THE ELF PRINCE'S MATE

AUTHOR: fantasylover12001

RATING: R

DISCLAIMER: I don't own HP or any recognizable characters, just this AU plot so no stealing or I'll sick my cat on you!

PAIRING: Draco/Harry, Ron/Hermione, Seamus/Dean, Lucius/Narcissa, mentions of other odd pairings that will make people raise their eyebrows.

SUMMARY: Tragedy strikes the royal family and Harry tries to help his mate as best as he can while Draco is dealing with new issues that have now sprung up since the king's death.

AUTHOR NOTES: Yeah, I know. I suck for killing Lucius. Believe me, it was as hard for me as it was for you all for reading it. But, my muses (bloodthirsty things that they are) demanded that SOMEONE die. I refused to let it be Ron, I have a slight fondness for Severus as well, so...there you have it. It was necessary for the plot. Now I know how JKR must have felt killing off Sirius in OotP...speaking of which LESS THEN ONE WEEK UNTIL HBP COMES OUT! See you all at Barnes and Noble on July 16th! I'll be updating my fics that weekend as a celebration so you all won't have to wait as long for the next part.

Thank you all who reviewed the last part, and once again, sorry for killing off Lucius. I swear, he'll be the only good guy to die in this fic! Well...the only good guy that we care about anyway.

CHAPTER 13: BURDENS OF THE CROWN

From the journal of Harry Potter:

September 30th,

The King is dead. I can hardly believe it. It was barely a month ago that I saw him and the rest of the soldiers off from the palace. At first none of us, especially Draco, wanted to believe he was gone. We thought, perhaps Narcissa just saw him in battle and nothing more. But she stayed unconscious for two whole days after the festival's end. When she finally woke up she looked like nothing in the world would ever make her smile again. That's when we knew he was dead for sure.

The battle he died in was awful from the reports. There were many casualties on both sides but our side got the worst of it. In fact, the only ones to survive it were Ron, Severus, Theodore Nott, and a handful of soldiers who had been among some of the best in the army. All the rest perished. Sadly, this does not include Lord Voldemort. Or High King Voldemort as Ron said he declared himself as he struck down the King. The look of disgust on his face told everyone exactly what he thought of that idea. I share the sentiment completely.

Ron and Severus were the ones who insisted on bringing back the King's body. Fudge wanted to return immediately but the two of them insisted on going back to the empty battlefield and carrying him back to the castle so he could be buried properly.

How can one man cause so much tragedy? The King was not the only one lost that day, how many other wives lost their husbands? Or children lost their fathers? All this destruction caused by hate. I can't imagine having so much hate in me. I think I pity Voldemort. Though not that much. No amount of pity could make me forgive the man who has caused my mate so much pain.

Draco has been...well, the Prince. He's been doing his duty and taking care of his mother. If you would look at him, you would think nothing was wrong. But I'm still worried about him. I haven't even seen him cry! I know for a fact that he and his father were very close. It's not healthy to not grieve properly. Maybe royals have some sort of code that says that they shouldn't grieve in public. That's fine and dandy but he hasn't even grieved in private! At least I don't think he has.

All of his free moments lately have been spent with me and I haven't seen him let out anything. Maybe he's afraid of appearing weak, I don't know. All I know is that sooner or later he's going to break down. I just hope to God that I'm there to help him if he does.

dmHPdm

When Draco had been six, his father had led him down to the cemetery that had all the past king, queens, royals, and other people of Hogwarts City. The Malfoy family were all buried in a large ornate crypt in the middle of the cemetery. His grandfather had been buried there as was his grandmother and all of his ancestors. Now his father's body was joining them. His mother, he was sure, would be joining him soon. Narcissa had not said anything since her husbands death. She just sat like a glass doll with no life left in her. It was discomforting seeing his mother, who was usually so full of life, look so fragile.

He did not give into the chaos that now surrounded him though. He made arrangements for his father's funeral, went about making battle plans that would have made his father proud. He was now determined to finish what his father started: bringing down Lord Voldemort. After he accomplished that he would make sure to be a king his father would be proud of.

The hardest part was now here though: watching his father's funeral. Practically the whole city came, which was a testament to how much the people loved his father and Draco was grateful to them. Even the council, who had given his father no end of trouble, were subdued and respectful. Well...except Fudge, but then Draco had never seen that man look anything but pompous.

