Prince Consort

Chapter 22

Harry moaned in agony, his entire body felt as though it was weighed down with cement. He couldn't even think about raising an arm never mind his upper body. He was finding it difficult to breathe, what the hell was wrong with him? The book had said he'd feel odd…not bloody dying. He was on fire; he didn't get sick, he'd never been sick in years, not since he was eleven.

Open his bleary eyes; he blinked a few times until he could see properly, even if it looked as though the room was spinning. Coolness against his head made him groan in appreciation, pressing against the coolness, never wanting it to fade. Oh, it felt so good; a grateful sigh left his lips, if that coolness could be all over him he would be in heaven. His eyes had closed again, but he opened them and a pitiful whine left his throat when the coldness left him. He desperately wanted to grab it back but he just couldn't scrape up the energy to do it.

"Easy," said Severus softly, as he placed the spelled cold rag across Harry's forehead. He had been expecting this, but not to the extent that Harry couldn't move. Every human reacted different to the vampire blood, as proved by the different documentation about the change from his various predecessors/family members. It also lasted different lengths of times; four days seemed to be the longest it's ever lasted.

"Hurts," murmured Harry, his tongue even felt thick and heavy. It didn't help that he was dryer than he'd ever felt in his entire life. Almost as if Severus was reading his mind, cold water was pressed to his lips, and Harry couldn't help but guzzle it down greedily, sighing in relief, now that felt even better than the cold rag.

"Drink this, it will make you feel better," said Severus, pouring some of the potion from the vial into his throat. Once Harry swallowed it he repeated the process three times until the vial was emptied. Banishing it without a second thought, sitting back on the bed, Harry on his lap, he picked up a book and began reading. He had been well prepared for this, and Harry wouldn't suffer any more than he had to.

"How long?" murmured Harry, sounding a little more coherent, but Severus knew it wouldn't last, the potion would make him extremely groggy and he'd probably sleep for a great deal of the day.

"It's different for everybody," said Severus honestly, carding his hand through Harry's hair, easing him some more. "Sleep, the worst of it will pass today."

He absently carded his hand through Harry's hair, avoiding listening to everyone's conversations but immersing himself in his book.

"Come in," said Severus in a low voice, not wanting to disturb or wake Harry if he was sleeping but his breathing had evened out.

"My, Lord do you require some food?" Storm asked through the door, knowing her Lord and Lord's consort needed to eat. She didn't want to disturb them so remained waiting on an answer from where she stood.

"Nothing until lunch, I shall have a goblet of blood instead of my usual," stated Severus calmly, heard even through the thick door. "I do not want disturbed until then." he had to give Harry his blood continuously for twenty-four hours for the transformation to be complete.

"Yes Sir." said Storm in understanding.

She felt magic wash over the room, indicating her Lord had placed silencing spells on the room.

Severus watched over Harry, he unlike his mate did not need as much asleep, although once he was through with the change Harry would notice he didn't need as much sleep anymore. The venom and blood (which couldn't turn anyone just give them an extra long life due to his inheritance) would ensure that he had more characteristics of a vampire - be more like him. His little vixen continued to surprise him, he couldn't stop dwelling on the fact Harry had asked him to bite him. He had looked so heated and determined, it was a new agony to keep himself from pouncing on Harry and having his way with the delectable morsel that he was.

Severus' long fingers brushed through Harry's hair, sure and possessive, he would have taken the pain from him if he had been able. Even his transformation had not been overly painful or long. Then again he had fallen unconscious as his body had so suddenly been thrust into the change.

It didn't take long for Harry to begin stirring, pressing his head against the small pressure Severus was delivering to his head as he ran his fingers through his hair and scalp. "How are you feeling, my own?" murmured Severus softly, Harry's hearing would get very advanced as per normal. Needless to say he was going to have quite a raging headache for days, until he got used to it.

"A little better," Harry replied, still a little groggy.

"Good," replied Severus, continuing his administrations. "You still hold no regrets?"

"No," Harry murmured, not able to shake his head for emphasis.

"It's been only a fortnight since you came here, yet you wanted to go through the change, why?" Severus questioned, he wanted a logical answer, one that didn't see him putting the needs of his family over his own. He wanted to be sure that it was something Harry actually desired for himself. Sure, the bond will have awoken but it didn't cause them to blindly desire the other. He really should have asked these questions first and gotten a real answer but his own desires had awoken.

"You know, Remus told me that I wouldn't find a greater love here that wizards and witches didn't love as fiercely as creatures do. Except for any children they have, Remus would have chosen me over his own mate…I couldn't let that happen," Harry said tiredly, "It's all I've ever wanted, to be loved, I know we aren't that to each other…at least not yet, but we wont be if we don't try."

"You speak with wisdom greater than your young age," Severus said, pride filling him. He would do everything in his power to make sure that Harry knew he was wanted, and while it was true they didn't love each other yet, he did want that for them.

