Prince Consort

Chapter 12

"Harry is safe, he's alright," said Remus stumbling through the Floo to Zabini Manor, reassuring the trio who were looking at him in concealed fear. He looked worn, haggard even, a little cross but it was nothing on the relief he had displayed. Maria sagged in relief, shakily putting her cup down on the table. Blaise and Teddy were less satisfied, as they both spoke over each other, trying to get additional answers from Remus. He felt bad waiting to tell them, but he had crashed hard when he got back to his flat and had only just woken up. The sleep he had wasn't enough either, he knew how he looked but thankfully he knew these people wouldn't hold it against him.

"QUIET!" shouted Maria, "Now boys you know better than that. A little decorum please." Sighing a little now that her eardrums were no longer being assaulted.

"How is he?" asked Blaise with perfect manners, showing none of his fear and hurt, hiding it behind a mask.

"You shouldn't hide your emotions Blaise; your mum just wanted you to calm down. In times like this suppressing your emotions will just cause your magic to react…and violently," said Remus, and he knew what he was talking about. "I have no idea how he really is, but all things considered it could be worse."

"All things considered?" enquired Maria, "Why don't you start from the beginning?" she demanded, summoning some coffee for her and Remus and hot chocolate with marshmallows for the boys. Normally there were three hot chocolates, the lack of cup emblazoned with 'H' was noticeably absent, making her feel slightly lost, she was so used to having Harry around, especially when her son was home.

"Harry was given to a Vampire Lord, by Dumbledore, for some of their warriors, blackmailed I should say, they were married in a handfasting," said Remus bitterly. He was only glad it hadn't gone in Dumbledore's favor

"The vampire Lord?" rasped Maria looking stunned. Why would he want Harry? Unless it was for revenge, she knew how the others had teased him.

Remus nodded, the teens just looked confused.

"The Prince Vampire Lord?" asked Maria, looking for confirmation on who she suspected it to be.

"Yes." said Remus.

"Then we should have hoped Dumbledore had him," said Maria, closing her eyes in despair. "Do you even know who it is?"

"They're mates." said Remus quietly, almost mumbling it.

"Well that changes things," said Maria, relief coursing through her, "He's safe, safer than he would have been here, especially with the entire clan at his beck and call. Especially as long as he remains unclaimed." said Maria. She knew all about them, one of her family had married into the Prince line…vampire Prince Line. It was kept very quiet of course, the only reason she knew was because of her family tree, the diaries and of course some books about vampires, their laws and traditions.

"What are you going on about?" asked Teddy groaning he felt as though he was only getting half the conversation.

"Harry's safe, you'll get to see him a few times a week, he'll be getting in touch soon as he can. He's going to need you so do not dismiss his feelings when he speaks about them. He needs brothers right now, not school mates." said Remus, Harry's body would be undergoing changes, both physically and magically. He would be confused, scared maybe even hurt. Hopefully he would open and up discuss it with either Snape or them.

"Feelings? Why what's going on? And just give us a straight answer!" said Blaise impatiently.

"I'll give you a book to read through, maybe then you might understand what's happening. You can pass them on to Harry when you go and visit him." said Maria.

"I must go, sorry I can't stay." said Remus.

"No problem, I assume you'll get in touch if you hear from Harry?" asked Maria.

"Of course." said Remus agreed, before giving the boys a reassuring smile, Harry was truly alright before he was gone, the coffee lay untouched.

Maria walked out of the living room, making her way to the bedroom, and removing the book and diaries from their shelves. Harry was going to be happy in the future, she supposed that was the main thing. One couldn't resist the call to their soul mate. Snape had gone about it wrongly. Dumbledore giving Harry over as negotiations between the vampire clan didn't surprise her. Yet it shouldn't have happened, Snape should have found a different way. Any mother would have thought the very same thing, just wait, she was going to give him a piece of her mind for the way he had gone about things. She also gathered up a few of Harry's favourite things as well as his trunk, which was in his bedroom and placed it for safe keeping at the side of her bed, Now she just had to wait until they heard from him.

Now to explain everything to the boys so they knew how to act upon meeting the Vampire Lord, not that they were oblivious, they wouldn't let her down.

