Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

No Obvious Truths	By : Danyealle Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male Views: 64502 -:- Recommendations : 8 -:- Currently Reading : 32
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and make no money off this work of fiction.

Chapter List
- 14
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- 16
Chapter 15

Beta'd by the amazing Tenchi. Thanks, woman! You're the BEST!

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“Don't we need to wait for Severus, Minerva?” Albus asked after peering around the table where the school staff was gathered and seeing their Potions Master missing.

“No, in this case, we need to press on. Severus met with me a few days ago to explain that he wouldn't be here and why. I won't go into that right now, but will explain when we get to the topic,” the deputy headmistress assured him.

Nodding, Albus pressed on and started the standard before term meeting that always took place just days before September first. As always, he covered the normal, including the introduction of the new teacher, then anything they needed to be aware of when it came to changes. Once he was certain he had everything accounted for from his end, he looked at Minerva then asked, “Wasn't there something that you needed to cover?”

“There is,” she told him with a firm nod. Stacking some parchments on the table in front of her, she then folded her hands and rested them on the papers before looking around, “I was contacted by the board about a student coming in with some special needs. I'm going to require volunteers for a one hour tutoring session each week at their home.” Quietly, she said, “It's Harry Potter.” Hearing some questions and exclamations, she explained, “He's very ill right now. Cancer. That is actually what Severus is attending to. As you all know, he takes commissions from various healers. Mr. Potter's healer is one he's working with. He's been on the case since the healer took over earlier this summer.” Sighing, she shook her head.

“How bad is it, Minerva?” Filius asked quietly, looking at her.

“He says quite bad,” Minerva told him grimly. “However, he also said that the disease has been stopped and they are now working on beating it back, something that is progressing well. The issue on our end comes that he's far too ill to attend school this year. Amelia Bones went to the board then worked it out to where he's going to officially enroll, be sorted and other such activities, but won't attend class. His guardians have agreed to go by Hogwarts' curriculum when it comes to teaching him. That's why they want volunteers to come once a week to ensure that we see trouble areas or assist in places where it's needed.” Picking up the parchments, she glanced over what was there and said, tone slightly distracted, “In a couple cases there are exceptions. Potions and Herbology are two areas that they've decided that only theory should be taught as what is come into contact with could counteract the potions he takes or cause unwanted side effects.” Looking over at Pomona, she explained, “Severus said he would get with you on a slight workaround for some of it. Like with Potions, there are some ways to change what is taught to where Mr. Potter can get practical experience, but not be exposed to something that causes issues, at least a little. It won't be a full course like our other students receive, but will give him some experience when he is more able to handle something like that and is better. Do you mind?”

“Oh, no, of course not!” Pomona told her emphatically. “I'll set up a time with him to go over my lesson plans to see what modifications might be needed.”

Pleased with that, Minerva nodded. “He's also said he needs to get with you about some plants he's had to acquire for the treatments. It's my understanding they aren't complex, but he was hoping that you wouldn't mind tending to them. They are rather unusual and not normally something you would need.”

“I'll take them. Such things are always a good learning experience,” Pomona told her with a firm nod. “Tell him to get with me when he can and we'll work out what he requires. I'm sure I can have whatever plants he needs on hand. If that's alright with you, of course, Albus?” She asked, looking at the headmaster.

“No, I take no issue,” Albus told her with a dismissive wave. Sitting there, he could feel his stomach sinking and the second guessing himself over not responding to Arabella coming into play. Harry was out of his hands for another year, at the very least. He didn't know what to do now. Nor did he know who had the young man. From what he could see, the records were all sealed with spells on them to keep from revealing who the young man's guardians were. He hoped that at Opening Feast he would be able to figure it out.

Having gotten her volunteers, Minerva pressed on then said, “We do need to make some slight allowances for the Sorting Ceremony and feast. Mr. Potter isn't well enough to ride the train with the other students, something he's disappointed about, obviously, so his guardians have contacted me to make other arrangements. They will bring him early by Apparation.” Glancing over at Hagrid, she asked, “Can you meet them and bring Mr. Potter to the castle the traditional way for a first year? His guardians will have to ride with him, of course.”

“'O course, Professor, 'o course,” Hagrid said with a nod of his giant head.

