Lily's Favorite Patient
Summary: Harry was a frequent visitor to the Hospital Wing. Sometimes it was because he was sick or injured. Other times it was to see Lily for a quick chat. But what happened when Harry had to stay in the hospital wing? Lily took care of her son.
Happy Mother's Day!
Harry was a frequent visitor to the Hospital Wing. Sometimes it was just to visit his mother. To seek her advice or to share some news with her. Others, it was because he was sick. He would come to the hospital wing, sometimes dragged by Ron and Hermione, or he would come on his own. He came when he was injured. Harry's injuries were often Quidditch related, but there were a few times due to his clumsy nature.
Lily still carried the horror of the three days Harry was unconscious towards the end of his first year. She had come close to losing her son.
Anytime Harry had to stay in the hospital wing, the memories of those three days flashed in Lily's mind, hoping they would not be repeated.
Following Harry falling off his broom in his third year or having his appendix removed in his fourth year, Harry spent time in his room in Lily's private quarters. Harry didn't complain. He liked it better, actually. His friends can come and stay as long as they liked. He could eat Lily's cooking (even though he could still get in the hospital wing), and the bed was more comfortable.
Lily shuttered as she remembered the match when a rouge bludger hit Harry's arm. It was the first match of Harry's second year. She didn't want to know what would have happened if she hadn't gotten to her son when she did. Lockhart could have vanished the bones in his arm.
When she approached her son, she found him sitting on the ground, holding his arm. She dared Lockhart to touch him.
She didn't miss the mouthed 'thanks, Mum.'
Madam Pomfrey would watch in amusement when Harry would come to the hospital wing and how Lily was with her son. She learned the differences between the reason for Harry's visit. Just by looking at him. She watched as Lily would either send Harry to her office or an exam room. One look at her son and she knew why he was there.
Harry would always ask the same question if he didn't see Lily.
"Is my Mum here?"
Madam Pomfrey would answer. Sometimes it was yes, she was with a student and would direct Harry to wait in the sitting area, or she would tell him if Lily was in the potions lab, her personal one, or the main one. Madam Pomfrey and Lily had also developed a system. If Harry came to the hospital wing sick and Lily was there, she would alert her either by floo or Patronus.
If Lily was in the hospital wing, Harry would wait for her to be free before he approached. He never had to tell her if he was sick or hurt. She knew.
It always amazed Madam Pomfrey how upfront Harry would be about how he felt with his mother. Lily would give him a look, and that was what it took. Harry knew he better tell his mother the truth. Lily didn't like it when he tried to hide being sick from her.
Her mother's intuition sometimes kicked in, telling her Harry was sick before he did.
There were a few times Harry had played Quidditch when he was sick, much to Lily's chagrin. Despite her frustration, she would take care of her son. Once he was feeling better, they would talk about Harry telling her if he was unwell, especially before a Quidditch match. Both times Harry had played sick, the matches were suspended and rescheduled for when everyone was well.
"Do you have a favorite patient?" Nurse Norris asked one day when they were sitting in the office having a cup of tea.
"Do I have a favorite patient?" Lily repeated. "I guess I do." She smiled.
Madam Pomfrey smiled behind her cup knowingly. Of course, Lily's favorite patient would be her son.
"Who is it?"
Lily smiled. "My son."
Third Year
When Harry opened his eyes, he knew where he was. He was in the hospital wing. The last thing he remembered was being at Quidditch practice. He had turned to let Oliver know he had caught the snitch. Then he was hit in the head. He didn't know if it was a quaffle or a bludger.
His vision was blurry, which was normal when he wasn't wearing his glasses. His head hurt. He knew there was something cold on his head.
He was about to reach up and feel what was on his head when he saw something red enter his vision.
"Sweetheart?"
"Mum?" He croaked.
"Yes, baby, it's me. Do you remember what happened?"
"Quidditch practice, something hit me in the head."
