Prince Consort

Chapter 35

Two weeks Later

True to Derek's word, it wasn't simple or easy to use weapons without aching like blazes. Even now fourteen days of intense training Harry still found himself aching in places he didn't think it possible to ache afterwards. Thankfully with his endurance as a vampire, he didn't hurt too long, his recovery was quicker, much faster than it would have been possible as a human. That and potions were miracle workers, after the first few days he had a new appreciation for them.

Each lesson he had either Derek or Rodney, oftentimes both, training him, that didn't often happen. With how crazy their schedules were, he usually had different tutors, on different days. Eventually it spun around back to his original tutors, but it usually took a week at most. They were all the best regardless, Severus always made sure of that. He wanted him to learn from the best, and that was what he did.

"Ready to get to work?" Rodney said, appearing at the doorway, as always an inordinately cheerful voice positively beaming with happiness. Quite frankly, Harry thought he was addicted to the cheering potion, or perhaps the Pepper-Up draught or something. Nobody could be naturally that happy all the time could they? It wasn't natural in his opinion, but he was amusing, did work hard, and was serious when he needed to be.

Harry nodded just once, Alfred wasn't there, he had stopped overseeing the lessons once he deemed they were trusted. Or as so much as anyone could feel trusted. There were dozens – hundreds – of vampires who could and would intervene before anything happened at any moments notice. The inner circle were trusted completely, but apparently the lesser vampires, who were often abroad weren't quite as trusted instinctively. After all, they had sworn vows of loyalty to their Lord and Lord Consort, and those vows are not so easily gotten around. If Severus said they were fool proof, then Harry believed it, mostly, Severus was one of the most cautious men he'd ever met, and coming from him that said a lot.

"Then let's get to it!" Rodney said, grasping one of the swords, the same one he always took, his preferred weapon of choice.

"Agreed," Derek stated as he appeared in the room out of nowhere.

Harry barely blinked, the vampire was constantly sneaky and curt, he sort of reminded Harry of a harsher version of Severus. He often wondered if that had been what Severus was like before he let anyone in. If he had acted that way before he let Remus and his two best friends in. He'd never thought he'd think this, but it sounded like quite a lonely existence to him.

They both had very different approaches to their lessons, Rodney praised him every step of the way, a good teaching style for someone tutoring another maybe not at Harry's age though. While Derek had yet to give him any praise whatsoever, which made Harry work all that harder just to try and win his approval. Which irritated Harry somewhat, he didn't need nor want someone's approval…but his actions spoke louder than his thoughts! He only hoped that the git didn't realise that was what he was striving for.

Harry picked up his weapon of choice, he'd also learned the hard way not to bend his arm excessively at the elbow when being attacked. 'A lightly bent arm is best' he remembered from his first lesson. 'When you go en garde, straighten the arm fully and then bend it slightly at the elbow. The elbow always seems to want to stick out from the body, which will cause problems on both on offense and defense. Make sure that you keep your elbow inward, that is towards the left if you are right handed. It helps to accentuate this in practice by keeping the elbow so far inward that it is somewhat uncomfortable.'

Harry tended to remember everything he was taught before he made a move, as a vampire it was very easy to do. 'If you are having accuracy problems in placing the point during your attack, then you are most likely letting your elbow inadvertently move outward, which very nicely directs the point off target.'

'An expert strives to place the point to a target location within the diameter of a dime, which is very difficult to learn.'

'The blade should also be completely in line with your forearm in the normal en garde position. The thrust, when done properly, does not feel like you are pushing the blade, but more like your arm, and then your body, are following the blade forward (this is a mindset that is not unlike the sport of boxing, where focus is very important).'

'It is not easy to attain an extremely fast thrust with a loose arm, but it most certainly can be done, but it takes discipline to begin with a loose, slightly bent arm and end up with a straight arm. When retreating, it is generally best to move the body backward with the torso completely erect, starting with your back foot initiating the movement (but not lifting it too high). If this is not done prodigiously, the distance between you and your opponent will inevitably close, resulting in insufficient distance and a bent arm, potentially giving your opponent the advantage.' Something else that requires practise to be achieved, as he'd been reminded constantly.

'A beginning most always will move the arm and leg together, with the leg (rather than the blade) mistakenly leading the attack, which "telegraphs" the message to your opponent that the attack is coming. A similar phenomenon occurs when concentrating on foot movements, where the elbow seems to want to bend outward. It takes a great deal of practice and concentration to perform these movements correctly and delay the leg movement.'

