Prince Consort

Chapter 4

"Blaise!" yelled Maria Zabini her voice shrill with worry and panic, as she felt the wards flaring up in warning. Something or someone was trying to get into her manor, making it completely impossible for her to leave. Terror filled her, why would the Dark Lord attack them? They'd always been neutral in the war; they'd never joined either side. Were they there for Theodore? She ran for her son, clutching the pendant around her neck. She wouldn't leave without him, he was her everything, the only thing she had from her soul mate, the one man she'd truly loved. He was her baby boy, even if he was all grown up now. She barrelled into them in the hall way, their faces becoming concerned at her appearance.

"Mum! What's wrong?" asked the dark long haired boy, worried by his mother's pale stricken face.

"Come," she said, grabbing all of them as she clutched the pendant around her neck, "Safe heaven!" she cried activating the pendant. She had feared something like this would happen; now it was…she was terrified. She sighed in relief as she felt the Portkey activating, much to her horror it didn't take off. They had put Anti-Apparation and Anti-Portkey wards around the manor, her face pale and clammy; she grabbed them and ran, running towards the panic room which had been installed during the first war by her first husband.

"Get in there and stay there do you hear me?" she said opening the panel which was hidden behind the bookshelves. It was fire resistant, damage resistant, smoke resistant silent and ever other charms Blaise's father had thought off.

"MUM NO! Come with us!" said Blaise grabbing his mother, stopping her from pushing him inside.

"NO! They know I'm here, do not come out do you hear me?" she said, forcefully removing her son's hand and finally getting him inside. "Do not let him out! I love you," she couldn't let her last words be anything other than those. She flicked her wand sealing the door, tears filling her eyes, but her heart felt at ease her son would be fine. He would survive, taking a shaky breath; she fled the room not wanting to be in there should they connect the dots.

She calmly sat back down in the living room chair, waiting whatever that would come through her door. She had no way out, her Floo had been disconnected, and Anti-Apparation and Anti-Portkey's were in place. She was effectively a sitting duck, her only consolation was the fact her son would be fine. There was food in the panic room to last them a few weeks. Five seconds later, she jumped when her door was blown from its hinges. Swallowing thickly, she stiffened, her eyes widened in astonished disbelief when an Auror stalked into her living room like he belonged there, wand out at the ready.

"How dare you attack my home!" said Maria standing up, the fear she'd been experiencing had given way to fury. She would sue them for everything they had, the entire department.

"I am Auror Shacklebolt, and I'm here for Harry Potter," said Shacklebolt showing her the paperwork to prove he had legal rights to remove Harry from the premises. As well as his cards proving he was indeed an Auror, it was similar to the ID cards police officers used.

"Last I looked; this was Zabini Manor, not Potter Manor. As soon as you leave I'm going to have you brought up on charges," said Maria her face a mask of utter contempt, she had been terrified for her life because of this man, he should have come to the door! That wasn't protocol used for retrieving someone! Especially not someone who wasn't a criminal.

"Word was he is here," said Shacklebolt, an unsure look on his face. Dumbledore had upon the paper that he stayed in Zabini Manor. If Dumbledore was wrong, there was a chance he could lose his job. None of his worries showed on his face, he stared blankly ahead as if her words had no effect on him.

"You scared me half to death, fearing there was a Death Eater attack, on hearsay?" snarled Maria, truly intimidating. She wasn't about to hand Harry over, she thought of him as a second son. She'd known the boy for six years; Blaise and Harry were like brothers, along with Theodore. If she even thought about giving him up, Blaise would never forgive her either.

"Then you won't mind me using a spell to verify that?" enquired Shacklebolt impassively, small beads of sweat trickling down his head.

"Go ahead, the quicker you get out of my manor the quicker I will be at the Ministry." said Maria crossing her arms, not the least bit worried that he'd find anyone or anything.

Shacklebolt wanted to close his eyes, fidget but he did none of that, instead of used the spell that would tell him if anyone else was in the manor. Sweating worse now, he waited with bated breath, for the results to come to him. Breathing out in disbelief, nobody else was in the manor; his work had been for nothing. Now he was in danger of being suspended or worse still fired. "It seems we were wrong, I do apologize."

"Now get out of MY HOUSE!" letting her anger show through at the end of her statement.

"Yes, ma'am," said Shacklebolt, there was truly nothing he could do, nobody else was here. He stalked back out, fixing the door as he went with a flick of his wand. He removed the wards he'd placed and with his tail between his legs Apparated to the Ministry dreading what may come.

