Prince Consort

Chapter 28

The next few days after the attack was quiet, as both Severus and Harry spent the majority of them alone, but Harry had been unaware of the fact that it was the calm before the storm. Metaphorically of course, his summer was about to become increasingly busy, between training, potion lessons and keeping up with his general knowledge as well as spending time with his friends.

"Is there any way in particular you want your lessons to go?" Alfred asked Harry, sitting down with a huge bundle of paperwork in his hands.

"Hmm?" Harry asked Alfred glancing up from his book, he loved Runes. "I'm sorry what?"

"Your lessons, any particular way you'd like them to be?" Alfred repeated it, smiling patiently; he must have been utterly immersed in the book to completely block him out. He didn't see it happen very often, it conveyed utter conviction of safety, Harry felt safe here enough so that even his vampire side dozed so to speak.

Harry placed the book aside, "If possible I would like as much to be done at night, at least until Hogwarts starts back up, I want to spend time with my friends." he explained thoughtfully, "I can study on my own later at night, my training I'd like done after dinner and potions whenever Sev can do it." he couldn't make demands on Sev's time, he knew Sev would make whatever changes he had to in order to make him happy…a few weeks ago he would have done just that, but it wasn't fair, he was beginning to see just how hard he worked constantly all for his people. Once his training was done, he intended to take half the duties, or be with him and take some of the strain off him. He wasn't just going to stick around in the background and be the 'dutiful mate' screw that.

Alfred nodded unsurprised by Harry's answers; he could have predicted them himself. "I'll see what I can do," he informed the teenager. "I see you've been looking up the laws even the older ones," gesturing towards the large pile of books at his bedside.

"Yeah," Harry confirmed, giving a nod.

"I am well read in that subject matter, any questions you have, feel free to ask," Alfred told him honestly, stuck around the castle he always tried to keep himself occupied, which worked very well nearly every day. He didn't regret it, he was quite content with his lot in life and so very proud of the Lord Severus had become.

"Wellll," Harry said giving him a look, Alfred seemed genuine, "How often do you have full council court meetings?" yes, he'd learned the proper title for those meetings. Severus' statement that it was much like the Wizengamot was entirely accurate.

"Not very often, perhaps once or twice a year," Alfred informed him, surprised.

"And could I set one up?" Harry then proceeded to enquire.

"Yes, you are a leader, Our Lord's consort, we will listen to you and do as you demand," Alfred stated grimly, "You have to get used to your new status."

"You keep saying that then I'll just stop asking you things," Harry retorted, getting annoyed with Alfred always saying that to him. "I know you mean well," he sighed seeing Alfred's stricken took. "I don't need reminded about my new status, I'm very much aware as one could get in life, but it helps talking about it, and does it surprise you that I'm not yet one hundred percent confident on what I can and cannot do? All those damn books always, always refer to the Lord setting them up, not the Lord Consort, in fact they're barely mentioned, and I realise its because they aren't expected to do anything other than sit pretty and produce kids to continue to the Prince line."

"My apologised, I hadn't stopped to consider that," Alfred admitted, his tone apologetic, not above admitting when he was wrong.

"It doesn't matter, I do want to set one up, but I'm not sure if now is the right time," Harry waved off the matter as finished, there was just no point to dwelling on it.

"I see your concern," Alfred nodded, after an attack having them all under one roof was dangerous. Then there was Dumbledore's trial, Harry's training along with their normal duties and Severus' busting schedule. "Is the meeting you wish to call forth crucially important?"

"To me, yes," Harry answered immediately, "On a whole not so much," in the grand scheme of things he knew it could wait, and it would have to.

"If it's important to you, Harry, then you should do it," Alfred said kindly. He had put himself last so many times in the past; he'd agreed to a handfasting to save the man he considered his dad for Merlin's sake. Nobody would begrudge his need or desire to put himself first, everyone knew what had happened, and it spread like wildfire. So it made them respect Harry even further just by the fact he chose to make the best of it. Then there was the fact he wasn't taking advantage of Severus, his position or the people here to do whatever he liked. In the past they'd protect the Lord Consort but normally they weren't liked overall, Rose was one of the first they'd fiercely protested and actually cared for. Harry on the other hand was going to surpass Rose when it came to the coven caring and respecting him of that he had no doubt.

