Harry woke up two mornings later, relieved to know that Theo would be leaving today. He was tempted to follow him himself to free Draco, but he knew it wasn't wise. Instead, he dutifully dressed and stood outside on the steps in front of most of the kingdom to see Theo off. He accepted the kiss on his cheek that was really an excuse to get close to him.
"I'll be back in five days. You better see Severus to find out why you're not pregnant before I get back. I expect news. If there is none, you'll be in my bed every night until you're with child," Theo hissed.
Harry carefully kept his face blank even as his heart pounded in fear. "Of course, Draco. I will make sure there is news for you. Have a safe journey."
Theo backed up, Draco's features contorted in almost hatred, and turned to enter the carriage. Harry let out the breath he was holding. He stood on the steps until the carriage was gone before going back inside. He enjoyed so many things about Theo being gone. He didn't need to worry about being hurt, he didn't need to carefully watch what he said or did, he could wear clothing, and he slept much better knowing that he would not be woke up to warm that monster's bed. Harry exchanged looks with Blaise, hoping that all worked out. Even if Draco wanted nothing to do with him, at least he could live out his days in peace.
HPDM
Harry received a letter from his mother later that day requesting to come visit. He wrote her back and told her that she was more than welcome to come. She arrived three days later, smiling widely. Harry was happy to see her. He hadn't been allowed to go back home to visit since he moved into his new home, and his mother hadn't been able to come visit him in many months. He hugged her tightly.
"I'm so glad to see you, Mum," Harry murmured.
"Oh, darling, you look like you've lost a bit of weight," Lily said, frowning.
"I haven't been eating that well," Harry murmured. "Upset stomach."
Lily looked around furtively to make sure that no one was near as they walked through the garden. "I know the truth, darling. Your friend, Blaise, wrote me a letter. He suggested that my presence would be needed. He said that the imposter is always on his best behavior when I or your father are here. Unfortunately, your father had urgent matters to take care of, so it is just me."
"How long have you known?" Harry asked, almost accusing.
"I just found out in that letter. I would never keep that from you. I am so sorry for what you've been through," Lily said, hugging Harry.
Harry relished in his mother's embrace. It felt amazing to be held by someone who loved him. He had sorely missed it over the years. "Hopefully, it will be over soon."
Lily nodded as she wiped away a tear. "Blaise mentioned that they were about to find out where your Draco is. He said it as of the utmost importance that we keep you safe until they rescue him. I am to be your shadow until they do to keep the imposter away from you."
"He said he wants an heir," Harry said shakily. "I can't have his child, Mum. I just can't."
"How have you not fallen pregnant during this time" Lily asked.
"Severus makes a potion that prevents it. Each dose works for one week. I just take it every week since I never know when he'll want me back in his bed," Harry said.
"Good thinking, darling," Lily murmured. "This way, there will be nothing to tie you to him once he's gone."
"Does Dad know about all this?" Harry asked.
Lily nodded. "He's furious. The urgent matter that he is taking care of is rounding up all of our men to come here. He's going to take the imposter down if he has to sacrifice his life in the process."
"No," Harry whispered urgently. "I can't let him give his life for this."
"A part of me agrees with you, darling. However, a much larger part understands him. You are our son. We love you more than anything. We will do anything to keep you safe. He will fight for you. If he must lose his life in the process…it will be devastating but it will be an honorable death. I would gladly give my life for your freedom and safety."
"How could you expect me to live knowing that either of you died for it? I would never be able to be truly happy."
"But you must. It's why your father is going to fight. For you and your happiness. He is going to bring everyone to the perimeter of this kingdom. Blaise will send some of his men to meet him. He is to send a scout to tell them when it is time to move. At that time, Blaise is going to send us to hide. He-"
"I'm not hiding," Harry said firmly. "I have spent the whole three years of my marriage cowering in fear. No more. I will see him defeated."
"Harry, think rationally," Lily said.
"No. I am done being rational. This is what I want. You want my happiness? This is it. I want nothing more than to see him slain for what he's done to this kingdom…to Draco's people…my people. He doesn't take care of them. Mothers are losing their children to sickness. Children are starving. Somehow, he manages to make them believe it's not his fault when it is."
Lily looked away. "Can you at least promise to not put yourself in unnecessary danger?"
"I can do that."
Lily sighed. "I suppose that's all I can hope for."
HPDM
Two days later, Theo came back. He wasn't happy to see Lily there, but he pasted on a fake grin and pretended to welcome her. Lily saw through the act, but she responded in kind. She insisted on dining with Harry and Theo that night. She kept up a steady chatter of how things were in their kingdom at the moment. She finally quieted down when she received her dessert.
"Harry, did you speak with Severus like I asked?" Theo asked.
Harry nodded. "Yes, he said that everything is fine."
"And he will confirm this?" Theo asked, arching a brow.
Harry nodded again. "He'll be in his room all night if you have any questions."
Theo grunted. "I suppose I will have a chat with him."
