Prince Consort

Chapter 45

Severus contemplated moving the meeting when he saw that Harry was sleeping again, slumped against the sofa. Instead he carefully lifted his mate up, and transferred him to their bed. Slowly as not to wake him up, and covering him over. His eyes filled with love and adoration. He'd never expected to feel this way, not even seeing his mate for the first time when he was fourteen-years-old.

Brushing his fingers through his hair, with a soft wistful sigh. He'd very nearly screwed everything up by the way he'd chosen to go about it. He wished Harry and he didn't have a similar upbringing, didn't have that embittered understanding they shared. Although, at least he had his mother, as mad as he had been at her.

Thinking on their earlier conversation, he realized perhaps he'd been much too tough on her. Harry had given him a view of what happened that he hadn't contemplated. He had been so very angry that she'd kept everything from him. His heritage, his position, potential position he supposed.

That hadn't been how it was at all. It hadn't been out of spite and anger like he'd assumed. She'd loved him, protected him as best as she could – broken as she felt – kept the vampires from ever being able to find him. It wasn't just to stop Glen and Rose…but those who would have been him dead just to prevent him ever sitting on the throne.

He could have imagined his reactions; had he been told of everything. Young and full of himself, he knew how he would have reacted to power. He'd needed the normal upbringing, to see things clearly. There was only one thing he'd ever been so sure of, his magical prowess, and not to forget his brewing ability he was a Master brewer after all.

"My Lord?" came the murmured questioning tone of Jackson, as he stood patiently waiting for Severus to acknowledge them. The others who had been requested waiting a little behind Jackson, glancing towards the fireplace to give their Lord some semblance of privacy. Nobody blaming him for his thoughts or indulgences when it came to his mate.

Severus didn't 'startle' so much, but he did twitch, before glancing up at the teams he'd called. Giving a nod, he reluctantly left his mates side, he didn't want to be parted from him. Not even to another section of their living quarters. He slid the double doors closed, so that any noise they made did not interrupt Harry's sleep.

He'd been reading way too much, despite 'resting' which just meant laying in bed reading while pretending to rest.

"As you've no doubt been informed, the Horcrux live tracking runes are now in operation." Severus spoke in a low tone; he had no reason to shout he was always listened to. Plus, after the loudness of battle, calm and quietness was something they greatly needed.

"You aren't here to call us out on not being able to get your consort away from battle?" a startled question left Malcom's lips, truly surprised by the conversation starter.

Severus glanced at the vampire, noticing just how tense he was. A wry smirk appearing on his face, "If you had been able to get him away from battle without suffering injury, I would have awarded you with the Order of Merlin First Class." He said sardonically.

The others smothered their own reactions, looking away or down amusement thrumming through them all. They all knew by now just how terribly stubborn Severus' consort was. He was fierce, strong, unyielding and unbending. He was going to herald a new generation, a new way of life. They could sense the way the wind was blowing, even if some of the others refused to.

"But he got hurt," Malcom pointed out, perplexed, why wasn't he angry over that fact? The Lord's consort got hurt, if that had happened to anyone else…they would have all been in for a world of hurt.

"Yes, he did," Severus said, his gaze darkening at the remembrance. Worse still, Harry could have lost their child. No doubt if he'd known he would never have taken that chance. Knowing he was pregnant had changed something subtle in Harry. He wasn't sure what it was yet, but he could sense it. It was nothing bad though, that much he knew in heart of hearts. "He fought for all of us, to give you direction in a time of dire need. I could not have led you better myself." He believed that, if anything, having Harry there had made them more determined – if such thing was possible – to protect and eradicate the thorn in their side.

"Yes, Sir," Malcom murmured dazed as he stared at Lord Prince in awe. He was over nine-hundred-years old and he had seen it all. Or so he thought. He'd served many clans over the long course of his life, many he regretted deeply when their madness had consumed clan's whole. He'd lived all over the world, but here…he thought might just be where he wanted to be for the first time.