"I need a bath," said Harry grimacing slightly, how could Severus stand the smell?

"Once the chance is complete your body wont produce sweat, so it will no longer be a problem, unfortunately those around you will, and you end up accustomed to the smell - surprisingly." explained Severus, "It's only so bad due to your body adapting, your body is producing sweat due to a low fever and the pain." he had gotten used to it being around humans as he was. It was worse then they feared him, which was nearly everyone he came into contact with - and they had every right to fear him. He could kill them quicker than looking at them, his strength alone could crush their skull with his bare hands.

"Oh," was all Harry had to say about that particular conversation. Wincing, Harry moved so he was able to look at Severus, wishing to speak while the pain was manageable. "Did you have trouble with you know…strength?" asked Harry cautiously, he didn't want to accidentally hurt his friends, Remus wouldn't be hurt he was much stronger than his best friends and Maria.

"No, but after I was turned I wasn't around humans for a while, I spent a long time training, learning everything I needed to be able to defend myself and reclaim my inheritance." Severus explained, moving slightly so Harry's head could be comfortable on his arm, seeing him struggling to keep his head off the bed.

"How many people did you duel altogether?" his curious green eyes gleaming, glazed slightly with the sign of fever.

"The number is up to fifty-eight." Severus admitted, his tone filled with pride and fire, he had beaten every single one of them, and he didn't include the ones his people had dealt with.

"You had to fight all those people just to get…be the Prince Vampire lord?" Harry gaped his eyes wide, he certainly underestimated it then, he'd assumed he'd had to fight maybe the old leader…and a few others when they tried to fight him for the right to the 'throne' not fifty-eight vampires for Merlin's sake.

"Over the years yes, once I defeated the one who had claimed the throne after my grandparents stepped down, others demanded their own duel. They thought I would be easy pickings since I did not grow up aware of my inheritance." answered Severus. "They soon learned just how wrong they were, they saw how much I achieved and still insisted on fighting me."

"They knew about that and still came at you?" Harry asked incredulously, they would have been Gryffindors at Hogwarts - doing that…there was absolutely nothing Slytherin about it.

"The news of my mother not coming to an inheritance apparently spread quicker than lightening, and per tradition Glenn and Rose had to stand down, the Castle was abandoned and fighting started out for the so called throne. Without money he ruled with an iron fist, killing those that didn't agree with him wholeheartedly. So when I came along most were relieved, but he did have his loyal coven, the original coven he had before becoming Lord. They were favored, and quite frankly were furious when he was killed, all of them chose to fight and all of them died for a cause they believed in." Severus told him.

"You sound like you respect them," Harry pointed out in confusion.

"They died for a cause they believed in, in avenging someone they obviously cared deeply about - only a fool doesn't respect what his enemy is capable off." Severus stated seriously.

Harry frowned thoughtfully, did he respect his enemies? Like Voldemort, no he didn't, did that make him a fool? How could he possibly respect a wizard who had taken his parents from him? Although they hadn't exactly been innocent he knew that, they'd joined the damn Order, it was mostly Dumbledore's fault. He'd painted targets on people's backs by getting them to fight for him. That included his parents, he hated the fact they hadn't thought of him, left the war behind and raised him as they should have.

"It's not respecting the person they are, but more of what they could do, their magical powers." Severus informed him, understanding all too well what or rather who was on Harry's mind. "Sleep, it will be over soon."

"I want a bath when I wake up," Harry murmured sleepily, before he was out for the count, the pain relief draught getting the better of him.

"May I see Harry please?" Remus asked, standing before Dalton, who was on duty at the end of the corridor to the Lord and Lord Consort's chambers.

"I'm sorry but My Lord informed us they are not to be disturbed," Dalton informed him, blocking the way as always.

"Quite frankly, I don't care right now, Harry is my son, and I wish to see him." Remus said his tone polite despite his words. It had been an entire day since he saw him, since Harry had declared he needed time to think and left. Soon it would be two days since it transpired, and he was worried that Harry felt abandoned, he would choose Harry over Sirius, even if it hurt.

"I am sorry," Dalton said, he could smell the distress coming off the werewolf, but there was nothing he could do. He was following his Lord's orders, and as it was, Harry wasn't in any state to talk to anyone.

The door abruptly opening caused both of them to jump, Remus' more comical than Dalton; it went to show just how well the silencing spells around Severus' quarters were. "My office," Severus stated sharply, annoyance pouring off him in waves, hence Remus didn't argue, he didn't want to push his luck. He was beginning to worry that Harry was hurt, but surely not, not here, perhaps he was just sick?

As soon as both of them were ensconced in the very room that Remus had learned of Harry's safety after being soundly beaten, Remus quickly spoke with urgency. "Where is Harry? Is he alright?"

