Intimacy

1st November 2000- Wednesday

In a breach of protocol, not that there had been much of that in the past months as their relationship had deepened, Harry was leant against the side of Thomas, whose arm was wrapped around his waist in a comforting hold. They were lounging on the sofa in one of the rooms connecting to the man's office, basking in the first hour of warmth the day had to offer, discussing the morning meeting that would occur in a few hours.

"Please announce to the Harem today that there will be a trip upcoming in mid-December, to Japan. I will be meeting with their officials, as well as their emperor. However, it is not an exceedingly formal event, please be sure to stress that." Thomas murmured, both hesitant to break the relative silence of the early morning. These early hours of the day were perhaps the only ones without the dramatics of Court life.

Harry simply nodded, humming, enjoying the warmth of being so close to his husband. The man mimicked the noise, his voice tinged with amusement.

"Comfortable?"

He let out a deep breath, letting Thomas know just how comfortable he was. The man's chest vibrated with his withheld chuckle that Harry would have dearly loved to hear. He contented himself with pressing ever closer, mind still slow with sleep. These were the hours he most enjoyed spending time with Thomas, when he wasn't so high-strung and unable to let go of all formalities. The early hours of the morning was when their relationship flourished the most.

Thomas continued, "There will also be matters to discuss about rankings. I have considered what you informed me, that Bellatrix questioned the legitimacy of our children in an obtuse way. Rest assured, she will face punishment for her comments today, no matter her attempts to finesse her way out of the situation."

This caught his attention, and Harry sat up a little to look into Thomas' eyes, enquiring for more details. The look on the Emperor's face revealed he would disclose little more than that, his red eyes filled with mirth. Instead of probing, and possibly annoying the man, he leant up to press a kiss to his lips. Thomas stilled, before moving closer and deepening the kiss that Harry pushed all his grateful feelings into.

"All will be revealed soon, darling. You had better be off, I would like for you to look your best today, for my own smug satisfaction. Wear your crown," The man suggested. "The one I gifted you, with a topaz instead of the emerald."

"Of course, Your Majesty." Harry purred in reply, delighting in the darkening of his husband's eyes.

Harry did exactly that, and it was worth it to see the jealousy and want reflected within the majority of the concubines' eyes. If he was going to be the Head of the Harem, surely he could indulge in the privileges such a role gave him. His robes today were a smouldering fire shade, rather than the bright orange most associated the colour with, almost controversially close to the red of an Imperial Noble Consorts. The Emperor had gifted him the bolt of silks to make it after his promotion ceremony. Along with the topaz set prominently in his crown, he was draped in his husband's clear favour.

Once he had opened the scroll handed to him by the Emperor before he had left this morning, Harry understood exactly what he had been referring to.

"Consort Bellatrix, for your slanderous accusation that mine and His Majesty's children may be illegitimate, for the mere fact that their hair differs from our own, he demotes you to the rank of Fourth Consort. Sister Isla, you are to be promoted in light of this to Secondary Consort, and Consort Regulus, you are to become the Third Consort."

"I did no-" The woman began, her jaw slack as she stared up at him. "I said no such thing!"

"You implied such quite clearly, enough that I felt so distressed by your severe accusation that His Majesty had to console me. It wounded me to hear you say such damaging, slanderous words, Consort Bellatrix." Harry made sure he projected said pain on his features, noting those who portrayed sympathy in response, and those who sneered. It seemed the majority of the Harem would side with him in this instance. Perfect. "What if someone had taken your words for truth? Any of the maids there that day could have shared such baseless lies, turning them into rumours proven by your endorsement. The Empire could have faced turmoil regarding the legitimacy of all of His Majetsy's children, Princess Delphina included."

Bellatrix's pale complexion was steadily darkening, and she shook slightly with barely repressed anger, but also fear. "His Majesty has truly demoted me for such a small thing? The Emperor has to know that I did not mean for my words to be taken in such a way!"

Harry frowned down at her, sniffing. "Small? You insinuated that my children are illegitimate, it is no small thing at all! Please, watch your words in the future, Consort Bellatrix. You are one step away from becoming a Concubine once again, after all. You don't want your last years in the Harem to be spent in the lower ranks, do you?"

