Prince Consort

Chapter 36

Remus could feel his hands shaking, as his stomach rebelled dangerously, he was very, very nervous about this. Sirius was the one calm, and it was so weird that Remus almost wanted to gape in shock at his mate. Yet it warmed him, Sirius was trying to remain calm for him, to help him. He wanted to reach out for him and grip his hand tightly, show how grateful he was. Yet he couldn't do that, not yet anyway. He didn't want to cause any antagonization between Tonks and Sirius. He didn't know what Tonks wanted, but he did know he'd never be with her, not now when his mate bond was so strong and thriving. He'd never contemplate cheating, he was a creature, he'd be loyal to his dying breath. Although Sirius could, if he desired, leave and find another partner. Remus didn't think like this.

"Man, I had no idea Shacklebolt had that sort of money," Sirius whistled as they stared at the mansion before them. The mansion itself was completely secluded, land, animals, plants and trees were all you could see for miles. They could feel the wards, strong and powerful, keeping it safe from harm by both Muggles and Wizards who could set their sights on it.

"My mother was Marie McKinnon," Shacklebolt revealed, causing both wizards to jump in fright. His aunt had been Marlene McKinnon, nobody knew he had followed his aunt's footsteps and become a member of the Order of the Phoenix. His mother wasn't best pleased with him, unfortunately, her presence was only a ghostly one, through the means of a Portrait. Something she had commissioned when her family died, knowing just how quickly life can flash through your eyes. She had continued to update it once a week, he remembered seeing her doing it as a child. Her reply had been to kneel before him and say, 'It's so I remember everything, each moment together is important' of course, he'd been a child and hadn't understood.

Sirius' paled, at the mention of the name, one of his girlfriends had been a McKinnon. "Impossible," he swallowed thickly, "The Death Eaters got them all," he said hoarsely.

"My father was a healer, he was one of the first ones on the scene, to pronounce them dead. Marie was alive, barely, and he worked extensively for over forty-eight hours to save her life. He brought her here, to recover, while it was announced that the entire family had died in order to keep her safe and out of harms way." Shacklebolt revealed, eyes gleaming sadly.

"I am sorry," Sirius said quietly, he'd never heard Shacklebolt reveal any information about his family before. He was very stoic and silent, when he spoke it was for a reason, or a suggestion for the Order. He'd assumed the wizard's family was gone, perhaps by Voldemort's hand…ironically enough he was right for all the wrong reasons. "Why wasn't it corrected? The presumption that they had all died?" the war ended, so why had she remained in hiding?

Shacklebolt gestured for them to follow him, leading them up the path towards his home. "My mother was badly…disfigured from the attack. The dark magic prevented healing by any means, she was still beautiful to me and my dad…but she did not want anyone to know she lived. She rarely left the boundaries of the property, and spent her time taking care of this place." Which would take up everyone's time, at least twelve hours every day, the only time she took off was when he returned for the summer holidays. His mother would always spend as much time as she could with him, she loved him dearly.

"Was?" Remus enquired softly, amber eyes gleaming softly with sympathy. "What happened to her?"

"She suffered severe internal injuries after the attack, she always knew her life might be a short one. She never let it stop herself from living her life to the fullest." Shacklebolt confessed, his love for his mother obvious to hear. "She died a few years ago." He added sadly, opening the door to his home and entering.

"My condolences, Kingsley," Sirius murmured, swallowing thickly, the McKinnon family had been one of his favourite families. Despite their money, they had been down to earth, always treated him kindly, especially Marlene…he hadn't known her younger sister very well.

"Thank you," Shacklebolt replied, closing the door when they both stepped through, "Tonks is in the sitting room, through there," he pointed out to the room on his left, as he removed his robe and placed it on the hook, Sirius and Remus automatically did the same out of politeness.

When they entered, they found Tonks sitting on the seat, curled up looking particularly miserable with a crystal bowl next to her.

"Are you alright?" Remus asked immediately, having to refrain from reaching out to touch her. This baby was his cub, his flesh and blood.