"He's going through the change," Severus informed Remus, deciding to show favour to the werewolf; it had been his words that had convinced Harry to give himself fully to the mating.

Remus gaped, blinking in surprised disbelief, "And it was his choice?" he asked, but he already knew the answer, Severus wouldn't have forced the matter he was trying to get Harry onside.

"Yes," Severus snapped out in annoyance at daring to be questioned especially regarding his honour.

"How was he before he asked?" Remus questioned, worry shining through his amber eyes.

"If you worry about how he feels for Black, and then desist, it is between them, Harry will always regard you as a father figure," Severus said, eyeing Remus as if he were a particular specimen he hadn't encountered before.

Remus sighed, sitting down looking tired beyond words, "Harry hates Sirius so much how can there be anything other than animosity between them? It's my fault, if I had just avoided taking about Sirius then Harry wouldn't hate him."

Severus snorted, "That would have probably backfired on you," Severus said sardonically. "He would have found out from someone, somewhere and eventually." he remained standing; the only reason he was here was because Harry was sound asleep and Harry would have wanted him to do this. Plus he didn't want Remus coming to his rooms continuously; he wanted to be left alone to care for his mate.

"Yes, I imagine it would have," Remus said, conceding that Severus was correct. "How long has he been going through the change?"

"He begun last night, in two hours it will be a day, most changes take two days, the longest four days, but that was just one amongst the many of my ancestors - Merlin's willing tomorrow will be the last day." Severus informed him.

Remus nodded, he hoped for that too, Harry had been through enough.

"Inform the others, I do not wish to be disturbed by constant interruptions," Severus demanded of Remus.

"Of course," Remus replied immediately, Maria would want to know about this, and the boys would need to know Harry wouldn't be around for a few days and not to worry over it.

"Good," Severus said curtly, giving Remus a nod he exited his office trusting the werewolf to know to leave as he made his way back to Harry.

"So, what brings you here, Remus?" Maria asked, sitting calmly stirring her tea her House-Elf had given her. "I trust all is well with you?"

Remus' lips twitched, it was well seen that Maria was feeling better now the storm had passed; she was resorting to her normal pureblood speech. Which she knew very well she didn't need to do with him, but sometimes she just forgot, having used it all her life it was truly not surprising. "I am fine, but I do have something to tell you,"

"Oh?" Maria queried as she took a sip of her Darjeeling tea.

"Harry's going through the change," Remus told her, the rattling of the cup showed her surprise.

"So soon? My ancestor was here for weeks alone before they began courting, months still before the change occurred," Maria explained, dabbing her mouth and the saucer with a napkin.

"You are related to the Prince's?" Remus blurted out amber eyes wide.

"It's a mere technicality, I do not have any Prince blood running through me, Zara Zabini was married to Artemis Prince, she had a son with him but left following their sons coming of age. She went on to marry another and have two children, a boy and a girl," Maria informed him; she had Zara Zabini's journals, which went into detail about her life.

"She did not become a vampire?" Remus queried.

"No, no she did not, she never consented to it, and it's probably the only thing that enabled her to leave, for if she had been bound to him, she wouldn't have been able to take on another." Maria stated, placing the napkin aside and once more drinking her tea.

Remus winced, to have your mate so close for so many years only for them to deny the bond and leave was just horrific. He knew the feeling all too well, even more so now that he had bonded and Sirius was still in the dungeons, evidently Severus didn't know what to do with him. He would more than likely let him leave when the time came for Dumbledore's trial.

"Yes, it was an unfortunate situation," Maria agreed, seeing the look on Remus' face.

"Will you let the boys know what's happening and what it means if they don't already?" Remus asked of her. "I fear he's getting annoyed with the constant interruptions, with Harry in pain he will be more impatient than normal."

"Of course," Maria answered right away, "How about your own bonding?" Maria gave him a look, yes she knew about it.

"He was a bloody idiot," Remus grumbled in annoyance, "I told him to back to his own cell, but he wasn't having any of it, I told him that I didn't want to bond without first telling Harry. Yet he went headlong anyway, and my wolf took over, it didn't understand the worries that plague me, he does whatever he wants, and it wanted Sirius, the bond was complete when I came to, I remember most of the night which is unusual."

"How did Harry take it?" Maria shook her head, she vaguely remembered Sirius Black, but she had been in her seventh year along with Lucius Malfoy and many others, when Black, Potter, Pettigrew and Remus had come to school. He had been very distracting, a menace to society, a terrible person to those around him except the three he had bonded most strongly with. She had heard so many rumours over what they had been like, but reserved judgement she knew how teenagers liked to exaggerate their woes.

"He was understandably upset," Remus sighed, rubbing his eyes tiredly, "More so when he learned what had been stolen from him, how much Dumbledore had taken," Maria knew about the potions Dumbledore had used and also about the bonding she was a close friend, he spoke to her often about things he wouldn't to others.