Malcom was one of the 'newcomers' one could say, he'd sworn fealty a few years after Severus had taken up the seat of power. Once he had succeeded in getting before Lord Prince to do so. He had gone fifty years without a clan at that point. He'd missed being a brothers-in-arms and the comradery and friendship. Still, that nobody was being punished was very refreshing and he'd expected the worst when he entered his Lord and Lord Consorts private quarters.

"I want groups of four going after each Horcrux," Severus commanded, staring at the map, the blinking red dots.

"Two are moving," Jackson mused, "One is always very close to the other…but always for the most part in constant motion."

Severus nodded, "One is most definitely the Dark Lord Voldemort." He did not know which one. "The other I can only hazard a guess at."

"Are we dealing with Voldemort as well?" Kyrian questioned, already in soldier mode.

"Yes," Severus replied immediately, "He is a threat to all we hold dear; we cannot let him live." He was not going to risk Harry, not for anything.

"Who?" Silva queried, "I could get close enough to him to strike him down before he knows what's happening." She was not afraid to do what must be done.

"I commend your dedication but I have another task in mind…" Severus told her, watching her straighten up.

"I will do as bid," she replied seriously.

"There is a Horcrux in Gringotts," Severus said grimly, "There is nobody else I can think to send in to destroy it."

"There will be hundreds of potential Horcruxes in any given vault," Silva blanched, not at the task, she had no qualms about it. Although, it was going to be a daunting one.

"Trust me, you'll feel it," Kyrian explained, shuddering, Jackson reacting the exact same way. "It's…indescribable, but you'll just know exactly what's in front of you."

"But again, there are millions of vaults…" Silva pointed out, "If I'm not wrong…we'll need to take care of the Horcruxes themselves before we even attempt to strike the Dark Lord Voldemort. Otherwise he will be stricken from his body and once more in spirit form."

"She's right," Malcom joined the conversation, "He's spirit, his essence will be tied to the earth as long as one Horcrux remains. Even trying to banish that particular segment of soul, his spirit would not work."

"So, we coordinate the attack," Jackson said bluntly, "Use the bond to inform the others when they've dealt with their own horcrux until they're all done. The trick will be getting to that last Horcrux which always seems to be near him."

"The way it moves is snake-like, see the dot, waving side to side, sometimes," Kyrian, "Has he implanted a Horcrux in an animal? A snake?"

"I thought Harry was being sarcastic when he commented on that," Alfred said, shaking his head, he should have realized Harry wouldn't make jokes on that matter. "So, who will be delegated to the task of dealing with Voldemort?"

"It's not to be delegated," Severus retorted immediately, "I'm doing it." immediately protests began to pierce his ears. "Enough! It is not up for debate. But I thank you for the consideration." Making it clear he appreciated the thought that they would do this for him. However, he absolutely refused to allow anyone else to do it. He needed to, for closure for the debasement the wizard had heaped upon him…and more importantly…for his mate.

To gift his mate with the head of the wizard who would kill him.

There were no greater desires he held most at heart right now, except the excitement of seeing his child grow and swell within his mate.

"If you are going, you will need more than just your usual guards," Alfred stated firmly, giving him a look that suggested he had better not fight or argue on it. "Unless, you'd like me to explain to Harry…?" he trailed off, an innocent look upon his face.

Severus sneered at Alfred, "I am not stupid enough to risk my life with my usual guards." Haughtily, adjusting his stance, annoyed at being threatened with his mate.

Nobody was looking at him, as their lips wobbled a bit as if they were refraining from laughing. They all knew Severus well, and knew he probably would have attempted to do it with his usual guards. They would never have even tried to get through to him, just made sure everyone knew what was going down so that they would take the initiative and appear where their Lord was and protect him.

"I'm sure," Alfred said without a single ounce of patronising in his voice. He would have done if they were alone, but they weren't. He would never do such in company, it would be seen as disrespectful. "Although, to be fair, I am surprised he isn't awake…" he normally would wish to hear and see everything that was happening. Then again, he was still recovering, with a child his injuries weren't healing as swiftly as magic had an entirely different focus than healing his internal injuries as fully as he normally would.

