When Lily's Away
Summary: While Lily is out of town, Harry gets sick. It's up to James to take care of him.
Set in the summer of the Order of the Phoenix
AN: I didn't know what I wanted to do for Father's Day, and I had this in my files. This fic was the result of a plot bunny. A plot bunny about James taking care of Harry and he's sick. And Lily is away.
Happy Father's Day!
Lily sighed as she closed her suitcase. She sat on the bed, wondering if she was making a mistake. She was going to Glasgow for a potions convention.
She wasn't going to go. The head Potions Master at St. Mungo's, Darius Smyth, recommended she go.
The convention was only for two days. Going would allow Lily to get other potion masters' thoughts on the potion she was working on. It was still in the early stages. She hoped it would soon go to trial. Realistically, it would be another year, if not more. But Lily was hopeful.
The potion she had been working on was near and dear to her. It was for people who had been put under the Cruciatus Curse.
She called it the Cruciatus Effects Potion. The goal of the potion was if given to the victim in a certain amount of time, and they were under the curse for a certain amount of time, it would prevent them from going insane. It was Lily's hope that the potion would prevent others from having the same fate as her friend Alice and her husband, Frank.
They were the inspiration for the potion. Harry was sworn to secrecy. He couldn't tell Neville about it until she was sure it was for sure going to happen.
"Alright, Mum?"
Lily looked towards the door where Harry was standing. When Darius asked her to attend the convention, her first concern was Harry. He was still having nightmares from the third task. She had created a regiment when Harry took the Dreamless Sleep potion. So far, he hadn't had the nasty side effects. He only had stomach cramps so far, which resulted in Lily cutting the dosage in half.
"Yes, Sweetheart. I'm alright."
Harry pushed himself off of the doorway and approached the bed.
"We'll be okay, Mum."
"I know. This is the first time I'm leaving you and your Dad." She paused. "In a long time."
"Nothing's going to happen, Mum. If that is what you are worried about."
Lily smiled softly. She stroked her son's cheek with the back of her hand. She noticed the stubble from where he had shaved the day before. He was growing up too fast.
"I know that I just..."
"Worry."
"Yes, you Cheeky Monkey," She chuckled. She stood up, picking up her handbag. "Can you take this down to the sitting room?" She pointed to her suitcase.
"Sure, Mum."
James stood at the bottom of the stairs as Lily walked down with Harry behind her carrying her suitcase.
"Are you sure you can handle me being gone for two days?" She asked. James felt like it was for the hundredth time.
"We'll be fine. It's only for two days. I think Harry and I could take care of ourselves," James assured his wife.
Lily had a reason to be nervous about leaving Harry and James. The last time she came home to a messy house. The kitchen was nearly destroyed.
James couldn't cook. Harry could cook some. For her peace of mind, Lily had cooked something for them to have for the two days she would be gone. She doubted they would eat any of it, opting to get pizza or take away. If they did eat it, they wouldn't have an issue. She left the cooking directions, which James or Harry could easily follow.
"Okay," She murmured. Glancing at her son, she leaned into James. She whispered in his ear.
"The dreamless sleep potion is in the locked cabinet."
James placed his hands on his wife's shoulders. "I know he gets it tonight." He kissed his wife's temple. "We'll be fine," he whispered. "Harry and I will be fine."
Lily nodded. She pulled James in for a kiss before she hugged him.
"I love you," She said.
"I love you too."
James traded Harry places to allow him to hug Lily.
"Bye, Mum. We'll be fine. Don't worry."
"Oh, you are wasting your breath, Sweetheart."
She hugged Harry as he returned the hug. She pressed a kiss to his cheek before she stepped back.
"I better go." Lily shrunk her suitcase, slipping it into the pocket of her robes. "I'll be back in three days."
Before stepping into the floo, she gave Harry and James one more hug and kiss.
"I love you. I love you both. So very much." She picked up the powder. "Ministry of Magic, Portkey office."
In a puff of green smoke, she was gone. James wrapped an arm around his son, squeezing his shoulder.
"We'll be alright for two days, right?"
Harry nodded. "I think we will."