He had learned a lot over the past few weeks, but it was very difficult to delay leg movement, because it was such an automatic response. To change something so fundamental about himself was entirely time consuming and annoyingly difficult.

"Let's begin," Rodney said, getting straight to work, while Derek watched each move Harry made in retaliation against Rodney.

Watching each and every spar movement, the way Harry's body moved and twisted to accommodate or enact his own movements. He couldn't help but shake his head, with each wrong move Harry made. He waited until they had dropped the sword tips to the floor, and weren't actively duelling one another.

"Stop raising your foot so excessively, you're wasting time, energy and effort, doing it. Raise the tip of your foot only slightly, then followed by a quick straightening of your back leg." Derek stated, everyone assumed fencing and using swords was easy, but any master of the craft would quickly overpower any idiot who tried to think themselves above everyone. It was easy to swing the metal around, thinking you're doing well with the power you feel, how invulnerable. He would know, he had decades and decades of practice under his belt, and his sword was his preferred method of fighting.

Harry watched Derek closely as he demonstrated, it seemed each lesson there were more lessons upon lessons to learn it was vexing sometimes. It seemed as if that was all he did, try to adjust something only to be told something else was wrong with his movements. He wasn't a robot, he couldn't just automatically adjust everything about himself.

And he wondered why he was so sore afterwards.

"Good, try again," Derek stated after Harry copied his movement.

Harry's nostrils flared, as he proceeded to do the entire long movements correctly, once again sparring Rodney who was quickly to pick up where they'd left off. The two did work well together despite the fact they were so different, then again Harry wouldn't be surprised if Rodney was just intimidating by the intense vampire just as Harry was – he'd never admit it though – and didn't want to push him too far.

Fifteen minutes later, they finally paused in their duel, "Well done! You did it!" Rodney grinned.

"Yeah, just how often do vampires get into sword fights?" Harry asked bluntly, stretching out his aching muscles, refraining from rolling his eyes at Rodney's praise, it wasn't really required or deserved. He was much too kind to him, but everyone else was too, except a few obvious vampires he could name on a single finger…maybe two at a push. His place in the ranks made him automatically respected, but Harry wanted to earn that respect. The longer he lived here…the greater the desire became. Which wasn't really so odd, he'd wanted to please Remus and himself, hence why he worked so hard to fit in at Hogwarts. Determined never to let anyone see him scramble for words again. Then he just wanted to see Remus proud. He never thought the day he was brought here most definitely coerced by Dumbledore – and definitely against his will – into marrying Severus in a temporarily handfasting.

"More often than you can fathom," Derek stated curtly, "Most of us are old school, we either duel with magic or swords, there was a sense of honour in the old ways compared to the deranged fighting that occurs with others of our kind these days."

"Most would argue the dishonourable way was duelling is with magic," Harry pointed out, "What honour is there in not physically fighting, something I've come to realize is second nature to us. It's actually kind of weird, or at least it was before I got used to it." Harry scratched his chin thoughtfully with his left hand, his right still gripped the handle of the word. The urge to physically fight instead of using magic had taken a long time to get used to. It was the same with werewolves apparently, it was in the nature of the beast and that was the end to it. Harry's eyes almost widened when he watched Derek's lips actually twitch as though he was suppressing a smile.

"Touché," was the only reply Derek came back with, and he couldn't argue with him, it was deeply ingrained to fight physically, there was nothing more satisfying than fighting with your bare firsts and ripping the head off your opponent's shoulder. Unfortunately, back in his day, they'd used swords as a primary defence, it hadn't been as easy then to get wands, and most wizards avoided vampires like the plague. He still had the first one he bought, admittedly terrifying the wizard into doing it, which had been satisfying, even though he tried to stop himself being so intimidating. After all he didn't want the wizard to drop down dead before making his wand. He'd been well compensated, for both his time and for the cost of the wand. He'd heard a month later he'd opened a shop, now the descendants enjoyed a pre-destined job, lucky Ollivander's he thought sardonically.

"It's very easy to overwrite our own inclinations," Rodney said cheerfully, grinning wryly at the twin looks of disbelief that his Lord's Consort and Derek threw his way.

