May 1996 - vignette memories (these are done in a different format because I think they were a dream from Severus in the original text)

"Dad, I'm sure it's nothing," Harry complained as he pulled his arm out of Severus's grasp. "Clearly I got hit by something during the match last week, it's no big deal."

It had been four days since the Gryffindor Quidditch team beat Slytherin in the final match and several of the bruises were not only still present but at least three new bruises have shown up without Harry knowing where they came from. As much as Severus wanted to brush it off, his intuition was telling him something was wrong.

"I really don't care what you think about it, you need to go back to the hospital wing. This is not a normal reaction for an injury like this," Severus lectured. He really hated the Gryffindor attitude Harry favored. Even though Harry hadn't needed to take care of himself, by himself, in the past 4 years, it was still a reaction engraved in him from his early neglected childhood. "I'll write you a note to excuse your next class, but you are to go straight to Madam Pomfrey and have her check it. I'll know if you've been there or not. "

Severus tossed and turned as the memory changed now to a small room at St. Mungo's.

Harry was sitting on the small exam table waiting to hear what the Healer was going to tell them. Madam Pomfrey couldn't find anything that would cause the Quidditch bruises to last as long as they were. Five days and 2 massive nosebleeds later, Harry was back in the Hospital Wing this time with Severus by his side. When Madam Pomfrey still couldn't find a cause, they were sent to a Healer at St. Mungo's, hopefully for some answers."I'm sure it's nothing Dad. People get nosebleeds all the time," Harry said, only half believing it as the Healer came back into the room.

Everything got fuzzy around the dream as Severus's anxiety increased knowing what was about to happen. Only select words could be heard from the Healer around the room:

"Leukemia... Cancer in his blood... Very rare for a wizard... Two treatment options... Chemotherapy is what muggles use... specialty wizard potions, but they're untested." Severus looked over at Harry and knew he'd never forget fear in those piercing emerald eyes...

Suddenly the dream went dark, so dark Severus couldn't see his hand in front of him. Starting to worry, he heard Harry's voice coming from the air above him, "It's my life we're talking about! I should have a say in it!"... "You're still a child, at the end of the day the decision is mine and I don't think risking your life is worth it!" He heard himself say knowing exactly what this conversation was. This was the infamous crossroad, they had no idea the impact this decision would make. "I know you don't want to hear it, but the possibility of losing your magical signature is absolutely better than losing your life. You're doing the chemotherapy."

As he listened to the argument he realized that was his mistake. He should have discussed, not demanded. Maybe then, Harry would have seen his anger came from his concern.

"Absolutely not!" Harry yelled. "I'll refuse. You can't seriously think everyone will be ok with you forcefully taking me when I'm almost sixteen years old. Seriously, you're a renowned potion master if anyone can beat this with potions you can."

In the end, Severus didn't sleep the night after that argument. Instead he spent every minute researching and finally finding something he thought could work. Only it didn't work in the end. Sure, things seemed positive the first 3 months and then they made adjustments and again things were going well for another 6 months until all of sudden it wasn't. At that point, things were too far gone to fix.

The scene changed to Harry's bedroom in their dungeon quarters. Harry was laying underneath the green bedspread, it was his absolute favorite because of how soft and plush it was. Severus was sitting in a comfortable armchair next to the bed watching Harry closely... Waiting, not daring to move. The enchanted window showed a crescent moon over the lake. Very calm, the exact opposite of what Severus felt inside. Memory Severus turned around when he heard the door open and saw Sirius and Molly approach the bed. Playing out like a silent movie was fine because Severus knew what was said. This happened only last week and was one of the worst days of Severus's life, even worse than when he heard that Lily died. Molly asked how Harry was and if Severus needed anything placing her hand comfortingly on his shoulder, but in the end they all just stood by, watching and waiting for the inevitable...