Prince Consort

Chapter 38

When Harry apparated back to Prince Castle, he gaped at the sight that met him. There were dozens upon dozens of vampires outside of Prince Castle gates, the wards shuddering dangerously, as they worked in sync to bring them down. He could hear them all around the wards, which meant there were hundreds of vampires here working together to siege the castle. This was the seat of power, the real seat of power, they were making an attempt to take that power as their own.

There was a general murmur when they saw him, there was an air of disbelief and confusion seeing him. They hadn't expected him, Harry realized, which meant someone had betrayed them, someone close enough to know he'd been getting a tattoo this afternoon. Someone he interacted with every day, it had to be, because only they knew about his sudden trip. The snarl of anger from one of the vampires, made him wonder what exactly had been the plan.

"Do not kill him, bring him to me!" the snarling vampire insisted, vibrating rage at Harry as he stared in disgruntled disbelief. "Now get those wards down! NOW!" he hollered, and they began to volley at the wards yet again, doing their level best to get in.

"Get back here!" Marcus hissed, as he bolted towards him, coming from the direction of the castle, having presumably Apparated back to the castle itself, and been looking for him. Rodney quickly keeping up with him, looking as incensed as Marcus over his disobedience.

Then before his eyes, vampires flooded to the grounds in battle formation. Ready to kill to defend Prince Castle and Severus' power base. Wands and swords at the ready, rows and rows of them, just waiting for the call to arms, for the battle to begin. He could hear them moving at the other side of the castle as well, ready to defend it to the last.

"You need to leave NOW!" Marcus demanded, grabbing a hold of Harry.

"I'll take him," Rodney said, grabbing his other arm.

Harry shoved both of them off him, so strongly that both were propelled away from him quite violently. "Do not touch me," he growled low in his throat, he did not like people touching him against his will or with anger in their tone and body language.

"We have plans in place for this," Marcus said, standing up, pausing in his advance at the look on Harry's face. If looks could kill he'd be six feet under, and whether he wished to or not, his Lord Consort was his superior he couldn't just demand things without it coming back on his head later. "If you stay here, you risk making this worse. We're supposed to take you somewhere safe, away from this battle."

"Come on, it's fine, Severus isn't here," Rodney said soothingly, like he was talking to a wounded animal into making it better. Trying to close his hand around Harry's bicep again, in order to Apparate him out of the conflict. "You'll be reunited with him soon enough," screaming out when he felt his hand burn upon trying yet again to make contact with Harry.

"Stay the hell away," Harry said in clear warning, he couldn't trust any of them, he just couldn't. No matter how protective they were. Someone was working with the group that's trying to invade his home. The thought of someone succeeding brought the horror home. The thought of them taking this place from him, burning it or worse taking over and the books…the artefacts, a shudder wracked his frame. No, he wouldn't allow it, he couldn't allow it, this was the only home he'd ever had, one that was his, while he loved Hogwarts…and Blaise's they weren't his. This was his and he would fight for it.

"Sir?" Marcus asked, completely bewildered, eyeing the advancing group, "Did you…?" suspicion squirming like a living thing in his belly. Had his Lord's consort betrayed them? Had them come here while Severus was away?

"Just stay back," Harry ordered, was Marcus saying that to divert suspicion of himself? Or did he genuinely believe Harry had something to do with this? If he genuinely thought that, then he could at the very least trust Marcus…but he couldn't allow his defences to drop.

Marcus took a step back, realization dawning, Harry recognized too that someone had betrayed them. He wasn't going to trust any of them, perhaps nobody but Severus…but he was in another damn country with no way of getting back quickly…if he realized anything was wrong to begin with. "Alright, but please, you shouldn't be here for this, you are what they want, they can force Severus to cede control if they get you." He pleaded with his Lord's consort to see sense.

"And if the safe houses have been compromised?" Harry retorted, biting back.

Marcus had nothing to say to that, because it could very well be true.

