Harry had not been happy his son had a run in with the man. He was hoping to keep his son away from him, and thought Teddy would forget. Teddy had been so upset when Severus had said he was leaving them. Harry knew what it was like to be hurt, especially as a child, and he had sworn to do all he could to protect his son from that. Lucius had apologized as had the Tonks, as Severus was not meant to see them. He thought that Harry would be good for Severus, but he agreed on Teddy. He would never force Harry to allow his son around the man.

Harry was reluctant to go back to the manor on Monday but he was going. He told himself it was no more reluctant than he had been before this. And he knew that he had to keep to his word to continue with this work. As a healer, there may be other patients he didn't want to help.

He was about to leave when Teddy came running. "Daddy, daddy."

Harry knelt. "Hey teddy bear, Daddy has to go to work for a bit."

Teddy smiled. "I come."

Harry shook his head. "You wouldn't have fun."

Teddy pouted. "I come daddy before."

Harry sighed. "I am not going to the beach."

Teddy showed him a book. "He read me."

Harry understood. "Daddy will read to you after. And maybe we will go to the beach."

Teddy shook his head. "Daddy doesn't like snakes."

Harry tried. "I like them enough. I will read to you."

Teddy didn't back down. "I want Mr. Sev Toby."

Harry could have smiled at the new name, almost. "Teddy, that isn't a good idea."

Teddy was in tears. "Mr. Sev no like me?"

Harry's heart was breaking. "Yes Teddy, he does like you."

Teddy was still in tears. "Please, please."

Harry collected his son into his arms. "If you let Daddy get his work done."

He was reluctant, but he had been telling himself it was to keep his son happy. And it was, he hated how upset his son had been before. But his son was much quicker to forgive and forget it seems. His son liked the man, and he wanted nothing more than a story from him. He knew that the man would be willing to read to his son. He had actually tried to convince Harry to allow him to read to Teddy, last time they were at the manor. As much as the man denied it, Teddy meant something to him. It was Harry that he couldn't give a damn about.

He could see Ted's surprise when he took Teddy, and Lucius' when he arrived. He had been quite adamant that he was not going to allow his son around the man. And there was no doubt, that he didn't bring Teddy with him, just to have a visit with Lucius.

Lucius looked at Teddy. "I am surprised you brought him."

Harry sighed. "He insisted."

Teddy still had a few tears. "Mr. Sev read."

Lucius smiled a bit. "I think he'd like that."

Harry reminded his son. "I need to work with him first."

Teddy nodded. "I be good Daddy. I wait."

Harry looked at Lucius. "Kreacher will come. I hope you don't mind Teddy playing in here."

Lucius smiled. "I will do one better."

Teddy looked at him. "Uncle Luc play?"

Harry was surprised. "I am sure you have work."

Lucius shook his head. "Not till the afternoon."

Harry watched as Teddy went into the man's arms. Teddy had no idea about school houses, but he really did have a thing for snakes. He didn't mind that Lucius and Draco had worked their charm on his son. He hadn't realized how much until recently, but it did make him smile. It was the other snake he wished he hadn't ever allowed around his son. And he hated he would allow the man near him again.

He found his patient in the den. "Ready to start?"

Severus grunted. "I assume."

Harry didn't mention his son. "Pleasant as always."

Severus glared. "I lack charm I remind you."

Harry knew what he meant. "Among other things."

Severus ground his teeth. "Lets get on with this."

Harry came to his side. "Be a good patient, I have a reward for you."

Severus smirked. "I am not a child."

Harry raised an eyebrow. "The way you act, I can be forgiven for thinking it."

Severus was red. "You must be rubbing off on me."

Harry helped him. "I think you'll like your reward I brought."

Severus grunted. "I highly doubt it."

Harry shrugged. "Indeed."

Severus was irritated whenever the boy used that word. He disagreed, when Harry and Lucius said he used the word all of the time. He wasn't as simple minded as someone like Harry was. And he knew when Harry used the term, he was trying to make some kind of point. As they worked together, he wished he had never uttered the word around the boy. Among many other things he was regretting.

Severus grunted as he finished. "Now where is this surprise?"