"It was a bludger. Oliver said that the Slytherin team was coming for practice. Oliver said he saw one of them bewitch the bludger."
"Is that why my head hurts?"
"Yes, you have a concussion," Lily said, sighing. This was Harry's first one. "I'm going to ask you some questions. Answer them honestly. Do you feel dizzy?"
"No."
"Do you have ringing in your ears?"
"No."
"Do you feel nauseous? Sick to your stomach?"
"Yeah," Harry replied.
"Do you feel like you're going sick?"
"Not right now."
Lily noted Harry's answers on the parchment paper on the clipboard. The concussion questionnaire. The one piece of parchment Lily hoped she never needed for her son.
"Well, you don't have slurred speech, and you're not delaying responses to my questions." She handed Harry his glasses. "Put these on. Do you see one of me or two?"
Harry put on his glasses, closing his eyes to clear away the blurriness. He opened them, waiting for his vision to clear before looking at his mother. He saw only one of her.
"I see one of you. I think if there were two of you, Dad and I would be in trouble."
Lily couldn't help but laugh. "Still have your sense of humor," She murmured. She held up two fingers. "How many fingers am I holding up?"
"Two."
Lily nodded. "No double vision. And I bet you feel tired?"
"Yeah."
"Try and stay awake. I'll let you know when it's okay to sleep. Right now, I'll get you something for the pain and a stomach soother. Do you need anything else?"
"Not right now, Mum. How long will I be here?"
Lily smirked. "Of course, you ask that," she murmured. "Just overnight, sweetheart."
"Okay. Are you staying?"
"With you? Yes. With the concussion, I need to keep a close eye on you." Lily leaned over, pressing a kiss to Harry's head. "I notified your father. He's on his way once he's out of his meeting. Sirius said if you wanted to shower, he'd help you. Or you could wait until Dad gets here?"
"I can wait."
Later, she helped Harry settle in for the night. James had come to check on Harry and to help him get a shower. He was staying the night, sleeping in the cot on the other side of Harry's bed. Just in case he was needed in the night.
"Are you comfortable? Do you need another blanket?"
"I'm alright," Harry assured her.
Lily glanced at James, who was standing on the other side. He shared a knowing look with his wife.
"Alright then," Lily murmured. She leaned over, kissing Harry's cheek. "Good night, sweetheart."
"Good night, Mum."
James reached over, ruffling Harry's hair. "Good night, Son."
"Good night, Dad."
Lily sat in the chair, watching as Harry fell asleep. She watched him sleep for a few minutes before she headed to the bathroom, where Harry had gotten his shower to clean up.
"Lily, he's okay," James whispered.
"I know."
"Have you told him about the weekly checks until…?"
"I will in the morning."
True to her word, before she released Harry from the hospital wing, she told him about the weekly visits until she was sure his concussion had healed.
"In the meantime," She paused, bracing herself for what she knew would follow what she was about to stay. "Until I say it is okay….no Quidditch practice."
"For how long?" Harry asked.
"For now, we'll say two weeks. I've informed Aunt Minnie. She's telling Oliver."
"Okay," Harry murmured, much to Lily's surprise. She was sure Harry would protest, and she would need to be stern. But the fact he was cooperating surprised her.
He came down to the hospital wing every week for a month until Lily felt it was healing enough for Harry to resume his normal activities.
It was the first concussion Harry had, but it wouldn't be his last.
Fourth Year
James observed his wife as she bustled around the room Harry would be staying in while he recovered from his emergency appendectomy. They had just returned from St. Mungo's as Harry was well enough to be discharged. Lily would move him to the room in her quarters after a few days.
He had helped Harry change out of the hospital gown and into lounge clothes he had asked Sirius to collect from the house before they left the hospital.
Harry had left some of his clothes at home, just in case he ever came home for a weekend. He went home for the weekend this year yet. He would floo home on Friday evening and return on Sunday evening. Minerva allowed it, and no one was none the wiser. James enjoyed the one-on-one time he got with Harry.
