I have no idea why this took so long to edit, It's been ready since Saturday :/
Anyway, it's a good thing, because I had the inspiration to add an extra scene which wasn't planned ^-^
I managed to hit 4k words~ The next chapter has been started, and the chapter after that actually has more since it was the original chapter 23. I managed to create another chapter in between, which is happening more often now that I'm planning far ahead in detail- I'm up to chapter 45 or so :)
10th October 1998
Planning a wedding was one of the most exhausting things Harry had ever done. There was so much to do and think about, from the guest list, down to how many golden stitches his tailors could get away with on his ceremonial robes.
The worst were the fittings he had to go to constantly, at first for the detailed and multi-layered robes, then for the many pieces of jewellery such as emerald earrings and hair adornments, and finally for his Concubine crown. It was silver and small, embedded with little emeralds that shone even in dim light, but it was beautiful and intricate all the same, and Harry was in awe of it every time he glimpsed it.
Every official spouse of the Emperor got one when they became a Concubine, and for every rank they ascended, they got another with stones that matched their new rank. He had spotted Noble Consort Evangeline's orange topaz one in the Hall of Worship when he visited a while back, its surface still as shiny and unblemished as the day it was made. It had never been worn, after all.
What furthered his exhaustion was the constant invites from other concubines he was receiving. He had met with Nobles Cedric, Jasmine, and Erin for Tea on the third after receiving three eager invites, their time spent gossiping and cooing over his and the Emperor's supposed 'whirlwind romance'. Then, he had strolled uncomfortably with Consort Bellatrix and Concubine Alecto on the fourth around the Pavillion of Raining Flowers, talking only when spoken to as the pair walked ahead.
On the sixth, Harry had had an incredibly awkward lunch with Concubine Patricia, Noble Lukas and Consort Penny, an unlikely trio that got along surprisingly well. On the seventh, Concubines Regulus and Felix invited him for tea at the same time, so he had invited them both to his garden, and their time together was tolerable.
He'd been surprised, yesterday, to have been invited to have lunch with Dahlia, Daphne, and Theodore. Harry had used his new powers as a Concubine to refuse that, now being two ranks instead of one higher than them all, sensing that the invite wasn't done out of the goodness of their hearts. And that Dahlia and Daphne were likely more than a little bitter about the demand they had to fulfil in another week's time, which Harry wouldn't put past them to try something.
However, he couldn't quite avoid the summons from Consort Isla an hour later, so they spent the afternoon in companionable silence, reading in her garden. It was a confusing few hours, but Harry was glad there hadn't been a verbal spat between them as he had been expecting or any uncomfortable questions.
Today, once again, a maid arrived at his doors with a request for Tea, this time from Concubine Cordelia.
Harry felt trepidation. He and Cordelia definitely hadn't had a neutral relationship, especially since her daughter's birthday last year when she'd openly disparaged him, and he would even go as far as to say that it'd been antagonistic. Harry did not trust the woman, and the other Concubine looked down on him for reasons he couldn't gather.
He dressed in a simple, black, and green robe, foregoing any hair adornments that Amari wished to put on him but allowing other jewellery such as simple earrings and bracelets. Harry didn't want to set her off, not today when he was already having such an exhausting time.
Damn the Emperor for promoting him so suddenly. Harry had wanted a summer wedding.
He headed for her palace, the Palace of Brilliant Charm, which she had moved into after her formal promotion. It was a beautiful, spacious place that drew a sound of amazement from him. He'd soon be moving into somewhere similar, out of the eleven currently uninhabited Concubine Palaces. The gardens, where they were set to have Tea, were equally as beautiful, even in the barrenness of Autumn.
The maid who had come calling led him and Anya, who he'd brought along as usual, to the centre of the garden where Cordelia was sitting primly, sipping a cup of tea.
She seemed in her element, poised and elegant in her sage green robes that brought out the blue of her eyes and the golden hue of her hair. She made Harry feel plain in comparison as he bowed his head slightly.
They were of the same rank now, but he was still a newcomer compared to the woman who had spent sixteen years at his Majesty's side.
