A Nasty Bout of the Stomach Bug
Summary: Set in Third Year (POA). During a flu outbreak, Harry comes down with a stomach bug. Harry has never been sick at Hogwarts, so Lily tries to make the best of it.
Lily couldn't remember a time the hospital wing was this busy. Not in her time here as a student or in the last two years she had been the school healer.
A few days ago, Hogwarts was a busy place, with students going from class to class, the library, and it was so noisy in the Great Hall that it was hard to hear yourself think.
There were empty seats at all four tables. The sickest students were in the hospital wing, while the others were in their dorms.
It was the official start of flu season in the Muggle world, which meant even those in the wizarding world, could still get it. Unfortunately, there was also a stomach bug floating around. Most of the dorm-bound students had the stomach bug. Everyone else had the flu. The more severe cases were in the hospital wing, under the watchful eye of Madam Pomfrey and the care of Lily.
Madam Pomfrey sent a letter to St. Mungo's asking for assistance, hoping to prevent the school matron, healer, and potion master from being overwhelmed. They responded quickly but floo, assuring the matron help was coming.
"Lily, reinforcements are coming this afternoon," Madam Pomfrey told the young healer.
"Oh, good," she sighed.
Lily began making a list of the potions they were running low. She would give it to Severus when he came into the hospital wing. He canceled his classes to help Lily and Madam Pomfrey with the load.
"Lily, I need four vials of fever reducer before I head to Ravenclaw tower," he said.
Lily headed to the storage room, calling over her shoulder, "We're almost out of fever reducer. Is there more brewing?" She returned with the two remaining vials of fever reducer, amongst the potions of headache potions, stomach soothers, flu potions, and other potions.
"Yes," Severus replied. "It will be ready by this afternoon." He took some of the potions from Lily and started transporting them into a box to help transport them from the Hospital Wing to Ravenclaw tower.
Lily fixed another box for Severus with potions he will need when he gets to Ravenclaw tower. Currently, twelve students have the flu in Ravenclaw tower.
"I should return this afternoon," Professor Snape announced to Madam Pomfrey and Lily. "Send a few of the healers up to Ravenclaw when they arrive. There are at least three students who seem to be getting worse. I'm not capable of healing them."
Lily asked for the names to add to the list of students the healers would need to see.
"We'll send some of the healers up there. Let us know if you need any help. Should someone check on Professor Sprout?"
"I'm going to," Madam Pomfrey said, gathering some potions and her wand. She was heading to the Herbology professor's quarters. Severus picked up the box of potions and strolled to the door on his way to Ravenclaw tower.
Severus was leaving as Professor McGonagall entered the hospital wing and headed straight for Lily.
Before she could stop herself, Lily blurted. "Please, don't tell me Harry is sick."
The Head of Gryffindor shook her head immediately, causing Lily to sigh in relief. "Harry's fine. He seemed to be in Transfiguration this morning," she assured her former student and mother of one of her lions. "I was wondering if you wouldn't mind checking on the Head Boy."
"Percy's sick?" Lily asked.
"Yes. Miss Clearwater told me he wasn't in class this morning. I went to check on him."
"I'll send Healer Matthews," Lily said, turning towards the floo when she heard it roar. "They're here."
A group of Healers began tumbling out of the floo, some falling on their faces and others catching themselves. One of the healers approached Minerva and Lily.
"Lily, Minerva, what's the situation?" the brown-headed woman asked.
"We've got proximity sixty students, most of the second to seventh years, with the flu. Ravenclaw is approaching quarantine because almost every student is sick," Professor McGonagall explained.
"Ten of the sixty are in the hospital wing. The more severe cases we're keeping in the hospital wing," Lily added.
A balding healer approached the group of women. He nodded to Lily.
"Okay, so who do I need to see first?" Healer Matthews asked.
"The Head Boy. Although, it might be better if Healer Morris goes and sees Percy," Lily pondered.