Lily gave Harry a few potions when they returned to Hogwarts. They had used a Portkey to get back to the castle. Harry got motion sick one other time they had traveled by Portkey. Lily knew she would need to give him some potions to help settle his stomach. It was time for another dose of pain potions anyway.
Once he had the potions he needed, Harry fell asleep, an effect the stronger pain potions had on him. They were among the few besides sleeping potions that made Harry sleepy.
Lily left the room, returning a moment later with potions, blankets, and her healer's bag. She sat the potions on the table next to the cupboard. She laid the blankets in the armchair and sat her healer's bag on the table next to Harry's bed. She opened it, pulling out her clipboard with parchment to make notes. She picked up her wand, waving it above her son. Harry's vital appeared above his head in blue letters. Lily wrote them down before she banished them.
James didn't question it, especially when he watched Lily pull out her stethoscope. She put the earpieces in her ears and slipped the bell under Harry's shirt.
A moment later, Lily stood up. She put away the stethoscope, adding a note to the parchment.
"He's not running a fever, so he's not developing an infection," Lily noted.
"What were you doing a moment ago?" James asked, confused.
"Checking to see if his bowels had woken up," She said. "When you are put to sleep, they go to sleep too."
James nodded.
Lily sighed. She came over, sitting down beside her husband. "I should have noticed."
"Noticed what?" James asked.
"This morning," Lily began. "Harry hadn't eaten much for breakfast. That should have been my cue to know something was wrong. He's always hungry in the morning. When he's not, it's a clear sign he's sick. I had my mind on the potion I'd been working on. What do I do? I let my frustrations out on Harry. I give him a plate with some toast and a banana and tell him to eat this. I don't hear any arguments." Lily scrubbed her hands along her face.
"I should have asked if he was feeling sick or something."
James wrapped his arm around his wife. "Lily, don't beat yourself up. He's okay. He did come to you."
"I wasn't there when he came in. I was in the potions lab. Poppy had sent her Patronus." Lily glanced at the bed where her son lay. "I should have…."
"Lily Marie," James warned. "Stop. Harry wouldn't want you to beat yourself up over this." He sighed. "Talk to Harry when he's more at himself. He probably didn't plan on telling you. He's like me."
Lily snorted. "He's exactly like you. I know he probably thought I would be busy with the potion and decided to push through feeling sick."
James smiled. "I owled Remus, letting him know what was going on. I hadn't heard back from him yet."
"Did you tell him we're back at Hogwarts?"
James nodded. "I did."
They sat observing their son sleep until James left to return to London. He met with Scrimgeour to let him know he was taking off a few days to be in Scotland with Harry and Lily and care for his son. James was granted the requested time thanks to the Family Leave Act, which allowed any Ministry employee to take time off from work, paid, to care for or assist in care for family members.
Upon his return, he checked in on Harry before heading to Lily's quarters for a nap.
Harry woke up later in the night. He had been awake a few times previously. The first time was when Ron and Hermione visited. Their rowing woke him up. Then the pain potion had worn off, causing pain to shoot through Harry's abdomen whenever he moved. He took another pain potion and managed to fall back to sleep.
The need for the toilet and a drink woke him the second time that night.
Lily had settled in the armchair in the room. She planned on transfiguring it into a cot but had fallen asleep in the chair before she had the chance. Harry managed on his own, holding his stomach, moving slowly, and hunched over as that was the only position that didn't hurt as bad. When he returned from the bathroom, Lily had woken up.
"Are you okay, sweetheart?" She asked softly.
"I'm alright. I need some water," Harry replied.
Lily conjured a glass, filling it with water from her wand. She waited until Harry was settled back into bed before she handed him the glass.
"Here you are," She murmured as she handed him the glass, guiding it to his lips to keep him from spilling.
"Thanks, Mum," Harry whispered. He handed the glass back and took off his glasses he had put on to see to get to the bathroom.
