Harry sucked in a breath as they reached a hill cropping; just on the horizon was the most magnificent castle Harry had ever seen. And he had attended school at Hogwarts. The castle was huge enough to fit at least ten Hogwart's comfortably inside, with a large wall surrounding the castle. The citadel as a whole had three more walls separating it. One is surrounding the upper city around the castle, then one surrounding the middle city, and another smaller one around the lower city. The castle was glistening white marble, with a blue roof, and too many windows to count.
"Beautiful," Harry mumbled. Draco hummed in agreement, he was clearly happy with the fact that, that would be his very soon.
The surrounding guards starting shifting, they wanted to get the new royal couple to the citadel and to safety as soon as possible but need to wait until Elijah and his accompanying guard caught up.
It was about an hour later when he finally did show up, but without his objective.
"What happened to getting his Majesty a horse?" Uther asked clearly displeased.
"They didn't have any to spare, he may either use my horse or continue to ride with the King." Elijah made his reply simple, turning to Harry to see what he thought.
"He will stay with me," Draco announced.
"Hey," Harry cried indignant, "You great pouncy git. You can't just make decisions like that."
"Potter," Draco cut him off with a hushed whisper, "I don't want you any farther away. You are the only person I know here, and me, you; safety in numbers and all that rot."
Harry huffed, "Fine." He sat back on the horse behind Draco, an almost petulant look coming over his face.
"It's settled then," Elijah clapped.
Turning the horse, Draco settled into a gallop, the guards following behind him. They would be at the citadel in three hours or so.
o~O~o
The lower city was in shambles, clearly not taken care of. The men and woman looked happy, but very fatigued. Wearing rags, and carrying baskets filled with food stuffs and other odds and in around. There was more than one beggar at the street corners and at least twenty children running around with no supervision, little more than a ratty tunic, and no shoes. It had Harry fuming.
"Elijah," Harry called.
The man trotted up to Harry, bringing his mare alongside Draco's horse. "Majesty?"
"These children," Harry nodded to the grouped children on the street corner.
"Most don't have parents anymore," Elijah said, "they passed in the last sickness that ran rampant here months back. The ones that have a mother or father are usually working with the family in the fields. But famers won't take lil'uns if they haven't anyone to mind them."
Harry heard a baby cry then. He couldn't leave them. He turned to Draco.
Draco groaned. "It's that saving people thing again isn't it?"
"How do you know about that, I thought Hermione and Ron were the only ones that said that."
"No, everyone in school knows about your little problem."
"Draco, I just can't leave them." Harry gazed at him.
After a moment, "Yes, alright."
Harry smirked; he was going to have to do something he wasn't prepared to do. Take up a mantle he didn't want. But when was that new? He had always been thrust into positions like this and then something comes along that cements him there without a choice.
"Elijah," Harry started.
"Yes Majesty?" Elijah was grinning, almost jumping up and down from in his saddle.
"I'm-I'm Queen right? The Gijoo right?"
"Yes, yes Majesty."
"That means I can do whatever I damn well please, especially when it involves the wellbeing of my… people, right?" Elijah nodded. "Then gather all the foodstuffs you can in the next minute or so and give them to me. Now." The command was clear.
Another minute or so and Elijah and another guard handed Harry two baskets full of food after Harry dismounted.
"Stay here," he said to the guards, "Draco make them behave and look less intimidating."
Draco smirked at him from his saddle.
Harry waddled slowly over to the crowd of wary children, getting down on his knees, four feet away from the children, the baskets in front of him.
"What is he doing?" Uther's harsh whisper sounded from Draco's left.
"He is probably inviting them to live in the castle," Draco spoke plainly, "But first he has to gain their trust. This is where he excels at. He isn't much of a book learner, and he stinks in the politics of it all, but he excels when reaching to people, to getting them to follow him."
"He is on his knees," Uther spoke, clearly befuddled.
"And you shan't be the only one that will disapprove of his method," Draco said, voice cold, "But if he won't change for his friends, you can be very sure he will not change for you. Trust him."
Harry stood then, all the lil'uns standing around him, all had something to eat in their grimy hands. Harry lead them over, and told the guards to dismount.
Harry settled the three babies—a girl and two boys: Athy, Tomlin, and Dale—into Elijah, and two other guards' arms.