"Oh, do I have a patient already?"
The voice caused the women to jump. Lily turned and found the smiling face of her son's primary care healer. She smiled softly.
"Yes, and no, it's not Harry."
"Oh, I figured it was," Healer Morris replied.
Lily smiled. "Knock on wood." She did just that. "Harry's a third-year and has somehow managed not to get sick."
"Really," Lily's friend Janice joined the group.
"Well, he's had an occasional headache or stomach ache, not the flu or a cold since he's been here. I don't recall a time he was ever sick since he started school here."
"How's he avoided getting sick?" Healer Morris asked.
"Immunity potions. I'm waiting on the teen strength one to be available."
Professor McGonagall cleared her throat, causing the two healers to look at her. "Healer Morris, if you would follow me. I'll show you to the Head Boy's dorm."
Healer Morris followed Professor McGonagall, stopping as he passed Lily.
"If Harry does get sick and you need me, just let me know. I'll check on him if you want."
"Thank you," Lily said sincerely.
"So, Harry's not sick?" Janice asked as she approached her friend.
Lily shook her head, "I hope he avoids the flu. But the stomach bug is what I'm more worried about."
"How come?"
"If there would be anything that Harry would most likely get, it would be the stomach bug." Lily sighed.
"Would James need to come and take care of him if he did because you're tied up here?'
"No, I'll take care of him. If Harry does get sick, he only wants me," Lily smiled.
"Of course, he would want you. You are Mum. No one can help you feel better when you're ill than a mother." Janice placed a comforting hand on Lily's shoulder. "You make sure he takes an immunity potion, right?"
Lily nodded. "It costs me a chocolate frog."
Janice laughed. She left to help another healer heading to Hufflepuff, leaving Lily in the hospital wing.
Lily had just finished putting away the new potions Janice had brought with her for the seriously ill when Remus entered the hospital wing.
"Hello Remus, what can I do you for?"
"I need another immunity potion. I think it's time for another dose. I'll need a second one for Sirius."
Lily dug around the immunity potions from St. Mungo's. She smiled in triumph when she saw there were immunity potions for those ages thirteen and up.
She collected two adult strengths, handing them to Remus.
"Here you are."
"Thanks, Lily," Remus said.
"You're welcome."
"Remus, could you do me a favor?" Lily asked.
Remus nodded. "Sure, what is it?"
"Could you send Harry down here after class? I found some immunity potions for teenagers."
"Sure. Bye, Lily."
Remus left the hospital wing in search of Sirius.
Lily let herself relax. She looked down at the vial she held in her hands. After she had Harry take this (after a bribe of a chocolate frog), she wouldn't have to worry about Harry getting sick in the middle of a bout of the flu.
"Hopefully, Harry would avoid getting sick," she thought as she continued her work.
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
"Are you feeling okay, Harry?" Hermione asked, voice sounding concerned.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Harry deadpanned. In all honesty, he felt awful. His stomach hurt. It kept churning and clenching.
"I'm going to the restroom. I'll be right back," Harry said, turning around from heading to Defense. He ran to the nearest boy's bathroom. His stomach gave an alarming lurch. He quickly entered the first stall, locking the door behind him, and slid down the wall.
He huddled into a tight ball, clutching his stomach.
"I wish I went to the hospital wing instead of Remus's class. I'm sick."
Harry tightened his grip on his middle, feeling his stomach cramp tighter. He felt another lurch in his stomach. Harry leaned over the toilet, throwing up the breakfast and bite of lunch he was fighting to keep down all day.
He groaned, laying his head on the toilet seat. He wished his mother was there with him. Anytime Harry woke her up sick, Lily would stay with Harry, rubbing his back when he threw up. She would also rub his stomach to help soothe the cramps.
Harry heard the bell ringing from his place on the boys' restroom floor. He couldn't find the energy to get up and get to class.
