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Harry Potter and Co. belong to Rowling.
Chapter 30. Coming Together
At Harry Potter's Bonding Mansion
Harry lay down after a long day of training…he had thought that Severus would slow down with the child and all but that had not happened. The older Wizard was on the rampage and did not allow for even the smallest respite in his training. It almost seemed like the Potions Master was trying to make him pay for the pregnancy well if that was the case two could play that game! Severus walked in and saw Harry look at him guiltily What was he up to now? Shrugging his robe off Severus approached his bonded with a look that let Harry now exactly what he wanted…Harry sighed inwardly as Severus lips touched his, sleep was would have to wait
Severus woke up the next morning to the smell of breakfast and quite quickly bounded of the bed and ran to the bathroom where he proceeded to throw up every single bite he had had the night before. Harry who had been carrying the tray managed to step out of the way to allow his husband easy access to the facilities. With Severus's retching to serve him as background Harry started in on the bacon…damn it was good! Maybe he should have another strip. He munched on it and tried to open the door. Of course Severus had warded it closed.
"Severus open the door!"
"Leave me alone!" the Potions Master managed to shout angrily before another bout of morning sickness hit him.
"Please open the door!"
"LEAVE ME THE HELL ALONE!"
Oops! Severus was really sick he was swearing! Severus never swore! He tried the door again while he grabbed a small sausage. Dobby's cooking was awesome; he'd give the elf a raise if he could. Harry continued trying the door until it was flung open with such force that it knocked the youth against the wall.
"Are you ok?" he asked popping the last bit of sausage in his mouth.
"Did I sound ok?"
"Just a question." Harry mumbled sounding hurt.
"Don't!" Severus spun on him angrily.
"What?" Harry asked swallowing the last bit of sausage.
"Don't act like your feelings are hurt! You have no right to feel hurt! Until I see you on all fours throwing your guts up every morning, and I see you suffering from our son's magical target practice inside your stomach! You have no right to feel- what's that smell! Oh Merlin!" Severus's nose twitched as the offending smell of Harry's sausage breath hit his nose, his stomach twisted inside and he ran past a hurt looking Harry in search of what had become a constant in his life for the last ten days, the toilet!
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Hours later the pair was in the library and Harry was on all fours before Snape.
"You need to try harder!"
"I am! You're pushing too hard."
"Tut tut! Come on take a couple of seconds….good ready? Legilemus!"
They had been working on his occlumency but Severus always found a way to destroy his shields. He knew he was getting better but did Severus have to try so hard? It almost seemed like his husband was relishing his discomfort.
"Relishing your discomfort? Is that what you think?" Severus accused. How could Harry think that! Accuse him of something so vile! Severus thought sitting down broken heartedly. Why was Harry being so mean! Severus felt tears spring from his eyes and found himself caught in a wave of emotion. Harry hated him… and Severus hated himself. This morning he had discovered that his pants didn't close anymore! Soon he'd be bigger than Hagrid and then what? Severus sniffed angrily.
Oh no, now he'd done it! Harry thought running to Severus side and trying to comfort his husband. Every effort he made was slapped away. Harry knew he had it coming…it had been a mental slip. He had read up on Wizard pregnancies and they were more than precise on describing a wizard's erratic hormonal and emotional state. According to the text Wizard pregnancies were not only longer than witch pregnancies but also more emotionally draining. A Wizard experienced mood swings three times as bad as a witch and they were supposed to last through out the first two months. Harry couldn't wait for the two months to be up. He tried to touch the older Wizard once more and this time Severus allowed for his husband's arms to go around him. Harry sighed in relief and did the only thing he could do, he held him.
An hour later they were at it again…
Harry felt his shield tremble but he concentrated more…sweat broke on his brow but he did not give in and concentrated. Concentrate. Concentrate. Clear your mind. Clear your mind. Harry held the shield until he felt Severus backing off. He kept his mind clear and opened his eyes Severus permanent scowl had been replaced by a satisfied smile.
"I think you finally got it."
Harry smiled back in relief.
Half an hour later….
Severus was crying again. Harry had given Severus a shirt and had mistakenly mentioned that he had charmed it to stretch. Severus face was priceless. "Why don't you twist the knife a little harder Harry!" He had shouted flinging the shirt at his young husband before storming from the room. Severus didn't cry this time he was too hungry to do so.
