Intimacy

15th January 1998- Thursday

Unexpected news, so soon after welcoming in the new year, rocked the harem and put the Court on lockdown yet again. Primary Noble Erin Witt had miscarried once more, her fourth time in total, and nobody had known that she was pregnant before the news of this broke.

Well, the Emperor had, which had been the reason for promoting the woman weeks prior, and Harry along with some others had guessed, but that didn't lessen the shock.

Having received this news early in the evening, Harry, previously settled down in his library to read a book, went to his room instead, staying in there for the rest of the evening, thinking about the situation without any of his maids to witness it.

Was this a natural occurrence, or was it a sabotage from someone who had found out? Had Jasmine's been caused by the same perpetrator, or was this just a coincidence?

It could mean that there was a threat to himself, and any possible children he had, in the harem, and the thought that all of his plans could come crashing down before he even had a chance to enact them worried him.

At the current time, he had a middling standing in the harem, and only a tentatively close relationship with the Emperor to keep him in his position. He needed more powerful allies, and Jasmine and Erin's children would have created them into those strong allies, as unfortunate as he felt to use the women and their children to make his standing more secure.

They were his friends, if he could even call them that, but his life and family mattered more.

Now, that plan was gone, and his only hope was Regulus, with his steady presence as a block between Harry and Bellatrix, and Penny, who was surely soon to be a Consort within the next couple of months, for the time being.

He hoped nothing drastic would happen in the meanwhile.

16th January- Friday

The next day marked the start of the one-week of mourning, so Harry stayed within the walls of his part of the palace, his maids somberly drifting around like ghosts, all still shocked about the sudden news to begin their usual gossiping.

All apart for two of them.

"I heard the lady was screaming at her maids this morning, the Eunuch who brought over the fresh linen told me he had witnessed it himself."

"Well, the lady must have been shocked, Noble Erin hadn't told her a thing about being pregnant!"

"I know, how impudent of her! The lady is fair and would have ensured that she would have gotten the correct treatment for her delicate condition. Perhaps, then, she wouldn't have lost yet another child. Such a shame for his Majesty."

Harry frowned at their disturbance of the peace, and at the contents of their conversation. Who were they, to gossip about a woman who had lost her child?

"Orla, June, this is a time for mourning, not for gossiping. Please reflect on your behaviour in the garden."

"But, my Lord, it's cold-"

"Maybe that will help you to realise what you have done wrong, go."

"...Yes, my Lord."

Harry sighed as he heard the front door close, Anya by his side comfortingly holding his shoulder. "Why are some people so heartless as to make such comments?"

Anya shook her head, before busying herself with sewing patterns into the cushions once more. Harry picked up his own, less perfect one- a half-sewn, imperfect sunflower staring back at him- and sighed, stabbing the needle in harshly.

19th January- Monday

As had happened before, on the fourth day, the meetings began once more, coinciding with the long, two-hour Monday session, which he grudgingly trudged to. The time in recluse had messed up his internal clock once again, and sitting in the morning meeting was something he wished he didn't have to do. Less so, he didn't want to have to put up his barriers once more in front of the other concubines.

Surprisingly, Jasmine was there, her chair scooted close to Erin's where they both sat, cradling each other in their arms. It was a heartfelt and personal moment, and Harry averted his eyes, feeling like an intruder.

Bellatrix came in with her entourage in tow in usual fanfare, dressed in black robes as expected, and gave Erin a hard stare as she sat down on her chair. "Thank you all for attending today's session, despite the recent, sad event that has occurred. Noble Jasmine, I am especially surprised to see you in attendance after so long of shirking off your responsibilities. Still, It is nice to see that you still care about the well-being of your fellow concubines."

Jasmine bowed her head with a stony expression, jaw locked. "Me and sister Erin are close, Consort Bellatrix, it is my duty as a member of his Majesty's harem that I come and attend to her whilst she is grieving her loss."

"And yet, it is also supposed to be your duty to attend these meetings and interact with the rest of us. I will be having more words with his majesty about this, not even moving down a title is surely not punishment enough if you can so brazenly stand there and defend yourself whilst you know you are in the wrong." She tossed her hair to the side, turning her head after a brief staring contest to look at the rest of them. "Now, onto more pressing matters, there has unfortunately been an altercation between his majesty and one of his previously loyal Knights, who has now been revealed as a sympathiser for rebellion groups across the globe. His majesty has invited all those who wish to attend to spectate the execution of this criminal for his treasonous deeds." There were shocked gasps throughout the crowd, Harry's being one of them.

A public execution? There hadn't been one of them since before Harry had been born. It wasn't often that someone of such a high status as one of his Majesty's Knights was revealed to be a traitor, after all. Despite his curiosity at this situation, his stomach still turned at the thought of death for simply having differing views, even though he knew even those thoughts of his could possibly be classed as treasonous themselves.

