𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐀𝐘 𝐈𝐍

Chapter 14

Chapter 14: Health Failing Quickly, Dad's Back

The next day, Draco did nap in the early afternoon and Snape gave him an examination with a blood test when Harry was with the volunteers in the lounging area. The potion was finished that day and the entire group had a celebratory lunch of the grandest kind. The five vials were put into a rack on the center table of the lab for everyone to admire. After lunch, they all gathered in a type of ceremony. Matthew and Maria were both given an exam earlier in the day and were ready. Each was given a vial of the potion and Draco longed to take one, but he didn't mention it. After they had consumed every drop in the vial, everyone clapped and the two patients were sent to their rooms to sleep for twenty-four hours while the potion took over their systems. Draco came to speak to Severus while Harry was with Matthew seeing him to bed as was asked.

"Draco, your condition is worsening at a rapid rate," Snape said gravely. Draco nodded and crossed his arms. "Your white blood cells are off the chart, you keep a fever, and there is some type of cancerous growth on your hip bone and it's spreading quickly. I can work with a few of the growth deterrent potions to keep the spread of the cancerous growth on your bone under control. I'm glad you told me that Harry found it."

"He found it weeks ago," Draco said. "He says there are no more of them." Snape nodded.

"That's what I had discovered with this exam as well," Snape said. "I will make you a more concentrated version of the restorative to keep your fever down. Your white cell count will keep you feeling sluggish and sick. It also affects your anemic condition and that's why you are having the nosebleeds more frequently." Draco nodded. "I'll work on something for that."

"Severus, I know you have other things to work on," Draco said.

"Nonsense," Snape said. "You're family and besides Harry would literally slit my miserable throat if I didn't do everything in my power to keep you comfortable and as well as possible. I daresay I think he'd enjoy it." Draco did smirk just a bit but was depressed over his condition worsening so rapidly. It had been over five months since his diagnosis and his health was now dropping considerably as expected with no treatment of any kind as of yet. Draco wondered if he had seven more months to live the year he was assured. "It's time you took a break and rested."

"Sev, why not let me take the potion now that it's here and ready?" Draco asked. "Hell, if it doesn't work, I'd be in no worse condition than I am now."

"Because if you took the potion it could affect your bone marrow," Snape said. "Maria has already had her bone marrow tested and she isn't a candidate for that type of intervention. She has also been declined as a study patient in the clinical trials due to other ailments. This is her last resort as well as Matthew's. You have other options if this potion doesn't work, but we can't take the chance just yet. It's only three weeks until we know if this potion works and if it does, then we'll give you your vial with much relief." Draco was more than bothered by the whole thing. "Take this restorative and go rest. You look exhausted." Doing as he was told, Draco took the entire vial and left without another word. He was asleep within a quarter hour for his nap.

After he woke, the afternoon was spent with Harry and they finished up their wedding invitations preparing them for sending out as soon as they got out of the lab. Borrowing the playing cards from Matthew's mother, Draco and Harry played strip poker and had a fun time in their room. Before bedtime the pair came out of their room to see McKalb and Bertby each working on their other two potions they had prepared in the lab. Harry and Draco each had a slice of cake as a snack with milk. On the way back to their room Bertby spoke to Draco who came to see the complicated potion he was making. They spoke of it briefly as McKalb added a few ingredients to his own bubbling cauldron and left the lab without another word. Harry watched him go suspiciously sensing deception all over the man. With a glance to the vials on the table Harry cleared his throat.