Prince Consort

Chapter 44

The two days of mourning went very quickly, as Severus had commanded, they did grieve for their fallen brothers and sisters. Their victory had come at a price, as it so often did, but each of them had a very long life, as vampires so often did. So, while they grieved, they also celebrated everything they'd accomplished in life, and made sure to comfort their families, mates, their sons and daughters and those very close to those they'd lost.

Severus couldn't say he was surprised by Alfred's words as soon as he opened the doors to emit the elder vampire into his room. As he placed the tray of breakfast on the table, automatically seeking out Harry who was still in his nightwear pattering around the main bedroom. "It's time, they're beginning to feel very claustrophobic, they need to get back to a regular schedule." There was only so much vampires can stand just doing nothing. They weren't technically on lockdown, but they didn't have anything to do, thus they just meandered around the castle in search of something to do.

"Not all of them can hunt down the Horcruxes though, there aren't enough to go around," Harry murmured, as he shuffled through, a very well-read book clasped in his hands. "Good morning, Alfred, how are you feeling?" out of them all – and their main guards – Alfred was probably the only one who had mostly the same regular schedule from before.

"Good morning, Harry, I am well, how are you fairing?" nobody was more claustrophobic than Harry no doubt. He was enduring it well though, thankfully understanding just how protective everyone was. Although, sooner or later, if everyone kept up, he was going to explode. Anyone who didn't realize this…well, probably hadn't spent more than half an hour in Harry's company. Which admitted was a great many of them, there were so many vampires, Harry probably hadn't met most of them since the party.

"I'm fine, has Maria left?" Harry questioned, she'd visited yesterday with intentions of leaving for her spa day and shopping trip.

"She has, yes, two guards went with her," Alfred reassured him, "She was not happy at all," amused by the death glare she'd given him before huffing and leaving. She might not be happy but she definitely understood the necessity. It was just a precaution; it wouldn't always be needed.

And there were always a few at Hogwarts keeping Blaise and Theodore safe as well. Harry loved them like his own, so naturally, Severus ensured they were well protected. He knew if anything happened to them because of the way Harry's life had gone…he'd forever blame himself.

It didn't help that Theodore Nott was marked by Voldemort for death. He had said no to being a Death Eater, that was a death sentence all on its own. The Death Eaters weren't against using people to get to whom they wanted. Which did indeed include Blaise and Maria Zabini despite them being entirely neutral during both wars.

"What about Sirius and Remus?" he asked as he sat himself down, the smell of the food was delicious and he was hungry.

"They returned late evening yesterday," Alfred informed him, he knew everything that happened in the castle. It was his job to know everything that happened, he was all but Severus' right hand.

"And the party?" Severus enquired, "Have you eaten?" he added before Alfred could answer.

"I have, and the party is on schedule for tonight," Alfred informed them, waiting for any other questions.

"Just how big is this 'party' going to be?" Harry asked warily, recalling the other party. He'd stayed very close to Severus all night, none of them had been very happy with that either. Honestly, Harry felt like he couldn't do anything right for screwing up some sort of unspoken rules. He was tired of it, even though he honestly couldn't care less about their rules. If he wanted to sit next to Severus, he was damn well going to do it. They had been married, handfasted, temporarily, yes, but still married. He should be able to sit next to his husband if he wished.

"You are pregnant with the next Lord Prince…" the child was royalty to their world, so, of course there was going to be an over the top party in celebration of the next Prince child.

"Or Princess…do they even acknowledge that?" Harry asked curiously, "What was Eileen referred to when she was born?"

Severus blinked, finding it odd to hear his mothers name out of Harry's mouth. It was a good question, he hadn't much thought of that, since all stories he'd heard and pictures were of 'Lord Prince's' and their Consorts.

Alfred was just as startled as Severus at the unexpected question. Although, really, nothing was unexpected when it came to Harry.

