Prince Consort

Chapter 40

"How is Lord Harry, My Lord?" Storm asked, standing up the moment Severus emerged from the safe cocoon of their rooms. A worried look on her face, they were all worried, and grieving. Today had not been a good day, but it could have always been worse, they could have lost, not only their lives but their Lord's Consort as well. They were strong, they would overcome adversity and carry on, for those they lost. This wasn't their first battle and surely wouldn't be their last. They would fight to their last to protect the Prince seat and all it represents.

"We need blood," Severus informed her, wishing to get that blood into Harry as quickly as possible. The swifter the healing process begun the better, as far as he was concerned. He hated the feeling of his mate being in pain and unable to make it go away.

"Cenric and the others have already headed out to get what we'll need. Alfred has already begun distributing the blood we have for those severely injured." Storm explained, it was not fresh, but it was preserved as best it could be. Nothing bet fresh blood though, hence why Cenric and twenty others had left to get what they could. "Shall I retrieve a few packs?" their Lord and Lord's Consort came first…even before those gravely wounded.

Severus automatically wanted to agree, the health of his mate was paramount, more important than anything else in the world. Unfortunately, he was aware that many of his people were gravely injured and needed it immediately. He knew Harry would agree to give it to them, they needed it most. Then another thought struck him anyway, fresh blood was best, he was better off waiting a bit to get the fresh blood so his mate could recover just a smidge more quickly. "No, continue to distribute them to those who need them most. How long have they been gone?" he questioned, possessively hovering over the door, as if fearing someone could get by him and into his defenceless mate. Who was in actuality by no means defenceless.

Storm gave Severus an odd look, he was acting more peculiar than normal when it came to his mate. She wrote it off as protectiveness, after all they had just been attacked, everyone was jumpy at the moment. "They shouldn't be any longer than half an hour," she informed him seriously. "I'll have Cenric come immediately."

"Good, once everyone is capable, a full meeting will be held, we will deal with the traitors at the same time." Severus stated firmly, eyes gleaming coldly. They would pay for daring to endanger and threaten his pregnant mate. He would be making an example of Rodney personally. He couldn't believe the bastard had betrayed him. That he had trusted him at all, especially to train his mate. Thankfully Derek was always in the room, he dreaded to think what could have happened otherwise.

"Understood." Storm stated, she'd expected it, they all were just waiting for that announcement. "Thirty of our own are awaiting burial, so far there hasn't been any deaths," but that could change…even vampires weren't immortal.

"Alfred, set up the meeting ASAP," well aware that the vampire would be able to hear him, the silencing wards were all down except for the ones in his rooms. "The funerals will be held afterwards."

An agreement reached his ears, causing Severus to relax a little, pleased.

"Good," came his reply, before he nodded at Storm, "He's going to recover well," he added, realizing belatedly that he hadn't given her an answer to the only question she'd asked.

"Thank goodness," Alfred's relieved murmur reached his ears, as did various other voices voicing their relief. It warmed him immensely that they truly cared about his mate, not just tolerated him. Harry was…very high maintenance compared to past consorts, he knew that, and wouldn't have him any other way.

Storm's tense shoulders relaxed marginally, giving a nod of relief, grateful to hear that he was going to recover. Even the healer who had been to see Harry earlier had said nothing, merely walked by and begun to help everyone else who had been injured, starting with the most severe and making his way through the rest with the help of the other healers on the compound, thankfully more than enough that they hadn't lost anyone yet.

Severus closed the door of their rooms, finding Harry lying down on the bed, one hand against his flat stomach gazing at the ceiling with a frown marring his features. They must be very heavy thoughts to get him to actually show anything.

"Having regrets already?" he asked, unable to help himself.

Pained green eyes snapped open, "No, just remembering everything I've read…" in order to get his thoughts into some semblance of order so that he could articulate what he really wanted to the council when he demanded the changes to the law.

"Just try and rest for a bit, the blood will be here soon, you can read to your hearts content when you're well." Severus told him, "I'll even have the books removed from the vault, or copies summoned for you." He promised, this was clearly very important to Harry, so he'd do everything in his power to make it easier for him. The fact he wanted to change the laws indicated that he actually wanted more than one child, another ray of hope that this was permanent for Harry as much as it was for him.

