"Sirius!" Harry shouted as loud as his systems would allow. He had woken up, all of what had happened coming to him. He tried hard to pull himself into a sitting position but failing miserably as a sharp pain tore in his neck since he wasn't wearing his back brace.
Sirius came in and closed the door behind him. "Hey, good mornin'," he said. Harry grinned, but it was more like grimace as he tried to sit up. "Here, let me help you, Harr." Sirius said as he rushed towards his godson. He grabbed the back brace from the cupboard as he came. Harry looked down and said, "Oh, I thought I was wearing the brace." Sirius looked up as he fastened the back support and he sat on the bed. "I'm so sorry, Harry," Sirius said, "You might not want to come because of the crowds but Liana wants you to come to pick out Christmas decoration. Maybe you can help me pick out some presents for others as well? It's completely understandable if you don-" Harry cut him off. "I think I'll have to face them someday. Like Dumbledore always says do it sooner rather than later." Harry smiled and Sirius nodded fondly as he admired the understanding, brave, matured boy his godson had become.
There was a pregnant pause.
"Well, Lianna is waiting for us downstairs. She is having a PBJ sandwich. Would you like one since you missed lunch?" Sirius informed. Harry shook his head and said, "I-I had a heavy breakfast."
"Are you sure?" Sirius asked as he helped Harry into his wheelchair. "Yes," Harry said as took a sharp intake of breath.
They were about to get out when Sirius took notice of Harry's hands. They had reddened and were a bit swollen. "Harry! Your hands!" Sirius exclaimed. He sat on his knees so that he was at eye level with Harry. Sirius took his (Harry's) hands into his own. Little bits of the skin was peeling. "Oh, Harr. You should have asked for help! It's hasn't been much time since you came out of the hospital and you are yet to start physical therapy. I-," Sirius corrected himself, "we are still here to help you. It's completely normal! You, Harry, have been through so much, alone. Just let us help you," Sirius tried to explain, "I shall apply some salve once we get down, okay?"
Harry just nodded subconsciously, lost in his world as Sirius engulfed him into an embrace. He stood up and walked behind the wheelchair and started pushing it. Harry hated when someone helped him. It made him feel vulnerable but he let Sirius help him.
Sirius levitated the wheelchair downstairs. They entered the dining hall. "Rem, do you still have some of that salve you used to apply after full moons?" Sirius asked. "I think so. What's wrong, though?" Remus inquired as he tried to remember where was it kept. Harry's reflex automatically answered. "Nothing!" He blurted. Remus put up his responsible face. "Harry?" He said. "I'm fine." Came the automatic reply.
"No, you're just not!" Sirius sputtered.
Poor Lianna, she just watched silently.
"What is it, Sirius?" Remus asked one more time. "Look at his hands," said Sirius.
Remus walked over to them and took one of Harry's hand gingerly. "Harry!" He said in a low whisper. "Is this because of the wheelchair?" Harry nodded slowly.
"Accio salve!" Remus incantated. He opened the jar and applied it to Harry's hands. "Let it sit for a few minutes. The wounds shall absorb it." He gave Harry a smile. Harry grinned back.
"Well, we better get going now, shall we?" Sirius asked with a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Yeah! Dada, yeah!" Lianna said, zealously. She got up and said, "Harry, come with me. I wanna show you something!" Harry fake smiled and started rolling his chair. Sirius came up to help. "I can manage." Harry said, coolly. Sirius nodded, a little hurt with Harry's display of emotions.
When they both left, Remus spoke, "Remember love, you've got two kids with you. And Harry's still adapting. Please take care." Sirius nodded, blushing a little when Remus called him 'love'.
"C'mon, Li, Harr!" Sirius said. "COMING!" Both of them chorused from the other room.
They all got into the fireplace with Harry holding his wheelchair tightly with one hand and Lianna grabbing Harry's hand tightly.
"DIAGON ALLEY!!"
And they felt like being squeezed into something cramped.
