Aries Rising

Harry lay back on the couch, his face pale but his green eyes glinting with frustration as he shifted uncomfortably. His stomach churned, a mix of hunger and nausea battling for dominance. He turned his head toward the group hovering nearby, his voice soft but laced with impatience.

“Can I get some water and crackers?” Harry asked, his tone almost pleading. “I’m starving, but nothing will stay down.” He paused, biting his lip before adding with a small pout, “I want pudding, but I’ll probably throw it back up.”

James chuckled lightly, crouching down beside him and brushing a stray lock of hair from his forehead. “Water and crackers coming right up, love,” he said, his voice soothing. “As for the pudding… let’s see how the crackers go first, alright?”

Harry huffed, crossing his arms over his chest. “Fine,” he muttered, his pout deepening. “But don’t act like crackers are going to fix everything. They’re boring.”

Regulus, sitting in a nearby chair, arched an elegant eyebrow at Harry. “Crackers may be boring,” he said, his voice calm and measured, “but they’re the best option for now. Your stomach needs something bland and light.”

“I know,” Harry said, dragging out the words like a sulking child. “But pudding is better.”

Sirius, leaning against the doorway with his arms crossed, grinned at the exchange. “Merlin, you’re as dramatic as your papa,” he teased. “But at least you’ve got good taste—pudding is a solid choice.”

“Not helping, Sirius,” Regulus said, though his lips twitched with the hint of a smile.

Harrison returned from the kitchen a moment later, carrying a glass of water and a small plate of crackers. He handed them to Harry, his movements gentle but firm. “Here,” he said, sitting on the edge of the couch. “Small sips and bites, alright? Take it slow.”

Harry took the water, sipping cautiously before nibbling on a cracker. The bland taste was far from satisfying, but it didn’t immediately make him feel worse, which was a small victory. “Thanks, Uncle Harrison,” he murmured, his voice subdued.

“You’re welcome, kiddo,” Harrison replied, watching him carefully. “How’s your stomach feeling?”

Harry shrugged, taking another sip of water. “Still queasy, but not as bad as before. It’s just… annoying. I feel like I can’t eat anything without it coming back up.”

“That’s normal,” Harrison reassured him. “Nausea is common in the first trimester, especially if you’re not keeping up with fluids or food. The crackers will help, but you’ve got to be consistent.”

Harry groaned, leaning his head back against the couch. “Consistent,” he echoed, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “Great. I’ll just live off crackers for the next seven months.”

James chuckled, sitting beside him and placing a hand on his knee. “It won’t be that bad, Harry. Once your body adjusts, you’ll be able to eat more. And until then, we’ll figure it out together.”

“I hope so,” Harry said, his voice quieter now. He glanced at the remaining crackers on the plate, frowning. “I just feel… useless. Like I can’t even handle something as simple as eating.”

Regulus stood and walked over, sitting on the armrest next to Harry. He reached out, gently taking Harry’s hand in his. “You’re not useless,” he said firmly. “Your body is going through a lot right now, and it’s okay to need help. That doesn’t make you weak—it makes you human.”

Harry looked up at his papa, his eyes glassy with unshed tears. “I just hate feeling like this. I hate feeling like I’m not in control.”

“I know,” Regulus said softly, his grip on Harry’s hand tightening. “But you’re not alone, Harry. We’re all here for you. You don’t have to do this by yourself.”

Sirius pushed off the doorway, walking over and ruffling Harry’s hair. “Yeah, kid. You’ve got a whole team of people ready to spoil you rotten. You’d better get used to it.”

Harry managed a small smile at that, his mood lifting slightly. “Thanks, Uncle Sirius. I’ll try not to be too difficult.”

“No promises, though, right?” Sirius teased, earning a soft laugh from Harry.

As the room settled into a more relaxed atmosphere, Harrison leaned back in his seat, observing Harry closely. “If the crackers settle alright, we can try adding something a bit more substantial later. Maybe some toast or a banana.”

Harry wrinkled his nose. “Bananas are gross.”

“Toast it is, then,” Harrison said with a smirk. “But for now, finish those crackers and keep sipping the water. Baby steps, Harry.”

Harry nodded, nibbling on another cracker. The nausea still lingered, but it felt manageable, and the presence of his family made the ordeal a little less overwhelming.

James patted his knee, standing up. “I’ll check in on you in a bit, alright? Just call if you need anything.”

“Okay,” Harry said, his voice softer now.

As James and Regulus moved to the kitchen to give Harry some space, Sirius lingered behind, sitting down on the floor beside the couch. He leaned back against the cushions, his expression unusually thoughtful.

“You know,” Sirius began, his tone casual, “you remind me a lot of myself when I was your age. Stubborn, headstrong, always convinced I knew better than everyone else.”

Harry raised an eyebrow, smirking faintly. “Are you saying I’m like you, Uncle Sirius? Because I’m not sure if that’s a compliment or an insult.”

“Definitely a compliment,” Sirius said with a grin. “But seriously, Harry. You’ve got the strength to handle this, even if it doesn’t feel like it right now. And if you need to lean on us sometimes, that doesn’t make you weak. It just makes you smart.”