Technically speaking, it hadn't been legal; it hadn't been approved by his superiors.

Maria closed her eyes in relief once she regained control of her wards, she would need to make them stronger if one wizard was able to overcome them. Perhaps it was time to apply blood wards, they were slightly illegal but right now she didn't care. All she cared about was keeping her son safe. From everyone who would see harm coming to him. Once she was sure Shacklebolt was off her property she went to the panic room, no doubt her son was terrified of what might be happening.

"MUM!" cried Blaise in relief upon seeing her unharmed when she finally opened the door. He immediately replaced his wand and hugged her, uncaring that he was crying in front of his friends. It wasn't a very Slytherin move to make, but everyone had some Hufflepuff in them. Their loyalty to those they loved.

"What happened?" asked Theodore, fear written across his face, it was obvious he thought they'd been there for him.

Maria looked deeply uncomfortable but nevertheless, she spoke the truth, "Albus Dumbledore gained custody of Harry. An Auror was here looking for him, I'm afraid it will only be a matter of time before they find you." said Maria.

"Why?" yelled Harry his eyes wide, as he stared at the woman in total and utter shock.

"I do not know," said Maria regarding Harry sadly, she didn't understand it any better than he did. Why would Dumbledore want custody of Harry? It made no logical sense whatsoever. He'd been at Hogwarts for five years, starting his sixth this year. He'd never once showed any kind regard for him, in fact, Harry said he pretty much ignored him. The same went for all the Slytherins, which was the way they liked it really. "Perhaps I could get in touch with Professor Slughorn and see what I can find out." Slughorn liked Harry a great deal, he'd even checked on him his first summer here. To make sure he was settling in fine, he'd even found out about the Dursley's and as head of house, and guardian during the school year, he'd allowed Harry to stay there. She wished she'd taken him in through official channels, so he would not be in this predicament he was in now.

"This makes no sense," said Blaise, "Can you reach him today?"

"Yes, but no doubt we will be watched closely, if not by the Ministry then by Dumbledore and his Order. Harry cannot be seen, otherwise, they will be back." Maria cautioned, straightening her back.

"He would get me if I was back at Hogwarts, wouldn't he? Which means I can't go," said Harry his heart sinking. Hogwarts was his home, he wanted to finish his education but it looked as though it wasn't going to be possible.

"He wouldn't dare do anything in public; once you are back at Hogwarts you should be safe. Then you would only have to put up with him a month until your birthday. After that you will be free of him, you will be an adult in the eyes of the Wizarding world." Maria informed him, trying to comfort him.

"He wants my money doesn't he?" said Harry his eyes darkening in fury, everyone there knew Dumbledore had been stealing his money for ten years. They knew everything; he trusted them with his life and would defend them with his.

"I can see no other logical explanation for his motives," Maria answered slowly, which was the truth of the matter.

"He will already be getting it right?" sighed Harry, after five years of making money again Dumbledore was going to take it all back. He felt sick, and wished, desperately wished he could scream and yell at the world for the unfairness of it.

"How did he get custody of him?" asked Theodore.

"There is only one way he could have accomplished it," said Maria wincing, she knew Harry was not going to be happy. "Sirius Black must have given up all magical rights to him. Not even the Dursley's would have been able to sign Harry over to him." the Dursley's had rights to him as last living relatives, but Black, Black could control the Potter fortune and Harry, well not anymore. He'd given Harry over to Dumbledore, for reasons they couldn't fathom.

"I HATE HIM!" snarled Harry his hands fisted at his side, as his magic nearly exploded in front of them.

"Harry, calm down, if your magic is registered here they will be right back," Maria cautioned, gripping his shoulders, calming the sixteen-year-old down.

This was the only reason Harry managed to keep his magic calm, the thought of Dumbledore getting his hands on him left him cold and hollow. The four occupants of the study jumped when a sudden yell surrounded the manor.

"HARRY!" yelled a voice they all knew. Remus Lupin. It was filled with desperation and fear, Harry was about to go to him but Maria stopped him. "Don't, it may not be him. It could be a trick," she said suspiciously. "Go back into the room," she said. It was magically sealed, as proved it stopped anyone realizing they were there, Unplottable, undetectable, and magically concealing. It was definitely her husband's best work. How she missed him especially on days like this, he would have thrived with events such as these happening around him.

"What was the first thing you ever said to me?" asked Maria, her wand rose staring at Remus impassively, if it turned out to be a stranger she would kill him.

