Prince Consort

Chapter 5

To Harry each minute of the day was torture, waiting on pins and needles for someone to fly through the door. Deep down he believed it really was only a matter of time; Dumbledore was one person he knew he couldn't outrun. The old fool was smart, even though it turned his stomach to admit. He was also determined and extremely powerful, more so than him, experience and magical knowledge wise. He had a feeling that if it was just his money he was after, he wouldn't be looking for him so relentlessly.

He would no longer got statements from Gringotts, and he was worried it would be drained dry before his seventeenth birthday. He'd been careful never to overspend, buying only what he needed and perhaps a few other things now and again. Although he was spoiled by Remus, it still irked him that he should have been well off, never having to worry about things like having enough money to get by. Like Blaise and Teddy, they never had to worry.

"Hey!" grinned Blaise as Harry walked into the dining room.

"Hey," said Harry sliding into his seat, subdued like he had been for the past few days. Not even Shacklebolt being giving his temporary marching orders had cheered him up. The Auror had been demoted, suspended for six months without pay, and ordered to compensate Maria Zabini for her emotional breakdown the same day it happened. In such dark times, it was understandable that she'd been shaken by his entrance. It was while she was there that Maria finally learned that the Ministry had not put their seal of approval on his assignment just as she suspected.

Blaise sat down, he felt slightly guilty about going out with his girlfriend when his best friend/brother was constantly on edge and having to stay in the manor. "I know this can't be easy on you," sighed Blaise, "But it will be alright, you know," trying to cheer his brother up.

"I hope so," Harry murmured quietly as his breakfast appeared for him, he had yet to find his lost appetite yet.

Blaise agreed, his face twitching in concern, it disgusted him, what was happening. Being forced to have Dumbledore as his magical guardian, not sure what he wanted, if his vaults were being drained (legally) which added insult to injury. The Potters were probably spinning in their graves that their hard earned fortune was being stolen.

"At least we managed to enjoy half your birthday, and the presents," Blaise pointed out.

Harry laughed a little, ruefully shaking his head that was true.

Remus' Flat

Remus stared at the fire, irritation burning within him, he was being closely monitored, and he'd had two Auror's following him all morning. He couldn't let Dumbledore get his hands on Harry, he wished he had given in and bought Harry the snake he's so desperately desired, it would have been an added protection…but he'd decided later was a more appropriate time to get him it. Oh, how he wished those simple days could be returned.

-0 FLASH BACK 0-

"Ah Remus, Harry good to see you both again!" smiled Tom from where he was wiping a rag down the table. Harry and Remus were frequently in the Alley, and had come to know Tom rather well. "The usual?"

"Of course," said Remus smiling kindly at the barkeeper. They always got a Butterbeer before leaving the establishment coming or going.

"There we go," said Tom, as two bottles floated towards them as they took their seats.

They drank their Butterbeer as Harry watched everyone curiously. Remus left the four sickles on the table, as they made their way to the Alley. They had a lot to do today, so they had best get started.

"Where to first?" asked Remus regarding Harry curiously, he didn't know what was on the list of school items Harry had to collect this year.

"Well Hedwig needs some treats so we have to get some, here's the list." said Harry fishing it out of his pocket.

"Bookshop first then," said Remus as he read down the list, Harry hadn't grown at all, so there was no point in him getting a new set of school things. He would need to get in touch with someone who could help. Harry needed something that would help his height before it was too late.

"Remus, did you hear about the man who invented the Wolfsbane Potion? He received the Order of Merlin first class…are you going to try it?" asked Harry as they browsed the store, getting each book on his list. They were easy to find since the shop was divided by each branch of magic. It had been in the Daily Prophet, its how he knew about the Potion.

"Perhaps," said Remus, he knew the likelihood would be slim to none; the potion would be extremely expensive. There was just no point to buying it once, knowing what it could do and not getting to use it again. He wasn't about to use the money he'd gotten from Lily and James on the Potion. No, he was going to continue spoiling Harry; he would do as he had always done during the full moon. Stay as far away from humanity as humanly possible.

"I think that's them all," said Harry, counting the books in the basket and then on the list before nodding in satisfaction. He then proceeded to add two more books; he wanted to know more about the subjects.