"Concubine Slytherin-Rosenberg, thank you for inviting me for tea."
The woman looked up at him, blue eyes cool and searching, roving over his outfit, and nodded her head. "Thank you for coming." She replied curtly. "Please, call me Sister, we are both His Majesty's official spouses together now, after all."
Harry smiled at her stiffly in response, sitting down as Anya pulled out the chair opposite. "Of course, Sister. Then you should also call me casually."
She observed him as he shuffled, thanking her maid for pouring him tea, and settled into his seat. "How are you finding being a Concubine so far, Brother? It has been over a week now since His Majesty so graciously promoted you."
"I haven't noticed much difference, honestly, but I suppose I'm yet to have an official ceremony."
She hummed. "Ah yes, you've yet to move into your new Palace. Have you been informed which it is to be yet?"
"The Palace of Radiant Allure. I'm fortunate, it is quite near the Meeting Hall, so I won't have to travel far in the mornings."
"I am jealous, my Palace is quite the trek, but I suppose it leads me past His Majesty's Palace, so I may have the honour of seeing him in the mornings." She snapped her fingers then, startling Harry, who jumped slightly. "Margaret, we need more pastries, go and get some," Cordelia ordered the maid who had brought him to the gardens, and she bowed lowly.
"Yes, Your Highness."
Her departure left him and Cordelia with only Anya for company, and Harry realised why when she leaned forward, clasping her hands on the table as she observed him neutrally.
"Have you tested for pregnancy yet, Brother?"
Harry froze, before continuing to sip his tea, taking a moment to compose himself before placing his cup back on its saucer. "I have not."
The woman eyed him stonily. "You should as soon as possible. There is a high chance that any child you produce with His Majesty will be magical, as you both come from magical lineages, and the magic of the baby might react negatively to your own as it develops. Monitoring would be needed then." She stated. "It happened to me when I was pregnant with my daughter, but the issue was fortunately resolved."
Harry was surprised that she offered such information so readily. "Thank you for your advice, Sister. I will do so, although perhaps not until after the wedding."
She hummed, still regarding him disapprovingly. "I want the best for His Majesty and his children, even those who haven't yet been born or may not exist."
Harry blinked at that, tilting his head slightly. He caught her eye, and she held contact for a few moments, before looking away. He saw the sincerity of her words in her eyes and their intention.
She was trying to tell him something.
Perhaps, had Harry been wrong in his assuming that she was the perpetrator of Jasmine's, and possibly Erin's miscarriages?
15th October 1998
Finally, the big day was upon him, and Harry couldn't feel more conflicted.
This was what he'd been aiming for- Being the Emperor's legal spouse. Gaining more power. Attaining more favour. Ascending in the ranks. All, to protect his family.
Yet, as Harry stared at himself in the floor-length mirror, watching as his new dark green robes swished gently around his form and green emeralds twinkled from the crown on his head, all he saw was a stranger. A little boy, playing dress up in clothes much too expensive and far too detailed to flatter his still developing form. A young adult, still lanky, wearing robes with room to fill. A cunning lion dressed up as a snake, an oddity that startled and confused him.
His eyes were gleaming as they'd never done before, emerald- no, Avada Kedavra green and practically glowing despite the brightness of the room. The colour left him gasping, and he approached the mirror, bringing one hand up to stroke over the reflection's image.
This is what he had been aiming for, for himself more than anything else, and he preened under the sharp gaze reflected back at him.
Harry looked powerful, and he was almost breathless in anticipation of the future. What it would hold, he didn't know, but fortune was telling him it would be fulfilling.
"Mum, Dad!" Harry breathlessly exclaimed as he spotted his parents entering the room, his Mum's fiery red colour and Dad's mop hard to miss.
He was engulfed in a firm, warm hug from his dad, who pressed his face onto Harry's shoulder. It was with a pang that Harry realised he had grown much taller since their last meeting, now the same height as James rather than at his eye line.