"Maybe in a few months," Harry decided firmly, "It might be important but its not something that needs addressing immediately," he was going to do it, if he was to have a child, boy or girl, they were not going to be forced into this at seventeen. No, they were going to go out, experience life without the dangers that came with ruling. It had been too much for Maria's great grandmother, it was too much for him, for Merlin's sake, but he was making do, the upside won out, his family was safe and he had a partner who was trying to put him first and made him feel things he hadn't felt before.

"Very well," Alfred agreed, not badgering him for further information despite the fact he was very curious indeed.

Closing his eyes, he breathed deeply despite not needing to, it helped centre his emotions, "Where's Sirius Black?"

Alfred blinked at the abrupt change of subject, but it didn't stop him from automatically answering. "He's currently in the swimming pool with your dad out on the grounds."

Harry nodded, his dad liked to do some sort of exercises to keep himself fit, healthy, especially a week or so after the full moon once he's recovered. Then he continued that routine until the next transformation when he was bedridden. He'd probably find himself with a lot more energy without the Wolfsbane contaminating his system. It was time he spoke to Black, the advice Sev gave him circling his mind, he had only a few hours before he was having his first potions lesson with his mate anyway to see what it was like before a decision was made. Given the way Severus spoke of it, he wasn't sure whether he should be looking forward to it or not.

"Thanks," Harry said, leaving the book and standing up, "I'll see you later,"

Alfred stood and bowed to Harry before exiting the room, "Our Lord consort intends to speak to Mr. Black, give them some privacy," he warned them, it was bad enough they heard everything without witnessing what was about to take place.

"I heard that," Harry called out, the silencing spells weren't up, Sev hadn't replaced them earlier when he'd been woken up by Corin. Nonetheless he was very happy that they were trying to hard to give him what privacy they were able to - but there wasn't much to be had, he was surrounded by vampires, and one himself come to that.

Sighing softly, mentally preparing himself to deal with this, he couldn't let Dumbledore win, he had to deal with the anger and hatred he felt for Black at least, since he really didn't deserve it. He may as well have been under the Imperius Curse, with no will of his own for the past many years. He was glad someone had told him the anger was normal, that it wouldn't just automatically fade away; it made him see that this was…expected; maybe that's why Remus wasn't pushing for them to get on.

So before he could chicken out, he swiftly made his way out of the castle, towards the gigantic pool that he hadn't actually seen used…until now.

"Harry!" Remus called out in surprise as he surfaced from the cool water. Glancing in what could only be nervously between Sirius and Harry. Normally the vampires made sure both of them were never in the same area, for Harry's comfort of course, he felt quite anxious, Sirius was still human after all. Not that he believed Harry would kill Sirius, but he could cause a lot of damage. "How are you feeling?" he knew about the attack, had known half an hour after the fact.

"Can you give us some time?" Harry asked gesturing towards Black, "I'm fine, you need to stop worrying so much," he added with a grin, knowing his dad would never stop worrying.

Remus just shook his head wryly, smiling at his son; he would never stop worrying about Harry, no matter what age he was. It was the life of a parent to always constantly worry about their child. Lily and James had done the same thing for the brief time they were parents, and they were the best parents in the world…except James when it came to financial reasons. Unfortunately his friend had thought they were safe, behind the best wards, with their friend's protection, a presumption that had cost them greatly. All of them greatly. Could this be the start of his son healing? He was willing approaching Sirius now, he desired to stay but he also knew they needed this.

Remus swam towards the ladders and climbed out, grabbing the towel and wrapping it around himself. Making his way over to Harry, he hugged him, "Don't be too hard on him, he's still emotional, he might say things in a way that doesn't mean what he wanted to say." he told his son in the merest whisper, and it was true, Sirius was on constant calming draughts, the ones Severus made much stronger than the ones from the apothecary and much more successful.

"We are going to say things we don't mean," Harry sighed, letting Remus know that he might be saying his share of unforgivable things.

