Harriet Potter and the Alpha in the Dungeon

Chapter 23 - Good News

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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"We would like to welcome you all back to Hogwarts for the second and final semester of this particular academic year." Professor McGonagall spoke at the podium while she addressed the throngs of students on the first morning after the winter holidays, " I ask that you forgive me for speaking in the headmaster's place today, but he's agreed to let me share a happy piece of news with you all......."

Behind McGonagall, the school's staff members sat at the High Table and listened quietly.

Severus shifted in his seat and Harriet stiffened her back bracingly.

"Over the winter holidays, our very own Headmaster Snape and his assistant, Harriet Potter, became husband and wife." McGonagall announced.

The immediate barrage of whispers, squeals, and gasps that rang out through the Great Hall was deafening.

Harriet and Severus had discussed the matter in depth.

After he had obtained his bride's permission, Severus had informed his colleagues on New Year's Day of his marriage to Harriet.

He had been shocked by the amount of kind support and congratulations that he had received from the other professors.

The Snapes thought it would be wise to formally announce their union to Hogwarts' students in an effort to crush the never-ending gossip that flew around the school about them both.

Besides, Harriet's growing belly reminded her and Severus that their ability to continue concealing their relationship was quickly nearing an end.

"Quiet! Quiet down, please!" McGonagall called over the crowd until the students gradually fell silent.

"I ask you all to remember that Hogwarts expects its students to treat its staff members with the utmost respect in regards to the happenings in the classroom and in their personal lives." McGonagall nodded.

As McGongagall spoke, Severus rose from his seat in a swift, elegant motion and glided over to her.

Once she sensed Severus standing beside her, McGonagall nodded again and concluded, "Without further adieu, I'll turn the announcements over to Headmaster Snape now."

McGonagall glanced at Severus and smiled softly before she stepped away from the podium, walked back to the High Table, and sat down in her chair next to Harriet.

It took Severus by surprise that as soon as he stood in front of the podium, startling amounts of celebratory applause and excited cheers erupted throughout the Great Hall.

Many students looked happy, some of them appeared smug, and others giddily gleeful, but they all expressed their approval.

It was a wonderful yet foreign feeling for Severus, the pleasantly overwhelming notion of a room filled with hundreds of people that clapped for him and his achievements.

Bewildered, he turned to look at Harriet for a moment.

His heart soared when his bride beamed at him reassuringly.

Harriet could have promised that she caught a glimpse of Severus attempting to smile back at her, although it was probably just a trick of the floating candles' light.......

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Despite their blatant reveal, Severus and Harriet continued to be the subjects of suspecting smiles and anticipatory giggles.