Prince Consort

Chapter 16

Prince Castle - Infirmary

Harry couldn't keep his happiness contained, he was over the moon, his dad had woken up, and the wound was healing quicker than they'd expected. That's not to say the wound had fully healed, it had not, and they still had to be extremely careful. Yet, Harry was just so happy that Remus was awake, he hadn't asked who was responsible yet but definitely planned on it.

"Do you need more water?" Harry asked, tugging the covers more firmly over Remus. It was a routine he was used to, every full moon he was able to get to Remus, he did. He would help his dad for the first day after, then he was alright on his own, or rather sick of Harry's fussing.

"I'm fine, Harry, honestly," Remus said, weakly patting at Harry's hand, trying to soothe the teen, to get him to stop worrying so much. "I should be asking how you are, and what happened."

Harry snorted, "I'm not the one in the hospital," Harry pointed out, shaking his head in amusement.

Remus just gave Harry a pointed look, this hadn't been what he'd had planned for when he met up with Harry again.

"I was in the Manor, the wards began to break down, Maria tried to get us to the panic room, but I felt a tugging on my magic. I knew I was too late…they knew I was there. I couldn't let them be arrested, not for protecting me. So I locked them inside the panic room, and Dumbledore tried to get me to go with him, I cast a blasting curse at the door jamb and the ceiling and doorway collapsed on him. I tried to run but he caught my ankle, I stomped on his foot and managed to get onto the grounds, but I was blasted into a wall, my ribs were broken and I couldn't get out of the wards to get away. I fell unconscious after shouting at Black that I hated him." swallowing thickly. "Do you know if I'm expelled from Hogwarts?" Harry added resignedly.

"I don't know son, I'll find out as soon as I can, I promise." said Remus anything to make him feel better.

Harry nodded tiredly, "I woke up in Dumbledore's office, he was telling me that you had nearly bitten someone while you were at Hogwarts." anger brewing when he saw the ashamed look on Remus' face. "He said he would tell the Ministry if I didn't go through with the handfasting. He said he was good friends with who it was that nearly got bitten…I couldn't let it happen, dad, I'm sorry but I couldn't."

Guilt and shame wrapped around Remus like a cloak, "I'm so sorry," he whispered shamefully. He was just in too much pain to be appropriately angry over what Dumbledore had done to his son and cub. The irony did cause a tinge of bitterness to thrum through him.

"Don't be, it wasn't your fault, I don't know what happened but it was Moony, not you," Harry said softly, he didn't want his dad to feel bad about it. "It hasn't been too bad." he volunteered.

"How are you really feeling?" Remus asked, this wasn't about him and he refused to be sidetracked.

"I would have loved it here if he hadn't made me stay," said Harry wryly, "The library is amazing, and there are even scrolls from the Library of Alexandria!"

Remus nodded his amber eyes gleaming with the thought of just seeing such a priceless treasure. Perhaps the bond hadn't begun yet, he didn't seem overly emotional.

"He's just spent a fortune on a new wardrobe for me," said Harry his face conveying how uncomfortable it was for him to accept money even in the guise of clothes.

"It's making you feel ashamed?" stated Remus, as a werewolf he understood that part all too well.

"Uncomfortable," corrected Harry.

"If anyone deserves the best of everything Harry, it's you. You wouldn't feel like this if you hadn't been brought up by those despicable Dursley's," said Remus spitting the name with disgust. "Have you ever read books about courting?"

"Why?" asked Harry blankly what did courting have to do with this?

"It's part of the process, he's trying to prove he can provide for you, take care of you and give you everything you want. It's an old tradition, one he no doubt learned about soon after becoming a vampire. Rituals are an important part of a vampire's life, everything had to be done properly for them to accept him as the Vampire Lord." explained Remus. "I know this isn't how you would have wanted it, but my suggestion is, don't fight it too much, just enjoy it."

"Dad!" scowled Harry, "I'm not something to be traded around or bought."

"I admit he did go about it wrong, but he truly did only have your best interests at heart, and he did think you had consented. I am glad you are safe, and that Dumbledore cannot touch you…especially with what was recently learned," said Remus gravely. "What he did to me…there is no lengths he will not go to in order to get what he wants."

Harry swallowed thickly; "So he did it?"

"Dumbledore would do whatever it took to end this war Harry," said Remus his amber eyes filled with anguish, "Including using you to do it. The thoughts that went through my mind when the news reached me…I thought I had lost you." Then, of course, Severus told him Harry was safe in Prince Castle.