"I seriously doubt it, it feels as though it's hardwired into our brains, our DNA," Harry said drolly.

"To each their own," Rodney put his left hand up in a show of surrender, "Ready to get back to our lesson?"

"Yeah," Harry agreed, grateful that he'd already had his lesson in brewing today, he honestly never wanted to brew after these duelling lessons. He'd done it once, but never again, it had nearly caused him to screw up a potion for the first time. Which was highly unacceptable, he'd worked hard to get Severus to teach him, and never wanted him to regret that choice. Although the massage afterwards had been highly welcomed and erotic to say the least.

"My turn," Derek stated stepping up, before Rodney could get into position.

Rodney deftly deferred to Derek's demand, and stepped aside, placing his sword aside to watch the show. Derek had balls the size of basketballs, he never went easy on their Lord's consort, he had never outright hurt him of course, not in the sense he drew blood. Yet he worked Harry to the bone, and never once threw him one or praised him for his work. The day that happened would be the beginning of the apocalypse though. He along with Damon and Freya knew Derek best, had worked with him the most, and he was still a goddamned mystery to them despite the decades they'd worked together under both their current Lord and his grandfather before him. He was an ancient soul, and he never spoke about his past, other than a few titbits he threw out there in sardonic amusement, nothing that actually revealed anything about himself.

Then the next forty-five minutes was spent watching both spar, the twists, the turns, the footwork and clashing of metal Derek far too often pressing his sword tip to Harry's chest, throat or stomach – delicately of course – when he made a mistake that would as Derek demonstrated cost him his life. Rodney observed that it was becoming less frequent though, in previous duels it had happened every few seconds, now though he was able to go at least five to ten minutes without having to 'surrender' as it were.

Their Lord Consort did not shy away from learning, for a teenager he was very well balanced, mature, very willingly to learn and accepted criticism very gracefully. Whether anyone realized or not, Derek had been surprised by the fact Harry had never grown angry at his disparagement in previous lessons. For all it affected him it was like water rolling off a ducks back, he accepted the words and adjusted. Derek liked teaching the teen, otherwise he would have walked out and left him to it on his own mere days into the arrangement. He wasn't known with putting up with most people as a matter of fact. Even their Lord couldn't get him to do anything he was so vehemently against.

Each of them suddenly felt the hairs on the back of their neck stand up, as they sensed the presence of their Lord. The three in the room couldn't have had more different reactions if they tried. Rodney nearly tripped over his own feet to give a proper greeting – a vampire almost tripping was comical thank Merlin he didn't still have his sword in hand – and Derek merely stood still, sword now pointed towards the floor and inclined his head in respect. Harry however, grinned in delight, and spoke in a voice that spoke of fondness. "Hi!" already placing what he now considered 'his' word on the table and making his way over. It was rare for Severus to be able to meet him after his lessons so he'd take advantage of it while he could.

Severus didn't think he'd ever get used to that, Harry's smile directed towards him was a direct line to his cock, which immediately became half mast just seeing him so delighted to see him. Everyone was always so professional and determined, for the most part, that they didn't often let their guard down. Not enough to let him see them with their hair down so to speak. So, he rarely got to see everyone smiling and being happy, except when they had parties, even then half the people were always on watch just to be on the safe side. When Harry came close enough, he cupped his jaw, not smiling himself, but close enough that those who knew him well knew how pleased he was by Harry's greeting. "Ready for lunch?"

"You're actually free to go to lunch?" Harry asked wryly, "I almost don't know how to respond," he teased, a speculative gleam in his eye even with his teasing.

Instead of verbally replying, Severus laced his fingers through Harry's and with a single nod to his men he tugged Harry out of the room. He probably should inform Harry now, but he didn't want their lunch to be spoiled. So he merely made a decision to inform him later, even though Harry wouldn't be happy with him.

"What is going on?" Harry asked, as they walked, the familiar twists and turns taking them up to their rooms. Which really, was like an apartment on it's own. Bigger than the house in Privet Drive where he'd been 'brought up' it had never been a home though, not like Prince Castle already was to him.

"Let us enjoy lunch first, hmm?" Severus suggested, but it wasn't a mere suggestion, he was not going to reveal it before he was ready.

