It had been three days since the last of the order had been killed.
Haylan and Blaise had decided to combine their public wedding with Blaise's coronation much to the chagrin of their relatives. But they wanted to get the public events over with so they could just have some time alone together.
Since they were already married they were getting ready together and Blaise was finally getting to do what he had wanted to do for months. Blaise was getting to play with and braid Haylan's gorgeous red curly hair. Haylan had never had anyone so excited to handle the chaos that was his hair so he happily left it to Blaise. Haylan's eyes were closed as he enjoyed the intimacy of his husband's hands in his hair.
"Haylan?" Blaise's voice pulled Haylan from his quiet meditation.
"Yes, my love?" Haylan hummed.
"Do you regret killing Granger?" Blaise seemed hesitant but curious. "She used to be your best friend."
"Hmmm… My feelings about Hermione are complicated. I regret what she could have been. I befriended a bright young witch willing to lie to authority to protect her friends. As the years passed she refused to integrate herself in any form of wizarding culture, clinging to her muggle beliefs to the point they blinded her." Haylan explained. "She could have been one of the wizarding world's greatest minds. What she became in the end due to Dumbledore's influence and her own prejudice is just a waste of talent and magic."
"Why didn't you tell her who you were? I thought for sure you would. They were going to die anyway so there isn't a danger of your past getting out."
Haylan chuckled but it was a bitter sound. "I thought about it. To see how she would react to her old best friend having become the person she was trying to malign, but in the end, she isn't worth it."
"What do you mean?" Blaise was confused.
"Harry Potter is my past. I am not that boy she knew. I am a stranger and I do not owe her anything. She will learn the truth in her death but I do not need to see the perceived betrayal on her face. I don't owe her anything nor does she deserve the time. Especially after Remus told us how she drugged him with liquid imperio."
Blaise couldn't help but be amazed by his husband. He leaned down and kissed the top of his head. "I love you."
"I love you too my darling. Now hurry up, I am looking forward to showing the world that you are mine forever."
Haylan stood in the great hall in front of Merlin knows how many people, dressed in his official Caliban black robes with purple and silver trimming as well as his black and white opal crown that Blaise had insisted he wear.
Blaise stood in front of Haylan, holding hands with his husband, dressed in the Zabini green robes with gold trim. Blaise wouldn't receive his crown until the coronation after the wedding, but Blaise didn't care. Haylan in his crown made Blaise's mouth salivate.
The ceremony they chose for the public was simple and plain. They had already professed their love intimately in front of the gods, their citizens would be fine with the normal ceremony.
The officiant wrapped the woven ribbon rope around their hands as they pledged their devotion and love to each other, magic sparking around them even with the simple vows.
"In the joining of hands and the fashion of a knot, so are your lives now bound, one to another. May you forever be one, sharing in all things, in love and loyalty for all time to come. These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow and tears of joy. These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children. May this cord draw your hands together in love, never to be used in anger. May this knot remain tied for as long as love shall last. You may kiss your husband." The officiant finally declared and Blaise eagerly kissed Haylan causing their nearby family to chuckle. Haylan had never smiled so much in his life and he couldn't wait to see what other joys Blaise brought into his life.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, Wixen and Beings alike. On behalf of the House of Caliban, I would like to thank you for joining us for the official coronation of Lord Blaise Caliban, Lord Zabini, Consort Caliban, and now to be crowned Emperor." Sirius announced across the hall that had been transformed from their wedding ceremony to their normal throne hall, just as he had for Haylan's coronation back in August. "Without further ado, please welcome Emperor Lord Haylan Caliban and his husband Emperor-to-be Lord Blaise Caliban."
They stepped into the hall, holding hands, as they made their way to stand in front of the now two thrones in the front of the hall. Blaise was no longer in the colors of the House of Zabini, his robes had been changed to ones matching Haylans, black with violet trim making Blaise look rather intimidating standing next to his husband.
The applause in the cavernous room was almost deafening but everyone was quickly quieted as Haylan and Blaise took their places and faced their people.
"I would like to thank everyone for not only attending our wedding but also my husband's coronation as Blaise takes his rightful place next to me on the throne," Haylan spoke in a tone that carried easily and almost vibrated with power. Haylan then turned and faced his husband, a fond smile on his face.
"Do you Lord Blaise Caliban swear to uphold the will of both Lady Magic and Lord Death?"
"I, Blaise Caliban, do swear to uphold the will of both Lady Magic and Lord Death. I swear to aid my husband, Haylan Caliban, in bringing the wizarding world into a new, brighter, and more prosperous age. I swear I will be the mercy to my husband's vengeance, and the healing rain after his storm. So I say, so mote it be." Blaise's voice held a power it hadn't before, strong and confident in his vow and his place by his husband's side.
