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3. Forced to care for a rival
They were rivals in the beginning, despite the fact that Severus was Harry’s legal guardian. They butted heads and argued and got mad at each other, but Severus was still legally responsible for Harrys’ wellbeing. So when Harry woke up sick for the first time since the guardianship became official, Severus had to choke down his contempt and care for the boy.
It was a winter morning, a few days after the Christmas holiday had begun. Harry woke with a clogged nose and a headache—nothing major—but he was scared to tell Severus. Having a cold with the Dursleys meant getting locked into his cupboard, and Harry didn’t know what to expect from his new guardian.
He decided to just ignore it and see what happened. Since it was winter break, Harry was at Spinners End. He had his own room and a bathroom across the hall, and he barely even saw Severus except for at meal times. It shouldn’t be that hard to stay off his radar, right?
Wrong, apparently. As soon as Harry walked into the kitchen for breakfast Severus was onto him.
“Are you alright?” Severus asked, eyeing the boy over his copy of the Daily Prophet. The boy was pale and drawn-in, not acting like his usual self. They may have been rivals in the past, but Severus had grown to enjoy the boy’s company, and he knew that Harry was attached to him.
Harry nodded as he added milk to his tea. “Fine.”
Severus frowned at the sound of Harry’s voice. “Are you ill?”
Harry looked up with a mix of surprise and terror on his face.
Severus raised his eyebrows and waited for an answer.
“I guess my nose is a little stuffy,” Harry admitted. He sipped his tea and grimaced as he swallowed, noticing how sore his throat was, too.
“Would you like a Pepper-Up potion?” Severus asked gently. He knew that there would be pushback here.
“I’m okay. I don’t want to be any trouble.” Harry pushed his breakfast around on his plate to make it look like he’d eaten some of it. “May I be excused?”
“Not yet.” Severus waved his wand, ignoring the way Harry flinched when he moved his hand towards the boy. He ran a diagnostic charm, frowning at the results. “This says you have a fever,” Severus stated, pushing the parchment across the table so that Harry would read it for himself.
Harry simply shrugged. “I’m okay,” he said again.
Severus took a deep breath and let it out slowly, reminding himself not to get angry at the boy. He’d been abused and neglected, that’s why he acted the way he did.
“Harry, I cannot let your illness go untreated.” He conjured a fever reducer and a Pepper-Up potion to give to the boy.
Harry seemed hesitant to take the potions.
“It’s no trouble. You’re not a bother. I just want you to feel better, that’s all.” Severus kept his voice soft, like he was speaking to a wild animal.
At this, Harry took each potion, not looking at his guardian as he swallowed them down. He wasn’t sure what happened next. “What now?” Harry asked, his eyes glued to the table.
Severus paused, unsure of where to go from here. He didn’t want to spook the boy, but he also wanted honest answers from him. “What normally happens when you’re ill?”
“I get locked in my cupboard,” Harry answered before he thought about it. “I mean—”
Severus held up a hand, making Harry stop talking. “I need you to be honest with me, remember?” He waited for Harry to nod before he continued. “What would you like to do?”
Harry shrugged. “I remember kids at my muggle school talking about lying on the couch, watching television when they were sick.”
“Is that what you’d like to do?” Severus asked softly.
After a moments pause, Harry nodded. “Might as well see what it’s like, I guess.”
“Alright. Go on then. I’ll check on you in a little bit.”
Harry slunk away to the living room and Severus vanished the boy’s uneaten breakfast. He made a fresh pot of tea and cast a continuous warming spell on it so that it was hot whenever Harry felt like having some, and carried it to the living room.
“Here’s some tea, if you’d like some,” Severus said as he set the teapot on the coffee table.
Harry froze where he was, surfing through channels on the ancient television set.
“Would you like your pillow? Perhaps a blanket?”
Narrowing his eyes, Harry nodded. “I can get them.” He went to stand, but Severus held up his hand.
“Nonsense. I’ll get them for you. You just focus on feeling better.” He left the living room and went into Harry’s bedroom, cringing as he grabbed hold of the crimson and gold pillow and duvet. “Here we are,” Severus said, draping the duvet over Harry and holding his pillow out.
Harry took his pillow from Severus and set it on the couch next to him. “And I can stay here all day?” Harry asked, his voice cracking.
“While you are ill, yes. But generally speaking, I believe all children should spend at least an hour outside each day.” Severus moved Harry’s pillow to the end of the couch. “Now, lie down and get comfortable.” He waited for Harry to lie down before spreading his duvet over him. “Is there anything else you need?”
Harry shook his head, blown away by the tenderness of Severus’ actions. He could lie on the couch watching tv all day and he hadn’t even gotten yelled at. He’d even gotten medicine. That was unheard of at the Dursleys. Unless Harry got sick enough to need to visit the doctor, which only happened twice that he could remember, Aunt Petunia wouldn’t waste medicine on Harry.
“I’ll check in later. Summon me if you need me. I won’t be angry.” Severus felt a little foolish saying that, but he’d cared for enough of his snakes that, above all else, were afraid of making adults angry.
Harry nodded. “Thanks, Sev.” Once Severus left the room, Harry relaxed a little. He was already feeling loads better because of the potions he’d taken, but he wanted to know what it was like to lounge on the couch all day, nursing tea and cough drops and being doted on. It was a brand new experience for him. So far it was uncomfortable, but he felt safe. He wasn’t sure when the last time he’d felt safe was. And in Severus’ care?! An insane thought. But, here he was, snuggled up on the couch watching daytime tv, with endless tea and a trustworthy adult just down the hall if he needed someone.