"Well I don't need to ask which subjects you are taking next year," Remus said wryly, Ancient Runes and Arithmancy were written in big bold letters on the spine of the books.

"Divination sounds stupid if people could see the future they'd be very rich." said Harry snorting at its stupidity.

Remus laughed out loud in amusement, "That's exactly what your mother said."

Harry beamed up at him; he loved hearing about his parents. What orphan wouldn't? Especially that he was like them, not having known them it was as close as he'd get to them in this life. Next, they went to retrieve his ingredients. Remus saw the price of the potion and almost choked. It was a good thing he hadn't held his breath, the potion was more expensive than he'd imagined. Sixteen galleons a potion, that was the equivalent of eighty pounds in Muggle money he'd make working.

"Did she really?" he commented as they left after paying.

"Oh yes, your mother had a rather unique sense of humour," said Remus wryly, "I liked her a lot despite the fact she couldn't stand your father until their seventh year. When he had finally grown up, or as much as James ever did. War would do that to anyone unfortunately." he winced when he realized he shouldn't have said that, sometimes he could forget he was talking to a twelve year old not an adult. War wasn't something he liked talking about, at all.

"I hate Dumbledore, Remus," said Harry his green eyes glittering darkly, "And the Order, I wish my parents had never joined."

"I know Harry, I know." said Remus comforting the child, for that's what he was. "I do too." he had only joined because his friends had, Peter, Sirius, James and Lily. He'd wanted to be able to watch over his 'pack' and look what had happened. Peter was gone, they'd never found his body, just like they hadn't found a lot of the Order's bodies. James and Lily had been attacked and Harry was the sole survivor of an attack by Voldemort only because someone had intervened. Sirius, why that one hurt the most, Sirius had changed that night. The fact Lily and James died must have hurt him immensely for him to push Harry away. Insisting it was better for him to grow up away from the Wizarding world until the Death Eaters were gone. Yet even now Sirius wasn't showing the slightest interest in him. He didn't understand what had happened to Sirius. It was as though their deaths had broken him in a way it hadn't him.

"What about uniform?" asked Harry as they made their way into the animal shop, to get the treats for Hedwig.

"Are they uncomfortable on?" asked Remus.

"No, just curious." shrugged Harry not at all bothered.

"There's no point if they still fit you." said Remus, "If they do start to feel tight I'll show you a spell to make them a little bigger."

Harry nodded as he got a selection of treats for his owl, as the animals hooted and squawked at them. Just as he paid for them, he began to hear speaking, turning curiously, he blinked in astonishment. Snakes could talk in the wizarding world? How curious. "I didn't know snakes could speak English." commented Harry as they exited the shop, or tried to. Remus had stopped in his tracks stunned.

"What did you just say?" he asked, as if he couldn't quite believe his ears.

"What? I only said I didn't know snakes could talk," blinked Harry staring at Remus weirdly.

"Harry, they don't talk English, can you understand what they are saying?" asked Remus dragging Harry over to the snake tanks.

"Of course," said Harry unknowingly hissing in Parseltongue since he was looking right at them. They instantly hissed, staring at Harry all hissing 'A speaker!' with reverence.

"Harry you are what people call a Parselmouth, someone that can talk to snakes, the snake language is called Parseltongue." said Remus. "The last known speaker was Voldemort; he got his ability because he was the heir of Slytherin, a descendant of the first known Parselmouth, Salazar Slytherin. It's considered by light wizards as a dark gift, I suggest you keep it to yourself. At least until you are seventeen and can defend yourself properly."

"Does that mean I'm descendant of Slytherin as well?" asked Harry.

"Perhaps distantly, you would need to request a family tree drawn up at Gringotts to know for sure." said Remus. He personally didn't care about Harry's ability being 'dark' he was considered 'dark' himself. He was more worried about what Dumbledore or the students at Hogwarts would do if they knew. "It seems as if the hat knew this and put you into your appropriate house." he finished wryly.

"That's so cool!" grinned Harry giddily, "Unfortunately I guess it means I can't buy a snake."