"How is everyone else?" Harry asked, his forehead smoothing over, as he stopped stressing, at least about the laws he wished to change at any rate. Severus was right, it could wait until his body stopped throbbing in agony.

"Thirty of our own died, is the body count thus far," Severus confirmed, sadness coating his voice, "Those in the medic ward are…not yet stable, but they've survived so far which is good news." The longer they lasted without passing, the greater the inevitable outcome. He probably should have enquired after them sooner, but the thought of leaving Harry, even to ask how it was going did not sit well with him.

Harry closed his eyes, he had no desire to talk or even move.

Severus allowed him to rest, he had been the one to suggest it after all. Anxiety crawled at his throat though, he detested the feeling and scent of pain that enveloped Harry. The desire to fix it was strong, even though he couldn't. If he could take the pain from him he would do it in a heartbeat, unfortunately, it wasn't one of the gifts available to vampires. An empath may well be able to draw the pain, but he was no empath.

The urge to go down to the bowls of his home and rip the bastards to shreds was strong. He couldn't, not yet, everyone had to be present. It would serve as a warning to anyone who would think of betraying him again. Everyone deserved to see it, to see those who had invaded their home, killed their own, and tried to kill them, see them utterly destroyed.

Which was why he as ensuring it was today, if he had to wait any more…he would do them all a disservice and kill them all in the very cells they were sitting in just awaking their execution.

"Severus? May I come in?" Alfred asked after knocking at the door.

Severus swore, stalking over to the door and opening it, allowing Alfred into the rooms. Gesturing for him to be silent, Harry had just managed to drop of to sleep, he didn't want him roused until they succeeded in bringing back the fresh blood.

Alfred glanced over at Harry, as he wandered into the Severus and Harry's living quarters. Dressed in clean clothes, no longer stinking of blood and skin of his enemies. A quick shower was all he'd allowed himself the pleasure off, before he got back to work. Tonight he could sleep, but until then, he had things to do, sense to make of the attack.

"They were talking Portuguese, over half of them I suspect were from Portugal and were…unhappy with the new regime and were enticed to fight in a war not their own. They're deserters, and it's been made clear that none of this was done on their Lord and Lady Consort's behalf." Alfred explained, "They've expressed their apologies and are profoundly disturbed that so many left without them realizing it."

"They got in touch?" Severus asked, suspicion squirming like a living thing in his belly.

"No, I did," Alfred admitted, probably overstepping his bounds of propriety. "It was then that they put in a call to everyone, to find dozens upon dozens of their people had vanished without due cause. Quite frankly they're terrified this has started a war, in which there's no escaping." A war with Severus, after just winning a long arduous war to bring peace to their people. It was definitely not something they desired.

"I see," Severus gave a single nod, letting Alfred know it was alright, that he was pleased with his forethought. He should have been doing it himself, but he couldn't bare to leave Harry. "I shall get in touch with them soon." he wasn't in any hurry to assuage their fears, if anything he'd rather they suffered for a while, they deserved it for not keeping better control of their own people. That didn't exactly scream out control, after all did it?

Alfred gave him an amused knowing look, before it was wiped off, this wasn't a time to be amused by anything.

"And the leader? Who was he?" who is Rodney? He thought.

"That I do not know, I've not questioned them," That definitely wasn't his right, they would be questioned and they would find out everything.

Severus nodded, "Is Cenric making progress?"

"I do believe he'll be back within half an hour, they'll stick to the rules…but with haste," Alfred said easily, "Thankfully it's the weather for people being outside but not too warm as to cause problems for them." Which meant they could get what they need easily and leave the Muggles to recover without worrying they'd leave them to dehydrate especially with the loss of blood.

Severus glanced outside and silently agreed, it was true enough.

"Your grandparents have been informed of what happened, and are aware we're on lockdown for the time being." Lockdown simply meant that nobody got in and nobody left, with so many prisoners it was an easy decision to make. "So they won't make their usual trip up." Severus didn't see them all that frequently, despite getting on with them a little.

"Is there anything you wish to tell me?" Alfred asked, giving Severus his usual penetrating look, he knew Severus well, both as he began his transformation into his vampire inheritance and during his long reign on the Prince seat of power. The way he was standing gave off extreme protective vibes, it wasn't something he was used to…Severus trusted him wholly, and for good reason, he had proved himself beyond a shadow of a doubt.

