Harriet Potter and the Alpha in the Dungeon

Chapter 80 - Hogwarts

He resisted the urge to smirk as memories of taking Harriet against the rough wood of the dungeon classroom's tables played through his mind.

"Of course." McGongagall nodded, ignorant of his lascivious recollections, "You two seem to make a great pair. She balances you, Severus."

Severus narrowed his eyes at McGonagall's last remark.

"..........I beg your pardon?" He asked.

McGonagall shrugged quickly, hoping she hadn't offended her old friend, "Students always spoke about how much they enjoyed having Harriet in the classroom during your lessons. Some find you.....severe......Severus, and your wife helps soften that a bit."

Severus scowled at McGonagall until she nodded and asked, "When do you two wish to return?"

"By the end of summer....at the start of the new academic year." Severus nodded.

"Very well....that gives us a few months to prepare." McGonagall smiled.

Severus nodded again as he stood from his seat and prepared to take his leave from the room.

".........Severus?" McGonagall asked as she stuck out her hand.

Severus blinked as he slowly reached his arm out and shook McGonagall's hand.

"Hogwarts will be glad to have you home....Both of you." McGonagall said with a bright smile.

Severus left her office a moment later with his confidence fortified and his heart lifted high.

He couldn't wait to spend less time away from Maggie and more time working one on one with Harriet.

While she assisted him by performing her duties as wife of the Minister for Magic, he and Harriet had maintained a much.....closer.....daily relationship during their time at the castle.

—————————————————————-

Britain's wizarding world fell into a pit of melancholy despair once the news of Severus's official resignation was published.

Press conference after press conference was held as rabid reporters assaulted Severus and Harriet with anxious questions, each outlet hoping to be the first to blare their answers.

While most were happy that the Minister for Magic had decided to be with his family, a quality that earned Severus even more public admiration, the people's hope for the next election grew dim as a suitable candidate failed to appear.

Less than a week after Severus had announced his departure from the Ministry, Harriet smiled at him while they sat at their dining table one morning and enjoyed breakfast.

Little Sev slept in as he remained in his room.

Harriet watched her husband's narrowed eyes move over the printed lines while he read the morning paper.

"You may have to retract that resignation, Sev." Harriet smiled.

Severus glanced up without moving anything except his narrowed eyes.

"The public may not let you leave." She laughed.

"What a pity......" He mused, "We'd have no other alternative then but to liquidate our assets and move with the children to a remote cabin in a foreign country."

Harriet smiled as she ate the last bite of her omelette.

"All jests aside...." Severus began in his velvet voice, "It is rather touching......to ponder the support you've helped me gain, my love."

"I haven't helped you....do anything." Harriet stammered as she swallowed another swig of pumpkin juice.

Her voice wavered as a sudden heat rushed over her body.

Severus failed to notice the shakiness in her tone as he stared at the newspaper, but Harriet blinked as sweat beads erupted across her skin alarmingly quickly.

Her cheeks flushed.

Her throat went dry as her mouth turned metallic.

As if on command, she rose from the table and gingerly walked towards the hallway.

"........My love?" Severus asked as he looked up from his newspaper at Harriet's abrupt departure, "........Where are you going?"

"I.....just need the lavatory." She quietly explained.

Speaking was difficult as her thick tongue smacked against the roof of her dry mouth.

Her steps quickened as she rushed down the hall as fast as she could without running while her heart pounded.

Once she reached the lavatory, she barged inside and closed the door.

The door clicked shut as she bravely faced her reflection in the mirror.

Harriet took a few heaving breaths before she closed her eyes and sighed in relief as that sensation of extreme heat faded.

Her racing pulse slowed.

She swallowed as she opened her eyes.

Mercifully, Harriet listened to her instincts and moved before the dreadful feeling of imminent sickness slammed into her.

Without further delay, she leaned over the toilet and vomited.

As she flushed the mess and wiped her mouth with a quivering hand, she was grateful Severus couldn't possibly have heard her from his position in the kitchen.

If anything else had caused her symptoms besides some inexplicable upset of the stomach, Harriet wanted to be the first to know.

Once she cleaned herself up, she quietly left the bathroom and hurried into the bedroom she shared with her husband.

She silently opened one of her vanity drawers and quickly dabbed on a scent-blocking slave.

Harriet knew she was over-reacting, getting her hopes up again only to inevitably be thrown into disappointment, but just in case.......

Just in case she had conceived one last time, she wanted her lips, not her hormones, to announce the happy news to her alpha.

As she rejoined Severus at the breakfast table and smiled as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened, a flutter of excitement danced in her heart.

Her husband would still have business to tend at the Ministry, that would give her plenty of time to consult a midwife.