Prince Consort

Chapter 34

Severus waited impatiently for the wizengamot to reach a decision regarding the length of Dumbledore's sentencing. There was no doubt he would receive one, even more sure was the fact he would get a long-term sentence. With Dumbledore out of the way, there was only Voldemort left, he would need dealt with, but that could wait for the moment. One thing at a time, over the years he had learned not to be impatient or want too much at the same time. Voldemort wasn't stepping up his game yet, at least not too badly, unlike the horror that had been the last war. He never envisioned himself getting embroiled in the war, not when he first heard whispers that the Dark Lord was back on British soil. Perhaps it had been naïve of him, especially after finding out who his mate really was and the secret he knew.

It mattered little now, ironic really, Harry wouldn't have taken any part in the war either. Voldemort had decided to declare the war lines with Harry, by kidnapping him. Once they had all the Horcruxes found and destroyed, they would hit the Dark Lord's army in droves and cut the head of the snake prevent any further bloodshed or potential wars. At least where it came to wizards anyway, unfortunately, his position came with its own set of dangers.

Dangers his mate had already been exposed to, he hated that Harry had been forced to kill, even if it was to defend himself. He was so young, but by Merlin, Severus had never been prouder of him as he was that day. He'd fought so well for one who didn't have a days training. Now the vampires who had attacked them had trained for battle, he'd struggled to fight them off. Even their guards had been beyond impressed. It was difficult to impress them in the first place, he knew there and then that Harry would fit in well and take to the training he'd undergo with finesse.

Oh, his little Slytherin was just mesmerising, quite vicious too. He apparently loved getting the last word in, what was it Harry had said earlier? Oh, yes, 'I told you I'd find a way to bring you down, many have tried you said, but none of those people were me. You're done you disgusting old bastard. I win.' The tone of voice had certainly aroused him, none of what he said or did about Dumbledore surprised him anymore. He'd grown accustomed to just how much Harry loathed the old fool. There wasn't a word for the hatred Harry felt for the old man. There truly wasn't, it encompassed any possible word that was suitable.

He'd nearly screwed his entire future by consorting with Dumbledore to bring Harry here. He could have destroyed everything, it wasn't something he liked to dwell on. Especially considering there were other possible ways he could have gone about it. Possibility only due to the fact he believed Dumbledore would have found ways to get Harry back when he found out. He wasn't above the law, and he had Black on a very tight leash – very tight – unbeknown to him at the time. The more he learned, the further he realized he had gone about it right. It didn't make it alright though, nor did the danger of losing Harry diminish.

Severus merely tightened his hold on his mate, his mate who was coming to see him as someone strong, a confidant, someone Harry could rely on in times of difficulty. He had seen Harry calming down – further than the calming draught – when he looked at him. This was good, that was what mates were meant to be for, anchors, lovers, pillars of strength in times of difficulty.

"Bring in the accused to hear his sentencing!" was called out, as the wizengamot began to trickle back into the room, along with one very pale, sweaty nervous lawyer.

"Seven of us are now situated at the island," came the whispered word from Cenric, they were ensuring that there were no escape attempts by Dumbledore. Who knows how many others had been imbued with controlling draughts? So as a precaution Severus had demanded seven of his people be on the look-out. He must have gone to speak to Alfred who had been asked to come to the Ministry to let him know when his people were set up. Storm had remained with a tight watch on her Lord and Lord Consort.

Harry glanced up at Severus confused, were they going to kill Dumbledore as he was being transported to Azkaban? It was actually the only way to do it, once he was in Azkaban it would be difficult – although not impossible – to accomplish that task. Not that he minded, but he'd rather the old bastard suffered for years after what he'd done.

Severus leaned down, inhaling Harry's sweet scent, "A precaution, just to ensure nothing happens," his lips twitched at the shiver of desire that came from his delectable mate. oh, he was just insatiable now, a voracious succubus, there was nothing in the shy virgin he had first encountered. Oh, he delighted in being the first – and if he had his own way the only one – to show Harry the delights of the pleasure of the flesh.

"Ah," was all Harry had to say, turning back to the front of the courtroom.

"Disappointed?" Severus questioned, reigning in his dirty mind. there was a time and place for that, and it most certainly wasn't here. Yet he couldn't bring himself to care, this was his mate, he'd gone long enough without him so what if he desired him always? He didn't know how the hell he was going to survive when he left to deal with the treaty. An entire fortnight without his mate…after never having been away from him for a single night? Yes, he worked hard, too hard sometimes, but each night he and Harry slept in the same bed. Keeping to the agreement they'd first arranged.

