Okay this chapter is more focused on Harry's illness as i've realised I haven't really mentioned it a lot in the story. Thank you once again to everyone who reviewed. We also find out if Remus gets custody of Harry.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
As October progressed and became progressively colder Harry realised he was feeling more and more unwell, whether it was to do with the cold weather or the regular treatment he was having which was knocking his already sparse white blood cells for six. He now felt unwell all the time, his legs hurt, he had a constant headache and dry mouth and he felt constantly fatigued. Once or twice he had fallen asleep in lessons much to the concern of his teachers.
One blustery Saturday morning mid October found a worried Ron trying desperately trying to persuade his best friend to get up.
"C'mon mate you can't lie in bed all day" Ron said in an uncharacteristically gentle voice.
Harry just groaned and buried his face in the pillow. Ron swallowed nervously and sat on the end of Harry's bed.
"Harry?.." he said tentatively.
"Don't feel well" said Harry hoarsely his voice breaking.
Rons heart broke right there and then and he took a deep breath to compose himself before carrying on.
"D'you want me to get anyone? Madame Pomfrey?" he said gently.
Harry was silent for a moment deliberating for a moment and then he finally spoke "R...Remus" he said shakily trying to suppress his sobs.
Remus huh? Thought Ron and then it dawned on him. He meant Professor Lupin. Ron nodded even though Harry couldn't see it, he could feel it. He heard Ron leave the room and let out a small sob. He felt awful like someone had thrown him from the astronomy tower. He couldn't catch his breath, his legs felt like someone was trying to hollow them out and he couldn't work out wether he was hot or cold. The nausea and headache didn't help matters.
He heard someone enter the dorm but just pulled the covers over his head tightly. Shivering he tried to stay as still as possible.
"Harry?.." came a familiar voice, one that made him lose all emotions and he let out two more sobs. Remus came and sat on Harry's bed facing the small mound.
"What's the matter hmm?" he said gently "Can you sit up for me Harry?"
Slowly and painstakingly Harry pulled the blankets from his head and eased himself against the headboard. Remus had to suppress a gasp at the sight before him.
Purple bags were under his eyes making it look as if he'd been punched, his eyes themselves were dull and lifeless, he was pale as a ghost with a greenish hue to him, sweat permeated his forehead and his skin also had a grey tinge around the mouth and eyes. Scooting closer put his hand on Harry's forehead and recoiled. He was boiling, He is really sick Harry let out another sob tears now cascading down his face.
Sitting next to him Remus put his around Harry and Harry rested his head on Remus shoulder, breathing heavily.
"I'm scared Remus" sobbed Harry "I don't want to die"
Remus cast a silencing and locking charm on the dorm door and pulled Harry so he was on his lap. Harry rested his head on Remus' chest and his small body heaved with sobs.
"You're not going to die Harry. You're more than a match for this" he soothed rocking the boy back and forth gently.
"I'm going to take you to the hospital wing okay?" Harry nodded on Remus' shoulder too poorly to argue. Without difficulty Remus shifted Harry so he was carrying him bridal style and carried him out of the dorm and down the stairs.
The common room was mercifully empty save a few first years who only stared curiously for a few seconds and an anxious Ron and a tearful Hermione.
"I'm taking Harry to the hospital wing. You two go and wait outside my office I'll be there shortly" both teenagers nodded nervously as Remus left the common room. The hallways were thankfully empty as he approached the hospital wing. When he entered he lowered Harry onto a bed and called out for Madame Pomfrey.
"What on earth happened?" she exclaimed hastening to examine the prone figure on the bed.
"He's sick Poppy. His temperature is sky high" Remus deliberated. Poppy nodded and shooed Remus away saying she needed nobody near him in case they spread infection to him. Remus made his way to his office where he found Ron comforting a crying Hermione.
"'Mione he'll be fine he defeated a dark lord when he was one" said Ron trying to soothe his best friend but she just put her head in his hands as Remus approached.
"Come in you two" he said gently, both teens complied and followed him into his office. When they entered Remus told Ron to sit down and turned to a sobbing Hermione and put his hands on her shoulders.
"Hermione look at me now. That's a good girl. Harry is poorly but Madame Pomfrey is with him now" Hermione let out another sob and buried her face in her hands again.
Sighing sadly, he pulled Hermione into his arms and allowed her to cry into his robes while Ron looked on sadly. It took quite a while but eventually Hermione pulled back and smiled weakly at him wiping her eyes.
"Thank you Professor Lupin, i really needed that" she admitted.
"You're very welcome Hermione, now why don't you sit down and I'll fix you both a drink?" he said kindly. Hermione nodded and sat besides Ron on the sofa, where he immediately put his arm around her.
Bustling round making hot chocolates Remus cast concerned glances at Ron and Hermione every now and then who were sitting glumly on the sofa.
"Here you go" he said kindly handing them each a hot chocolate. He smiled when they thanked him and pulled a chair from the desk and sat in front of them.
"Now listen to me, Harry is poorly at the moment. Most likely with an infection of some kind so will not be allowed visitors. But he will pull through because he is strong. I think it might be a good idea to let your dorm mates know Ron" he said gently.
Ron nodded glumly and sipped his hot chocolate as did Hermione. Hours later after Remus had sent the two friends back to Gryffindor tower he flopped on the sofa and for the first time in years began to cry.