"Mum? What's going on?" Blaise asked of his mother, he knew about Vampire Lords, the Prince family were known to be the head of it, at least at one point. It wasn't something you learned about in History of Magic while you were at Hogwarts. So it came as no surprise that Blaise actually didn't know much about it.

Teddy was watching her with concerned eyes as well.

"Alright boys," Maria said, sitting down, drawing her robes around her as she sat up tall and straight, and with that she began to explain the history between her family (their family for Blaise) and the Vampire Lord, about Severus Snape, about Eileen Prince, about the seat of ultimate power, the truce they had with the Ministry. That somehow Dumbledore had blackmailed Harry into going through with a handfasting. She didn't need to explain about mates, for that was self explanatory. Saying that was why Remus had said Harry needed them, not only was he mated to Vampire but he had been blackmailed into marrying him.

By the time she had talked herself hoarse for over two hours, Blaise and Theodore understood, their relief was a sight to behold; they were very pleased to know that Harry, who they both thought of as a brother, was truly safe. That they would see him soon enough and probably hear from him sooner still.

Tonks' Flat

Shacklebolt and Tonks took shifts on keeping an eye on Sirius while the other got some much needed rest. The purging potion was at long last finally removed from his system, and Sirius had been put into a Dreamless Sleep, most unwillingly, they'd shoved the potion down his throat. They had also avoided the Order meeting that Dumbledore had last night, if they saw Dumbledore there was no knowing what they would do. They were under no illusions anyone else could have gotten Sirius Black to drink anything without checking it. They all had trusted him with their lives, a mistake that had cost the Animagus greatly. With the war beginning this really had been the last thing they needed.

"Coffee?" asked Tonks as Shacklebolt emerged from her spare bedroom, steam still pouring from the small Ensuite bathroom he'd used.

"Yes please," said Shacklebolt giving her a relieved smile as he sat down on one of her chairs. It was odd being here, yet comfortable in a way he didn't quite expect. He wasn't used to company, when he went home it was to sleep then get up to go to work again. "Thanks." he murmured quietly when a mug was handed over with the brew, warming his cold hands.

"No problem," replied Tonks relaxing back feeling better after the chaotic past few days.

"Shouldn't he be awake yet?" mused Shacklebolt.

"No, at least if he isn't a regular user anyway," said Tonks.

"Want me to go to the Leaky Cauldron and order some breakfast to go? It's the least I can do after the past few days." asked Shacklebolt.

"Actually, yes, I don't have anything in, I should have been shopping yesterday." said Tonks gratefully, all she had in was some biscuits and other bits and pieces not appropriate for breakfast. Normally she usually went to breakfast at the Ministry café or took in a cereal bar to eat at her desk.

"Alright, I'll be right back." said Shacklebolt, before standing and disappearing from the living room.

Leaky Cauldron

"Hello Tom," said Kingsley smiling at the owner of the small homely Leaky Cauldron.

"Auror Shacklebolt, how can I help you? Business or here for a drink?" enquired Tom as he continued to serve those here before the Auror.

"How many times do I have to say it? Just call me Kingsley or Shack," said Shacklebolt shaking his head in amusement. No matter how many times he'd asked the innkeeper kept using his official title. "I'm here for breakfast, three of them to take away, full English if its still going." he wasn't sure of the time, they had sort of lost sight of time the past few days. He said nothing of the fact he was technically not an Auror right now, he had been suspended.

"Of course, I'll have it done right away," said Tom, leaving the bar and into the kitchen for a moment before emerging again. "Three minutes." he added to Shacklebolt. Before moving on to the next customer, he didn't just serve magical folk but Muggles as well who had a magical child or spouse.

"Three breakfasts?" asked a Witch coming out the kitchen, speaking to Tom, wondering who the delivery was for.

Shacklebolt raised his index finger to indicate himself, just as Tom silently pointed towards him filling up a tankard of Butterbeer. Which Shacklebolt drooled at, it looked absolutely divine, and to bad you couldn't really get drunk on it. Well, you could, if you were a House-Elf.

"Add a case of Butterbeer please," said Shacklebolt as the Witch approached him.

Six glass bottles floated towards him settling itself on the counter. They were added to the brown paper carrier bag that held the food, warming charms in the containers, keeping it hot while it was transported.