"You're welcome."
Even though Harry was fourteen, every night Harry stayed in the private room, Lily tucked him in. He could have protested, but he let it go. Truthfully, he enjoyed it.
If there was anything Harry could say he like about staying in the hospital wing, it was that Lily took care of him. He allowed (and enjoyed) her babying and mothering him.
He wouldn't have it any other way.
Fifth Year
Harry felt a sense of déjà view when he opened his eyes to see the hospital wing ceiling. It was the only ceiling outside of the ones in their house that was white, and Harry knew he wasn't home.
He had opened his mouth to ask what happened when a blur of red entered his vision. Before he could speak, the blur moved close enough for Harry to see. Instead of his mother like he was expecting, it was his girlfriend.
"Hi," She greeted.
"Hi. What happened?"
"You fainted."
"What?"
"You fainted. This time at the Quidditch pitch," Ginny said.
Harry winced. "How did I get here?"
"Ron and Neville," Ginny replied. "They carried you up here."
Harry heard the curtain open. He didn't need to ask who it was.
"Ginny, can you give me a moment with my son?"
Harry swallowed.
He knew that tone. He was in trouble, big trouble.
Ginny stood up, kissing Harry's forehead, whispering she'll be back later. Once she left, Harry could hear his mother trying to calm herself. Try being the operative word.
"Harry James Potter, what have I told you about overworking yourself?"
"Don't do it," Harry said.
"And yet…again, you have. This is the second time in two months you passed out. Two months!"
"I'm sorry," Harry murmured.
Lily sighed. She handed Harry his glasses. He put them on, letting his eyes adjust before he looked up at his mother. Her expression softened when he looked up at her.
"I know you are."
Harry noticed the bag on the pole by his bed. He followed the tube down to the crook of his elbow on his left arm.
"Hydrating potions," Lily answered Harry's unasked question. "You were dehydrated."
She sat down in the chair next to her son's bed. "The last time we had this talk, you said it wasn't going to happen again, and here we are."
"I know what you're going to say. I haven't been sleeping much. The visions and the nightmares sometimes keep me from sleeping. I don't want to go back on the sleeping potion."
"I know," Lily murmured.
"I don't want to deal with stomach cramps again. I've been trying to get by on enough tea. I've even tried Pepper-up potions, both the original and the one you tweaked. I think the exhaustion caught up with me. The last thing I remember was asking Neville if he asked Hannah to Hogsmeade yet. Then I said something to Ron."
"You asked, 'is it just me, or is the earth spinning?' Then you passed out."
Harry closed his eyes. He remembered saying that to Ron. He had asked Harry if they could do some keeper drills that morning. Harry checked with Madam Hooch to make sure the pitch was free. It was. Neville had come down to be the second voice of reason since sometimes Harry would tell Ron he was getting better, only for his best friend to not believe him.
"So, you're not sleeping. You've almost overdosed yourself on Pepper-up potions. You're not eating much either." Harry's head shot up. "Ginny told me."
"Are you mad?"
"I'm more concerned than mad. What happened to, 'I'll let you know if I feel overwhelmed?'"
Harry sighed. "I was going to tell Dad or Sirius this afternoon. I was going to give Sirius and Remus the plans I had made since I hadn't been sleeping, and there was no point in lying in bed, so I made a few more plans. We're covered until the end of the year for the Defense Club."
Lily nodded, leaning back in the chair.
"Okay, so here's what's going to happen. I'm going to keep you overnight to keep an eye on you. Ron swears he and Neville caught you before you hit the ground, but as a precaution, I'm going to monitor for a concussion. After I release you, you are going to rest. This is not just my orders but Aunt Minnie's orders as well. You're going to stay in your room in my quarters. I won't make you take the sleeping potion, I promise. It's only until Monday," She added.
"So I'm not in trouble?"
