Harry looked at the man lying there in the bed, and he was rocked with shock and confusion. He had seen the man die, he had held him in his arms, as he died. He had believed him a Death Eater and the murder of Albus, until after those moments, when he watched the man's memories. Even before he knew of the mark, he and his professor had never got along. He had believed the man had it out for him, because of his father. He had come to know, he had in fact been protecting Harry, and not just in first year.
Harry composed himself as best as he could. He was a healer, and he knew this was as unprofessional as it came, but he had no idea how to react. It wasn't every day, you walk into a hospital room, and see someone you believed dead for two years.
Harry repeated as he looked at the man. "How?"
Severus Snape turned to look at him. "Potter."
Harry felt like the old days. "Black actually."
Severus turned to look out the window. "Come to arrest me?"
Harry moved into the room. "I have been assigned your case."
Severus turned slightly. "A healer?"
Harry shrugged. "I wanted to help people."
Severus refused to turn completely. "You can find someone else to help."
Harry wasn't leaving. "You're dead. I watched you die. In my arms."
Severus's hand clutched the sheets. "I am."
Harry pressed. "Do Lucius and Draco know?"
Severus ground his teeth. "No."
Harry had been to most of the funerals. He had surprised most, when he attended the small funeral held for Severus. Even more, when he had the man's painting put in the headmaster's office. Lucius and Draco had been two of the only ones who had gone, and a few order members. Severus' name was cleared, and he had been given an Order of Merlin, it seemed the man didn't know. Harry knew the man and Draco were close, he had learned later, Draco was Severus' godson. There was an age difference with Lucius, but they had been good friends, and spies together.
Severus watched the boy. Like when he believed he was dying, he had looked into those eyes, so much like Lily's. He had thought, when he had revealed those memories, that he'd die. He didn't count on Magorian finding him, and saving his life.
Harry came to the foot of the bed. "Why?"
Severus ground his teeth. "Why what?"
Harry was frustrated. "Why pretend you're dead? Surely you know you were cleared."
Severus smirked. "And an order of Merlin. Just like the ministry, to give it to me, when they think me dead."
Harry looked at the chart. "Embezzling from Lucius?"
Severus glared. "My mother's family was too lazy to disinherit her heirs. I guess I finally found a use for the money."
Harry pushed. "Seems like a waste."
Severus didn't budge. "My money to waste. What brilliant things have you done with your inheritance?"
Harry shrugged. "Renovated Grimmauld."
Severus wasn't surprised. "I would have leveled it, but for the spell, which would prevent it."
Harry had been told, there were spells to protect it. It and Black manor could neither be destroyed nor given away, like a dower house. He was quite fond of the manor, and the home on the coast, but Grimmauld had been creepy. But it was massive, and with the changes, it was a good home for him and Teddy. And it even had a back garden, which had been hidden from them, by a spell.
Severus pointed at the door. "I need my sleep."
Harry went to leave. "I'll be back."
Severus shook his head. "I will ask for another healer."
Harry stopped. "No."
The man shook his head. "As stubbornly annoying as ever."
Harry shrugged. "I wouldn't want to disappoint you."
Severus said as he went to leave. "Ever the Gryffindor."
Harry turned back. "You should tell Draco at least, that you're alive."
Severus looked at his legs. "No."
Harry sighed. "He lost his mother, and faced a lot. He shouldn't continue to mourn his godfather."
Severus called. "What would you know? You don't even know him."
Harry didn't. "But I have lost two godfathers, one who was all but my father. I'd give anything to have them back."
Severus was looking out the window. "I felt regret when I heard of his death."
Harry understood. "We all lost a lot. I can't get back those I lost, but Draco can, you should consider it."
He left before the man could speak to him. Severus turned and watched as the young man left. He thought of both Lily and Remus, and for a moment, thought they'd both be proud. He and Remus had got along, were friends in their first years of school, because of Lily. The boy had changed since he last saw him. Even in the final battle, he had seemed the arrogant Gryffindor, who drove Severus nuts in the classroom.
He looked at the picture of Draco by his bed. "He's wrong. You're better off thinking me dead, then seeing me like this."