"Go! Get into formation! The Wards are breaking!" Harry ordered, wand out, held loosely in his hand, as he turned to look around. "You do not focus on me! You keep your focus where it's needed is that understood?" he roared at everyone, his green eyes gleaming. "THAT'S AN ORDER!" coming into his own.

"You heard him, get into formation, immediately," Alfred stated, standing next to Harry, giving both Marcus, Rodney and the others who had been guarding Harry earlier a look.

"Yes, Sir," they murmured no sign of reluctance but it exuded from them as they swiftly left.

"I do hope you know what you're doing, young Harry," Alfred said, prepared himself for battle.

"Someone betrayed us," Harry said quietly, "Someone who knew I was going to be away today, someone in the guard I think…"

"Why do you think that?" Alfred asked, shooting Harry a grim look, believing him. Believing in him.

"Him," Harry said, gesturing towards the leader outside the gates, "He wasn't only surprised to see me, he wasn't…expecting me in here, he was enraged." Ducking a little at he shaking and shuddering that nearly swept him off his feet.

Alfred nodded, keeping Harry upright, with a hand on his shoulder. "Two more minutes,"

"Wait," Harry ordered, "Step forward if you've got complete control of the Fiendfyre spell!" his eyes roaming around, watching as at least ten of the vampires stepped forward. It was normally…polite not to use that spell, the vampires preferred to fight with teeth and strength, swords or magic at a pinch.

This wasn't a time for politeness.

"You're first line of defence, the moment they start breaking through, you use it, take them out with extreme prejudice!" Harry ordered, "DO NOT hold back, and do not use it if you do not have full control!" he knew they couldn't hear what was being said inside, not yet anyway, the moment the wards fell, they would.

They were clearly startled at being ordered to use such a spell, but their numbers were too low to guarantee a win without it. There were at least four of them to one of their own, and Harry did not like the number at all. He didn't care that he was going against the grain so to speak, he'd rather win. He was absolutely terrified, no doubt about it…but he couldn't just leave. This was his home, he had to defend it. He knew that Severus was going to be pissed, hopefully he'd survive to hear Severus pissed at him. Wait…hadn't Rodney called him Severus? He didn't know him well enough to call him that! It was always 'Our Lord'…shaking off his suspicions, now wasn't the time to think on it, as the entire building and the grounds shook with the severity of the wards breaking disastrously. The water in the pool lurched out, soaking him and Alfred completely.

Harry gasped at the feeling, utterly drenched his hands slippery, he kept a tight grip on his wand, and when the hoard yelled out their win, pouring into the grounds, Harry still didn't hesitate, "FIENDFYRE!" and the cursed fire bellowed out of his wand, the vampires pouring in didn't stand a chance, as Harry relentlessly waved the fire in the direction he wanted it to go in. They didn't even have a chance to scream before they were naught but ash, a few managed to conjure enough water to prevent themselves from being cremated but not enough to alarm Harry.

No what alarmed Harry was the feel of a knife at his unprotected neck.

"STOP OR I'LL SLIT HIS THROAT!" immediately everyone ceased their attack, everything going on stand still.

"Rodney, what have you done?" Alfred said, staring at the vampire with disappointment and worry.

"Drop the wand, now," Rodney ordered, "Both of you,"

Harry winced at the knife dug into his throat, the trickle of blood alerted him to the fact the fucker had succeeded in breaking skin. Harry gritted his teeth as he held out his hand and dropped his wand, fury thrumming through him, hardly able to believe he hadn't felt or sense the bastards approach.

Alfred immediately followed, concern lingering in his gaze, narrowing a little at the dark gleam in Harry's eyes. Just what was he up to? He saw a little spark emerging from Harry's hand, wandless magic, his gaze snapped back up to Harry's face again, Harry licked his lips, closing his eyes as he gave his entire focus to wielding his magic without his wand.

"Why?" Alfred immediately tried to distract Rodney, arms up in defeat, seeing the Leader Harry had pointed to swaggering in, looking as if he'd already won. "Why did you betray us? Betray your Lord? Betray your vows?"

