Harry had no idea what he was doing, but he went. He had spent Sunday arguing with himself, about going. He owed the man nothing, and he was no longer a med student. He was a pediatrician and he was on summer break, before he began his new job. Severus had made it clear he was nothing but a healer, and one he didn't respect either. He hadn't wanted the rehab in the first place, and Harry was sick of fighting with him. But somehow when Monday came, he found himself heading for the manor. He told himself that it was because Lucius had asked him to come. And because he wanted to confront the man. He didn't bring his son with him, he didn't tell Teddy who he was going to see. He knew Teddy would want to come. He had been a fool, and allowed Teddy to get close to him before, and his son got hurt. He wouldn't do it again.

Severus was not happy about this at all. Lucius had a room made up on the main floor, including his new potions lab next door as well. And he had informed Severus that his rehab would start again today. He had no idea who Lucius had found on such short notice.

Severus didn't turn around when the door opened. "So how much did he pay you? I'll double it for you to leave."

Harry glared at the man. "I think I should have asked for a raise."

Severus turned around. "I didn't think you'd be back."

Harry smirked. "Next time you have your pet Malfoy summon me, remind him my last name is Black."

Severus shook his head. "Lucius is no one's pet."

Harry agreed. "And I assume it was your elf. She picks up on your manners it seems."

Severus didn't move. "You can leave."

Harry moved into the room. "No I can't."

Severus shook his head. "Lucius ward you in the room?"

Harry sneered. "Wouldn't put it past him. But no."

Severus sat down. "Then what is stopping you?"

Harry shrugged. "The same thing as before."

Severus grumbled. "I'm home. This preposterous idea of finding out why your mother and godfather liked me?"

Harry was surprised he remembered. "No. I have decided they must have suffered temporary insanity."

Severus allowed Harry to start the rehab with him. He could admit the boy had perhaps not been as crazy as he once believed him to be. He was able to walk with crutches, which was something that he never believed would happen. And his leg was starting to bend a bit. As Harry worked with him, he could see it perhaps would be more. Even Harry couldn't deny, the right leg might be a lost cause, or would take some years. But if he could use one leg, he would be able to stand on his own, and walk with just the cane. Lucius was already having one made. He of course was having it done by the top craftsman out there, the one who made his own.

Harry watched the man work, and was happy to see he was making progress still. Harry could work with the man, and be happy he was making progress. The man was his patient and nothing else. Lucius had offered to pay him for his work with the man.

Severus slumped down when done. "I have had enough."

Harry shrugged. "Lucius only paid me for the hour."

Severus looked up. "Desperate for a pay check?"

Harry could have nearly laughed. "I have my fortunes I remind you."

Severus shook his head. "Then why would you be on pay roll?"

Harry stood. "I should be compensated for putting up with you."

Severus called. "Never did before."

Harry turned back. "Well many things have changed haven't they?"

Severus asked. "So where is he?"

Harry was confused. "Lucius? I believe he is at work."

Severus didn't buy his confusion. "Your little tag along."

Harry ground his teeth. "My son is not a tag along."

The man had always acted like having Teddy there was an inconvenience. He had read to Teddy and played on the sand, but complained always. He had shown no remorse in making Teddy cry, when he had walked out on them. Harry was surprised the man would even remember his son. He had no problem walking out on his own godson for two years. Of course he had no qualms about doing the same thing to Harry's son.

Severus asked. "He always comes along."

Harry didn't turn back. "I thought you'd be grateful."

Severus grunted. "He wasn't so insufferable. Besides I thought it was good for me."

Harry snarled. "Well the world isn't all about you."

Severus came towards him. "The boy liked the stories."

Harry rounded on him. "I was a fool to let him get close to you. I won't make that mistake again."

Severus stopped him. "Mistake….."

Harry finally lost it. "I know you don't care who the hell you hurt, but I won't let you hurt him again."

Severus jerked the door closed. "I didn't hurt the boy….."

Harry laughed. "Didn't hurt him? Are you deaf as well as on a cane?"

Severus didn't back down. "So he cried, he's two."

Harry felt like slapping him. "You're right, he's two. I am old enough to recover, my son you will not hurt again."

Severus took him by the arm. "I did nothing to you."

Harry pulled back. "Of course not. I'm just your healer, yours to abuse as you like."

Severus had no idea what possessed him, but he pulled Harry into his arms as best as he could. It was hard, and he almost toppled over, his balance wasn't great when he wasn't holding his crutches. He kissed Harry, not the brush of a kiss they shared before, but a real kiss. And for a moment Harry returned it. But Harry pulled back, and he looked ready to slap Severus across the face. He thought better of it though.

Harry went to leave. "You're not the only one who has been hurt, who has trouble with trust. Teddy isn't the only one you hurt."