"Were you ill, darling?" Lily asked, pretending surprise. "I wish I had known. I would have brought you some of that soup you love so much. It always made you feel better."
"Oh, no, Harry's not sick. I was getting a bit worried that we haven't had a child yet," Theo said casually. "After three years, I would have thought we would have at least one by now."
Lily nodded. "Typically, yes. However, there are times when it does take a while. I knew a midwife who said that it usually happens when you're not expecting it. Apparently, she knew several couples that tried for years with no luck. The moment they stopped trying, it happened. Children come in due time. It will happen. Don't lose faith. Harry will be pregnant before you know it," she said with a sweet smile.
"I was hoping we could try to work on that some more tonight," Theo said, reaching over to take Harry's hand.
Harry resisted the urge to snatch his hand away. "Perhaps that is a conversation for later…when it's just us," he murmured.
"Of course," Theo said, dropping Harry's hand.
"Perhaps you should give it some time," Lily suggested. "After all, it seems you are putting too much pressure on yourself, Draco. I'll keep Harry company during my visit. You can focus on other matters of importance to put it out of your mind for a bit."
Theo ground his teeth. "Of course, Your Majesty."
Harry bit back his smile. He did so love his mother's visits.
HPDM
Blaise arrived outside the door just as Harry and Lily came out. His eyes were bright and he couldn't keep the smile off his face. Harry felt his hopes rising. He walked as quickly as he could out to the garden. When they were far enough in, Harry turned to Blaise.
"You know where he is," Harry said, not asking.
"We do," Blaise said, grinning.
Harry smiled widely. "Where?"
"At the far edge of the kingdom. He's inside a mountain right next to the wastelands. Our scouts already checked the surrounding areas. He's either dumb or confident. There are no other guards other than the ones that are guarding the cell. There are six in total. They take rotating shifts in pairs. They should be easy to take out. I know all of them personally. They're not particularly strong nor are they smart."
"So how are you going to get him out? Won't Theo notice that some of his men are missing?" Lily asked.
"We're already working on that. We've created an issue in one of the western villages that he will send Harry to fix. He tends to send Harry to oversee minor issues. Every time he sends Harry out, he sends out the same guards to stand guard over him. Theo may not care for Harry, but he is particular about his safety. I assume that it's because he only wants Harry to suffer at his hands. Sorry, Harry," Blaise added with a grimace.
"It's all right, Blaise," Harry murmured. "I know how he is."
"Anyway, those guards are all loyal to Prince Draco. They're in the resistance. The village we chose is one that reveres Harry. They'll keep him safe there while the guards travel the rest of the way to the mountain where Prince Draco resides."
"You're not leaving me behind, Blaise," Harry protested. "That's my husband in that mountain. I'm not going to hide in a village while you rescue him."
Blaise stopped Harry with a hand on his arm until Harry looked him in the eye. "Harry, all due respect, but that's not your husband. You never married Prince Draco which makes your marriage a sham. However, that's not what's important. What is important is that you are the King Consort in the eyes of the kingdom. Your safety is of the utmost importance. If I allowed you to go, the kingdom would be up in arms if something happened to you. More importantly, I would never forgive myself. You've never been trained for fighting. It was always expected that you would marry into another royal family so there was never a need for it. I say this with the utmost respect, but you would be more of a liability that anything," Blaise said bluntly. "We can't afford to take any chances. We have one shot at this. If we fail, we will all die, and there will be no hope for our kingdom."
Harry sighed and looked away. "Do you have any idea how useless I feel? I care about this kingdom. I want to do more to help."
"I know, Harry. The best thing you can do, though, is to follow Theo's directives as much as possible without further endangering yourself. He may want an heir, but he has shown time and again that he has no qualms about hurting you. He knows how much the kingdom adores you. Why do you think he's willing to back off when I say that you've had enough? It's because he knows that too much damage to you would make others suspicious. He knows that the whole kingdom would rise up against him if they found out what he does to you. It's why he's careful to not go too far. He does just enough to keep you scared and pliant. It is imperative that we rescue Draco. Not just for the sake of the kingdom, but for you as well. Promise me that you'll stay safe in the village. I have already found a family that has agreed to hide you in their home and protect you with their lives."
"I promise," Harry said shakily. "How long will you be?"
"It's hard to say for sure. With so many guards going, it will take longer to reach the mountain. Probably a half day's journey. Hopefully, it won't take long to take out the six guards and get Prince Draco out. It will take no less than a day and a half, but it could take longer. Luckily, you've had to stay gone for two weeks quite often to fully satisfy villagers in the past. We'll have plenty of time without Theo getting suspicious."
"When will we leave?" Harry asked.
"We have a messenger coming tomorrow with the news that intervention is needed."
Lily placed a calming hand on Harry's shoulder. "We'll be ready. I'll make sure that Theo keeps his distance until then."
They slowly walked back in, each lost in their own thoughts of what was coming.