The King and I

Disclaimer: I don't own them, J.K. Rowling does, as does Warner Bros. All I own is the computer I manipulate these characters on…actually, I don't even own the computer, my parents do. Some ideas are attributed to Helewise and the Mutt.

Thank Yous: EsScaper, Helewisetran, Sophie Malfoy, iamtherealmaverick, vytiri, My Bloody Hell.

Vytiri: Thanks for the suggestions, and yes I am BACK! I will most certainly do a flashback to a proper proposal from our beloved King.

Note: Hopefully this chapter will be much longer than the last one, I am (once again), sorry for the lack of updating and the tiny 7th Chapter.

This chapter is going to take place in July of the year following last chapter, so…know that.

You get to meet Tom Riddle this chapter :-D

Aspects of Half-Blood Prince will be mentioned or alluded to, so take this as your warning if you haven't already read it.

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Chapter 8: Secret Chat

Sirius had just returned from visiting a very pregnant and emotional James with his son, Draco, who was nearing a year old now; and now he wanted a word with Lucius about their upcoming wedding. But as he neared the King's massive, private study he heard voices; one belonging to Lucius and another belonging to a man that he had most likely never met before.

"I am not trying to force you into anything, Lucius, you are the King. You could have me hanged if you wanted…"

Sirius raised his eyebrows, other than himself; he had never ever heard anyone else call Lucius by his given name.

"I am merely making you an offer."

"…I know, and if I had less to lose I would probably take you up on the offer."

Sirius frowned slightly, he felt certain that this was a conversation he should not be listening in on but he couldn't help himself; he had always been nosy.

"In all my years of knowing you, Lucius, I have never known you to shy away from risk, even with the Wizarding World on your shoulders."

Sirius heard Lucius give a humourless snort. Who was this man? What were they talking about? Why was he so curious about what the King was doing? If Lucius knew of this eavesdropping he would start to think that he was losing Sirius's trust.

"A lot has changed though, hasn't it? You have already acknowledged that. I mean, if I continue to 'misbehave', as it has been put, my court and the Ministry could easily take away my crown, I'm powerless to do anything about it; they would never pass a law forbidding them to do so. On top of that, if I followed your plans and pandered to everything you ask of me, as friend and King, I would most definitely lose Sirius as well, and I would really rather keep him around."

Sirius moved a little closer to the door, this was most definitely very intriguing now; and he was just thankful that his son was still asleep.

"I thought you said he knew."

"Oh, he does know, but of my interest, and my interest only. Not of my practice."

Sirius frowned once more in thought, what interest of Lucius's was this? What was Lucius interested in that could also be put into practice? Well, there was the obvious conclusion: Sex; but he was certain that wasn't what the conversation was about. So what was it?

"I am surprised, what with all these artefacts within reach."

"Yes, well, he maybe sharp but he is certainly not observant."

Sirius gave a quiet huff of offence, though he knew it was true; he had never been the most observant of people.

"You do not have to take the mark if you do not want him to know."

"How kind of you."

"Let no one say I am completely cold-hearted. This reminds me, by the way, and it may be of some concern to you, several members of the Black family have entered my service."

"Have they? Who, in particular?"

"Bellatrix, her husband and in-laws. Before you had him arrested, Arsenius was going to as well; I heard through Azkaban that your charming ex-wife was interested as well. There were a fair few cohorts with that Lestrange woman as well; Rosier, Rookwood, Nott, Macnair-"

"Ministry employees?"

"Oh yes. They have been giving me inside information, which I can, of course, pass onto you if you so wish it."

"I don't think there is any need, I know my Ministry and Court are against me already; against my choice in partner in particular."

"I suppose I can see where they are coming from, but really, whose business is it but yours? I can sort them out for you, if you wish it."

Sirius leaned against the wall next to the door and cuddled the slowly waking Draco to his chest, hoping the baby wouldn't make any noise so that he could continue to eavesdrop.