It was jarring watching the woman flinch as if she had been struck, her wide, grey eyes reminding him startlingly of Sirius in that moment. Harry breathed in deeply to keep his composure as he watched her nod, her hands clenched obviously in tight fists. He nodded in return, his gaze wandering once more over the rest of the Harem. Each looked startled, several pale, and he knew that they must have taken joy in hearing of her words concerning his children, perhaps helping along any rumours that may have stemmed from them.

The Emperor, however, was several steps ahead, and such whispers had not made their way out of the Court before being squashed. Instead, the Empire would soon know that Bellatrix had well and truly lost His Majesty's favour, now the lowest ranked of the four Consorts.

Especially with the public appearance they would soon make in December.

"His Majesty also wishes for me to inform you all of an upcoming trip to Japan in mid-December-"

3rd November 2000- Friday

Thomas crossed his arms over his chest as he surveyed the Lords and Ladies gathered for the morning's Council session. He was upon his throne within the Slytherin Hall, the Council members sat upon chairs in rows not unlike how the Harem meeting would look like that was occurring at this moment. However, there were far more gathered than the twenty-four members of his Harem. There was a Lord or Lady from each country, usually the most powerful of their lot, equating in a near two hundred of the most influential wizards and witches the world had to offer within one room. Suffice to say, the security was immense, and it was unknown to all but a few where exactly they would gather when the Council was in session.

For this week, Thomas had decided to move the meeting from the Council Hall into the Court, as he could not afford to leave the walls even for a moment. Bellatrix, ever since her demotion, appeared on edge, and it was a matter of when, not if, she snapped. He needed to be here to protect his children and the members of his Harem when that occurred, whether it was in a day's time, or next year.

That, unfortunately, meant he would be inviting the Council into the Court's walls. Usually, they would have little cause to step foot into the Harem's territory, keeping political machinations including his concubines to a minimum. Now, however, for the week this Council was in session, they would have access to the concubines, despite how much he limited their movements. There would inevitably be interaction between the two institutions, especially as this would have to occur every month until he could finally put down the rabid woman, or lock her within the Palace of Benevolent Tranquility.

As if reading his mind, one of his Council members began to speak on the topic.

"We have noticed that Consort Bellatrix Slytherin-Black has declined in the ranks as of late, Your Majesty. May we know His Majesty's reasonings for such? Do you wish for Her Highness to retire to the Palace of Benevolent Tranquility?"

"Consort Sytherin-Black is approaching a more... challenging age now." Another interjected. "Her Highness is forty-nine tomorrow, and, my apologies if it is uncouth of me to say, Your Majesty..." Thomas waved the woman on. "Her Highness is within the last of her childbearing years now, as evidenced by the unfortunate challenges Her Highness has faced bringing Your Royal children into this world. The Harem's role is to produce Heirs for Your Majesty..."

He nodded his head, indicating that he had heard her words. "Bellatrix has been rather... difficult, as of late. Her recent behaviour has begun to grate on me, especially as she has most recently brought to question the legitimacy of my three children by my Noble Consort."

"Ah, yes, we had heard of that instance." Lord Kade spoke, the man's voice clear in the almost silent Hall. Lord Kade was a long-time member of his Council, part of the Scottish nobility, and enjoyed the privilege of sitting within the front row of the Council. "Truly, a despicable accusation, when Her Highness, too, has produced a daughter that looks nothing like Your Majesty, apart from the Princesses eyes, which the Sixteenth Princess shares with Your Majesty as well."

"As I had thought to myself as well, Lord Kade. As to the Council's suggestion of moving her to the Palace of Benevolent Tranquility, I admit, It has crossed my mind occasionally. I very much doubt there shall be another child of our union. However, I believe it is not the time to do so. Our daughter is still young and under her care. Perhaps, after Delphina turns five, I may revisit this discussion with the Council."

The members before him bowed their heads deeply, displaying their regard for his words.

"How is His Highness, Noble Consort Slytherin-Potter-Black? The Consort's accusations must have been distressing to hear from one of His Highnesses seniors and fellow Harem members."