Harry scoffed, "No," he said derisively, aimed solely at Dumbledore, of course, "I'd rather he doesn't get off too easy though." He wanted him to suffer.

"Has a decision been reached, Chief warlock?" came the stern penetrative voice, that commanded attention, demanded silence.

Which was most certainly accomplished Harry thought as the room quietened utterly. For a moment after he called out, people had even stopped breathing. They waited for the verdict with bated breath.

"Guilty," Chief Warlock called just as tightly, voice ringing with authority. "Albus Dumbledore you are thereby sentenced to life in maximum security in Nurmengard prison." They'd needed to get permission for it, hence why they took over an hour, since it had been a very quick vote, they'd sat down and everyone, absolutely everyone agreed immediately that he deserved life in prison.

And Harry left nothing but giddy delight seeing Dumbledore go waxy pale, how could he have thought for a second, he was going to get away with what he did? Unless…it was the sentencing to the different prison. Did the old fool have plans to get himself away after all? As far as he was aware Nurmengard was more secure than Azkaban, since it was ordinary for such a powerful wizard – Grindelwald – which would make it difficult – maybe impossible – for Dumbledore to even dream of escaping.

"Well, I did not expect that," Severus murmured quietly, pleasantly surprised, which meant any escape attempt was already thwarted. The prison – Nurmengard – wasn't even a wildly known location, they'd had to ensure its secrecy, for fear of Grindelwald's fanatic supports releasing the wizard and unleashing a fresh bout of hell that came with him. Something all wizards feared above all else. The fact he wanted wizards known by the Muggles terrified them so. He had almost accomplished that many times in the years before he was caught. It would be hilarious that Muggles were so terrifying to wizards if Severus didn't know what they were capable of. They were quite a destructive force and without a shred of magic in them.

"Should have though," Harry mused, "He just joined Grindelwald as a public enemy number one," a subdued, imprisoned one but one nonetheless.

"Perhaps," Severus whispered, it was true, Dumbledore probably wouldn't be uttered with anything other than disgust and hatred after today. Everything would be in the newspapers, in fact it was probably already ready to get written and printed off in a special edition of the newspaper. The Daily Prophet would take any chance to earn more money, especially after a slew of articles had found them sued for slander and liable. This sort of article would see their readership fly through the roof, even if it was only one article. It wouldn't be, they would rehash everything for the next week that was a given.

Harry stood as Dumbledore was grasped roughly by the Aurors, who evidently held no fondness for the old fool. He idly wondered if it was new or if they had always been impartial when it came to the old man. Harry did not hide how he felt seeing the old man sentenced, a smug smirk placing across his face, bearing his teeth animalistically at him when those blue eyes flared in fury when they saw him watching his downfall.

"You all need me to defeat Voldemort," Dumbledore stated coolly, voice loud enough for everyone to hear, as if he wasn't internally panicking like hell. "Without me he will run like a plague across our world."

"We hardly needed you the last time, did we?" Harry stated coldly, "It will be a cold day in hell before I let anything happen," he would never risk Dumbledore being free even if it meant dealing with Voldemort himself. He'd rather die a thousand deaths than to see Dumbledore go free. Sensing the old man's fear and terror was a balm to his soul, especially since he wasn't displaying just how scared he was. Which would have just infuriated him he must admit. Another perk of being a vampire.

Dumbledore's mask splintered into a thousand pieces as he stared at Harry with probably the most genuine look he'd bestowed upon anyone in decades in public. Now his panic was showing as he was shoved violently by the Aurors out the door, his feeble protests that he was needed ignored as the courtroom filled with applause and cheering from nearly everyone.

Sirius wasn't one of them. He was just sitting there watching the spectacle with a tired look on his face. As if the fight had been drained from him earlier when he took the stand.

Then as soon as the doors closed behind the Aurors' everyone was rushing towards the public exit. Half of them probably trying to get to work, to print out the results of the trial for the public desiring to be the first to get out an article. The wizengamot were more dignified as they one by one vacated the courtroom, going through the chambers they use – which were not open to the public – the Aurors beside the room, guarding it, allowed them all to enter before closing the door. Remaining in the room, presumably until everyone was gone.