"As the voice of Lady Magic and the hand of Lord Death I accept your vow and do declare you Emperor Lord Blaise Caliban," Haylan announced with a wide grin as he presented Blaise's crown to place on his head. It had taken Haylan weeks to finally decide on a design for Blaise's crown, but he was rather pleased with what he had made. Almost identical in shape the only difference in Blaise's crown was the type of opals encrusted in the metal. While Haylan sported a distinct look of black and white opals, he had made Blaise's crown with a mixture of blue, purple, and white opals.
Blaise had brought color and meaning into Haylan's life so his crown reflected that.
Seeing Blaise in his official Caliban robes and the crown on his head, Haylan finally understands Blaise's obsession with Haylan and his crown. Blaise looked powerful and sexy and Haylan really wanted to ride him on one of their thrones.
But that would have to wait until later.
There was a celebration to see to first.
It was the eve of Yule. It had been ten weeks since Blaise and Haylan had privately gotten married, nine weeks since they had dealt with both the Spanish Monarchy and the Order, and eight weeks since their public wedding and Blaise's coronation.
After all of the chaos since Haylan had been reintroduced to society the last two months had been suspiciously peaceful and blissfully calm.
Blaise took to ruling like a duck to water. Something about Slytherin and pureblood politics paving the way for politics on a grander scale.
In the last two months, Sirius had also walked in on Haylan and Blaise having sex an unfortunate number of times. This was the reason that Haylan and Blaise were currently standing inside a gorgeous villa on the coast of Italy. After being attacked at Haylan's private home on the Isle of Mallorca in Spain, they had refused to return for security purposes. But Castle Caliban was really not the place to be living in full-time, especially as newlyweds.
So they finally found a place, as a mutual Yule gift to each other, to call their private home and warded it to hell and back. It would be easier to break into Gringotts than their house at this point. Haylan refused to chill on any kind of security measure since Blaise's kidnapping. Blaise loved him all the more for it.
Unfortunately for their Yule plans, Haylan had spent the last two weeks throwing up and it was really beginning to worry Blaise.
"My love, it is time we called Goldvein. This is not a mere stomach virus at this point." Blaise said quietly as he wiped a cold cloth over Haylan's flushed face. They were both sitting in front of the toilet on the cold tile floors as Haylan hummed in agreement.
"Floo call Goldvein, but do not contact the rest of the family yet. I will stay here and continue to worship the toilet gods and beg for mercy on my stomach." Haylan bemoaned causing Blaise to chuckle softly.
Blaise quickly made his way to the fireplace to call Goldvein after Haylan started another round of retching. It didn't take long for the connection to be established, and Goldvein's face appeared in the flames.
"My Lords, what seems to be the problem?" Goldvein inquired, already concerned about the state of his favorite patients.
"Haylan has been throwing up for the last two weeks, and I fear it's more than just a stomach virus," Blaise explained, his tone laced with worry.
Goldvein's expression turned serious. "I will come at once. Hold on, my Lords." And with that, the flames flickered and died.
Blaise placed a hand on Haylan's back, rubbing soothing circles as they waited for Goldvein's arrival. It didn't take long, and soon Goldvein was kneeling beside Haylan, casting diagnostic spells.
"Ah, yes, I see the problem now," Goldvein murmured, his expression thoughtful. "Haylan, my dear, you're pregnant."
It took a moment for the words to sink in, but once they did, Haylan's eyes widened in shock. "Pregnant? Are you certain?"
Goldvein nodded with a smile. "Positive. Congratulations."
Before Haylan had a chance to try to freak out over being pregnant at only 17, Blaise fainted, body hitting the ground with a loud thud. Goldvein quickly checked on Blaise, using his wand to cast several spells to determine the cause of his fainting. After a few moments, Goldvein let out a sigh of relief. "He's just overwhelmed with emotion. It's not uncommon for male partners to faint when they find out their significant other is pregnant."
Haylan chuckled weakly, still in shock at the news. "I suppose that's one way to put it."
Goldvein helped Haylan to his feet and guided him to a nearby couch. "Now, let's talk about your options. You're still very young, and being pregnant at such a young age can be risky. However, with the proper care and attention, you and your child will be just fine."
Haylan nodded, taking in the information. He knew he had a lot to consider and plan for, but for the time being, he was just happy and a little scared to be starting a family with the love of his life. Blaise eventually came to, and while he was still a little overwhelmed, he was excited about the news of their impending parenthood.
Later after Goldvein left, as they sat together on the couch, holding hands and discussing their future as parents, Haylan couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of love for his husband. He knew they were going to struggle with both raising a child and stabilizing their rule over the Empire, but it was a challenge that Haylan was looking forward to and knew he could handle as long as Blaise was by his side.
Haylan could do anything as long as Blaise was with him.
This was just the first chapter in their lives together, so much more was to come and Haylan couldn't wait to see what the future would bring.
Sirius was going to lose his shit when he found out though.
The End
For Now...