"He was never my Lord!" snarled Rodney, tightening his hold on Harry, alarming Alfred at the fact Harry's neck was bleeding more freely. "I had already sworn fealty to my chosen Lord!" so the vows he'd sworn to Severus had never really taken.

"My son has always been loyal to our cause," the encroaching vampire said calmly, getting increasingly closer, much to every single Prince vampires' silent agitation. As they were forced to relinquish their wands, as the invaders demanded their compliance. They were not about to risk Harry's life, and so they remained still despite everything in them crying out to protect, crush and kill.

"Well I hope you don't expect grandchildren from him," came Harry's voice, startling Rodney, Alfred and of course, Rodney's father apparently, and chosen Lord.

"Wha…?" before he could finish the sentence, or even tighten his hold on the teenager, an almighty scream from Rodney penetrated their hearing causing them all to wince. Rodney automatically loosening his hold, crossing his legs and clutched at the cause of his agony.

Harry twirled around, kicking Rodney where it was hurting the most, adding insult to injury, causing the vampire to lurch back onto his back his scream taking on a more demented tone.

That's when it became apparent what he had done, every single male vampire winced. There was a burnt lump where he'd held Harry captive, and judging by the blood and where Rodney was clutching…they had a very good idea of what Harry had done, especially when added to his words moments earlier.

Before the leader could so much as finish roaring in fury, Harry unsheathed the sword he had squirreled away on his person and beheaded him, the angry look still adorned his face as it fell with a thud to the blood soaked grass.

After that things got very chaotic, very, very fast. He was unable to focus on anything other than his opponents as they approached him swiftly. Assuming due to his age that he would be an easy target, they were proven wrong of course, as Alfred fought with feral intensity, especially knowing his Lord's mate was close by.

Thankfully though, the Fiendfyre had evened it up a little, what little they had managed to use anyway before Rodney had shown his true colours.

"You really shouldn't have done that," Harry commented, stopping the blood before knocking him the fuck out, he had no doubt Severus would want to have a word with him…or two. If he managed to survive anyway, he thought as he was approached by two vampires, who didn't seem to care for their fallen comrade and stepped over him to get to Harry.

Harry fought with a ferocity of a born vampire, the adrenaline coursing through him prevented him from feeling the blows they managed to land on him as he fought, fought for his life and the life of everyone around him. One of them grabbed him from behind and Harry lent his entire weight forward before swiftly smashing his head against his face, bloody spattering into his hair as he broke his opponents nose. Ducking down on shaky knees and the sword which had been aimed at him sliced through the other vampire.

"FUCK!" he roared in anger, rounding on Harry, blaming him for his fuck up. "Eu vou te matar!" was spat at him.

Harry blinked at the unfamiliar language being thrown his way, whatever was said, probably wasn't kind. Kicking out, bringing the vampire down, Harry swiftly got to his feet, just in time as the other vampire quickly followed.

Neither used magic, but the vampire was clearly furious and was making mistakes, allowing Harry to keep up, barely. He had just begun learning all the tricks after all, Derek still had a long way in honing his skills to perfection. It had taken a lot out of him to use Wandless magic, and he was exhausting quickly, he'd been training earlier, so he wasn't a full throttle as it was. clawing, ripping, snarling, biting, kicking and punching as they fought, both trying to get one over the other as they even fought on the ground.

'Damn' Harry thought as his legs gave way, one vicious slice catching his ankle causing him to buckle. Choking in shock at the feeling of hands wrapping around his neck, cutting off his breathing. Harry scratched and hit at the forearms of the vampire choking him, but all that achieved was claws digging into his neck as he was being choked. Everything soon became fuzzy, as he desperately tried to scratch some more, spots danced in front of his eyes, as his hands fell, as Harry was unable to focus on anything, not even the feeling of the grass under his body. He was going to die, he felt bad that Severus would come back to this…but he didn't regret it. Not at all. It was all worth it.

Then just like that, he could suddenly breathe again, for a moment anyway, before the thud of the vampires' head falling into his chest and neck did make him gag and cough in blood. Grunting as the body quickly followed, causing Harry to be caught swimming in blood.