Pleased with that, she pressed on, “They've asked if they can give him a tour of the castle, something I've already agreed to. Also, they will be staying for feast as well, then will be leaving after taking him to see his new house. He's—well, he's ill and may have issues. Severus said he'll be keeping some of his potions on hand in case they are needed, something he suspects might happen. He also said you can count on him being weak and having issues. The young man is determined to do this, of course, but there are problems. I took it upon myself to agree to all of it,” she explained, looking around. Seeing everyone nod, she added, quietly, resting her elbows on the table, “On a personal note, Severus has asked that if any of us have pictures of James or Lily if he could get copies. It's my understanding that Mr. Potter hasn't seen what his father looks like. Severus was able to provide him with some photographs of his mother, but has none of James.” Sniffling slightly, wiping her nose, she then said, voice having a thicker tone to it, “He's also said for us all to prepare for the fact that he is very small and obviously ill. From what he said, Mr. Potter is very delicate and not what we would expect from a normal student of that age.” Softly, she then added, “He's also lost all of his hair due to the treatments he went through. Severus said we should be prepared for a shock.”

Rubbing his eyes in a tired way, Albus stared down at the table, looking crestfallen. This didn't sound good, not at all. “Will he be able to keep up or will allowances have to be made?”

Sighing, Minerva said, “From what Severus told me, he thinks they can, by the end of the year, get him up to where the other students are. For now, as the treatments are at their worst, we can expect for him to be far behind. We are going to have to take into account that the fact the young man is very ill and work with it from there. He said he thinks the fact that he's being taught in a one on one situation coupled with how he’ll improve as the treatment progresses, he should be able to be caught up by the end of the year.” Though she was aware who his guardians were, she couldn't say it, so she mentioned, “I know who his guardians are and they are more than capable of taking on teaching him. Even if it is just theory for certain topics. We will need to keep in mind that he won't have the Hogwarts library to use for essays, so that might have to be modified.” Stopping, she said, firmly, “I was also told that if we are feeling the least little bit sick to have someone take our place for tutoring. His body, in Severus' words, is worn out from the battle with this disease and his immune system is at the point that he can very easily catch anything going around then it can cause serious issues.”

After nodding and looking around, Filius said gravely, “This could be a good experience for all our students, a way to learn. I think, sometimes, we forget that some of our students have hardships most don't. This might be a way to illustrate that. It's also a very good way to show what we teach them is something very useful. If Severus would agree, same with Pomona, perhaps volunteers to help gather, chop or prepare ingredients. In Severus' case, I doubt that he would allow anyone to brew the potions, but, maybe, volunteers to take on some of the more simple ones he does for the infirmary and other places. It would be a big help to him. It would also be a perfect way to show a real application for so much and that we aren’t teaching some topics just to teach! Questions on the topic of how and why are also good to encourage.”

“Oh, yes, very good point, Filius!” Albus said, nodding. Shifting around, he rested his elbows on the table and looked about. “Questions are bound to come from the students on this topic. Mr. Potter—well, his name will be known and remembered then students are going to ask questions when he doesn't attend class. This is a good way to handle that. I believe an offer of help to Pomona and Severus is warranted. I'll talk with Severus to see what he says.”

Pleased with that, Minerva nodded. Pressing on, she said, “I also took it upon myself to agree to a provision by Severus. He may need to be called away during the term to deal with the healer in emergency situations. I've told him we'll take no issue with that. Also, that a medicinal drawer from St. Mungo's be installed in his private quarters. He's going to be doing the brewing for the treatments, so he needs a way to ensure the potions are delivered in a timely manner. I didn't expect that would be an issue.” Stopping, she looked at Albus.

“None at all,” Albus told her sincerely. “Also make certain that his guardians know that they can contact him at any time. Your Floo can be used. We'll make any allowances he needs to attend to matters.”

Making a note of that, nodding, Minerva told him, “Yes, good idea. I'll let him and them, both, know.”

“How long has he been dealing with this horrid disease, Minerva?” Aurora Sinistra asked quietly.

“Since he was eight,” Minerva sighed, shaking her head. “Severus—well, he told me that the young man is exhausted and was near death when his healer took over. His magic had battled it the best it could, but even what it could do was at an end. They are now having to use some very powerful potions to beat the disease back. Then, from what I was told, the battle isn't over. They will have to work on fixing the damage done by not only the disease, but the Muggle treatments. He said the young man is in for a very long battle that will probably still be ongoing at the start of the term next year.”

Rubbing his eyes with a trembling hand, Albus was mentally kicking himself. This sounded very bad and he was now sick over allowing it to continue on as it had. Shaking his head, he said, “When you talk to Severus, tell him whatever he needs or if we can give a hand, to just say something. I think I can safely say we'll all step up and do what we can to be of aid.”