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
Once Lily was gone, Harry and James headed to London to spend the day together. They ate lunch at a Mexican restaurant James wanted to try. After lunch, they visited some of their favorite attractions and small shops. On the way home, they stopped at the market before heading home for some milk for cereal in the morning.
When they got home, neither Harry nor James wanted much for supper. The lunch they ate was more than filling.
They spend the evening playing video games. James wanted another chance at winning in Mario Kart. Harry usually won.
After a couple of hours of playing (and James losing), they stopped playing games and turned off the gaming system for the night. Harry took a shower first, allowing James to watch the Muggle news. He had collected the post, both the Muggle and the Owl Post, when they got back.
He laid the bills on the table in the kitchen, taking the Prophet to the family room. There was nothing new about Voldemort, which James considered good news. Well, for now.
Harry came downstairs with an armload of laundry, taking it to the scullery.
"I'll do a load in the morning," James said, looking down at the paper.
"Anything new?" Harry asked, pointing to the paper.
James shook his head. "No."
Harry took his laundry to the scullery, putting it in the basket. He came back into the kitchen, approaching the refrigerator. He picked up a can of Coke, opening it.
"I'm going to get my shower," James said, heading towards the stairs.
"Okay."
Harry went into the family room, sprawled out on the couch. He watched the show James had left on.
Laying on the couch, he realized he didn't feel very good. His stomach was trying to hurt. He ignored it, thinking it was a side effect of the Dreamless Sleep potion.
When James came back into the family room, Harry noticed he suddenly felt tired. He managed to stay up until about nine. He got up from the couch.
"Dad, I think I'm going to head to bed."
James was surprised. Harry usually stayed up until eleven. It was rare for him to be in bed before ten.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm tired," Harry replied. He did feel tired. It wasn't a lie.
"Okay."
"Good night Dad," Harry said as he hugged him.
"Good night Son." James returned the hug, watching his son leave the family room. He turned his attention back to the television, concluding he would check on Harry before he went to bed.
How little did he know what was about to happen?
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
Harry woke up with a start around two in the morning. He laid there for a second before he realized what woke him.
His stomach hurt. He muffled a groan with his pillow, pressing his face into the cool fabric. He curled into a ball, holding his stomach.
"I need to get..." He trailed off. He realized Lily wasn't there. What was he going to do?
Then he remembered he wasn't alone. James was here.
"Dad," He moaned. "Dad!"
Harry gave him a couple of minutes before he sat up. He pushed himself off the bed, grabbing his glasses as he shuffled, hunched over to the door.
He had just left his room when he met James in the hallway.
James woke up when he heard Harry call for him. He got up, picking up his glasses to check on his son. He met him in the hallway, hunched over, holding his stomach.
"What's wrong?"
"My stomach, "Harry groaned. "It hurts."
"Are you going to be sick?" James asked.
Harry nodded. He covered his mouth as he turned around and ran into his bathroom. He got to the toilet in time for him to lose his stomach contents. James followed him. He kneeled beside his son, rubbing slow circles on his back.
"It's okay, buddy. Let it out." James tried to think. What was it Lily did in these situations?
She wasn't here.
He realized this was the first time Harry was sick and Lily wasn't home. It was always Lily who took care of Harry. He helped her take care of Harry. But he wasn't the sole caregiver.
He summoned a face cloth. He caught it, using his wand to dampen it. He wrung out the face cloth, vanishing the puddle it created.
"Are you done?" James asked, rubbing Harry's back.
Harry nodded. "I think so. For now."
Harry leaned back into his father's embrace, letting him wipe off his face and forehead. He traded the cloth for a clean one, wetting it. He put it on Harry's neck with a cooling charm.
James watched as Harry inhaled sharply, closing his eyes tightly.
"What is it?"
"Cramp," Harry groaned. He winced. "Ow."
James watched as Harry leaned forward, clutching his stomach. He reached over, rubbing his son's back.
"Dad, I think I'm gonna be sick again," Harry moaned.
He scooted closer to the toilet. He took a couple of deep breaths through his nose before he leaned over, retching into the toilet.