His Mum's hug was equally as warm as she gently held him, carefully keeping a little distance between them so as not to squash the little girl in her arms. He stared at her, and she stared right back with wide, doe-like eyes the same shade as their fathers. They had obviously darkened over the past few months, but her bright hair remained the same shade from birth.
Lily noticed his attention elsewhere, and pulled back, a bright smile on her face as she looked down indulgingly at her daughter when she made a questioning noise.
"Say hello to your big brother, Flo."
His little sister stared up at him curiously with round eyes, reaching out with one chubby fist to wrap around the lapel of his robe. He chuckled wetly, sniffing slightly to hold back the tears that wanted to escape. "Hiya." He whispered gently, cooing as she smiled up at him gummily. "She's so sweet." He aimed at his mum, who was watching their first interaction fondly.
"She is, she's just like you when you were little. Flo," She called out, and the girl turned her head to stare at her. "This is Harry, your brother. You remember me telling you all about him, right?"
The girl blinked a few times, before turning back to him with a gummy smile. "Hawwy!"
He chuckled at her lisp, gently brushing back her red locks when they fell on her face. Harry lifted his head to say something to his Mum, the smile falling at the serious expression on his parents' faces.
"Harry, you know that we're very proud and grateful for you, right? What you've done, I doubt many children would. Although we may not... approve of the Emperor wholeheartedly, we are proud of what you have accomplished. That's why, I want you to have this." His dad passed him a small, black box, their family sigil engraved on its lid.
With trembling hands, already having guessed what was in the box, Harry pried it open and stared back at the simple ring within. He stroked its silver surface gently, feeling the engraving of antlers that were wrapped around its band. It was the Potter Family's Heir ring, which his dad had been holding on to until the time was 'right'.
Harry looked up at him, his heart swelling at the love in their eyes. "Can you put it on for me?"
"Of course," Carefully, James plucked the ring from its cushion and slid it onto Harry's hand, holding it softly for a few moments, before letting it drop. Harry brought his hand up to his face to observe the way the small, red gemstones within glittered.
"Thank you, Dad. Mum."
James cleared his throat, shifting. "Sirius is also going to give you the Black family's heir ring today when he sees you next. It goes on top of our one since you're Potter by blood. Needs to be closer to you than the other." He breathed in deeply. "I'm proud of you, Harry. Do our family name proud."
Before the formalities began, there was time to socialise briefly without the Emperor present, the hour left open for the Lords, Ladies and Ministry Officials to greet the Emperor's newest official spouse. It was then that Harry first saw Hermione in over a year as she wandered over, bowing to him.
Harry went to give her a hug, but she stepped back, dodging the embrace.
Instead, she greeted him stoically. "Your Highness, it's an honour to meet you again."
"Hermione?" He questioned, hurt.
She met his eyes, full of regret and pleading, and Harry glanced around the room, finally spotting the stares directed at them, or more specifically, Hermione.
Some were leant close to each other, hands covering their mouths conspicuously as they whispered, their jeers clear in their eyes. He looked closer and saw how venomous some of the stares were, drawing his attention back to where Hermione was twirling her hair nervously.
He drew in a breath of realisation. "It's good to meet you again as well, Miss Granger."
Her eyes softened, filled with so much love that Harry felt content to let her walk past him as she offered a final, deep bow, and another eager guest took her place.
"Your Highness, it is an honour-"
He swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat heavily and plastered on a smile.
The walk to the dais was suffocating, so many scrutinising eyes upon him, dissecting his every twitch and glance, noting even the way he blinked up at the Emperor's form, who looked stunning. The man was wearing obsidian robes, shot through with streaks of green and silver, his head adorned with a crown- far more bejewelled than his own, but still managing to not look gaudy.
Thomas smiled down at him slightly, nothing more than a subtle twitch of his lips, but it relaxed Harry, nonetheless.
He came to a stop at the bottom of the steps, and knelt, bowing his head before the man who was about to become his husband. "Your Majesty, I greet you today as your Concubine, Concubine Slytherin-Potter-Black. It is a title that I receive with the greatest honour, and thank His Majesty for the promotion into the ranks of his official spouses."