"Despite being Prince blood…she was going to have to marry someone and they were going to rule, weren't they?" Harry realized, as Alfred remained silent on the matter. "She was going to be nothing but a glorified child bearer and expected to just accept her lot in life…" suddenly finding the fact she left very, very satisfying indeed.

"She was born with a lot of expectations on her, yes, including who she'd marry," Alfred slowly replied. "When they learned Rose gave birth to a girl they didn't mind, but when they heard she couldn't bear another child…there was a significant amount of disappointment…no male heir, but they still gave all to protect Eileen."

"And I'd imagine they were even more so when she didn't go through any inheritance…" Harry said in disgust, sometimes these people disgusted him with their selfish disregard of people. "I think…I think I can understand why she left, why she didn't tell you, Severus…a great deal more than I did before." He'd thought her selfish for not preparing him, warning him…now? Now he honestly felt she'd done the best she could. His hand automatically rubbing against his stomach to the child that was day by day growing more.

Severus frowned, a thoughtful look on his face as he stared at Harry. Some time ago he would have felt very worried at those words. Fearing that Harry might leave when the allotted time was up. He had long since gotten past that, Harry was in this for the long haul. You didn't make plans to change the laws and make things better…equal, if you intended on leaving. Had Glen and Rose – he still did not refer to them as grandparents – set up a match for his mother?

"Yes, there was disappointment, but it wasn't the end of the world," Alfred said softly, "There were means for her to go through the change, much like you yourself," he informed Harry quietly, his tone reflecting the sombre mood in the room.

"Glen and Rose were alright with just choosing someone for her to marry?" Harry asked, "At least tell me they were her mate?" for Merlin's sake, that's usually how it was done. "Merlin, it wasn't…was it?" gaping at Alfred.

"She wasn't a vampire, she didn't have a mate," Alfred calmly explained, "And as always, the handfasting would last a year, there was no force going to be applied."

Harry gave Alfred a look of disbelief, "And you expect us to believe that?"

Alfred sighed, "Alright, perhaps there may have been a push for it to become permanent, it was a very…difficult time. A lot of fighting, uncertainty." This was all hypothetical since she'd left, married a Muggle and had a son, they'd never seen hide or hair of Eileen Prince or Severus Prince until his change.

"Because there was no Male heir," Harry said, shaking his head in disbelief, "Ironic really, if you'd just treated Eileen with kindness…this could have all been avoided…instead you made her feel inadequate, unneeded…it must have hurt so much." He said sadly, "Yet, I'm glad she did…not just because she had Severus." She'd gained her independence…but had ended up in a bad place all the same. Would there have ever been any other life for her? Eileen probably didn't know any better all she'd known all her life was disappointment and verbal abuse at all ends just because she was born without a damn dick.

Harry glanced at Severus and realised he'd been so very lucky, regardless of the shaky start.

"Indeed," Alfred agreed fully, regardless of the turmoil they'd suffered, he too wouldn't change a thing. Severus was perfect, an absolute wonderful leader.

"How did everyone react when they learned Eileen had given birth to a son?" Harry asked, a vicious grin crossing his face, green eyes gleaming vindictively.

"Rose and Glen were devastated when they couldn't be found," Alfred recalled eyes faraway as he thought on those times. "They were desperate for contact with their daughter, and not just because of how things were going in the community. I think the forced change in circumstances made Rose and Glen revaluate everything. They never were able to contact her in order to apologise and set things to right."

"Good," Harry spat out, "They should never have put anything above their daughter, you've all lorded over how loyal everyone is, how much like family…how you treat me, how you treated Eileen isn't how you treat family. Being tolerated, or worse…judged for things you have no idea are rules is…unconscionable."

Alfred's face grew taut as he winced a little, "Yes, it is," he fully agreed, he put a stop to any talk about Harry, naturally he couldn't stop everyone or their reactions. In the beginning it had been a lot of judgement, but he'd assumed it had stopped…but Harry may just be recalling how difficult it was in the beginning? At least he hoped so…from what he could gather everyone seemed to really like Harry except the Elders, who disapproved of near enough everything Harry did not seeing it fit or proper for a consort.