"He was the cause of it!" snapped Harry remembering what he'd learned during the meeting.

"Excuse me?" asked Remus was taken aback by his son's statement.

"He knew…well that Voldemort was dangerous at Hogwarts, he opened the chamber of secrets and someone died…he let Hagrid take the blame. If he'd spoken up or acted I wouldn't have lost my parents." said Harry his green eyes flashing in fury.

Remus sat there stunned to the core, sicker than he'd ever felt before in his life.

"Dad, is soul mates and mates the same thing?" Harry asked very quietly, not wanting anyone else to overhear his stupid question. He was pretty sure it was the same thing, but he wanted confirmation.

"Yes, it means you're compatible, the full term for it is soul mates, soul, magic, and life you were meant to be together," said Remus his voice hoarse and far away, he'd though he and Sirius were for a while, he'd been wrong. They had still gotten together but something had been missing. To this day he still wasn't sure what it was, and talking about them was bringing it all back up. "Not everyone is lucky enough to meet theirs, in fact only one or two every few generations do find them. Mostly because we never leave the British Magical world, sticking to our small world reduces your chances significantly. The fact you found yours is a big thing Harry, it's a sacred thing to find your soul intended. Those with creature blood find their mates earlier than two wizards who are soul mates can."

"Sacred? Forgive me if I'm wrong but that's another word for special and blessed isn't it? Well I've not been made to feel that way." said Harry scowling, if he had been special Severus would have come to him and explained everything.

"What's really eating at you Harry?" asked Remus shrewdly, sensing there was another reason for his protests.

Harry's mouth closed with a snap cursing the fact that his dad could see right through him.

"Harry?" questioned Remus seriously, his amber eyes beseeching Harry to tell him, wanting so badly to help with his burden.

"I don't like how he makes me feel!" snapped Harry looking away hastily, his cheeks heating up.

Remus bit the inside of his cheek to stop himself laughing out loud; Harry had also been so distant and reserved from everyone. Not trusting them, not wanting to be touched by anyone (other than those he trusted) no doubt a reflection of the abuse he'd suffered. Now he wasn't getting a choice to stay distant, which probably made everything he was feeling much more intense. "Oh Harry," said Remus shaking his head as he squeezed his hand in comfort unable to do anything else. "Its part of growing up, Theo and Blaise has already experienced this…but your distrust in others has stopped you in the past. Even I had a boyfriend by this age. Admittedly it is different; this bond is different since your mate is a vampire."

Harry merely nodded his head not speaking.

"Go and spend some time with Blaise and Theo," Remus suggested, it might help him feel a bit more normal again.

"Are you sure?" Harry asked in surprise, he didn't want to leave his dad.

"Yes, I need some sleep, I'll feel better knowing you are with them," Remus said, some of his tiredness seeping into his voice.

"Alright, I'll be back later, okay?" Harry said determinedly.

Remus just smiled at him, his amber eyes watching him leave with a sigh.

"I'd like to talk to Severus when he has a moment, I would go to him but I'm afraid I cannot move," Lupin called out, knowing the vampires would hear him.

It was the last thing Remus remembered before sleep claimed him.

"What do you want?" Severus asked observing the werewolf, he smelt of guilt and worry. Not an appealing combination added with his lycanthrope to the mix. He wasn't in the best of moods right now, Lupin had the worst timing. Then again he always had, at least in his opinion. His wand sliding back into its holster, having just put a silencing spell around the room.

Remus' eyes sprang open, groggily staring at Severus for a moment, until he remembered asking for him. How long ago that was, he had no idea. He strengthened resolve, weakly forcing his body into a sitting position. He felt awful for what he was about to do, felt bad like he was betraying Harry in the worst way. Wasn't it in a parent's prerogative to help when and where he could? Especially when it came to their child's happiness. He may not be Harry's father biologically, but he'd taken up the mantle when Harry was eleven. A bit old admittedly, but Harry had needed a stable adult in his life. He was a werewolf and not completely stable, but enough for Harry and he called him dad, it was enough for him. He couldn't love any biological child more than he loved Harry.

"I know…what its like to want your other half, your soul mate. The possessiveness that comes with it, particularly those of our kinds." said Remus; his eyes taking on a glassy look, as he remembered his brief time as a student and thinking he'd had his. "How we want to square them away, keep them safe so nobody can hurt them. Even wanting to be the sole focus of their affection."

