two spoonfuls of calpol, he noticed it was flavoured not something you could do with Potions. He used the cold compass on his head, and made sure he had plenty of fluids. Unfortunately Harry couldn't keep anything down, even if it was just chicken soup or creamy porridge.

Severus had never felt more helpless before in his life, just watching Harry suffering in silence. The only time he made any sound was when he was asleep and having nightmares which was becoming increasingly more common. It must be the fever he was burning that was causing them, begging and pleading his pig of an uncle to not hurt him anymore. Begging his daddy to come to him, and the most heartbreaking of all, for Severus' heart had just about broken in two upon hearing those whispered words. He had stood frozen for a good three minutes before jumping in action.

"Mummy wake up!" was the childish whisper. Severus had almost been driven to his knees by that, having no doubt what would have been going on in the childish mind of a one year and three month old babies mind when his mother was killed. Harry must have simply thought his mother was asleep, perhaps playing with him. Then only to be sent to his awful relatives to be abused, how long had Harry begged and pleaded his mother to come for him? Or his father come to that. How long before Harry had resigned himself to his fate? Oh how he wished Harry would get better soon Severus hated seeing Harry like this. So sad, defeated, helpless and so heartbreakingly young. Harry lit up the room when he was awake, always had a shy smile for everyone, the spirit in the toddler made him seem so much…more in every sense.

Scooping his son up into his arms, he began rocking him back and forth, whispering soothing words. He had noticed the first night that Harry seemed to calm remarkably by his soothing voice quicker than anything else. The only thing he didn't like about the Muggle medication was the length of time it took to work. It took half an hour to an hour for the medicines to work! It was a long time when a child was in pain.

He was brought violently out of his musings by a knock on the door, not moving from his position he opened the door. A concerned looking Minerva came in, he had thought it might be her, Poppy had already been. It seemed the Muggle medication (despite the length of time it took to work) was working better than magical means.

"Severus you look awful! Give him to me and go have a shower and get something to eat," she said her voice full of adamance.

Severus would have said no, but she was already taking Harry from his grasp. He knew he probably did look awful, he hadn't eaten properly since Harry had gotten sick three days ago. He had also not showered or had any clothes on just nightwear on and he was also extremely tired. Nodding tiredly, he looked at his son once more before he reluctantly made his way to the bathroom. Usually he would never have done such a thing in company but Harry had indeed changed him so much in such a short amount of time.

"Blinky?" called Minerva, she knew the house elf who served Severus personally. He was from Prince Manor and answered Severus' call every time. He knew the house elves in Hogwarts although they hadn't been pleased that one of their teachers had their own personal house elf serving them in their (the house elves) territory, they got on rather well with Blinky now. So Blinky had no trouble getting food or the like from Hogwarts now, although Severus preferred the food coming from Prince Manor where he knew it wasn't tampered with.

"Yes ma'am?" asked Blinky materializing immediately.

"Can you bring up a large plate of food for Severus please, perhaps some coffee as well. And something that might go easy on Harry' stomach how about some ginger snaps? He might have better luck holding them down." said Minerva kindly.

"How about some ice cream and jelly? It always helped Master Severus when he was sick?" ventured Blinky.

"Very well," said Minerva smothering a smile. Ice cream and jelly did not help children, although it might help bring Harry's temperature down a little. It might also perk him up a little bit or so she hoped. She had been so concerned for him, she was in awe just how much the Muggle medication seemed to be working. She had thought for a long time Muggle medication didn't work on Wizards and Witches, which was rather stupid when she thought about it. After all Muggle raised and Muggle born's all recovered from their illnesses.

Despite her stern features, Minerva was known to be very emotional especially when it came to the students. Heaven forbid should anyone hurt one of the Hogwarts students, yes even the Slytherins. She would defend each and every student with her life, most teachers knew this. The students though, had nothing on what she was beginning to feel for Harry and yes even Severus. She had always admired and secretly laughed at Severus' humour, as it was much like hers only not so…dark. Now though she was seeing a different side of Severus, a side she was sure no one other than perhaps Lily had ever seen. Severus like herself felt things very deeply but hardly showed it, only those closest ever saw it.

Blinky popped in and put the big silver tray on the table, nodding to Minerva before disappearing. Blinky had been worried about Master Severus, he hadn't been eating properly, despite the fact he had send food every day. Without being requested it, more worrisome the trays he had taken away were just as full. He could only hope that Mistress McGonagall had finally convinced his Master to eat.

