Rest and Relaxation
Chapter 16
Rest and Relaxation
It was getting dark by the time Harry awoke. He nearly forgot his medical condition and decided to walk into the loo. He remembered when the pain and dizziness hit him upon sitting up. He waved a hand and summoned the urinal from the supplies he brought home. He looked at it curiously. He attempted to position it for use. His limbs were so weak that he ended up making a mess as the urinal slipped from his grasp.
"Damn!" he swore loudly and wandlessly summoned a towel. He heard footsteps rushing and threw the blanket over himself in modesty.
"Harry, why didn't you call?" Hermione fussed at him. "What happened?"
Harry felt his face heat. He didn't want to confess to the mess he'd made and how it came to be. He looked to Lupin for assistance. The older man understood immediately.
"Hermione" Lupin said. "Could you be a dear and ask Ron to purchase about a dozen nightshirts for Harry? They will make his convalescence easier."
Comprehension dawned in her eyes and she fled from the room. Harry couldn't decide which was worse, the mess he'd made or Hermione knowing about it.
"Now, let's see about getting you sorted out." Lupin offered.
"I know how it works" Harry clarified, his fingers white with the frustrated grip he had on the blanket. "I just couldn't hang onto it."
"I understand" Remus replied while removing Harry's wet clothing. "I'll be right back."
Harry hung his head in shame. Remus returned with a wet cloth and handed it to Harry. "Just in case you were thinking of trying it, scourgify works well on objects, but it burns like hell when used on the skin." Lupin explained. "Let me help you, Harry. That's why I'm here."
"I'm sure you have better things to do than hang around here," disagreed Harry.
"Nothing is more important than getting you better. I have a bit of experience with life altering events. We'll worry about getting you better, and then we'll talk about what happens next." Harry nodded, his head still lowered. "I know you've relied on no one but yourself, but now is the time to lie back and relax. Give yourself permission to be coddled for a bit. You've earned it."
"It's… difficult" Harry admitted.
Lupin agreed with a warm smile. "I know it is, especially for you. With the exception of your friends, you've had no one you could rely on since you were a baby. Of course this is difficult for you! You've stayed alive through many encounters that would destroy a lesser man by your self-reliance and strength. Now you feel weak and vulnerable, which is a totally foreign concept to you. It will definitely take some getting used to, but give it a try. It's not as if the alternatives are a better option."
"Everything alright in there?" Hermione called from the kitchen.
"Just fine" Lupin returned. "Come on in."
Hermione and Ron entered carrying bags from Madam Malkin's, with Ginny trailing behind.
"Oh, Harry, darling, are you alright?" Ginny cried as she rushed at him.
"I'm fine" he answered giving Ron a quizzical look.
"Don't blame me. I told her not to come." Ron declared. "You should have taken her off the list of people who can apparate right in."
"Why would he do that?" Ginny asked.
"Well, considering that you are no longer dating, you humiliated him in the press, you…"
Ginny interrupted her brother. "I did no such thing! I gave a short interview, that's all. I didn't say anything bad about him."
"I'm right here. Please don't talk as if I'm not present." Harry groaned.
"I'm sorry, darling. What can I do to make you feel better?" Ginny purred.
Harry glared at her. He didn't want her there and wondered how she found out about his weakness. "Has anyone seen the Daily Prophet today?" he asked with hesitation. The way Ginny was acting, it seemed as if his entire story must have been published.
"H-H-Harry…a-a-about that…" Hermione stammered.
Harry closed his eyes, knowing what he was about to hear. "Just tell me…please."
Ron began speaking. "The Daily Prophet has the complete story of your capture, serious Death Eater arse-kicking, and the injuries you suffered, complete with prognosis. My dear sister sweet talked her way to getting the information. Witch Weekly sold it over to them," he said in derision.
"It's big news! The public has a right to know that Harry may never walk again!" Ginny protested. "They are lining up outside as we speak to…"
"Get her out of here." Lupin said in a slow cold voice, his eyes reflecting his fury.