He kept his face carefully blank as he watched the coffin go into the crypt. It wouldn't do for the people see their new King weak. They needed to see someone strong to give them hope. People were already nervous now that his father had been killed. There were whispers of Voldemort turning his eye toward Hogwarts after he conquered Hufflepuff. It wasn't entirely illogical. Gryffindor was the last free country. Hogwarts city represented all who stood against Voldemort if he conquered them, he won.

However, Hufflepuff was not completely overthrown yet. While they may be pacifists it's people were a stubborn lot. It would take at least a year or two for Voldemort to get the countryside under his control. Which was why Draco was planning to attack sooner rather then later. As soon as he gathered enough troops and got things settled down, he was going after the madman and finishing this once and for all.

The thought was very satisfying.

dmHP

Harry frowned at Draco next to him. His mate had on what Harry liked to think of his "I'm thinking seriously, don't bother me" look. The Prince had been wearing the look a lot lately. It worried him.

He hesitated a little and then discreetly took Draco's hand in his. The blonde glanced down at him and squeezed his hand back. Harry guessed it was to assure him that he was fine. It didn't assure him though. It only made him worry more.

dmHPdm

From the journal of Harry Potter:

October 10th

So life goes on after death. As it should be. The castle is functioning as well as it can.

Narcissa has come out of her silent state at last. Last night she got out of bed announcing to her startled son and subjects that Lucius would have scolded her for the way she had been acting. He would have given her an ear full for carrying on this way so she was not going to do anything that would make him come back from the grave and haunt her. Something she claims he would probably accomplish if he was mad enough at her.

Draco's mother amazes me sometimes.

So now instead of worrying about her I only worry about Draco. But then that's something Hermione tells me will never go away. Mates always worry about each other. She's relieved that Ron is back, I can tell. She's as sad as the rest of us that the king is dead but I can tell that she, as well as Poppy, are both glad it wasn't their husbands who fell.

I can certainly understand the feeling. I don't know what I'd do if Draco had gone into battle and had fallen.

Now everyone is getting busy for Draco's coronation at the end of the month. Now that Lucius is gone it is time for him to step up to his duties as king. I think he's nervous. I also think he's worried about...something. Or at least anxious. Something is certainly going on with him. Last night he was...I don't know, almost desperate. He came back from his work and practically pounced me in the kitchen.

Not that I'm complaining. This is really the first time the two of us have been intimate since the festival. But the intensity in the way he touched me...God, I almost felt like he was devouring me for moment there. It was just...wow. I certainly didn't last long let me tell you. Our relationship is already pretty intense. What on earth is it going to be like after we complete the bond?

But, as nice as last night was...it just worries me more.

Or maybe Seamus is right and I'm worrying too much. I mean, all right, so I haven't seen him grieve. Maybe he's the type of person who grieves quietly? Everyone does do it differently. Maybe I'm just worrying about nothing and this all in my head.

Or I have good reason to worry and should keep an eye on him.

God I need a drink. Why couldn't I have gotten a quiet mate who isn't as stubborn as a mule?

dmHPdm

Draco couldn't believe what the council was saying.

"You want me to marry Harry and have an heir NOW! We haven't even finished courting yet! Courting takes a whole year! You know that as well as I do!"

Albus Dumbledore sighed and glared at the council for making him the messenger. "Please try to understand, Draco. Having a King, but no heir is only inviting trouble. If you die in battle like your father, what will happen to the kingdom? There would be a fight for the throne that could last God knows how long. If you marry your mate at the coronation and have an heir immediately then the throne will be safe."

The blonde punched the table he was sitting at. "NO! I will not rush Harry into something he isn't ready for! We haven't even known each other a whole year for Christ sakes!"

Fudge snorted. "The young man has known from the moment you started to court him that this is what was going to be expected of him. I do not see what you are so upset about."

The Prince scowled at the man. "Do not test me right now, Fudge. I am not pleased with you at the moment."

The man gulped visibly. Draco couldn't help but feel a twinge of satisfaction at seeing him do so.

Dumbledore looked at him with a frown and he sighed. Part of him knew the council was right, but damn it, it wasn't fair. He had sort of seen this coming in the past few days. They had discussed the kingdoms' future along with battle plans ever since his fathers' death. Some part of him had realized that he was going to have to marry Harry sooner then planned. But he didn't think the council would insist on the two of them marrying a week from now!