"I am sure you would enjoy that, but…" the King gave a very audible sigh. "Go ahead. I am wondering your opinion on something, actually."

"Oh?"

"What would you say to my having Absolute Power?"

Sirius's eyes widened slightly, Lucius was considering ruling without his court? Absolute Power? They would assassinate him for sure! By the long silence that followed, Sirius felt sure that the other man in the room was surprised by this question, or at least, pondering deeply about it.

Finally though, the other man spoke again.

"I would say…are you sure that is the best course of action? I understand that many of your advisors have the combined knowledge of a grapefruit, and the intelligence to match; but I seriously do doubt that they would allow you to get away with it with your life in tact."

"My father did it with you by his side, I see no reason why I should not as well."

"Your father was also assassinated when you were a child, Lucius, because of his Absolute Power. Do you want your own heir to go through that?"

"Proper security measures can be taken…"

Sirius bit his bottom lip; Lucius was beginning to sound a bit desperate now.

"Lucius-"

"You are forgetting that my father was nothing more than an overly debauched, drunk widower by the time of his death; he was barely older than I am now. I, on the other hand, chose to get rid of my Queen so that I could have a new family. I am also no drunk, and-"

"Lucius, you asked for my opinion and I am giving it to you."

This was very interesting indeed, this man seemed to have as much power of Lucius as Sirius himself did; they both seemed to be able to get away with much more than any other ordinary person. But Sirius was still highly confused, this conversation had gone from some very secretive interest and practice of Lucius's to him wanting Absolute Power. What on Earth had gotten into the blond recently?

"I do not think Absolute Power is the best course of action for you at the moment. I think you should at least wait until the raucous of your upcoming wedding has died down before you do anything rash."

"It would not make me change my mind."

"I don't doubt that."

Sirius heard the sound of a chair scraping across the study's hard wood floor, so he quickly rushed off down the hallway so as not to be caught eavesdropping. But he did want to find out who this mystery man was, so he stopped in his tracks and turned only to start dawdling back in the direction of the study with his wakeful son. He heard rather than saw the study open and then the rather disorderly form of the blond King came out followed by the mystery man. As Sirius continued walking slowly towards them he allowed his eyes to give the man a quick go over; tall (slightly taller than Lucius), slim, short black hair like his own, dark eyes, handsome face. The man was exceptionally good looking in fact, and had a rather threatening air about him.

Lucius turned at the sound of footsteps to see Sirius coming along the hallway, "Ah, Sirius. I would like you to meet a friend of mine," the other man turned and his dark eyes raked over the younger man drawing to a halt in front of them. "This is Tom Riddle."

Tom offered his hand to Sirius, "A formal introduction at last, I have heard a lot about you."

Sirius shifted Draco in his arms and shook the outstretched hand, Tom had a firm grip, "I'd be lying if I said I've heard all about you," he passed a sly look at the blond. "Nice to meet you," he really did hope he didn't look at all guilty and that neither man realised he had been eavesdropping; because, frankly, it was bit threatening standing before these two.

………

"I'd like a baby."

"Really."

Regulus raised an eyebrow and replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm, "No need to sound so enthused Rem."

Remus put his quill down and rubbed his eyes, he had been doing some last minute paperwork for tomorrow, "Sorry, but…its not like we've ever discussed it before."

Regulus frowned, "So? We can start discussing it. We are married, after all," they had been married last Christmas in a small ceremony with only their closest friends and family present and since then, the couple hadn't exactly been living in wedded bliss. "Don't give me that look, you've been working since you got home and we haven't had a proper conversation in days."

Remus sighed, "Fine, we can, but does it have to be about babies?"

"Why not?" Regulus scowled and folded his arms. "What do you have against them?"

"I don't have anything against them, Reg, I just don't want to talk about them-"

"What do you have against us having a baby?"

Remus raised his eyebrows slightly, Regulus was becoming awfully defensive recently, "I never said-"

"You certainly make it seem that way," grumbled Regulus, cutting the werewolf off mid-sentence. "I mean, if you don't want to have children with me then maybe we should never have married."