Next he gave the two biggest children a horse each—Clairy, nine years old, and Terry, ten years old—setting a guard at their side, and giving them the two four year old twins, Sofie and Grant.
Then came the children between the ages six and eight. He paired them off, and set them on a horse with a guard or two at their side. There were five girls: Dani, Gigi, Pearl, Beka, and Alyanna. Then there were seven boys: Rez, George, Earnest, Nester, Zander, Raoul, and Charlie.
Last he handed the only infant, not even months old, and so very sick looking to Draco before climbing back up to the saddle and taking the babe from Draco's shaking arms. The blonde hadn't held a baby before that much was obvious.
Turning back to the children he gave them a smile and shouted, "Castle Ho!"
The children shrieked in excitement, "Castle Ho!"
The arrival at the castle was fast, Harry not wanting to waste time in getting the children back and to medical treatment. They picked up three more children on the way though, two in the middle city and one in the higher city. The two from middle city were orphaned by their Pa dying in an accident involving construction rather than the illness. They were six and nine, the youngest a boy named Edgar and the oldest a girl named Florie. The child from the higher city was twelve, a boy from the lower city that obviously stole his way into higher city named Rousto. Elijah muttered something about an up and coming Rogue, which Harry shrugged at. He hadn't a clue as to what that meant.
o~O~o
Harry held the infant close to his chest as the other children settled onto seats in the small banquet hall. Draco stood beside him watching impassively as the maids, under Philomena, the head maid's direction, took care of the children. They were measured for clothing, given and blankets and food as the doctor made her rounds. Philomena was a tall woman, with honey brown hair pulled back into a bun that would have made professor McGonagall proud, with eyes to match. She was rail thin with a funny disposition, and moods that could switch from one end of the spectrum to the next.
Dr. Lenora Wesley hovered over some of the more severe cases, dumping potion after potion into the lil'uns throats. They protested fervently until catching both Harry's or Draco's eyes, before quieting and taking what was given to them.
Dr. Wesley approached the new rulers carefully only after making sure the children had been cared for and looked over. She was unsure of what to expect from these boys that were hardly older then the children they took in. Draco observed her coolly as Harry murmured to the unnamed infant. She was a tiny Asian looking woman, her hair curly and as wild as Harry's, only held back by a clip. She had a stone cold face, blank and unrelenting. Draco wouldn't have trusted her if not for the fact that her brown eyes gave way to, too many emotions to name. Draco hummed in appreciation. She was a professional, but in no way uncaring.
"Majesties," she greeted with a bow.
Harry nodded, not looking at her. He was in no way going to get used to that title. Draco gave a cold smile, "You have something to report?"
Dr. Wesley nodded, "Yes highness," she waited for an indication to continue. The previous King had just wanted written reports, choosing not to listen to anyone. Draco gave his assent with a flick of his wrist and a raised brow that clearly stated 'well go on and continue, unless you are that stupid'. "They all seem in the condition expected, given the life they had been living. All are malnourished and have worms of course, easily taken care of. There are more severe cases though.
"Pearl is terminally ill, her lungs too far gone. She won't live past a couple of months. The best we can do for her is to keep her comfortable and help with the pain, but much else isn't possible." Harry looked up then startling the doctor, nailing her in place with those killer green eyes.
"Go on," his voice gave nothing on what he was thinking.
"Rousto the oldest has some infections on his arms and legs from what would be a knife fight. Edgar is not as his sister would seem to think a simpleton, but rather has a bruise on his brain, most likely from being dropped on his head when he was a babe. That can be partially fixed, though not as much as I would have liked. Clairy… your Majesties, Clairy has been touched in an unkind way, there was tearing, and there will be scars. She may never heal completely, and the chances of her being able to carry a child are far too slim."
Harry growled, and Draco's eyes darkened into stormy mercury.
Taken aback the doctor continued, head bowed. "George will have stunted growth, this means he will be dwarfed, his family seems to have goblin in their line some ways back. And as you are aware Beka is blind, it would seem to me that she had been born with little to no sight, all we can do with her is teach her how to live with it."
"And this little guy," Harry softened looking at the baby.
"I'm sorry your Highness, he has a hole in his heart, and he is underdeveloped. I am surprised he has lived this long without medical attention. We shall do our utmost to keep him alive."
Harry turned from her, holding the babe closer. "You don't even have a name yet, do you?" He turned to look at Draco, "What do you think?"