As Harry was in the restroom, fighting nausea that threatened to overcome him, Sirius and Remus started their lecture on Magical Creatures. Immediately, Sirius noticed Harry wasn't in class. It wasn't like Harry to miss class. Something must be wrong.
He walked over to where Hermione was sitting beside the chair Harry usually occupied empty.
"Where's Harry?" Sirius whispered to the bushy-headed third-year.
"He went to the restroom. I don't think he was feeling well, though," Hermione replied.
Sirius thanked her for telling him. He motioned to Remus that he was stepping out. Remus nodded, having noticed that Harry wasn't in class. He knew Sirius must be going to find him.
Sirius approached the door leading to the boys' restroom and opened the door quietly. He had seen that someone was in the first stall.
"Pup, are you okay?" Sirius asked, calling Harry by his pet name that only he used. Pup had been his nickname since Harry was a baby. Even at thirteen, Harry answered him when he called his godson Pup.
"I think I'm sick, Sirius," came the reply from the locked stall door.
Sirius whispered the unlocking spell to unlock the door. He opened it to find Harry curled up in a ball, sitting near the toilet.
He kneeled beside him.
"When did you feel sick?" Sirius asked.
"This morning. I felt sick when I woke up."
"What hurts other than your stomach?" Sirius asked, wanting to make sure that Harry didn't have the flu.
"Nothing. My stomach hurts," Harry mumbled. His belly clenched. He groaned, leaning into Sirius's shoulder.
"Come on, let's go to the hospital wing," Sirius decided. He helped Harry off the floor, picking him up to carry him. Harry was too sick to care or to protest that he would walk.
"If I feel like I'm going to throw up, I'll let you know," Harry informed his godfather. Carefully as he could, Sirius walked to the hospital wing with Harry in his arms. They were lucky that no one was in the corridors until they got to the double-ornate doors of the hospital wing.
"Poor thing, he must be sick," Janice murmured upon seeing Sirius and a sick Harry.
"Is Lily here?" Sirius asked, shifting Harry in his arms.
"She is." Janice held the door open for Sirius to let him enter the hospital wing. He murmured a thank you and went in search of the red-headed woman.
"Lily," Sirius called.
"Hello, Sirius, who do you…?" Lily trailed off when she recognized the raven-black hair sticking up in all directions.
"He's sick, Lily," Sirius informed her.
Lily motioned for Sirius to follow her. She led him into a private exam area.
"Sit him on the table," Lily ordered.
Sirius sat Harry down on the exam table, holding him up when Harry leaned against him. Lily reached her hand to his forehead, feeling for a fever.
"He's sick," She murmured. "He feels like he's running a fever."
"I'll wait outside," Sirius whispered. "I assume he'll be staying in your quarters?"
Lily nodded, "Yes."
She placed her hand on Harry's shoulder.
"Sweetheart, are you feeling sick?" she asked her son.
Harry nodded against her shoulder. "Mum?"
"I'm here, Harry. When did you feel sick?" she requested.
Harry winced. He knew Lily would not be happy with what he was about to say. "This morning, I thought I might feel better as the day went on."
Lily sighed. Harry was just like James. They never told Lily when they felt sick. Unfortunately, Harry was more prone to nausea than James. Lily tended to find out when she would find Harry vomiting into the toilet.
"What's wrong?"
"My stomach hurts," Harry replied. As if to make its point, his stomach gurgled loudly. Harry groaned, hugging his stomach all the tighter.
Lily sighed to herself.
It was the first time that Harry was sick while at Hogwarts.
Usually, when he did get sick, it was something simple that Lily could cure with a headache potion or stomach soother and a belly rub. But this was different. Madam Pomfrey told her that the stomach flu that had been going around lasted anywhere from twenty-four hours to three days.
As she studied her son's face, she noticed he looked miserable. She knew he must be feeling awful.
"Sweetheart, can you lie down for me?" Lily asked soothingly.