Severus just continued to stare at Remus blankly.

"Look I'm just going to speak frankly, you are going about it the wrong way," said Remus, ignoring the flashing furious black eyes. "Harry was abused at the Dursley's, badly; they wouldn't have let him come to Hogwarts. Fortunately, the letters continue coming until one is opened by the one who it's for. It drove his uncle insane, eventually, he just gave in and let Harry open it. He very nearly didn't make it onto the train. Nobody had explained to him that the platform was magically hidden. He came to Hogwarts in close ten sizes too big for him, belonging to his cousin. He'd never had anything of his own, not until then."

Severus stared mutinously at the wizard.

"Other than me, Blaise, Theo, and Maria, Harry has never so much as looked at anyone else. He doesn't trust anyone Snape, not ever. He's spent the six years trying to prove himself, reading absolutely everything he could just to fit in. So if someone came up to him and asked him something he'd know what the hell they were talking about. He'd never been shy and letting someone know what he thinks. In one fell swoop, you've taken him from the only home and family he's ever had. Not only is he angry at you for that, the bond is scaring the hell out of him." said Remus in warning.

"The bond?" repeated Severus surprised, other than the brief time when Dumbledore had been in the hall, he'd felt nothing from Harry to indicate the bond was even active.

"Snape, Harry hasn't been interested in that kind of thing, I think he's terrified of letting anyone in and ending up hurt. He closed all thoughts off to that, never letting himself feel even the remotely bit attracted to another. This bond is forcing him, added to everything he's going through because of this…situation it's turning into anger and distrust…its never going to work. You need to fix it and quickly, let Harry's part of the bond flourish as it should."

"What do you suggest I do?" sneered Severus coldly.

"Let him live his life, you can't keep him here you know that, against his will, he's counting down the days till get can get away." said Remus grimly.

"With The Dark Lord and Dumbledore after him?" hissed Severus infuriated.

"Look I'm just telling you what's going to happen, how Harry feels, what you do with it is up to you. Forcing Harry into anything is a stupid move to make. Harry can be fiercely independent; he's had to be to survive the Dursley's treatment of him. Another part of Harry does want to be looked after, cherished; he just doesn't let anyone see it. Give him time, room and a chance to get used to things. He needs to read the book on courting, he feels deeply uncomfortable with everything you are trying to buy for him. You cannot buy his affections, Snape, it is doing the opposite." said Remus.

Severus said nothing, staring at Remus as if seeing him in a new light.

"Just try and see it from Harry's point of view, if you can put yourself in his shoes," Remus begged of him, sweating and panting, the conversation had taken a lot out of him, and he could feel himself tiring.

"How bad was it at the Dursley's?" Severus questioned.

"Bad enough, haven't you seen the scars?" Remus murmured almost slurring the words before unconsciousness claimed him once more.

Severus stared at the wizard stunned, scars? That had been something he most definitely did not know. He had promised Harry nothing would happen until he was ready, which meant giving him space, the one time he had still been in the room when Harry woke up and picked up his clothes, he had gone into the bathroom. He hadn't thought much of it, now he had to see it in a new light. He had known they weren't the best of…relatives, but to have touched him and left scars? His fists clenched angrily, the damn Dursley's had better be glad they were dead, if only he had found out a few days earlier…he would have killed them and made what the Death Eaters had done child's play.

An urge to check on Harry overcame him.

"So? Are you Okay?" asked Blaise concerned, as the teenagers set the chess board up.

"I'm alright; honestly they've been very kind to me," Harry said, grinning sheepishly. "I'm more worried about Remus,"

"Well, at least here he's getting really good treatment, the idiots at St. Mungo's might not have helped him as much…" Theodore pointed out.

"Good point," Harry admitted shuddering at the prospect of his dad not being helped just because he was a werewolf, it was so wrong; the magical world was disgusting and depraved.

"Everything happens for a reason," Blaise said in a comical voice.

Harry's eyes gleamed as if he was ready to tear up in amusement, and it made him miss them all the more, "I miss you all." admitted Harry.

"We miss you too!" the teens admitted, they weren't used to being parted for long, except when Harry was at Remus'.

"Are you coming to Hogwarts?" Blaise asked.

"I…I don't know. I promised to stay here for one year," said Harry; the choice wasn't his. "I don't know if it's even his decision, I mean I used magic outside of school."

Theo and Blaise looked crushed, "You'd have received a letter by this," Blaise said thoughtfully.