"It's okay, son. It's okay," James soothed as he helplessly watched Harry throw up.
After what felt like forever, Harry leaned back against James. He lolled his head against his shoulder.
"Are you done? Do you feel like you're going to be sick again?"
Harry shrugged. "I don't know."
James slipped his hand under Harry's t-shirt. He had seen Lily do this many times before, but he hadn't done this himself. He felt the tight muscles under his hand as he began to rub soothing circles on Harry's belly to help ease the cramping.
After some time had passed, Harry sagged back. He leaned heavily against James.
"Better?" James asked.
"For now," Harry murmured.
"Do you think you can go back to bed?"
Harry nodded. "I think I can."
James helped Harry stand up. Once he was steady, he helped him back to bed slowly. When they reached Harry's bed, he laid down, curling up in a ball.
"I will be right back."
James left Harry's room, returning with a bucket and the thermometer.
"Let's check your temperature." He slipped the thermometer into Harry's mouth. They waited what seemed like forever for it to beep. When it did, Harry jumped.
"Easy," James soothed. He took the thermometer out, looking at the reading. "38.3"
He laid the thermometer down on Harry's nightstand.
James reached up, pushing Harry's hair away from his forehead. "Do you think you can handle any potions right now?"
Harry shook his head, moaning when he felt his stomach cramp.
"I'm gonna be sick again," He warned. He leaned over the bucket, retching.
It was apparent Harry wasn't done. Knowing he would be better off leaving Harry where he was, James sat down on the bed and began to rub Harry's back.
"It alright, Son. It's okay," James soothed.
James banished the sick from the bucket to keep it from overflowing. Harry only paused enough between heaves to catch his breath.
When Harry leaned back, breathing heavily, James asked, "Are you done?"
Harry nodded. "I think so," he breathed.
"Are you ready to go back to bed?"
Harry nodded his head against his shoulder. James stood up as Harry laid down. Using his wand, he refreshed the air in the room and cleaned the bucket.
After Harry laid down, James tucked the blanket around him.
"Comfortable?"
Harry nodded.
James conjured a cot, putting it next to Harry's bed. He left space between them enough for Harry to get to the bathroom.
"Dad, I don't feel good."
"I know, Son. Just sleep, buddy."
James sat down on the edge of Harry's bed. He slipped his hand under his shirt, rubbing soothing circles on his stomach. The light massage helped Harry to relax.
Soon he fell asleep.
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
James walked into the kitchen as the sun came up. He yawned as he got out the coffee to fix himself a cup. He didn't sleep much the night before.
It seemed like Harry woke up every hour to either stomach cramps bad enough they woke him up or to vomit.
He put the coffee can back in the cupboard. He was the only one in the house who drank coffee. Lily drank tea. Harry tried coffee once this summer but preferred tea over coffee.
He picked up his cup he headed to the front door. He opened the door, collecting the Muggle newspaper. He waved to Mrs. Winston, their neighbor, before closing the door.
He returned to the kitchen, sitting at the table to read the paper and drink his coffee.
As he read the paper, he listened for Harry. When he left his room, Harry was asleep. He hoped Harry slept for a while, knowing he was exhausted.
He opted not to have breakfast. He had witnessed too much vomiting over the last eight hours.
He took his cup to the sink in case he made himself another cup later and headed to the stairs. He walked up the stairs to Harry's bedroom to check on his son.
Harry's room was empty. James paused at the doorway.
"Harry?"
"In here," Harry groaned.
James opened the door to the bathroom from Harry's room. He found Harry sitting in front of the toilet.
"I feel like I'm gonna be sick," he groaned.
James walked into the bathroom, kneeling beside his son. He reached over to rub his back.
"Have you thrown up?" James asked.
Harry shook his head. "No."
"It's alright," James soothed. "Does your stomach still hurt?"
Harry nodded. "Yeah."
James was about to ask Harry if he wanted to move back to bed when Harry closed his eyes, groaning slightly. When he opened them, James recognized Harry's I'm about to be sick face.
Harry leaned over, retching into the toilet. James sat there, rubbing his back, murmuring words of comfort.
