Prince Consort

Chapter 14

The walk around the Castle grounds was quite peaceful; for once they didn't have permanent shadows behind them. Then again there were probably others watching closely from the roof, windows and where the vampires were naturally on duty. Harry didn't see any evidence of his suspicions and thoughts, but he most certainly wouldn't have been surprised by them. They were as Severus had put it, very overzealous in protecting him. Him too, apparently, but he didn't want the invasion of privacy that came with it. He changed in the bathroom out of fear that they would bloody burst into the room, despite Severus' reassurances that his rooms and the adjourning rooms were off limits.

Then true to Severus' request, they were having lunch outside, on a picnic bench, there was more food than Harry ate in a week laid out. "Are there many vampires here who can actually eat?"

"Yes, a great many of them went through an inheritance, one day you will meet them all," Severus promised, he would never admit this, but he was feeling at a loss. He wasn't sure what to talk to Harry about, when he asked him questions about his life he gave him curt answers, evidently not wishing to discuss it. Speaking of Dumbledore and the Order just made him sullen or extremely angry depending on the topic. He didn't want this distance between them to remain; he didn't want Harry just counting down the days until he could leave. He supposed it was the downside to having such a young mate, or perhaps it truly was the way he had gone about it.

"By great many, how many are we talking about?" Harry asked, as always a thirst for knowledge rearing its head. "I've always been under the belief that there weren't many vampires here. Not that I blame them, the Ministry is…despicable in regards to magical creatures, both human and not. Should have them all leave, see how quickly everything falls apart when they cannot get the potions they desire, or how quickly the magical world's population begins to diminish or having to get up off their arses and clean themselves instead of using House-elves."

Severus' lips twitched, "Hundreds here, overall thousands in any given country, culminating to millions overall." he informed the teen surprise written across his face, "That is a very…unusual outlook, especially for someone Muggle-raised."

"Is it?" Harry asked after swallowing his bite to eat, looking puzzled, "A Gryffindor at Hogwarts constantly complains about the way 'we' treat House-elves. In fact, she had the entire Gryffindor house mad as hell at her for months when the House-elves stopped cleaning Gryffindor tower because she had been leaving knitted things for them to find as if that would free them." rolling his eyes just thinking about Granger. Only their Master could free them, which was more than likely Dumbledore.

"It shows just how ignorant she really is regarding the matter," Severus replied, "But that is Gryffindors for you, they rush into situations that they don't fully understand."

Harry snorted around the rim of his cup, "I can't stand any of them," he admitted in distaste, "No matter what they did they just got away with it, and if it involved Slytherin's then we would be blamed for it."

"Mmm, nothing has changed regarding the matter since I attended Hogwarts then," Severus said, "Perhaps one-day things might change." especially once he had dealt with Dumbledore. His sensitive hearing picked up the sound of a bird in the distance, his sharp eyes glancing around, spotting the brown barn owl.

"That's Ginger!" Harry exclaimed having looked in the direction Severus was in curiosity. "It's Blaise's owl,"

"I see," Severus replied, dispersing with the owl redirecting spell for one day.

The owl swooped down on the bird bath, hooting at Harry for him to go to the owl so he didn't need to fly again. Harry laughed at the owl's antics, with a fond smile he hopped off the bench and made his way over, stroking the owl, smiling almost bitterly, he missed Hedwig, hopefully, though Maria would bring her with them when they visited. Taking the letter he let the owl be for the time being. He was slightly surprised that Blaise's owl managed to get to him before Remus', Remus was closer if his geography was correct by quite a few miles.

"My Lord?" Alfred said demurely, giving a deep curtsey, silently apologising for interrupting his time with his mate.

"Yes, Alfred?" Severus enquired, none of his irritation and annoyance showing. It was difficult as it was to get any sort of conversation with Harry, without being interrupted when they did manage to talk.

"I believe you may wish to see the newspaper today," Alfred informed him, he had already double checked to make sure that it was right so he wasn't interrupting his Lord for nothing.

"Raymond is here also," Alfred added.