Harry slowly laid back on the examination table. Deciding to check for a fever first, Lily waved her wand over her sick son and nearly gasped when the numbers appeared, glowing their usual green.
"38.8," Lily murmured. "We'll get some fever reducer in you before we go to my quarters."
Harry didn't say anything, even when he felt Lily pull up his sweater, then his shirt.
She pulled out her Muggle stethoscope, placing the earpieces in her ears and the bell on Harry's abdomen. Lily listened for a moment, leaving the bell firmly in place. After another few minutes, she removed the stethoscope from Harry's stomach, returning it to her robe pocket. She picked up her wand to perform the diagnostic charm.
Lily waved her wand over her son's bare stomach. She watched as his belly glowed red. She sighed.
"You have the stomach flu," she murmured. Helping Harry sit up, she noticed that he leaned into her shoulder. She remembered this behavior when he was sick with the flu at age ten.
"Mum, I think I'm going to throw up again," Harry warned. Lily quickly summoned a basin. She got it to him in time as Harry started heaving. Her motherly instincts kicked in as she rubbed her son's back as each wave of nausea washed over Harry.
It wasn't until Harry was dry heaving that he quit. He leaned into Lily's embrace, wrapping his arms around his stomach.
"Let's get you to bed," Lily stated. She sent a Patronus to Sirius to let him know she was ready for his help.
Sirius entered the exam room a minute later, looking at Harry in concern.
"Stomach flu," Lily told him. Sirius winced in sympathy.
"Poor pup," he whispered. He gently picked up Harry off the exam table, carrying him bridal style to Lily's private quarters. Harry leaned his head against his shoulders, his arms never leaving his stomach. He felt it begin to churn uncomfortably.
"What's wrong with Harry?" Janice asked as Sirius passed her carrying Harry.
"Stomach flu," Lily answered.
"Poor thing. Harry must feel awful if Sirius is carrying him." Janice turned to the box of potions that the healers had brought from St. Mungo's and pulled out some stomach soothers, calmers, and anti-nausea potions.
"Just in case," Janice said as she pulled out a few vials of fever reducer. She put them in a bag and handed them to Lily.
"Thank you, "Lily said, almost breathing the word. She walked out of the hospital wing, vaguely hearing Madam Pomfrey say, "Good luck, and may Merlin be with you."
She headed to her private quarters, walking straight into Harry's room. She found her son lying on the bed. Sirius sat in the chair beside the bed, rubbing Harry's head.
"If you need me for anything, let me know," Sirius quietly informed Lily.
"I will," She promised. When Harry was sick as a child, she and James took turns taking care of Harry. She remembered when he was ten and had the flu. James stayed up with Harry, watching cartoons.
She walked swiftly to the wardrobe and opened the door. She kept some of Harry's clothes in her quarters. She had a few of his t-shirts, three pairs of jeans, a few jumpers, hoodies, a few pairs of lounge pants, pajamas, two pairs of shoes, an extra pair of his school shoes, and a complete set of his school uniform.
She selected the t-shirt and matching pants pajama set and approached the ed. Laying down the clothes on the bed, she began to strip off his clothes, helping him sit up to take off his shirt. Once she had him down to his boxers, she pulled on the pants. She managed to get them on with some help from Harry.
"Can you sit up for me a second?" Lily asked her son.
Harry let Lily pull him up into a sitting position. He raised his arms to allow her to slip on his T-shirt. Lying back against the pillows, Lily noticed how tired Harry looked.
"Go to sleep, sweetheart," she whispered, pushing back the fringe on her son's head. "I'm not going anywhere."
Harry fell asleep as Lily tucked the blanket around him. She kissed his forehead before sitting down in the armchair.
She knew she would most likely sleep in that chair tonight.
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
Harry woke up an hour later, his stomach cramping. He moaned, muffled by his pillow, feeling his stomach churn. Curling up in a ball, Harry wrapped his arms around his middle. He winced as he felt another cramp roll through his belly. He groaned.
