apples and scented candles • h.potter ✓

• forty-five •

Corben woke up with a stinging pain on his chest.

Under usual circumstances, he would get out of bed and drink a glass of water, then perhaps tell Harry if the pain continued. This, however, wasn't a usual circumstance in any way. In just under two hours, he would be walking into what would be the most stressful two weeks of his life. What he would be writing on his exam paper, the performance he would be giving to his examiners, would all count to one thing - his future as an Auror.

So of course he wasn't calm. As his eyes opened and took in the sunlight streaming in through the window and as he felt the pain gnawing against the inside of his chest, he freaked out. Turning to his side he shook Harry awake.

"Harry. Harry, wake up! I'm having a heart attack."

Harry had the gall to groan. He opened his eyes, barely, and pulled his blanket tighter around himself. "What?" he mumbled, closing his eyes again. "You're not having a heart attack."

That did not lessen Corben's fear. He moved closer to Harry, sure that he looked manic and that perhaps he shouldn't let his face be the first thing Harry saw when he woke up. But he couldn't die. He had an exam to attend. "I am. My chest hurts."

Harry shifted, eyes still closed. He sensed movement under the blanket and then a rough but warm hand settled over his chest, just over the spot where the pain throbbed. "It's just nerves. You need to get up and eat something."

"I might throw up."

Harry's nails scraped against his skin as he stroked his chest. Finally, he opened his eyes. The sunlight that filtered through the curtains struck Harry's back, throwing his face in shadows. He smiled. "You'll be okay, Corben. You got this."

"I wish I was having a heart attack. Will they consider me as Auror if I die now?"

"The chances are slim but I wouldn't put it past you."

Corben moved closer to him, minimising the space between them, Harry's arm squashed against his torso. He let his eyes fall shut, wishing he could fall asleep again but he knew there was no sleeping anymore. Harry's arm came around him and fingers brushed his hair. Corben let out a sigh.

"I hate to interrupt you, I really do, but you have to get up now, Corben."

And Corben knew it too. Harry's arm went away, leaving him feeling cold and naked all of a sudden. He pushed himself to a sitting position and rubbed his face. Harry kissed his forehead softly and left him.

Corben had prepared everything for the exam the night before. He didn't have much to do but get dressed and wait for Harry to make breakfast. Dressed up warm and formal, he went to the kitchen and sat down to eat, only to realise he didn't have the appetite. The pain in his chest has stopped but his stomach seemed to be wringing itself in anticipation. He didn't think he could hold any food for more than two minutes.

But Harry was adamant about feeding him and he coaxed and bribed Corben until he finished an entire slice of toast. He swallowed a glass of orange juice, hoping it would keep the food inside. He remained on the chair as Harry shuffled busily around him. His hands trembled ever so slightly.

Half an hour later they left the apartment. Harry held firmly onto his hands as though he might run away and considering the state of his stomach, Corben didn't think it was quite a bad idea. They apparated to the front of the Ministry. A flying paper aeroplane bobbed through the air toward them. "What is your purpose?" it asked in a high pitched shrill.

"Heck if I knew," Corben muttered under his breath as Harry answered the question.

"Follow me, sires." The aeroplane turned and flew through the nearest door.