Harry had put off going on a date before, he had scheduled one and that had backed out. He kept trying to tell himself that it was just nerves. But part of him knew perhaps Oliver was right. The kiss he and Severus had shared again, was ringing through his head. But he had been honest with the man. He had suffered a lot in his childhood, and he had trouble trusting people. Many people had turned on him, at the drop of a hat, and then there was his former family. He had allowed people in, but it had taken a lot of time, and a lot of worry on his part.

He was in Diagon alley that afternoon trying to cool down. He didn't want to worry his son, or him to know where Harry had been. He knew Teddy would want to see the man if he told him. He was not about to let that happen though.

He ran into Charlie. "Hey Charlie."

Charlie grinned. "I was hoping I might see you."

Harry was surprised. "Is something up?"

Charlie shrugged. "Rodger and I got possession of our new home."

Harry knew they had been buying a place. "Happy for you."

Charlie gave him a card. "We're having a family dinner on the weekend, but thought you might come for a bite tonight."

Harry shrugged. "Sure."

Charlie looked at the bags in hand. "I have to get back to work, lunch for my office."

Harry asked. "You see Rick often?"

Charlie had an odd smile. "I do. He'd still like to go out."

Harry smiled a little. "Tell him I said hi, and I'd like to someday."

Charlie nodded. "I will make sure he knows."

Harry had an odd feeling but he smiled as he left. "It will be a nice distraction."

Charlie and Rodger had married when they were abroad. They had both saved a great deal of money, and Charlie had his war money as well. They had been renting temporarily since they got back, and had just moved into a place of their own. They would have a big family dinner that weekend, when Harry would bring Teddy. The two families had yet to have a sit down, though each had met their new son in law. Harry was truly happy for them, and he thought he should bring something. He'd bring a proper gift with his son, but he'd not go tonight empty handed.

Harry was in a store picking up some wine when he ran into a Malfoy. Well technically not a Malfoy yet, but Draco's fiancé, Pansy. He had barely known her in school, but like Draco and Lucius, he was getting to know her. He found her extremely charming.

Pansy smiled when she saw him. "Coming to dinner at the manor tonight?"

Harry shook his head. "No."

Pansy eyed him. "Somehow you seem as upset at the man as Draco."

Harry tried to hide it. "He has always driven me nuts."

Pansy laughed. "Who are you trying to convince?"

Harry tried to switch topics. "Draco is having dinner with him?"

Pansy sighed. "He actually tried to suggest we have dinner with my father instead."

Harry understood. "He must be desperate. I have never seen Draco so scared of anyone."

Pansy looked hurt. "I don't know why. Daddy is a big teddy bear."

Harry almost choked. "I think it is the bear part that scares Draco. You're the man's princess after all."

Pansy couldn't deny it. "I should be going, or Draco will soon run."

He kissed her on the cheek. "Tell Draco to kick his ass for me."

Pansy smiled. "I will"

Harry had his own dinner to face, and somehow he wasn't that surprised when there was a fourth. He should have known it was some kind of set up. Rick was as charming as ever, and still had his heart set on a proper first date with Harry. Harry had his mind on his kiss, but he shook it away. He accepted a date with Rick for the weekend, determined to put a certain snake out of his mind.

Dinner was far less happy of an affair at the manor. Draco was not happy, basically forced into this by both his father and his fiancé. They both knew Draco loved the man, and wanted him back in his life. And he needed to confront Severus over what he had done.

After dinner Draco wanted to leave. "I have an early morning."

Severus tried to stop him. "Draco, I'd like to talk."

Draco smirked. "You have had two years to talk."

Severus was stubborn. "I was a fool."

Draco corrected him. "You were an ass."

Severus grunted. "Fine I was an ass."

Draco turned all the way back. "And you think admitting that is enough?"

Severus tried to get up. "No. But I hope it can be a start."

Pansy squeezed Draco's hand. "Maybe you should hear him out."

Draco sighed. "My mother was dead. I needed you."

Severus got to his crutches. "I didn't think I could be."

Draco didn't believe him. "No, you didn't want to be."

Severus didn't let that one go. "I wanted to be. And for your dad. And now for your wedding."

Draco ground his teeth. "You miss the bad parts and think you can come back for the happy? Too late."

Severus stopped him. "I love you Dragon. I made mistakes, but I….."

Draco shook his head. "I can't do this right now."

Severus called. "I will not back down."

Draco sneered. "Too bad you weren't so determined to years ago."

Severus watched him go, and he kicked the chair, well with his crutch. He knew he had made mistakes, but he did love that boy. He should have been here when Narcissa died, both for his godson and for his brother. He knew he had hurt them both badly. They weren't as cold and emotionless as they seemed in public to most. Lucius seemed to be giving him a chance, but Draco and Harry were not.

Lucius smirked. "Batting zero. You'll really have to learn some Slytherin charm, to earn back my son and your little crush's trust back."

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