No one had noticed Harry's departure. He had apparated into his cupboard to escape and spelled the door. He leaned his head back against the wall and let the tranquility wash over him.
What seemed like hours later, Hermione opened the door to the cupboard and peered inside. "Want to talk about it?" she asked timidly.
"No" he answered.
"I'm sorry…" she offered.
"You didn't do anything"
"Please come out. Remus got rid of her. You need to be resting."
"I am resting. It's not like there's room to do much else in here."
"You're all squished up in there. I've got you a nice bed set up on the couch where you can kip for a bit. We'll leave you alone and prepare for dinner. Please come out."
Harry was torn. He wasn't very comfortable where he was, but he wasn't ready to face anyone yet.
"I can send Remus to help you, if you prefer…" she offered.
Harry nodded his consent. Lupin's face appeared in the doorway. "So this is where you got off to." he said warmly. "Let's see about getting you out of there." Lupin waved his wand and Harry felt weightless as he floated over to the sofa.
"You get some rest. Apparating is tiring even for those who aren't under Healer's orders to refrain from doing magic." Lupin looked at Harry with concern.
Harry covered himself with the blanket and settled back into the supple couch. He felt his eyes close.
He was awakened by the most wonderful smells of his favorite foods. He opened his eyes to see Lupin with a tray.
"Are you hungry?" Lupin asked.
"Very" Harry answered as he accepted the tray.
"Mrs. Weasley sent along a treacle tart. Did you want me to arrange it so that she can apparate in as well during your recovery? That would make it easier for her to bring meals for you."
Harry nodded his consent, not wanting to pause in his consumption of the meal.
Hermione appeared in the doorway. "How is he doing?" she asked.
"He's eating like there's no tomorrow" replied Lupin with a smile.
Hermione beamed and entered; his pudding in her hand.
"I thought I was going to have to bribe you to eat something
Harry smiled at her concern. "I was famished. Thank you for dinner. It was delicious." he said to her.
"Can I bring you seconds?" she asked.
"No" he answered with a grin, "but you can hand over that dessert."
Harry tucked into his tart without hesitation.
"You can sue St Mungo's for releasing that information, the Daily Prophet for printing it, or Ginny for her intrusion..."
Harry shook his head. "That won't change anything" he said quietly. "What's done is done."
After banishing his dirty plates to the kitchen, Hermione strode to the end of the couch and kneeled. She ran her fingers through his hair. He closed his eyes in satisfaction.
"Did you want to go up to bed or stay here?" she asked softly.
"Here is fine" he replied never opening his eyes. "Thank you for everything, Hermione. I never expected you to put your life on hold for me. Thank you."
Lupin strolled in and sat in the armchair. He saw the peace on Harry's face and shared a smile with Hermione. "Is he sleeping?" he inquired.
"No, he's not" Harry answered for himself. "Thank you, Remus. I don't know how I would have made it through today without you…both of you."
"It's my pleasure" Lupin answered. "If you needed me, thestrals couldn't keep me away."
"Remus, I was thinking earlier" Harry stated. "Can I hire you to play nursemaid for me?" Over Lupin's objections, Harry continued. "I was planning on hiring someone anyway to help me. I will be laid up here for quite sometime. I'm going to need someone. I, also, think that this flat, being three floors isn't going to make matters easier. I'd be hiring you to find me a house. Hermione can help if she wants."
"Have you thought this through, Harry?" Lupin asked.
"I've had over a week to think about it. I was planning to talk to you when you returned anyway. You are giving up your life for me. It's the least I can do see that you don't give up your income as well. I'd pay you a fair wage for my care and to arrange for the move. In exchange, I am relieved of hiring a stranger to assist me and I can get my privacy back. The new house should be unplottable. When I'm better, I want to be able to enjoy my morning tea on my balcony without an audience. If I'm able to return to work, then it will be your choice whether or not you choose to stay on as my personal assistant. This flat is paid for, so as a bonus for seeing me through my recovery, I'll sign it over to you, if you want it to keep, sell, whatever you want. I know you've got your own house, but please consider my offer. I've always known you liked this flat better than I do."