Alfred was standing over him, staring down in concern which gave way to amusement when he saw Harry was alive and well. "Try not to get your stubborn ass killed will you?" Alfred said, kicking the head off Harry's chest before grabbing him by the front of his clothes and yanking him to his feet. "This was your idea after all,"

Harry laughed a little, his voice coming out a little croaky, dizzy and disorientated, "Yeah," he rasped out, the adrenaline still pumping through his system, kicking in his fight or flight instincts. Harry gazed around at the castle grounds, rabid snarling and fighting all around, barely able to get space to move around without hitting a friendly by accident.

Alfred took out yet another Vampire, "Can you sense Severus nearby?" there was no doubt that Severus knew something was wrong, the emotions through the bond would have alerted him immediately.

"Closer than earlier," Harry croaked out, snarling viciously, farther hurting his vocal cords as he kicked the vampire flying at him before flipping over and cleanly breaking his neck before he could get back up. The sounds were beginning to dim somewhat, a look around he noticed that all the fights seem evenly matched.

They weren't left alone for long.

"Here we go again," Harry sighed, his body thumping in pain, as both he and Alfred were once again engaged in a fight for their lives.

In fact they were swarmed, they were aiming to kill him, Harry realized with a great deal of panic. They knew they had lost and wanted to take him with them, no! He wasn't going to let it happen. Horror filled him realizing they were about to cut off Alfred's head, someone who he was very, very fond off, someone who had helped him when he needed it. struggling fruitlessly in the grasp of his tormentors, trying to dislodge them in order to save Alfred.

His magic lashed out, reacting to his panic, blasting out of him, and it was the last thing Harry knew as unconsciousness claimed him.

It was barely a moment later that Severus and the other guards swept in, and quickly, lethally and with extreme prejudice engaged in savagery protecting their fellow brothers and dispatching their enemies.

The castle and it's grounds strewn with blood, magic backlash cracks and dirtied, but whole and victorious. Standing the test of time, as it had done for centuries before them. As generations of Prince's had done since the beginning, except for one obvious instance, before Severus reclaimed it for the Prince's.

Three guards kept close to Severus as he moved, refusing to leave him alone. They didn't know if all of them were dead, and it wasn't as simple as listening for a heartbeat. No, but they did ensure that each of their enemies was indeed dead as they moved. Slicing their head from their bodies was always full proof that they were indeed dead after all. They didn't stick around after doing it, working in sync with each other as Severus strode with purpose, a look of feral rage on his features.

They all knew where he was going. Who he was looking for. His mate.

"Sir, over here!" Storm called, swiftly throwing body parts off Harry, "Alfred! Alfred are you alright?" she kept her primary focus on making sure Harry was alive, but Severus would have known if he hadn't been. This was a familiar sight, Harry had used the blasting curse to render their enemies to pieces she realized.

"Harry?" Alfred asked, as he struggled to his feet, shaking off the body debris that had scattered all over him. Barely reacting to the teeth and sinew coating his robes, they would be dealt with later, right now he was worried. He was still slightly dazed that he was still alive, the magic hadn't affected him whatsoever. Instead he'd watched it completely decimate their enemies, within the radius of the spell. Swiping his hand over his clothes, as he approached, stepping aside when he sensed Severus, knowing if he didn't he'd end up shoved aside. His concern for his mate would come before all else.

"He's alive," Storm said, although she couldn't tell if he's injured, the blood was too thick and congealed, it could be from the blasting curse or worse…his own. "Unconscious," tapping at his face, trying to rouse him, he had zero luck.

"Get everyone to the healer ward, call in everyone that will be able to help," Severus ordered sharply, "Even if there is nothing that can be done for them." dead in other words, and everyone tuned in on Severus' words, and automatically made a move to comply despite their injuries.

"What about them?" Storm said, staring at the bodies strewn across the lawn, the pool had dozens of bodies in it and it was bright bloody red. It looked like the set of a movie, but this was very much real and as bloody as it had ever been. Quite frankly, when Severus had fought to reclaim Prince Castle…it hadn't been this bad or bloody either.

