| INTIMACY | - HPxTMR

Chapter 28: [End of 1998]

A 3.8k chapter for you all this time :))

It's only a few chapters now until Baby Potter arrives!!! There's a little bit about them in Harry's most recent side chapter :))

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25th December 1998- Friday

The frosty morning air made Harry shiver under his many layers, clutching his robes closer to his body in an attempt to warm himself. With the deepening cold of the winter months now fully upon them, his winter robes had been pulled out from the back of his wardrobe, and today he found himself wrapped twofold, swathed in layers of fabric to hopefully keep out the worst of the chill. Heating charms had been applied aplenty, but Harry made sure his robes were impervious to magic, which unfortunately included his own for the time being.

Wound in Harry's hair was a plainer pin than the one he had worn to the ball, which he had unwrapped just this morning, a gift from his Mum and Dad. It was pure gold, embedded with tiny rubies that he hid before putting it on, not wanting that sort of ire directed towards him.

Red was for Imperial Noble Consorts. He would be crucified if he was spotted wearing the colour, even just a tiny amount.

As he was headed out of the door, Harry spotted the replacement for Aoife dusting shelves on the opposite side of the room. She was a tall woman with red hair and a brusque demeanour, named Attalie. She seemed nice enough, although kept her distance, always at the sidelines, never approaching or acknowledging him past a greeting and a bow.

It made sense. Her predecessor had been killed, after all, which he had only found out after prying. Thomas had seemed hesitant in informing him, but Harry had been adamant. He'd felt his heart stop when his suspicions had been confirmed by the man, shying away when he reached out to hold his hands, but after being soothed by that dark, melodious voice, Harry had caved and let the Emperor's arms wrap around him.

It had been a close call, too close for comfort. With the amount she had been dosing him with near the end, and for however long she had been feeding him the anti-fertility potion for, Harry surely would have struggled, if not been unable to conceive. He had let his emotions out in the comforting embrace of Thomas' arms, feeling guilty at keeping the secret of their growing child from him, but being equally assured that it was the best course of action.

"Can you have the rooms heated before I get back? It's rather chilly, I don't want to get ill so close to the new year." Harry asked Attalie, arm wrapped around Anya's as she fussed with his hair unsuccessfully, hovering in the open doorway.

The woman glanced at him, barely turning, and bowed. "Yes, Your Highness."

With one last glance back, surveying the hustle and bustle of his maids as they packed away his presents and tidied up the living room, Harry patted his pocket anxiously and headed out into the chilly air.

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Dreadedly, despite the festive occasion, the morning meeting was still held. Even more so, perhaps, so that the concubines could brag to one another about the gifts they had received from their families, or that they had gifted to their loved ones; royal children and Emperor included.

"Aurelia dearly loved her pony I gifted her," Penny informed them eagerly once the important business had been dealt with, a fond smile on her lips. "It is still young yet, but it is a fine beauty that will grow under her care. She's already smitten." The Consort looked beautiful and perfectly festive despite her sunny yellow robes, sat in her chair regally. On her lap was a tiny black kitten, a yellow bow wrapped around its neck. "Oh, and of course, my family sent along a gift for me as well. She was approved by the Emperor, so I've named her Soot."