He was getting worried. He wished Lily was here. Whenever Harry was sick, Lily would check him over to find out what was ailing her son.
But Lily wasn't here.
He was brought out of his thoughts when Harry started dry heaving. James winced as he watched his son heave.
"Aw, Harry," James murmured.
Harry leaned against the toilet when he finished dry heaving. He closed his eyes as he breathed through his nose. He was waiting for the vomiting to start up again.
After some time had passed, Harry sighed as he leaned back away from the toilet.
"I think," Harry began. "I'm done."
"Do you want to go back to bed?" James asked.
Harry nodded.
"Alright." James helped Harry to stand up from his place on the floor. He flushed the toilet, using his wand to refresh the air as Harry shuffled to his bedroom.
When he walked into his room, Harry was lying on the bed.
"I'm going to get you some water," James said. "Can I bring you anything else?"
Harry shook his head. "No."
James headed to the kitchen to get a bottle of water. When he returned to Harry's room, he still hadn't decided what to do. What was the best thing to do?
He didn't know what was wrong with his son.
He debated on the best course of action. Take him to see Healer Morris or St. Mungo's A&E. It didn't matter which one he did. Lily would know. She had a way of finding out things.
He could take Harry to see his Muggle doctor. Lily wouldn't know anything about it. But looking at his son, James knew they weren't going anywhere. He would need to call someone who could come to their home. But who? Who could he call?
Then it dawned on him. Madam Pomfrey. He could call her.
"Harry, I'll be right back."
James left Harry's room and headed downstairs to the sitting room. He picked up some floo powder and called, "Hogwarts Hospital Wing, Madam Pomfrey's office!"
The floo flared. When the smoke in the floo cleared, James saw the familiar office of the Hogwarts Matron.
"Poppy!" He called. "Poppy!"
Madam Pomfrey came running into the room, holding onto her hat.
"James Potter, what is the meaning of this? What did you or your friends do this time?"
"It's not me, nor is it Remus or Sirius. It's Harry."
Madam Pomfrey sighed. "I forgot about him," she murmured softly. "Alright, what's wrong?"
"Harry's sick. Lily's gone to a convention, and I don't know what is wrong with my son."
Madam Pomfrey pulled a chair to the fireplace, sitting down in it. "What are his symptoms?"
"He says his stomach hurts, he's been vomiting, and he's running a fever. When I checked it last night, it was 38.3. He was fine yesterday when Lily left. He woke me sick last night."
"Alright," Madam Pomfrey sighed. "James, make way. I'm coming through."
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
James paced near the sitting room doorway to wait for Madam Pomfrey and listen for Harry. He was relieved that Madam Pomfrey was able to come. The last thing he wanted was to drag Harry to a doctor's office or an A&E.
After getting off the floo, he went upstairs to tell Harry he had called Madam Pomfrey and that she was on her way. Together, they decided Harry would move downstairs to the family room.
The floor flared. Madam Pomfrey came tumbling out of the fireplace, calmly righting herself. She dusted herself off.
"Thank you for coming," James said sincerely.
"It's no trouble, James. Where's the patient?" She asked.
"He's in here." James led her into the family room.
Harry laid on the couch, curled up in a ball, his arm wrapped around his middle. He looked up when they walked in.
"Hello, Madam Pomfrey," Harry greeted.
"Well, Potter, I can't escape you even in the summer." Madam Pomfrey's expression softened. She walked over to where Harry laid on the couch. "Your father said your stomach hurts?"
Harry nodded.
"Anywhere in particular?"
Harry shook his head. "No."
"Does it feel dull, achy, crampy...?"
"Crampy," Harry interjected.
Madam Pomfrey nodded. "When did the pain start?"
"Last night before I went to bed," Harry replied.
"Was that why you went to bed early last night?" Harry nodded. James sighed. "I see what your mother is talking about," he murmured, rubbing his eyes under his glasses.
"I didn't tell you because..."
"You thought you would feel better in the morning," James finished. "I know you too well, Son."
"Alright, let's see what's going on," Madam Pomfrey said, pulling out her wand.