He felt a hand on his back, rubbing in circles.
Harry opened his eyes, looking up at his mother's face.
"It hurts, Mum," He groaned.
"I know, baby," Lily soothed. "I think it's time for some potions."
Harry's eyes followed his mother as she stood up. He watched her measure out dosages for stomach soother and fever reducer.
At the glimpse of the very familiar pink vial, Harry sighed in relief. If only for a moment.
Before Lily could give him the first potion, Harry leaned over the side of the bed, heaving into the waiting basin. Lily had put it there while he was asleep for times just in case. She had an extra one by the nightstand in case she needed a second one.
Lily rubbed his back soothingly, whispering words of comfort. She summoned the stomach calmer as well. Even though both potions did the same thing, the stomach calmer worked better for the stomach cramps.
When Harry laid his head back against the pillows, Lily used her wand to fill a cup with water.
"Here, sweetheart. Rinse your mouth out. Sip it slowly," she advised as she handed Harry the cup.
"I know," Harry croaked.
"Then I'll give the potions. Maybe they'll help your stomach feel better."
"I hope so," Harry said, wincing as he felt his stomach react to the water. He sighed when it settled after a moment.
He remembered the flu he had caught before Christmas when he was ten. Lily never left his side. James took over when Harry slept to allow Lily to eat or shower. She slept on a conjured cot in Harry's room.
Harry sat the cup on the nightstand. He took the vial Lily gave him.
"This one is the stomach calmer," She said. "We'll wait a second before I'll give the stomach soother. Then I'll give you the fever reducer."
Harry turned up the vial, swallowing the potion in one go. He handed the vial to Lily, trading it for a cup of water. Harry sipped on the water, sitting the cup down on the nightstand. Lily gave him the second vial with the stomach calmer.
As he did with the other potion, he turned it up, swallowing quickly. He handed Lily the vial. She traded the cup for the vial. Harry took a drink of water before sitting it down on his nightstand.
He laid back down, curling up in a ball. Lily tucked the blanket around him.
He sighed as Lily added a warming charm to the blanket. He was shivering from the fever. The warmth of the blanket helped. He felt Lily take off his glasses. She then pushed back hair away from his forehead. He felt her other hand on his back, rubbing in soothing circles.
He looked up at his mother with heavily lidded eyes. Even though his glasses were off and his vision was blurry, he knew she was there.
Harry let his eyes droop close. He fell asleep.
Hearing the even breathing, Lily noticed Harry had fallen asleep. She smiled softly, watching her son sleep. He stood up and moved to the armchair. She summoned the book she was reading from her nightstand in her room.
She settled in the armchair to read her book and to keep an eye on her son. She wanted to stay close by if Harry needed her.
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
It was one in the morning when Harry woke up again. His stomach was cramping. The feeling of nausea overwhelmed him. He curled into a ball, hugging his middle. He groaned slightly as each wave of nausea washed over him.
"Mum?" He called.
Lily jolted awake. She was by her son in an instant.
"What's wrong?"
"My stomach hurts. I think I'm gonna be sick," Harry warned.
His stomach gave an alarming mighty lurch. He dove for the basin Lily had left beside his bed.
Lily felt helpless as she watched Harry heave. All she could do was rub his back soothingly. She winced when Harry started dry heaving.
Harry laid back on his bed, breathing heavily.
"I think I'm done," He croaked. He winced, groaning as he felt the cramping in his stomach increase. He pressed his hand to his stomach, trying to find relief.
"Do you want another stomach calmer?" Lily asked.
"Please," Harry said, ignoring the whine in his voice. He wanted the cramping to stop.
Lily flicked her wand at the basin, banishing the contents. She flicked her wand again to refresh the air in the room. Then finally, she summoned a stomach calmer.
"Here, Sweetheart. Take this. It will help settle your stomach," she soothed. She helped him sit up to take the potion. Harry swallowed it. Lily took the vial, giving him a cup of water. He sipped on the water, sitting it down on the nightstand.
