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Title:The Care of a Friend
 Ron Weasley woke slowly and rolled over to check the clock, realizing that if he didn't move quickly he'd be late meeting Harry for lunch. He groaned as he sat up slowly noting the pounding in his head and the various aches in his body. His throat was felt dry and sore and his nose, no, his whole head, was totally congested. He realized with disgust that his cold had not gotten any better overnight, in fact, if possible he felt even worse than he had the day before. He hated summer colds, they just seemed to last forever. He made his way slowly to the shower, thinking that he probably should have owled Harry earlier in the week when he was first getting sick to cancel their meeting. At the time though, he had been sure whatever he was coming down with would be gone by Saturday and he really hadn't wanted to admit to Harry, or to himself that he was getting sick. Besides, he hadn't wanted to miss a chance to visit with Harry, this was the first time that they had been able to get together since starting their new jobs after graduating from Hogwart's. They had made a pact with Hermione to meet at least once a month after graduation. Hermione was away with her parents this month but the young men were still eager to get together. Ron stood in the hot shower for as long as he could, savoring it's warmth and the positive effects on his aching body and stuffy nose. By the time he got out his nose was clear, but running madly and he was disappointed to note the irritating tickling sensation he had been battling all week was back. "ETCHOOOOOOO!!!!! Ishoooooo! HEHCHOOOOO!!!" He sneezed freely as he dried himself quickly, shivering from the cool air in the bathroom and wiping his nose on the towel. After dressing he fumbled around in his dresser drawers searching for clean handkerchiefs. Being sick all week had depleted his rather limited supply and he certainly hadn't been up to doing laundry after working all day. He managed to find two dirty ones and cleaned them with a scourgify spell, before stuffing them into his pocket. He was almost ready to go when he decided to grab a jumper to put on, it was a fairly warm summer day with a light haze in the air but Ron just couldn't seem to get warm. He readied himself to apparate, wishing he didn't have to, wishing he had at least owled Harry to change their meeting place to the pub near his flat not the one in Harry's neighborhood. Ron hated to apparate when he was sick, he was always nervous that something would go wrong. There had only been that one time, when he was first learning to apparate that there had been a problem, but once was more than enough. He arrived without incident to the apparation point. He felt a little dizzy on arrival but it passed quickly. He made his way slowly into the village, having to stop frequently to sneeze and blow his dripping nose. It was a short walk but it seemed like miles to Ron. He was almost to the pub when he was overtaken by a violent fit of sneezing. " ETCHOOOOO!!! ISHOOOOO!!!! HEHCHOOOO!!!!! Heh....heh...hetchoooo!!!! ISHOOOOOOO!!!!! ETCHUH!!!!" He held onto a light post to steady himself, feeling dizzy again. He blew his nose forcefully hoping to rid himself of the constant ticking and sneezing, but his nose wasn't finished yet. "ETCHOOOOO!!!!! Ishooooo!!!! Hehchooooo!!!!!" Finally finished, Ron tried to make himself somewhat presentable and entered the pub. He was surprised to find that Harry had not yet arrived, so he chose a table in the corner where he could watch the door for Harry. When the waitress approached to take his order he found his voice only a croak when he tried to tell her he was waiting for someone. She looked at him sympathetically, "Summer cold love? How about a nice cup o' tea to start then?" Ron smiled appreciatively and nodded. He sipped at his tea quickly hoping he'd finish it before Harry arrived. He really didn't want to explain why he was drinking tea instead of their usual butterbeer. A few minutes later Harry arrived at the pub. He searched the room for his friend, meeting Ron's gaze with a broad smile. He crossed the room the table and the two friends met with a quick hug. Ron tried to discreetly push his teacup to the side as Harry pretended not to notice. "Hullo Harry, how are you mate?" Ron asked his best friend with a smile. "I'm great Ron, how about you?", asked Harry wondering about the teacup and the fact that Ron's voice seemed a bit hoarse. "Just great Harry, how is work?" He motioned the waitress over ordering two butterbeers and handing her his empty cup. Ron listened intently as Harry talked about his job, and tried to keep the conversation focused on Harry, knowing his voice probably wouldn't last that long. He tried to discreetly wipe his nose with the back of his hand and sniffed quietly as his nose ran. Harry