Harry turned to lie on his back, pulling up his shirt without being asked.
"Lily examines you to find out what's wrong when you are sick. Doesn't she?"
Harry nodded. "Ever since I was a kid."
"Okay, I'm going to wave my wand above your abdomen. I think you've had this done before, right?"
Harry nodded. "I have."
"Okay." Turning to James, she asked, "Do I need to explain this to you?"
"This where we'll hear bowel sounds and things like that?" James asked.
"Yes," Madam Pomfrey confirmed. She murmured a spell, waving her wand over Harry's belly. They soon heard a lot of gurgling.
"I think I said this last time, but this is weird," Harry commented.
"It would be no different if you listen to your stomach with a stethoscope," the matron explained.
Madam Pomfrey canceled the spell, putting her wand in the pocket of her robes.
"Okay. I'm going to examine your abdomen with light palpation. Then I'm going to do a diagnostic charm. If you have any pain anywhere, please let me know."
Harry nodded.
Madam Pomfrey began lightly palpating Harry's belly. She started in the upper abdomen, moving down. When she finished, she laid both hands on his stomach, adding light pressure.
"Relax," Madam Pomfrey directed.
A flash and a piece of parchment appeared. She picked it up, studying it.
"Harry has food poisoning."
"I believe it," Harry murmured.
"How?" James asked.
"The Mexican we had yesterday," Harry interjected.
James realized what exactly it was. "It was the chicken, wasn't it?"
"Don't," Harry warned. "I still feel like I'm gonna be sick."
James sighed. He turned to Madam Pomfrey. "Is there anything I can do?"
"Food poisoning needs to run its course," Madam Pomfrey explained. "But you can give him stomach calmers for his stomach cramps. He should be feeling better by tomorrow or the next day. Do you know what Lily does when Harry is sick?"
James nodded.
"Okay, you know where to find me if you need me."
She said bye to Harry and walked to the floo. James followed her.
"Thank you for coming."
"It was no problem." Madam Pomfrey picked up floo powder as she stepped into the floo. "Take care of him, James."
"I will," James assured her.
With a puff of green smoke, she was gone.
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
After Madam Pomfrey left, James gave Harry both a stomach calmer and a stomach soother to see if they would help. When he was sure that the potions would stay down, James gave Harry a fever reducer since he still had a fever. He summoned Harry's pillow and blanket from his room, knowing Harry would be more comfortable with his pillow and blanket. He got a can of Sprite from the refrigerator and a sleeve of crackers.
"You need to try to eat something. Not having anything in your stomach isn't going to help," James said, handing the Sprite and crackers to Harry.
"I know," Harry sighed.
James headed to the downstairs bathroom, collecting the bucket from under the sink.
"Here's a bucket in case you need it." James sat the bucket down on the floor.
"Thanks, Dad."
"You're welcome. I'll be in the study if you need anything," James said as he handed Harry the remote to the television.
Harry nodded as he turned on the television.
James headed to his study to work on some paperwork.
He had been sorting through the paperwork on his desk, packing them up to take back to the office, or finishing them before he took them back when he heard Lily's voice.
"James?"
James rushed into the sitting room. He found his wife's head in the floo.
"Hi," he greeted.
"Hi. How's it going?" Lily asked.
"It's going good," James assured her. He didn't want to tell her Harry was sick. She would worry about him and decide to come home early.
"Where's Harry?"
"He's in the family room."
"Did he sleep okay last night?"
"He's sick," James said. "He's got food poising."
"Aw, poor baby," Lily cooed. While she appeared calm, James knew she was anything but calm on the inside. "What happened?"
"We went to London after you left and got lunch at a Mexican place I wanted to try. I think that is where he got it from."
"Did you give him any potions?"
"Yes, I did. I gave him a stomach soother and a stomach calmer."
Lily cooed. "Make sure he gets plenty of fluids. I don't want him to get dehydrated."
"I will," James assured her. "How's the convention?"
"It's going well. They are very impressed with my potion. I think the panel might be considering it for the next trial."