Remus sighed resignedly, nodded in defeat before walking away from the two most important people in his life without another word.

Sirius who had long ago gotten out of the water, stared at Harry with wide eyes, utterly terrified of what could come out of his mouth. He wanted so badly to know his godson, to have the relationship that Dumbledore had so utterly destroyed. He stared at him, taking in the differences since he saw him last, which was a great many, Harry had been a baby after all. He was tall, but not as tall as either Lily or James, given what he'd been told about the abuse he couldn't say he was surprised. His eyes were green, but they weren't alight with passion and love the same way Lily's always were. He had James strong aristocratic features or the Potter lines anyway, especially around the jaw, chin and cheeks. He'd avoided the cursed head of messy hair, it was tied up today, and he was a man, not a teenager in need of a godfather…even if he was able to forgive him. "H-h-harry," he murmured, anxiety thrumming through him, he'd envisioned so many ways this meeting could go - when it eventually did happen. Knowing it might didn't stop the shock and terror that it had come to pass. "Er...do you...want to...maybe...er...go somewhere else? I...er...hear you like the...er...library." the composed Auror was nowhere to be seen, but he'd never been that composed Auror. Not really.

"I've thought about this moment for years, went over all the things I wanted to say to you," Harry said derisively, "A million times, I went over everything, I utterly despised you."

Sirius flinched at the words, but words flowed out of his mouth without conscious thought, "Then say them, let them out," clear the air and maybe, just maybe they could start over again.

Harry balled his hands into fists, "I can't," he spat, "What would be the point?! It wasn't your fault!" and he hated that it wasn't Black's fault.

"Yes, yes it is!" Sirius shouted, "I was the one who convinced your dad to change secret keepers! I killed your parents! I trusted Dumbledore like a fucking fool! It is my fault regardless of what Dumbledore did!" spitting the word Dumbledore as if it was something filthy and disgusting. Shivering slightly, he certainly hadn't imagined he'd be having this conversation while he was in a pair of swimsuits and absolutely freezing cold. "So have at it! Let it all out do what the hell you want!" a squeak left his lips as he was hoisted into the air, until he was face to face with his godson who was furious, perhaps he shouldn't have said that not to a vampire, especially a youngling.

"Don't tempt me!" Harry hissed, green eyes gleaming, "I will make what I did before look like child's play," the day he had told Black he hated him with all the loathing he felt.

"Harry…" Sirius grasped Harry's hands, glad it wasn't his neck Harry had a hold off, "If it makes you feel better…I'd do anything, even let you kick the shit out of me, I love you, I've always loved you, you're my godson, it kills me that I missed out on so much of your life." he choked, tears building up in his eyes. "I just want to be part of your life, anything you can give me…I swear." a tormented tear running down his cheek.

Harry lowered Black down, letting go once he regained his footing, looking away from him. Unable to cope with the genuine emotions he could feel coming from him.

"I wanted to kill Dumbledore once I regained my sense of self, man, I was just about out the door…but Tonks and Shacklebolt, two of the Aurors, they warned me that I'd end up in Azkaban…and I'd never get to see you…" Sirius continued, the tears flowing steadily down both his cheeks, his legs were shaking, his throat and nose was clogging up but he couldn't stop speaking. "My emotions were all over the place, I kept from anger to devastation in a matter of seconds, I couldn't…I didn't want to end up in Azkaban and not see you, I couldn't do that, so I did the only other thing possible, I went to Madam Bones and reported everything. I want answers! I want to know why he did this to me!"

"How and when were you found to be drugged?" Harry asked, still unable to look at the wizard, he could smell the salty tears that were obviously still running down his face. For the first time he began to feel pity for him, seeing this…it was making some or the anger and rage he felt disappear, for how could he continue to be furious at him when he was so devastated by what had happened? He was blaming himself for what had gone down. He had enough self-hatred without him adding more.

"It took Dumbledore using the potion and a powerful obedience spell to get me to sign over custody," Sirius explained, standing there trembling, "I don't know if it was the situation or me getting used to the potion or not…but I was terrified of what was going to happen, to you, since there was a plan in place to get you from Zabini Manor, I fought through it…for only a second, to beg for Shacklebolt's help, to get him to realize there was something seriously wrong. My faith in him wasn't misplaced at least."