"If any of them are alive, lock them up," Severus stated with a sneer, staring at the bodies that were more than likely dead. It looked as if fire had been used, likely Fiendfyre, judging by the ashes and the damage to the ground and grass. "Keep them alive, I want to question them." and have someone to kill if anything happened to his mate. With ease, uncaring of the mess, Severus lifted his unconscious mate into his arms, tightening his hold when he slid a little, he didn't even care about the blood now saturating his pristine robes.

"Rodney betrayed us," Alfred explained, causing Severus to stiffen and a burst of fury to radiate through Severus. He had trusted him, so much so to allow him access to his mate, to teach him…and all this time he had planned on betraying them, had betrayed them, he could have done anything to Harry in those times. The thought left him cold, furious and full of self-recrimination.

"Is he alive?" Severus asked, his tone colder than ice, his mate was hurt, he couldn't, no didn't, want to stand here discussing the little weasel.

"I cannot be sure, he's definitely without his cock and balls," Alfred admitted quite crudely. Unfortunately, there was no real polite way to state as such. At least nothing he could think of right now, he was still thrumming.

Severus chuckled, "Harry?" he guessed, amusement clouding his features, his mate was nothing if not inventive and very, very vindictive when wronged. He made a little mental note to himself, never to piss Harry off to that extent, his mood did a dive when he realized he couldn't feel the bond overly much.

"Yes," Alfred confirmed, his own ragged features turning into a rueful smile, as he moved over to where the initial confrontation with Rodney had taken place. Yes, he'd definitely made a mistake targeting Harry to try and put a stop to the assault. Harry was no damsel in distress, he fought tooth and nail…and if he'd survived…well, he'd imagine he was still in too much pain to move.

He quickly found Rodney and he chuckled at the sight, oh, yes, big mistake. "He's alive, Harry's ensured that." sensing the spells Harry had used, probably further exhausting himself, using wandless magic.

"Cells," Severus barked, refusing to waste any time on the foul lithesome traitor, he would give him time, but only after his mate was seen to. "You make sure he lives." He warned Alfred, four guards following him as he made his way through the mass of bodies to get inside of the castle. As luck would have it, it seemed that they hadn't managed to succeed in getting inside.

Severus opened the castle back up, which had gone on lockdown the moment the wards were attacked and full lock down the moment Alfred had closed the castle down, making sure nobody could get inside once everyone who would be fighting were outside ready to battle it out.

Alfred didn't bother using the levitation charm, he just grabbed the disgusting traitorous worm by his neck, not enough to crush it, like he really wanted to. No, whatever else Severus would have in mind would be much more inventive than his imagination, of that he had no doubt. That's without throwing his mate into the equation. Then he hastily made his way inside, trying to catch up with the others, worried about Harry, that had been some seriously strong magic he'd used to save their lives.

He noticed that others behind him were receiving the same treatment, Bradley had two slung over their shoulders like a sack of potatoes. He noticed to his approval three were remaining, nobody was leaving the castle grounds unprotected, or going to allow anyone who might be feigning dead to get away.

"You alright, Alfred?" came Bradley's concerned voice, a scowl adorning his features at the two people he had slung over his shoulders. His eyes reflected concern also, despite his scowl.

"I'll be glad once this is over and I can get cleaned up," Alfred admitted, checking Rodney for any weapons or secreted wands or worse a portkey – not that it would work here – upon his person. Finding nothing he unrepentantly threw Rodney into the farthest cell inside. Slamming it closed, it magically locked, glowing briefly to let him know it had succeeded. He wouldn't be able to get out of there even if he was magically powerful.

They were magically dampened, magically strengthened, tamper proof, when Severus took over he'd ensured it by locking himself in and getting out repeatedly until he couldn't. Only then had be considered them to be adequate. It was one of the many things Severus had changed when he first came along.