"It will be difficult at first, but I am sure in time Harry and Sirius will get on," Maria assured him, Harry was very intelligent, he would understand Sirius had been robbed of everything as well. "Perhaps not as close as they could have been, but regretfully there is nothing to be done about it."

"I pray that is so," Remus smiled half-heartedly.

"How is Sirius?" Maria then asked she could see Remus desperately needed to talk some more about what had happened lately, he was weighted down with it. Plus she missed adult company; her friends couldn't come here, so letters would be their only line of communication until the war was over.

"I have no idea, I haven't seen him since the full moon," Remus admitted, scratching the bristles appearing on his face, he needed to shave. "I feel so much guilt over what happened; I should have realized there was more going on. Instead of just stupidly relying on the Ministry's tests, if I had only listened to my gut."

"Do you want my advice?" Maria asked, sitting forward placing her cup and saucer down, staring intently at Remus.

"You know I do," Remus replied, smiling at her, he always took her advice on board.

"Do not dwell on the past," Maria, "Time is one thing we cannot get back, Dumbledore will get his due, so claim back what has been lost and treasure each moment for how precious it is. If there was one thing I could have it would be Blaise's father, he was the love of my life, my soul mate, he died too young, Merlin bless his soul, I do not regret any of that time, I tried time and time again to find a husband whom I loved like him, but it was futile, I am content now, just to watch my son grow, to tell him everything about his much loved father. Who would have done anything in this world to survive, to see his son brought up." her eyes sad but determined, "Do not waste time on things that can't be changed."

"You're right," Remus said, strength coursing through him at her words, "You're absolutely right."

"Of course I am," Maria teased, and with that done, they got onto more pleasant topics, leaving Dumbledore and Sirius out of the conversation they had for the rest of the night.

The Next Day - Late at night

"Remus!" Sirius called out, surprised to see him there, he swallowed thickly he suspected Remus was extremely angry at him. "I'm sorry," he offered up, "I…er…didn't think…is Harry alright with it? He doesn't blame you does he?" if Harry did it would make everything ten times worse he knew that.

Remus wanted to say bitterly 'do you really care' but Maria's words were echoing in his mind. "Are you hungry?"

"Yes," Sirius admitted, he didn't like being in this damn cell but it bet the alternative, being killed. He was being fed though, nothing lavish, but it was far from the worst food he'd had. His own attempts at cooking had been utterly ridiculous, burnt and crispy.

Remus nodded before he unlocked the cell door, stepped in and locked it again behind him. Giving the vampire who had moved at his actions a look, calling a House-Elf, ordering some food as he transfigured a sturdy table for them to eat at along with two chairs, nothing fancy but it gave them something to sit on while they conversed. "Harry's fine," Remus said breathing deeply, "I am sorry that I didn't dig further, this is the only apology you are going to get, I can't keep dwelling on the past, Sirius, if we want a future we must stop looking to the past and think on a future we want."

"I…" Sirius swallowed closing his eyes; he kept shifting from utter despair then anger then back again. Without the calming draughts he was being forced to endure it and it was killing him. "You aren't to blame…Dumbledore is, but how can I look to the future, Remy? The last time I saw my godson he was just a baby in his fathers arms." a bitter sob choked him.

"And now he's a grown teenager, bonded himself now, I have lots of pictures of him…if you'd like to see them?" Remus asked, smiling in thanks to the Zabini House-Elves when they put delicious smelling food on the table for them.

"I should have been there! I should have raised him!" Sirius shouted, biting his lip so savagely to stop himself blurting out more that he caused it to bleed.

"But you didn't, listen to me, Sirius; focus on the future, not the past," Remus said, "If you whine like that to Harry he'll just turn right back out and leave IF he even comes down."

Sirius' breathing hitched, "You think he might?" his tone hopeful.

"He might," Remus said lying through his teeth; he honestly didn't know what would happen. He certainly hoped he knew what would happen.

"I thought…you wouldn't come back," Sirius said, standing up and joining Remus on the seat, before tearing into the food with relish.

"You ignored my wishes," Remus reprimanded him, shivering in the cold. "Completely, I wanted to tell Harry everything before we bonded!"

"I know, but I couldn't…the thought…I felt so alive for the first time in decades, the hole in my chest…it was gone," Sirius explained, his food temporarily forgotten. "I could feel the moon rising, the anticipation thrumming through me, by Merlin…I didn't want to let that feeling go and I instinctively knew you were the cause of it." to think they could have had that since they were eleven. It made him wonder though how Dumbledore had known.

Remus blinked, was that how the bond felt for Harry? He wouldn't know he was a creature, he always felt things more deeply. Severus will have since he was transformed as well. Were they truly helpless in the face of the bond? No, it must have been because it was cut off and Sirius' emotions were bound to be all over the place. "I see," he murmured in contemplation.