"Very well," Severus replied, knowing Alfred wouldn't have interrupted unless he truly thought it was important. "Please take Harry to our rooms and remain there, have Storm and Corin escort him out once he's done."

"Done…with…what?" Harry asked he didn't like the sound of that at all.

"Raymond is our tailor," Severus explained, "My apologies; I had meant to inform you before this,"

Harry merely nodded, not happy in the slightest, he had no need for a tailor.

"I shall see you later," Severus added, cupping Harry's cheek only to have the teen lean away from the touch, he said nothing in regards to it.

Harry didn't like to be touched, and worse he hated the fact that his body and magic seemed to enjoy the touches bestowed upon him. Quickly standing up, he made his way over to Alfred, anything to get away from the uncomfortable feeling of rightness he felt with Severus.

"Now what was so important?" Severus demanded of Storm who was nearby, and likely knew everything, just as soon as Alfred and Harry were out of sight and earshot (well Harry anyway not Alfred). He continued walking, Storm followed keeping up with his long strides.

"The Dursley's were attacked sometime yesterday evening," Storm explained, "Very severely tortured and left to die, which they were by the time the authorities got on the scene. The Dark Mark was shot into the sky, the Ministry had a terrible time covering it up considering how many people had seen the attack or were victims of a few stray curses and hexes." remaining in the doorway to his office until she was given permission to enter.

"Was the Dark Lord present?" Severus demanded, sitting at his seat, snatching the paper from his pile of correspondence, his eyes quickly reading the information released by the Daily Prophet which was practically useless, it didn't tell you much at all.

"Reports state that it was his magic that put up the Dark Mark," Storm explained, "Jackson, Simon and Dalton are back safe, they confirmed it."

"He's recovered from his rebirth fully then, and feels confident enough to begin his reign of terror once more," Severus stated grimly, "No doubt he is looking for Harry," he growled low in his throat, discarding the newspaper.

"I believe that is the case," Storm agreed with her Lord, "We will step up our defence of the castle."

"Do that," Severus stated, "Recall the warders if you must." the castle was as secure as he could make it, but for his own peace of mind, he would rather know that there was no holes that could be exploited. It had been a few years since they were inspected after all; much could go wrong in that time.

"I'll summon Henry and Mary immediately," Storm agreed, they were the best warders in the world, and luckily had sworn their oath of allegiance just as she had to their Lord.

"Good, alert the others," Severus ordered, Harry was safe at the moment, with Alfred with him; Alfred was one of his most trusted. Turning his chair back around, he decided while Harry was busy getting fitted that he would get some of this tiresome mail out of the way. He blinked at the sight of Dumbledore's handwriting…with his name on it, Severus Snape, not Vampire Lord. Curious indeed, what on earth did the old man want with him.

Plucking his letter opener from its holder, he opened the missive, spread it out on the desk and began to read. His heart sinking and realisation set in, Dumbledore 'wished' to see him to 'rectify' his actions from fifteen years ago, by omitting his name from the newspapers, instead saying 'a friend of the family'. In other words, Dumbledore either suspected or knew what happened that night already. He hadn't expected it to happen so quickly. Thank Merlin he had taken the actions he had, when he had, the alternative didn't bear thinking about.

Growling low in his throat, he scrunched up the letter and flung it with all his might at the fireplace, within seconds the letter was reduced to ash. Dumbledore truly was just too smart for his own good sometimes, just one attack on the Dursley's and he was suddenly questioning what happened that night? It should have taken just a bit longer for suspicion to form…unless the Dark Lord had said something…which he very much doubted. He wouldn't risk the truth getting out and Harry ending up protected at all costs.

Standing up, he made his way to their bedroom, where Harry was at the moment, or should be, he hadn't been busy that long. He would need to tell him everything, not only so Harry was aware, but he didn't want Harry to think he was ever keeping information from him.

The door was open much to his approval, with the two guards at the end of the hall and Alfred standing guard at the door making sure nothing happened. He had used Raymond many times in the past, and also did background checks, but it never hurt to be careful. Harry was standing on a stool looking irritated beyond belief, as more and more measurements were taken and coloured fabric was placed on him, as if the man was trying to figure out which colour suited Harry best.

