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22. Sobbing
Harry woke to someone shaking him by the shoulders. He was sobbing, breath hitching to the point where he thought he might vomit.
“Harry, you’re okay. Wake up for me,” Severus instructed. That’s who was shaking him awake.
Harry peeled his eyes open, the visions of his nightmare disappearing like fog in the sunlight. Severus was sitting on the side of his bed, concern furrowing his brow even more than normal.
“I’m right here, you’re okay. It was just a nightmare.” Severus pushed Harry’s hair back from his face and palmed his forehead. “You’re running a temperature.”
Harry took a shuddering breath and pushed himself up on an elbow to wipe his face. “Sev,” he whispered, unsure of what he was looking for from his guardian.
Severus conjured a box of tissues and handed one to Harry, still frowning. “When did you start feeling ill?” He cast a diagnostic charm and waited for the results.
Harry shivered at the feeling of the charm running down his spine. “Just now.” He blew his nose and let his head thunk against the headboard. Now that he was awake, he realized how sick he felt. The night before had been one of his scheduled nights to sleep in Severus’ quarters, and he’d been excited to crawl into his comfortable bed in the dungeons. He hadn’t felt sick at all, not until Severus woke him up.
“This says your temperature is nearly 39 degrees.” Severus set the scroll of parchment on the bed beside him and conjured a fever reducing potion, along with an antibiotic potion and a dreamless sleep potion. “It seems as though you’ve contracted strep throat. Drink these,” Severus said, handing over vial after vial.
Harry dutifully swallowed down the potions, grimacing at the taste of each one. Once they were gone, he snuggled back down under his blankets, shivering violently. “Sorry,” he whispered.
Severus ran a hand down Harry’s back. “Don’t apologize. Getting ill isn’t your fault.” He rested his palm on Harry’s forehead again, tutting under his breath. “The potions should take effect any minute now.”
Harry leaned into Severus’ hand and closed his eyes. It wasn’t real, it had just been a bad dream. He was okay. Severus was here. Everything was fine. Suddenly, like a wave had washed over him, Harry felt better. His shivering let up, his throat, which he hadn’t even realized hurt, felt better, his headache went away.
“There, that’s more like it,” Severus said softly. “Sleep now. I’ll be here when you wake.”
Harry’s eyes drooped heavily, but he reached out and grabbed Severus’ hand before he fell asleep. “Stay?”
“Of course, Harry. I’ll stay.” Severus held Harry’s hand and the boy was out like a light.