Harry sighed and decided to give Severus some time…no sense in going after him now he'd only get an earful better give the potions master some room. He'd do some reading in the library that should get his mind off things. Twenty minutes later Severus walked in and sat down in front of Harry. Harry watched him out of the corner of his eye. He wanted to say something but was too afraid to say the wrong thing. He'd let Severus take the initiative.
"I'm fat!" Severus said and broke down.
"You're not fat! Really you're not! It's the baby… Severus don't do that!" Harry begged putting the book aside. "Severus don't! It's ok! I mean it's just baby fat!" Severus wailed louder. Unable to calm his husband Harry walked Severus back to their rooms and they laid down together. Much to Harry's relief Severus was sleeping soundly in minutes. Harry held his husband and fell asleep wondering if a second child was such a hot idea.
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Days later Severus came up with a potion that would help him regulate his mood swings and Harry almost jumped up with joy. The change was immediate even if it did have one tiny side effect; it increased the Potion's Master libido.
They had made love everyday since Severus had taken the potion and even though Harry had been reluctant at first Severus had informed him that a pregnant Wizard could not impregnate another wizard until after he gave birth. Harry understood exactly what that meant Severus wanted to top again. Harry had agreed, it wasn't as if he didn't enjoy it anyway it was the least he could do…I mean Severus would be giving birth in 10 months, Yeah! He could bottom!
Unbeknownst to Harry and Severus, something began happening to the youth's and the older Wizard's behavior, they began thinking about each other before they thought of themselves…and that began to make all the difference in the world. Severus no longer thought of Harry as someone that needed to be led but as someone who could lend support and contribute in their marriage and Harry was no longer defensive about the control Severus supposedly had in their relationship. The truth was that Severus no longer saw Harry his bonded but as his husband. It was a gradual change but more importantly it was a permanent one.
At Potter's other Mansion….
Lord Gribaldi went over the mail with Prince Alessander and Sirius…there were three letters that offered them friendship should the need to confront a common foe arise. They were signed by the patriarchs of the houses and although the houses were not as old as theirs they were of great importance to the Wizard and the two Vampires because these three houses were representative of the growing middle class and the common Wizard that the Ministry had left behind.
"Well things appear to be going better than we thought." Sirius mused out loud smiling broadly.
"The quiet before the storm" Alessander whispered leaning back.
"Ever the optimist Alessander." Lord Gribaldi had noticed his best friend's somber attitude and Lord Black's erratic one for the last couple of days and was beginning to grow worried.
"Hasn't anything to do with optimism or the lack thereof just interpreting the facts."
"Maybe…" Lord Gribaldi grudgingly agreed looking from his friend to Sirius.
Sirius met the man's look and grimaced before he got up and left.
Maybe it had something to do with Draco's curse or Remus's refusal to speak to Sirius ten days after his marriage to Narcissa but Sirius was completely bipolar. Black went from episodes of pure optimism and joy to complete bleakness and frustration Alessander could only love him even more. Something was eating at Sirius and the Prince needed to know what it was before something happened.
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Draco was staring at his book. Mr. Weasley as he had been ordered to call the eldest Weasel sibling was his new tutor/teacher/keeper. The Wizard had had the affront to give him homework! Homework as if he could concentrate on anything! He would see his mother tonight…her and that half breed…Merlin! His step father was a fucking werewolf! He had almost refused to go but the Prince had told him that if he did not attend he would tear the flesh of his back. Draco had naturally agreed.
If only Black had died it wouldn't be so fucking bad! But how does one kill something that's already dead. Sirius's body had suffered injury but he had not died.
Vampires were easy; a stake to through the heart. Yeah but first you had to get near them with one! Draco thought angrily. Naturally Sirius had not let the attack go unpunished and had beaten Draco to the point that Draco had actually pleaded with him to stop. Prince Alessander had just stood by and watched, the bastard! If it hadn't been for Lord Gribaldi Draco would probably be dead.
Draco straightened in his desk looking at the book again. Spells and Countercurses from The Middle Ages, the Bill Weasel as he called his tutor had a funny way of teaching…read it, discuss it, practice it, debate it, discuss it some more, understand it….very hands on some could say, some but not Draco.
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Cecilia stretched herself and yawned sleepily, she had finished digesting the last elf, and she felt refreshed. She laid her head down and thought about her master she missed him not that the castle or the people in it weren't interesting hell that Draco boy cursing Black had been one of the highlights of the last few days!