"Bl…er…Sirius?" Harry called the wizard, nudging him to get his attention when it became apparently, he just wasn't aware fully of his surroundings. "Let's go," Remus would know what to do, he just felt bloody awkward. Smacking him on the back of the head like he would his friends probably wouldn't go over well at all.

Sirius blinked before nodding his head almost listlessly.

Grumbling under his breath, he wrapped his fingers around his elbow and easily got the wizard to his feet. He was either in belated shock or still trying to get over what happened to him – to no success apparently – and just wasn't in a cooperative state. He had taken the only calming draught they had left, so he couldn't just give it to the wizard.

"It's time to go," Storm stated, as always, she got wary if they lingered somewhere in public too long. Especially since there were only two of them, she would have felt better if the others had been there. Unfortunately, it had been a wise course of action to send some of the others to stake out the island, redundant now, but yes, it had been a clever idea. Not that it was a surprise, their Lord was one for taking every precaution necessary. Although to begin with he hadn't been happy with the precautions necessary to protect him from rouge vampires.

After Storm's word, they made for the nearest exit leaving the others who were still milling around to the empty courtroom. Harry continued to guide Black out of the Ministry, him going so docilly was beginning to freak Harry out – albeit internally right now – he rather hoped his dad was there when he returned to take care of this.

Storm was ahead while Cenric was behind them, Severus remained close to Harry's side, his lip curled as he observed Black. Despite the fact he was allowing the wizard to remain in the castle…it was obvious to Harry that his husband didn't care for the wizard at all.

Upon exiting the actual Ministry, they found dozens of wizards and witches all standing around talking, gesturing towards their cameras with a few further away disappearing with a pop. Dumbledore must have already been guided through the thong of people. "I'm surprised they brought him this way, its bound to have been risky." Someone could have killed Dumbledore or been hired to do so. What better time to do it than amongst dozens of people surrounding you? Giving you the perfect alibi, doubt, it was the strongest thing to aid you especially with the human element to the trial, the Wizengamot.

"It's a rite of passage," Severus uttered derisively. "I have no doubt that Dumbledore would have hated this spectacle more than the fact he was going to prison for the rest of his natural life. He is very vain and would assume he had…people still on his side, supporters, seeing this, would have drove it home that he had no support whatsoever." He knew that for a fact. He only regretted that he hadn't been around to see Dumbledore sent off, to have watched his reaction and seen the crowd's reaction to the old Headmaster of Hogwarts.

Harry grinned showing off a little bit too much tooth, any more and he would have looked as if he was bearing his teeth.

"Storm," Severus stated sharply, not even needing to say anything further before she stepped up beside both Black and her Lord's consort.

"I do know how to Apparate you know," Harry said dryly, as annoying as the stifling protectiveness, he was learning to let go off the annoyance and just enjoy being taken care of. He'd always wanted that, well perhaps he should have been careful about what he wished for. Less protective may have been nice, but he wouldn't give up Severus for anything. The fact he was a Lord to thousands of people…did not matter to him. He, however, never wished to embarrass Severus, although the first week or so, he wouldn't have cared. There were times when it became too much, but those times were coming less and less as he grew accustomed to his new life. That and the fact he was training every day, both in duels that focused on the magic side, and others where they fought bare handed, and weaponry were also on the cards. It worked off a lot of his aggression.

Harry was most definitely looking forward to that.

In fact, he had a session booked for later tonight.

Upon their return to the castle, he found Alfred and Remus waiting for them, both unconsciously relaxing at the sight of them all safe and sound. That was until Remus noticed that Sirius was being aided into walking by Harry. Inhaling sharply, trying to get a sense of Sirius' emotions without going through the bond which was muted, presumably due to Sirius' emotional state and their distance to one another.

"Sirius? Sirius are you alright?" Remus was quick to go to his mates' side, his wolf snarling inwardly, he didn't like all the strange scents surrounding his very vulnerable mate. "What's wrong with him? What happened?"

"I believe that the trial was just too much for him, too soon," Severus ventured a guess, feeling slightly sorry for Remus. Not because Black was not himself, but through empathy. He would feel the very same panic if anything happened to Harry. "Shall I get a healer to your room if only for your peace of mind?" it was a question, he didn't think Remus wanted anyone near Black right now. Not by the way he was shielding him even from Harry, his wolf was very much in control when it came to mates. Worryingly enough, Remus usually had a tight reign on his wolf.

