It had been two weeks since the zoo incident. He knew he should take Ginny out for dinner, and make it up to her, but he kept putting it off. He could admit, his son likely had not had an accident with the juice or taffy. But Teddy was two, and he was not going to let him be yelled at. Ginny had been around kids enough, she should be used to that, expect that. His son in tears, had stopped him from trying to convince Ginny to stay. He hoped Teddy would warm up to her, but he didn't seem to be. Harry's mind was elsewhere any ways, on a particular patient of his. Three weeks since he found the man, and Severus was pulling the same act on him. He was more convinced than ever, to get him to talk to Draco.

It seemed the perfect chance was about to drop into his lap. He had come home from work one evening, to find out that he and his son had a very interesting dinner invitation. It definitely wasn't one he had been expecting.

He was surprised when he found Ted. "You guys are going out?"

Ted nodded. "Don't make it sound like it is so uncommon."

Harry laughed. "No, just not often on a Friday night."

Andromeda came in with Teddy in a coat. "You're right on time."

Harry reached to take his son. "If I knew you were waiting for me to take Teddy, I'd have come sooner.

Andromeda handed him but said. "No, the invitation was for all of us."

Ted saw Harry's confusion. "Malfoy manor."

Harry's confusion wasn't cleared up any. "Okay?"

Andromeda smiled. "You know I have become close to my nephew since the war. We often dine with him and his father, and Pansy."

Harry did. "I don't see where me and Teddy come into this."

Ted shrugged. "Not entirely sure, but Lucius asked."

Andromeda reminded him. "You haven't really seen Draco since school. And he is your cousin."

Harry shook his head. "Second cousin via adoption. And we weren't exactly friends."

Andromeda directed him towards the floo. "It won't kill you to dine with them."

Harry smirked. "If Draco was not dating Pansy, I'd worry you were trying to set us up."

Ted shared a look with his wife. They had often wondered, there was something wrong with him and Ginny, more than just Ginny. They were reminded Harry had grown up among muggles, and even after years in their world, he might find it unusual. Andromeda and Ted loved Harry like a son or grandson. He was an adopted Black, Sirius did to make him Lord Black, which made him Draco's second cousin. But more a cousin through Andromeda, who was Draco's Aunt. Tonks had never had the chance to know her cousin, before she died.

Harry wasn't sure about this, but he went. He didn't really see the looks, from his comment, or understand them. His mind was on Severus, as he headed through to Malfoy manor, for dinner. Draco and Pansy had been dating, but as far as he knew, were not engaged.

Lucius smiled when he came in. "I'm pleased you joined us. Andromeda wasn't certain when we asked a week ago."

Andromeda saw his look. "I thought if we gave you too much warning, you may back out."

Draco smirked as he came in. "What, scared of eating with us Potter?"

Harry looked at his former competition. "Black. But I might worry for my digestion."

Teddy surprised Harry when he opened his arms. "Uncle Draco."

Draco scooped up the little boy. "Hey squirt."

Pansy laughed at Harry's expression. "Teddy comes with his Grandmother a lot. Draco often takes him out to see the horses."

Harry noticed the ring on her. "It looks like Draco finally popped the question."

Draco smiled and looked at his Aunt. "I asked Pansy to marry me, we'll marry this fall."

Andromeda hugged him. "Your mother would be proud you finally were getting married."

Draco smirked. "We're only twenty. But I'm more than ready."

Lucius handed out some wine. "I thought we could toast before dinner."

Harry raised a glass. "To Pansy and Draco, wishing Pansy the strength and patience to deal with my cousin."

Draco smirked as Pansy laughed. "I'd watch it. You won't find someone else, your father won't chase off."

Pansy laughed, and could agree, her father was terrifying. Lord Parkinson had three sons, but only one daughter, the baby of his family. Pansy's parents had always been very protective of their daughter, and her father was a very scary man. He was never involved in the dark, but he had left Draco scared to ever kiss Pansy. Going to ask the man permission to propose, had been just as terrifying, even for Draco. Harry could see the two were happy, and when Pansy asked when he would be engaged too, Harry flushed for a second. He thought of his own proposal, and he couldn't even imagine the proposal. He told himself, when done med school, he could focus on it.

Lucius turned to him over dinner. "I must admit I had another motive for inviting you over."

Harry looked at the man. "Oh."

Lucius nodded. "I have been looking at new investments. And I thought to have some advice from you."

Harry was confused. "My two fortunes are mainly in investments, and the vaults, but the bank handles that."

Lucius handed him forms. "I understand from Arthur, you are involved with the muggle hospital program."

Harry realized the folder was on the clinic he was working at. "I am."

Lucius smiled. "I hoped perhaps you'd talk to me about it. Not tonight, but maybe next week or so. I'd like your input."

Harry agreed. "Though maybe you should also come and see it. I haven't been there too long."

Lucius sipped his wine. "Arthur suggested it as well. I may, I have been intrigued."