Minerva put Harry on the couch, covering him with a light cover and applying a cold cloth to his forehead. She made herself a coffee and sat drinking it, lost in thought until Severus came out. Dressed in navy blue clean nightclothes, and a green robe she gestured him to sit down sternly and said one word "Eat."

Severus checked on his son, before he sat down as he was told and began eating. Realizing just how famished he was he ate quicker than normal, as his stomach growled loudly as if glad to finally have something in it. Once he finished he saw the food for Harry, and could only hope that Harry managed to keep something down today.

"What is this?" asked Severus sighing as he caught sight of the ice cream and jelly.

"Oh Severus! Do not be so sullen, I know you used to get it when you were ill too. It will help Harry's temperature and sore throat and sooth his chest. It will also hopefully stay down and get something inside of him! If this keeps up we will need to give him a potion to help seal his stomach stop him from being sick something we both don't want!" reprimanded Minerva.

"And the biscuits?" asked Severus exasperated.

"Ginger as you know is soothing," said Minerva giving him a very pointed look.

Severus had to concede the point, he would never have thought to give his sick son ice cream. He couldn't remember getting ice cream when he was sick either but he must have done. He had a feeling Blinky had told Minerva this or he had been the one to suggest it he believed it to be both.

Getting up he put his own plates back on the tray and lifted the still frozen ice cream and Jelly and sat on the couch. Minerva moved to sit on the armchair, lightening up the fire a little as she did so.

"Harry, wake up son, come now, you need to eat," said Severus patting at his back speaking loudly but not too loudly of course. He knew just how badly Harry reacted to loud voices, and wouldn't like to see how he reacted as ill as he was.

Harry groaned, he was so sore and tired, he just wanted to sleep, and he didn't want to eat. Why was his daddy always wakening him up to make him eat? He couldn't keep it down. He couldn't keep anything down, his stomach just rebelled against anything and before he knew it, sick was everywhere. Harry tried to stop it, but it was useless in his feverish condition he feared his father would get sick of him and send him back. Every time he woke up he feared he would be back in the cupboard under the stairs. Yet each and every time he woke - he was proven wrong wakening up warm safe and most of all loved.

"Harry come on son," said his daddy's insistent voice.

Harry opened his tired feverish eyes, staring at his daddy pleadingly to let him just rest. His body felt so sore and achy, not like his uncle had just hurt him but days afterwards. Every bone in his little boy hurt, his throat felt like it was on fire and he didn't even want to think on how much his head hurt.

Severus summoned the calpol and measured out a spoonful and fed it to his son, before giving him a second. Placing him on his lap he fed him the ice cream and jelly, he handed Harry the ginger nut biscuit. Not surprising Harry didn't eat it; he didn't seem to even have the strength to keep his hands up.

Severus placed a cold cloth on his son's head, and placed a blanket around his feverish frame. A few minutes later the sound of soft ragged breathing filled the air, as Harry fell asleep once more.

"Well he's kept it down," sighed Minerva looking relieved.

"Indeed," said Severus cautiously.

"Question is - is it because he's getting better or because of what it was." said Minerva a questioning look in her eyes.

Severus just nodded the caution still in his eyes.

Severus was glad Harry had finally managed to keep something down; he wanted to believe he was getting better but he couldn't be too sure. He thought that maybe it had more to do with what was eaten than anything else. Maybe it wasn't parents indulging their sick children and keeping them happy after all. Maybe it was what was best for them, who would have thought he Severus Snape, would be feeding anyone ice cream and Jelly never mind having a sick child in his care. Life truly had changed.

"How's your mother?" asked Minerva.

"She's stayed away, the Wizard flu jab was before her time and she never even had one when she was older." explained Severus.

"Why ever not?" asked Minerva clearly baffled.

"I do not know," said Severus wryly.

"I see," replied Minerva obviously not being able to see at all. She had gotten hers, a few weeks after he children had all been given them. That had been many years ago, she was a grandmother now for goodness sake. Squibs were given the wizarding flu jab too as they could get it as well, just like they could see Dementors and other magical creatures.

"I'm just glad the medicine seems to be helping," admitted Minerva the relief shining through.

Severus just nodded curtly.

"Albus has been very quiet as of late…" Minerva trailed off not bothering to finish but Severus' face darkened regardless. He knew that was true, despite the fact he had not left his quarter he knew the others kept him very well informed.

There we go! will Harry be better by the next chapter? what would you like to see Severus and Harry do? R&R