Harry wasn't certain what the man would do. He knew he had to be prepared; Severus would take neither, and leave. Or he would say he would, and still take off. Harry could have held his tongue, but he knew he couldn't just have Lucius and Draco walk in here. They had both loved this man and mourned him, and they had to have him back but not like that. Harry had heard, Lucius was considering dedicating a new wing of the hospital, to his brother. Harry could have almost thought it funny, if Severus ended up a patient in the wing.
Severus looked at the boy, and had no idea how to react. He thought the idea preposterous, and he wondered if he should just leave now. He had homes, and elves, he didn't need either from this boy. He couldn't go to Spinner's end, his beloved home, but there were others.
Severus shook his head. "No."
Harry pushed. "You need treatment."
Severus smirked. "Then don't have Lucius tour here."
Harry tried. "You love potions so much, you want to live in a hospital?"
Severus ground his teeth. "No. Nor do I wish to live with you."
Harry pointed out. "You'll be at a home I never use. I'll come as a healer, but I'll be in London."
Severus didn't like this. "I don't know why you won't just leave me alone."
Harry reminded him. "For Draco. He deserves to have you."
Severus cut in. "I have told you, I won't come back."
Harry shrugged. "I'll help you regain your legs. And I am sure when you do, you'll be more reasonable."
Severus sneered. "I doubt you'll succeed in the first, and I know you won't in the second."
Harry wasn't backing down. "I am willing to try."
Severus sighed. "Fine."
Harry smiled. "You'll move into my beach home?"
Severus confirmed it. "But no one, absolutely no one, is to know I am alive."
Harry stood. "I will make the arrangements. You should be moved this afternoon."
Severus repeated. "No one."
Harry looked back from the door. "For now."
Severus had no idea why he trusted the boy. He didn't think he should, but he seemed to be going with the boy. Deep down he knew, no matter how Harry wanted him to come back from the dead, he'd keep his word. The boy may have grown up a lot, but he was still the same in ways. He was still one of honor, and he wouldn't break his word. But he would drive Severus crazy, trying to convince him to tell Draco. As he watched the hours tick by, he wondered if he should just slip out here and now, before he came back.
Harry came back into the room near the end of his shift. It had taken a bit longer than he had expected. Severus didn't need any actual medical care, and could leave any time, Harry had known. He had no bills, the interest from his inheritance, had paid his bills.
Severus looked up. "I had thought perhaps you changed your mind."
Harry began packing his things in boxes. "No."
Severus watched. "I still don't understand why you are doing this."
Harry ignored him and called for Kreacher. "Take thee to Black Rock manor."
Kreacher bowed. "Yes master."
Severus glared at him. "You have to be joking."
Harry turned back. "What? I thought you'd appreciate Kreacher's bed side manner."
Severus didn't think it funny. "I thought you were hoping I'd live."
Harry shrugged as he brought out a wheelchair. "Could inspire you to work harder."
Severus didn't move. "I don't….."
Harry shook his head. "We both know you do. But the sooner you start working, the sooner you won't."
Severus reluctantly allowed the help. "I could get in myself."
Harry shook his head. "Just accept the help when offered."
Severus grunted. "He will kill me."
Harry smirked. "Already dead you remind me."
Severus wasn't amused. "Put me back."
Harry continued to push. "Dotty is waiting for you."
Severus stared at him like he lost his mind. "How the hell did you get your hands on my elf?"
Harry joked. "The ministry made me your heir when you died."
Severus didn't bite. "Draco was my heir, to my personal money."
Draco had Spinner's end, and what money Severus had left. But the Prince estate, Draco couldn't touch. When it came to an old blood estate, the goblins didn't answer to the ministry at all. It was how Sirius had maintained control of his estate, when he was in prison. Until he was in fact dead, and the goblins knew that, the Prince estate remained his own. Draco would inherit it one day, as he had no children, but as far as anyone knew, he had not left any heir. Technically it had a clause, in failing for a biological heir to be produced in ten years, it would be Draco's.
As Harry took him through the floo, he admitted he had gone to the home. He knew Draco hadn't been there since the death of his Uncle. He had convinced the elf her master was alive, and to come for him. She would settle him into his rooms.
Harry showed him the beautiful estate, and ground floor rooms. "More comfortable than a hospital?"
Severus grunted. "I assume so."
Harry took him onto the beach. "Perhaps the scenery will help inspire you."
Severus watched him. "Why?"
Harry shook his head. "How many times are you going to ask me?"
Severus smirked. "As many times as it takes, to get a real answer."
Harry went to leave. "I told you, for Draco. Now I have to go, my son is…."
Severus stopped him. "It is more than that."
Harry turned to look at the man and simply said. "My mum and Dad…..well Remy."