"Not yet, but I promise I'll buy you one for your seventeenth birthday." said Remus as he moved them from the shop. "Let's go get an ice cream." he had quite a sweet tooth himself, and never had to make up an excuse with Harry around.

"What would you like?" asked Remus as they waited in the line.

"Mint, fudge, vanilla, with three fudge sticks!" said Harry decisively.

"Alright," said Remus, "Did you get that?" he asked Fortescue.

"Indeed, your usual Remus?" asked Florean curiously.

"Yes," said Remus nodding affirmative. It wasn't long before both boys were sitting down in the sun enjoying the rest of their day.

Remus had scoops of three different chocolates, white, dark, and of course milk chocolate. Remus stiffened his lip curling as he spotted a figure in the distance. Harry noticed it and turned around to see what caused it. Someone in Auror robes walking across the alley, and he wasn't even paying attention to them. "Is that him?" asked Harry quietly, observing the man oblivious to them.

"Yes," admitted Remus inhaling sharply, he hadn't just lost his best friends that night but the man he'd loved. Remus was bisexual, he liked both genders, and people though mistakenly always thought he was gay because he'd never been seen with a woman. The only reason he hadn't been was because he'd only ever been with Sirius. Who knew what he was and didn't care. He didn't want others to find out, life was difficult enough. The last thing he wanted was for the Ministry to find out he was a werewolf.

"He's not what I imagined." said Harry honestly, baby blue eyes, with a dark set of hair all the way down his shoulders and fancy Auror robes on. He knew about Auror's, when you began training you get 700 galleons a month and a regular bed at St. Mungo's. It wasn't for the weak, you had to pass a series of test, to show your nerve, and see how you react to stress and your perseverance. He hated Sirius Black; he had to stop himself punching the man in the nose.

Remus just smiled sadly at Harry. It was hard to believe he'd known the boy for an entire year. One whole year, he was going to be entering his second year after the holidays.

"Come on then let's get out of here," said Remus, avoiding looking in Sirius' direction as they left. Heading back the way they came, Harry and Remus always used the Leaky Cauldron's fireplace to get back to Remus' flat or Zabini Manor.

"Did you take Ancient Runes Remus?" asked Harry, eyeing him as they waited in line for the Floo.

"I did," said Remus smirking in amusement, "And yes you may borrow some of my books, but only one at a time." he didn't want Harry immersing himself in books completely, he had good friends and he should be enjoying himself. Then again he'd enjoyed himself, and he'd for most part done that while reading his text books.

"Thanks," grinned Harry happily, as he finally grabbed some Floo powder leaving a Knut in the payment pot as he used the Floo Network to get back to the flat, Remus as always right behind him.

-0 END FLASH BACK 0-

Merlin he wished he could go back to then, Harry young and not even twelve years old yet. A year at Hogwarts, already planning what he wanted to take during his third year. Harry was and always had been more like Lily who was so studious, serious and fiercely loyal to her friends - Harry was just the same.

Back to before life had gotten so complicated, before Voldemort returned, before Dumbledore suddenly wanted to give him over to Vampire Lords. How he wanted to squeeze the life out of Sirius. How dare he do this to Harry? He didn't understand what on earth the idiot was thinking! It was a miracle he hadn't actually done anything to the man. Although if he caught sight of the Animagus - the man would rue the day he was born.

Harry had better friends, Remus realized, his friends hadn't abandoned him, he was vividly reminded of what Blaise had said on Harry's fifteenth birthday. 'That way you won't forget. You might be a Potter in blood but you'll always be my brother.' Blaise had said, it had been a Portkey, or rather a leather band with a Portkey imbedded into it. The inscription on the back would bring him to Zabini manor. The inscription was 'Slytherins forever', and they would be. Being a Slytherin meant everything to Harry, for it came with Blaise and Teddy.

Growling ferally, angry beyond belief.

Leaky Cauldron

Albus Dumbledore left the castle, Flooing over to the Leaky Cauldron, spelling his robes free of ash and soot as he did so. The Vampire Lord had refused to have their next meeting at Hogwarts when he had asked. Instead choosing to have it at a neutral location for their next order of business. The location mattered little to him, he just wanted to get this sorted, it was taking a lot longer than he would have liked.