"Excuse me?" a vampire interrupted them, "Our Lord has said that Mr. Black is to be installed in either your rooms or the rooms next door to yours." the door to the cell was opened. "If you try to leave without informing Our Lord you will be put back here." he added solely to Black.

"Thank you," relief poured through Sirius, he was grateful, it was freezing down here.

The vampire nodded curtly before going back to his position; at least until Black got up, since he was the reason he was there in the first place.

Three days later

"Are you sure you're feeling up to?" Severus asked concern lacing his voice, five days, nearing six Harry had been in immense pain going through the change. He had been elated at being able to take care of Harry, show that he would always be there for him, and have a real excuse to stay with him at all times. In the five days he hadn't been interrupted more than just a few times. All the while he helped Harry get onto his feet, which were extremely steady, he was no longer human.

"Yes," Harry said with a relieved grin, he had loved having Sev read to him, and having him all to himself for days but he didn't want to remain in bed when he no longer needed to. He made his way to the ensuite bathroom, he might not be able to sweat anymore, but he needed to bathe, the sweat clung to him.

Severus got up once Harry was in the bathroom and made his way towards the bedroom door and opened it. He found Corin on duty; she straightened up when she saw him and bowed in greeting. "Send the invites out, its time. Send up Alfred in twenty minutes, I need him to look Harry over." time to introduce Harry to everyone as his consort - the Lord Prince consort.

Corin perked up, a grin appearing on her face. "Yes My Lord." she added respectfully before she was gone.

Severus shook his head, they were more excited about it than he was, and then again they would be getting to see each other properly, under one roof without duties interfering. She would get to see her man, Simon, he remembered who was currently abroad trying to expand the business so more money came in and convincing other who didn't have a coven to join them. Perhaps he would send Rachel this time, she didn't have a partner and she was quite frankly very good at convincing others to do her bidding. He had a feeling use unknowingly used her magic to accomplish her goals. It helped that she was utterly stunning, from an impassive point of view to him, since he didn't care for women in that way.

Severus walked towards the bathroom, sliding in, his lips twitched when Harry turned to him - he could hear him coming now. No more surprises, unless of course he silenced himself, turned himself invisible, but even at that he wasn't sure it would work. They were bonded, in a basic sense Harry may very well be able to sense him from a distance no matter what he did to conceal himself. Stripping off Severus slid into the warm bath behind him, wrapping his arms tightly around his mate, keeping him as close as possible. Surprisingly Harry leaned back into him; he had expected his shyness to return after he got better.

"What invites?" asked Harry, loving that he could hear now but he did get massive headaches.

"It's like a coming out party, as my consort, officially celebrating your new status and the continuation of our traditions and perhaps even the Prince Line." said Severus, not assuming Harry would want children. The potion would enable them to have their own blood; there was also a potion that could adopt a child to his and Harry's blood. "It's a chance to meet everyone."

"Haven't I met them already?" asked Harry confused, wriggling his foot and turning the tap on with it, it wasn't warm enough for him yet.

"No, that was only a small collection of our vampires from the area," chuckled Severus wryly, as he began to rub at Harry's shoulders, causing Harry to give out an almost silent groan of appreciation.

'Our' thought Harry, a warm feeling flooding through him, he had Maria, she had been very good to him, and Blaise had sort of shared his mum with him. He often called her our mum or just mum as if he really was part of the family. Never having been part of one, it had overwhelmed him and made him so incredibly happy. At the same, time, he had Remus, a male influence in his life, one he had come to call dad. At first Remus had been the one overawed, but eventually he'd come to realize he wasn't disrespecting James by being Harry's father figure. If anything he realized that James would have been happy for him, glad that his son had someone in his life especially considering her couldn't be. He never thought he'd have any of that, but he did, now he had a third family or maybe second since he thought of Remus and Maria as well as Teddy and Blaise as one big family. He could have both, it would happen sooner or later to Blaise and Teddy too, they would find man or women to love, but that didn't mean they meant any less…why had he fought having someone care for him? Oh yes, the way it had been done, but he couldn't hold that against Severus.

"Don't stop," murmured Harry quietly when Severus' hands stopped. Using his foot to turn the tap off, it was getting too warm now; there was never a happy medium.

"Hmmm," was the only noise Severus made as he continued, just being close to him, hearing the noises he was making was having an affect on the vampire, causing a certain part of his anatomy to stand at attention. In turn, Severus just brought the teenager even closer to him, making Harry feel what he was doing to him by just being there. His breath hitched as Harry squirmed into him, did the teen have no idea just how provocative he was?

"Are Teddy, Blaise, Remus and Maria allowed to come?" asked Harry, his chin resting on Severus arms from where they were still wrapped around him.

"Of course, why wouldn't they be?" enquired Severus, moving Harry's hair out of the way before he kissed his neck, causing him to squirm again.

