Child of Hogwarts: Part I

Chapter Eight - The Village

CHAPTER EIGHT

The Village

Harry spent four days in bed recovering from his illness. In his opinion, the time was exceedingly boring. Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall were always there when he awoke, feeding him potions, checking his temperature, and encouraging him to eat and sleep. Harry had never experienced this sort of care before – so many people worried about him, and trying to help him feel better. Professor Dumbledore rarely left him alone while he was awake, and sometimes even sat on the bed with him into the night. Professor McGonagall fussed over the state of his pillows, and stroked his hair soothingly to get him to sleep.

Madam Pomfrey stayed for a day or so before departing back to Brighton. She fretted over Harry as she had done at the end of term when he'd been left in her care after retrieving the Philosopher's Stone – unwilling to let him up at all and tutting about his condition in a way that made Harry feel she must think it was all his fault he'd fallen ill.

Harry felt much better since the new potions had started, although he hated having to lie on his side while McGonagall administered the one in his ear twice a day. It was very uncomfortable, and it made him feel like a small child – a feeling reinforced by McGonagall's solicitous murmuring to him while he waited for the time to pass. His fever had finally broken on the morning of the third day after the professors' return, but they insisted on keeping him in bed for one more day and a final few rounds of potion.

Snape came by during his final day of bedrest. Harry was so bored by then, he almost welcomed the sight of someone new – even if that someone was his most detested professor. Snape slunk into the room with his trademark sneer, carrying a roll of parchment and Harry's lunch on a tray.

'The headmaster sends you this,' he said to Harry, pushing the tray of soup, potions and pumpkin juice onto Harry's bedside table, 'And reminds you to take the potion before eating. I'm not sure how he managed to lose track of every house-elf in the castle, but...' he trailed off. Harry's lips twitched, but he bit his tongue. He was fairly certain Snape's sarcasm was not intended as a joke for Harry.

Snape looked down his hooked nose appraisingly at him. Harry felt rather like a horse being sized up to race.

'You are looking much improved,' Snape offered.

'Er – yes, sir,' Harry replied, slightly puzzled. 'Thank you.'

Snape raised an eyebrow, and held up the scroll he still clutched in his hand. 'Your essay, Potter,' he said in explanation, dropping the roll of parchment into Harry's lap. 'Since you are no longer at Death's door, now would be an excellent time to revise it. I've left my comments. Your last attempt was... nearly passable,' he admitted, sounding as though coming so close to complimenting Harry truly pained him.

Harry bent to take the scroll, unfurling it to have a glance at the revisions Snape had made. He looked up to say something further to the Potions master, but he had already swept from the room.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

'Severus!' the headmaster called, stepping through the door and into his study just as Severus was exiting the stairway. He pulled at the travelling cloak around his neck, undoing the fastenings and looking weary from the morning.

'Headmaster,' Severus greeted him with a nod. Albus succeeded in removing the cloak, and folded it over one arm.

'I do apologise for running out on you, my boy. I'm afraid I had to meet with Gilderoy Lockhart. In all the excitement of the past few days, I'd rather forgotten the date.'