Harry’s smirk softened into a genuine smile. “Thanks, Uncle Sirius. I’ll try to remember that.”

“Good,” Sirius said, patting his shoulder. “Now, finish those crackers before your papa comes back in here and gives you another lecture.”

Harry laughed, the sound light and genuine, and for the first time all day, he felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe this journey wouldn’t be easy, but with his family by his side, he knew he’d find a way through.

The living room was peaceful, the earlier tension fading as Harry rested on the couch, surrounded by the soft murmur of conversation from the kitchen. He sat up slightly, his green eyes sparkling mischievously as he glanced at his uncle Sirius, who was lounging on the nearby armchair.

“Uncle Sirius,” Harry began, his voice taking on a wheedling tone.

Sirius raised an eyebrow, smirking. “What is it, kid? You’ve got that look that means you’re about to ask for something.”

Harry grinned, unabashed. “Can you get me some of the homemade pudding Grandma Walburga made for dessert? The chocolate one.”

Sirius chuckled, shaking his head. “You’ve got guts asking for pudding after all the fuss about crackers earlier. But fine, I’ll sneak you some.”

Harry’s grin widened, and he leaned back against the cushions, his hands resting on his stomach. “Thanks, Uncle Sirius. You’re the best.”

“You just keep thinking that,” Sirius said with a wink as he stood and headed toward the kitchen.

A few minutes later, Sirius returned with a small bowl of pudding and a spoon, his movements exaggeratedly stealthy as he handed it over to Harry. “Here you go, one bowl of contraband pudding,” he said, grinning. “Eat it slow, or Regulus will have both our heads.”

Harry laughed, accepting the bowl and spoon. He took a small bite, his eyes lighting up as the rich, creamy chocolate flavor hit his tongue. “This is so good,” he said, savoring the taste. “And I don’t feel sick. Yet.”

“Yet,” Sirius echoed with a chuckle. “Just take it slow, alright? No need to tempt fate.”

Harry nodded, taking another small bite. As he ate, a thought struck him, and he looked up at Sirius, his expression teasing. “If I started craving this all the time, do you think Papa would give me a lecture about healthy foods?”

Sirius barked a laugh, leaning back in his chair. “Oh, absolutely. He’d probably give you a list of all the vitamins and minerals pudding doesn’t have. But knowing you, you’d just find a way to sneak it anyway.”

Harry smirked, taking another bite. “You know me too well.”

“I’ve had years of practice,” Sirius said with a grin.

By the time Harry finished the bowl, his mood had lifted considerably. He placed the empty bowl on the coffee table and leaned back with a contented sigh. “That was exactly what I needed. I don’t feel sick at all.”

Sirius raised an eyebrow. “You sure? No queasiness, no regrets?”

“Nope,” Harry said confidently. “I feel great.”

At that moment, the door to the living room opened, and Regulus, James, and Harrison walked in. Regulus immediately zeroed in on the empty bowl, his sharp eyes narrowing.

“What is that?” Regulus asked, his tone suspicious.

Harry smiled innocently. “Just a little pudding, Papa. Nothing to worry about.”

Regulus crossed his arms, his expression skeptical. “Pudding? Really? After the fuss about crackers earlier?”

“It stayed down,” Harry pointed out, his tone light. “So technically, it was a success.”

James chuckled, sitting down beside Harry. “Well, as long as you’re feeling better, I guess we can let it slide.”

Harry grinned, emboldened by his dad’s leniency. “Actually, I was thinking… do you think someone could ask Grandma Walburga to make different flavors? Like vanilla, strawberry, or even Oreo? That way I’d have options if I get cravings.”

Sirius laughed, shaking his head. “You don’t waste any time, do you?”

“Hey, I’m just planning ahead,” Harry said, his grin widening.

Regulus sighed, rubbing his temples. “If Grandma Walburga agrees, you’d better promise not to overdo it. Cravings or not, you still need to eat real food.”

“I promise,” Harry said quickly, holding up his hands in mock surrender. “Cross my heart.”

Harrison chuckled, sitting in one of the armchairs. “Well, I can’t argue with the logic of keeping options on hand. Besides, if pudding helps you keep something down, I’d say it’s worth a try.”

“Exactly,” Harry said, nodding enthusiastically.

Regulus shook his head, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “You’re impossible, you know that?”

“But you love me anyway,” Harry said cheekily, leaning back against the couch with a smug expression.

Regulus sighed, his smile growing. “That, unfortunately, is true.”

The room filled with laughter, the earlier tension replaced by a sense of warmth and togetherness. As Harry sat surrounded by his family, he felt a surge of gratitude. Despite the challenges and the occasional lectures, he knew he was lucky to have them by his side.

“Alright,” James said, clapping his hands together. “Since pudding seems to be the magic cure for today, I’ll see if Grandma Walburga’s up for experimenting with flavors.”

Harry beamed, his eyes sparkling with excitement. “Thanks, Dad. You’re the best.”

“Don’t let it go to your head,” James teased, ruffling Harry’s hair.

As the family settled into the evening, Harry felt a sense of peace he hadn’t experienced in days. Maybe the journey ahead wouldn’t be easy, but with his family’s support—and a steady supply of pudding—he felt ready to face whatever came next.