"They're not vampires," said Harry, arching his neck up, silently demanding more attention.

"That does not matter," replied Severus before he latched onto Harry's neck, sucking particularly hard on his mating bite. Wanting everyone know to see it, and they would, until the redness of the hickey left, then he would repeat the process all over again. By the look of things, Harry would be allowing this contact between them. "Do you feel what you do to me?" Severus said straight into Harry's ear.

"When is the party?" asked Harry, finding it difficult to keep talking, as he desperately grabbed Severus' hand and placed it on his swollen erection. He wasn't used to the intensity of these feelings, and he could swear it was ten times more…just so much more than it had felt the first time. It was as if being a vampire had somehow made him ten times easier to arouse and horny at the same time.

"Two days from now," replied Severus, stroking teasingly, causing Harry to grasp his hand and tighten his hold.

"Please," whined Harry, he couldn't take it, his body felt as if he would forever be trapped on the precipice - strung taut like a bow.

Severus took pity on him, tugging on him in firm sure strokes, it didn't take long - not that he expected it, he came his body twitching sporadically as his body lay like jelly against his own. Feeling Harry coming undone caused his own orgasm to shoot all over Harry's back marking him as Severus' much to the vampires secret delight. Although it was quickly washed away by the bathwater, the scent was still clung to Harry.

Harry's body was still getting used to its…heightened senses, he would be very easily aroused at the slightest touch by him, and he was going to look forward to teasing him - especially as he got used to the feelings. It would be so much more satisfying to tease someone who wouldn't come at the slightest provocation. That's not to say he didn't enjoy being able to manipulate his mates body so easily.

"Alfred is coming up to see you, to make sure you are alright," said Severus, after a few seconds, banishing the mess they'd made. It crusted up something awful and he didn't want that on their skin.

"Why?" Harry asked in surprise, he was so tired he actually wanted to go back to sleep - but he refused to give into that feeling. He'd been cooped up for ages; he wanted to see his friends and Remus.

"I want to make sure everything is healed." said Severus, his chin resting on Harry's shoulders; he took a deep breath before he continued.

"How long has it been?" Harry queried as he took the plug from the bath, letting the water run out. Only when Severus' arms let go of him did he stand up and get out of the bath. Grabbing a towel as he went, absently handing one to Severus as he dried himself off.

"Six days nearly," Severus told him.

"That long?" gasped Harry; he hadn't expected it to be that amount of time.

"Yes, I think you broke every record in existence when it comes to the change," he said grimly, he had been bloody worried for days after that.

Harry grinned sheepishly, as he tied the towel around his waist as he left the bathroom heading straight for his cupboard. The clothes he felt were still too flashy, even the less dressy ones, if that was even remotely possible. "Do you have Pepper-Up Potions? I'm so exhausted but I don't want to stay in that bed anymore." especially now considering how long he'd actually been in it.

Severus got dressed before opening the chest at the bottom of his bed, bringing out the potions bag he had, which held all his personally brewed potions. Plucking the one particular potion Harry was asking for before replacing everything and closing the chest with a thump. "Here, take it after Alfred has done his check-up. Speaking of the devil, he is here." he added thoughtfully, making sure Harry was fully dressed he moved towards the door and opened it. He still had silencing spells up preventing them from hearing - so calling out for them to enter was useless.

"You wished to see me, Severus?" the elder vampire said.

"I need you to do a check-up on Harry," replied Severus, six days was just alarming, he couldn't help but think something was wrong - he would like to be reassured everything was. He didn't say anything in case he ended up worrying Harry.

Harry came first; he was his mate, his everything without him he was nothing.

Alfred gave Severus a probing look, sensing his worry even if Harry didn't but he knew Severus better, had known him longer he knew all his ticks. "Of course, please sit down Harry," said Alfred, respectfully.

Severus moved to the side of both Alfred and Harry, keeping them both with his sight - he trusted Alfred with his life he had been with him since the beginning. Quite frankly the other wizard had previously had amble opportunity to end him before he even took up the mantel of Lord Prince. He had been chosen by Glenn, his grandfather to teach him everything he needed to know to survive to see a year past his new inheritance. They'd kept it extremely quiet, choosing very carefully who received the news that Severus was a vampire. For if the vampire community had found out - there was little doubt there would have been those who would have ensured his early demise. He was one of the best duellers and also the best healer, hence his decision to have him checking Harry over.

"Just relax, it's a non evasive diagnosis charm," Alfred said, Harry looked well he couldn't quite describe the look on his face. Harry didn't look worried per se, but he definitely wasn't relaxed or happy about it to say the least. Flicking his wand left, right, up and down and swirling it around in a circular motion, pressing all his magic into it causing Harry to shiver feeling the strange magic coursing through him then it stopped altogether. After a few seconds, parchment furled out of Alfred's wand.