"I'm fine," Tonks said, giving a tense smile, "Just feeling sick that's all," reassuring him.

In fact, they were all tense, it was clear they didn't know what to say or do. This situation was far from normal after all, Remus could smell just how much Shacklebolt liked Tonks, and their scents intermingled, which meant they had slept together at least two or three times for the scent to have sunk in. It also indicated a lot of time spent together.

"Would either of you like something to drink? Tea? Coffee? Something stronger?" Shacklebolt asked, politely, they had their own empty cups on the table at the side of the couch.

"No thanks," Remus replied with a tense smile.

"I'm good," Sirius replied after a few seconds so he didn't interrupt.

"Okay, I know this situation is a bit…unprecedented, but I do hope we can remain friends and that I can help raise my son or daughter…" Remus said nervously, wringing his hands together, "You obviously realize that…that he or she…well, could inherit my lycanthrope."

"Which I hope they don't! I mean I wouldn't wish it on anyone! Not even my worst enemy!" Remus rushed to exclaim as if worried they might have thought the opposite.

"They is right," Tonks said with a more carefree grin, picking up a photo from the table and handing it over.

Remus blinked, then blinked again, his jaw dropping as he realized what she said, with trembling fingers he took the picture only to realize it was a sonogram picture. Tonks had already went to the hospital to get a ultrasound, he gazed in awe at the sight of both foetus' twins, he couldn't help but give a dry laugh. "Twins," he murmured in awe.

"Come on, stop monopolising it, let uncle Sirius see it!" Sirius exclaimed nudging Remus' shoulder and with grabby hands waited impatiently for the ultrasound.

"Are you sure it's going to be Uncle Sirius?" Tonks asked, eyeing the pair shrewdly, "I'm an Auror, guys, plus we did deduce that you were mates…remember?" giving them a pointed look.

Remus bit his lip unsurely, "Would you be alright with that?" Remus asked, it wasn't normal for woman to be so understanding, surely? Wouldn't she be pissed off? Angry? Why was she so accepting? Had she slept with him merely to get him to join the Order? No, it was always going to be a long shot for her, she knew how he felt.

"He's your mate, of course I'm okay with it," Tonks replied looking amused by Remus' reaction, how unsure he looked and clearly felt. She hadn't seen him that way before, he was always quite confident, if not annoyed by the constant interruptions by the Order into his life.

"Well, it's just…some women might feel pissed off…and the babies will be born out of wedlock," Remus pointed out shakily, still overwhelmed by Tonks' acceptance.

"Oh? You'd marry me would you?" Tonks chuckled in amusement, it had been a struggle to get Remus to sleep with her. She couldn't deny she'd been attracted to him, he was an attractive wizard. He wasn't meant to be hers though, now though? She had the love of another wizard who worshipped her enough to accept her and the babies she was carrying. Kingsley was a wonder man, and would be a good father figure for them, and any other children she has in the future.

Both Sirius and Shacklebolt growled at the suggestion, showing their anger at the thought of it.

"I don't think either of them are impressed," Remus teased her, suddenly feeling significantly much calmer. They could do this, everything was going to work out. He was going to get to be part of his cubs lives, he wasn't going to be forced to be an absentee father. To have been kept away from his cub…would have probably turned his werewolf feral, although with a mate he might have survived but only barely. He'd never find out thankfully.

Tonks laughed in amusement, a wide grin splitting her features, she knew without an answer that if not for the mating he'd gone through he would have married her. Not out of love but out of expectation, he was just that sort of wizard, one who would do the right thing regardless of whether he wanted it or not.

"How is Harry?" Shacklebolt asked, changing the subject, his brow heavy, evidently what he'd been party to still weighted heavily upon him. Dumbledore's arrest wasn't enough to sate the anger and frustration that he'd allowed himself to be so blinded. He'd been raised better than that, to always look under the surface, to observe, to see what others miss, it's what had made him a good investigator, an excellent Auror.

