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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Intrusive camera flashes burst across the room in blinding succession.
Quick-Quotes Quills scribbled furiously on paper pads while glassy-eyed journalists looked on with their mouths open in shock.
In the Ministry's press conference room, Severus stood at a podium on top of a platform with Harriet devotedly at his side while he concluded his announcement, "And thus, it is with great remorse that I have made the reluctant decision to step down as Minister for Magic. My term will end with the upcoming election, in which I will not take part. It has been an honour and a privilege to serve wizarding Britain."
After Severus gave his official statement of resignation, his team of aides quickly rushed up onto the platform to escort the Minister and his pregnant wife away from the greedy press.
Desperate reporters hurled their questions at the couple, but Harriet and Severus wisely ignored their shouts.
As they walked, Severus provided Harriet what protection his aides failed to furnish as he stood between her and the media, wanting to shield his expectant mate from every bit of stress possible.
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Once they had arrived safely back at Severus's office, he hastily ushered Harriet inside and lovingly situated her in her secondary nest.
His aides nodded and left as the Minister bid them to depart with a silent gesture.
Severus hardly noticed.
Harriet was his only concern.
"My love, are you alright? You shouldn't have been there with me…….the chaos could have upset you. May I offer you something to eat or drink?" Severus asked as he tucked the blankets around Harriet.
"I wanted to be with you, Sev. I'm your wife, I stand beside you." Harriet chuckled. She covered her mouth while she yawned and laid back against the fluffy pillows on the soft bed as she shook her head, "No, I'm fine. You don't have to fuss so much, I've carried before."
"...Never three at once." Severus said in his low voice as his black eyes flickered to Harriet's belly.
Still early in her pregnancy, she looked as if she were weeks ahead already.
"Do you have a moment?" She asked with a soft smile.
"I'm still the Minister for Magic." Severus said with a sly sense of haughtiness in his velvet voice, "I have as many moments as I choose to take."
"Then lie with me, won't you?" Harriet asked as she moved the covers aside.
Severus's serious expression softened at his mate's generous offer.
It was a special treat for a mated alpha to snuggle their pregnant omega in their nest.
Severus took his wand and closed the door with a quick wave of his wrist.
As the lock clicked into place, he removed his cloak and shoes before he slipped into bed next to Harriet.
She sighed softly as she scooted into his arms and closed her weary eyes.
Severus stared down at her while he watched her slip into a deep sleep.
As she napped, safely secure in her husband's protective grasp, Severus slid his arms to encircle his lover, one under the curves of her heavy breasts and the other around her side to let his hand hold the swell of her belly.
While Harriet slept, a low purr issued from Severus's throat as he nuzzled Harriet gently, genuinely content.
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Severus made his announcement on a Friday.
That same evening, he brought Maggie home from Hogwarts for the weekend as he and his wife prepared to announce the exciting, upcoming events to their children.
Harriet had been careful to keep her changing figure hidden from Little Sev under heavy, dark robes.
As Maggie sat and ate dinner with her family that night, she couldn't stop smiling as she waited for her parents to share whatever news they had.
Little Sev blinked innocently at his sister once Maggie finally lost her patience and gasped, "Well?! Come on Mum, Dad, what is it that you wanted to tell us?"
Harriet and Severus glanced at each other.
Maggie and Little Sev watched their father open his hand and his mother place hers in his palm.
Harriet gripped Severus tightly while he spoke to their children, "Your mother and I have decided it is best that I step down as Minister for Magic."
Little Sev didn't quite understand how that impacted him directly but Maggie instantly frowned as she exclaimed, "You…..You can't do that!"
Harriet looked surprised as Severus asked, "I beg your pardon, my dear?"
"You…..I….I mean……um……" Maggie stumbled as she struggled to find the right words. She glanced down at her plate and tucked a strand of her dark hair behind an ear as she cleared her throat and said, "Dad, I….I don't want you to stop being Minister for Magic."
"...Can you tell us why, sweetheart?" Harriet frowned.
With her instincts raging, she easily sensed the anxious unease in her eldest child.
Maggie shrugged before she eventually lifted her gaze to look at each of her parents, "There's girls at school……..They're not terribly kind, but they leave me alone because Dad's the Minister. If he's not the Minister, I….I don't know what they'll do."
Harriet and Severus traded worried frowns before Harriet reached across the table and took their daughter's hand, "Sweetheart, why haven't you said anything about this before? Your father and I can help you."
"No." Maggie sighed as she contemplated her parents' potential intervention, "That'll just make it worse."