The panel was a group of potion masters that potioneers presented new ideas for potions. If the panel liked the potion well, then the potion went through tests and trials. The last step was production. The potion wouldn't be directly available to the public but used in hospitals and emergency services.
James smiled. "That's great, Lily. I'm happy for you."
"Well, it would be a few years before then. I want to make sure it's perfect before it goes to trial. I can still make improvements to it." Lily smiled. "The fact that I can prevent someone from having the fate Alice and Frank have is..."
"I know, Lily," James murmured.
"I can keep working on it until I get the final word on when the trial will begin."
"Can I tell Harry?" James. "Or do you want to?"
"I want to. I was going to wait until I got home to tell you. But I couldn't. I needed to tell someone. Who better than the one who has been the biggest supporter of my endeavors."
James smiled. "Of course, I'm your husband. Why wouldn't I be supportive?"
Lily turned her head when she heard a bell. She turned back to James.
"The session is starting again. I got to go."
"Alright. I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Yes, you will. Kiss Harry for me?"
"I will. I love you."
"I love you too."
Lily blew a kiss to James, who caught it. She waved, mouthing one more 'I love you' before she ended the call.
James left the sitting room smiling at the news Lily had shared. He was so happy for his wife he could shout it from the rooftops. Lily had been working on this for years, researching and experimenting. Now it's going to pay off. One day there will be a potion to give to the victims of the Cruciatus curse. It will be all thanks to Lily.
James walked into the family room to check on Harry, to find him asleep on the couch. He reached over, pushing back some stray hair from his forehead. He took off Harry's glasses, sitting them on the side table. He tucked the blanket around his son. Then he leaned over to press a kiss on his forehead.
He watched Harry sleep for a moment before he returned to his study.
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
Harry slept for three hours on the couch in the family room. James checked on him periodically to make sure he was okay. He adjusted the blanket around Harry and moved his arm from hanging off the edge of the couch.
James spent some time while Harry slept cleaning his office, burning or throwing out old paperwork, depending on what kind of paperwork it was. He cleared off the desk to give it a good dusting and cleaning. Often he had dinner in here and didn't clean up well enough afterward.
He collected the trash to take out to the bin. As he left the office, he saw Harry shuffling towards the downstairs bathroom.
"Are you okay?" James asked.
Harry nodded. "I need to use the bathroom."
James headed on to the kitchen, where he made himself a sandwich. He ate at the counter as he read over Lily's instructions for dinner that night. Harry wouldn't want to eat much, so James opted to save the meal for tomorrow and make whatever Harry would eat.
He watched from the kitchen as Harry walked back into the family room. Harry lowered himself to the couch, leaning back against the cushions.
"Do you want to try and eat something?" James asked.
Harry shook his head. "My stomach is telling me not to eat right now. It might not stay down."
James walked over, sitting down beside Harry on the couch. "Do you feel better?"
"Some," Harry admitted. "My stomach still hurts."
James wasn't surprised when Harry leaned against him, laying his head on his shoulder. He didn't question it. This was normal behavior when Harry was sick. He wasn't on the receiving end. It was usually Lily.
He wrapped his arm around Harry's shoulder as he leaned against his shoulder.
They sat there watching television, resting.
Harry didn't know how long they sat there. But he knew when he felt his stomach roll. He closed his eyes, breathing through the building cramp.
"Cramp?" James inquired. Harry nodded. "Do you want me to...?"
James didn't get a chance to finish his question. Harry gagged once before he threw up right into James's lap.
Time stood still for a second or two before Harry retched again, throwing up in James's lap. Again.
Harry breathed heavily, trying to catch his breath. James banished the vomit in his lap.
"Do we need to move to the bathroom?" James asked.
Harry shook his head. "No. I think I'm done for now." He accepted the bottle of water James handed him. He sipped on the water, rinsing his mouth out first, using the bucket by his feet to spit the water out. He sipped on more water once he rinsed his mouth.
"I'm sorry," Harry murmured.
"For what? For puking on me?" James rubbed his back. "Harry, that wasn't the first time you puked on me," James assured him. "It's fine. I cleaned it up."
Harry nodded as he felt James rub circles on his back.
"Feel better?"