Severus' gaze flickered to Harry before returning to Alfred, it didn't surprise him that he suspected something was going on. "He's pregnant," he confessed to the vampire who was more like a father figure him, certainly more than his own father had been. If there's one person he wished to tell more than any other, it was Alfred.

"And is this a good thing?" Alfred questioned, eyes brightening then darkening as the consequences of what Harry's battle for his life may well have caused. "It's healthy?"

"Yes," Severus replied, giving a nod, if the foetus hadn't been healthy, the healer would have informed him immediately. "And yes."

Alfred all but beamed, so utterly thrilled to hear the news that a new Prince child was on the way. This was why consorts were so very important, they brought a child into the world. The next in line to inherit not only the Prince estate but the seat, which was a powerhouse all on its own without its vast fortune. They'd feared that the Prince line had ended when Eileen did not receive her inheritance and ran away from home, from her birth right. Keeping Severus possible inheritance from him, and his grandparents away from their grandchild. They would be over the moon to hear that they'd be getting a great-grandchild.

"Then I do believe congratulations are in order," Alfred said, positively buzzing with happiness and excitement.

"Thank you," Severus said, his lips twitching into a genuine albeit small smile. "I shall inform everyone once the trespassers are dealt with."

"Of course," Alfred replied, giving a bow, understanding the words for what they were, that he was to keep silent for the moment. Thankfully though, it appeared as though he wouldn't have to keep it to himself for long.

"Good, how are the others?" Severus asked, keeping an ear out for Harry's scent, but he wasn't giving anything off, which indicated sleep.

"They're doing well, some were able to have their limbs attached…others weren't so lucky, but considering the alternative, a missing limb is better than the loss of their lives." Alfred explained grimly, "A few will struggle, but in the end come out stronger." Mentally struggle, since they could very easily magic up a limb that moved on command. It would just be the fact that it was not theirs that would get to them.

"Spare no expense, get them the very best," Severus ordered, rubbing his forehead, hating, no loathing the fact he hadn't been there, how many fates would have been changed with him and his bodyguards there to lend aid? Coming in at the end wasn't exactly all that great.

"I'll see to it now," Alfred agreed, "I've set the meeting for precisely nine PM this evening, by then everyone should be recovered enough to attend…except for most of those in the medic wing," They would quite rightly be excused for medical reasons.

"Indeed," Severus replied, eyes gleaming coldly, he had until nine o'clock before he could give them what they deserve. More time for them to stew in their own fear and terror at knowing what was coming. "We'll be there."

"I'll leave you to it," Alfred said, giving another nod, he exited the room, leaving Severus and Harry in peace while he got everything prepared for this evening. It was going to be a long night…so perhaps once he was done…he should get a quick nap in. Although… judging by the excitement thrumming through him, it wasn't going to happen.

Harry was pregnant, another heir was on the way.

Well, it would certainly be interesting, the entire castle was going to be on high alert, and extremely protective and possessive to boot in their bid to protect Harry Potter-Prince.

Some good news after all this was exactly what they needed.

Everyone for the rest of the evening gave him very strange looks, given that he was acting like a hyped up child on a sugar rush.

Alfred said nothing…but many were beginning to realize something was going on.

True to his suspicion, Alfred didn't get any sleep whatsoever, but he did make sure that the Grand Hall was ready and prepared for what was to go down this evening. Which meant an abundance of chairs, in circle, with only one entrance and exit opening the circle up. The middle…however, was reserved for their prisoners, and they were not given the respect of a seat, they would find themselves prostrate on their knees. There were extra chairs, for each of those who had lost their lives in the battle, but they would not be used. They would be mourned, their loss was felt heavily within the castle walls.

At exactly nine o'clock those loyal to Severus and Harry, began to pour into the Grand Hall.

It was time for the reckoning.

Each and every single one of them would regret daring to lift a wand or hand to their Lord's consort.

Now all they could do was wait.

Will Sirius and Remus be forced to attend? Will it change their way of looking at Harry? Will Harry take part and change things between them farther? Or will Remus understand?

Ugh shortest chapter I've EVER posted in like probably years! BUT I've promised a chapter every day, SO what I get written is what will get posted unless it's really, REALLY short and not worth posting 😊 regardless I hope you enjoy it and it brightens your day a little in times like these…thank you for reading my stories, take care and stay safe xx