Prince Consort

Chapter 29

"Right on time," Severus commented as Harry made his way through the lab door, what also surprised Severus was the fact Harry looked quite happy, excited really, while he enjoyed brewing himself, he hadn't been excited about potions for a long time now. He had set everything up for their lesson, well, except from the ingredients he wanted to test Harry and see just how good he actually was. He was also very pleased that Harry was taking this seriously; he knew Slughorn tended to be less strict and honestly didn't care much unless he felt they were going places. Admittedly Harry had been asked to attend, but he had refused due to the fact his friend Theodore hadn't been invited.

"So, what are we brewing?" Harry asked, peering up at Severus curiously, feeling a bit cautious, Severus' warning ringing in his ears, but he was also determined to prove that he was good at potions brewing.

"I have decided upon brewing Veritaserum, no doubt you know about it, but for the sake of the conversation, tell me what you know," Severus stated, seeing the way Harry straightened up he realized his consort had taken it as a challenge.

"It's a truth potion, one of the strongest ones known to Wizardkind, no matter how powerful you are you'll end up spilling your guts after consuming it. To make it even harder…its damn near impossible to detect. It's not only colorless but odorless…it's practically water. It's supposed to be 'strictly regulated' by the Ministry of magic," Harry rolled his eyes here, showing just what he thought of the Ministry itself. "It's difficult to brew, requiring an advanced level of competence; the potion takes one lunar phase to complete though, which is twenty-eight days."

Severus nodded, giving Harry a look for him to continue, very grateful that Harry was not repeating the words directly from a book but giving his own clear concise answers.

Harry blinked in surprise before continuing on what he knew about the potion, "Veritaserum was used by the Ministry during court cases, but not so much anymore since people can fight the potion, which sort of defeats the purpose and people thought it was unfair. Now the wizards in the Wizengamot don't really trust its effects anymore. Then there is the fact that people can only repeat the truth as they know it, between memory altercation, their own belief and many other ways…its not one hundred percent effective."

"And you believe that?" Severus asked genuinely curious to know what he believed.

"For the most part, yes, but I do think that if they had someone who could ask the right questions…an expert in interrogation the results might prove very conclusive." Harry answered grinning wryly. "Unless it's information hidden under the Fidelius Charm, now that sort of information cannot be coerced out of someone."

Severus couldn't say he was surprised by that, there was little doubt in his mind that Harry had searched high and low or all information whenever Remus had told him the truth. "When did Remus tell you about it?"

"You mean the Fidelius Charm?" Harry queried, "When I met him," it was a good job he did; Harry wouldn't have forgiven Remus for keeping it a secret. He had been quite untrusting then as it was, but young enough to desire something more than he had - even if he had tried to test them, push them away in a bid to protect his fragile heart from further heartache when they finally left him.

Severus nodded, giving a few respectful seconds of silence due to the subject matter, before turning the conversation back to its original purpose, "Do you know the ingredients in the potion by heart?"

"Um…maybe?" Harry said it sounded more of a question than an answer. "I'm not 100% sure," he wasn't going to say yes and embarrass himself by being unable to do it.

Severus nodded, "Very well then," he told Harry, never having to speak more than a whisper. "Go and retrieve the ingredients you think belong in the potion," it wasn't as if this was a wasted exercise, you did have to memorise every single ingredient that goes into each potion correctly during exams. Sitting himself on the stool, finding himself surprisingly at ease, perhaps his worries of being a bit overwhelming to his consort was for naught. Only time would tell though, since it was early in the lesson.

Harry returned five minutes later with vials and spread them out, mentally calculating if he was right before he glanced at Severus in expectation, wondering if he had gotten it right or not. Two red vials of Ptolemy (one per potion), powdered moonstone, Adders Fork, Jobberknoll feathers, and of course Sopophorous beans.

"Well done," Severus murmured impressed, he had remembered everything.

Harry grinned almost preening in delight at having Severus' praise, especially considering it was definitely earned.

"Right, first things first, be very cautious, this potion is very delicate, the slightest mistake will cause an explosion," Severus warned, although it would do nothing but deafen them for a few hours and maybe a few aches and pains as they're blasted off their feet, nothing serious. It wouldn't have caused any more danger even if they were human.

"Why did you choose this one instead of Wolfsbane potion?" Harry asked him, knowing it had been one of the potions he was contemplating.

"You do want Remus to stop taking it don't you?" Severus asked dryly, giving him a pointed look as he poured water into the iron cauldron, before lighting a flame under it, absently dividing the ingredients out until they both had exactly the right amount each while he waited on the cauldrons to begin simmering.