"Finished?" Severus said; it wasn't a question however, but a statement.

"Yes, My Lord," said the tailor nodding bowing low in respect as he hastily began to pack everything back up. "I shall have them delivered by tomorrow morning."

"Do not bother, I shall have someone collect it." said Severus brushing it aside.

"Yes sir," he replied before he was escorted out by Alfred.

"There's nothing wrong with my own clothes," Harry said, extremely uncomfortable with all the wealth surrounding him. With an exception of the books, he could read them all day. He felt cheap as though he was being bought, and it didn't sit well with him, he'd been so independent all his life he felt a little claustrophobic here. At least Snape wasn't demanding to spend time with him all day every day yet. The strength and intensity of feelings the man evoked by just standing near him scared Harry enough as it was. He'd never felt like that before, in fact he'd never been interested in anyone before.

"You have one set of clothes," Severus pointed out dryly, "They aren't just every day clothing, but dress robes as well, there will be many celebrations in the coming months."

"Oh," Harry said uncomfortably, well if it would prevent him from feeing like an idiot with everyone dressed classy around him then he was grateful. "Thank you," he offered politely.

Severus nodded, inclining his head, his lips pursed.

"What's wrong?" Harry asked, wondering at the look on Severus' face, it wasn't one he had seen yet.

"I am afraid there was an attack," Severus started, "The Dursley's were attacked by the Death Eaters and the Dark Lord, and Dumbledore has somehow guessed, believe me even I am surprised by the swiftness of it."

"How could he have guessed by just that one attack?" Harry asked, his heart sinking, so it was true, what Severus had said would happen…had come to pass.

"I am uncertain as of yet," Severus admitted distastefully.

Harry just nodded his eyes closing, before they snapped opened with a gasp, his dad! He hadn't replied yet, and that wasn't like him, he always replied straight away. What if he had been attacked? Harry didn't think, he just blindly ran, his heart pounding like a drum. He didn't see the guards watching after him confused and concerned, didn't hear Severus telling them not to go after him that he had it in hand as he ran towards the teen.

"Harry, stop!" Severus demanded, giving Harry a chance at least. What on earth was the teen thinking? Why the hell would he want to leave Prince Castle knowing what he did?

Harry didn't stop, instead he pushed open the doors and down the steps, not that he got far after that, since Severus had, had enough and wrapped his arms around the teen, trapping him in place.

"LET ME GO!" Harry hissed, kicking and smacking at the arms around him, and Severus' legs but nothing would budge the vampire. "LET ME GO!" he ended up howling, grunting as his knees came into contact with the pathway. His breathing ragged as Severus went with him, hugging him close.

"Easy, Harry," Severus said soothingly, "Calm down."

"Please just let me go!" Harry whispered in defeat, already knowing he wouldn't be able to.

"Why? Harry you are safe here, why on earth would you want to go out these gates to be found?" Severus questioned Harry, it wasn't a Slytherin move to make that was for damn certain.

"Just because I am doesn't mean my family is!" Harry protested, still trying to squirm out of Severus' hold. "Remus hasn't written back yet and he always writes right away! Something's happened to him I just know it!" he'd felt it even before he heard what happened to the Dursley's.

"Alright, alright, Harry stop struggling, think, if he hasn't written back it might be a trap, for you, let me send a few of my people to fetch him and the Zabini's, they can remain here, if that's what it takes to stop you running off and doing something…stupid, then so be it." Severus told him, sighing when he stopped trying to fight him.

Harry nodded desperately.

"Cenric, Storm, Zarek, Jackson, come here," Severus demanded, and within seconds the four were curtseying and murmuring "My Lord,"

"Go to Lupin's flat, fetch him and the Zabini's, Storm has their addresses, go be quick," Severus demanded of them, thank Merlin he'd given Storm the addresses already.

"Sir," they said, before they Apparated on the spot.

