A Day in Bed

A Day in Bed

Harry Potter knew something was wrong. One look at his wife of two years and he instinctively knew that there was something a little off about her cheery smile.

"Hermione, darling, is everything all right?" Harry asked, giving his wife a look of concern.

"Of course! Everything's just peachy," Hermione coughed. "Why do you ask?"

"Well look at you! Your eyes are puffy, your skin is pale, and I think that's your lung you just coughed up on the table," Harry said as he raised an eyebrow in an amused manner.

Harry crossed the room and held his hand up to Hermione's forehead. He yelped, "And your head is burning up! That's it. Turn right back around and get into bed. No arguments." Harry placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her around, facing their bedroom.

Hermione sputtered, "Harry! You don't understand! I'm perfectly fine. There's nothing wrong with me, see?" Hermione attempted to spin around, but was caught up in a coughing fit. "Really, I'm quite all right."

Harry gave her a stern look. "I'm sorry. No arguments. Get into bed. I'll owl the Ministry and tell them that you and I won't be coming to work today. I'll bring in some soup for you in a few minutes," Harry said as he ignored his wife's protests. "Darling, I can't understand your arguments when they're punctuated with your coughing and sneezing," Harry grinned at her as she finally exited their kitchen.

A few moments later, Harry appeared in the Master Bedroom carrying a tray laden with hot, chicken soup. Hermione had unwillingly climbed back into their bed and was watching him with a bemused expression. "Chicken soup at eight in the morning?"

Harry just smiled. "You're just upset because I actually know how to cook chicken soup," he replied jokingly.

Throughout their marriage it had become apparent that Hermione, while she may be the most brilliant witch to come out of Hogwarts, had no cooking talents whatsoever. It had become a running joke between the two of them.

Harry continued, "I want you to eat all of this. I have to step out for a bit, and when I get back I want to find you getting plenty of rest. No work, okay?" Harry spoke as he finished dressing. "I love you."

"I love you, too. But, I really a-a-am fine you know," Hermione yawned loudly.

"I know, darling." Harry blew a kiss in her direction and left the room.

***

An hour later, Harry walked back into their flat carrying flowers and a small flask of potion. As he walked into his and Hermione's bedroom, he could hear the steady breathing coming from his sleeping wife. He carefully set the flowers on the bedside table and looked lovingly at the softly breathing form.

Hermione's normally bushy hair was strewn across the pillow and she had one hand across her stomach. "Hermione," Harry whispered, "You are the most beautiful creature I have ever seen. I can't believe, still, that we're actually married. I can't comprehend that such a magnificent, wonderful, caring, loving, and generous person would ever choose to be with me. You're perfect, even when you're sick." Harry smiled slightly and brushed a strand of hair away from his wife's face. He bent down and gently kissed her forehead.

Quietly, he took the empty tray and walked towards the bedroom door.

"Harry," Hermione softly spoke from the bed.

"Yes?"

"I think you're pretty wonderful, too."

Harry smiled as Hermione's breathing patterns once again returned to a slow, even pace, and left the room.

***

One week later, Harry Potter sat up against a pile of pillows, a look of pure disdain on his face. "I'm fine, Hermione. There is no reason I should be laying here in bed when there is important work for me to be doing at the Ministry!"

Hermione threw him an amused look and said, "Now, Harry, I don't want to hear it. You've obviously caught what I had just last week. And now I get to do for you, what you did for me. I'm going to stay at home with you and read Quidditch Through the Ages out loud to you until you fall asleep. No arguments." Hermione bit back a smile as she echoed Harry's own words.

Harry brightened a little, and replied, "Will you stay in bed with me?"

"Of course, whatever will make you feel better."

"Nothing would make me feel better that to have you here with me, in our bed, all day," Harry said.

Hermione crossed the room and climbed into bed beside him, giving him a kiss on the cheek. "I can't think of a better way to spend my day."