They just didn't understand, they had to move with the time or be left behind.

Which he believed was about to happen if they didn't buck up.

Especially if Severus' questions were to be called into account.

Alfred did not bother to go into an explanation of how Glen had been raised to ensure the Prince line continued. Or even the importance of it, they were so very important to the vampire world. They kept the peace, prevented a lot of bloodshed, and uprisings and made sure all clans kept the secret. It unfortunately meant more than one-persons happiness, she'd been born with great expectations heaped upon her shoulders and had not been able to withstand the onslaught and had buckled under the pressure. He honestly would never like to be part of that pressure; all he could do was try to ease the burden as much as he could for them. He didn't have a mate or a child of his own…but he couldn't imagine the pressure. Neither Severus or Harry had been raised with that sort of pressure and would never allow their family to be marred with it.

It was perhaps the best thing all around.

"Do you not change someone just because you can?" Harry questioned; this one was aimed at his husband. Now that they were talking about it…he found himself curious. "I've not seen anyone coming here in hopes for the bite…if a witch or wizard had to chose between being a vampire and death…surely they would desire to live? To become a vampire?"

"The general public wouldn't know where to find us, but if they had connections it would be easily enough deduced." Severus explained, handing over the food with a silent gesture to eat, which was complied with immediately, evidently, he was hungry. "I haven't bitten anyone except you. However, what generally happens is you were expected to marry the one biting you. This was all such a long time ago, to ensure secrecy naturally. I don't think Glen has bitten more than four people in his time as Lord Prince?" this had all been explained during his early days, when he was still adjusting to the change by Glen himself.

"Five," Alfred corrected, well aware of the number, he did his job very seriously. "The number used to be three times higher for each Lord." Which meant vampires were significantly reduced, except for the accidental turnings that happened. Which naturally saw them eventually navigating towards their sires.

It did not happen very often though, thankfully.

"Five," Severus nodded his confirmation on the number.

Harry made a small sound to let Severus know he heard him, as he ate his breakfast.

"Do you have a particular team in mind for the horcruxes?" Alfred asked, noticing the map with the red blinking dots of where all pieces of Voldemort's soul were located. Including the actual main soul piece, used by the wizard himself.

"I do," Severus swallowed down his breakfast before answering, "Kyrian and the others have worked hard on it, I'd like Jackson and his team to also be part. I'd like at least three or four to head off together per horcrux. We have no idea of the protections on them, if there are any."

"And the one in…is that Gringotts?" Alfred asked, wide eyed.

"Yeah," Harry said dryly, he'd inspected it himself. "Obviously in one of the Death Eaters vaults…or I suppose Voldemort might have one himself doesn't seem likely otherwise he could have put them all in, there right?"

Alfred conceded his point with a nod of his head, "You're quite correct, it's logical,"

"The Dark Lord isn't logical," Severus declared, with a bitter grimace. He truly regretted becoming enmeshed with the wizard and his goals. He had been a bitter lonely boy, and had made quite stupid decisions in his youth. He could have destroyed his future, the mark had prevented him going through his change, taking his magic as the Dark Lord pleased – little wonder he liked taking on those with immense power regardless of their birth and circumstances – if not for what happened that night, he might never have become Severus Prince, or claimed his status. "He doesn't know the meaning of the word anymore. He's mad, power-hungry and a threat."

"Would you have anything to do with this if not for me?" Harry cocked his head to the side, genuinely curious to know that answer.

"I believe I would have had to eventually," Severus said pensively, not doing the discourtesy of even attempting to lie. "The Dark Lord wouldn't share power, and ultimately he would have attacked me and mine. No doubt underestimating me as Dumbledore had done…and I would have had to do what I must to protect me and mine." So even if Harry and he hadn't been mates, yes, he truly believed he would have had to deal with him.

