Severus lay in the bed, trying to read a book, the day after he had seen Potter. Well Black, he had read in fact Harry changed his last name, though he wasn't entirely sure why. He knew he should leave, that he should go to another hospital or one of his homes. Harry was as stubborn as he remembered, and he seemed intent on Severus telling Draco and likely Lucius. He thought about his godson for a moment, but shook away the thought. Draco was strong, he was a Malfoy, he would have mourned and moved on long ago. Severus didn't need pity or help, he was a cripple, the man that Draco and Lucius loved, was gone. He couldn't even brew a potion anymore; he couldn't stand at a table to do it. He had practically been a squib for the first year. His magic was slowly recovering, but as often as they told him he may walk again, he thought it was a dream. He hadn't told them he was alive, as he was nearly a squib and crippled. And now it had been two years, and while he had his magic back, he was still crippled, and they had moved on. Lucius and Draco were better off without him like this, he knew that.

He wasn't surprised when after lunch, the door opened and Harry came in. To be honest, he had been expecting Harry to come first thing. He had inquired, and found out that Harry worked the 9-5 shift when he was there.

He didn't look up from the book. "Back I see?"

Harry's voice had a smirk in it. "Eyes in the back of your head, or top in this case, as always I see. Glad that hasn't been broken too."

Severus looked up. "I told you I'd ask for another healer."

Harry shrugged. "And yet you didn't."

Severus smirked. "I guess to save you sneaking in. Black?"

Harry noted the change in topic. "I am adopting Teddy. I thought it made sense; Potter is but a title now. His mother was a Black after all."

Severus turned back to his book. "I am sure Remus would be pleased. Though perhaps Lupin would be more customary."

Harry switched topics this time. "Did you think about what I said?"

Severus played dumb. "What you said? I believe Healer Black, you left pretty quickly."

Harry came closer. "You know what I'm talking about, don't play dumb."

Severus kept on. "And what would that be?"

Harry wasn't backing off. "Allowing your godson to know you're alive."

Severus ground his teeth. "My answer was clear."

Harry snorted. "As clear as your advice in school. I don't get why you're hiding, never took you for a chicken."

Severus kept his cool as best as he could. "You will not egg me on boy. I don't answer to you."

He had spent his life answering to one person or another. He had been forced into the mark, and spent years like Lucius, pretending to follow Voldemort. But he had been a spy for Albus, and having to answer to him for years as well. He was not about to allow this pup, Lily's son or not, to walk into this room, and tell him how he should think. The day he took advice on anything from a Gryffindor, was the day pigs flew.

Harry pulled over a stool and sat down on it, next to the bed. He could see the shock in the face of the other man, and he almost smiled at it. He knew Severus was sure he'd leave, that he wouldn't keep coming. Harry could admit, he had perhaps been intimidated by the man, in school.

Harry sat there watching him. "Why?"

Severus wouldn't turn. "Why what? Your language skills remain the same."

Harry remained calm. "Why are you here?"

Severus smirked. "For the wonderful bed side manner."

Harry pushed. "Why haven't you told anyone you're alive?"

Severus ground his teeth. "Because I'm not."

Harry shook his head. "It's because you are in a wheel chair."

Severus's hand clutched the sheets. "You know nothing."

Harry persisted. "Would the Malfoys really care if you were in a wheel chair?"

Severus' fingers flexed in the sheets. "No."

Harry continued to press. "So why not tell them? Do you not care about your own godson?"

Severus was struggling with his temper. "You know nothing."

Harry knew he hit a nerve. "You know, it's a laugh, you used to call Sirius and my dad, pompous and full of themselves."

Severus turned a little. "Still holding to the allusion they were perfect, are you?"

Harry shook his head. "No. It just seems you are a bit of a hypocrite."

Severus went slightly red. "I am nothing like either of them."

Harry pointed out. "Aren't you? Have you thought about anyone but yourself, as you hide out here?"

Harry knew, neither his dad nor his godfather, had been perfect. He knew from Remus, that much of what Severus had said, was true. His dad had been self-centered at times, and a bit arrogant, and spoiled. But he had a good heart, and his friends had kept him in check. Same with Sirius. Here was this man though, too busy brooding over his own injuries, to care a dam about anyone else.

Harry stood. "Maybe you're right, maybe he is better without you."

Severus smirked. "No reverse psychology on me, it doesn't work. You were just telling me, I should tell him."

Harry stopped. "It might be better, that he doesn't realize what you have become."

Severus was losing his battle with his temper. "If this is your bed side manner, dealing with a cripple, you should re-consider your career."

Harry shook his head. "It wasn't your legs I was talking about."

Severus wouldn't back down. "Then what?"

Harry sighed. "I always thought you cold hearted. I just didn't think you a coward, who'd abandon his own godson."

Severus bristled. "I didn't abandon him."

Harry laughed. "Didn't you? My godfather didn't allow being in prison, to keep him from me forever."

Severus hated being compared to the dog. "It's different."

Harry picked up his charts. "Keep telling yourself that. Maybe you will convince yourself of that one day."

Severus called. "Leaving already?"

Harry turned back. "I have rounds. I'll be back later."

Severus tried again. "You don't have to. There are other healers."

