In Need

CHAPTER 18

Notes:

Hello, dear readers.

Here we go with another instalment of this fic, chapter 18. I have to thank my readers, since two of them gave me the suggestions to include in this chapter. This one features a literal child Severus, and some time away from Hogwarts!

ENJOY!

—---

The night after their visit to Rosie both Harry and Severus slept profoundly and woke up feeling refreshed. Yes, Harry still had a lot to deal with, and he was aware he hadn't done his part in healing from the past. But, talking things with Severus and Rosie had lifted some of the weight on his shoulders. At first, it seemed that visiting Rosie had been exactly what they had needed.

Over the next couple of weeks, though, he noticed Severus growing more reserved and thoughtful than he had recently been. It happened soon after Severus had told him he was experimenting with new potions. Harry, who had already got used to seeing him somewhat relaxed, especially around him, was concerned about this change.

He spent a lot of time in his private lab, leaving Harry alone in his quarters for most of their evenings. Harry found the evenings lonely and boring, he'd got used to spending them in Severus's company. He'd tried to take his stuff and work in his lab to keep him company, but lately, Severus had asked to be left alone there too.

That in itself had been strange and it concerned Harry, why was Severus asking that from him? He knew he could focus with him there, he'd worked with him in the lab plenty of times, and he knew how to behave to not disturb Severus's concentration.

It got even worse when weekends were also spent in solitude in the lab. Harry had spent many Saturdays and Sundays grading papers, reading and working out. Sometimes he even grabbed his old Firebolt and took her for a ride, if the Quidditch pitch wasn't taken. Other times he'd take advantage of the uncommonly sunny day to walk to Hogsmeade and back. Yet, when he returned to have a shower, Severus was still in his lab.

At first, Harry tried to rationalize it and not give it much importance. If Severus was experimenting, it didn't take a lot to understand that whatever it was, it was new and cutting-edge. Whatever he was working on was bound to be a breakthrough in the Potions field. Therefore, it was normal that Severus would focus his efforts and attention on his project.

Besides, Harry had his own hobbies and friends himself. He focused on his own interests and fire-called his friends, who often asked about Severus. He only told them he was working on a potion experiment, keeping his thoughts to himself.

But this was beyond being hyperfocused on a project, and Harry realized soon after the first two weeks. As the days passed, Severus's mood turned foul, his answers dry. He'd lose his temper with Harry, many mornings storming off to the Great Hall alone, barely giving time for the Gryffindor to wake up.

After the first weeks, it was obvious that things weren't going well. Severus's sleep was pitiful again, it took him a long time to nod off, and he kept tossing and turning in bed. His work was piling up, several dozens of papers sitting on his desk, waiting to be graded. Harry suggested regressing on a Sunday, wanting to help. However, Severus refused his offer, only saying "he was busy". For the next week, nothing was mentioned about regressing.

Despite his refusal, Harry still tried to keep Severus to a schedule and made sure to get some food in him. Many times the Slytherin looked thoughtful and serious, playing with the food on his plate instead of eating.

Harry was becoming very worried. Loss of appetite, disrupted sleeping patterns, irascibility... he didn't know what to do.

One evening, at dinner, Harry had had enough of observing Severus picking at his food without eating it. He looked angry about something, his scowl had increased in the last hours, and he hadn't spoken to him once. He waited for a long while, and not liking what he was seeing, he whispered in his ear to please eat something.