Cecilia didn't understand Wizards! They were so problematic! She had wanted to eat Draco! The spoiled Wizard had cursed her Master's Godfather after all but her Master had such a good heart that she had held off. She'd ask Harry if he wanted her to do something when he got back…she hoped he would let her eat him. Wizard for lunch! Delicious!
She moved around sleepily when she heard a soft cry in the distance. Ever the curious female she slithered off in search of adventure.
Half an hour later at the Weasley Household…
Mr. and Mrs. Weasley sat in complete shock had their little girl just agreed to become engaged with Neville! Oh Merlin!
Ginny walked upstairs half an hour later. Of course she'd marry Neville he was kind and intelligent and ok he wasn't handsome but he had a lot of other redeeming qualities…quite frankly Ginny thought herself very lucky indeed…Neville Longbottom could have married an heiress but he had chosen her and she was not about to turn him away just because she was thirteen. Besides they weren't going to get married right now they would simply become engaged. In four years time Ginny would become Mrs. Neville Longbottom. Somehow it did not seem that far away…
She wondered what her parents would say if they knew Neville and her had been corresponding for the last year and a half. They were short notes and letters about herbology no less but corresponding nevertheless. Silly Neville the plant had been completely unnecessary.
At the same time at Hogwarts….
Hermione and Professor McGonagall sat watching Dumbledore carefully they had been following the Wizard closely for the last couple of days but he had done absolutely nothing that they thought was of any interest to anyone other than his tailor or a drama coach. The Wizard spent an awful lot of time trying out robe after robe standing this way and that arranging and rearranging the folds on his sleeves and schooling his expressions before a long mirror. It wasn't until the third day when the Wizard came back from an appointment he had at the Ministry that they got to see the Headmaster Minerva had faced before she had died.
The Headmaster slammed the chair against the chimney with such force that it frightened both ghosts.
"You thought to fool me Lucius…think again …"
The ghosts looked at each other… Lucius!
The same day at Potter's Mansion…
Prince Alessander was sending owls to two known Vampire supporters within the Wizarding World when Sirius slipped away by himself or so he thought. The Prince never one to take chances had after Draco's attack ordered bodyguards for his mate and consort. They were to follow him everywhere without his mate's knowledge. Easy enough for two of the oldest Vampires in the Prince's guard.
Sirius walked oblivious to the added company and went deep into the cellars.
He wanted to be alone, he lay down wanting to close his eyes for only a second….in minutes he was sleeping fitfully. It began the same way…magic blazing through the air….curses clashing….white magic against dark …. Pain everywhere… Harry, Remus, Alessander all of them fighting all of them dying one by one….an evil woman's laughter, red and green eyes… and then silence… death…a door in the distance white light and then darkness…ugly cruel darkness…
The images whispered the tragedy that would be…Sirius swallowed and gasped for air wanting to wake up but was unable to do so…the vision had lasted too long and he had not pulled out in time….
The Vampires waited for their Prince's consort to wake up but the Vampire's strangled gasps sent them into action and while one of them went to get Lord Gribaldi the closest thing they had to a healer…the second alerted the Prince of his consort's distress.
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The Prince was in mid letter when he heard the call… letting the whispered cry lead him he made his way to the cellars and arrived in time to see Sirius shudder painfully. Frowning it hit him Sirius was in a trance. Alesssander stood on the edge of consciousness and called his mate back. Sirius reached out in his mind anchoring himself to the knowledge that the images hadn't happened yet and that maybe just maybe he could do something to change them. A vision, Alessander pulled Sirius back and felt the younger Vampire's weariness …clutching his arm the older Vampire whispered "…nothing is written in stone..."
Not wanting to be in the cellar any longer the Vampire put his arms under his mate's legs and arms and lifted him. He walked out of the cellar and carried him to their bedchambers where Lord Gribaldi and the other Vampire waited.
Ordering the two Vampires to stand guard he laid Sirius on the bed. The younger Vampire immediately curled himself into fetal position. His eyes were half closed in a stupor of weariness, depression, and hunger.
Lord Gribaldi came around the bed after running one of the few scans he had learnt for Vampires, he stepped back rubbing his brow. "He was in a trance but he doesn't seem to be responding now," the Prince informed him.