"Come, let's wait for news inside," Severus said, letting go of his mate, but ready to grab him if he was going to try anything. Harry wasn't yet keyed into the Apparation barriers so he couldn't unlike the others Apparate from the property, he would have had to get to the end of the property to do so.

Swallowing thickly, Harry glanced once more to the gates before he reluctantly made his way back inside.

Upon feeling Storm Apparate into the infirmary Severus immediately began to make his way there. Storm began to scan Remus, needing to know how bad it was. Dalton, who had been in the infirmary, immediately began to help, removing the tattered robes from the werewolf. She couldn't use a spell, it wouldn't remove it fast enough, he was injured enough as it was. She had no choice, she was going to have to suck it out, as disgusting as it would be, at least she wouldn't want to drink him. Werewolf blood was utterly disgusting, nobody, not even a starving Vampire would willingly drink it.

"Stand back, you might want to erect a silencing spell." Storm said grimly, it was about to get extremely loud.

Then Remus screamed in agony as the vampire began to remove the silver that had been inserted into his wound.

"REMUS!" yelled Harry entering the room, freezing in horror at the sight before him, his dad looked really bad.

Dalton cast the spell but too late.

"STOP IT!" screamed Harry running at the vampire, getting the wrong impression.

Severus immediately picked up his mate, removing him from the room as he continued to scream and fight against him. As soon as they were out of the room, silence descended upon the hallway, ominously so.

"What have you done?" choked Harry still fighting against him.

"Calm down, he has silver in his wound, this is the only chance he has of survival, we are not hurting him." said Severus before repeating himself two more times until Harry had stopped fighting him. He couldn't lie to Harry and tell him everything was going to be alright. Because he didn't know if that was true himself, he belated realized this was as close as he had gotten to Harry since his arrival. "They are doing everything they can, Harry. I promise you that much." said Severus rubbing Harry's back as he continued to tremble violently in his arms.

Harry continued to tremble and cry into Severus' chest, terror with the likes he'd never known consumed him whole. Gripping onto the potions master, since there was nothing else to hold onto. He couldn't lose his dad, not now not ever, six years wasn't enough time.

Harry had refused to move from the spot at the door, for the first time outright defying Severus' orders. He didn't care about getting along with him at that moment, his fear and worry were just too much at the forefront of his mind. He couldn't lose his dad, not now, Merlin he was terrified. The minutes seemed to tick by excruciatingly slowly; each tick seemed to drive Harry mad. Sitting on the floor, his backside going numb but he didn't want to move, he wanted to know how his dad was. Tears had continued to fall, even after three hours the vampires in the room hadn't emerged yet and Harry was scared Remus wouldn't survive.

"Here," said Severus returning and handing Harry a bottle of Butterbeer, he'd added a calming draught to it so Harry would at least calm down. He could hear his heartbeat thumping painfully three floors down, he was terrified. It shouldn't have shocked him, but it did, it became apparent that Harry truly loved Remus and would be lost without him.

"Thank you," said Harry hoarsely accepting the bottle and drinking from it. He felt himself calming down immediately; he couldn't bring himself to be angry that Severus had drugged him. It didn't take all his fears away, but it helped him think clearly and rationally.

"Dalton and Storm are the best healers we have and have been practiced in healing magic for over five hundred years. If anyone can save him…it is them." said Severus soothingly, sitting down on the floor next to him. He'd never felt more useless than he did right now, he couldn't make this problem just go away, or pay for it to be so or duel. He couldn't predict the outcome either; he prayed for his mate's sake that he recovered fully.

He was surprised when Harry willingly initiated contact with him; especially given he had moved away from his touch just earlier that day. He didn't dwell on it, merely pulled him closer, giving him the comfort he so desperately sought and needed.

There we go, next chapter we will definitely need some Sirius in it, been a few chapters since he was mentioned :) also would you like to see Dumbledore's arrest or will it just be mentioned in length in the 'daily prophet?' most of which I'm writing is original for the moment with bits sprinkled in from chapters I already had up thank you all for your patience with this story it's been a lot of trouble but I do enjoy writing it and want it finished :) R&R