"I never said that!" Lupin balked. "It's a lovely flat, but it's yours, Harry. You can't just give it away."
"I'm not just giving it away. I'm giving you the opportunity to earn it." Harry countered.
"So what would be my duties, if I were to agree, which I haven't yet, so get that smirk off your face?" Lupin teased.
"Just the usual invalid care stuff…"
"Harry…" Hermione warned.
"Face it, Hermione. For the time being I am an invalid. It may not be that way forever. Right now I have to face facts. I'd need you to pay my bills, which I'm sure are behind since I've been in St Mungo's, make sure Hedwig has food and water, hire a house elf for cleaning, find me a house and arrange for the move, keep tabs on my apparition and floo lists, screen visitors that aren't on my lists, levitate me about until I can fend for myself, and assist me with my personal care."
"Are you sure you don't need a nubile maid to assist with your personal care?" Lupin joked. "I'm sure I can find loads of applicants right outside your door."
Harry groaned at the implication. "I don't even know if that part is even functional at this point, so no, that is not what I need."
"According to Healer Strankford…" Hermione explained. "You should regain sexual functionality in another two weeks. The curse that hit that area…"
"You got hit in the….." exclaimed Lupin.
Harry reddened and bowed his head. "Among other places…" he replied in barely a whisper.
Lupin grimaced. "No wonder you had such trouble earlier. Merlin's Beard!"
"Anyway, Harry, as I was saying…" Hermione continued with a glare at the other two," "the curse that hit there damaged some nerves and muscles; however you should regain full functionality in another two weeks, barring no further complications."
"Merlin's Beard! Remind me not to get captured by rivaling Death Eaters! They hit below the belt, no pun intended." Lupin exclaimed.
Harry felt weary to his very bones. He knew all about his injuries; yet he didn't relish anyone else knowing the more personal stuff.
"We'll let you get some rest" said Lupin as he took Hermione's hand and led her back into the kitchen. Harry could hear them discussing him and again pulled the blanket over his head.
Harry awoke the next morning to the pungent odor of various potions. He wrinkled his face in disgust.
"Oh, don't be a baby. Take your potions." Hermione scolded.
Harry gulped down the doses of no less than nine potions quickly. When he was done he made a sour face,
Hermione laughed at him. "Surely it isn't that bad" she chuckled.
"Have you tasted that third one recently?" he asked in defense of his reaction.
"No" she replied. "I can't say that I've ever experienced testicular trauma. Sorry." She got up from her kneeling position and kissed him on the forehead. "I'll send Remus in to help you get ready for the day, and then I'll be back for your check up."
"Hermione" he began with extreme hesitation. "I will be fine again, won't I? I mean everything will eventually get back to normal for me?"
Hermione looked at him with gentleness. "You'll be fine. Just be patient and follow your instructions and there's no reason you can't be up and about in no time, fully functional…head to toe." She knew how much it cost him to ask her this. She'd never before seen him with this new vulnerability. "You may have to find a new normal for yourself, though. I mean just because you've imprisoned the main Death Eaters doesn't mean it is the end of Dark Wizards. You know that you can't keep chasing them, right?"
"I know" Harry said sadly. "I talked to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley about becoming an Auror Trainer. They seemed to think it was a good idea."
"I am so proud of the way you are handling this. I knew you were strong, but I'm amazed at the way you've carried on. Your idea of hiring Remus as your personal assistant was pure genius, by the way."
Harry felt his face flame at her compliments. "I, also, want to talk to you later about your compensation, Hermione. You can't take care of me free of charge. I'll match your salary from St Mungo's for as long as you are here."
"Honestly, Harry, would I be anywhere else?" she answered on her way out the door.
A short time later, a clean, fresh and rested Harry was playing a game of chess with Ron, losing badly. His bishops were ready to revolt and were threatening him.
"Take pity on him!" Ron shouted at the tiny figures on the board. "He's been through enough without you idiots on his case."
Harry snickered. He felt as contented as he'd felt in the common room at school.