"He's weak…too weak it doesn't seem normal. Has he fed Alessander?"
The Prince shook his head. His eyes widening with sudden horror…not for ten days…his mate had been starving himself right under his nose and he hadn't seen it.
That night he left with two other guards and fed from the first muggles he could find…if his mate wasn't going to feed then he'd do it for him…
At the same time at Ministry….
Rita presented her findings to her Master and hoped that it was enough to keep her alive through another session of cat and mouse. He had ordered her to find Fudge's pensieves, the Minister was rumored to being an avid user of the items and Lucius needed them to find out what it was that the Minister had under his finger nails.
"I can't believe this was the only thing you could get."
"They've been tampered with Master. Many of them show gaps."
"Pensieves can not be tampered with! You're not that ignorant!"
"Sorry Master! Sorry!"
"The Pensieves weren't tampered with but then…yes that's it. It was Fudge that was tampered with… the man must've been obliviated!... And I know who did it too! Dumbledore! The question is why… would Dumbledore want to oblivaite someone as idiotic as Fudge?" Lucius asked himself picking up the leather strap from his desk…Rita flinched knowing what was next.
Late afternoon at the Joke Shop…
Ron and George were almost done setting up the shop, it was a small place but they had plans and they knew it would become a success. Ron who sat on an empty box read an old copy of the daily Prophet the one that reported Lucius' funeral…on the corner was picture of the mourners…in it was Harry, his one time best friend. The young Wizard stood between the git Snape and Prince Alessander. Sirius Black stood next to the Prince looking bored to tears and yawning in mid picture.
"Come on Ron! Aren't ya gonna help?"
"Coming!" Ron shouted back putting the paper down on the crate and going to help his brothers. His parents wanted them home as early as possible something about a family announcement. So long as it didn't announce his impending marriage to Draco Malfoy he didn't care…
later at the Weasley Home…
Hours later they all sat looking at Ginny as if she had sprouted a third eye.
"And you're ok with this Gin?" Fred asked munching on the meat pie.
Gin nodded biting her bottom lip, she hoped her brothers wouldn't make too much of a fuzz over this. She shouldn't have worried Charlie and Bill congratulated her and then told her that they would back her up one hundred percent if she decided to change her mind at any time, Fred and George gave her a hug and congratulated her also…the only one that remained silent was Ron…he stood up and left the table without saying a word. Ginny couldn't help but feel it was a bad omen.
"Don't worry Gin…we'll talk to Ron." Fred offered.
"He's bored he needs to do something." George finished.
"Idle hands is the devil's playground." Bill quoted smiling.
"Bill what a thing to say!" Mrs. Weasley admonished shocked at the expression.
"I got it from Lord Gribaldi…it's a muggle saying Mum."
"Really! How interesting!" Mr. Weasley jumped in.
"Yeah. Dad Lord Gribaldi asked me to ask you something…he wants to see if you will allow Ron to study with Draco. He says it might prove useful for Draco and from what I see it might be good for Ron too. Everyone is doing their own thing except Ron it might be what he needs."
"You know I might have said no weeks ago but now I realize Ron has grown too judgmental of people…he's still not over Harry not writing."
"Oh Brother!" Fred said irritably.
"He's away in bonding time what does he expect Harry to do." George added gulping his butter milk.
"I don't know… Take him with you Bill it'll do him good. Don't ya agree Luv?" Mr. Weasley asked.
"Well…I suppose, let's hope the cure isn't worse that the illness."
Late that night at Potter Mansion….
The Prince arrived satiated of his hunger…leaving his guard at the entrance of the Manor he walked to his bedchambers. Lord Gribaldi heard his friend arrive and stood, "He's resting maybe you can give him some room till tomorrow."
"He's had ten days…. leave us Gustavus… if I'm not mistaken you have a dinner to attend." The Prince added unbuttoning his cufflinks and removing his coat.
"Very well." The door clicked shut behind Lord Gribaldi.
Alessander sat on the side of the bed...Sirius lay in fetal position a blanket covering him, the Prince touched him and felt the cold skin. They were both…dead…two walking corpses shunned by those they professed to care about. If Alessander had had a tragic bone in his body he would have cried but he wasn't…and he had thought that Sirius wasn't either…he had been wrong…his Sirius had his Achilles heel and it was the good Professor…and like it or not the Professor had Narcissa and Sirius had him and Alessander would walk through hell to keep Sirius by his side.