Remus' smile was genuine and filled with happiness for his son, adopted or not, Harry was always going to be his son. He'd been raising him since he was eleven years old. "Don't worry about it, Shacklebolt, honestly, the circumstances were admittedly less than ideal but I don't think Harry would change anything." He was in love, that much was obvious, although there was nothing more Harry wanted than to spend more time with Severus, which he'd get today. He'd suggested the place they were going to visit after all.

"At least Sirius has an excuse, I don't," Shacklebolt admitted darkly, regret gleaming in his dark eyes.

Tonks just shook her head tiredly, it was evident that Shacklebolt had dwelled on what happened more than just today.

"Look you trusted Dumbledore, get over it," Sirius spat, "At least you had your own free will, I trusted him…my best friends trusted him and it cost them their lives. Continuing to agonise over what happened you're letting Dumbledore win, so stop the bloody self-pity, Harry doesn't even think on it anymore. He shakes things off and continues on, it's just who he is believe me, he. Does. Not. Care."

Shacklebolt stared at Sirius stunned, his mouth slightly agape, clearly speechless.

"Everyone has been affected by everything the bastard did," Remus sighed, entering the tense conversation, "Some more than others, but he's paying for his crimes, you've paid for yours. You nearly lost your job, I reckon you would have if not for the low turnout rates for successful Aurors and the fact you were a great Auror. Just learn from it, don't take anything in the face of value again and move on. I think Harry would tell you that himself."

"See, maybe now you'll listen," Tonks poked Shacklebolt's leg with her foot.

"I get that, I just can't help but think of how much worse it could have been," Shacklebolt confessed, in fact he had nightmares about just how different it could have been. Like his original thoughts about what Harry could be enduring when he learned of the vampires presence and what Dumbledore did. The knowledge that Harry was safe and happy – Handfasted too! – did little to assuage his guilt.

"Yeah, it might have been, but it's not." Sirius stated through gritted teeth, and Merlin help him, he did not want to dwell on what could have been. Thank Merlin it was Severus Sna…Prince and not someone else with nefarious purposes. He was still unimpressed with the wizard for what he did basically, but he'd rather Severus over Dumbledore any day, since he knew Severus cared very much about Harry. Much to his consternation.

"So…you're healthy? The babies are okay?" Remus deliberately made no secret to his attempts to change the subject. If it was something like his children well, all the better in his opinion.

"They're both doing well, and are forming predictably, the Medi-witch said they're perfect," Tonks said in pride. "I hope they have my Metamorphamagus,"

Remus paled, "Bloody hell," he croaked, "You'd want that kind of hell?"

Tonks giggled behind her hand, "Oh, come on! It will be fun!"

"Fun? Fun? It would be hell on earth!" Remus rasped out, shuddering a little at the thought of dealing with two children with such a gift.

"You realise it doesn't materialize until the age or two or three?" Tonks announced, "Then it's not fully functional until you're around nine or ten." She had full control of her abilities by the time she went to Hogwarts.

"That's not always true," Sirius refuted her statement, "The diaries and journals indicate they can begin weeks after birth and be fully controlled by the age of four."

Tonks breathing hitched, "Journals?" she asked, her tone stunned, her mother never mentioned any such thing.

"Yeah, you know my dad was the Lord of the Black estate, he had everything brought out from the vaults at one point or another. Read everything he could get his hands on, including Journals from other Black's, it wasn't just a female ability you know, Phineas Black's son, who became Lord of the Black Estate generations ago was a Metamorphamagus and displayed the signs very quickly." Sirius eagerly told her, in a surprise move, since he loathed taking about anything regarding his family.

"Were they still in the townhouse?" Tonks asked apprehensively, and with little wonder, things had been stolen or thrown out left right and centre.

"Nah, anything of value I put back in the vault," Sirius admitted sheepishly, "Anything left behind was basically worthless or copies." He confessed.

"You were able to do that?" Shacklebolt asked surprised.

"Yeah, I hadn't been directly forbidden from doing it," Sirius sighed, rubbing his temples sadly, unfortunately he had been forbidden from doing a lot of things he wished he had been able to. "When Dumbledore wanted to use Grimmauld Place for Order meetings I went straight there, removed anything of real value. I suspected much of it would have been binned…I wasn't about to let that happen. I might not be all that fond of my family but I am a Black…and our history is…admittedly colourful and something to be proud of."