"Two Galleons," said Tom coming around to the Auror again.

"Thanks Tom," said Shacklebolt handing three galleons over before Apparating back to the flat.

"He's awake," said Tonks looking strained.

"How is he?" asked Shacklebolt immediately.

"In bad shape," said Tonks, and in her opinion he didn't know the worst of it yet, he would soon though. Only then would they have to make sure he doesn't do anything stupid. If anything they would make sure he went through legal means to get revenge.

"Where is he?" he enquired looking around.

"In the shower," replied Tonks, "He'll be out in a few minutes."

"Here," he said giving it over, "I got some Butterbeer as well while I was at it."

"Brilliant!" said Tonks her entire face lightning up, it seemed he wasn't the only one in the mood for a drink no matter how mild. She plated out the food, and opened her Butterbeer gratefully, drinking it in one go.

"Good job I got more than one," chuckled Shacklebolt as he took his own seat looking forward to eating, he was actually starving. Although Tonks had kept him well fed, they'd been through so much it was no surprise they were hungry.

"Nothing beats food you haven't cooked yourself." said Tonks as she dug into her breakfast.

"I agree," said Shacklebolt.

"Sirius you have to come out at some point!" shouted Tonks so the Animagus could hear her.

"I know," replied Sirius coming out, both Auror's looked away from him. He looked like hell, added to the fact his eyes were rimmed red - he'd been crying. They'd never seen Sirius like that before; he hadn't even had the chance to grieve for his best friends before the potion had been given to him. Now he realized he'd lost all that time with his godson…and what he did remember was probably not good. They really didn't want to have to tell him what else he'd lost out on. In fact they were going to let the healer do that, at least then they could sedate him if he well…went berserk. Merlin, Sirius must be in a very dark place right now, it was little wonder he would want to go under his covers and never emerge.

"Where's my godson?" demanded Sirius sitting down on the only available chair feeling weak and weary. The potion had taken a lot out of him, he was exhausted already and all he'd done was shower and walk around ten steps to get here. Sweat coated his forehead, and his heartbeat was faster than what was normal for him.

"Just eat first," said Tonks watching as Shacklebolt cringed and made himself small, as if trying to make himself less a target. He blamed himself for what happened, but Tonks knew no matter what Dumbledore would have gotten his way. She believed that he felt guiltier about accidentally hurting him.

"I want to know where he is!" shouted Sirius panting in exertion by the end of the sentence.

"Eat." said Tonks, "Working yourself into a state helps no one. You have an appointment at St. Mungo's in half an hour. Then you will get all your questions answered."

Sirius narrowed his eyes, he was her superior in the Auror department, and he wasn't used to her laying down the law. In all honesty he didn't like it, he wanted answers and the only reason he wasn't strangling her to get them was because he didn't have the strength. A plate was shoved into his lap, he grudgingly began eating.

After a tense breakfast, none of them talking much they Floo'ed over to St. Mungo's. Sirius was being immature and insisting he didn't need 'Side Long Apparated' anywhere. So they had no other option, it seemed with the potions removal his immature side Shacklebolt had forgotten about had come back. He had wrongfully assumed back then that his best friend's deaths had changed him. It would change anyone, but more fool them for being suckered in.

"We have an appointment to see Professor Helbert," said Shacklebolt to the assistant healer as they made their way to the appropriate floor. Both Tonks and he were there for moral support when the news finally got out. Professor Helbert wasn't just a professor but also a healer.

"He's free, go straight on." said Healer Cranston smiling at them warmly.

"Thank you," said Shacklebolt, who then began leading them to Helbert's office.

A knock on the door and a reply of 'Enter' met their ears five seconds later.

"Ah, Auror Shacklebolt, good to see you again…this is Sirius Black?" asked Helbert, staring at the Animagus in unconcealed pity, which put Sirius on edge.

"What the hell is going on?" demanded Sirius feeling and looking extremely cornered.

"You have not told him?" asked Helbert looking shocked.

"He's only just recovered from one shock, we weren't sure how he might take this." said Tonks crossing her arms not liking the fact this Helbert was judging her.

"Take what?" growled Sirius in warning starting to get really pissed off now.

"Sit down please," said Helbert.