Remus stared at her blankly before his brain kicked into gear, "I hope you don't mind a werewolf in your manor." yes he'd told her, she would have found out sooner or later. Considering he'd never be around at the time of the full moons. Plus Harry had spoken in regard to how Blaise wasn't prejudiced, and how he'd spoken often of Werewolves and Vampires, having such a bad deal. He'd taken a risk and it had paid off thankfully.

Maria lowered her wand, feeling greatly relieved that it truly was Remus Lupin.

"Where is he? Please tell me he's still here," said Remus still on the floor his eyes filled with despair and a small dose of hope.

"He is, for the moment. I do not think Dumbledore will give up," said Maria, expecting Remus to be confused and ask why, but he didn't. Curious, did that mean he already knew? If so why hadn't he done anything?

"Tonks told me," said Remus upon seeing Maria's curiosity.

"The Auror? Why would she say anything? And how would she know?" asked Maria, standing there confused.

"She figured it out," Remus whispered, beginning to feel the ache in his throat, his shout had stung fiercely; he knew he'd be feeling it for days.

Maria turned around and went back into the study, opening the door once more and letting them out. They weren't so hysterical this time, just gazing at her enquiringly, she nodded that it was truly Remus and then Harry bolted for him.

"Remus!" said Harry running towards him hugging him, he wasn't one for big displays of affection, but right now he obviously needed it. Remus just crushed him into a tight embrace, not wanting to let him go. His racing heart finally slowing down, he was fine, he was safe…for the moment. Both of them knelt on the floor relieved. "Why? Why is he doing this?" he asked his voice muffled by Remus' clothes.

"I don't know cub, I don't know," said Remus just as bewildered as Harry when it came to Dumbledore's motivations. "We'll find out, I promise if it's the last thing I do - I'll find out."

"I think we can all use some coffee don't you?" said Maria, summoning a house elf to do her bidding before sinking down onto her sofa overwrought by today's events. Everyone else did the same thing, Remus sat next to Harry, keeping his son in sight. A few minutes later, the House-Elf returned with coffee and a selection of scones, croissants, cheese, butter jams and of course biscuits to dunk into their brews.

"Please, help your self's," said Maria gratefully making her own.

"What are you going to do about Hogwarts?" asked Blaise, what if Harry didn't go back? It wouldn't be the same. It would be as if part of him was missing, he and Harry and Teddy had been side by side for five years. They'd attended the same classes, shared the same dorm, and shared magazines, broomsticks and even clothes on occasion. They were brothers in all but blood.

"I don't know." said Harry his shoulders hunched in defeat.

"You should be fine when you get to Hogwarts, Dumbledore wouldn't pull anything in public, would he Remus?" Maria questioned, asking for the man's opinion.

"If he did, he is very good at getting everyone to believe him. We need to find out why first before we even think of suggesting going back to Hogwarts." said Remus, "You best not leave here Harry, it's the safest place for you. With Maria's permission, I will come here to see you when I can. No doubt I'll be closely watched so it might be unsafe for me. I won't be writing so do not open any letters. I won't have you Portkey'd from under my nose."

"This is going to suck!" grumbled Harry, stuck here all summer not able to go out; normally he went to Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade during the summer. He just knew he was going to go insane before the end of the summer holidays.

"I'm going to see Tonks," said Remus, placing his empty cup on the tray, "Thank you." he then said to Maria, for keeping Harry safe, for not giving him up, and a million other reasons.

"It's no problem." Maria insisted she didn't want to see Harry in Dumbledore's clutches any more than Remus did.

"Be safe," said Remus clutching Harry's shoulder tightly before reluctantly leaving, he needed answers.

Remus was spat out into his flat after an uncomfortable ride through the Floo Network; he looked around wondering if Tonks was still there, then he saw her. She was sitting on one of his high back chairs; looking as lost as he felt, did he look like that?

"How sure are you about the vampires and Harry?" Remus questioned her, sitting forward his face calm but betrayed by his eyes which were probing intently.

"Enough to have come here, betray the Order, Dumbledore, and everything to do the right thing," Tonks told Remus, "I hope I'm wrong, I really do, I don't want to think Dumbledore is capable of something like this. Handing over a kid to be a donor for a Vampire Lord? I don't care if it meant that the Vampire Lord would join the light side…this makes us no better than Voldemort." her righteous passion laced words holding no deceit.

Remus nodded, agreeing with her, he was grateful she had told him, but he would have already known by this. Harry told him everything, but he wouldn't have known just what Dumbledore had intended to do - or at least a guess as to what he may have had planned.