"That's not the only reason though, is it?" Shacklebolt asked, astutely.

"You all know that Harry is a Black, through his grandmother, my will, I made sure that no matter if it was changed…the one I wrote would remain the true will. I was going to make sure that if and when something happened to me, that he'd become the Lord of the Black estate." Sirius revealed, accepting the hand Remus gave him, the strength of the squeeze strengthened him. "The hold the potion had on me dimmed enough sometimes that I was able to do some things that…" he paused before shrugging, not that it mattered, it didn't bring back all the years he'd missed.

"Anyone is better than Draco Malfoy becoming the Lord of the Black estate," Tonks admitted, shuddering at the mere thought. She knew her mum got money from the Black estate, and had done so for many years since Sirius became Lord Black. He'd also removed Narcissa and Bellatrix, stopped them getting funds. The funds would stop if Draco did become the Lord, but it wouldn't matter, her parents were set for life, they could retire very happily on what they had.

"True," Sirius said giving them a serious nod. The last thing Draco Malfoy needed was to be the Lord of two estates, it would have given him more money and status than the spoiled boy could possibly handle responsibly. Not that he had been responsible towards the estate but he hadn't let it get out of hand or fall into disrepair.

"What do you plan to do? Long term?" Remus asked, after over four minutes of silence, it wasn't tense but it was far from an easy going.

"I've handed in my keys to my landlord, I'm not living there anymore. I moved in here, we're both working, but I've been benched for the rest of my pregnancy." Tonks admitted, pouting outrageously, annoyed by the fact she was always doing paperwork instead of being out there and catching bad guys like she always wanted to do. "I'm going to wait until the very last minute before taking my leave so I can spend as much time as I can at home."

"And afterwards? When you're both working?" Remus asked, a hopeful look beginning to make an appearance on his face.

"I haven't thought that far…but considering neither of you work…and if you don't have any plans to work, well, maybe you would like to spend the day with your children?" Tonks suggested, it would be much cheaper than trying to find child care for two babies. It may actually be cheaper not to work than it would be to find someone who wanted to watch her children for twelve hours and then some if she did overtime. She might not make enough money to cover the cost at the end of the day. She wasn't going to ask her parents to help or Shacklebolt, even though he would help, it was definitely out of the question. As was the use of House-elves.

"Yes," Remus stated immediately, not even waiting to pretend to think on the idea. He wanted to do that, so badly, getting to see them every day was more than he could have hoped for. "I'd love to take care of them, any time, any day,"

Sirius who had been jaded by all that happened to him, could only pray that the babies were going to live. It would destroy Remus, utterly and completely. Also that they wouldn't have lycanthrope otherwise he would spend the rest of his life blaming himself for something that couldn't be changed. He did feel a little jealous that he wasn't giving Remus what he wanted. It was more down to the mate bond and his love for Remus than any real insane jealousy.

After all that is what a mate was for.

"Now we just have to wait for them to come," Tonks said with a beaming smile, rubbing her extended stomach with something close to reverence.

Remus swallowed thickly, he suddenly couldn't wait himself. He squeezed Sirius' hand, letting him know he was here, he could smell Sirius' worries and jealousies. He had nothing to fear, he wasn't about to risk anything, he was just adding to his pack that was all. Maybe one day, he and Sirius could have a child, but right now he had Harry, they both did, and soon they'd have the two babies.

"Does Harry know about this?" Tonks asked, absently still rubbing her stomach. She was well aware that Harry saw Remus as a father figure. She would have needed to be blind and deaf not to see and hear the bond they shared.

"Of course," Remus replied, "He knows," he confirmed.

"How does he feel about it?" Tonks asked, she wondered if he was jealous, it would only be a natural reaction to knowing his 'fathers' attention wouldn't be solely focused on him anymore.

