Hooked - James Sirirus Potter.

Chapter Twenty Five

A whole week passed before James saw Claudia again. He’d not dared go back to her flat to talk to her for fear of her rejection and now he had to face her on neutral territory. He saw her step into the kitchenette through the window on the door, her skirt swinging as she moved. Slipping through, he decided the best cause of action would be fake surprise when she came back into the lab.

“Tea?” she called out, standing in the doorway.

His heart skipped a beat; she didn’t hate him completely. “If you don’t mind?”

“I don’t.” she shrugged, narrowing her eyes on him. “But I do ask before I act.”

“I’m glad you’re talking to Me.” he stated, following her into the kitchenette. “And I actually mean that.”

Sweeping her fringe over to one side, she glared up at him and he felt himself melt for her. “We need to talk and I hardly think that our kitchen is the best place for it.”

James flicked his wand and locked the adjoining door as she began to cough. “Are you alright?”

“Fine.” She snapped, struggling to catch her breath. “Just the remnants of the flu.”

“Are you sure; you weren’t coughing when I saw you last week.” He reached out and rested his hand against her forehead. “You’re burning up; you shouldn’t have come to work today.”

“I’m fine.” She sighed, shaking her head. “I need to keep active; it’ll push the last bits away… Open the door James.”

Locking his jaw against his better judgement, he watched as she flung it open and stormed back to her work bench. Slowly he finished the teas and followed her. “You know you really should be drinking water if you’ve got a fever and eating a lot.”

She didn’t reply; taking his eyes off the boiling liquid he looked up and saw her slumped over the papers. “Claudia?”

The mugs fell to the floor, smashing into tiny pieces as he ran forwards to check on her. Gently he lifted her head back against his arm and checked her breathing, it was shallow but steady.

“Oh sorry; I’ll come back later.” A male voice laughed as the door began to shut again.

“Dad!” James shouted; “She’s out cold.”

“What?” Harry frowned, sticking his head back through the door and glancing from James to the mugs on the floor. “How long?”

“Five minutes max; I was making tea.” He said, carefully bundling her into his arms. “What do I do?”

Harry waved his wand over Claudia and waited, but nothing happened. “Shit.” He cursed; pressing his fingers to her pulse point. “We need to go to St Mungo’s now.”

“Now?”

“If that didn’t work she’s really sick.” Harry said softly, “Now James, move!”

James sat outside of the hospital room while the healers checked her over. Everything that happened in the last hour seemed like ten seconds had passed. His knee was bouncing nervously as he waited… Harry had left to collect everything together, bringing her bag to the hospital before leaving to look after Paige.

He’d not even asked if James was staying.

“Mr Potter?” the Healer asked, looking down at him, jumping to his feet James snapped to attention. “You did the best thing bringing her here; it looks like a severe case of dragon pox mixed together with a muggle disease… we’re not sure which one yet, but we’ve sent for our contact to come.”