"Thank you," he whispered, staring at her before turning to face the fire, despite it's warmth he did not feel it. Breathing deeply, he began to mentally calculate how much it would cost for him and Harry to live in the Muggle world for a year until he turned seventeen. They wouldn't be able to live in one of the Potter properties since Dumbledore would have control of them.

No, they would have to stay in the Muggle world. He'd have to find work, and put the place they would live in under Fidelus Charm. What he had would only buy them half a year if they were lucky, Merlin knows what they'd do during the full moon. He couldn't stay in the same house as Harry; it was out of the question. Fuck things had just gotten highly dangerous and fucked up in a single day. He was safe for now in Zabini Manor, but nowhere was truly safe. Even now he was worried that they'd find Harry.

Zabini Manor

"Are you going to go to the Ministry then mum?" asked Blaise, after they finally got the whole story from her, from the second they'd been locked up in the panic room until the Auror left.

"Under the circumstances, I am unsure of what to do," said Maria, "Going might just put unwarranted attention on us."

"They might leave us alone longer or forever if you do complain," said Theodore, the Ministry didn't like messing with the Pureblood's, especially with the amount of money they had. The Ministry didn't like handing out money to those who sue them. No company did come to that.

"I don't want you getting in trouble for me," said Harry, terrified at the repercussions it might lead to for Mrs. Zabini, Blaise and Theodore. "Maybe I should leave?" he could live out in the forests for a year. It could be no different than living with the Dursley's. He'd gone without much food for nearly ten years. He could do it again surely? He didn't want the man he loved like a father to get arrested either. Remus wouldn't survive in Azkaban; if he survived they would know he was a werewolf, which might prolong his stay for failing to notify the Ministry. He'd never felt more useless since learning about magic.

He had always thought he didn't have a Gryffindor bone in his body, but part of him wanted to give himself up to save them. Evidently he had more Gryffindor in himself than he liked to think. Yet a huge part of him, Slytherin part, just wanted to flee, to keep them safe and stay out of Dumbledore's hands until he turned seventeen. He knew he wouldn't survive long without them though; he'd grown to rely on them so much since he was eleven.

"No Harry, you would just be caught out there," said Maria, "Trust me, I think that's what they will expect you to do, its what most sixteen year olds would do. Just stay put, and near that room at all times. If I tell you to run that is where you go do you understand? They won't be able to find you in that room." Her voice becoming stern, the tone she used when she wanted them to obey her immediately.

Harry nodded his head reluctantly; he knew she was right; he was a sitting duck out there.

"Don't worry Harry, maybe Remus will find out what he wants?" suggested Blaise feeling just as useless as everyone else.

"Maybe it's just your money and that's all he wants?" said Theodore, biting his lip, that way it wasn't so bad. At least he wouldn't want Harry for any nefarious purposes.

Harry shrugged his shoulders, "I guess I won't be visiting my parent's grave this summer then." sighed Harry, and Remus always took him to see them during the summer a few times. It had been extremely emotional the first time, knowing they were rotting underneath the earth…unaware of him or anything really. He'd burst into tears, it had been the first time Remus had held him. The first real hug he ever remembered.

-0 Flash Black 0-

Eleven years old Harry held onto Remus, as they Apparated to the Graveyard, Harry was a little apprehensive about it. He'd never visited his parents before, before this year he'd never known a single thing about them. Remus had two bouquets of flowers in his hand as well. They walked up to their plots, Remus watching Harry, making sure he was going to be okay.

"Go then Harry," said Remus handing him a bouquet of white roses, Lily loved them, they had been her favourites beside Lilies. Which was what his second bouquet was, the smelly ones she'd adored.

"Your dad always got your mum Lilies on their anniversaries, counting from the day they started dating in school." explained Remus, there was still so much Harry didn't know about his parents.

Harry stared down at their gravestones, he felt overwhelmed, he didn't know why. Just knowing where they were, that they were under his feet and not with him caused his feet to buck from under him. His green eyes filled with tears, they should be here with him! Not under there! If they hadn't been in the order they would still be alive! A sniffle left Harry's lips. "WHY! Why did they have to join the Order." sobbed Harry.

Remus joined Harry on the grass, taking him into a hug, giving him the comfort he obviously desperately needed.

"THEY SHOULD BE HERE! WITH ME! IT'S NOT FAIR!" yelled Harry punching the grass under him.