"Harry, lie back. I'll rub your belly. Will that help it feel better?"
Harry nodded as he laid back against the pillows. He felt Lily pull up his t-shirt. The air was cool to his warm skin.
Gently, she laid her hand on his stomach and began to rub slow, soothing circles on her son's abdomen. Lily's soft hand felt good on his belly. Harry started to relax under her touch.
The massage had relaxed Harry's stomach enough he fell back to sleep.
Lily continued her massage for another five minutes. She wanted to make sure Harry was asleep before she stopped. She removed her hand and pulled down his t-shirt. Then she tucked the blankets around him.
She kissed Harry's forehead before she went back to her makeshift bed. She slept through the rest of the night until she heard her alarm go off.
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
The sun had just risen when Lily walked into the kitchen. She approached the kettle, tapping it with her wand to fill it with water to make herself a cup of tea.
Harry was asleep when she left his room. He was lying on his stomach when she woke up.
She made herself some tea and made Harry some ginger tea. She found a banana. Thanks to the charms she kept on fruit, it was still good,
She found some cereal. She made herself a bowl for her breakfast. She added some strawberries she found in the cold box.
She sat her breakfast down on the table in the kitchenette. Before sitting down for breakfast, she checked on Harry.
He was still asleep.
She returned to the kitchen to eat her breakfast. As she ate, she listened for Harry.
After she finished her breakfast, she flicked her wand at the mess to clean up. She collected the ginger tea and banana. She carried them to Harry's room.
Harry just woke up when Lily walked in.
"Good morning. How are you feeling this morning?" She asked.
"I still feel sick," Harry replied. He noticed the cup in Lily's hand. He pointed to it. "What's that?"
"Ginger tea." She replied. She sat down the cup on Harry's nightstand with the banana. "Do you want to try and eat something?"
Harry shook his head. "Not right now."
His stomach was gurgling. He could feel it bubble under his skin.
Lily reached over, laying her hand on Harry's forehead. "Lie still," she instructed. She picked up her wand, muttering the spell to check Harry's temperature.
"37.7," She murmured. "It's gone down. I think it's time for another dose of the fever potion. Do you need a stomach potion?"
"Would it help with the bubbling I'm feeling right now?" Harry asked.
"Yes, it would."
"Then I would want the stomach soother."
"Okay."
Harry sat up as Lily collected a vial of the stomach soother. She returned to his bedroom with the potion in hand. Picking up the goblet, she measured out the required dosage of the stomach soother.
She handed the goblet to Harry.
"Here, Sweetheart."
Harry took the goblet from his mother, swallowing the potion quickly.
He handed the goblet back to Lily. She traded him for a cup of water. As Harry sipped on the water, Lily prepared the fever reducer.
"Here, sweetheart."
Harry took the goblet, swallowing it quickly as he did with the stomach soother.
"Does your stomach better?" Lily asked after some time had passed. Most of the stomach soothers were fast-acting. Harry liked them the best.
"Some," Harry admitted. He laid back down in the bed, pulling the covers up.
Lily took the goblets to the kitchen to wash them. She came back, looking around Harry's room. His Quidditch books and magazines were in his dorm.
Sighing, Lily called out, "Dobby!"
Pop!
Dobby, the house elf Harry had saved from the Malfoys, appeared.
Harry's head poked out from under the covers for a second. He groaned.
"Oh, God."
"What can Dobby do for Master Harry's mother?" Dobby asked.
"Can you go get his Quidditch books and magazines for me?"
"Yes, Mrs. Potter." With a snap, Dobby was gone.
Harry's voice came out from under the blanket. "Thanks, Mum."
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
Lily peeked in on Harry an hour later. He had fallen asleep with Ron's The History of the Chudley Cannons open on his stomach. The book was Ron's birthday present from Harry. Lily closed the book, marking Harry's place with a bookmark, and sat it on the nightstand. She then took off Harry's glasses and tucked the blanket around him.