"I'll um…I'll decide later," Remus murmured usually flustered, if he couldn't get Sirius back to himself soon, he would need to get a healer to see if the problem went deeper than just emotional and physical exhaustion. He hadn't been sleeping right, not for a while, his memories under the influence of the potion was becoming clearer. Between that and the knowledge of the trial looming…it had been hard. Nobody knew of course, the silencing spells worked wonders. Sirius hated the thought of anyone knowing how weak and defenceless – Sirius' description not his – he was overall. He kept putting masks up, making himself look like he was doing well. "But I wouldn't mind…a few calming draughts and maybe a Dreamless Sleep Draught?"

Severus gazed at Remus shrewdly, getting more out of that sentence than Remus probably wanted. He doubted very much that it was Remus who was restless, or in dire need of a sleep. He'd never needed any such thing since he and Harry moved here, well, with one exception, after he had been hurt that time. It hadn't been his choice either, the healer had made that executive decision for him. "I'll have someone bring it up," he declared, "Perhaps you should discuss the possibility of a mind healer, someone impartial to talk to, who can get through to him."

"There's a negative stigma attached to mind healers, but they do good work," Alfred gave his own opinion, "They've helped many wizards and witches over the years overcome their fears. Two of our own are very competent if you don't wish to go to a stranger." He offered, he knew them well enough to offer their services and know it wouldn't be declined or the vampires themselves put out at having to aid Sirius.

"I think you should take him to your rooms before you become half-feral," Severus warned Remus, he could practically see the wolf in Remus gleaming in his eyes ready to come out. Not that the wolf would emerge, but Remus could turn feral in human form, lose himself to the wolf.

Remus was beyond talking at this point, he could feel it himself. The urge to return to their 'den' and keep everyone away from his defenceless mate was making him restless. His wolf truly was at the forefront if he was considering their bedroom his den. He glanced at Harry, worrying about him too. He had gone to the trial and had been forced to reveal information about himself he probably didn't want divulged.

"I'm fine, dad, go ahead," Harry said knowing what the problem was. He knew his dad well and knew most of all that conflicted him.

"Was…Tonks there?" Remus asked, his brow furrowed.

"Er…no, I don't think so," Harry replied, "Neither was Shacklebolt, they could have been in the Ministry though," just not at the trial, but it may have been he just didn't notice them. With the knowledge that Shacklebolt had attacked him…the Auror – maybe even Ex- Auror – could very well have been arrested or worse being stripped of his rank and asked to leave. Harry could dream, couldn't he? He didn't hate Shacklebolt, to hate him he'd have to care one way or another. Despite his part in what happened, Harry felt nothing, the same would have happened with or without him there. Plus, he had gone against orders and went with Dumbledore, someone who wasn't his boss or an employee within the Ministry. He had no right using his status to do anything that night.

Remus nodded he understood, feeling a tinge of worry for Tonks, she was carrying his baby after all. Then again, perhaps she thought he didn't want to know, he'd told her that he wasn't going to be at the trial after all. Although he had asked to meet her up at her earliest convenience, anywhere she liked. He hadn't heard back yet, but he had no idea where she was, so there was still time before the panic truly set in.

Remus slowly began to walk back into the castle, his gait slow and sure, as he led Sirius who was barely blinking. The weight of everything was beginning to pile on him.

For once though, he just wished things would go smoothly. It was like trying to trudge through tar for everything, had been that way for the last fifteen years. Trying to find the will to continue after losing his entire pack, his family. The only thing keeping him going was Harry, trying to find him over the years. The only light that kept shining after the years was knowing that Harry would appear at Hogwarts when he was eleven. He was guaranteed to be able to get in touch with him then, despite knowing, he must have written and re-written that letter a million times. He honestly hadn't expected much of an answer, despite wearing out the rug at the front of the house while he waited. He certainly hadn't expected an invite to meet up in Diagon Alley.