Exhaustion was creeping up on them all, wary to the bone at the sudden unexpectedness of the attack and the betrayal of one of their own was clearly weighing on them. The night was far from over, of that you could be assured.

Alfred moved out of the way, and allowed those who were bringing in those that had survived, get them into cells of their own after they'd been thoroughly stripped and searched for anything they might have.

It was going to be a long few days, and Alfred almost regretted not getting an extra few hours of sleep this morning when he'd had the opportunity.

As he was emerging from the cells, he could hear the terrified calling of Sirius Black. He was shouting for Harry at the top of his lungs, clearly terrified for him. Quite understandably so, but Black wasn't going to get anywhere near Harry tonight, Severus would be lucky to let the guards near him or the healers – who were no doubt already seeing to him first – he was no doubt in protective mode.

"Black, he's fine," Alfred heard Storm state, as he made his way upstairs. "He's alive, he's safe." Her tone cool and aloof, clearly not in the mood to deal with the easily hysterical human right now. Her priorities didn't allow for it really. Alfred understood that, she'd gone to a relatively peaceful meeting, with her guard a little lowered only to come to the realization that something was very, very wrong.

"Where is he? I want to see him," Sirius demanded, the panic still clear in his voice, he took no comfort in Storm's words.

"Later, Mr. Black," Storm said, stepping around him, she wanted to hurry this along and get back to both Harry and Severus, protect them as she was meant to. regretfully, she and a few others had been asked…no ordered to help the others.

"No! NOW!" Sirius said, grasping a hold of Storm's arm, stopping her from leaving, or trying to, Storm was a vampire, she would have been able to get out of his hold if she truly desired to. Which she did, but enough harm had been caused today, she didn't want him having to go to the healers and make more work for them.

"Sirius, let her go," Remus cautioned him, worry creasing his forehead, he could see she was in no mood to be manhandled.

"I would do as he suggests, Mr. Black," Alfred said quietly, joining them, "Let her get on with her duties," he demanded.

"What happened? Where's Harry?" Sirius turned on Alfred, reluctantly letting Storm go. Hopefully Alfred would have more information than the unhelpful woman, who he still didn't know the name of despite his time here.

"We were attacked," Alfred stated firmly, stating the obvious. "We defended ourselves, and we need now to regroup."

"Harry…? He was here?" Remus asked, "Please…tell me he's okay!" Remus choked out, terrified that something had happened to the boy he considered his son. He couldn't bear it if anything happened to him.

"Severus took him to their rooms," Alfred explained, "I have little doubt that there is a healer in there at this very moment making sure he recovers fully. I do believe he has a few injuries and is more than likely magically depleted." he explained, still wishing to return to his rooms to clean up some, he was absolutely filthy and covered in blood. His wand was somewhere in the wreckage outside, unless someone had already brought them in.

"And let me guess, Severus won't be letting anyone near him," Remus sighed, slumping a little in defeat, unlike Sirius, Remus understood creature habits, he was one himself. When their mates were injured it was instinctive to squirrel away, keep everyone away while their significant other recuperated. With Severus being away at the time, there was no way he would be able to calm his instincts to think rationally and calmly. Remus didn't even know the half of it, or the fact they had been so grievously betrayed.

"He better! I'm his godfather!" Sirius argued.

"And Remus is his father," Alfred said firmly and patiently, he always required it when dealing with Sirius Black. "However, unlike you, he understands what Severus is going through right now. I shall do my best to see that you may visit Harry as soon as possible. Until then, I shall keep both of you up to date as the news comes." He promised.

"No matter what time it is," Remus said, he didn't care what time it was, he just wanted news when it came in.

"Of course," Alfred nodded, "Please, for now, let us grieve and get on with out tasks," they had lost people today, he was fortunate enough not to know yet, but he would know soon enough. He would be heading towards the healing wing after visiting Severus and Harry, if he was even welcomed by them, not out of malice, definitely not. The betrayal and the injuries, Severus would be smarting and worried about letting anyone nearby for a while.