"He was put out at first, but he came around and helped me come to terms with it," Remus said sincerely, seeing the looks on their faces he quickly elaborated, "I was worried about my lycanthrope," which was all true, he'd been confused as to why Tonks would let it happen, the risk…surely it wasn't worth it? Yet he had quickly warmed to the idea, a child, a baby, that was his. His own flesh and blood. He wasn't sure he'd love them more than Harry though, he loved Harry very much, and vowed always to do so regardless of how many children he had.

"Would you like to stay until after lunch?" Shacklebolt asked them.

"We'd love to," Sirius answered for both of them, Harry and Severus would be gone all day he reckoned and they had no reason to return until then. Not that Harry would see them, he was probably busy learning everything he could.

"Good," Shacklebolt nodded, satisfied. Flicking his wand and the magic soared through the air, and the sound of noises filled the kitchen. It sounded like knives chopping up vegetables to them, but one never really knew. There was a smell wafting through the house, a great indicator of food beginning to cook.

"Does Harry miss Hogwarts?" Tonks asked, continuing the conversation, smiling to Kingsley in appreciation. She wasn't very good at cooking, Kings was actually a little bit better – okay a lot better than her – when it came to cooking so he was the one that did most of it. Nobody in their right mind trusted her with a sharp implement in her hand, with good reason. She'd survived potions by the skin of her teeth by remaining still while using her scalpel.

"No, he's actually training for his N.E.W.T's," Remus said proudly, "He could probably pass them, but Harry's a perfectionist, he wants to make sure he passes with flying colours." Fond exasperation could be clearly heard in his voice. A perfectionist was an understatement really. He was an avid reader too, and due to how busy he was learning, he didn't get to read as much as he'd like.

The rest of the day went more smoothly as they focused on the good things, skirting around the bad choices of topics. Lunch and a few drinks relaxed them further, and suddenly they were all reminiscing about days gone by. Their years at Hogwarts and the shenanigans they got into, their Auror training and the pranks they pulled or had pulled on him. Laugher and amusement replaced the initial tense conversation.

Perhaps they would be able to do this, thought Remus, relaxed and happy for the first time in such a long, long time.

"You do know my sense of smell is telling me where we are despite you covering my eyes?" Harry drawled out wryly, as he waited on Severus removing his hand. At least they weren't in a secluded spot this time, although they were alone, completely. None of the other guards had come, but this place was empty except for one person, all other scents and smells were old. The scent from that person was quite far away and quite elderly, perhaps someone who was taking care of the animals?

"That, is why a surprise is useless, for the most part," Severus conceded, removing his hands from Harry's eyes, letting him see.

Magical Menagerie Sanctuary

"It belongs to us, we fund it but donations are most certainly welcome," Severus explained, "We house a whole variety of magical animals here."

"Not Muggle ones?" Harry asked eyes alit with curiosity and wonder to what he'd find within. He'd never been here, never heard of it and hadn't realized these sorts of places existed.

"No," Severus denied, "Muggles do not take care of our animals so I do not feel we should care for theirs,"

"Hmm, owls are technically theirs," Harry commented as he began to wander passed the large sign affixed to the centre, high up in the air, the wooden sign was attached to each side of wood pillars located at each side. The gates were open as if in welcome, clearly open for only them today. "Do they get a lot of visitors?" judging by the scents he'd say that they did, but whether it was every day or not he didn't know and was curious.

"Yes, it's how they get the money to keep the place open, the animals cost a lot to feed and take care of as well as operate if the need become apparent." Severus explained easily keeping in beside Harry was he wandered down the path, surrounding them was acres and acres of land for all the animals to roam freely. "Nine times out of ten, the animals do require immediate surgery, they are brought here due to injuries as a matter of fact."

A quick glimpse at the board informing everyone of the animals held within told Harry something, "They're not all British magical creatures," he realized, his excitement becoming more readily apparent, as if his scent wasn't enough.

"No, not all of them," Severus replied, lips twitching in amusement, he was glad he'd brought Harry here, he looked genuinely pleased to be seeing this. He wished he had thought of it himself and not asked Black and Lupin, well, mostly Lupin really. If anyone knew Harry's inner most desires though, it would be his 'father' figure.