Thomas nodded his head shallowly. "Harry was shocked to listen to her insinuations. It was after a discussion with my Noble Consort that I decided Bellatrix deserved the demotion to Fourth Consort. If she continues to display such unbecoming behaviour, she will face further punishment. However, I am yet at the point where I wish for a more... permanent solution to my problem."

"We agree with His Majesty's benevolence. The Fourth Consort shall be watched carefully from now on."

Thomas tapped his fingers on the armrest, the only sign of his agitation at their words. He disliked the insinuation that they could watch any of his concubines, despite knowing that some of the most powerful could perhaps do so. It was, however, relieving that his Council agreed that Bellatrix was toeing the line and would therefore no longer offer her any support, even going so far as to suggest her removal from the main Harem. However, it seemed that Harry was now consequently on their radar, and they would begin to interfere with his Noble Consort from now on. He would need to warn his husband of their machinations.

Their Emperor was a powerful, enigmatic, compelling man. He had conquered the world in under a decade, a feat none had accomplished in history. He had revealed the existence of the magical community to the muggles without provoking an all-out, deadly war involving their nuclear weapons, proving himself as a skilled negotiator and leader. The Emperor had successfully created the Council composed of many opposing factions, and managed to keep them civil with one another by being a ruthless deterrant. He was a man unparalleled by any other. However, he was just that: A man.

It was clear in the way he had favourites. First, it had been Bellatrix. Evangeline had swiftly soared to the top, but crashed down without making the impact they had hoped for, or achieving the rank of Empress, with her untimely death. Bellatrix had resumed her role, with a few favourites interspersed between, but none overtaking the woman who clung to power with such ferocity and ruthlessness. Then, Penny Haywood, a relative unknown, shocked them all with her swift but stealthy rise in the ranks, until she was tailing the woman, nipping at her heels and chipping away at her power and influence.

The Council had been intrigued by this. This woman, without any memorable connections anywhere, had become the Emperor's favoured and produced him heirs at a speed none had done before. It was not long before she had three children to her name, the first to do so since the Late Noble Consort Evangeline. This gave her leverage, and the power to do what none could before: arrange matches of her spares to bolster the power of the child she designated her choice to push as future heir.

However, it seemed all those who caught His Majesty's eye were destined to fall at some point, as yet another concubine caught the Emperor's eye, and this time, the Council could understand His Majesty's interest in the man. Harrison Potter-Black had entered the Harem a powerful but naive boy, heir to two old Houses that would do him well. He had flourished under the pressure of the Harem, however, into the influential man he was today, and it awed them to see that. They had held off on approaching him, sure that he was too young and untested to truly be the one who would ascend to the highest rank. But, as the years passed, he had proved them wrong and right at the same time, showcasing his ability to adapt and keep His Majesty's oppressive attention fixated upon himself, even drawing away that favour from others such as Bellatrix and Penny.

With his promotion to Noble Consort and the near demotion of the two women, it was clear that it was time for them to make their move, to ensure that the succession was clear. He had given the Emperor three children now, it was enough to push him into the spotlight, and ensure they were in the good graces of the second most powerful wizard in the world.

The realms needed a true Consort to The Emperor. The people needed a figure beside the man to represent a more peaceful side to him, to eventually shadow the legacy he had created for himself as a conqueror.

The boy must become the Emperor Consort, as this was the closest to stability the Empire had been since its conception.

4th November 2000- Saturday

It surprised Harry the next morning to see his husband sitting behind his desk, a scowl on his face, hands folded together as he observed him. Thomas' serious expression had Harry on edge, and he broached the subject cautiously.

"What troubles you?" He spoke softly, feeling pinned under the intensity of his husband's red-eyed stare. The man breathed in deeply through his nose, holding still for a moment with his eyes closed, before exhaling slowly.

"My Council," Thomas began, "They have begun making moves as of late to interfere. However, as it benefits my own plans, I do not foresee needing to intervene."