"He's been reading a lot," Severus confessed wryly, although to be fair he was too. "I do not wish him to be disturbed or worried." He informed them all coolly, they were not to tell Harry what was happening. "I shall inform him myself once the deed is done."

"Yes, Sir," they all agreed fully, stress wasn't good for bearers, more so than regular pregnancies.

"I guess I should go first," Silva mused, "I'll take a while to find it, so far underground, will the bond still be open?" they all shared a mind link, they had no need to open their mouths if they wished to convey something, although they rarely left it open.

"That I had not considered," Severus frowned, "Fortunately, you shouldn't be below too long, it would be a simple matter of dealing with it then getting out as soon as possible."

"Are there any followers he trusted above any other? That might make the task a little easier?" Jackson pondered, "He may have placed it in their vaults as opposed to his own…" if he even has one.

Severus frowned thoughtfully, "I honestly couldn't say, I don't believe he trusts anyone fully." It had been so long since he was in Voldemort's presence, let alone under his thumb. He had been young, too full of himself and ultimately foolish to believe the promises made. "Regardless, it is going to be in one of the most secure vaults."

"How far can you feel it from? Or am I going to have to enter into every vault?" Silva queried, her shocking head of silver blond hair the reason for her name. "I know next to nothing…and surely the Horcrux isn't going to be the only dark artefact in Gringotts."

Severus moved towards his trunk, opening the latch he grabbed out a box and brought it forth. Opening it, the other stepped back in anticipation, even Silva had a visceral reaction to it.

"Okay, I see what you mean," she said, hastily, stepping back, a shudder wracking her delicate frame. "Merlin, I've never felt anything like that in my life."

Severus snapped it closed, giving a nod, "Yes, it's disgusting." And it had been within his mate and everyone utterly oblivious of its existence including him. It was abhorrent that they'd been ignorant of its existence within his mate. Fortunately, it was out now, and it would soon join the others in being destroyed.

Then Voldemort would meet his end.

At the hands of one very protective father-to-be in place of his mate.

"I should be able to hone in on that," Silva nodded, most definitely. "The goblins clearly know what they've got and have done nothing."

"Indeed," Severus said derisively, "But they long since stopped caring about the affairs of wizards."

"If they've done nothing…then it's definitely a long-standing pureblood line that has it in their vault." Kyrian stated, and everyone murmured their agreements.

"Create your groups of four, space out those with the best abilities we do not know what we're in for." Severus cautioned them, "I shall inform Storm to gather at least ten additional guards for the trip."

"Perhaps more," Alfred cautioned, "We might end up in the midst of his strong hold."

Severus frowned, "Perhaps," it was true enough he summarised, Voldemort might be amongst his followers. Not that his guards would have trouble getting through the lot of them. They had just lost too many people, having too many was better than not enough and losing more. Especially to a mission that wasn't directly pertaining to the Prince seat. Not yet at any rate, but they all know it would be just a matter of time.

Voldemort was bound to know about the Prince clan, he was far too intelligent and well read to not have that knowledge.

He wouldn't see them coming regardless of his knowledge.

"How long do we give Silva before we move in?" Malcom asked, after speaking to three others, all making plans for their own part in the mission. "Will he know do you think?" nobody had made this many Horcruxes that he knew…so it was unprecedented and uncharted territory here.

Everyone glanced at Silva, who just shrugged, "I cannot accurately say how long it will take…but I should go now."

Severus waved his hand, magic bursting from him, "Go," he informed her, and she knew he had made it so that she could Apparate from the room and castle without delay. "Remember to open the bond before you get down there."

"My Lord," Silva nodded, giving him respect before she apparated away to do as bid.

The rest of the groups divvied up their own 'Horcrux' their ends of the bonds open just to make sure she was alright and to hear.

"Storm?" Severus commanded, already correcting the wards, he didn't do it often but this was of the gravest importance. Plus, he wanted to be away before his mate woke up and demanded to go with them. It wasn't something he would be able to tolerate.