“I will pass that along,” Minerva said, nodding, pleased. Shaking her head at the grim reality of what the young man was dealing with, she sighed then pressed on to other matters that had to be dealt with over the coming term.

Curled up in a chair on the patio of Tom's place with Shenanigans in his lap, Harry was wrapped in a blanket, even though it was very warm out, playing a game of chess with Lucius. He wasn't the best at the game and had very little experience, but Lucius was teaching him as they went, something he liked. Draco was away for the day, attending a party. His friend had made it clear, even having a disgusted look on his face as he got ready to go, that he didn't want to attend, but had to. Understanding that, Harry didn't have a problem with it either. Besides, he wasn't feeling the best today and wasn't much company anyway. The only reason he even asked to come outside was that he was tired of being cooped up in his room all the time.

Pulling the blanket tighter around him, Harry grinned as Lucius won again. “I think I make this too easy on you,” he joked in a good natured way.

“No, you don't. I may be able to win, but each time we play you improve. That's always a good thing, Harry,” Lucius told him softly. Leaning back, he sipped his tea then told the young man, smug, “We have arrangements made to get you to Hogwarts. We'll Apparate you there and you'll meet the others from the train then attend like everyone else.”

Grinning bigger, Harry looked at him and nodded, “Good! Do I still get to go say goodbye to Draco when he gets on the train? I mean, if we hide my scar and that like you said?”

Cautious about the glances Harry was getting and not wanting to put him in danger, they had all used a simple glamour on the well-known scar for him to go out in public. Nodding, Lucius smirked, “Of course. Draco would have a fit if you didn't, even if he's going to see you in a few hours.” Lowering his voice into something conspiratorial, he said, “We'll stop at Honeydukes like you asked so you can send him chocolate the next day when we're done at the castle.”

Nodding, pleased with that, Harry said, “Good! You'll have to help me pick out what he likes the best though.”

“Oh, that we can manage,” Lucius said with a smirk. “I think we can even manage to send a weekly care package from them to Draco in your name. I believe that's something he would like.”

“Brilliant!” Harry beamed, snuggling down into his blanket, shivering. The potions were causing this, he knew, but it was still strange.

Reaching over, Lucius cast a warming charm on the blanket and nodded when Harry sighed in relief. Smirking once more he said, tone quieter, “He's even going to take Falkor. Severus doesn't know that yet though.”

Laughing, Harry said, “Good! He'll keep him company!” Falkor was the stuffed dragon like Smaug that Lucius and Tom had gotten for Draco. Narcissa had charmed him and Draco swore he was going to Hogwarts with him. Because they spent so much time together, Harry was worried Draco would get lonely without him though there would be plenty of others his age around.

“Severus—he'll deal with it,” Lucius chuckled, winking at the young man.

Still shivering despite the blanket, Harry looked down and sighed then shook his head, “I think I need to go in. It's—I'm still so cold.” Looking disgusted because it was a nice day out, he didn't like the idea but didn't want to feel any worse than what he did either or make himself sick.

Serious expression sliding onto his face, Lucius stood then picked up the boy and carried him inside. “It's fine, Harry. We'll leave the balcony door open and sit by it. It won't be the same, but will be close.”

Leaning his head on Lucius' shoulder, Harry clung to him. He hated this. No, it wasn't as bad as what it had been in the hospital, but he still felt horrible. Sighing, he shut his eyes.

Rubbing the young man's back softly, Lucius talked to him as they walked to his room. Once there, he had Dobby turn up the heat to it so that Harry was comfortable then sat him at the table in front of the open balcony doors. Taking a seat across from the young man, he asked, “Is that better?”

“Yeah,” Harry sighed with a nod, curling up in the chair. Making a face, he said, “I hate being this sick! I mean—yeah, it's better than it was when I was in the hospital, but it's still rotten. I just wish I could get better fast was all.”

Up to this point, Harry was very good natured and didn't complain too much despite the fact that he had plenty to complain about. In fact, Draco whined more when he got a cold than Harry ever did despite how sick he was. And, from Lucius' stand point, Harry had plenty to complain about! He was in pain, didn't feel good, suffering and so much else that he had plenty to cause him to grouse once in a while. The young man just didn't.

Reaching out, Lucius rubbed his head gently then said, softly, “I imagine, Harry. It has to be rotten and feel miserable. We just take it one day at a time. As you get better, you'll be able to do more. Don't worry.”

“I know,” Harry sighed, nodding. “It is better, it really is! I just don't like having to do things like moving inside and that.” Slumping, he shook his head then said, softly, “Sorry.”