"Hello Tom, how are you this evening?" asked Dumbledore beaming at the barman.

"I'm good, good, would you like a drink?" asked Tom, it wasn't often he had Albus Dumbledore coming into his domain.

"No thank you, I have an important meeting to attend so if you will excuse me," said Albus bidding his farewell, not truly interested in anything Tom had to say. Yet the man was useful, so he always made sure to speak to him. Everyone came through the Leaky cauldron.

"Of course!" said Tom in understanding at Dumbledore's retreating form. It was dark times after all, and Albus was their figurehead.

Albus stalked into the room, as though he owned the place, his mind still trying to figure out how to make this work, causing the vampires to visibly hiss at the wizard's blatant lack of respect for their Lord. All six of them bared their teeth at powerful wizard. All of them surrounding the leader, protecting him from any threat. Not that he needed protecting; he was after all a very accomplished ruler. He'd proven himself without a doubt, the only one deserving of the title.

"How dare you show such disrespect?" hissed one of the vampires. It was bad enough that Dumbledore had purposely dropped three devices when he'd visited Prince Castle, one near the castle itself not quite within the wards. The second had been on the actual grounds, just under a bush with a little earth covering it where it had been hastily concealed. The third he had dropped in the hall he'd been escorted up. The coins had listening devices, locating beacons and one that if activated would tear wards down. They'd deactivated the ward tearing spell, and location beacon and left the other one but made sure not to speak about anything important. The devices would be destroyed once their Lord had Harry Potter safely within Prince castle.

"My apologies," said Albus looking contrite, bowing low in a show of respect, others of their kind might have bought it. Not them, they could smell Dumbledore didn't mean a word coming out of his mouth. The only reason the vampires relaxed and stood up was because they knew they had to deal with him, even if it was only temporarily.

"I suggest we get down to business don't you?" said the voice, still the same cold, calculated and determined as it had been before. His guards were staring straight ahead; they didn't look as though they were paying the slightest bit of attention to their surroundings. Which couldn't be furthest from the truth.

"Yes, yes, Indeed," said Albus nodding in agreement, sitting down opposite the Vampire Lord. Still until to get a glimpse of what he looked like at all. He had a large black cloak on that obscured him from view, from head to toe. "Although I am curious, why Harry Potter?"

"Why not?" answered the vampire Lord cryptically, as if he was going to tell the old fool why he wanted him. He wasn't stupid; it would put the shoe from his foot to Dumbledore's. He was no ones fool; he knew Dumbledore would demand a lot more from him if he knew Harry was his mate.

The surrounding bodyguards tensed ready to jump unnoticeably when Dumbledore moved. Removing from his pocket the documents that would transfer Harry to his care. In turn, he would get thirty of the Lord's highly trained, most lethal soldiers/vampires. To guard the vampire Lord, you had to prove your mettle, only the best of the best got to do so. None of the others, who didn't get granted a place were made to feel inferior, nearly all of them had a purpose. He had tried to up the number, but the Vampire Lord had refused to budge.

"Does James Potter have anything to do with your…request?" asked Dumbledore shrewdly, his blue eyes watching the cloaked figure closely. Unfortunately he couldn't tell whether the man had been affected by his words or not, much to his disgruntlement. James Potter had outshined many people at Hogwarts, bullied a lot of others, and also antagonised many dark wizards while he was an Order member. Who knows what he'd done to the vampires to cause them to want Harry Potter. He never for one second thought it anything else other than revenge, otherwise why would he have been needed? They could have approached the boy themselves. It was a logical assumption to make.

"Let me ask you something," asked Severus, his eyes flashing angrily from under his cloak, "Do you really care either way? As long as you get your way in the end?" it took everything Severus had to stop his fury, anger or disgust showing in his voice. His entire body had stiffened at the impudence of Dumbledore for questioning him. For the past fifteen years, his actions had never, ever, been questioned. He wasn't the callowed youth he'd been at Hogwarts.

"Of course I care, Mr. Potter is a student in my school," said Dumbledore, his protest was half heartedly, but still there. "I swear to protect all students that pass through my halls." Perhaps it was just as simple as the Vampire Lord requiring a new donor and bed mate.