Lucius had spent the morning outside with Teddy. He had taken Teddy to see the horses, and they had gone for a ride on his horse. In a way Teddy was the same to him, as Severus. He reminded both men of Draco a lot, when he was little. Lucius had never been a very hands on father because he had been a spy. Severus had been able to fill in the voids, why his leaving had hurt Draco as deeply as it had. Lucius loved spending time with his son's little cousin. And it just made him look forward to his son's wedding, and future grandchildren.

Kreacher appeared, and told them that Harry and Severus were waiting for them and ready in the den. Teddy wasn't sad to leave the puppies who he had been playing with, since getting back. As much as he liked them, he wanted to see Severus more.

Severus had his back to the door. "So what is it?"

Teddy spoke up. "Mr. Sev Toby."

Harry smiled at the man's shock. "Right behind you."

Severus managed to turn to see Teddy. "What are you doing here?"

Teddy showed his book. "Mr. Sev read."

Harry saw his look. "He insisted."

Severus sunk down onto the couch. "I assume I could."

Teddy scrambled up into his lap. "Please."

Lucius came to Harry's side. "I know this was hard."

Harry sighed. "Harder to watch my son crying for him."

Lucius understood. "He's not going anywhere."

Harry knew. "At least my son won't be hurt again."

Lucius pressed. "And you?"

Harry shook him off. "There is nothing between us."

Lucius shook his head and could nearly have laughed at it all. But he had good composure from all those years as a spy. He was able to see what the two fools were not able to see, or at least admit. They both seemed to be in denial, Severus more than Harry. Harry could admit he had felt something, but he had been hurt badly. Severus refused to admit that he could have ever had feelings for a Potter. He had seen his old friend jealous once before, and other an Evans as well. Lily had not been his love interest, but best friend and almost like a sister. But his jealousy over her growing relationship with James, lead to a jealous outburst. He had lost Lily, and if he wasn't careful, he'd lose her son too.

Harry watched his son and could admit that he had made the right choice. Teddy really cared about the man, and he was extremely happy. And he could see once again, that the story time helped Severus as well. He could allow this to continue like this.

Draco had appeared. "What?"

Harry was surprised. "You should be at work, even if your dad isn't."

Lucius explained. "He is dropping off some papers."

Draco looked at the other two. "I thought you'd not allow it."

Harry sighed. "I can't stand when my son is upset."

Severus looked up when the story was over. "Dragon?"

Draco smirked. "Don't think that name will endear you."

Teddy looked at his Uncle. "Uncle Draco upset I let Mr. Toby read?"

Draco assured the little boy. "Not at all."

Harry scooped up his son. "Time to go little man."

Lucius mentioned. "You could stay for lunch."

Harry shook his head. "I promised my son a trip to the beach."

Teddy looked at Sev and back. "I come tomorrow."

Harry sighed. "We'll see Teddy."

Severus watched as they left, and he could admit he had liked the surprise. He had missed the little boy, he couldn't deny any more. He still refused to admit that he missed Harry, or Lucius could be right. There was no way that he was jealous about Harry going out on some date. He was surprised when even if Harry and Teddy left, that Draco decided to stay for lunch. He had been no more welcoming than Harry.

Draco grunted. "I am hungry."

Lucius led them into the dining room. "I am pleased, no matter the reason."

Severus made it into the chair. "Almost like old times, just….."

Draco put his napkin in his lap. "You remember her do you?"

Severus sighed. "I loved your mother like a sister."

Draco reminded him. "And you also promised to look after me, if anything happened to her."

Lucius tried to calm it. "Today was going well."

Draco sighed. "I appreciate you are at least making it up to Teddy."

Severus could admit. "I didn't mean to hurt the boy, any more than you."

Draco smirked. "And Harry?"

Severus ground his teeth. "He is my healer."

Draco stood. "Would it kill you to admit it is more?"

Severus shook his head. "Your father got to you did he?"

Lucius laughed and motioned his son to sit. "I didn't have to. It was quite obvious."

Okay, Lucius could admit he had perhaps hinted at it towards his son. But Draco hadn't been too hard to convince. If not just his Uncle, he could see it in Harry as well. He knew Harry's anger was not completely over his son being hurt. A lot of it was, he wanted to protect his son, but it had seemed more. He thought his dad might be right, and looking at his Uncle, he knew he definitely was. His Uncle truly was a fool.

Draco sat back down. "Might have to help you win Harry. If you could get your head out of your ass, you could have them both."

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