Harry frowned, understanding the need for caution. The Council was a gathering of the most powerful Lords and Ladies of each country, and whilst the Emperor held authority over all of them, if they wished, it wouldn't be too hard for them to cause problems. He nodded, comprehending what the man was alluding to.

Thomas continued. "I do not believe they mean you any harm, my Noble Consort. However, I implore you to read carefully from now on. My Council have finally come to the realisation that Penny is not as powerful as she once was, and that neither she nor Bellatrix will be reclaiming their dominion over my Harem. Henceforth, they will be placing the brunt of their attention upon you. These are people who have stood as my advisors for perhaps decades, the representatives of their countries and species, Lords, Ladies, Duke's, Duchesses, Prince's and Princesses in their own right. They know the intricacies of the system, and they will exploit them. I expect some shall be approaching you in the coming weeks. Show them why you are my only Noble Consort and the Head of my Harem, despite your age and lack of seniority."

Harry nodded seriously. "Of course, Thomas."

Hopefully, they wouldn't have many opportunities to do so outside of official events. The next would perhaps be Yule, or a birthday of one of the higher concubines. It surely wouldn't be Bellatrix's, as Harry was, unsurprisingly, not invited to this evening's celebrations despite his status and relation to her. He was amused enough at the snub, and not inclined to force himself to endure more drama, to leave that event alone. He hoped it backfired on her, however, when Sirius left in favour of seeking Harry out for a chat, which he would welcome eagerly, snubbing her in return. There hadn't been many opportunities for him to invite his family to his Palace, and if he did so with enough Knights present, there would be little rumours for his enemies to start.

He would take Thomas' advice to heart, however. Knowing his luck, he'd run into the most difficult Council member in the most unexpected setting.

10th November 2000- Friday

That afternoon, Harry was on his way back to his Palace after sharing lunch with Luna and Jasmine in the Concubine's garden. The weather had been steadily growing colder as winter now settled in, but the air was not yet chilled enough to need a Sedan, and Harry wished to bask in the freshness of it all for as long as he could.

The rhythmic tapping of a cane alerted him to the presence of another around the bend he and his maids were approaching. Harry had the choice to turn right and avoid whoever it was, but that would take him out of the way, so he continued on his path. Whoever it was, it was not Harry who had to adhere to formalities.

He wasn't expecting an elderly, stern-looking man, surrounded by guards wearing a crest he couldn't place. The group was dressed in black from head to toe, barring the Lord whose robes were adorned with silver patterns that reminded Harry of a stormy sea.

The man had an ornate cane in his hand, yet his gait was stable, and his back was straight, head held high as if he bowed to none. The aura he exuded was powerful, and the glint in his dark eyes was intimidating. He came to a stop before Harry, the guards surrounding him snapping to an abrupt halt, placing their hands on their hearts as they bowed their heads.

"Noble Consort Slytherin-Potter-Black." The man spoke, his voice commanding, but respectful. He bowed his head slightly, and Harry struggled not to return it. Theoretically, he now stood only behind Thomas in terms of power, so he bowed only to him, however, it was hard to translate such a thing when he was only in control of the Harem and could not step outside of the Courts walls unless on an official outing. The man continued. "Your Highness, it is a great pleasure to finally make your acquaintance. I am Lord Kade, a member of His Majesty's esteemed Grand Council. It is my honour."

"I greet you, Lord Kade. I was surprised to see someone within the Court whom I did not recognise, but I surmise that His Majesty must have called for the Council to be held here this week. That is unusual."

Usually, the Council met in the Council Hall, outside the Court's walls. For it to have been held within the Court meant that matters concerning the Harem had been discussed that week. His luck was incredible.

"You are correct, Your Highness. I was taking a stroll after the last session ended. Please, do not be alarmed, we will be returning to the Council Hall later today."

Harry nodded his head, wondering whether he should voice his concerns about the Council members wandering unchecked around the Court. Thomas had mentioned that they may approach him, but it still rankled him that they were within the Court for such a prolonged time. He said nothing.

"Very well, I hope your day is pleasant. Good day, Lord Kade."

The man bowed deeply and Harry passed him. "Blessings to His Highness, the Primary Noble Consort."