"You've got a thunderbird here," Harry was vibrating with excitement, "I've always wanted to see one." But with his estate in such disrepair he hadn't wanted to waste any money to take a trip to America to see a whole load of them. Something Newt Scamander had put into place, protected species.

"Why didn't you?" Severus queried, "I'm sure Remus or your friends would have gladly gone with you?" making a mental note of what he'd just learned, adding it to everything else he knew.

"I didn't want to use what money that had accumulated with something so frivolous," Harry confessed, leaning into Severus as they walked, unconsciously seeking comfort.

"Something your heart desires isn't always frivolous," Severus said softly, quietly, "I must commend you on your ability to remain level headed. At such a young age, not everyone would have been able to be so smart with their finances. Some would have only seen money and wished to spend it." and yes, even those who had grown up without money would be quick to spend it, it wouldn't just be those who have had money in the past that would have desired to spend. He had known Harry had rarely spent any money, except for the rare book or school equipment and the like.

Harry leaned his head against Severus shoulder, giving a shrug, uncaring for the way the subject was going.

Severus rolled his eyes, of course, compliments didn't make Harry happy. If anything he didn't care much for them, it was as though he was singularly incapable of accepting it.

"Ants?" Harry asked, perking up and moving towards a large glass 'ant colony' by large he meant massive.

"Billiwig," Severus corrected amused as he trailed after Harry, "They're very useful potion ingredients, and feeding the animals," there was a use for everything they had here.

'Vivid Sapphire blue Australian insects which are common but due to their speed are rarely noticed by muggles. They have a long curved stinger at the bottom of their bodies. Victims stung will suffer from giddiness, followed by levitation.' Was written beside the animals in question.

"Levitation? Doesn't anyone notice something like that?" Harry asked mesmerised, how was it that such a tiny little thing could do so much? Especially to a fully grown human?

"They're usually taken care of quite quickly," Severus commented, "The entire colony destroyed or removed," because there was always more than just the one Billiwig, that was guaranteed.

The rest of the ants, beetles and other various small insects were quickly observed for a few minutes. The odd explanation when he learned what they could do was fascinating to Severus. Not all teenagers had that zest for learning new things but Harry had it in spades. Even he still enjoyed learning, and he was glad they had at least that in common and not all bad things like their childhood traumas.

Harry had thoroughly enjoyed the Bowtruckles, and spent ten minutes observing them on the tree. Basically worshiping the thing, which was what they did. "They've never been injured, so why are they here? Do they get fed to anything?"

"It can hardly be a menagerie if there are only a few animals now can it?" Severus teased, kissing Harry's neck causing him to jump in surprised delight at the unexpectedness of it. "And I do not believe they get fed to anything," he added amusement unhidden.

"I suppose so," Harry arched his neck to the side further, enticing Severus to continue what they started.

"Oh, don't tempt me my little spitfire," Severus breathed into Harry's ear, "Especially not out in the open, unless of course…I have an exhibitionist on my hands?"

Harry huffed and shoved at Severus in retaliation, sulking for a few moments, it was him who started it after all.

"Come, lets' see what else will catch your eye," Severus said, tugging Harry forward, "I promise I'll finish what I so impetuously started a few moments ago," chuckling as Harry groaned and nudged him again.

He knew without asking what the last thing they would see would be – the thunderbird.

After making their way indoors Harry didn't say anything until he found something peculiar.

"Well that must be awkward," Harry commented, there was a notice saying 'Demiguise' who have the gift of precognition and can turn invisible. "I wonder how many there are!"

"Two or three," Severus stated, they weren't imprisoned of course, they could open doors and go out into the fields, they just couldn't get out of the compound, it was rather dangerous after all Muggles might see them. "Two of them were able to go back to their country of origin, back to their families, their own kind."

Harry nodded his understanding, and they continued on, until they got to the water creatures, where Harry found himself face to face with a tank of Grindylows. "One of the teachers brought one to class, we didn't get to see it for long through, seemed particularly agitated." What could one expect from a small horned water demon? They were pretty gruesome things, much like the Merfolk in the water.