"They would want to be Harry, they'd want to be." said Remus rocking Harry back and forth. His amber eyes filled with sadness, ten years it had taken for Harry to see their graves. Ten years of suppressed feelings were coming out.

"THEY AREN'T THOUGH ARE THEY? WHY DID THEY STAY IN THE DAMN ORDER! DIDN'T THEY CARE THEY MIGHT BE KILLED AND LEAVE ME ALL ALONE?" sobbed Harry, all those years of grief finally breaking the dam within him.

"They wanted to make the world a safer place for you Harry, to grow up without the threat of Voldemort. There was once, just after you were born that they wanted to leave. I believe it was just after the attack on the Bones', the little girl was the only one that survived, Susan I believe her name was. She was brought up by her aunt, they wanted to leave but they didn't. They felt they had to do their bit to keep you safe." said Remus feeling useless, there was no way he could make Harry understand. Harry would never understand, because no reason was good enough. "Go on, talk to them, just because they aren't here with you it doesn't mean they can't hear you."

"Do you think they can?" asked Harry sounding impossibly young.

"I like to think they can, if only for my own sake. Its nice being able to come and talk to them." said Remus, he had done it often enough. It took him a year to dare come though, after loosing everyone. Then one night he'd done pretty much what Harry was doing. Screaming at them for leaving, then crying for the loss, before just talking to them it was very cathartic.

"They were only twenty one?" said Harry his breathing still hitching after his bout of crying. It seemed so young; he'd always imagined them a little older.

"Yes," said Remus quietly, "We all were."

"The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death?" parroted Harry, reading the inscription engraved on his mother and fathers headstone. Why wasn't there something like beloved mother and father? "Why that and not something else? Like beloved and sorely missed mother and father? Why am I not mentioned?" he felt cheated by that. He didn't fail to notice other tombstones with similar inscriptions.

"I am afraid that Dumbledore had it carved," said Remus wincing just imaging the explosion coming his way. Harry loathed Dumbledore, beyond anything he'd ever seen in an eleven year old. Harry was powerful, extremely so! He'd experienced it first hand.

"Can we not remove it?" asked Harry sullenly, he didn't care if someone thought he was immature, he was allowed to be he was eleven years old.

"I don't think so," said Remus, "Perhaps you should look it up? Add your own inscription?" he would look for information on it too, now that Harry mentioned it, it wasn't fair. Harry had been their reason for living, yet he didn't have a single mention on their gravestone.

"I will." said Harry determination thrumming through him.

"Go on then, talk to them, if you want I can go down there so you can do it privately?" suggested Remus.

"No, stay." said Harry immediately, grabbing onto Remus, he didn't want to be alone.

"Alright," said Remus calming the clingy soon to be teenager.

"Hi mum, dad…I'm at Hogwarts now, I got sorted into Slytherin. I know you would have been disappointed dad; well…maybe you would have changed your mind about Slytherins if you were here right? I know mum wouldn't have minded I know she was best friends with one…" said Harry unsurely, just blabbing on with whatever came to mind. "I'm really good at Charms and Transfiguration like you both and Potions! Professor Slughorn told me you were brilliant at that too mum!"

Remus' heart hurt just listening to Harry talk to his dead parents for an hour. They should have been here for this, hearing Harry just strengthened his hatred for the Order. He was beginning to adopt Harry's stance on the group. If they hadn't joined they would have still been there. He had only joined because he wanted to keep his friends safe. Dumbledore of course had been delighted to have him, why he didn't know. He wasn't an Alpha werewolf, and had no control over any others of his own kind.

Remus wouldn't be able to say he wasn't an Alpha in a few years time.

"I'll be back soon, I promise." said Harry finally placing the Roses on his mother's side of the gravestone. His hands running reverently down the inscribed words, his mothers name. Remus placed the second bouquet on James' grave.

"Goodbye guys," said Remus quietly, as both of them finally got off their knees, he didn't know about Harry but his knees were killing him. Next time he'd bring a cushion or use the cushioning charm. "Ready to go home now?"

"Yes," said Harry breathing deeply, he felt much better now he didn't understand why either. Then again he was only eleven, he'd understand in time. With that Remus Apparated them away from the graveyard and back to his apartment.

-0 End Flashback 0-

"I think I will get in touch with your professor then go to the Ministry," said Maria making up her mind, not doing anything she decided, would make it suspicious. If it was all above board she would give them a complaint they would never forget, but she held her doubts that the Head of the law Enforcement Office would sanction this just to pick up a child.

Of all the days, it had to happen on Harry's birthday.

Edited 2/6/17