"I have been fond of the name Scorpius for some time now."
"I like that name," Harry smiled, "It is unique. Scorpius it is." The baby giggled.
"Highness, I'll take him, I'm afraid you're wanted elsewhere." Philomena came up to him, offering her arms.
"No I don't think so," Harry said.
"B-but highness, a queen shouldn't," she tried to say.
"No."
o~O~o
Harry looked around the sitting room that Elijah ushered them into. Draco went to go sit on the couch with Scorpius after Harry handed him off to the blonde, to look mare carefully at the room. It was mainly blue and bronze, making as Harry dubbed it the moment he entered, the Ravenclaw Room. The bookshelves filled to the brim with golden titled books only made the new name that much more appropriate. Harry turned to the blonde.
"I-" Harry started.
"I don't think we should discuss anything of importance until we know that this is a secure room." Draco interjected.
"Do you know of any stronger anti-eavesdropping spells than mufflioto?" Harry asked.
"There is one. Sileosquforis, it acts more as a ward then an actual spell. It's of the darker variety, and takes immense power to wield." Draco offered.
Harry cocked his head at the door, closed his eyes and in a hushed whisper spoke the spell. Ruins appeared on the door and the walls. He cocked his head to the other side and asked, "Did it work properly?"
"I believe so," Draco smirked, "And on the first try."
"I can feel my magic here better then back home," Harry offered.
It was Draco's turn to cock his head. He then reached into himself to see if he could do the same. The rush he felt as his magic came forth and acknowledged him was breathtaking. "I see what you mean," he took in a sharp breath as he answered.
Harry just grinned at him as he took the child from Draco and went to go sit down on the ornate loveseat. Draco went to sit alongside him.
It was quiet for a few minutes before Harry looked up at Draco. "So married?"
"Mmm…" Draco hummed at him, taking Scorpius' little hand up with a finger.
"I think we need to talk about what we expect in a spouse and… and maybe about our past. Why we are who we are." Harry finally said.
"I agree," Draco nodded, "Would you like me to go first?"
"If you don't mind."
"Alright," Draco straightened. "I'll start with my childhood and go into what I wish from a spouse. I was born on June 5th. My mother wished to have nothing to do with me but hide that fact from my father so I was nannied by a house-elf. His name was Dobby. Father found out when I was nearing eight years old and didn't take kindly to it. Since he couldn't punish mother, he tortured Dobby. Dobby was never the same after that. I received two gifts on my birthday every year until I was eight and most times they forgot about Christmas so I would celebrate with the house-elves in the kitchens." Draco had a small smile at that. "When I turned eight my father showered me with gifts, he felt guilty about his lack of presence in my life. He took it upon himself to teach me after that, all about how a proper pureblood child should act. I received lessons in horseback riding, writing and reading, musical instruments, and dance. He still sometimes forgets Christmas. I wasn't aware Severus was my godfather until I came to Hogwarts. My mother kept him away, un-approving of his presence in the manor, though when he was finally able to reach me he acted more the father and parent then either of my own."
Draco looked up into Harry's empathetic face and gave him a wan smile.
"What I wish for in a spouse is someone to love eventually, to be able to open up to. I do not wish for a marriage like my parents. I want to be able to raise the children we do have into a large family that loves and cares for one another."
Something clicked in Harry's head, "Is that why you dislike the Weasleys so much?"
Draco looked at him for a moment, wavering in his trust before answering truthfully. "Yes. At first I disliked them on principle, as their family had a marriage contract with our own. They broke it off without explanation, causing my father to marry my mother instead. They were supposed to be my family, my brothers. Then I overheard Ron on the train and he was complaining about his sandwiches and all I could think was 'at least you had someone care enough to make them for you.'"
"Wait, so your father was supposed to marry…"
"Arthur Weasley. Our families set it up after they had begun dating while my father was in fourth year and Mr. Weasley was in seventh year. My father loved him, more than anyone, he still does. Then Mr. Weasley's father half broke the contract for an unknown reason and forced Ms. Weasley on Mr. Weasley for reasons unknown. The contract is still in place and Mr. Weasley at any time could have broken the contract with Ms. Weasley and taken up his first contract. Then when my father reached seventh year, Mr. Weasley's father passed away and my father didn't understand why Mr. Weasley didn't come to him like he promised. It broke my father, and like Severus he joined the Dark Lord, right after being made to marry my mother. What killed him the most was the fact that he was supposed to be bearing all of Arthur's children. They had talked about a big family."