Remus scoffed, he couldn't believe what he was hearing, "Oh don't be so ridiculous, Regulus!"

"I am not being ridiculous!"

"Yes you are! You are getting on the defensive over nothing!"

"You said you didn't want children!"

"I did not!"

"It's what you implied!"

"It is not!"

…

Being the end of July, James was very, very pregnant and he was currently in the living room of Severus's newly remodelled and redecorated house in Spinner's End. The ex-Auror rubbed his forehead and shifted uncomfortably; he really wanted his pregnancy to be over now, he didn't like it anymore. He was getting huge, his back ached, he hadn't seen his feet in months and Severus was just being an all-round Slytherin bastard (as usual).

The baby gave a sharp kick and James hissed in pain; he rested a hand on his swelled abdomen. It was then that something occurred to him, that was no ordinary baby kick…that was a contraction.

"Oh no…" James tried to calm his breathing; he was home all alone because Severus was in Diagon Alley. This was one of his recent nightmares coming true; he really did not want to go into labour on his own and he did not want to have his baby without its other father around.

…

Regulus had stormed out of his and Remus's house after they had nearly shouted themselves hoarse at each other; he was upset, he was annoyed, and he was confused. So, in true Black spirit, he headed towards the nearest pub to drown his sorrows; or at least until Remus came after him (if he planned too).

……

"So," Lucius wrapped his arms around Sirius's waist and pulled him close. "Getting nervous?"

Sirius smiled and kissed Lucius on the neck, "I'm not actually, are you?"

"A little," admitted the blond. "I mean, look how my last marriage ended."

Sirius circled his arms around the King's neck and gave him a kiss full on the lips, "Well, that is not going to happen to us," then he continued in a sugary sweet voice. "You know I would rip your balls off and feed them to you if you ever cheated on me."

Lucius raised his eyebrows slightly, "Is that a threat, dear consort?"

"Aye, my Lord, it most certainly is."

Lucius moved in for another kiss but Sirius pulled away, "What's wrong?"

Sirius frowned slightly; "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course…"

"Um…" Sirius pulled away from the curious blond and hesitated. Now how was he going to ask this without Lucius realising he had been eavesdropping yesterday? "I eh…" Just spit it out, you idiot! "I heard a rumour that I was hoping you could maybe lay to rest for me…"

Lucius raised an eyebrow as he sat down in a ridiculously plush armchair, "Oh?"

Sirius sat down tentatively opposite the King and continued, choosing his words as carefully as he could. "Well, I just heard that you might be considering ruling without your Court…and the Ministry… And I know that it's only a rumour and all, but you know, you've said it before, there's no smoke without fire."

Lucius frowned slightly and rested his hands on each arm of the armchair in one of his most regal positions, his silvery eyes narrowing slightly in thought as he gazed at Sirius who was starting to fidget nervously. "Truthfully, the idea has crossed my mind on many occasions. I do not plan on following through with it at the moment, unless of course my Court and the Ministry do anything else to displease me."

"Oh…ok… I just…I was curious…"

Lucius gave a slight nod of the head, "It is all right to be curious…just do not repeat what I just said to you. To anyone. Including your friends."

Sirius gave a slightly wide-eyed and obedient nod, "I won't."

"Good," replied Lucius, he relaxed slightly in his chair. "And I know that was no rumour you heard, you listening."

To Be Continued…

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Author's Note: Did this chapter make up for last chapter or not? I had toyed with making the chapter longer to include Sev and Jamie's baby but…well, I've decided to make it a two parter (which I do often, as you know). And yeah I know, the chapter title is pretty damn crap.

Next Chapter: Baby Potter-Snape arrives, but is it without complications? What does Lucius have to say about Sirius's blatant eavesdropping? Will Remus and Regulus's baby problems be resolved? Just how many people are upset and/or pissed off about the upcoming Royal Wedding?