Harry agreed to meet with him late the next week. His mind went to it, and he realized Severus was right under Lucius' nose. He knew he could inspire the man to take the tour, and out Severus that way, but he was holding back. He couldn't just tell Draco out right, Severus knew that, because of confidentiality. But he could have Lucius stumble across him. There was something though stopping him.

When they went to leave Lucius shook his hand. "I look forward to speaking to you next week."


Harry headed for the hospital on the Monday following the dinner. His mind was on Severus for more reasons than before. The dinner at Malfoy manor was on his mind, and not only because of Lucius. Lucius wanting to invest in the hospital, and possibly coming for a tour, was in the back of his mind. But there was also the proposal, the fact that Draco was getting married. He had never witnessed the two together, but he had a feeling Severus would have wanted to be there, for something like Draco's wedding. He could imagine, his godfathers would have been for his. It was a milestone neither his father or his two godfathers would be at, Draco could have both.

Severus didn't look surprised when he came into the room. He wasn't faking being asleep, and Harry assumed it was because he came into the room, earlier in the day than he usually would have. He usually didn't come in until nearly lunch time.

He sat on the stool. "Not pretending to be asleep I see."

Severus didn't look up from his book. "Observant as usual."

Harry eyed the book. "Still reading potions texts I see."

Severus' eyes lifted a little. "I am sure you'd have something better for me to read."

Harry shrugged. "I could get something. If you can't brew potions….."

Severus closed the book. "You wouldn't understand."

Harry shrugged. "The offer is there, if you want some other reading material."

Severus smirked. "I doubt you came to pester me about what I was reading."

Harry picked up the book. "I don't know, it's a start. You're actually speaking to me."

Severus went to snatch his book. "You don't come till lunch."

Harry sat back. "I thought to change it up a bit."

Severus shook his head. "Why are you here?"

Harry fingered the book. "I thought you'd like to hear about your godson."

Severus growled. "I told you, I will not tell him I'm alive."

Harry pushed. "I thought you'd want to know, he's engaged."

Severus watched him, and he wondered how the boy knew. He thought about Draco, about his godson, getting married. He knew it was Pansy, it may have been practically arranged, but the love was always there. It had been clear, even when they were in high school. He had always thought he'd be there when his godson got married. He always thought of Draco as the closest thing to a son he'd ever have. But he shook away such thoughts. The last thing Draco needed, as his Uncle coming back from the dead but a cripple, and ruining his wedding.

Harry thought the man was really a fool. He may have only been at the manor a few hours, but he saw another side of Draco, especially with Teddy. He knew what it would mean to Draco, to have his godfather there for him.

Severus looked at the picture. "I am happy for him."

Harry pushed. "Don't you want to be there for him?"

Severus ground his teeth. "I won't go over this with you again."

Harry picked up the photo. "His mother isn't there for him."

Severus tried to snag his photo. "You won't make me feel guilty."

Harry sighed. "Lucius is looking to invest in the hospital."

Severus' head snapped up. "You're lying. He wouldn't be interested in a muggle hospital."

Harry shook his head. "Why would I lie? You forget there are wizards working here now."

Severus of course couldn't forget. "Because your guilt trip with Draco didn't work. Now you're trying to scare me."

Harry almost laughed. "Scare you? Would that work?"

Severus smirked. "By making me worry Lucius may find me."

Harry shrugged. "He is talking about possibly doing a tour."

Severus looked straight into his eyes. "Why tell me? It would work perfect for you."

Harry knew he was right, he wasn't sure why he was telling the man. He knew Severus could leave, and then there would be no way to get the Malfoys to see him. If he wasn't a patient, than Harry could technically tell them, or hint to them he was out there. But he had found he couldn't just let the man be revealed like that. It would do neither Severus, nor the Malfoys any good, to have this dropped on them.

Harry shrugged. "I wasn't you to tell them, but not like that."

Severus didn't believe him. "I'll be gone as soon as I can."

Harry stopped him. "Where?"

Severus laughed. "You think I'd tell you? I'll be gone."

Harry handed him the picture. "You need to continue the treatment. You could regain your legs."

Severus held the picture. "It's a dream."

Harry shook his head. "No, it's not. If you were as stubborn about getting better, as about being dead, you'd make progress."

Severus simmered. "You just want me here for Lucius to find."

Harry pointed out. "If that was true, why would I warn you?"

Severus wasn't certain. "You have never made much sense to me Potter."

Harry didn't correct him. "You need to continue with treatment, but I agree for now, not here."

Severus had no idea why Harry cared at all. "And what do you propose?"

Harry stunned him. "You can come stay with me. I will help you with your treatment."

The suggestion shocked both of them, as Harry had not really thought about it. He insisted, he didn't mean the manor with the Tonks or Grimmauld. He had other homes, six between his two estates in the UK alone, and he meant his home on the coast. The man would have his privacy, he would have elves, and Harry could help him. Harry hoped, when he regained his legs, he would come back from the dead. Harry believed it was the only thing which truly held him back from coming back.

Harry looked at him. "You have two options, take my offer, or risk Lucius finding you. The choice is yours."

An: So we will see Teddy again next chapter, and yes he will meet Severus soon enough. He plays a big role in this story.

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