It was four days later when Remus finally received a not from Madame Pomfrey saying Harry was allowed visitors again. Thanking God that he didn't teach until last period he hastened to the hospital wing. He was relieved to find a slightly pale Harry sitting up in bed.
"Hey Harry feeling better?" he said gently sitting down on Harry's bed and taking his hand.
Harry nodded and smiled "Yeah I am much better thank you" said Harry shyly.
Remus smiled "That's brilliant Harry" he said brightly.
Harry nodded and looked as if he was deliberating on asking a question.
"Umm Remus?" said Harry slowly.
"Yes Harry? What is it?" said Remus softly.
"Could..could you urm teach me how to umm repel the dementors?" said Harry anxiously.
Remus was shocked for a moment and stared at Harry unsure of what to say.
"Harry I'm not going to pretend I'm an expert, but there is a way to defend yourself from them" he said slowly.
"Yeah but I really need to know!" Harry exclaimed desperately.
"I can teach you but it will be immensely difficult. Way beyond OWL are you sure about this?" Harry nodded eagerly.
"Very well I'll see what I can do" he said smiling.
Harry's smile lit up the room and Remus chuckled to himself. Harry really did look adorable when he smiled. Just then Madame Pomfrey bustled over and smiled at Remus.
"Might I have a word in private Remus?" she said pointedly eyes sliding to Harry.
"Of course Madame Pomfrey" and he followed her to her office. She gestured for him to sit down before sitting at her own desk.
"Now Remus I'm not going to lie. We very nearly lost Harry; he had a seizure due to his high temperature and took a while to stop it. At one point I feared that I had lost him but I managed to bring him back" she assured him gently.
"So what does this mean then?" he asked dreading the answer.
She took a deep breath before continuing "It means that the treatment needs to be stronger and Harry will need a bone marrow transplant within the next couple of weeks or he will die" she said softly.
Terror seized Remus hard making it hard to breathe for a few minutes. When he finally calmed himself down he spoke
"So we need to find a suitable match?" he said slowly.
She nodded her expression darkening.
"We will probably have to get Hogwarts students to provide a sample to see if they are a match for him, as well as the teachers and for that we need parental permission"
"Is there anything you would like me to do?" he said sounding as if he would burst into tears at any moment.
"No all I need you to do is provide a sample of saliva so I can see if you are a match"
He hastened to oblige and after that went out to let Harry know what had been discussed.
Remus swallowed nervously as he approached the headmasters' office. He had been summoned to a meeting between himself, Professor Dumbledore and Cornelius Fudge, Minister for Magic. As he approached the magnificent office he reminisced painfully of when he had, had to break the news to Harry that he would need a bone marrow transplant. The boy had cried for two hours straight before falling asleep in his arms.
Sighing he realised he'd approached the headmasters office and spoke the password "Wine gums" the Gargoyle sprung aside to allow him entrance and he stepped onto the steeply spiralling staircase and raised his fist to knock.
"Enter Remus" came Albus' deep voice. Steeling himself he entered the office. He wasn't surprised to see that the minister had already arrived and was seated in the chair nearest the door.
"Professor Dumbledore sir, minister" said Remus inclining his head to each man in turn.
Both men politely greeted him politely as he sat down on a chair in front of the desk.
"Now Remus you know why you are here I gather?" Remus nodded "Good then shall we begin" said Albus kindly turning to Fudge who was nervously twirling his bowler hat in his hands.
"Ah yes. Hem hem. Mr. Remus John Lupin of 42 phoenix crescent, Greater Manchester has filed for custody of a Mr. Harry James Potter of 4 Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey is that correct?" said Fudge turning to Remus.
Remus nodded. "Yes it is sir. I recently discovered Harry's relatives were abusing him, I was put on his parents will as his second choice guardian after Sirius Black but as Black has been incarcerated then I have a right to take guardianship"
Fudge nodded and clasped his hands nervously in his lap "That may be but you are a werewolf, who would take care of Harry on the full moon? And what about protection from death eaters?" asked Fudge sternly
"Well Harry's parents left him a large house on the outskirts of Devon in their will. It is heavily warded and unplottable and I of course would cast the fidelius charm on it" he paused before continuing "I also was informed that the house has a heavily warded attic in which I can transform so I would not escape. Plus I would take the wolfsbane potion" he added.
"Very well you make a good argument" said Fudge glancing at Dumbledore whose eyes twinkled proudly.
"I see no reason for you not to obtain guardianship of Harry Potter. I have seen the proof that Harry is being abused" he added before continuing "As long as Harry is well protected and cared for there will be no problem" said Fudge kindly.
He pulled a stack of parchments and a quill out of his briefcase and handed them to Remus.
"If you could sign these Mr. Lupin it will be official" Remus complied and signed the papers smiling.
Fudge looked at the papers and turned to Remus taking his wand out.
"I hereby give you Remus John Lupin guardianship of Harry James Potter until he comes of age at 17" he then waved his wand causing a faint blue light to glow around Remus and the papers to disappear.
Remus smiled to himself as he entered his office that evening. He and Harry could finally be a family.
So what did you think? Good? Bad? I had a bit of writers block with this chapter to be honest. Please let me know what you think :)