"I think you'll have little to worry about once I have been reinstated as Hogwarts' headmaster." Severus answered in his low voice, "Until then, I'll have a chat with Professor McGonagall, my dear………Worry not."
Little Sev blinked again as Maggie's eyes widened, "...WHAT?!"
"Professor McGonagall has agreed to let me resume my former post as soon as your mother gives birth." Severus nodded.
Maggie and Little Sev gasped as they looked at each other, then back at their parents in disbelief.
Harriet chuckled as she stood from her chair and pulled her robes tightly around her middle to let her children see the silhouette of her rounding womb.
"...MUM!" Maggie gasped, "Why haven't you told us before now?!"
"Your father and I were waiting for the right time." Harriet chuckled, "We hoped you two wouldn't be angry."
"Angry?!" Maggie laughed.
"Will I have a brother?!" Little Sev asked eagerly.
"You very well may have more than one, sweetheart." Harriet chuckled.
"Your mother's carrying three." Severus informed their children.
Harriet suppressed a smirk as she heard the subtle hint of repressed pride in her alpha's low voice.
Once dinner had been eaten, Harriet spent the rest of the evening on the living room sofa, with her son and daughter touching her belly as they assailed her with one curious question after another.
Severus's dark eyes were pools of soft, molten ore as he lovingly watched his world in front of him.
Once the children were in bed, he escorted Harriet to her nest and pulled her into his arms.
Their bond remained stronger than ever, but the pleasure Mrs. Snape received as her husband worshiped her with his mouth, fingers, and manhood nearly made her forget her name.
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Harriet and Severus enjoyed the gift of their children's willing acceptance towards the idea of more siblings.
While some parents encountered anger or resentment in such situations, Little Sev was thrilled about the prospect of having a brother to play with and Maggie took a great interest in Harriet's pregnancy.
The following morning, Severus read The Daily Prophet at the breakfast table as Harriet sat in the living room at the desk against the wall while she finished writing a letter.
Dear Healer Margot,
My husband and I have had the pleasure of making your acquaintance several times over the last few years. I've heard stories of your incredible talents and am writing to humbly ask for your assistance. One of my friends is gravely ill and no other healer has been successful in aiding her. Is there any way you would consider visiting for a consultation?
Kind Regards,
Harriet J. Snape, Wife of Britain's Minister for Magic
Harriet's thoughts moved to Astoria as she placed the letter in an envelope and prepared it for the mail.
While she had only managed to make two visits to Mrs. Malfoy during the previous weeks, the hours she had spent in Astoria's company had filled Harriet with a fierce determination to ensure her newest friend overcame the illness her body battled.
Harriet narrowed her eyes as she concentrated on considering backup plans in case Healer Margot declined until a quiet voice interrupted her inward musings.
"...Mum?"
Harriet glanced up and smiled when she noticed her daughter a short distance away in her chair.
"Good morning, sweetheart." Harriet greeted Maggie, "Disencan already has breakfast ready. It's on the stove, love."
"Can I touch your belly again after I'm finished?" Maggie frowned.
"Of course." Harriet nodded.
As Maggie moved into the kitchen to enjoy her first meal of the day, Severus narrowed his eyes at his wife.
Inside her mind, Harriet heard him whisper into her thoughts.
She's too inquisitive about your condition, my love.
Harriet smiled as she sealed the envelope of her letter and used the skill she had gradually acquired over the years to whisper back into her husband's thoughts.
She'll most likely present as an omega, Sev. Why wouldn't she be fascinated? One day, she'll carry her own children.
Harriet stood and mailed her letter from the kitchen window as an owl flew forward to grab the parcel from her hand.
She forced herself to bite her lip not to laugh out loud at the sour scowl she noticed on her husband's pale face.
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The owl carrying Harriet's letter completed quite a journey as it flew to its far away destination.
Eventually, it arrived in a small village by the sea and landed on the worn, wooden windowsill of a crooked cottage on top of a cliff that sat above the crashing, foamy ocean.
As a hand reached out and took the letter from the owl, a woman with bright, blue eyes and shockingly purple hair slit the envelope to read over the lines scrawled on the parchment inside.
Healer Margot's face brightened with a smile once she noticed the signature at the bottom of the letter.
The wizarding world's renowned yet unorthodox healer held a great admiration for Harriet Snape, well aware of her incredible victory against the Dark Lord and her admirable charitable works as the Minister's wife.
She didn't even bother to send a response.
Instead, Healer Margot chose to quickly pack a trunk before she apparated away, ready and willing to assist.