The Dogfather

Chapter 3

Chapter 3-

Harry was still fast asleep when noon rolled around and his guardians presumed that the boy was merely catching up on missed rest. Both Remus and Sirius were sitting quietly at the kitchen table when the floo roared to life and out stepped Poppy Pomfrey; the nurse at a Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry. She spared them a small smile and Sirius cringed when he saw the sympathy shining in her eyes. "Hello Poppy" he greeted in an effort to try and diffuse some of the tension. "Have you come to see Harry?"

She gave a small chuckle and a rare smirk graced her lips "no Mr Black, I thought it would be a good time to come and give you your next vaccine. Drop your trousers for me won't you." Sirius blanched at the mere thought of having another injection.

"I have to have another one?" He growled and Remus rolled his eyes.

"No. You stupid mutt. She's being sarcastic." Sirius raised a scepic eyebrow; Poppy Pomfrey was NEVER sarcastic.

She chuckled and gave a small nod "Mr Lupin is right Sirius" she laughed "that one injection in seventh year was enough. You nearly broke Professor McGonagall's arm" Sirius had the good grace to look sheepish and she chuckled once more. "Is he upstairs?" Remus nodded "alright, I'll be down after I've checked him over. Alright?"

Sirius rose from his chair with an unsure look on his face "we'd better come too" he told her quietly "Harry's been though a lot, I don't know how trusting he will be." She seemed to hesitate for a brief moment before giving a small nod and allowing Sirius to lead the way. They climbed the stairs slowly and Sirius gently eased open the door to Harry's room, only to freeze when he noticed that his godson was nowhere in sight.

Remus pushed past the animagus, his face turning a sickly white at the sight of the empty bed. "Harry?" He called lightly, but no answer came.

Sirius-finally regaining his wits-barged past his friend and shouted loudly "Harry!" There came no response, but Remus' sensitive werewolf hearing picked up the sound of something in the wardrobe. Gently, he eased the door open to find Harry curled up at the bottom, fast asleep. He reached out a shaking hand and shook the boy's shoulder lightly.

"Harry?" He asked and a pair of bright Emerald eyes snapped open. You could hear the sigh's being drawn from each of the three adults. "Harry? Are you alright? What are you doing in here?" Remus' voice was gentle, but with a noticeable worried undertone.

Harry didn't move to step out of the cupboard, his eyes remained wide and uncertain and his hands maintained a clenched fist around the soft material of a spare blanket that Remus presumed had been there for quite some time.

"C'mon, Harry" Sirius spoke softly "Madame Pomfrey is here to see you, she's a very nice lady and she want's to make sure that you're ok"

Harry blinked "you're not mad that I slept in here?" he asked, his voice barely loud enough to reach their ears.

Remus smiled "we're not mad, Harry. You can sleep wherever you want as long as it's inside the house. C'mon now, Poppy wants to meet you."

Harry nodded and stepped out of the cupboard, his arms were wrapped tightly across his chest and his legs fidgeted as he waited for someone to speak.

Poppy stepped forwards, she crouched down to the boy's level and smiled at him happily. "Hello Harry" she told him "my name is Poppy."

Harry looked up from his toes to meet her eyes for just a quick second "What're you gonna do to me?" he asked timidly and Poppy sighed.

"Nothing bad, Harry. I promise" she assured the boy "I just want to make sure that you're ok."

Harry nodded shyly and Poppy held out a hand "why don't you just lie here for me and i'll check to make sure that everything's fine. It won't hurt, I promise, I'll use magic!"

Sirius came to crouch beside the bed, his hand clutching Harry's tightly as Remus ran fingers through the boy's soft black hair. Poppy raised her wand and slashed it down through the air, producing a ribbon of golden light that wound itself tightly around Harry's body before disappearing into his skin. There was another flash and little sparks of light began to appear whilst Poppy hurriedly scrawled away with a quill.

"All done, Harry." she whispered after a few moments and Harry sat up shakily, immediately finding solace in Remus' arms.

Sirius left with Poppy to speak about Harry's injuries and what could be done to fix them whilst said boy curled up tighter in Remus' hold.

"Don't worry, Harry." Remus whispered as he held Harry tighter. "I've got you, you're going to be ok now."

Harry smiled, perhaps the most genuine smile that Remus had seen the boy make. "thank you, Remus." he whispered.

"For what, pup?"

"For saving me."