Sirius, Harry, and Lianna entered into Diagon Alley. Sirius quickly took hold of the handles of Harry's wheelchair. Harry hesitated and tried to take control of his chair. "Harr, please relax. I'll do it," Sirius said, rubbing his godson shoulder. Harry calmed down.
They all headed to Gambol and Japes for Christmas Tree and ornaments. People started flooding near Harry. Whispers such as "Oh my God! What has happened?" and "Is this really Harry Potter?" could be heard. People were clicking pictures. Little did Harry know that Rita Skeeter was in that crowd ptoo very well hidden.
Harry started hyperventilating. "Sirius!" He managed to gasp out. "AWAY WITH ALL OF YOU!" Sirius shouted. Everyone started escorting away. "Harry, are you alright?" Sirius asked after all the crowds left. Harry nodded.
"Well then, let's go to Gambol and Japes for our Christmas tree and ornaments!" Sirius said, trying to lighten the mood.
"Yay!" Lianna exclaimed.
Harry gave a small, fake smile reluctantly. Sirius rubbed Harry's shoulder, "We'll talk later," he whispered. Sirius wasn't sure if Harry heard him as he did not react.
They entered Gambol and Japes. Lianna picked the ornaments she liked. They went over to pick a Christmas tree. "Hey, Li! How about this one?" Harry suggested, gesturing towards a dark green, bushy, medium sized tree. It was the first time Harry had spoken since they were in the shop. "I like it, Harry but it's too small." Lianna said. Harry gave a small, silent 'oh' and he nodded.
Sirius looked at Harry, who looked guilty. He decided they would definitely talk about this later.
"How about we buy the same tree in a larger size?" Sirius suggested hoping it would make Harry feel better. "Yes, dada! Tha's perfec'!" Lianna exclaimed.Harry grinned. And that made Sirius happy. They bought everything and Sirius paid for it.
They got out of the store to find more crowd circling Harry Potter, their 'so-called' Chosen One. Sirius bellowed again, "PLEASE STOP CIRCLING US!" A few people flinched but none of them left. Harry started hyperventilating again. "Siri, please make them go away..." Harry gasped. Tears sprang to his eyes. He was gasping for breath. "PLEASE LEAVE!" Sirius told them again. He knelt down and held Harry's hands. "Daddy! What's goin' on?" Lianna asked, "I'm scared!" She could barely be heard. "Lia, no one is going to hurt you, okay. Harry just not feeling well so the people are here to help," Sirius explained. He put one of his hands on to Harry clammy chest. His godson had turned cold and sweaty, still struggling to breathe. "Harr...Prongslet, it's OK. I'm right here. I will protect you. Nothing is going to hurt you. Just follow my breathing. Inhale. 1...2...3...4. Exhale. 1...2...3...4. Inhale. 1...2...3...4. Exhale. 1...2...3...4. Alright. Name your favorite and least favorite Quidditich teams," Sirius knew how to handle these kind of situations. "Muffliato!" Sirius said quickly before continuing to Harry. "I like..." Harry started still gasping, trying to think, "Ch-Chudley C-Cannons. Holyhead Har-Harpies, Puddle- Puddlemere United..." Harry breathed hard.
Harry rubbed the back of his neck. He was finally breathing a little normally. Sirius hugged his godson tightly. "Feeling better?" He asked. Harry nodded numbly. Most of the folks had gone since they couldn't hear a thing but a very irritating buzz. "Let's just go home. You must rest after all that's happened. We shall buy presents later, alright?" Harry nodded again. "Daddy, pick me up! Pleaseee!" Lianna exclaimed. "Darling, do you think you can manage for today?" Harry immediately intruded, "I'll be fine. I'll have to learn to do it on my own." Sirius tried to deny Harry's offer but Harry was insistent. "Alright, Lianna," Sirius said half-heartedly. Harry wasn't exactly happy with this but at least Sirius did what she wanted.
They all headed back to Number 12 Grimmauld Place.
I have no idea which QWC teams did Harry like but this is just for an instance. And I have decided that Sirius does not die in the 5th year but maybe in the seventh year.
Longest chapter!! Please review!!