Harry knew there were, and he could easily be taken off this case, if he asked to be. But for some reason, he couldn't walk away from the man. He thought about his own two godfathers, especially Remus who was like a dad, and what he'd give to have them back. There was also a part of him, who was always up for a challenge, besides Severus brought it out in him. He had to continue this, now he had started.

Harry called. "I will be back every day, until I convince you to stop being a coward, and tell Draco you're alive."


For the past week Harry had been visiting Severus. Most days the man pretended to be asleep, but Harry knew he wasn't. He just kept repeating what he had said before, that his godson deserved to know the truth, that he was alive. He had always known the man to be stubborn, but he could be just as stubborn, and he would win. The man won too many battles in school, because he was the professor, it was Harry's turn. He told himself this was nothing but about helping someone, or a few. Draco was kind of family, and he deserved to have his godfather back. And he knew that Severus could regain his legs, if he worked, and trained. He seemed to have no desire, or faith in the magic, to try.

On Saturday, Harry's mind left work, and went to his personal life. He had promised Teddy they would have a day together, well an outing. He spent most evenings and weekends with his son, except when he was on a date with Ginny. But he wanted a special day with his son.

He was getting Teddy ready for the zoo when Ted came in. "There are my boys."

Harry smiled. "Teddy, should we ask Grandpa to come to the zoo?"

Teddy smiled. "Zoo?"

Ted laughed and shook his head. "I have some work. Besides I wouldn't want to be a third wheel."

Harry laughed. "You're always welcome, besides you'd be a fourth. Ginny is coming."

Ted was a bit surprised. "Then I am sure. I think Ginny will already find it crowded."

Harry shook his head. "It was actually her idea."

Ted thought he heard wrong. "I didn't think it was her kind of thing."

Harry shrugged. "After dinner the other night, she mentioned she'd like to spend time with me and Teddy."

Andromeda came into the room. "You should be going. I believe you were stopping by the shop first."

Harry grabbed Teddy's bag and nodded. "We'll be home for Teddy's bed time."

Ted looked at his wife when Harry was gone. "Am I missing something?"

Andromeda shook her head. "Ginny likely knows, if she plans to marry Harry, she needs to win over Teddy."

Ted shook his head. "I'd almost wish her luck. Teddy dislikes very few people."

Teddy was a sweet child, and he liked most people. But like most children, he was a very good judge of character. He knew Ginny didn't like him, it seemed obvious to most, except Harry. Andromeda thought that Teddy was the best, as Harry was likely not to break up, for himself. Ginny had been his only girlfriend, and he seemed to feel loyalty to her. Andromeda seriously hoped, his son would help open his eyes.

George was a bit surprised, when Harry had mentioned the trip, when they spoke the night before. As he spoke to Harry, Ginny coming to meet at the shop, he had no idea how this would work. Like Andromeda, he hoped Teddy could make Harry see sense.

George looked at his nephew and whispered. "Are you going to have fun with Aunt Ginny today?"

Teddy shook his head and his hair went black, which meant he was angry. "No."

George smiled and whispered. "You know, she really doesn't like when kids with sticky fingers, like to touch her."

Angelina looked at her husband. "What are you up to?"

George watched as his sister walked in and shrugged. "Just giving Teddy some advice on how to handle my sister."

Angie didn't ask, just scooped up her nephew. She surprised her husband when she said to Teddy. "Uncle George is a very smart man."

Ginny had a fake smile on when she came in. "Harry, and Teddy, I am so excited about spending the day with you both."

Harry kissed her. "I'm happy you suggested it."

Teddy surprised his daddy when he opened his arms to Ginny. "Aunty Ginny."

Ginny had a confused look but she took him. "Hello little one."

Harry was just as surprised, but happy his son seemed to be okay. He winced a few times, while on the bus, when his son was playing. He yanked on Ginny's braid more than once, her necklace, and anything loose. Ginny looked as red as her hair, by the time they got to the zoo. By the time they stopped for lunch, Ginny had some of the sticky taffy Teddy had eaten, stuck in her hair.

Harry looked at her as they ate. "I'm sorry about that Gin."

She ground her teeth. "Not at all. I am sure it was an accident."

Teddy looked at Harry. "Daddy, hungry."

Harry turned to his son. "What would you like?"

Ginny tried as they ate their pizza. "What would you like to see next?"

Teddy ignored her and looked at his daddy. "Daddy, see bears?"

Harry nodded. "I am sure we can next."

Ginny yelped when Teddy knocked his drink into her lap. "You little brat, you did that intentionally."

Harry scooped his crying little boy into his arms. "Gin, it was an accident, he's two."

Ginny stood up. "Just like the taffy was? I'm going home."

Harry tried to stop her. "I thought we were spending the day together."

Ginny simmered. "Perhaps you can take me out tomorrow?"

Harry shook his head. "I have plans with Oliver, but next week."

Ginny stood there watching, as Harry took his son, and headed off to see the bears. Teddy looked over his dad's shoulder, and stuck his tongue out at Ginny, who was already steaming mad. She headed back to her flat, to shower and change her clothes, and almost had to cut her hair to get the taffy out, even with magical help. That little brat had it out for her, she knew he did, and she had to find some way around him. She turned to Hermione for advice, not only her sister in law, but close friend. She was also friends with Harry though.

Hermione shrugged. "All you can do is keep your calm. You won't win any points, yelling at his son."

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