Severus eyed him. He thought of Lily, who he had loved all of his life, his sister and best friend. The memories in the pensieve one could believe were that of a man in love with a woman, but the love was always different for him. Remus he mourned, a dear friend, though not as close since fifth year. He knew what they both meant to Harry, and how they had felt about him, or so he believed.
Harry went to leave. "They both cared about you for some reason. I am determined to find out just what."
Harry was relieved the man had taken him up on his offer. He knew he was going to be busier than usual though. He would have both his work for the hospital, and his work with Severus, for the next two months. And after a summer off, he would start his job with the hospital. Even if he was willing to put the job on hold, it would raise suspicion, and he swore others wouldn't know.
Harry knew, no matter his dedication to work and to helping Severus, he had one major priority. He may be determined to help the man, even if he wasn't determined himself, but Teddy would always come first. His son he had sworn, would never play second fiddle.
Andromeda came into the gardens on Saturday. "There you two are. You missed breakfast."
Harry shook his head. "Teddy and I ate earlier."
Teddy nodded. "Cakes."
Harry saw her look. "Pancakes, I assure you."
Andromeda laughed. "You missed the mail."
Harry took the envelope she handed him. "Is this what I think it is?"
Ted answered as he came out. "The adoption is final."
Teddy was confused. "Daddy?"
Harry took his little boy into his lap. "Daddy just got papers saying that you and I are truly father and son."
Andromeda kissed them both. "You didn't need papers."
Ted agreed. "No one could doubt it."
Teddy smiled. "Park, daddy. Park?"
Andromeda laughed. "I think some celebrating is likely in order."
Harry paused. "I was meant to meet Ginny."
Teddy pouted. "Daddy, swing."
Harry scooped up his son. "Well there is a park in town. And I am sure Aunty Luna would like a visit too."
Teddy was all smiles, he loved his Aunty Luna, and Uncle Xeno too. Luna lived with her husband at school, but she worked for her dad at the newspaper, and would be in town today. Harry was as close as ever two the two of them, who had married at Christmas time, and were expecting their first child in the late fall. Neville would be his second friend his age, as Hermione was of course due sooner with her and Ron's child. Harry took his son through to the Burrow, hoping Ginny wouldn't mind, he brought Teddy.
Molly was happy to see them, and most of the family was home for breakfast when he came through. None of the kids lived at home, but the family often came together on weekends, for meals. George and Angie were the only ones he didn't see there.
Ginny did a bad job hiding her disappointment. "Harry, I didn't think you were bringing Teddy."
Harry shrugged. "Teddy wanted to come. I have been working a lot."
Molly saw her daughter's look. "I could take Teddy for a while, so the two of you could enjoy the day."
Teddy shook his head. "No. Daddy go to park."
Harry smiled. "I promised Teddy we'd go to the park. We're celebrating."
Ginny looked at him. "Celebrating?"
Harry nodded. "The adoption is complete."
Molly hugged him as her daughter stewed. "We're happy for you."
Bill agreed. "You definitely make Teddy a good father."
Ginny was not calming. "We had lunch plans. He isn't coming."
Harry looked at her. "Today is a day for my son and me. You are welcome to join, or not."
Teddy shook his head. "No."
Ginny put her hands on her hips. "No."
Harry turned to the others. "Sorry for interrupting. My son and I are going to see Luna."
Today was special, and Harry was not about to allow it to be ruined. He ignored the looks from Ron and Hermione, as well as Molly, as he turned to leave. He may have raised Teddy since the end of the war, and Teddy called him daddy, but today had made it official. He couldn't believe Ginny couldn't see how important that was to him. And she was acting as immature as his two year old son was.
Harry smiled when he saw Luna coming his way when in town. "We were just coming for you."
Luna smiled. "I must have had sixth sense."
Teddy beamed and his hair went bleach white. "Luna. Celebert, Daddy."
Harry translated, as he explained. "Would you like to come?"
Luna smiled and nodded. "I'd like that."
They were at the park when Dotty appeared. "Lord Black be needed."
Luna looked at him. "I don't know that elf. Work?"
Harry nodded. "In a way."
Teddy pouted. "Go?"
Luna tried. "I'll keep him, until you come back."
Teddy shook his head. "Daddy, play."
Harry scooped up his son. "How about a trip to the beach?"
Teddy seemed happy, so Harry kissed Luna goodbye. He wasn't sure how Severus would react, when he showed up with his son. But he wasn't about to leave his son, even with Luna, right now. He would let his son play, under the eyes of the elves, and he wouldn't have to see Severus. He wasn't sure if Teddy could keep his tongue, about seeing the man, even if he didn't know who he was.
Harry took his son to apparate. "I don't think a day at the coast will be bad for either of us."
An: So yes, Harry is quickly coming to his senses about Ginny, with his son's help. And Severus and Teddy are on a collision course.
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