"My Lord?" she asked, peeking in, before stalking in when she was gestured to.

"I am leaving, I want my usual guard followed by at least twenty additional others. See to it, you have at least twenty minutes to have everything set up." He informed her.

"Here or shall we meet at the castle doors, My Lord?" Storm didn't ask questions, immediately straightened and begun to mull over whom to take.

"Castle doors," Severus stated, "We shall all join you momentarily, and everyone in this room already has missions of their own." He added, seeing her eyeing Kyrian, not surprisingly, he was one of their more powerful members. His intelligence outweighed his power, which was why he was immediately put on detail to find all the Horcruxes all those months ago.

Storm nodded grimly, before stepping back, already murmuring quietly to Cenric and two others who stepped up their protection, now that she was leaving to do as bid. Not that it would be difficult, thankfully everyone was still in the area and would be thankful for something to do.

'Okay, I'm entering Gringotts now…' came the disembodied voice of Silva through the bond. 'I'll let you know what's happening.'

"Fire?" came the next immediate suggestion on how to deal with them.

"Fire," was the unquestionable agreement. They weren't sure how else to deal with them, so fire was best all around.

"Don't touch them, be careful for trips or traps," Severus cautioned them seriously, "The Dark Lord has no qualms about anyone suffering a horrifying painful death." Making it clear to them best he was able to that Voldemort didn't care for anything and knew a lot of magic.

"We're ready," Kyrian nodded firmly, the others all giving their own agreements.

"How is Harry?" Kyrian asked, having interacted with him a little more than the others. It was Harry who broke open the doors to their search for means to find the Horcruxes actually. Although, it was his work, it was Harry's idea, and what a good one it was. He'd also been given leave to use his name.

"Tired and determined," Severus said wryly, "You'll soon need to endure the banality of council meetings…although they might not be boring for once."

Kyrian glanced at Jackson and grinned wryly, "Well, I shall look forward to them." Pondering on just what their Lord and Lord's consort was up to. he was definitely different from all other consorts, that was clear. He was…simply put amazing, strong, determined, definitely all good points for a Lord, let alone Lord consort.

"Yes, I think Harry will also," Severus chuckled dryly, "The Elders definitely have a battle on their hands if they think…"

'It's in the Lestrange family vault, I can feel it…I'm going to change back and set it ablaze' came the next contact from Silva, her presence through the bond loud and clear. Evidently not finding difficulty due to the immense goblin wards they had surrounding the building.

"Huh, that didn't even take her ten minutes," one of them commented in surprise.

"Having felt it, she'll know exactly where to go, it's unmistakable, even within Gringotts…the magic is different, goblin magic is different, a lot more subtle." Kyrian commented, "It would be like a moth trying to find an open flame." Easily done.

"Yeah…I see your poin…" he paused, frowning in concern.

The next thing they heard over the bond was coughing, violent coughing. 'Well, it's gone…but so is everything else in the vault…' came her voice raspy and clearly affected by the smoke she'd obviously accidentally inhaled.

"Damn, can you imagine the history and money that's just been burnt?" Malcom commented, but he didn't sound sorry the slightest.

"I don't believe there is going to be another direct Lestrange heir regardless, the estate will go to the cousin branch now." Severus summarised, as he moved from his rooms, making his way towards the castle doors where he'd meet the others. "Whether they wish to take it on is another matter entirely…" the name had been dragged through the mud, it was uttered in contempt and disgrace. Who would want to try and revive such a line? Grab it by the bootstraps and hoist it out of the dark disgrace it was immersed.

"Kill on sight or just maim enough for imprisonment?" Malcom enquired, asking Lord Prince what he actually wants to become of the Death Eaters. In his opinion it was better safe than sorry when it came to their plans.

"My Lord," was murmured as Severus approached the group joining him, giving a nod to Strom pleased by the ones she'd chosen.