Pushing back stray hair, she pressed a kiss to his forehead.
Quietly, she left the room and headed to the sitting area.
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
The sound of retching woke Lily up. She didn't know when she fell asleep. That didn't matter right now. She ran into Harry's room, finding it empty. She turned around, heading into the bathroom.
Harry was sitting on the floor in front of the toilet.
Lily rushed over, kneeling beside her son. She started to rub soothing circles on his back.
It seemed that this illness was about to run its course. Lily could tell. Harry wasn't puking as much, and his fever was trying to break.
"Are you done?" Lily asked when Harry leaned back against her.
"Yeah."
"Do you want to move back to your room?"
"Yeah."
Lily helped Harry to stand up, leading him back to his room. Upon returning to his bedroom, Harry laid back down in his bed. Without thinking about it, he curled up on his side, wrapping one arm around his stomach.
"Does your stomach hurt?" Lily asked. Harry nodded.
"I don't feel sick to my stomach. It just hurts."
Lily sat down on the side of the bed. "Lie on your back, sweetheart."
Harry obeyed, turning over to lie on his back. She pulled up his shirt. She then began to rub slow, soothing circles on his stomach.
"Does this feel okay?" She asked.
Harry nodded. "It feels better."
The soothing circles continued until well after Harry fell asleep. Lily continued to massage Harry's belly until she was sure he was fast asleep.
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
The sun rose above the Scotland hills on the far side of Hogwarts castle. Lily woke up with the sunlight streaming through the window in Harry's room.
She realized she had slept in the armchair next to Harry's bed. She stood up, approaching his bedside. She noticed he was asleep, the color had returned to his face, and when she felt his forehead, she noticed he felt cooler than he did yesterday.
She pressed her lips to his forehead.
"Cool as a cucumber," she whispered, pushing back his sweaty black hair away from his forehead.
Harry's eyes cracked open He looked up at his mother.
"How are you feeling?"
"Better."
Harry sat up, grimacing at the sticky feeling of the sheets and his pajamas.
"Go get a shower and change into clothes. You'll feel better."
"Okay." Harry got up and collected some clothes. He headed to the bathroom and shut the door behind him.
When Lily heard the shower running, she flicked her wand at the bed, changing the sheets for fresh ones. She flicked her wand around the room, refreshing the air.
Then Lily headed into the kitchen. It was a testament to how sick Harry felt that he didn't eat much. All he kept down was a piece of toast Lily gave him last night. Nothing else stayed down.
She felt relieved Harry was on the mend. She decided since it was the weekend, Harry could stay with her tonight and return to the tower tomorrow.
Lily fixed herself and Harry some porridge and toast with some fruit she had.
She looked up from the stove when Harry entered the kitchen. He was wearing his red and black T-shirt and black lounge pants.
"Feel better?" she asked.
"Yeah, what's for breakfast?" Harry noticed the porridge and fruit.
"This is it." Lily motioned to the food. "Hungry?"
Harry's stomach answered with a growl. For a second, Harry winced until he realized his stomach was growling because of hunger and not because it was upset.
"Thanks, Mum," Harry said, sitting on one of the kitchen chairs.
"You're welcome."
As they ate breakfast, Lily and Harry had a little catch-up. Lily didn't see Harry much except for meals in the Great Hall. Harry might stay with Lily in her quarters when he was sick or visit for a little bit, but other than that, they didn't see each other.
"Mum."
"What is it, sweetheart?" Lily asked.
"Thanks for taking care of me," Harry said.
Lily reached over, pushing Harry's damp hair away from his face.
"You're my child. I will always take care of you when you aren't feeling well. Always."
From then on, Lily's words rang in his head when he was sick. It didn't matter what was ailing Harry. He wanted his mother when he felt sick. And Lily was there to nurse her son back to health. She took care of him a few years later when he caught another nasty bout of the stomach bug.