Harry sighed, "Alright," he conceded, knowing by now that Sev wouldn't answer him, not when he was this determined. This revealed a lot more than his answer would, he obviously wasn't going to like what he heard. There were only a few things that annoyed him, his dad being away, too much time with Black…and Sev working too much. Then he remembered something Alfred had said last week in passing. "When are you going to Portugal?" he asked as they stepped through the doors.

Severus grumbled under his breath, apparently it was too much to hope that Harry wouldn't figure it out. He was too smart for his own good sometimes, but that just made Severus feel inordinately proud. "I leave late tomorrow afternoon," Severus explained, "With there being no time difference, I intend to have dinner with the Durand, Garcia and some high up members of the Santos Clans before I get down to business with them and start negotiating, we've already begun the primary stage while we agreed upon dates, so it shouldn't take too long."

"And nothing I ask or say will convince you huh? I mean I'd be protected, you have two Clans who will come to your aid…the Santos Clan are trying to stop themselves being completely obliterated not cause it!" Harry protested, he really wanted to go. Surprisingly it had nothing to do with the fact the Santos Clan had hoped to marry one of their own to Severus at all. "That's not including everyone else that will be going with you."

"Everyone will not be accompanying me," Severus refuted that part of the statement. "I've recalled many others to return before tomorrow to accompany me along with Storm and Cenric." The rest were being left here to guard the most important thing in his world. Despite all their attempts at secrecy, anyone could potentially be a spy in Santos' Clan, he did not trust them, and would not until he knew the ins and outs of their vows specifically the ones they'd sworn to their leader and once the ironclad contract was drawn up that would enforce the peace, prevent any betrayal on everyone's part. Only then would he relax, he doubted anything would happen though, they'd be highly idiotic to try anything with him having the Durant and Garcia Clan's on his side they'd be killed before they could perpetrate a betrayal.

"Take Alfred with you," Harry requested, it wasn't because he thought Alfred as a good fighter, which he was actually, but because Alfred had a calming influence on everyone, even him when he first came here. Oh he was terrified, for sure, but he hadn't wanted to lash out at him.

"Are you sure you should recommend that? You will be in charge when I'm gone…for the first time it's best to have someone who knows the ins and outs." Severus said calmly, as he moved both over to the table where their food was waiting for them.

"Er…hold that thought," Harry grimaced, he wasn't sure about taking charge, he hadn't agreed to all that when he'd been bloody Handfasted. He didn't want to be in charge of anyone, even though he did want a few things from the council primarily regarding any children he had in future. He'd sort of figured it might be something he had to do in future though, it was kind of obvious the need might arise. He just wasn't sure he was ready for any of it. He was sixteen years old for Merlin's sake, it was too much sometimes. Like right now.

"It will only be a few days," Severus promised watching Harry closely as he begun eating, "Alfred will make sure you do fine," he realized this might be asking a bit much of his consort. Yet he knew Harry was strong and smart enough to see it through, and it was better to start now rather than later so he grew used to it. Plus, it would keep him busy and stop him fretting the entire time he was gone. He knew Harry well enough to know that was exactly what happened. If he was asking this of Harry, then he definitely wasn't taking Alfred, he knew everything best, he was absolutely the best person to help Harry while he navigated a new aspect of his life.

"Alright, two days," Harry agreed, "You better only be two days," he warned him, but his eyes were filled with a little bit of panic at the prospect of having to hold things up for longer.

"I won't be longer than forty-eight hours, you have my word," Severus promised, "And next time I go abroad, you will be coming with me, I have no doubt those in the Durant and Garcia Clans will be eager to meet you." After they found out he was Handfasted, which they would when he met with them and share the good news. It would be good news for them, he was very fond of Adan Garcia and his wife Catalina, they had three children, but they were very much out of the spotlight. He'd never met them, and Severus respected that, he liked a man who valued his own family more than his position. All children deserved a chance at normalcy, to grow up away from the stress and spotlight that came with who they were and what they did.

"I'll hold you to that," Harry said with a gesture of the knife before resuming eating.

"My word is always kept," Severus informed him seriously.

Harry smiled, "I know," and he knew that well enough to trust that Severus would keep his word.

Severus relaxed upon seeing that smile, knowing everything was going to be just fine, his devious little consort already had a plan up his sleeve. Perhaps he should warn Alfred…no, Alfred would just have to get used to the way his consort was, he'd be with him for a long, long time to come until they decided to retire. If they were lucky enough to have a child to take over his reign. Part of him hoped that he and Harry could have a child, and not for the reason of keeping the Prince seats alive. He hadn't been raised with the indoctrinated that the line must be preserved above all else.