"Do as you please," Severus replied, giving Malcom a look, "There is little doubt that if we leave any alive, they will either retaliate or do as they did before, slink back into society claiming ignorance." Which group they would fall into…wasn't known to him. He couldn't command that they kill, but he most definitely let them know he preferred it.

That got everyone's attention, as they realized there was more going down than a simple trip outside to the shops or the like.

"Go, keep in touch, I want every single one of them destroyed before I begin my own duel." Severus informed them all.

"My Lord," they all said in agreement, bowing low before they took off, not apparating until they got to the end of the wards at the castle which took all of a minute at a sprint.

"You will be with me, protecting me," Severus informed them all coolly, "There will be Death Eaters that I want all of you to take care of, while I fight Voldemort. Every breath he takes…means my mate is in danger and that is unacceptable." Especially given that Harry was pregnant.

Every face became grim and determined at that, realizing their goal was to wipe out the Death Eaters entirely. What Severus had said to Malcom made so much more sense now in this context. Also, Storm's warning made sense too, 'Nothing happens to him, even if it means you taking the shot' she'd rather serve an annoyed Lord Prince than a dead one all for the sake of the propriety of a duel.

Kyrian and his chosen three, Malcom, Tyreese and Rasheeda. The four were gathered outside of a hut in the middle of Little Hangleton. Staring at it with great distaste. It was all but hanging on by a thread.

"Well, it was a good a place to hide it as any," Rasheeda mused, as she stared at the hut. "Although, a hut? In the Muggle world?"

"I don't think this is a hut," came Kyrian's voice, "This is a house…two bedrooms, tiny things…that coat of arms…it's familiar to me."

"That's the Gaunt coat-of-arms." Tyreese commented, "Voldemort's mother if I recall your teaching correctly, Kyrian."

"That's right," Kyrian groaned, feeling like whacking himself, how could he have been so stupid? "Yes, the Gaunts."

"The dead snakes give that away…" Rasheeda conceded, "There's one nailed to every single door!"

"I thought they could instinctively talk to snakes?" Malcom grimaced as he stared at the dead snake, this place was giving him the creeps considering who he was and how old he was that was saying a lot.

"Maybe they couldn't?" Rasheeda said thoughtfully, "I mean all the inbreeding can't have helped anything." It was quite disgusting the lengths they'd go to in order to preserve their lives. Not something they worried about, they were vampires, sure legacies were important but they didn't feel the need to marry family to keep it considering the lengths they lived. Although, it might have something to do with having mates and them being the most important thing.

"How the hell are we going to find this thing?" Tyreese grumbled, "I can't feel anything and this junk…what if the spell was wrong?"

"It isn't wrong," Kyrian bit out in annoyance. "It must be hidden away in a box or something like the other one."

"Shall we attempt to summon it?" Rasheeda posed to them, "It's better than digging through all this rubbish." And it was rubbish, there was absolutely nothing of value here, even a homeless person wouldn't take the bedding it was rotted with mould and infested with all sorts.

"Step back and have care, don't let it hit you anywhere." Kyrian warned them, stepping back, as they simultaneously did the exact same thing.

"Maybe we should do it outside?" came Tyreese's suggestion, he was taller than all of them, and was finding it a little difficult to move in the hut that the Gaunt family had used as a house at one point.

"They built this hut where the Gaunt mansion once stood," Malcom informed them, "It used to cover the entirety of Little Hangleton, if I recall correctly, they allowed people to buy pieces of the land for money until the Riddle's ended up with most of it. By the end of their extravagant spending's with no interest coming in…and the Mansion fire due to their wild parties they lost everything." When he researched, he did so thoroughly.

"Like all great houses…they eventually fall," Tyreese mused.

"Not all, the Lord Consort has the legendary Peverell, as well as Potter, Black and Slytherin blood running through his veins." Kyrian said, "Those houses are older than the Gaunt house." And was still going steadily, despite the fact the families seemed to only have the heir and never seemed to attempt to get a spare. Risky move, but to each their own he supposed.