watched Ron with concern, he could tell something was wrong. He guessed Ron wasn't feeling well, but knowing Ron and his stubborn nature he didn't know if it was wise to bring it up. Finally after watching Ron stifle several sneezes in a way that almost seemed painful, he had to ask."Ron are you alright?" "Oh.... um sure Harry, I'm fine." Ron looked somewhat embarrassed and tried unsuccessfully to stifle another pair of sneezes, " Ishhhhhhh HEHCHOOOO!!!!!" "Bless you Ron. You..... er... you don't really seem fine." Harry stated not sure how to proceed with the conversation. "Well.... no, I'm okay Harry. I've just got a ruddy headcold. Nothing to be concerned about." Ron reassured his friend, finally surrendering and bringing out his handkerchief to blow his nose. The blow was long and gurgling, making Harry wince with sympathy and become even more concerned about his friend. "Ron, we didn't have to get lunch today, you should've owled me........" Harry began. "Harry, I'm fine! I wanted to come!" Ron insisted interrupting him. Harry did not look convinced but let the matter drop without argument. They ordered their meals and continued their conversations over lunch. Harry continued to watch Ron closely, noticing his voice becoming more and more hoarse, and his sneezing more and more frequent. He was especially concerned to note that the always ravenous Ron had barely picked at his food and seemed now to be shivering violently. Finally he couldn't ignore the situation any longer. "Ron, "he reached across the table and put his hand on Ron's arm. "Clearly you're sick, we should get you home to bed." Ron thought about arguing but he knew that Harry was right, he felt absolutely horrible. "Okay, mate, "he responded to his friend, "You're right. I do feel bloody awful. I'm sorry Harry...." "Ron, " Harry shook his head, "You don't need to be sorry, you're sick! Come on then, " he helped pull Ron to his feet and threw some money down on the table. The two slowly made their way out of the pub. As they exited the pub, a heavy rain started to fall. Ron's shivering grew even more violent as his clothes were quickly soaked through. Instead of leading Ron back to the apparition point Harry quickly brought him down a side street near the pub. When Ron looked at him questioningly he spoke, "I'm taking you back to my place to dry off and rest for a bit. Once you feel better we can get you home by Floo." Ron nodded and gave a small grateful smile, Harry knew how he felt about apparating while ill. They were almost back to Harry's flat when Ron was overcome by another fit of sneezing. "ISHOOOOOO!!! Heh...heh.... HEHCHOOOOO!!!! Ehchoooo!!!!" He found himself dizzy again, grasping Harry's arm to steady himself. "Come on then mate, " Harry led him into his flat and pushed him towards the bathroom. "Take off those wet clothes, I'll get you something for you to put on." Ron gratefully pulled off his wet clothes and was surprised to find a pair of Harry's pajamas thrust in the door to him. He wanted to ask Harry for some regular clothes, but he was just too cold to wait for anything else. He made his way out of the bathroom to find a fresh pot of tea on the coffee table and a warm comforter on the couch. "Harry, " He began, "I don't need all this.... I'm really fine...." "Ron, just have a seat and warm up a bit then." Harry interrupted, knowing how much Ron really needed to lie down and rest. He sat down in an armchair and poured them both some tea. Ron sat on the couch, and still shivering with cold reluctantly covered his lap with the comforter. Ron sipped at his tea, trying not look as sick as he felt. After a few moments his nose started to tickle again. He quickly put down his tea cup and started to reach for a handkerchief he no longer had in his pocket. Harry noticed his distress and quickly made for the bedroom to get a fresh handkerchief. Ron's sneezing however could not be delayed. "ISHOOOOOO!!!! ETCHOOO!!!! Ishhhhhhh!! Heh.....HEHCHOOOO!!!!!" He sneezed forcefully into his hands and then gratefully accepted the handkerchief from Harry, blowing his nose noisily. "Bless you Ron, you sound bloody awful." Harry reached over and felt his friend's forehead." I think you've got a fever too." "I know mate, "Ron sniffled miserably. "I should probably head home, I don't want you to catch this thing." "Don't be silly Ron, stay until you're feeling better. At least until your fever's gone." Once again Ron wanted to protest but he just felt so badly he couldn't do it. Reluctantly he leaned back on the couch and pulled up the comforter around him. Harry lifted up his legs so he was laying down and tucked the blanket. Ron smiled sleepily, "Thanks mate." "Any time, " Harry smiled at his friend and patted his arm, "Fell better Ron. " He said softly as he watched his friend drift off to sleep. | |||||
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