From my Deathbed

Chapter Two

Over the next month, the Dursley's and Harry became friends. They went out places, like to the zoo, on Harry's good days. On his bad ones, they stayed inside and watched movies or played board games. 

Dudley's Gang had disbanded. Vernon and Petunia were kind and treated Harry and Dudley equally. Dudley was on a diet. Life at Privet Drive got ultimately better.

Harry lay asleep in the backseat of the car, heading to King's Cross for his fifth year at Hogwarts. One that would quite possibly be his last. 

As the car pulled into a parking space at King's Cross, Dudley gently shook Harry awake, knowing that he was fatigued often since the cancer was discovered. 

"Harry," he said, "Wake up. We're here." 

Harry woke slowly, but then sat up fairly quickly and got out of the car. Vernon refused to let him take his own trunk in, but allowed Harry to push it through the barrier. Vernon and Dudley were mystified by everything around them on Platform 9 3/4, and although Petunia had been before, she was close behind. 

"Harry!" a voice from behind them shouted. 

Harry turned to see the Weasley's and Hermione hurrying towards him. Hermione tackled him in a hug.

"Hermione, ouch you're strangling me!" Harry said, laughing slightly as he pried her off. 

"Where've you been?" Ron demanded. "Why didn't you want to come over?" he caught sight of the Dursley's. "Why are they here?"

"Ron, we've all made up, we're getting along now." Harry said, in reference to the Dursley's. "And as to why I couldn't come over... I've been quite ill." Harry decided that was safe, since it wasn't a lie. "I was stuck at home in bed, mostly." 

"Oh." Ron said, still eyeing Vernon, Petunia, and Dudley. "That's okay, I guess."

"You're better now, aren't you?" Hermione demanded. 

"Yes, Hermione, I'm fine now." Harry lied. "I just get tired sometimes." 

Hermione looked him over critically. "Fine." she said. "But you're going to Madam Pomfrey once we get to Hogwarts, just to make absolute certain."

Harry sighed. "Fine."

A whistle blew. It was time to board the train.

"Have a good term, Harry." Petunia said. "And remember to tell your friends. They deserve to know." 

Hermione and the Weasley's looked at Harry suspiciously, but he just nodded to Petunia. "I will. Bye." 

Harry said goodbye to Vernon and Dudley, and he and his friends boarded the train. 

"So, what do we deserve to know?" Ron immediately asked. 

"I'll tell you guys later." Harry muttered. "The teachers'll need to know, too, so... probably in McGonagall's or possibly Dumbledore's office after the feast."

"Does this have something to do with you being so sick over the summer?" Hermione asked, eyes narrowed. 

"Maybe..." Harry hedged. "Oh, look an empty compartment! Let's go in there."

Harry led the way into the compartment, his friends following concernedly. 

"Can you at least give us a hint?" Ron asked. 

"No." Harry shook his head. "I'll tell you when we get to Hogwarts, after the feast."

oOXOo

"So, Harry, Madam Pomfrey said that there is some very concerning news we need to hear." Dumbledore said.

They were in Dumbledore's office, along with McGonagall, Ron, Hermione, Fred, George, Ginny, Remus, and Sirius. Everyone was looking at Harry, who took a deep breath.

"Okay." he said. "Here goes. I, um..." 

Harry didn't think he could do it. Looking around at all his friends and family around him, Harry just didn't think he'd be able to tell them. 

"Harry, do go on." McGonagall prompted. 

"Okay." Harry took another deep breath, and felt tears start creeping into his eyes. Upon seeing this, everyone gathered became even more concerned. "In July... on my birthday, actually, I, uh, I woke up in a Muggle hospital."

Hermione gasped. "Why?"

"I'm getting to that." Harry said. "Um, apparently I'd, like, passed out or something the day before, and so my aunt and uncle took me to the hospital... they took a few scans while I was still out, and, um... they said that, well..."

"What is it, Harry?" Ron demanded. 

"I have, um, l-leukemia." Harry finally blurted. 

Hermione gasped and began to cry profusely. Everyone else looked confused. 

"What is that?" Ginny asked uncertainly. 

"It's a Muggle disease called cancer." Harry whispered. "It's often fatal, especially if you catch it late."

Sirius paled visibly. "And... and in your case?"

Harry looked at the floor. "They caught it really late." He could barely be heard. "The doctors said... I've got... until June... to live..." 

Everyone in the room gasped, while Hermione sobbed even harder.