"You mean Langdon?" Severus stressed his name.

"Oh, no, um it was Hagrid, care of magical creatures," Harry corrected him.

"Ah, things have changed then, normally it's up to the DADA teacher when it comes to Grindylows, it's certainly how I was taught back in the day." Severus replied, relaxing marginally, 'the teacher' had sounded very derisive and Severus had worried he found something…lacking when it came to Langdon who Severus liked very much.

Hagrid…well he didn't care about what Harry thought of him.

More and more creatures passed them by, "Ah-hah! Finally something I recognize! And have seen a Moke!" a lizard with green-silver skin native to the British isles. They can shrink at will, and avoid detection – mostly from Muggles obviously. Observing one eating a flying insect with apparent relish. "They're beautiful,"

"They are," Severus agreed, he always had an affinity for any sort of lizard or snake, since it was an emblem of his house.

Yet another twenty minutes later they were in yet another enclosure, and Harry recognized them immediately. He might not know every single magical animal here, but he knew quite a deal more than Severus expected.

"Whoa! You have an Occamy!" was next exclaimed.

"It's wing was destroyed," Severus explained, "It was assumed the eggs were illegally brought to Britain, since they were native to India. The rest of its nest was destroyed, this one was the only one to survive the carnage, they'd been stomped on."

Harry's eyebrows rose in his shock, "That's insane, they're worth a fortune!" he protested.

"They are, which is why they assume it was a Muggle unaware of what they were, or their worth." Severus mused thoughtfully, the silver egg shells had been collected and sold, with a little given to him. Most of the proceeds went back into the sanctuary.

"You get updates about this place?" Harry asked, not as surprised as he ought to have been. Eyeing the Occamy for a few more minutes, before turning to face Severus wanting an answer.

"I do," Severus replied, "This isn't the only sanctuary we have," he added as an afterthought, enjoying himself immensely, while they got to talk alone in their rooms, it wasn't a bad thing, but being together out of the spotlight doing something like this was…freeing.

"You should have someone else helping you, and not just Alfred when you're swamped under," Harry reprimanded him, as he often did. It wasn't just because he wanted to spend more time with Severus either. Not when his work load was more than enough to keep him busy too.

Severus didn't reply, very aware of Harry's thoughts regarding that particular part of their life. "Let's go see the Thunderbirds," he said instead.

"Can vampires get tattoos?" Harry asked as they begun off in that direction, letting Severus off, he didn't want Severus to leave on a sour note especially considering it would be days he'd be without seeing him.

"Yes," Severus drawled cautiously, not sure whether he wanted to know or not. Was he going to have a mate that was covered from head to toe in tattoos the moment he turned seventeen? Then again, he was married now, technically that made him an adult and thus able to make his own decisions aka able to get tattoos.

"Do they move? I've not seen a magical tattoo before," Harry asked, not a single one actually to be fair.

"Yes they move, and there is only one shop, in the corner of Hogsmeade," Severus answered, wondering if he would heavily regret giving him a location.

"Hmm, I might get a small one, on my back," Harry commented.

Severus groaned, yes, bad idea, indeed, he thought wryly, but the truth was he didn't really mind.

As promised a bit of both Shack/Tonks/Siri/Remus as well as Severus and Harry :) thanks to those who gave me ideas on how their 'date' should go, didn't want to go down the typical route like dinners etc... so this was what I came up with after being stuck for ages go figure huh? Read and Review please!

OH AND I KNOW THAT HARRY'S GRANDMOTHER ISN'T DOREA BLACK I'M JUST USING IT FOR THIS STORY OKAY? 😊 ACTUALLY I DO GET MESSAGES NOW AND AGAIN STATING THAT SHE IS WHEN SHE'S NOT :P IRONICALLY ENOUGH! BUT THERE YOU GO! HIS GRANDPARENTS HAVE WEIRD AS HELL NAMES, THANKFULLY THEY GAVE JAMES A NORMAL NAME AND THAT THEY GAVE HARRY ONE TOO! LOL