For the next few years raising Harry had been all he'd wanted to do, and he'd done it. He'd tried to turn Harry into a young man, to get rid of the imprint the Dursley's had left. Give him independence, someone to rely on, comfort, a home, despite his father's damn idiocy leaving Harry nearly penniless, tried to build up the Potter fortune so he had something when he left school. Not that it amounted to much, especially compared to what it was to begin with. Then things all began going wrong. He'd almost lost Harry to Dumbledore's machinations, to vampires, then Sirius slamming back into his life, innocent of all that had occurred since Lily and James died. He would carry that guilt for the rest of his life, and now he had his mate, a man broken by betrayal. Sirius didn't trust many people, never had. But he'd trusted Peter and Dumbledore, and both had left him devastated, broken beyond measure.

Remus prayed to any deity that somehow against all odds…that things would settle down and just go their way for once.

Harry was grateful for the training he was about to undergo, it would help let off some steam. Something he desperately needed to do, between Black making his dad worried and him having to reveal information he wanted buried he wasn't exactly in the best of moods. Don't get him wrong, he'd do it all over again, especially if it meant seeing Dumbledore sent down. He just didn't want his private life, spread across the front page of the Daily Prophet and any other bloody magazine that would publish today's happenings, including the Quibbler no doubt.

"Here is your mail, it came while you were out," Alfred informed him, handing over the letters he knew were from his best friends.

"Thank you, Alfred," Harry murmured quietly, as both moved swiftly towards the Great Hall, which was where his training usually took place.

"Is there anything I can get you?" Alfred asked, glancing sideways at his Lord's consort. He was very highly strung, but this fact didn't surprise him.

"No," Harry sighed, rubbing his hand against his head in irritation, "Just let me know how Black is doing, more accurately how Remus is dealing with it."

"Of course," Alfred agreed, as they slid into the grand room, everything was already shifted to the side and maps put down. The only things that didn't get removed were the portraits and the polished silver shields with the Prince coat-of-arms with ancient swords sheathed inside. Despite the fact they hadn't been used in years, they were still sharp, still polished and cared for. The more ancient and valuable ones were in the vault.

There were two vampires in the room, ones Harry didn't know very well actually, they spent a great deal of time recruiting or dealing with problems both here and abroad. He'd only met them two or three times, same with many of the other vampires that unfortunately work away from home. There must be a new rotation, either that or they'd requested to be closer to the castle.

"Lord Consort," they murmured bowing to him in respect.

"Just call me Harry," the 'Lord Consort' insisted, it got old being referred to as Sir or Lord Consort, especially during training.

Both turned to stare at Alfred after he spoke, before nodding in agreement to Harry's demands.

"My name is Rodney this is Derek, and today we will work with swords," Rodney informed Harry, moving over to the table that had many swords out on display.

"I know," Harry answered, he remembered everyone's names, he'd always been good at that.

"Test them, feel their balance, the grip, until you find one that you like the feel of," Rodney suggested, stepping back to give Harry room.

"Give them a bit of a manoeuvre as well," Derek informed him, blue eyes cold observing Harry. "It's not as easy as one would imagine using swords, it will take time and effort and a lot of sore muscles to get to a place where you can use it for an extended period of time." Usually the shoulders, back and arms.

Both vampires were as different as light and day, Rodney was quite cheerful yet serious, given the nature of the lessons he understood that. Meanwhile Derek was…cold, hard and unfeeling, his eyes unsettled Harry, but he knew life changed people, turned them into what they were today. He could only imagine how bad it was to make Derek that way.

Harry turned his attention to the swords, flexing his fingers around the first one, and lifted it, doing as Derek suggested and giving it a couple of swings. He tried not to play favourites until he'd tried the twenty on the table for him to get a feel of. After trying them all, Harry debated over two, trying them three more times before he declared he wanted the one in his hand.

It was a short sword, with white and black handle, with a wicked curve at the end, and it had the perfect balance.

"Good choice," Rodney informed him.

"Today you'll be starting with basic moves," Derek added, picking one up for himself, gesturing for Rodney to do the same.

Then Harry was treated to the sight of an amazingly fast sword fight between two vampires. If he hadn't been one himself, he knew they would have been nothing but blurs, but thankfully he was one and saw the awesomeness for all it was worth.

I know I know...not a lot happened but it's all going to lead to something I won't say anything I don't want to spoil it for you :D In other words it's not just a filler chapter :) Well, there we go! another chapter out, I know I'm not posting as much these days but RL just has a habit of getting in the way, I do try to get out as much as I can though! None of my stories are being abandoned either, it's just going to take a little more time to get them all out that's all! I'll try to refrain from posting more stories! At least a few are almost done so there is that :) less to keep up with! Read and Review please!