Lily sighed. "No. I can't ground you for something you can't help. Isn't Occlumency helping?"
"It is with the visions, but not the nightmares."
"What are the nightmares?"
"The same ones. Something happens to you or Dad or both of you. Something happens to everyone I care about, especially you, Dad, and Ginny. Remember the other day when she said I was clingy?"
Lily realized why. "You dreamed she broke up with you?"
Harry nodded. "I couldn't sleep after that. I sat in the common room until she came downstairs. It was almost like she sensed I needed her."
Lily smiled. "I'm going to go and tell your father you're okay. I'll send Ginny back in here to sit with you."
Harry smiled. "Thanks, Mum."
Lily left the room, allowing Ginny to come back in. She smiled as she passed the other redhead in Harry's life. She peeked in before she closed the curtains. She smirked when Harry asked Ginny, 'are you mad at me?'
Ginny leaned over and kissed him. Lily heard her soft no.
As the end of the school year approached, she hoped Harry wouldn't be a patient in the hospital wing again. But she knew better than to hope that. Who said she couldn't?
And if Harry did end up in the hospital, she would take care of her son.
Sixth Year
Lily slipped into the private room in the hospital wing, watching her son sleep. She glanced at the bandage around his head. It would be removed in the morning. Harry's stay in the hospital wing was yet again Quidditch-related, but this time it was not a concussion, but a cracked skull.
Harry had scheduled Quidditch practice for the afternoon, the first following their win against Slytherin. Cormac McLaggen had bewitched the Quaffle during the last practice. This caused Ginny to fall from her broom. Harry had caught her while Ron caught her broom. Due to his actions, McLaggen received a Quidditch ban, officially eliminating him from ever being the reserve Keeper, which Harry gave to Dennis Creevey.
After Harry was brought to the hospital wing, they learned the accident was because of McLaggen. He had bewitched the Bludger, sending it towards Harry. Despite the warnings, Harry didn't move in time. McLaggen was claiming he was under the Imperius Curse. But Ginny had already bat-boogey hexed him before making her way to the hospital wing.
Lily sighed as she watched Harry's chest move with each breath. He had come to a few hours later.
He knew he was in the hospital wing instantly. He wasn't awake long. Lily gave him one of the strongest pain potions she could give him, making him sleep again.
He had remained asleep even as James washed him off, and he and Sirius changed him out of his Quidditch practice uniform and into pajamas.
Lily glanced over to the cot she was staying in that night, waving her wand to make it. She looked over at the other cot on Harry's right side. James was going to stay there just in case she or Harry needed him in the night, but he had fallen asleep in Lily's bed in her quarters.
She was going to banish the cot when she realized someone was in it. She approached the cot, noticing it was close to the bed and the hand peeking out, holding on to Harry's.
She smiled as she pulled down the blanket to reveal Ginny's face.
Her eyes cracked open.
"Go back to sleep. It's okay," Lily whispered. Ginny didn't need to be told twice.
She should have known. When Ginny was in the hospital wing overnight from her Quidditch accident before the first match, Harry slipped in and stayed with her, sleeping on the cot after moving it next to the bed Ginny slept in.
The next morning, Ginny slipped out as Lily was preparing for the day. To her surprise, when she walked in to check on Harry, she found him awake.
"How's the head?" She asked.
"Hurts," Harry replied. "What happened?"
"You cracked your skull. It's not a serious crack, but enough. I gave you Skele-Gro to help heal your skull."
"I don't remember taking it," Harry said.
"You didn't. I spelled it directly into your stomach."
"I thought I felt something warm down there."
Lily leaned over, kissing his forehead. "How about I make you some tomato soup?"
"Okay."
Lily closely monitored Harry now that he was conscious. Making sure he ate something, got plenty of fluids, and kept an eye on him for signs of a concussion. He took the potions without an issue. He, with James's assistance, got a shower.
Ginny came to visit every chance she got. Ron, Hermione, and Neville all had stopped by to see how Harry was doing.