"It's a good job you were mated," Alfred commented, dragging himself away from the map. "For without each other you wouldn't have found out about the Horcrux. Who knows what could have happened?"

"Very true," Severus conceded.

"Which begs the question…how are we going to get that Horcrux out of the vault?" Harry asked, "I've not came up with anything possible."

"That is because you don't know everyone yet," Severus said with a smirk, "You do know vampires are capable of becoming Animagi don't you?"

"Aren't there wards preventing that at Gringotts?" Harry asked staring blankly at Severus. There was no way they'd be stupid enough to allow that sort of thing go, there were too many Animagi's in the world.

"Which naturally will be set off by witch or wizard…" Severus said with barely supressed glee and satisfaction. "Not a vampire,"

"Ah, Silva," Alfred realised almost at once what Severus intended.

"Don't tell me she's a bat," Harry cackled, grinning widely at the thought, "Oh, come on! It would be hilarious!"

"No, not a bat, that would be no help in gaining entrance to an underground vault unseen," Severus said in amusement, handing over the goblet seeing as Harry was done with his breakfast. He loved Harry like this, comfortable, a bit sleepy – despite all the rest – and more importantly happy.

"Huh, so something really small, I guess it's not a rat or mouse…both can get anywhere, they don't have bones…" Harry mused, which would be fascinating to observe, but no matter. "Although there probably are a lot of rats down there…"

"A good guess, but no, she's a fly," Severus informed him.

Harry grinned, "Oh, she can be a fly on that wall,"

Alfred blinked, lips twitching madly, as his mouth stretched into a grin that matched Harry's own mischievous one. Alfred would be forever young, but right now he actually looked it as he shared in Harry's merriment. He wasn't sure why, but Harry was able to bring that boyish feeling out in him.

"So, she's just going to destroy it and then leave I guess?" Harry deduced, mind already going over all possible scenarios.

"Yes, there's no other way, we cannot risk touching it, or anything that might set off the alarms at Gringotts. They are rather…ruthless creatures when anyone attempts to steal from their or their clients." Severus nodded; he was correct.

"Will she want to risk it?" Harry asked, shifting just a little to get more comfortable as he sipped on his goblet of blood. Which was at perfect drinking temperature despite the fact it had been lying for almost an hour now as they chatted. The goblet must be temper controlled, either that or spelled to ensure the perfect temperature.

"I don't see why not, she's been on far riskier missions than this, it's difficult to break into Gringotts but not impossible. Normally those caught are done so out of greed, we do not intend to take anything out, just destroy something within." Alfred mused, "Although, admittedly, if not for her ability it would have been much risker." But as always, there was a way to do things, you just needed to think of a way.

"A fly," Harry said, green eyes gleaming with merriment, "I can't wait to meet her…"

Severus groaned, "Please refrain from too many flies on the wall jokes, believe me she's heard them all."

"But there are so many Muggle ones she might not know," Harry said blinking innocently at his mate.

Severus snorted, ruefully shaking his head, Merlin help her, because she was going to lose it. Harry was going to drive her positively insane, and know he'd be able to get away with it. She wouldn't dare to antagonise her lord's consort to attempt to retaliate, she'd have the guards on her so quickly she wouldn't know what hit her if she did. "At least wait until she's completed her mission. The last thing we need is her refusing to go because you riled her up." His tone bone dry.

"No promises," Harry sang, slowly the atmosphere changed to a more relaxed one after such a tense conversation.

It was by no means over, but for now it had been put to rest thought Severus. Harry had been reading book after book the days he'd been stuck in bed. There were dozens of scrolls filled with writing stuffed in their bedside cabinet. He hadn't read it, but he had a good idea what it entailed.

