Sick Day?
a Harry Potter story
by midnight_angel_girl
Percy Weasley yawned as he finished the cup of coffee in front of him. He couldn't stand the bitter taste; Oliver was the one who practically lived on the stuff. Oliver Wood was also the reason Percy needed the caffeine boost today. Oliver had come down with a bad head cold and had spent the previous night alternately sneezing, coughing, blowing his nose, and snoring much louder than usual. Percy had tried sleeping on the couch, but their rented cottage was small, and he could still hear Oliver. Besides, he had grown to dislike sleeping alone and, eventually, went back to their bed.
"I'm going to work, now, Ol." he called to him.
"Cad you brig be sobe water first, please."
"Just a minute." Percy filled a glass with water and went back to the bedroom. "Do you need anything else?"
Oliver shook his head. Percy looked at his boyfriend. Oliver had the blankets wrapped tight around him. He was pale with dark circles under his eyes, and his runny nose was red and chapped. He blew his nose again. Percy eyed the tissues that littered the floor. "I'll get you anther box of tissues. Knowing you, you'll need them."
He went to the bathroom to grab the tissues and paused. Grabbing a quill and some parchment, he summoned Hermes. Inwardly sighing at the thought of what his in tray would look like tomorrow, he scrawled a quick note to his boss, informing him that he was taking a personal day. Sending Hermes off and grabbing the tissues, he headed back to the bedroom. He set the tissues on the nightstand next to Oliver, who had dozed off slightly. Slipping out of his Ministry robes, he changed back into his pajamas and crawled in next to Oliver.
Oliver woke up when he felt the bed shift under Percy's weight. "Percy, what are you doig? I dow I hav't slept all day. Heh-chesshh."
"Bless you. I'm exhausted. I took the day off." Percy yawned. "Go back to sleep." He snuggled against Oliver.
"I'b sorry. I kept you awake last dight. You should have slept od the couch."
"I tried, but I've become accustomed to sharing the bed. Anyways, the cottage is so small, I can hear you anyway. Now, at least let me sleep for a while. Then we can go watch some of those muggle movies you like so much."
"I'll eved let you pick ode. Kishaghhh, ahhkeshhahh." He grabbed a tissue and blew his nose.
"Bless you." Percy mumbled, half asleep despite the three cups of coffee he'd had at breakfast. After they both had drifted in and out of sleep for nearly 4 hours, Percy decided to get up. Oliver lay there, snoring loudly and shivering. He frowned and pressed a hand to his boyfriend's forehead. As he suspected, Oliver was running a slight fever. He gently shook him awake. Oliver rolled over and gave him a bleary look. "It's after 11. I'm going to make some soup and tea. Then, we'll watch a movie or something, `kay." He leaned over and gently kissed Oliver's hot forehead.
"Heptishahh. Okay. Huheshhahh, ehh-hehhshh. Berlid, this sucks." "Bless you. I know. Why don't you go put on some warmer pajamas and get comfy on the couch."
"I"d kid of like a shower first. Uhhishh, huhhihshoo." "Percy nodded. "Bless you again. It might help you feel better. I'll have something for you to eat in about a half hour." He grabbed his wand and headed for the kitchen, pausing to start a fire in the fireplace; he had some calls to make. He got the soup and tea on the stove and returned to the living room. He threw a handful of Floo Powder in the fire and called out "Bill Weasley."
A few seconds later, Bill's head appeared. "Hey, Perce. What's up?" "I'm afraid Oliver and I are going to have to cancel on you and Professor Snape for dinner."
"Can I ask why? Wait, why aren't you at work? Is everything okay?" "Oliver's got a bad cold, and neither of us got much sleep last night, so I took a day off to take care of him. I'm sorry about dinner; can we reschedule it for next week or something?"
"Yeah. You look exhausted, and I'm sure Oliver looks just as bad. Is that him I hear coughing and sneezing in the background?"
"Yeah. I don't think either one of us has slept solid for more than an hour."
"You look it. Call me when he's feeling better, and we'll pick another night. Charlie and Mariah aren't coming either. Poor Sev's going to think no one wants to eat with him."
"If he doesn't believe you, he can call me. Why aren't Charlie and Mariah coming?"
"Mariah's got food poisoning. She's trying to convince Charlie to come anyway, says she's capable of laying on the couch and puking by herself, but he doesn't want to leave her alone. He took off work today too, but I think his allergies are bugging him as well."