Harry slowly turned around, struck by the miserable sight Black made, shivering in the cool breeze, with barely anything on, at least his tears had dried up but it didn't make him any less a pathetic mess. He felt so conflicted, the hatred was a little easier to bear though he noticed. Harry sighed, grabbing the second towel and handing it over without a word.

Sirius looked at the towel then Harry, trying to gauge his mood, which was impossible to do. As cold as he was, he took the towel and wrapped it around his body; sighing in relief, as he felt himself beginning to warm - thanking whoever put the warming charm on the towel - he continued to gaze at his godson. He wasn't sure how long they stood there in silence, it could have been seconds or minutes but Sirius truly didn't care. This was something, something more than he'd hoped and he didn't care about anything else. "I'm so sorry, Harry," he said quietly, his tone filled with nothing but regret.

"I know," Harry grumbled caught between annoyance and acceptance. If he hadn't been a vampire and able to read Black's sincerity maybe he could have just pretended they were mere empty words.

Sirius let out a bark of laughter, "Yeah, I know, kid, you feel cheated," he said solemnly, "Seriously though, let it all out if you want…don't hold back, I've probably imagined every word you've thought myself being spat at me, the nightmares are quite tough." his jaw snapped shut after he admitted that, feeling like an utter fool, he hadn't meant to say that at all. Well the nightmare bit, it was bad enough that Remus knew - thank Merlin for the silencing charms - even the vampires were oblivious at least he hoped so.

"This doesn't mean we're just going to be all buddy-buddy," Harry warned him, somehow the cheeky grin and twinkling eyes didn't anger him.

"Not yet," Sirius said impishly, "But I'll tell you this, I'll spend the rest of my life trying to make it up to you, to give us the relationship we should have always had." he felt ready to collapse upon himself, the weight he had been carrying was slowly but steadily easing from his shoulders.

Harry scoffed, "Awfully confident you'll be given a chance, eh?"

"Not confident, no, just hopeful," Sirius said sincerely, hope showing through his eyes.

Harry rolled his eyes, damn it, the bloody arse was making him like him without even trying.

"Come on, lets go back in, I have potions to brew," Harry muttered, feeling uncomfortable with the new feelings.

"You like to brew?" Sirius queried, it wasn't something he had learned from Remus. Tugging the towel around him more firmly, he continued to walk with Harry unable to believe he was actually talking to him! It was more process than he'd ever thought would come to pass.

"It's enjoyable, but it's not for fun today," Harry stated, as he walked back to the castle, noticing all eyes on him. The guys had been deeply impressed with how he had handled the vampires; he'd had so many asking for the juicy details when Sev wasn't around. They didn't dare to bring it up; Sev had become even more possessive after the attack.

"Lessons to make sure you pass your N.E.W.T's this year?"

"Yes," Harry told him, "Best go let my dad know I haven't murdered you," with that he walked away from Sirius not up to much more social interactions with him while he was still feeling off kilter.

Sirius stood there gaping, he knew Remus had raised Harry, but it was the first time hearing 'my dad' leaving his lips and it felt extremely weird. He didn't mind though, he had known Remus would make a great dad, and was about to be a dad again, with Tonks of all people. He would have felt betrayed if it wasn't for the fact he wasn't particularly close to Tonks and that Remus hadn't been alone for so long because he had abandoned him. Blinking dazedly, he walked back to his and Remus' room on cloud nine, true enough when he got into the room Remus was pacing back and forth.

There we go! Sorry about the lack of updates RL is just a little too full right now for me to write like normal, I do hope it gets back to normal soon though :) ALSO remember if it won't let you review or says you have already done so - you probably have :) next chapter will be Harry and Sev together brewing time and probably some Remus/Sirius time as well, but other than that is there anything specific you want to see? A glimpse of Dumbledore in Azkaban? battered and bruised from those who are confined in the prison as well? cough *Death Eaters* cough lol R&R please