He got it though, he truly did, Harry will want to ensure whether they have a boy or a girl they'd be in charge when the time came. Not to mention, if they had more than one child…that the first born wouldn't have to take the seat of power. They'd discussed it, but he hadn't been aware of Harry's thoughts regarding his mother, Eileen.

Harry shouldn't be encumbered with these sorts of worries when he was pregnant. A stress-free environment was always recommended for those expecting, especially carriers since they weren't used to the new surge of chemicals mixing within their bodies like women were.

Which was why it was more difficult for them.

Hopefully speaking about it, expressing his thoughts and feelings would help Harry. At least until he actually set forth his demands, but Severus felt very against it. He felt that they should wait until the baby was born, so that Harry wasn't at risk. Yet he knew that wouldn't happen. Harry would want every single advantage he could get, and being pregnant was as big as an advantage he'd get in court and he damn well knew it.

Slytherin through and through so he was.

Plus, the law change would only affect the children born after the law passes.

He would decapitate anyone who caused his mate emotional pain.

He would not risk their child for anything, his hand gravitated towards Harry's stomach absently. One day he'd be able to feel the baby kick, but not for another while yet. The first trimester was the hardest. The seconds trimester would be safest for him, in terms of trying to change the ways they had followed for so long.

Some amendments had been made; some laws changed…but for the most part nothing had changed much in centuries.

There was nothing more terrifying – and arousing – than a woman or carrier protecting their young…Harry was going to be a fierce fearsome parent. That was becoming increasingly obvious as the hours went ticking by.

"I shall inform everyone, the meetings to be held here?" Alfred questioned, already scribbling away in his notebook which was every present with the vampire. Not that he needed it to remind himself of anything. He prioritised everything though, listed everything until he was satisfied.

"Yes, indeed," Severus replied glancing up and nodding at Alfred in thanks, a small smile appearing just for a moment. Then his attention was back on his mate within moments.

"Good," Alfred replied, "And you do realize that your 'Handfasting' will be over by the time your child will be born?" out of wedlock, which would also be another thing to irritate the elders.

"Yes," Harry smiled, "We aren't stupid you know." Rolling his eyes, he could vividly recall that day. The fear, the terror of what Dumbledore would do to his dad, to Remus, if he didn't comply. Hating the vampires, hating the Order, hating Dumbledore until he realized Severus wasn't complicit in it.

Severus had gifted him with something beyond compare.

More family than he thought he'd ever get.

Pressing his hand over Severus' they would discuss it sooner or later.

Although, Harry was determined that they'd take the guards and marry without any fuss or muss. He glanced at Severus wondering if the wizard would let him do it. Or would Severus want a big fuss? Their handfasting hadn't been anything approaching a good memory for either of them.

"Just something to think about," Alfred responded, "And I had better not miss a thing," he gave Harry a look of teasing warning. He knew Harry well enough to know what the young Lord was thinking.

You spend enough time with someone you got to know them a great deal.

"Oh, I'm sure we will, now send them up," Severus urged him to hurry along, "Do you wish to return to bed?" he asked his mate as Alfred hastened to the doorway.

"No, I'll be fine," Harry said, squeezing Severus' hand, he was tired of being left out of things anyway. No doubt as his pregnancy progressed, Severus would be worse, so he'd take what he could right now. "And we're totally eloping."

Severus chuckled, "Oh, no, that is one thing I'm afraid I cannot give you." genuinely amused, Harry would need to persevere through it.

"Wanna bet?" Harry said, eyeing Severus deviously.

Severus made a small sound, "We'll see,"

There we go! The next chapter a glimpse into the life of Eileen Prince and we see Harry understanding the decisions she made to protect her son...only to end up not really protecting him in the end...so used to a life of misery! Will Harry end up giving birth to a girl causing the laws to be swiftly changed in order to preserve the prince line? why does everyone want them to have twins all the time? :P unable to decide or do you just love punishing them :P lmao! R&R please I hope you're still enjoying it take care everyone and stay safe xx