He would not be attending, although, by the scattered whispers of excitement and trepidation, many would. Dahlia, it seemed, would be joining that crowd.

They hadn't really spoken since their falling out back in early December, and Harry felt as lonely as even within the Court, not sharing many views with those present. Sure, he had Cedric who was keen to hang onto his every word, but with Jasmine in self-imposed isolation, and Erin possibly thinking of doing the same, he lacked the allies necessary to stay happy, and more importantly, stay safe within the Emperor's dangerous harem.

He wished Hermione was here, even though he knew she would curse him for even having such thoughts of her being a concubine.

"Who is the treasonous bastard being executed?" Rakepick spoke up, looking vicious.

Bellatrix, in a show of comradery, grinned back. "Fredrickson."

After the discussion settled down, they were allowed to leave, Jasmine quickly dragging a softly weeping Erin away before anyone could begin a conversation with the pair. Harry somehow found himself walking near Theodore Nott and Daphne Greengrass, who didn't seem all that pleased with his presence.

"I can't believe I'm not even allowed to celebrate my own birthday! It's not like her miscarriage directly affects me, so why should I not be allowed to celebrate?" Theo complained behind him to Daphne, who diplomatically didn't react, merely continuing to stare ahead.

Harry, his nerves already on edge, shot him a glare. "It does affect you, and all of us, Attendant Nott. His Majesty and our Sister have lost a child, do they not deserve to mourn? You will have many more birthdays, and giving up one for this is necessary. Besides, what celebration would you of had anyway? You are not an official spouse of his Majesty." Harry snapped back at him.

"You aren't either." He hissed. "Yet you got invited to have dinner with him. What did you do to deserve that, you're not even a Pureblood."

"Perhaps you will receive the same invite, although, I have my doubts. Maybe, you should try and have more of a presence in the harem before complaining about not getting attention, yes?"

"Noble Potter, don't be so rude!" Daphne snapped at him, her lip curling, ruining her beautiful features with such an ugly expression.

"It's Noble Potter-Black, Attendant Greengrass. I was merely speaking the truth."

"You're so childish."

Greengrass' whispered words to Nott behind his back broke his heart to hear.

"It's no wonder Dahlia wants nothing to do with him anymore."

Their giggles made the pain he felt worse.

23rd January- Friday

On Friday, the week of mourning came to an end, and the concubines were once more dressed flashily and extravagantly. It made him self-conscious, but rightful, to sit in the midst of them, wearing a muted blue robe.

Erin, who surprisingly continued to attend the meetings despite her obvious heartbreak, sent him a heartfelt smile from her seat opposite, alone this time. Jasmine had been moved back to the seat of the sixth Noble after the mourning period was over.

Bellatrix entered, and began the proceedings right away. "Thank you, everyone, for attending the session today, which I will be beginning immediately. I truly emphasise that you all should report if you are pregnant, or suppose that you are, as soon as possible. To support and care for your pregnancies to the best of their ability, the royal healers need to know of your condition, especially if you have previously experienced a loss." Bellatrix's expression of sorrow towards Erin looked realistic enough, but there was a tinge of light in her eyes that Harry didn't like.

"Yes, your highness." The concubines muttered, none looking her in the eyes.

"It is unfortunate that this has happened, but let it be a lesson to you all. It is why I am so adamant that you announce your pregnancies as soon as possible, so that we may deal with the situation appropriately." Harry's back straightened at the glint in her eyes, feeling a shiver run down his spine. "The Emperor has announced that, from now on, he will be taking harsher measures against this. There will still be a grace period of three months before it is expected that you announce the existence of your pregnancy, however, the punishment for not doing so has increased. You shall have your weekly stipend halved, and be confined within your palace for a determined amount of time of more than a week. Depending on the context, and the amount of time passed since the three-month mark, this punishment may be harsher or more lenient. There are no excuses for not knowing, as small weekly and more extensive monthly checkups on your health are mandatory. I hope that you will all take this to heart as to lessen his Majesty's heartbreak."

"We understand and respect his Majesty's decree."

The Consort sighed, closing her eyes. "Make sure that you do. Now, please turn your attention to the folders being handed out to you." Harry received it from the maid who walked behind his row, opening it to reveal a chart. "This chart shows the concerning rise in rebel behaviour in the past few years, most rebellions focused in the United Kingdom, almost as high as the amount recorded a few years after his Majesty's reign as the Emperor began. His Majesty has asked for us to take note of this, and report to him if we notice any signs of such rebellious behaviour within our family members, the Palace staff, or even each other. The signs are as follows-"

After the long meeting had finally ended, and they were permitted to leave and get on with their day, Harry overheard Concubine Felix muttering to himself under his breath as he quickly walked away from the hall, and managed to catch some of what was said.

"...only a month...not yet...be mad..."