"Tell me," said Sirius sitting down immediately, his blue eyes regarding the brown ones of the healer in anxiousness. What could be worse than knowing he'd missed out on fifteen nearly sixteen years of his godson's life? Dumbledore would pay for that, with his life if he had any say in it, just as soon as he recovered.

"Just don't do anything stupid Sirius, if we have to - we will commit you here." said Shacklebolt in warning.

What the fuck? Thought Sirius, his heart sinking further at the pronouncement. Were they going to commit him to keep what Dumbledore did a secret? No, it can't be that, otherwise he would have woken up here or been drugged with the potion again…no they were on his side. The alternative just didn't bear thinking about.

"Mr. Black do you know what the Anima Ligaveris spell does?" asked Helbert professionally.

Sirius blinked and his alarm triple folded, it was as if a light suddenly went off in his head. His eyes closed in horror; yes he knew what the spell did. He also realized why he hadn't really settled down, just filtering from partner to partner during his Hogwarts years. The spell or no, he had yearned for his mate, and none of his sexual encounters had truly satisfied him. "Tell me it wasn't James." said Sirius looking quite sick.

"Sirius, to feel the bond at eleven…whoever your soul mate was…had to have been a creature or creature inheritance." said Shacklebolt in sympathy.

"Remus," croaked Sirius.

"It's who I thought of," added Shacklebolt.

"I'm going to kill him," snarled Sirius furiously, he had truly destroyed his life.

"You know who did it?" enquired Helbert.

"Doesn't take a genius to figure it out." hissed Sirius through clenched teeth. Getting up from the chair, intending on hunting the old bastard down and ending his life with two little worlds.

"Sirius please don't!" said Tonks in a rush, hoping to get through to the stubborn man. "Just calm down, hurt him where it will cause the most pain. His reputation, his freedom, his sanity."

"If you try and kill him…how will you make it up to Harry from Azkaban?" said Shacklebolt saying the only thing that might make Sirius think before acting. Although Sirius would need to find Harry first…if he was even still alive this left him hollow inside. If he wanted to kill Dumbledore what would he want to do to him when word got out? He'd be lucky if he didn't end up in Azkaban himself beside Dumbledore.

Sirius stiffened just inches from the door his back ramrod straight.

"Give me the results," said Sirius coldly.

"Mr. Black, if you wish to do this, you are best with the memory uncovered, a pensive testimony will ensure he is arrested without bail." said Professor Helbert cautiously.

Taking a deep breath, his head resting against the cool door, almost reduced to tears again. His poor godson…all those years, Sirius was barely able to swallow the lump in his throat. Fine, he'd do it the proper way, it's the only way he could see Harry in his life…he had to save Harry from the old fool. Before whatever plan he had concocted came to pass.

"Fine." agreed Sirius; he'd do anything, absolutely anything for Harry. Better still he knew just who to give it to, to ensure that it was done swiftly as possible.

Dumbledore was going down.

Ministry of Magic

Sirius Black Apparated to the Ministry of Magic later that evening after giving in all the evidence he had, along with his resignation. Hopefully she would have caught whoever had duped everyone into believing he was fine. Part of him wanted to find out who he was and kill him for his actions; he would just have to contend with him in Azkaban. Looking around the Atrium noticing it was quiet, he walked passed the desks, doors and people paying no mind to them. To think he had walked these halls for years as an Auror just an extension of Dumbledore's will, as a member of the Wizengamot as well. Under the potion everything felt murky; in fact it was how you would explain the effects of the Imperius curse.

"HEY SIRI!" called one of the Junior Auror's that Sirius genuinely couldn't remember. "I heard you quit! Is it true?" he asked, talking in a rush as if it was all a great big secret.

Sirius stared at him rolling his eyes; he could have tried to sound at least less enthusiastic about it. No doubt he assumed he would get promoted quicker. More fool him; it wouldn't happen until more than just the Head Auror believed them to be ready. He could apply as often as he wanted; he chuckled at the thought before replying. "Yes." nothing remained a secret for long in the Ministry of Magic. So the news of his 'retirement' had gotten around the Auror department already, then again they would need to have replaced him. With that Sirius made a hasty retreat, making his way to the Law Enforcement Office - a place where he frequented often as an Auror, more as Head Auror having to take a lot of paperwork up to be signed.