"I'd prefer if all werewolves stopped taking it, it decreases their life expectancy by half!" Harry admitted darkly, he was so grateful that it was difficult to brew so that not as many people could get their hands on it. He feared though that attempts were being made with the potion incorrectly brewed causing more damage with a more potent version of the Wolfsbane (in the plant) being accidentally created in the potion.

Severus disagreed with that, accidents happen, and werewolves should take precautions, especially if they were near children or other humans. It was why he was so adamant about sending it to Remus when he realized who his mate was and where he spent his time. If they were secured properly, then he was all for them not taking the potion due to the side effects as Harry said. They were creatures, they had a right to be proud of their heritage and lives, not forced to live according to the Ministry's regulations. He certainly would loathe if someone insisted he had to consume potions to 'keep his blood lust in check' so to speak.

In silence they worked together, or rather Severus was ahead by a few minutes; Harry watched and copied his movements exactly. Pouring in the Ptolemy in an anti-clockwise motion and allowed it to simmer for ten minutes. Once that was done, they began to slowly add ten ounces of powdered moonstone putting in a spoonful and waiting until it dissolved thoroughly before adding another - Severus quietly informing Harry of this stage since he couldn't just copy it like the Ptolemy vial. To his immense satisfaction so far Harry was doing exceedingly well.

Harry carefully sliced the Adder Fork tongue in half as Severus had done before dropping them into the cauldron. As soon as they did that, the heat was then turned up so that the potion could begin properly boiling. "Drop the feathers into the cauldron, stirring clockwise between each feather, do not wait to long between each drop," he told Harry, he could get used to this, spending time with Harry without anyone around, and just doing an activity they both liked without needing to talk about things constantly. He'd never been very good a conversationalist but he was persevering.

Harry nodded, beginning to add the Jobberknoll feathers into the potion, stirring clockwise one single time before repeating the process eleven more times until all twelve feathers had dissolved into the potion. "As soon as it starts boiling, remove the cauldron from the flames. Then quickly crush the beans with the flat of your silver knife and add them to the cauldron."

If Harry hadn't been aware of the benefit of crushing the beans as apposed to cutting he would have asked why crush them, but he knew it made a more potent potion in the long run. Not just in Veritaserum either but all potions that require Sopophorous beans. The Half-Blood Prince (Severus' book) had been the reason he had gotten so good at potions, it leads him to question the ingredients and the way he could make his potions better instead of just going with the recipe. He was so glad he constantly read ahead, he'd had the book for ages.

Harry glanced between both potions nodded in confirmation that he'd done well, he was glad, the last thing he wanted to do was embarrass himself after telling Severus he was good.

"Now all that is required is for it to cool down, then strain it and leave it until the full moon before exposing it to moon light," Severus said in satisfaction.

"And if it's cloudy then the potions efficiency will suffer to a certain degree," Harry finished with an accomplished smirk.

"Indeed," Severus murmured his agreement.

The feeling of the door being knocked on washed over them, despite not hearing a single thing due to the wards surrounding the area.

Severus groaned and sighed resignedly, flicking his wand and opening the door, "Yes?" he asked, wondering what Alfred wanted that couldn't wait.

"You have received word, the clan wishes to meet you on their territory," Alfred informed Severus sombrely.

"Excuse me?" Severus asked his eyes narrowed in contemplation and heavy dose of suspicion.

"They say due to political upheaval they cannot risk leaving their territory," Alfred elaborated further, "They need to make alliances fast, lest they risk those from Spain and France encroaching on their territory," and they had absolutely nobody else to help them, they were quite boxed in by both France and Spain, Portugal had a decent sized coven but nothing on both France and Spain's creature royalty.

"Who are you talking about?" Harry asked curiously, glancing between both of them.

"Portugal, a clan called Santos, they're the equivalent of the Prince clan, royalty, we already have alliances with France and Spain," Alfred explained, as he always did for Harry when something came up he knew nothing about.

"So why the caution and suspicion?" Harry asked shrewdly.

"They've very…brazen, take risks that most other clans do not dare, they've been at war with the Garcia clan for generations, now that the Durand clan and Garcia clan made their peace, I believe they fear being taken over and are willing to admit defeat to remain seated on the seat of power." Alfred explained, Durand clan was from France of course, and the Garcia clan were from Spain. "They are proposing a marriage between leaders; evidently news of your own marriage has yet to hit them."

