Harriet Potter and the Alpha in the Dungeon

Chapter 21 - Severus's Favorite

Thank you for reading! I don't own any of Harry Potter! Please let me know if you enjoy! Updates every Saturday!
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The comforting scent of balsam and cardamom filled the Great Hall while the students of Hogwarts shared their last lunch together before the winter holidays.

Severus had made his brief announcements moments earlier, before he took his seat in the headmaster's chair at the High Table.

Harriet was chatting excitedly with Professor Flitwick while Severus scowled over at them as he watched and listened.

His mate had recently entered her second trimester and although her abdomen was still flat, Harriet's pregnancy had begun to show in only ways that her alpha noticed.

Her sweetened smell had intensified to such an extent that Severus practically drooled if he came too close to her.

He was careful to keep his distance from Harriet in class, afraid that he would pull her close and listen to his instincts to protect his mate and pup before he could stop himself.

Harriet's smile had brightened and her emerald eyes had started to sparkle.

Besides her scent, those other changes, along with the subtle radiance of her complexion, were enough to drive Severus mad.

Fortunately, his mate shared his enthusiasm and whenever Harriet had the energy, they often found themselves coupling in her nest.

It had been a bit of a struggle, but Harriet had continued to complete her duties, both in her training program and as Severus's assistant.

With the arrival of the pause between semesters, Severus was relieved that his expectant mate could enjoy a brief period of respite.

As Professor Flitwick and Harriet continued their conversation, Severus admired the brilliance of his omega's smile.

For Severus, the winter holidays had been a time of dread when he was a boy, trapped in his house with a weeping mother and an abusive father.

As an adult, he had viewed the winter holidays as nothing more than an opportunity to catch up on outstanding work.

Severus looked forward to his opinion being changed and he was eager to let Harriet try.

Harriet had never really experienced a family holiday of her own, except during her time at the Burrow.

She excitedly anticipated sharing that experience with Severus, and that was the real reason why her smile was shining so brightly on that gray December day.

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Once lunch ended, while Severus finished up the last bit of paperwork for the semester in his office, Harriet decorated their chambers.

She looked forward to seeing Severus's reaction when he walked in, not that she had gone to any great extremes.

A small tree stood in the corner, hung with silver balls and complemented by several sprigs of holly that she had thoughtfully placed with a few waves of her wand.

As she stood there in the living area and looked around, she imagined how different her next Christmas may be, with a chubby baby in Severus's arms, and gifts piled under the tree for their son or daughter.

Gifts.....

Harriet remembered suddenly that she had almost forgotten to leave Severus's present out for him.

She quickly walked into the bedroom and retrieved a large box that she had kept slyly hidden under a concealment charm in one of the dresser drawers.