"Accio Horcrux!" Kyrian really hadn't expected anything to happen. After all, surely, he'd have at least some spell to prevent it being summoned. He was wrong, but he made sure not to underestimate him.

Rattling was head from below them, they all glanced down. It was under the floorboards, "Are we dealing with a bloody kid?" Malcom asked incredulously, "Seriously? Under the floorboards?"

Kyrian smirked, dampening his spell, he spelled the floorboards in a circle to disappear. Kneeling down, he saw what had been making the racket. An ornate box, Malcom levitated it out of the hole it was currently in and all backed away slowly.

Rasheeda did a long-complicated spell on the box, "Don't touch it!" she declared at once upon seeing the spell on the thing itself. "Flesh eating curse!" it would affect even vampires; it would kill them slowly too. There was no counter curse once it was attached to your magical core. One to slow it down, yes, but inevitably they'd be killed.

"We can all agree that this is the Horcrux? Yes?" Kyrian said dryly, as the lid was flicked open with a simple spell.

They all gave their agreements, they knew for a fact it was, not as strong and obvious at the one that had been in their Lord's consort mind. "Fiendfyre!" a spell they'd been using all too frequently these days.

Within moments the horcrux and box was reduced to ash, with globs of molten metal spattering to the ground. Catching the hut on fire, the vampires just backed away, letting the flames consume it all.

'The Horcrux at Little Hangleton, destroyed,' Kyrian informed everyone through the bond.

And the others did the same, until one by one all but one of the horcruxes – which did not include his main soul – were gone.

Severus set Alfred aside, as soon as he heard the news relay through the bond that the last of the Horcruxes they'd been sent out to destroy was gone. "This is for Harry, if anything happens to me, you watch over him like you watched over me." It may have come out an order, but it was more of a plea.

"Nothing will happen to you," Alfred declared strongly, he knew the guards would never allow it regardless of Severus' orders. Eyeing the letter with great distaste.

"Take it, watch over my mate, and give it to him if anything should happen to me." Severus stated curtly, eyes flashing. He could not let Harry face the bastard, so he had to do it himself. The only problem was he knew Voldemort would do his best to take him out with him should he believe his death was imminent. He refused to underestimate Voldemort, he couldn't do that, not at the risk of what he'd be leaving behind.

"My Lord," Alfred agreed, taking the letter, his displeasure obvious. Not just in his tone but the way he'd addressed Severus.

"It's merely a precaution," Severus added with more kindness when he took the letter. His gaze softening apologetically, but he must do everything he could and look to all outcomes.

"You better come back, because if I am tasked to informing Harry…" Alfred declared gravely, he did not wish to have to be the one to inform him. "I dare say…the strain might be too much." Giving him a serious look, "If not for us or him…then your child."

"This is why I must do it." Severus sighed, he didn't want to, but he had to. For the safety of the family he already loved so much. He never expected to love anyone the way he loved his mate. Yet he did, Harry challenged him, his fierceness made him long for him all the more.

He prayed to magic itself that this wasn't his last day on earth. That he would get to see his child flourish, his mate round with child. To see the babe birthed, healthy and whole.

Prayed that he would get to see his mate again.

Alfred sighed, sliding the letter in his pocket, "Then go with haste and return victorious, Severus." For any other outcome was intolerable. He saw the others all nodding, giving their reassurances that they would look out for him and not allow any harm to befall their Lord Prince.

Alfred watched Lord Prince rally his chosen troops and leave.

It was time for the last battle before peace could once again thrive upon the house of Prince.

Merlin, he better return, he thought, a shudder wracking his frame at the prospect of having to inform Harry of Severus' possible demise.

A/N – There we go! I hope you're enjoying it, although I didn't get to do any of my fly jokes yet…although I might not get to depending on the muse I suppose! Whether Severus returns home to Prince castle…It's getting so much easier to write these chapters do you want to see the birth and reforms? Or would you honestly prefer them in the epilogue? Either way is entirely fine with me I just don't want people getting bored of the stories I'm proud of how its turned out despite the numerous times I had to edit it R&R please!