"We'll be in our rooms," Remus stated immediately, sympathy warring with his worry. Tightening his grip on Sirius, cutting off any potential recriminatory words that might find their way out his mouth. Giving Alfred a single nod, Remus moved both himself and Sirius out of the way, and begun heading up the stairs.

"What the hell happened, do you think?" Sirius asked, as Remus closed the door, giving them privacy, and having finally been allowed to talk without Remus squeezing the life out of his arm, rubbing the blood back into the area.

"They were attacked," Remus sighed, rolling his eyes, sometimes, Sirius could be obtuse.

"I think I got that!" Sirius retorted bitterly, they'd apparated back to the castle, only to see the stuff of nightmares. They hadn't even seen anything like it during the war with Voldemort for Merlin's sake, it was horrifying. Thankfully though, he'd just started bellowing Harry's name in panic as he looked around for his godson on the blood soaked ground in sheer terror, he'd been told quite quickly he'd been taken inside. Taken, that's all not whether he was injured or worse dead, just taken inside. Then he'd stopped Storm to get answers, not that she'd had them any more than the others.

"Oh, Sirius," Remus sighed, brushing his hair aside, "He has the best care he can get right now." He reassured Sirius, trying to put his own worries and fears aside. He wanted to be at Harry's side too, sometimes it was tiresome. He'd forgotten this side of it all, when Sirius left, remembering only the good.

"This was an attack on him wasn't it?" Sirius said pursing his lips, "This is his fault Harry got hurt."

"They're mates, Sirius, they were always going to be drawn to one anothers obit, just like you and I," Remus said calmly, well aware of what Sirius was probably thinking.

"If he cares he'd let him go!" Sirius argued, "He's not safe here! Evidently!" flinging his hands in the air dramatically.

"Harry loves him," Remus stated firmly, "He won't leave," of that he knew with one hundred percent certainty. Even if he did, it wouldn't go the way Sirius envisioned it, Harry wouldn't suddenly want to live with him, with them. Sirius was just desperate to recapture everything that Dumbledore had taken from him. From them.

"He should," Sirius scowled, pacing back and forth, today had been a good day until they got back.

"But won't," Remus refuted. Harry loved wholly and so, so completely, protective and caring when he did so. Something would have to happen for Harry to willingly leave Severus, something extremely bad but those bad things wouldn't happen. Severus loved and cared for his mate so completely that he couldn't imagine life without him. He knew from experience what it was like, that's without actually knowing Sirius was his mate. That bond had been blocked, but it was an entirely good thing given what Dumbledore had done…quite frankly if Sirius had done what he had and he was his mate…he may well have clocked out a long time ago.

"How can you be so calm?" Sirius grumbled, sitting down, finally feeling a little more himself, after the panic he'd experienced. Quite used to being talked down by Remus, it was a familiar routine.

"I'm not, I'm just not letting myself get hysterical, it won't change anything," Remus commented, flicking his wand and the kettle began whistling immediately, Remus calmly walked over, and begun prepping something for them to both drink. He knew it would be some time before he heard any news, he wasn't going to be high on the priority list right now. Absently stirring the brews, he sighed softly, and sat down on the sofa, waiting until Sirius joined him before passing over the cup.

Sirius sulkily blew on it, wishing for something stronger, but Remus didn't keep alcohol around very often.

"For crying out loud, Sirius, don't screw up the progress you've made with Harry by going and doing or saying something idiotic." Remus murmured quietly, pinching the bridge of his nose, "I will not lose Harry over this." He warned him seriously, Sirius was his mate, Harry was his son, he loved them both but he'd practically raised Harry with Maria for the past seven years.

"I won't," Sirius said sincerely, shuddering at the thought of the smackdown Harry would lay on him if he thought of saying any of the things he'd suggested tonight. Harry tolerated him, only barely tolerated him for Remus' sake, that much had been made clear. Although, some progress had been made, and Remus was right, there was no point to screwing it all up for something he cant change. He'd already lost out on sixteen years of his godson's life, he wasn't about to be completely stricken from his life again, this time on his own merit instead of Dumbledore's interference.