"I see. I need to go check on lunch. Thanks for understanding. I just don't want to force Oliver out, and I don't think he's up to it."
"See you."
"Percy went and checked on lunch, then went back to the fire. Charlie's fiancée, Mariah was a healer/potions expert, and he was hoping she might have something that might help Oliver since pepper-up never seemed to do anything for him.
He flooed Charlie. A few seconds later, a pale looking Mariah appeared. "Hi Percy. What's happening? You look as tired as I feel."
"Oliver's got a cold, so neither of us got much sleep. We cancelled on Bill and Snape too."
"I'm trying to convince Charlie to go anyway. But, he doesn't feel that great either; his allergies are bothering him, not that he'll admit it, so he's using taking care of me as a reason not to go."
"That's Charlie. Although, I'm sure he does want to take care of you, too. Say, do you have anything for a cold other than pepper-up. It never does anything to help Oliver's colds. Something like the stuff you gave me last time I was sick?"
"Yeah. I keep some around for Charlie, since he's allergic to pepper-up like you. He's right here; why don't you talk to him while I go get it."
"Thanks, Mariah. Hey, Charlie. How you doing?"
"I'mb alright." Charlie responded, sounding slightly stuffy. "Took a day off work to take care of Mariah. Why aren't you at work?"
"Oliver's sick."
"Is that why Mariahhh...ahhhsheshh...Mariah wendt to go get sombe potions?" "Bless you. Yeah. Pepper-up doesn't work for him, so she's getting some of the stuff she makes for me and you."
"Here she combes. I'll let her give you the directions, and thehh...ehshehhh...I'mb sure you want to get back to Oliver."
"Bless you. Talk to you later." Mariah gave him the potions along with reminders on how to take them. Percy thanked her and went to go finish lunch. He put everything on a tray and carried it to the den. Oliver was sitting on the couch; he had the blanket wrapped around his shoulders and was in the midst of a sneezing fit. Percy set the tray down and sat beside him, plucking a few fresh tissues from the box and handing them to Oliver.
"Thags...ehh-chushh...I starded sdeehh...ehhshh...sdeezig whed I...huh-uhshushh...I god oud of thehh...ehhshoo...shower ad pud bajabas od ad cahh...ahhkishhh...cabe oud here. Ehchishh, ishjihh, uhhuhshh."
"Bless you. Probably just got a bit chilled." Percy told him rubbing his back. When the sneezing had begun to taper off, he gave his lover some more tissues. "Blow your nose."
"Ungshahh...hmpshahh. Tag you, Bercy." Oliver blew his nose loudly nearly a dozen times, then deposited the used tissues in the bag Percy had brought in for that purpose.
Percy handed him a small glass with Mariah's potion in it. "Drink this," he instructed.
"But bepper-up doesd't work for be." Oliver protested, blowing his nose again.
"It's not pepper-up. It's the stuff Mariah makes for me and Charlie. I'll help with the fever, congestion, sneezing and headache. She gave me another one you can take tonight that will also help you sleep." "Daks." Oliver drank the potion, then took the tea and soup from Percy. "What movie would you like to watch?" Percy asked when they had finished eating.
"Jaws?" Oliver asked, hopefully.
"Sure." Percy got up and slipped the movie in, then went back to the couch and snuggled Oliver next to him.
"I hope this potiod helps be feel better so I'b dot bisrable whed we have didder with your brother ad Sdape todite. Heh-chuhh."
"Bless you. I called Bill and told him you were sick, and we wouldn't be able to make it."
"Thaks. I really dod't feel up to it. I still cad't believe you took a day off of work to stay hobe with be, That's got to be ode of the behhh...hehkehshh...hahcheshh....best thigs you've dode for be. Ahshishh."
"Bless you more." He kissed Oliver gently. "You're the best thing that ever happened to me, Ol. A year ago, I wouldn't have taken a day of even if it was me who was this sick. You've helped me see that family and friends and lovers are what matter. The best thing you ever did for me, Oliver, was help me take my life less seriously. It is only life after all."
HP characters not mine...Mariah is...that's it. Don't sue
Takes place in what would be between the 6th and 7th book. Percy has started a new relationship and made amends with his family.
In response to weekly hatching 22...meant to get this finished and posted yesterday, but, you know what they say about the best laid plans of mice and men....