Severus kept an eye on him, his eyes narrowed as he tried to read the results but failed as Alfred began to read them himself slightly obscuring him from the view of the writing. He couldn't tell by Alfred's reactions if anything was wrong of his own imagination. Alfred was very good at keeping his face closed of any emotion when he wanted to be, much like himself in fact. Probably something he had picked up when he was human and a healer, something he had continued on with as a vampire.

Alfred read the results, and re-read them a second time perplexed by what he was reading. "Are you exhausted?" he enquired seeing the Pepper-up Potion still clutched in Harry's hand.

"Yeah," admitted Harry giving him a weird look.

"I see," said Alfred, well he wasn't surprised by that, no wonder Severus had called him up here. There was no way Harry should still be exhausted which means the foreign entity was having an affect on Harry's body - his immortal body. He wasn't immortal per se but he would live ten times longer than Dumbledore had that is to say many centuries too many people he would seem immortal.

"What is it?" demanded Severus, not in the mood to put up with theatrics - not when it came to his mate.

"Severus you say you were there the night the Dark Lord Voldemort attacked…what exactly did you see?" wondered, "And yes, it has to do with this particular conversation - I am not asking on a whim."

"I entered the room just as Voldemort cast the killing curse on Harry; I fired my own at his back his own killing curse rebound back onto him. It destroyed his body and his spirit fled the scene, and of course not long after Dumbledore made an appearance. At the time I had no idea about Voldemort's rebounding curse, it wasn't until much later when I began to receive my inheritance did I realize exactly what had gone down that night." said Severus, his eyes still narrowed on Alfred.

"You saw nothing else?" enquired Alfred.

"No, until he was de-bodied I only ever saw Voldemort's back. Why?" demanded Severus, his tone booking no more questions - he wanted an answer right now.

"Because there is a shard of his soul imbedded in Harry, it's affecting him and it's the reason he is so tired…it may well be why it took so long for him to complete the transformation." said Alfred cautiously, wincing at the feral look that came across Severus' face. He wanted to leave the room, he did not want to be on the receiving end of a possessive vampires rage with the knowledge his mate was being affected by something.

"He created Horcruxes," growled Severus furiously, there were many books in the vault regarding them.

"Indeed," nodded Alfred in agreement, it was the only reason why his soul would rip apart just by casting a killing curse. Feeling slightly relieved that Severus was able to stop himself from reacting violently by what he'd just found out - he didn't think he would have had it in him to do the same.

"What's a Horcrux?" Harry wanted to know, feeling very wary, sliding further up the bed gazing at them cautiously. Did he even want to know judging by Severus' reaction and Alfred's grimness.

"It explains Voldemort's ability to have survived that night," Severus told his mate slowly, as if he didn't want to overwhelm Harry with too much information. "A Horcrux is one of the foulest pieces of magic created; it's a ritual that requires sacrifice of human life. In the process it rips your soul allowing it to be placed in an object for safe keeping. It could be anything from a box or jewellery of some kind, an often overlooked innocuous item. The fact he did not do a ritual and his soul split regardless shows that there is more than two or three out there. I would need to read the other books to get a greater understanding of them." he had only read one of the books, the others he had discarded he liked the Dark Arts but not to the extent of ripping his soul to shreds - he had no need for it since he was a vampire and would live an extremely elongated life.

"And I have it inside of me?" whispered Harry, utterly horrified. He had a piece of Voldemort in him? What did it mean for him?

"Not for long," hissed Severus, the longer it was in Harry the more damage it was doing - which he wouldn't tolerate.

"I will look into the medical texts," said Alfred, knowing the urgency. "Try not to use too much magic, Harry, we do not know the affect it's having on you."

"What about potions?" asked Harry, his stomach a mass of quivering panic right now.

"I wouldn't suggest it," said Alfred.

"Come with me," said Severus, grabbing a hold of his mate, getting him up he held tightly as he moved him from the room barking at the others he was going to the vault and they were not to be disturbed unless it was extremely urgent. Which meant someone had better be dying if he was disturbed, this was the most important thing to him right now - they had to figure a way to get the Horcrux out of his mate.

"Stop dragging me I can move myself," said Harry, continuously wincing as Severus' hand was wrapped tightly around his upper arm in a bruising grasp. He sighed in relief when the grip lessened but Severus didn't let go, he also stopped moving so quickly. His way of apologizing probably, there was no way he would actually apologise. He gazed around, he was in part of the castle he hadn't been in before - not that it was hard to be true - he hadn't seen everywhere.

When they called it a vault, Harry hadn't realized they were talking about an actual vault, hermetically sealed so no damage could come to the books. It was a good job he was a vampire, otherwise he wouldn't be able to stay in there long. They must be under the castle; there wasn't a single window down here. Harry watched Severus mutter in a language he didn't understand and a blue dome shimmered down. Only then did Severus open the door and allow both himself and Alfred to enter before he closed it behind him.