Harry was feeling odd when he headed to the Burrow. He had left the hospital, with every intention of backing out of dinner. He had left a bit earlier than planned, and headed straight to the shop, to pick up his son. He would make an excuse, that he wasn't feeling well, or such. He had not gone back in the room, but his mind was running wild, with the news he was alive. He thought of Draco. The two had never been friends, he found out after the war, the Malfoys had been spies. But he had been there, when Severus and Narcissa were buried, and had seen Draco. Draco was now working for his father, with the Malfoy company. He knew Draco was feeling the loss, in his own Slytherin way. Harry knew he was family, he was Andromeda's nephew, but had not spoken with him since the funeral. He knew what he'd give, to have Remus or Sirius back, or Fred. Part of him wished when he walked into the room, it had been Remus or Fred, waiting for him. But he shook away the thought. If either had been alive, they'd have come home, they'd not hide. He had long ago lived with the realization, they were never coming back to him.
He found George and Angie had already headed to the Burrow with his son. Beyond sending Andromeda for him, he knew he had to go for his son. As he headed for the Burrow, he was reminded of Artie, it was his day. He and Percy were never close, but Artie was his godson.
Molly smiled when he came in. "Harry, just in time for dinner."
Harry kissed her cheek. "Thanks. Sorry I'm late."
Arthur laughed. "I only beat you by minutes."
Molly agreed. "Arthur has worked so much with his promotion."
Harry turned to him. "I started my rotation, with that private clinic in Wales."
Arthur handed him a drink. "George was telling us."
Ginny appeared in the door. "There you are Harry."
Harry kissed her. "I was just apologizing to your mother for being late."
Ginny shook her head. "I guess I'll have to get used to it, if I am to be a healer's wife. I thought we could go out for dinner…."
She was cut off by Teddy who came running at him. "Daddy, Daddy."
Harry bent to scoop his two year old up. "Hey Teddy bear, have a good time with Uncle George? I hope you were good for him."
Teddy nodded. "Yes Daddy. I make picture."
Harry smiled, as his son proudly showed off the picture he made for Harry. Harry saw the look, for only a moment, on Ginny's face. He told himself she was just upset he was late, and was trying to talk to him about a date. He knew his schedule, between being in med school and being a dad, was never easy on her. He for a moment had to stop from cringing, when she had said, a healer's wife.
George had been in the door, and noticed. He knew his sister wasn't thrilled, when Harry had announced he was adopting Teddy. She wanted kids, but not right away, and her own. She had made little secret, that she didn't like sharing Harry with Teddy.
George went over to her when Harry left the room. "I'd watch the look."
Ginny turned to him. "What are you going on about?"
George smirked. "Teddy is his son, if you want a future with Harry, you're going to have to accept it."
Ginny was irate. "I know that."
George went to follow but added. "If it is a choice between you and Teddy, you're going to lose every time."
Ginny was simmering as her brother left. "Why can't he just leave him with Andromeda?"
Molly had heard. "You love children Ginny. You have known for two years, Harry would take Teddy."
Ginny looked at her. "Of course. But the boy hates me."
Molly shook her head. "You are imagining things. Spend some time with him, and he'll soon love you."
Ginny watched her mother leave. "Maybe I should bribe him."
Ginny went into the sitting room, and she made an attempt. Teddy though plain ignored her when she was near him, and the one time she tried touching him, he ran straight for George. She ground her teeth, she would marry Harry, and this boy wouldn't ruin it. She shared a look with Ron and Hermione, who were her biggest supporters. She knew like Artie, Hermione and Ron would name her and Harry godparents, to their son. She hoped to have a ring by the end of the summer at the latest. She could overcome George and others, but the boy was a different matter.
She turned to Hermione after dinner. "I have to do something. He hates me."
Hermione didn't deny it, like Molly did. "Kids can sense when adults don't like them."
Ginny shook her head. "I don't hate him."
Ron snorted. "I don't know how you convince Harry."
Ginny went red. "I don't like sharing Harry's few spare moments."
Hermione reminded her. "When he is done school, he'll have more time. Just make an effort with Teddy."
Harry was oblivious to the talk, as he enjoyed dinner that night. He was happy to see his little godson, who he had visited in the hospital too. And Victoire, Harry had already become a favorite, of his one year old goddaughter. Victoire would be the only granddaughter for some time. Ginny was the first female born in their family in a hundred years, so it wasn't a surprise. But Fleur was part veela, and though there were male veelas and partial even more, it was more common for daughters. Bill didn't mind, his daughter had him wrapped around her pinkie finger.
That night as he laid Teddy in bed he thought. "I will make him see sense. If your daddy was alive, even after two years, I'd want to know."
An: The over whelming winner was Severus. I was leaning that way. I guess it is time to embrace my author's name. I definitely agree, Severus fits better, I had trouble thinking of why Fred would pretend to be dead. I will definitely do Fred for my next story.
Thanks for all the votes. I hope even the Fred voters continue to read and review.