Remus breathed out in relief, trusting Sirius at his word, he had enough to worry about without adding Sirius to the list. He was surprised Harry had been there at all, usually they were taken away to safety the second something happened. Although, knowing Harry, he'd probably refused to the point of being tenaciously stubborn.

"He's going to be fine, nobody would have let him get hurt," Sirius stated, the vampires wouldn't allow it.

Remus relaxed further, "True," it was very true, he would have been surrounded and watched the entire fight. Perhaps even awake and being reprimanded by Severus, only to be as stubborn as a mule and unrepentant.

Fortunately for all, Severus' instincts while were to hunker down and protect Harry at all costs, didn't override his rational thinking. He knew for Harry to get well, a healer needed to see him, but he did not take his gaze from the healer for a second. Watching everything he did with an intensity that probably half scared the healer to a near heart attack.

"No, what do you need?" Severus ordered, yes, he might have brewed those potions he was about to use to administer to his mate. They had however, been out of his sight, they could have been tampered with, there had been a traitor in his ranks after all.

The healer placed it immediately back in it's slot before listing off the potions he required to aid Harry. Not even a few moments later, Severus was delving into his own private stock, that nobody other than himself or Harry could get into. He even brought over his own bandages and such, he didn't dare even think of protesting.

Severus watched the healer work while he absently, while unconsciously brushing his hand through Harry's hair. He had removed Harry's outer wear immediately upon entering the room, before he even put Harry down, before cleaning him up, his other wounds still oozed but that would soon be sorted, he was too pale and still unconscious and he still couldn't feel the bond properly which made him extremely defensive every time the healer went near him.

The first thing the healer gave Harry was a blood and magic replenisher, both which were dangerously low. Or rather he gave the potions to Severus to give to Harry, reckoning it might be best not to get too close too often.

The healer however, pasted the potion onto the jagged wounds on Harry's chest, this was to ensure it would not scar, it was already beginning to heal with a few spells. The bruises were swiftly seen too as well, especially the ones around his throat – as well as the cut from the blade – which had nearly caused Severus to lose full control of himself.

"I need access to the back of his neck," the healer said smoothly, calmly, remaining where he was giving Severus time to process his statement. He had put the salve around everywhere he could reach but now he needed to check everywhere else.

Severus inhaled sharply, his nostrils flaring, but he nonetheless eased Harry into a sitting position. A soft surprised sound leaving him, when he spotted the half done tattoo adorning Harry's shoulder blade. A small smile came to his face, despite the situation, when he noticed what it was, a thunderbird, the very same thing Harry had been all too eager to visit at the Prince Sanctuary. It was beautiful, and he could barely wait to see it finished.

"Good job he got it done on the other shoulder blade," was commented, the other was badly damaged, and the tattoo would never have been salvaged even with the new skin.

Severus made a small agreeable noise, still staring at it, it reminded him of the good times…perhaps that's why Harry had decided to get it. It gave him hope for their future, perhaps there would be an actual wedding in future. This was undeniable proof that Harry was very happy here, that he may well actually want it to be more permanent.

"You will need to give Harry blood, and a lot of it in the coming months along with anti-nausea draughts," the healer went on to explain as he made sure that there were no further injuries to his legs or sides.

"Anti-nausea draughts?" Severus echoed, blinking at the healer, one didn't normally need it for months if they've hit their head…and the blood? His mind went blank when he realized the implication behind it.

"He's pregnant, My Lord, congratulations," Severus didn't need to hear the confirmation, to know what he already did, due to his earlier words.

Once again I surprise myself with how easy the chapter was to write! This one isn't quite as close to being finished as my others but it's definitely on its last arc, well, second last if you don't include what Harry wants to accomplish which if you've been reading closely you'll probably realize what it is ;) certainly going to be finished before The Leader! :D So, there we have it! How will Harry deal with the latest news? Happy? Grudgingly? or will he surprise Severus by actually walking away after the year is up? Having no desire to be a father, married and part of Severus' ever complicated life? Merely making the best of what he has right now? R&R please!