Sirius knocked on the door, waiting patiently for an answer, but nothing was heard from within.

"Ah, Sirius, I didn't expect you so soon," said Amelia, walking hastily to her door and flicking her wand, opening it for them.

"I just…want answers." Sirius said sounding slightly lost.

"We found out who was doing it, the paperwork for the person on duty testing your blood for compulsions is the same," Amelia revealed grimly, sitting down and silently gesturing for him to do the same.

"Who was it?" asked Sirius, he knew who they all were, got on with all of them, so either way it was going to hurt.

"Evan Doge," said Amelia grimly. "We strongly suspect Elphias Doge knew, but we have no evidence to even question him yet, but it's early still," it hadn't even been twenty-four hours since she'd been given the case.

Sirius gasped, his face contorting in hurt, it was one thing for someone he knew but for it to be a fellow order member and his son hurt deeply. "Has he been arrested?" he asked through clanged teeth.

Amelia sighed softly as she sat down rubbing her eyes tiredly, "Evan Doge has been arrested yes, his father is unaware of it at this moment, but he will not be oblivious for long."

"Good," muttered Sirius darkly, at least his arrest stopped him from hunting the bastard down and killing him.

"We will keep an eye on Elphias Doge, any doubt and we will bring him in as well," said Amelia firmly.

"Thank you," said Sirius softly. "Do you have any idea where Harry is?"

"No, since Dumbledore didn't do anything wrong, in the legal sense, we cannot even question him on it." replied Amelia. "Your best bet is Harry getting in touch himself."

"But you are bringing him up on charges for what he did to me right?" Sirius asked extremely worried that Dumbledore was going to get away with it because of who he was.

"Of course, the warrant for his arrest has already been issued, we want to avoid a large confrontation so we will do it in the evening, probably tomorrow evening," said Amelia, if they wanted to keep things quiet they would need to move cautiously and carefully, which hindered them doing things quickly. Although they had already taken Helbert's statement, and the oath that everything as true had Sirius' statement, the warrant had been signed by Cornelius Fudge who had sworn to keep it quiet until they brought Dumbledore in. Two Unspeakables had been told of their upcoming duty.

"Right," said Sirius nodding bleakly. "I'm going to leave."

"Good luck, Mr. Black." said Amelia, officially, nodding her head watching the wizard leave without a word. She felt for him, he had been hurt deeply by what happened. She knew Doge was an Order member, she wasn't stupid, she was unsure if the others knew but she wasn't about to spread it. Her own family had been Order members, but she refused to join or let her niece. A lot of her family had died and she partly believed it was because they had been Order members. She would come down hard on them if they broke the law regardless, nobody was above it not even vigilantes who tried to bring peace to the world.

She couldn't believe what Albus Dumbledore had done; his depravity knew no bounds, Obliviating an eleven year old pureblood under his care, after casting a spell to stop the budding bond he had with his soul mate, causing him immeasurable pain. Then proceed to keep him under his control for fifteen years, she still didn't quite understand his motivations for that - for any of it. It didn't matter what his motivations were, he was to be arrested for so heinously breaking the law. A soul bond was one of the most sacred things in their world next to children itself.

Grimacing in disgust, especially considering her niece was at Hogwarts, in close contact with a depraved Headmaster.

A sudden bout of urgent knocking on her door brought her out of her dark thoughts. "ENTER!" she called out curtly, wondering what on earth was going on.

A Junior Auror burst in, out of breath and wide eyed in fear, "Ma'am, there's been an attack! The Dark Mark hangs in the sky! There are many Muggles! Both at the scene and three dead."

"Where?" Bones asked standing up, of all the days they had to be understaffed. Between Shacklebolt being suspected, Tonks coming down with the Flu and Sirius resigning, well 'retired' really, he had wanted to resign, but she'd convinced him to retire, he had worked so hard for years, he deserved the benefits, even if he had been controlled into it.

"Privet Drive, number four Privet Drive, Surrey," he managed to say, still wheezing.

Bones nodded, "Let's gather the others," there had to be someone in management to accompany the Aurors on cases, and that was her today.

Edited 2/6/17