The Officiant began. "We are gathered today in the presence of His Majesty, The Supreme Emperor of The Great Slytherin Dynasty, and His Highness, Concubine Potter-Black-"
Thomas stood from his throne, holding out a gloved hand, and Harry climbed the steps until he was standing on the dais as well. He looked up at the Emperor, meeting his burning eyes, before turning his attention to the Eunuch who was officiating again. He had nearly reached the end whilst Harry was entranced.
"I declare you, husband to His Imperial Majesty Emperor Slytherin, Concubine Harrison James Slytherin-Potter-Black. May you serve your role as Concubine well and uphold His Majesty's will through yourself until forever more."
Harry drew in a deep breath, closing his eyes for a moment before opening them to stare sincerely into burning scarlet. "Before the Emperor, my fellow Brothers and Sisters, and the citizens of this great Empire, I promise that I will uphold my duty as Concubine to the highest degree. I promise my life to serve the Emperor, and to ensure his reign will be a great one, remembered until the end of time. I swear this in the name of Black, most Ancient and Noble, and that of my blood, the Noble House of Potter." He bowed lowly, clasping his hands in front of him as his magic rippled with the vow.
"Blessings to the Emperor, blessings to Concubine Slytherin-Potter-Black." At his fellow concubine's chorus, Harry looked up once again, meeting the eyes of his husband. Thomas was staring down at him as well, a possessive gleam in his eyes, smugness practically radiating from his form. It made the corner of Harry's mouth tug up into a small smirk, matched by the man's answering one.
The ride back to the Emperor's Palace was a pleasant one, silent but comfortable. Harry glanced at the Emperor, now officially his husband, occasionally, admiring his strong jawline and bright eyes, observing the way the slight wind ruffled his hair until it was the perfect amount of windswept to look seductive.
Harry let his mind wander in the silence, thinking back on their ceremony. It had been shorter than he thought it would be from all that had happened, only lasting under an hour before the Emperor stated that they would be heading to his Palace.
He had seen his family in the crowd, quite near the front, with Sirius and Remus sitting next to them. Sirius looked more put together than Harry had seen him in a long time, and Remus looked livelier, his cheeks finally having filled out. Even his parents, who had always tried their hardest not to show how society's scorn got to them, looked brighter.
It relieved him to see the results of his hard work firsthand.
"Harry, we have arrived." A delicate shake to his shoulder brought him out of his thoughts, and he glanced up at the Emperor, who was staring down at him softly. "Are you ready to go in?"
"Um, yeah, sure."
The door to the sedan popped open, a Eunuch standing on the other side, bowing when the Emperor stood. "Your Majesty, Your Highness." Thomas, paying no attention to the man, stepped out, turning back to hold out a hand to Harry with a soft smile.
Harry gently took it, allowing the man to help him out of the sedan, and then lead him up the steps and into the Palace whilst still holding it. Harry huddled closer to him as the personnel of the Palace, awaiting the Emperor's return, stared at their joint hands unabashedly.
"Are my quarters prepared?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. We replaced the bedding as you asked."
Thomas hummed, showing no more attention to the maid as he turned back to Harry. "I noticed that you ask for the softer blankets, so I thought you'd appreciate the change."
"You didn't have to, Your Majesty, but I appreciate the thought."
He received a toothy smirk in response as he tugged him forward. "I did not, but I did so anyway." Behind them, the doors slammed shut, leaving them alone in the bedroom. Harry blushed as the Emperor beelined for the bed, sitting down on it whilst Harry still stood. His eyes were serious. "Have you had a healer check you for pregnancy after we spent the night together?"
Harry fiddled with his fingers awkwardly. "Not yet. I-I kind of forgot? But then Sister Cordelia reminded me, but I didn't want the result to distract me from today, so..."
Thomas stared up at him with smouldering eyes, amusement dancing in them. "Then, perhaps now would be the time to try once again?"
This time, Harry didn't shy away as Thomas' hands began to wander, simply basking in the attention he was being shown.
16th October 1998
Harry was shown to his new, private palace in the morning, the Palace of Radiant Allure. It was much closer to the Meeting Hall and to the centre of the Court, where the Emperor's Palace was situated.