"Am I moving to my room or staying here?"
"You're going to stay here. Once I release you, you may return to Gryffindor tower."
Harry nodded.
He spent the next two days in the hospital wing. Hermione and Ron had brought him his homework and notes from the classes he missed and the things he asked for from the dorm. Ginny had brought down some things when she came in earlier, including a note from Molly. It came in the same envelop as her letter, telling Harry she hoped he felt better soon.
Minerva, Sirius, and Remus all visited while he was in the hospital wing, each making sure he was okay. Minerva got him an extension for the assignments he missed. He'll have one until he fully was caught up.
"Use it," She ordered.
Thankfully, Lily didn't need to give him another dose of the Skele-Gro. She had removed the turban on Harry's second full day in the hospital wing.
"Can I wash my hair in the shower tonight?"
"Yes, you may," Lily replied. She didn't need to tell him it stinks.
Once Lily was sure Harry was fine, she started to relax. Harry was on the mend. Soon she could release him from the hospital wing. She made her famous tomato soup for lunch, serving it with a sandwich and crackers.
Nurse Norris held the door open when she walked into the hospital wing with the food on a tray.
"Is that for your favorite patient?" She asked.
"It is."
When night fell, she walked into the room Harry was staying in. "If you sleep well tonight, I'll release you in the morning. You may stay for breakfast or go to the Great Hall."
"Thanks, Mum. I'll decide which I'll do in the morning."
Lily smiled. "Is Ginny coming tonight?"
"What are you talking about?" Harry asked, feigning confusion.
"I know she's been staying with you, Harry. I saw her the other night when I checked on you."
"After you're asleep. She slips in when Madam Pomfrey turns the lights out." Harry had said it quietly to keep from being overheard.
Lily nodded. "It's alright. If it was your father, I'd be doing the same."
"What are you talking about?" Harry asked, feigning confusion.
"I know she's been staying with you, Harry. I saw her the other night when I checked on you."
The next morning, Lily walked into the room Harry was staying in, Harry's uniform in her hands.
"Before I give this to you, I have some instructions for you."
"Okay, what are they?" Harry asked.
Lily sighed. "Take it easy. Don't rush back into your normal routine. Give yourself time. As for Quidditch, no flying for the rest of the week," She paused, preparing for his protest. When none came, she continued. "You may resume flying on Monday as an observer only. No aerial acrobatics until at least Thursday. If anytime on the broom you feel dizzy, get off that broom and come see me immediately. Have I made myself clear?"
"Crystal," Harry replied, reaching for the clothes. Lily handed them.
"If I find out you disobeyed me, your broom stays on the ground for a month. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Ma'am."
"Alright, get dressed and go on to breakfast."
Lily stepped out to allow Harry to change. When he stepped out a few minutes later, Lily adjusted his tie, picked lint off his jumper, and straightened his hair. Ginny walked in just as Lily reminded Harry to ease back into his routine.
"Ready to go?" Ginny asked when she approached.
"Almost." He leaned over, kissing Lily on the cheek. "Thanks, Mum. For taking care of me."
"You're welcome. Have a good day. Remember what I said."
"I will. See you later, Mum. Love you." He took Ginny's hand. He pulled her in for a kiss before leading her to the door.
"Love you too."
As she watched Harry walk out the door with Ginny, Lily realized how lucky she was to have a son like Harry. While he was a frequent visitor and patient of the hospital wing, Lily knew she would miss these days when Harry was no longer at Hogwarts. She had one more year to finish her contract following Harry's graduation from Hogwarts. She would miss her son that year.
She had once asked Madam Pomfrey if she had a favorite patient. She didn't answer the question but said she had too many students to pick one who was her favorite. But she knew Lily had a favorite.
Even though she wished Harry's visits to the hospital wing were more social than a necessity, she wouldn't change anything.
But then, she wouldn't get to take care of her favorite patient.