Harry nodded again.
"Alright. We'll sit here for a moment. Do you think some potions would help?"
Harry shrugged. "Maybe."
James summoned the thermometer to check Harry's temperature. He was relieved to see it was lower.
"37.3," he murmured. "We'll leave the fever reducer for now. Let's do the stomach soother and stomach calmer."
Harry nodded.
James collected the potions from the cupboard in the scullery, making a mental note to tell Lily they were running low. He took the potions into the family room. He gave Harry the stomach calmer first. Then he got him to drink some water. Then he gave him the stomach soother.
Harry handed him back the vials. "Thanks, Dad."
"You're welcome. We'll let the potions settle. Then we'll figure out what we're going to eat. You need to eat something."
"I know." Harry sipped on the water as James took the vials to the kitchen. "Hey, Dad?"
"Yeah."
"You didn't do too bad of a job taking care of me." Harry shrugged. "You said it was your first time."
James smiled. "It wasn't my first time, but it was in a while." He walked back over to the couch, ruffling his son's hair. "Your Mum called earlier. She knows."
"I'm surprised she didn't jump at the chance to come home," Harry said. He knew how his mother was when he was sick.
"Well, she knew you were in good hands with me," James added. "I've taken care of you before when you were sick. Remember the Chocolate Frog incident?"
"I do not think Ron nor I could forget that," Harry murmured.
James chuckled. "Your Mum was working in the lab. I had come to pick you up from the Burrow to find you sick from eating so many chocolate frogs. I brought you home and took care of you."
"I remember that. It's been a while."
James nodded. "Well, let's go see what we can find to eat. Do eggs on toast sound good?"
Harry nodded. "I think I can manage that. But can you cook?"
James smiled softly. "Okay. Contrary to what your mother thinks, I'm capable of cooking. I can make eggs on toast."
They headed to the kitchen to make their eggs on toast. As he made their food, James thought about how he wanted to spend this time while Lily was away with Harry. While it hadn't gone the way he planned, he still spent time with his son.
Despite the fact Harry was sick.
Lily opened the back door to her house, using her wand to unlock the door. She opted to apparate home instead of flooing. She had taken an earlier Portkey than scheduled, arriving home earlier than she told James.
She left her suitcase in the scullery, dropping her handbag on the bench. She slipped off her shoes, sighing once her feet were free.
She was happy to be home. She missed her boys.
Lily walked into the kitchen, noticing the dishes in the drainer. Not in the sink. She walked on to the family room in search of her family.
James was sitting on the loveseat, watching a show on the television. He turned around when he heard her footsteps.
"Hi," He greeted with a smile. "When did you get home?"
"A little bit ago," Lily replied, leaning over to kiss her husband. "Hi."
"I missed you," James murmured.
"I missed you. I missed you both." She turned her head towards the couch where Harry laid. He was asleep.
"He's better," James said. "He hadn't thrown up since he puked on me." James paused when Lily awed. "I made eggs on toast for dinner. He kept it down. He slept better last night."
Lily sat down on the edge of the couch near Harry's feet.
"How long has he been asleep?"
"Two hours."
Lily watched her son sleep for a minute before she leaned over. She pressed a kiss to his forehead. Harry didn't stir, only turning over to face the back of the couch.
When she was folding laundry at the kitchen table, Harry woke up. He walked into the kitchen, pausing for a second when he saw Lily before he walked over to her.
"Hi, Sweetheart," She greeted, opening her arms for a hug.
"Hi, Mum." Harry walked into his mother's arms, returning her hug. "When did you get back?"
"An hour ago," She replied, hooking his chin, gently lowering his head to look at his face. "Dad said you were feeling better."
Harry nodded. "Don't worry. He took good of me."
Lily chuckled. She kissed the side of his head. "I know he did. I'm glad he was here."
"Me too. We missed you, Mum."
"I missed you too. Both of you."
Lily was happy that James was here to look after Harry. He had taken some of his owed time off from the Auror office to spend this time with Harry. While it didn't go how James thought, he was glad he was here to look after their son. And if Lily ever went away again and Harry got sick, James would look after his son.