Harry froze, anger and insecurity hitting him like a ton of bricks, anger at the call of anyone trying to marry Severus, and he was his! Yet the knowledge that the handfasting was only temporarily made him fear and wonder…what if being mates wasn't enough? What if Severus felt the need to do it to keep the alliance going? What would happen to him? He couldn't even summon up the will to let out a little "Oh," of surprise or understanding, so completely lost in his own miserable thoughts. He didn't want to lose Severus, he really liked him, and he knew he could love him…part of him already did in a way he just didn't want to acknowledge.

Severus scoffed at the very idea of himself marrying merely out of obligation, even without his mate that most assuredly would not have happened. He would never be able to fully trust them, not to stick a knife in his back and kill him to take over both clans. No, he had no desire to even let them think that for a moment. He did however, notice Harry's reaction to their conversation, Alfred did as well. The only problem he had regarding all this was leaving Harry on his own; he wasn't going to bring him into a fraught situation. Not when it could get violent, and these vampires were different from what Harry knew here, he wanted to hide him from the violence despite knowing he could look after himself. He felt extraordinary proud that his mate could defend himself, every time he heard his men talking about it he felt like strutting around like a proud peacock but it wasn't in his nature.

"What would you like to do? Deny their request? Meet in a more neutral ground?" Alfred questioned, knowing that his Lord would consider this urgent news and a reply would be required immediately.

Severus tapped his finger against his chin absently, he would meet with them on their territory, it would show them he was confident, which he was, considering he had an alliance with the other neighbouring countries, they were friends and allies. If they tried anything well, they would find themselves utterly decimated…no annihilated utterly. "No, tell them I will meet with them, but some of my own people will be coming along with the heads of the Garcia and Durand clan."

"I will write out a reply immediately," Alfred answered, glancing at Harry in quiet concern before he bowed to both of them and left the room.

"Harry?" Severus said, clearing his throat loudly to get his attention.

Harry shook himself out of his thoughts, looking up at Severus, an impenetrable mask falling into place, "Yes?" he answered, his tone confident.

"Listen to my heartbeat. You are my mate; you are the only one I want." Severus said openly and honestly, "I would never marry another, especially not for an alliance," he knew his heart didn't miss a beat; hopefully it would be enough to reassure him.

"I never thought otherwise," Harry said, his heart however, did miss a beat revealing his insecurity.

Severus stepped around the workstation and embraced Harry, "You are mine, there will never be another." he insisted, something in him relaxing when Harry melted against him, he had known of course that Harry wasn't as confident and secure in this relationship, mostly due to his upbringing, the damn Dursley's had done a number on him.

"How long will it take for a meeting to be set?" Harry asked his voice slightly muffled from where it was pressed against Severus chest.

"Anywhere from forty-eight hours to a fortnight," Severus revealed, but he didn't think this would take long at all.

"You're not going to let me come are you?" Harry deduced petulantly.

"No," Severus replied without pause, his mate was very smart and aware. "Definitely not, perhaps when the meeting won't be fraught with tension, how about we take a trip sometime to the Garcia clan they will welcome us," in fact they'd be more than welcoming, he got on rather well with the head of the clan.

"I guess," Harry sighed resignedly, "Do they speak English?" he then enquired determinedly.

Severus' lips twitched, "They are fluent in many languages," he explained, "Just as I am,"

"You are? Of course you are," Harry said wryly shaking his head as he reluctantly stepped out of Severus' arms. "Although how you found the time to do that is a complete mystery!"

Severus chuckled, "I had a few years between learning and becoming a leader, it was suggested I learn a few languages to show others that I respect them enough to learn their languages,"

"Yup sounds like something Alfred would do," Harry sniggered in amusement, making a mental note to learn Spanish as soon as possible, especially if he was going to get to meet them. He'd never been anywhere so the prospect of going to Spain was an exciting one.

"How are you feeling?" Severus asked after a few moments of comfortable silence, "I heard that you were going to see Black," he was curious how it went, his people listened to Alfred so the probability of anyone knowing what was happening was slim, still he couldn't help but wonder what had occurred. Harry hadn't seemed even remotely tense upon entering the potions lab.

Harry groaned, "I hate how understanding he was," grumbling under his breath, "He told me just to shout at him, tell him every single thing I thought of him over the years, said it was nothing he hadn't imagined himself already, that he has nightmares. I just couldn't do it, I think it's helped to shift the blame completely where it should have gone…" he was glad for that really, he didn't want to be angry anymore, he wanted to live his life, with Sev and the others.