He scowled again at the council in question. The only two who didn't shrink from his gaze were Dumbledore and Severus. They just looked at him gravely. It was obvious they had tried to fight for him and Harry, something he was grateful for. "Very well. It'll be done. Will you at least let me have courtesy of telling my mate?"

The council sighed in relief and nodded at him. Not for the first time in his life Draco cursed the fact that he was born a prince.

dmHPdm

Later that night he sat watching Harry happily move around the kitchen in his quarters. He didn't understand how his mate found simple pleasure in things such as cooking and cleaning, two things he himself avoided as much as possible. He tried to get Harry to let him have maids or servants clean and cook for him but the other man refused, saying he enjoyed doing it. This was one of the many things about Harry that perplexed him sometimes.

"What's wrong?"

He blinked and looked up at Harry who had suddenly stopped his movements and peered at him worriedly. "Pardon?"

Harry frowned. "You've been staring at me all night. What's wrong?"

Draco tried to smirk seductively. "Can't I just be admiring my beautiful mate?"

Harry flushed slightly. He still wasn't used to Draco's praises. "Well, no, not when you look like you want to say something to me."

The Prince sighed. Harry really was more perceptive then most people realized. It was damn annoying at times. "Come here."

Harry hesitated with another frown and then he slowly sat next to Draco on the couch, looking at him warily.

"There's really no delicate way of putting this so I'll just say it. The council wants the two of us to wed immediately after my coronation and conceive an heir right after."

Harry stared at him with wide eyes. "Right after the coronation but...that's in a week!"

"I know."

"And...shouldn't we wait on having a baby? I mean, aren't there potions or something I need to take?" The worry Draco had felt coming from his mate over the bond was now turning into surprise, shock, and something uncomfortably close to panic.

Draco frowned slightly. "I'm an elf Harry, remember? Trust me when I say making heirs won't be a problem for us."

Harry blushed and then stood up and started pacing around the room. Draco felt his mind running through all possible ways to get out of this just as he himself had tried to do then suddenly Harry stopped and studied him. "There's no way we can convince the council to give us more time?"

Draco sighed. "I'm afraid not. They're stubborn about things like this. The fact they're all men doesn't help. I'm beginning to see logic in Hermione's suggestion to put some women on the council."

Harry smiled slightly at that. Then he sat back down on the couch. "Then...I guess we're getting married."

Draco suddenly stood and kicked the coffee table, startling Harry. "Damn it, it wasn't supposed to be like this!"

"Draco..."

"It wasn't! I wasn't even supposed to find you until after the war!"

Harry frowned in confusion. "What?"

"Before that damn battle I knew you were in Surrey and I was going to let you stay there so you'd be safe. But no...damn fate had to go and interfere and now here we are not even finished courting yet and the bloody council is forcing us to bond before you're ready! This isn't fair."

Harry suddenly stood up and turned Draco around to face him. "First off, if you HAD left me in Surrey, Voldemort would've attacked our village and I'd probably be dead by now. Even if I did manage to survive the attack, your father still would've been murdered and then the council would be forcing you and me to marry only we'd be total strangers. So in the long run this is probably better."

Draco sighed and pressed his forehead into Harry's shoulder. "You deserve better then this."

He felt hands tangle into his hair and basked in the touch. "All right, so the wedding's a little sooner then planned," Harry said, softly. "I also really would've preferred to wait a bit to have children but obviously that's not a option right now. I'll deal with it. We both will. It won't be so horrible, right?"

The Prince smiled sadly into his mate's shoulder. Harry's strength amazed him sometimes, he just wished his mate didn't have to use that strength so much. He then straightened up and cupped his mate's face with his hands. "I'll make you happy. I swear."

Harry smiled shyly up at him and placed his hands over the Prince's. "I am happy."

As the two stood there just looking at each other Draco thought for the first time since his father's death that perhaps everything would be all right.

dmHPdm

From the Journal of Harry Potter:

October 17th

Bloody hell.

I'm getting married in a week.

AUTHOR NOTES: Yes, I know. Kind of short. But you get the coronation, the wedding, and the wedding night in the next chapter so that one will be really long okay? As always: PLEASE REVIEW!