“There is nothing to be sorry about,” Lucius told him. “You can complain once in a while and no one will say a word to you. After all, you're sick and don't feel good! A little whinging is allowed.”

Rubbing his eyes, looking down at the table, Harry nodded but said nothing.

Not sure what to say to make him feel better, Lucius beckoned Smaug over, who gave Harry a lick on the side of the face, something that made the young man grin. Smirking, he said, “He's not going to allow you to get too miserable, apparently.”

Chuckling, Harry rubbed the dragon's head, grinning a little bigger at the contented growl and smoke rings, then looked back at Lucius and sighed, “Sorry, trying not to be gloomy.”

“Gloomy is allowed once in a while,” Lucius told him pointedly, eyebrow arched. “I can safely say that Draco gets beyond gloomy when he's sick. Downright miserable might be a better word for it.” Changing topics, hoping to get the young man's mind off how he felt, he asked, “Aside from going on a broom ride, what special kind of thing do you think you'd like to try this week? We'll see what we can manage if you feel up to it.” Lowering his voice, he smirked then said, “Or prepare if we have to do it when Narcissa isn't around.”

Snickering at that, Harry then thought it over. Looking down at the table, he said distractedly, “I don't know. Most of what I know about are Muggle things.”

“I don't think you're up to us going and trying anything Muggle, Harry,” Lucius said, gently. “Maybe something around here we can come up with?”

Taking that in, Harry nodded then sighed, unable to think of anything. Thinking over some of what Draco mentioned they did, he asked, tone distracted, “Maybe go on a horseback ride? I've not ever done that. I mean, I don't want to go fast or anything, just a slow walk around to see the grounds or something?” Stopping, he looked up at Lucius and waited.

Smiling himself, Lucius nodded, “I think that's something we can easily do. In fact, we won't even have to hide it from Narcissa! She has a sweet, gentle natured mare she likes to ride. I'm certain that if we say something, she'll take you for a ride with her. That way she can't shout at anyone we're doing something unsafe!”

Grinning, Harry nodded, “True! I think—yeah, that's something I'd like to try.”

“Then we'll work something out,” Lucius told him with a nod. “If you do like it, we'll get you your own horse. We all have one and there is no reason you shouldn't either.”

“Let me see if I like it first,” Harry said, thinking it over. “No sense in buying one if I don't.”

Having walked in and heard the last two things said, Narcissa groaned then asked, tone wary, “Buy him what, Lucius?” With her husband, one never knew! She just hoped it wasn't something too overly extravagant.

“A horse,” he told her simply. “He wants to try going for a ride on one this week, with someone of course. I thought you could take him on Windrider. If he likes it, we can see about getting him one of his own,” Lucius explained, looking at her.

“Oh!” She said, slightly startled then looked pleased. Sitting down by Harry, she gave him a kiss on the temple then said, “Let's see if you like to ride first then I think we can find you a horse. Not a fast one, of course, there is no need for that! Just one you can ride around once in a while. What do you think?”

“Alright.” Harry nodded, grinning at her. “I've not been on one before so I don't know.”

“I think, maybe, if you feel up to it, we can go out tomorrow. Draco can ride along with us on his palomino. We'll see then,” she said, actually pleased with Lucius' plotting for once.

“Great!” Harry beamed. “Maybe at Malfoy Manor? So I can see the rest of the gardens? I've not gotten to see them all yet.”

“I think that's a very good idea,” Narcissa told him, smiling. “We can then sit outside and have lunch or something. No, this is good. You’ll just have to ride with me, I don’t think you’ll mind that, though.”

Liking the idea more and more, Harry nodded, “That's fine! I wouldn't know how to ride on my own. Yeah, I like it! Lunch outside and all that.” Stopping, he grinned a little then asked, sheepishly, “Can Draco and I have dragon races if I feel up to it?”

Knowing he was talking about riding their stuffed dragons around, Narcissa gave a long suffering sigh, but grinned a little then said, “I think that can be arranged. I think—yes, we'll make a day of it. Tom and Severus can join us and we'll find something to do in the afternoon.”

Liking this idea, Harry nodded. After all, it was only a few more days before Draco and Severus would be gone all the time so he wanted to spend time with them. Grinning, he said, “Nagini will like basking in the gardens.”

“She will,” Lucius smirked, nodding his head. Leaning back, he said, “I'll say something to Tom then go from there. This—yes, it's a good idea.”

Curling up in his blanket, Harry smiled. He might not feel the best, but those around him made it easier to take, that's for sure!

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No Obvious Truths