Harriet Potter and the Alpha in the Dungeon

Chapter 76 - Preparing

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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Disencan was the first to rise that morning.

The Snapes' house elf collected the letter from the mail slot and placed it on the table for Harriet and Severus's review while he began to make breakfast.

He thought nothing of the parcel until the couple shuffled into the kitchen an hour later.

"What's this?" Harriet asked as she picked up the letter.

The envelope bore no return address, but as Harriet turned it over in her hands to slit its back, Severus scowled as he plainly recognized the Malfoy family crest stamped into the dark wax.

"My love....." He began to warn his mate.

Severus spoke too slowly.

Harriet had already opened the envelope and pulled out the parchment it contained.

Together, she and Severus read over the lines on the page:

To Mr. and Mrs. Severus Snape,

The Malfoy family cordially invites you to a Holiday Party at the address shown below on December 31st at 8:00 pm. Please RSVP.

Kind Regards,

Scorpius Malfoy, Draco Malfoy, and Lucius Malfoy

Severus braced himself for his wife's reaction as Harriet stared at the parchment.

While Draco remained his godson, he knew his mate harbored few decent feelings towards the Malfoy family.

"Well........" Harriet scoffed as she roughly stuffed the letter back into the envelope, "I see Narcissa wasn't allowed to sign."

"I believe only the heirs placed their signatures." Severus concluded, "........Draco's spouse did not add her name either."

Harriet tossed the envelope onto the dining table and looked at Severus.

They frowned at each other for a moment before Severus spoke, "I am no happier than you are, my love. While I do not have a personal quarrel with the Malfoys, I would prefer if my daughter were not pursued by her first suitor at age eleven."

"How are you not enraged, Sev?!?!" Harriet spat, "You should be! A boy is trying
to.....to.......You've been protective since she was conceived! Are you not furious about this?!"

"I am furious, but not with the boy, not now." Severus calmly replied. He gazed at Harriet as he wisely reasoned, "My love, I am less than thrilled by the invitation, but have you not noticed that our daughter has barely mentioned anything about her first semester except-"

"-Scorpius." Harriet concluded as she raised her hands and dropped them in a gesture of frustration.

"Correct." Severus frowned, "Perhaps they will remain only friends.....I have yet to see them interact.....She's failed to mention anything more than a simple, platonic companionship between them......I also realize the Malfoy boy has given our daughter reason to smile, which eases my qualms. I confess.....I was as nervous as her about the other students' perception, if you'll allow me to speak truthfully."

Harriet gnashed her teeth against her own hatred as she contemplated having to sit in Draco's house and pretend to enjoy an evening while she relived the horrors she had witnessed there.

"I'll write back this morning and let them know we aren't coming." Harriet sniffed.

"........Do you really consider that to be a prudent decision?" Severus asked.