Summer Glow Up

Crossed Paths

Harry bade his time. He wasn't going to lie and say that it was the most terrible thing that ever happened to him, the events leading up to his parent's deaths were proof enough. The young Potter spent most of his time away from Number Four and quite frankly he did not want anything to do with the Dursley's and that suited them just fine.

He did much rather spend his time with the elderly woman he had grown fond of over the summer, it still appalled him that an evening stroll had brought her into his life. He shuddered when he thought about what would have happened to the kind woman if he had not shown up that fateful day, not only would the consequences to her health be much more serious. If he had never found her, he would still be rotting away in his small room with nothing to do.

His heart was stabbed with a moment of guilt when he remembered the offhand question she had asked him one day.

'Dear, I still can't thank you enough for saving me from those brutes', praised Mrs. Kent which only further flustered the already pampered boy. "Ma'am, I was just at the right place at the right time. Anyone would have done what I did in my position", the boy protested.

'Nonsense!', she exclaimed. 'You were incredibly brave that day!'

'Just adopt him already', joked the amused Nurse.

"If I could I would, not that it would be any of your business though. You clearly do not care about my well-being, if forcing me to choke down a dozen tablets a day could be any indicator", the irate woman responded, she hated the experience of ingesting medicine with a passion.

Harry could tell that the Nurse was frustrated by the old woman, but he couldn't help but relate with Mrs. Kent. His experience of almost half a decade of constant visits to the Hospital Wing often accompanied by a large goblet of some obscure healing potion had solidified his hatred for medicine too.

'Um, has anyone seen the cough syrup?', inquired the nurse interrupting Harry's train of thought. Harry's brow furrowed as a look of confusion came over him, he had made sure to organize everything perfectly to compensate for the hospitality he was receiving which only aided to his surprise at the missing syrup.

The blonde woman left the room in search of her desired object. Muttering words of frustration under her breath. Harry's eyes followed her out of the room before snapping back to Mrs. Kent who was now flashing him a bright toothy smile, which looked oddly familiar.

'I hid it underneath the sofa, I hate it", whispered Mrs. Kent her voice quivering with giddiness. Harry almost guffawed at her never-ending hate for anything slightly unpalatable. 'Mrs. Smith! I think I know where it is!', yelled Harry out playfully.

Mrs. Kent's eyes widened as she glared at the young boy mouthing words of mercy. "Really? Where is it!", responded the voice of the overbearing nurse only to be met with a groan of despair from Mrs. Kent.

'It's under the sofa', Harry answered. 'Young man! How could you do this to ME", wailed Mrs. Kent in mock despair. 'I believe I ought to teach you a lesson by giving you a nice long lecture after this horrid tribulation', she responded curtly trying to hide a smile.

'We can get to the lecture later! Right Mrs. Kent?', pondered the blonde nurse her hands grasping the cough syrup menacingly causing Mrs. Kent to gag.

"We must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy, " Harry quoted Dumbledore while imitating the headmaster.

'Where did that come from?', Mrs. Kent seemed very impressed.

Harry opened his mouth to respond but was interrupted by Mrs. Smith, who now poured the syrup down the reluctant Mrs. Kent's throat.