It was an exceptionally beautiful Palace, only a single floor yet more extensive than his rooms in the Palace of Noble Handsomeness doubly. It was designed to replicate the infrastructure of the Forbidden Palace, perhaps an amusing decision on the Emperor's part. The Court was, after all, his own version of the walled city the old Chinese Emperors had used for their own Harems.
The Palace was not like his previous one, instead a collection of buildings connected with hallways and bridges rather than a single building. Harry walked up to its front entryway in awe, glancing appreciatively at the decorations that adorned even its doorstep.
His Palace was close to Felix's one, within the same group of Concubine Palace's that made up the South-East portion of the Court. There were four in each section, rounding at sixteen in total, to prevent an over-indulgence of promotion. Once the spots were filled, either someone had to be promoted or demoted. Not that the Emperor was anywhere close to that happening.
Anya held open the door for him to enter, and he did so with a sigh of awe, craning his neck to look at all the detail that covered the ceilings and walls. A slight noise to his left had his neck snapping in that direction.
With his promotion to Concubine, came the addition of more maids. One of his own, sent by his family, and two assigned by the Palace.
Hannah had yet to arrive, however, his two new maids were standing by a sofa at the side of the entry hall. He stopped dead in his tracks as he spotted them, before schooling his face into a mask of welcomeness.
Harry had seen them before.
They bowed to him deeply, identical down to the way their hair was swept and clipped to the side.
"What are your names?" He asked, despite already knowing. He saw them milling about the Emperor's Palace on occasion, after all.
"I am Enid, Master." The twin on the right spoke, eyes darting up quickly before looking back to the floor. Confident.
"I am Ellie, Your Highness." The twin to the left softly whispered, wringing her hands slightly. Demure.
His lip ticked up. "It is nice to meet you. What jobs do you both tend to?"
"Ellie tends to the gardens, Master, whilst I am more suited towards textiles and general chores."
"Perfect, then I hope I can rely on you, Ellie, to make my new garden beautiful, and for Enid to assure that my wardrobe is up to my new Status' standard.
"Leave it to me, Master."
"I will do as you say, Your Highness."
They exited the room as he dismissed them, and Harry let out a heavy, exhausted sigh as he sat heavily on the sofa. Only his personal maids were present to see the way he let his guard down and relaxed into the plush pillows. He slung an arm over his eyes and closed them.
"Wake me up if I'm needed."
"Yes, Master."
Extra Scene: 15th October- Penny's POV
"-I greet you today as your Concubine, Concubine Slytherin-Potter-Black-"
Penny observed the scene in front of her with gleaming eyes, watching as one of her newest Brothers knelt demurely at the foot of the dais. She took in the way his robes flattered his Elfin form, the way his crown glittered with diamonds none of theirs held, and how the Emperor received his words with a pleased smirk.
He stood then, an imposing figure that drew the hall's attention with every shift of his black robes. The Emperor held out a gloved hand, staring down at the boy at his feet with far more tenderness than Penny had seen directed at any of them, even herself, the proclaimed favourite.
She frowned as her hackles rose defensively, chiding herself to abate such an action.
The boy was not a threat to her, he was simply a passing fancy. As soon as a child was born from their union, the Emperor would lose interest as he had to the majority of his Harem. Only a chosen few, herself included, were favoured enough to bear another.
Penny relaxed back into her seat, icily observing as the pair stared at each other, ambition meeting obsession.
She would have her husband back soon enough. She needed her fourth child before she, too, was cast aside.
Word Count: 4k
Last Updated: 3/05/23
I know some people want some detail into Harry and Tom's... private time, but that takes guts to post and I'm currently short on them :)
Anyway, if you want regular updates on how the next chapter[s] are coming along, want reference photos for robes and crowns and stuff like that, or want to participate in polls that I post from time to time, follow my Twitter ^-^: xStrawberry_Jam
Anyway, I think I might manage to get another chapter out before my exams start, and then I'll see how things go once they begin and how that'll affect my schedule ^-^ Thanks for reading~