"Then shall I have our negotiations withdrawn?" asked Severus, making a show of starting to stand up. He knew he wouldn't have to wait any longer than a few seconds, for the protest that would leave Dumbledore's lips. He was correct, and a wry smirk spread across Severus' lips. The old fool hadn't changed a bit, still purely GRYFFINDOR with a hint of Slytherin steel.

"Of course not, the life of one person isn't worth the entire world, as hard as the decision was to make and how it may sound." protested Dumbledore, his blue eyes shadowing with worry at how this was turning out. "I have the paperwork all drawn up; I am hoping to conclude it tonight."

"You have the boy?" asked Severus, his voice completely impassive.

"I do not, no. I have people searching for him of course, but it is the summer holidays, you know how teenagers are." chuckled Dumbledore as if they were good old friends reminiscing over the past. "Harry and I will discuss it, but I believe he will agree, he's much like his parents and will do anything to help the war. I will have the negotiations complete by the end of the week," at least he hoped so. He didn't want to think on the vampires deciding that it was more hassle than it was worth and just discard their agreement.

Severus made a noise of agreement. His mind trailed over to the first time he'd seen Harry, the day he'd realized Harry would be his. No other would ever touch him. Langdon had ensured that, keeping an especially close eye on Harry for the past year.

-0 FLASH BACK 0-

Severus observed the chaos around him, grimacing in distaste, of all the places they had to meet up - it was here. The Quidditch world cup, he was in the processes of joining the Bulgarians and his own covens in an alliance. They'd cut off all ties when his grandparents had stepped down. They had not been willing to deal with an outsider, who had no taste to the finer things in the world.

"Let's move out," said Severus, his voice cutting through the shouting and yelling around them. Nobody paid the slightest bit of attention to them, with the glamour's they were wearing they blended in.

They passed the mass amount of tents, wizards, witches all excited for the match ahead. Severus observed his surroundings, his sharp eyes catching sight of people he knew. He didn't stop to say anything, not just because he had a glamour charm on. He wasn't a sociable person, never had been, plus he liked no one here.

They finally caught sight of the top box, exactly where they'd be sitting for the duration of the match. Much to Severus' disgust, he loathed Quidditch, it was a pointless sport. The others though were much more excited, it was a World Cup match after all. They didn't show it though; they were used to looking impassive to those around them.

The five soldiers that were with Severus froze, when their Lord did. They immediately surrounded him, hiding him from view. Which did garner very curious looks, from people passing by. They thankfully managed to move out of the way; otherwise they would have been cursed.

"My Lord?" questioned one, his long auburn hair tied back, his red eyes staring at Severus in concern, fingering the Portkey, wondering if he should get them out of there.

"I'm fine," said Severus, "Continue." his sharp eyes regarding the boy in front of him. He knew who he was; he'd last seen him as a baby, the night he'd lost his parents. He was with a werewolf, Lupin, go figure. He was also with two known children from Slytherin lines. He did notice Black was absent, curious, he knew the werewolf and Black had been dating the last time he saw any of them. His lip curled, he would need to brew the Wolfsbane potion, and he didn't want Lupin anywhere near HIM without it. It was extremely difficult not to just take the boy. Unfortunately he was too young; he was barely fourteen years old if that. He may still be thirteen years old, when was the boy born? Sometime in July?

They took their seats; Severus' eyes never left the teenager during the match. "I want Langdon to report to me as soon as we get back, understood?" said Severus, low enough for only his vampires, and the Bulgarians to hear.

They merely nodded seriously in turn; none of them left Severus' side, and wouldn't do until he was back in Prince Castle. They were extremely protective of him, if anyone looked at him wrong - Merlin help them because nobody else would.

They couldn't deny they were curious about what was going on.

-0 END FLASHBACK 0-

"Very well," said Severus replied, "But these won't be signed until after the handfasting ceremony." he wasn't stupid, never had been.

"I see," Albus replied, putting the documents away, showing none of his disgruntlement but the others could feel it and it amused them.

The meeting was concluded not long afterwards.

Edited 2/6/17