The Contract

Chapter 87

Days kept going by, and despite their little bubble in Africa, the news was still being brought to them. If not by Owl, then a House-elf was bringing it forth, and ensuring their Masters' Orders were all being seen to. Not only that, but Harry was remaining awake for greater lengths of time.

While Sirius, Rodolphus and Rabastan spent a great deal of time away during the day. Being put through their paces with the treatments and regimens. They did spend breakfast with Harry before then, who was still eating smaller amounts, but actually finishing off his bowl of porridge and fruit.

Which means they were always there for the newspaper. Which had become something of a daily entertainment for them.

"Morning," Sirius said, wandering in, Rodolphus next to him, both dressed in loose fitting clothes. There was never any need to stand on ceremony here, and with the exercising they were put through, it was easier to do it with less restricting clothing. "How you feeling, kiddo?"

Harry smiled, it was probably the most genuine smile he'd ever had for Sirius, "I'm okay," he was having a good day today. So far anyway, sometimes he just didn't want to talk to anyone, sometimes he just wanted to cry and to rage against the unfairness of what happened to him.

"That's good," Sirius said giving him a thumb up, glad to see that Harry looked quite content this morning. He'd looked like hell warmed over yesterday, barely said a word, slept very badly and was an all-around...well, grumpy for the lack of better terms. Then again, he'd be grumpy as hell stuck in the same bed all the time as well.

"Has the newspaper came yet?" Rodolphus asked, chuckling darkly, rubbing his hand gleefully.

"You're enjoying this too much," Sirius said, a sick look on his face, "It's fucked up."

Rodolphus laughed, giving Sirius a look that suggested he was nuts, "Right, and I didn't see you laughing yesterday?" he knew the bit he'd probably been laughing at. The explosion in the Ministry of magic, Madam Bones office, nobody had been severely hurt but the entire corridor had been affected, including the Aurors offices. Nobody was sure what exactly had happened, and the Ministry wasn't talking.

Sirius pouted, "Did not," he lied through his teeth.

"Did so," Harry added, giggling lightly at the pout Sirius was wearing.

"Nuh-uh, I was laughing at the cartoon," Sirius fibbed lightly.

"How you feeling this morning, kid?" Rodolphus asked, as he sat down, Harry's bed was up so he was in a sitting position today.

"I'm okay," Harry said softly, giving Rodolphus a small smile, he never tried to cheer him up when he was down. He just let him be, he understood, had days like that himself.

"Where's Rabastan?" Rodolphus questioned, it wasn't often Harry was on his own...or more accurately, never alone.

"Getting breakfast, and a bowl, I'm hungry," Harry said, "Corvus is sending a letter out," which had to be done outside the hotel, they didn't allow animals inside.

Rodolphus nodded, glad to see Harry's appetite was picking up. Probably helped along by the fact he was off such strong pain killers. "A bowl?" finding that rather peculiar, "Is he hovering again?"

Harry smiled, "Little bit," he confessed, but he didn't care about that. He rather enjoyed being the focus of their attention, and getting to spend so much time with them all. He'd had a bad night, the night before, but last night Rabastan had held him after a bad nightmare again. He'd slept so well for the rest of the night.

He made him feel safe.

"And the Bowl?" Sirius commented.

"Tonks," was all Harry said as the door opened and Rabastan returned with a tray filled with food. His stomach rumbled hungrily, there was no smell of greasy food, they were all on healthier diets, Corvus due to his own condition, and Rabastan, Rodolphus, Harry and Sirius were on one to get well again.