"Eat up, I have nothing more to do this afternoon, we have it to ourselves," Severus instructed him.

"Oh? Well I still have duelling later," Harry said, contemplating cancelling it to spend more time with Sev while he could, since he'd be gone for two whole days.

"I've already moved it to tomorrow," Severus commented, "Give you something to do after I leave," and he would definitely need the help to relax and a good duel will be exactly what he'd prescribe.

Harry's lips twitched, "Alright," he conceded, "I don't want to miss too many though,"

"Why's that?" Severus queried, pushing his empty plate aside, the clinging of the utensils the only noise.

"I've taken a few tests to see how I'd do on my N.E.W.T's and I actually get ninety percent of the questions right," Harry said proudly, "So I'm going to arrange to take my N.E.W.T's soon."

"I'll arrange for them to be brought here," Severus stated sharply, not angry at Harry but as always cautious to the extreme, he would allow nothing to happen. He was just making sure that Harry knew not to argue the point, it wasn't often he was curt and when he was he meant it. Just because Dumbledore was out of the way, it didn't mean Harry was no longer in danger, even after the Dark Lord was defeated Harry's life would always need to be led cautiously, it was a dangerous world they lived in. He held no regrets in bringing Harry into it, he would protect him always. He'd have everything his heart's desire, including him, his love, and people who would do anything for him. He could only hope that Harry would never grow to resent the restrictions on his life, he would do everything in his power to ensure that Harry had as much of a normalcy as he was capable of achieving.

"Alright," Harry agreed finishing how own food, as soon as he was done and the cutlery placed on the plate they both vanished and dessert took its place. He saw no reason to argue about where he took the test. It wasn't worth the manoeuvring he'd have to do. He knew when to pick his battles thank you very much.

"Have you heard anything about Black today?" Harry asked thoughtfully, Remus and Sirius had gone to see Shacklebolt and Tonks earlier this morning.

"He's doing fine," Severus said dismissively, "The mind healers don't share details of patients with me, they adhere very strictly to their oaths so long as any information isn't a danger to us or the Clan."

"He better be," Harry said darkly, "I don't like seeing Remus worried," in fact he loathed it.

"When isn't he worried?" Severus said wryly.

"What does that mean?" Harry asked frowning, "I mean sure he gets a bit angsty the day leading up to the full moon, he worried a bit about me having enough money. It's only lately that he's had so much on his plate."

"That is the Remus I am used to seeing," Severus pointed out, "You have to remember I hadn't seen Remus since I left Hogwarts when I was seventeen before he was brought here. Not only that but he was injured quite grievously by someone he previously trusted. A lot has changed in that time." He'd never really seen Remus at his best, unless he was very good at hiding his true feelings from Harry but just wasn't able to due to the immense strain he was under. He very much doubted it though, Harry had a knack for seeing through even the toughest façade. He never took anything at the face of value, the Dursley's had definitely made him cautious and suspicious of anyone and everyone.

"Let's go somewhere that isn't here," Harry suggested, "Especially considering you'll be leaving for two days, you owe me." His tone teasing and just on the edge of flirty.

Severus blatantly smirked, black eyes gleaming victoriously, he'd known Harry would demand something like that in reparation. "Already have it all planned," he informed Harry, without telling him exactly what he had planned. A little mystery and excitement never hurt anyone after all.

Harry perked up, "Then lets go!" he said, like a hyper child on Christmas, he suddenly couldn't wait to see what Severus had up his sleeve.

Next chapter will be a mixture of Tonks/Shack/Remus/Sirius and Sev/Harry so it will be longer :) will the four be able to come to a good way to raise Tonks/Remus' baby? Boy or Girl? Want Teddy to be in it? Will it be a werewolf and thus Remus get primary custody of the child? Raised by Remus and Sirius as his primary caregivers? Or will they move in together and live as one big family but with Shack/Tonks together and Remus/Sirius? three fathers and a mother? LOL sounds like a movie right? :D Where will Severus and Harry go? I'm actually at a loss which is why it stopped here instead of going on for another few thousand words! Severus is doing this for Harry after all...amusement park? pond? zoo? hmm or buying Harry a snake? Read and Review please!