Undoing the rest of his shirt he pulled it off and then proceeded to move Sirius until the younger man lay on his back…easing his mate's shirt aside he touched the neck and felt the blood beating within his body. Licking his mate's neck Alessander sank his teeth in and drank.
Sirius was surrounded by a thick fog that kept his mind in a complete state of confusion. He was dying the only way he could, starvation. His Prince had been careful with anything that surrounded him after he had confessed his love for Remus and had not let his mate out of his sight for more than a few minutes. When Draco had cursed him, the boy had unwittingly opened a door within the younger Vampire that lent itself to visions of the worst kind…tortured by his true love's marriage, and feeling alone at the thought of having lost his best friend's friendship, Sirius had started down the path of suicide unnoticed by even those closest to him.
It was a tragic journey that had been interrupted by his Prince, by his greedy saviour who would rather see him in pain by his side than dead and happy.
Sirius pulled away from the Prince in reflex, he felt pain but when had physical pain bothered him…what he feared was what that pain meant. If he could feel pain then he was still alive and he could not be alive! The memory of the visions came back to Sirius making him shudder… everyone would die! Everyone would die! Nothing is set in stone!... He had tried so hard to die. Why couldn't Alessander just let him die? "Because I love you…heart and soul… in madness and in reason…in heaven or hell…I love you and I won't let you go….you're mine. Don't leave me…you can't leave Sirius…you can't I won't let you go…please don't go." Alessander whispered almost brokenheartedly. Sirius listened with tears and loneliness in his soul, he could not leave. He could no longer go, Alessander needed him, wanted him, loved him… someone loved him!
When the Prince finally bore his neck to his bonded Sirius did not reject him like he had so many times before.
Meanwhile at Grimmauld Place…
Lord Gribaldi seemed distracted not that Draco noticed the boy seemed to be noticing very few things lately. The only thing he had eyes for was his mother. Lady Narcissa Lupin sat in the library waiting for her guests. Alone.
"Madame."
"Draco. You're well I hope."
"As can be expected."
"I see. Lord Gribaldi it was good of you to serve as an escort."
"My pleasure Madame…the Professor?"
"Will not be joining us for dinner…he is-"
"A coward."
"Draco! I apologize for my son's"
"Do not Madame. I don't need you to speak for me."
"Is that how it will be then?"
"Think what you like."
"You will address me with respect…I would have preferred not to have to speak to you in this manner but since you have seen fit to ignore the upbringing your father and I tried so hard to instill in you-"
"You dare mention him."
"I dare. I was a Lady to my late husband's name and house. I did my duty by him and I did it by my Lord Black and now I will do it by my husband Mr. Lupin Black and not you or anyone else will look his nose down on me. I have done my duty…learn to do yours. You are welcome to Grmmauld Place but you will be respectful to me and your step father."
"He is not!"
"He is! And when you learn what that means you will have finally grown up. Until then you will remain a child."
Back at Harry's Bonding Mansion
Days passed quicker than one could actually think possible and in that time Severus and Harry finally came to an understanding over their responsibilities and the roles they had been called to play. They had finally understood that it wasn't either one of their faults and that had the roles been different they would have never gotten as far as they had. Mind you Severus still had emotional outbursts and seemed to relish pushing Harry's mental abilities but Harry now understood that it wasn't something the Potions Master was doing on purpose.
Harry sighed in Severus arms and placed his hand over the slightly swollen stomach… "He's not moving."
"Thank Merlin! The child might be small but his magic is strong and is turning my insides into mush."
"I'm sorry."
Severus sighed deeply. "I know you are."
"It's just that-" The youth began apologetically.
"It is, what it is Harry." Severus whispered kissing the top of his head.
"I guess so." Harry rested his head on Severus's shoulder.
"I know so. Trust me I'm smarter than you are." Severus said half smiling. Harry looked at Severus and agreed with a nod. Yes Severus was smarter…probably always would be but for once Harry did not feel bad about it. Severus was smarter and he was more powerful and together they were a family.
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MIGHT BE GOING OUT OF TOWN TOMORROW SO I WANTED TO GET THIS ONE OUT. Sorry for any errors that might have gotten by me! Thanks so much for reading……review, review, review, review!