"Perhaps the calming draughts are working," Severus mused, restoring his emotional balance, he'd still be required to take them for a further few months, even then he'd need to take at least one a day, it didn't help that before it all happened Black had been overly emotional, easily angered. To go so many years forced to conform to Dumbledore's will his emotions had been tapered down and almost as manipulated as his mind.

"Still, of all the people my dad had to mate to it had to be him," Harry sighed, sounding more bitterly amused than angry.

"For those who knew both of them…it's definitely not a surprise," Severus informed him calmly, as he turned back to his workstation, offering Harry a sieve with a bowl attached to save the potion after it had been sieved. "No matter what Black did, Remus forgave him, it was as though he could never stay mad at him, even if Black put him in danger, that should have rung a bell that there was something not quite there." the bond bound as it was, influenced them on an instinctive level, at least Remus, who would be able to sense it whereas Black wouldn't.

Harry listened to Severus, but found he had nothing to say, so he continued to press as much of the remains of the potion through the sieve. Leaving behind the beans and feathers coating it. Once it had been utterly drained, the sieve was removed slowly and set aside on a silver tray. Six vials were then sat in front of him and they slowly poured the Veritaserum from the bowl and into the containers, grasping six corks and working them into the vials sealing it closed for now.

"Set them aside, preferably over there," Severus gestured, where he usually kept the Veritaserum, not that he would ever mistake it for anything else, he was just a creature of habit - literally a creature of habit.

"Okay," Harry agreed, carefully taking hold of both of the wooden vial crate and set them aside exactly where Severus had suggested. "So, what do you think?" he teased, smiling impishly.

Severus chuckled at the look, "You did very well,"

"Does that mean you'll continue the lessons?" Harry queried as he walked back over, unable to completely hide the hopeful look on his face. Other than the interruption from Alfred they'd been alone, secluded, doing something together. He liked it, sure he didn't like potions as much as Sev, he had no plans on being a potions master but what he did want to do required a lot of knowledge on potions and Herbology.

"Definitely," Severus agreed without pause, he didn't care if it took up more of his time, he'd enjoyed this past hour with his mate, and Harry had displayed a strong desire to please him - it wasn't anything he'd seen from Harry before - he was either becoming more comfortable or he was unaware of his desires to please his mate…it could even be the creature side of him wanting to prove himself a good mate. The fact that he hadn't felt the need to correct Harry even once was refreshing, he was good at it, and that was an added incentive to see how far he could push him in the art of potion brewing.

Harry grinned very pleased with the outcome, he had known he'd be a good student, he was glad he had encouraged Severus to at least try. "I think you would have made an excellent teacher."

"Hardly," Severus muttered, knowing his own strengths and weaknesses, teaching students would be an utter nightmare, hell he'd been frustrated with his classmates when he was a student with their inadequacy, the constant need to follow recipes completely, to their inability to properly prepare the ingredients. He had done everything himself not even letting his lab partner contribute.

Harry cocked his head to the side, Severus would know best whether he would or not he supposed. "Will you tell me more about the Santos vampires?"

"Later, perhaps, your friends are waiting for you I believe," Severus said, sensing them as he did with all his other people within the radius of the wards he had up to protect his home.

"Oh, yeah, I forgot about that," Harry exclaimed sheepishly, "I'll see you at dinner?"

"You will," Severus promised.

"Alright, bye!" with that Harry quickly left the lab behind, ready to spend time with his friends, he wasn't looking forward to them leaving to return to Hogwarts. He was going to miss spending nearly every single day with them, he knew he was also going to worry about them endlessly, regardless of the fact they had Portkey's on them just to be on the safe side. At least Dumbledore was pretty much out of the way and couldn't try to use them to get to him, it was just Voldemort and his Death Eaters. Blaise would have been neutral if not for the fact he was friends with him, Theodore would have ended up a Death Eater though, he freely admitted it, but since both of his friends were neutral he decided he wanted to be as well. The Dark side didn't see it that way anymore, despite the fact Harry would never, ever, willingly work with the light side - not after what happened in the past.

"Blaise! Theo!" Harry called, causing both of them to startle at the blur that was their best friend.

"Hey, what you been up to?" Blaise asked grinning in amusement at his best friend.

And with that the three friends quickly began to catch up on everything that had happened since they were parted.

Fanfiction is up and running so this chapter's finally getting posted! :D Sooo will Severus end up attacked or will the Castle be attacked? OR will the trials and tribulations only happen once both Voldemort and Dumbledore are dealt with? R&R please