Harry looked around in awe, completely overwhelmed, the books were in pristine condition, and the scrolls were bound with ribbons placed delicately in their own glass cases, with a small piece of paper at the side revealing what that particular scroll was about. Severus had said his grandmother had read every book in the castle…did he mean she'd gotten through all these books too? Where had she had the time? Had Glenn been so busy that Rose had nothing better to do than read the books? Would it be the same for him too? Would he even get to see Severus or would he always have to wait until he was finished…that was actually quite a depressing thought. His own feelings were confusing the life out of him, but what he did know was that he was developing strong feelings for Severus and he didn't want to stop them.

"Are you alright?" asked Severus, turning his mate around so he could see him. The look on his face worried him, he wasn't used to quiet Harry anymore, and he was always asking questions left right and centre. Obviously this new news would worry him but Severus was determined that by tonight the soul shard would no longer be present in his mate. The thought of Voldemort being inside his mate, any part of him infuriated him.

"Just wondering how Rose was able to read all these books…there are so many," confessed Harry, there wasn't an available space anywhere other than two tables and chairs in the middle of the room between from floor to ceiling bookshelves.

"It took her over three decades," said Severus, understanding what Harry was talking about without the teenager actually saying anything. "During the day she would come down and read a book or two while he was dealing with the business since she had no desire to be there. She didn't care for the business side that came with being Glenn's wife." it was not because Glenn was too busy at all times of the day and she never got to see him.

Harry nodded his understanding.

Severus seeing that Harry would be fine, he moved over to the books healing with Horcruxes and pulled the five books from the shelves. These were just the oldest ones, the newer ones with less detail about them, one in fact called them unmentionable, they were in the library up the stairs - seeing they were not rare. Alfred was already deeply immersed in scrolls, as vampires they wouldn't take long to read the books so with a bit of luck they'd have a solution quickly.

Half an hour later, Harry was finished looking around the vault, he didn't want to think on what he'd just learned. Yet now that he didn't have anything to do he realized he was thinking on it more. He had always been good at not thinking on stuff he didn't want to. "Can I go see Remus?" asked Harry, not sure if he could get out without Sev or not.

"Very well," sighed Severus, "Make sure that Corin goes with you." he was more firm with that statement.

"Still?" groaned Harry, he was still going to have to have people following his every move even now that he was a vampire?

"Yes," Severus replied, he was the Prince Lord's Consort, and very vulnerable to attack so Harry would always have others following him. Watching Harry nod his head in acquiescing to his demands caused him to relax. Then he was gone, the vault door closed leaving just Alfred with him.

Harry was a very determined young man…vampire now. He was always determined to get his own way, as proven by the fact he'd gone and interrupted Severus during one of his meetings. It's exactly the kind of person Severus needed, one to challenge him and keep him on his toes. Harry may very well actually want to rule beside Severus instead of attending a few meetings then slinking away once he got used to his new position.

Alfred had no idea how right he was.

Harry sighed inwardly when he saw Corin waiting on him, giving him a bow, from outside the door leaving the vault. He was tired of being followed around, more so than usual but what could he do? He knew it was for his own safety, but this was a castle, he doubted very much anyone could get in here.

"Not happy to see me?" teased Corin wryly.

"As happy as someone who likes people stuck to them like Velcro," Harry snorted in amusement.

"Stop thinking of us as bodyguards and think of us as friends," Corin advised.

"I'm not used to it," grumbled Harry, "It's like having someone looking over your shoulder every minute of the day. In other words annoying." although he would try and take Corin's advise.

"Slow down," said Corin, having to speed up to keep up with him, managing not to lose sight of him as they ran up the stairs onto the next level of the castle. If that had happened then that would be equal to kissing this assignment goodbye, their lord wouldn't tolerate any slacking.

Harry grinned going faster he was beginning to love his new speed, it was awesome. "I didn't think I'd get used to it so quickly…it seems to come naturally."

"That's because it is natural for you now," explained Corin, "Although you might find with humans it's a little different."

"I hope not too different," admitted Harry, concerned about his friends.

"You'll do fine," said Corin assuring the teen as they turned yet another corner and on the floor Remus Lupin's room was on. Corin was very excited for the party, invites were already being sent out, and they had already been made just waiting on the dates being added. Although something had gotten them worked up, Alfred and their Lord had looked extremely tense when they came out of their Lord's chambers.

There we go :) a lot of this as those who've read the story will know is from the previous chapters :) I didn't feel the need to change too much although I did add a lot and remove quite a bit :) will Harry talk to sirius? do as Severus suggested and just talk it out with him or will Harry avoid Black for a while before getting up the courage to do so? Or will he simply just be too distracted to talk to him between the party and the horcrux business...Will Sirius be invited or will he be forced to remain in his room? R&R please