Harry sat back, "I can't give you a reason as to why Mr. Weasley would act a certain way. All I can say is that he always seems sad, and beaten down. It's like he is broken or only running on the bare minimal of brain function. Ron says he is super into muggle things such as electricity and plugs, but I only see him go out into his workroom when he has to get away from Ms. Weasley. I always thought it unusual. But I haven't always been exposed to the best of relationships."
Draco sat back. Maybe it wasn't too late to save them then. He shook his head, he didn't have time to think about that now, he had to think about the current situation, not the one waiting for him back at home.
"I guess it's my turn," Harry whispered bring Draco's attention back to him. "I grew up with the Dursley's. I was made to stay in a cupboard under the stairs until I turned ten, and then the only reason they moved me to Dudley's second bedroom was because my Hogwarts letter was addressed to 'Harry J Potter, #4 Privet Drive, Surry, England, The Cupboard Under the Stairs.' I have been cleaning since I was two, cooking since I was three and a half, and gardening since I was seven. I didn't need glassed until Dudley decided to take me around to the shed in the backyard and pour chemicals into my eyes. My magic fixed most of the damage buy not all, and though I heal very fast, it always leaves scars." Harry said all this in a rush, barely breathing in-between words.
Draco's eyes widened with each sentence Harry spoke and was floored that Harry was even telling him any of this. He reached out immediately and pulled the boy to him fast. Harry stiffened against his chest even as he held the baby, until minutes later he relaxed.
"Uh well… I guess what I am looking for in marriage is the companionship. Love would be nice, but I don't hold hope for anyone being able to love me, even as I love them." It was Draco's turn to stiffen. "I do want children, though I am leery about birthing them myself, I think I can live with that."
"I think we want the same things Harry." Draco commented.
"Mmm, yeah I suppose we do." Harry was quiet in Draco's arms once more. He lifted his head slightly after a few minutes, "What is your favorite color?"
Draco startled looked down at the smaller boy in his arms. "Green."
"Slytherin green?"
"Oh no, more like an emerald green." Draco smiled looking into his eyes. Just like those eyes of yours. "What is yours?"
"Oh I am partial to silver or white gold."
"Those aren't colors those are metals." Draco chided.
"I think their colors," Harry pouted then smirked, "And as queen I declare it so."
Draco threw his head back and laughed.
That was when the baby made a coughing sound. They startled and looked down at him. He was having trouble breathing. His white-blonde hair skewed in every direction his face turning a slight blue.
"No," Harry wasn't ready to lose this baby. He jumped up, Draco just behind him. "Scorpius you stay with me."
Harry rushed to the door, Draco beating him to it as he opened it, clearing Harry's path. They ran down the hall to the room housing the children and the nurse.
"Help! He isn't breathing, do something." Harry nearly screeched.
Dr. Wesley came forward and took Scorpius from Harry, Draco holding his shoulders as he made to follow the woman.
There was bumbling around and a rush of movement as the staff took charge of the situation. Finally the doctor looked up shaking her head.
"I suggest you saw goodbye, these are his last moments." Harry cried out, and took the barely breathing baby into his arms.
Draco only took a second, thinking at his highest capacity for anyway to save this baby. His head jerked up. "They said you saved mine and Harry's souls, that you kept them until you found us our new bodies. How? DO that now!"
The doctor looked bewildered, she hadn't the inkling on how to perform such a procedure.
"That is up to Harry," a soft voice from behind them spoke. Draco turned abruptly to her as Harry did the same. "As there are no containers to hold a soul purified at the moment, the soul will need a host until a body can be made on its behalf. Harry must call the soul into himself and then hold the soul. The child will be his first born."
"Harry?" Draco looked down at him unsure.
"I'll do it," there was no hesitation in his voice. "Tell me how."
"Reach with your magic and soul into this lil'un and take hold of his own. Then pull him into your stomach. He will stay there until he is conceived a new body."
Harry breathed deeply.
Draco watched in awe as the child began to shimmer then disintegrate into tiny flashing lights before being sucked into Harry's mouth, down his throat and into his stomach. Harry looked up at him and smiled before promptly falling unconscious.