His eyebrows scrunched, side-eyeing Anya to see if she had heard, but by her neutral expression, she either hadn't or didn't take note of what the Concubine had said. He breathed in deeply, allowing his mind to clear.

It was none of his business. He should stop trying to get so personally involved with those he didn't have much connection with.

Not that he even really had a connection with any of the concubines, anymore.

27th January- Tuesday

Unlike when Bellatrix gave birth, unexpectedly, in her eighth month, and during the early hours of the morning, Penny was a little over her due date when her water finally broke, and her maids and nurses had been expecting the birth for a little while. Therefore, there was no mad rush to her Palace when he was half asleep- The Palace of Accumulated Purity- Instead, the news of her labour arrived with a joyful maid just after he'd finished dinner, so, already dressed, he and Anya made their way there sedately.

When they arrived, not many were present yet, but the atmosphere was calm. The Emperor, dressed perfectly in his robes, made his way into the hallway where they were all gathered, a smile on his face.

"Greetings to his majesty, the Emperor."

He nodded at them, waving for them to raise. As Penny wasn't the highest-ranking concubine, she wasn't to be treated with the same ceremony, and therefore they weren't expected to stay on the floor as they had when Bellatrix gave birth- another startling difference he couldn't help but make. 

"How is she progressing?" The Emperor turned to a maid that had rushed out of the delivery room to greet him.

She bowed lowly. "As expected your Majesty, there have been no problems."

A shrill shriek came from the room, startling them. The Emperor moved forward, before stopping with a jerk before the door. As tradition dictated, he wasn't allowed within the delivery room whilst the birth was happening, something that he was regretting if his face betrayed his emotions correctly. "Go in and see if the situation has changed."

"Yes, your Majesty" The woman entered the room, and over the continued wails, they could hear murmuring. It went silent for a few moments, and they collectively held their breaths, waiting for any news. She came back out within a few minutes, a haggard but joyful smile on her face. "The Primary Concubine has given birth, your Majesty."

Pushing past the nurse with barely a second glance, the Emperor rushed into the room, the rest of them following with trepidation.

On the bed lay an exhausted but happy-looking Penny, who was cradling a small bundle to her chest, the baby making kittenish sounds. The Emperor was by her side, muttering to her quietly, the Concubine smiling giddily up at him, eyes darting between him and her child.

Sensing their entrance, her head snapped to the side, a smile still on her face, but she seemed to draw herself up more, staring a mutinous-looking Bellatrix straight in the eyes with a proud grin. The Emperor was slower to turn their way, confident that, even if they were a threat, he wouldn't be harmed, and locked eyes with Harry.

His eyes brightened briefly, before tearing away as Penny's head maid approached. She stepped forward, bowing deeply to the pair. "Congratulations, Your Majesty, Concubine Haywood, on the birth of the Thirteenth Princess. May blessings be with both you and your child." 

They echoed her words. "Congratulations, Concubine Haywood."

Well, most of them. Bellatrix was still staring at the new Princess with dark eyes.

"The new Princess is healthy, yes?" She seemed to emphasise the word Princess, as if reassuring herself.

Penny looked at her, eyes darker, holding more smugness than he had ever seen them before. "Yes, and she holds lots of potential, just like her brother and sister. Me and his Majesty are very blessed."

Bellatrix's expression faltered, a sour look that Penny seemed to take joy in crossing her features, as she hissed. "Congratulations, your Majesty."

"Thank you, Bellatrix, although it is Penny, your fellow Consort, that you should be sending your congratulations towards."

"Con-Consort?"

"Yes, with the birth of our third child, Penny has more than earned her promotion, and what a joyful day her ascension ceremony will be. The newest members of my harem haven't experienced one before, yes? Make sure that it is a grand one, then." Each word of the Emperor's seemed to be piercing Bellatrix, and she was paler than before, slightly swaying on her feet despite the grip she had on her maid's arm. His words were a dismissal for her to head off and plan her rival's ascension ceremony to the same rank as herself, unknowing whether or not that would place her as the Primary Consort or not.

"I will do as you wish, your Majesty." She gave a bow to the Emperor, and they quickly followed suit as she turned around with a blank expression. "We will be taking our leave, then. Congratulations once again on the birth of the 13th Princess."

"Congratulations, Consort Penny."

Outside the Palace was where Bellatrix's control broke, and she reached into her robe's pocket, drawing out her want with an aggressive flourish, pointing it at one of her maids. Said maid collapsed to the floor with a pleading squeal, but the Consort wasn't deterred.

Harry turned away, with tears in his eyes as the woman began to scream in agony, begging for the pain to stop, for any of them to step in, and lamented his lack of power.

Deep down, however, he admitted to himself that the sight didn't bring forth as much anguish as it would have before his entrance into the harem, not the heroic feelings that would have him flinging himself into the line of fire.