Harry just looked at them completely helpless, shrugging his shoulders, he hadn't received anything.

"We brought your trunk by the way!" said Blaise in an attempt to change the subject seeing Harry so devastated. It made him feel like a dickhead for bringing it up, Harry wasn't happy and he so badly wanted to make it all go away. "I put everything in it, even a share of our stash of sweets." Something he wouldn't have said if his mum was around.

Harry grinned in happiness, "Thank you!"

"Pawn to C5," Blaise said making the first move.

"Hum, Pawn to C3," said Harry in turn. "Have you done any of your homework?" he asked Theo, who was watching them play grinning at their attempts.

"Yeah, nothing more to do really," Theo said shrugging, "We felt like we were going out of our minds."

"Yeah," Harry agreed, he felt like he was going out of his, was there any point to him doing his homework? Would he even be returning to Hogwarts? Then he remembered Blaise's girlfriend. "What about Daphne?" asked Harry while he was waiting on Blaise taking his turn.

"She has her friends over all the time," said Blaise scowling, doing girly things it was the last thing he wanted to do. He didn't care if Daphne was his girlfriend; he preferred to spend time alone with her. Not with all her friends giggling every few minutes.

Harry sniggered in amusement, feeling normal for what felt like the first time in weeks.

"It's not funny," groused Blaise but a smile sneaked upon his face glad he'd made Harry at least laugh.

"Pawn to A3," said Blaise.

"Pawn to B3," replied Harry.

For the next hour, they sat around the chess set, watching Harry beat Blaise, a few years ago it wouldn't have happened. Harry had come to the magical world unable to play chess, so Theo and Blaise had constantly beaten him at it. Over the years with their coaching he had become quite proficient at playing chess. He was no means an expert but there was time for that.

Harry sensed Severus' presence before he saw him when he did, he promptly said, "Thanks for bringing my trunk guys, I'll see you later alright?" standing up, leaving Blaise to have a match with Theodore.

"Yeah, definitely," Theodore said immediately, while Blaise nodded.

"Bye!" Harry added, before walking towards Severus. "Is Remus alright?" unable to conceal his worry.

"He's asleep at the moment, but I've been told he's doing well," Severus informed him, "Come with me, it's time for lunch."

"Did Remus tell you who hurt him?" Harry queried.

"No, he hasn't had the opportunity," Severus informed him, glancing at Harry, he had a feeling the teenager knew.

"It was Dumbledore," the name was spat as if it was something foul and disgusting.

Severus' eyes blazed him again, he was causing his mate all sorts of upheavals and it was unacceptable. "I see," his tone curt.

"My Lord?" Robert said, giving a curtsey, "Lord Consort," he added, bowing yet again.

"Yes?" Severus asked exasperated, giving him a nod to continue despite the fact Harry was there.

"Dumbledore has been arrested, Minerva is calling in the other teachers to Hogwarts," Robert informed Severus, the letter still in his hand.

"If you wish to return to Hogwarts, then feel free to go," said Severus, he wouldn't blame him if he didn't want to go back, Langdon didn't like most of the teachers and a lot of the students were disrespectful or terrified of him because he was a vampire. It was mostly the Muggle-Borns that was terrified of him, thanks to the stupid version Muggles had published about vampires. Insipid squibs who had started it all, trying to make themselves a little money.

"I don't want to but then again I don't want to miss all the fun," chuckled Langdon deviously.

Severus snorted in amusement, "I wouldn't either, very well, go on, I'll get in touch if it's required, otherwise I'll hear from you when you have pertinent information."

"Yes My Lord," said Langdon respectfully, bowing low,

"Thank you, Robert; your words are greatly appreciated. You will be summoned for the party; you will not be missing out on it." Severus informed him.

Langdon smiled softly but by the time he stood up his face was once again impassive; he nodded strongly before he took his leave.

"Well, I must say that was not expected," Severus said wryly, as Robert disappeared from view.

"But why?" Harry asked blankly, "Why would they arrest him? He obviously didn't get caught hurting Remus…did you pressed charges on his behalf?" he asked his mate curiously.

"I have not," Severus replied, "No doubt the newspaper will prove to be most informative." he really needed to start reading the newspaper and his mail in the morning again. He had just put things off wishing to spend as much time with Harry as possible, not that it really worked. He was either interrupted or Harry wasn't one for talking, preferring the library. Watching Harry sleep was quickly becoming his favorite time of the day…or should he say night?

There we go :) we're getting there! :D R&R please