A question of heirs
Severus woke up the next morning cuddled against his alpha’s chest, it had been so long since he had woken up like this and he realised with a pang he had missed it. He loved his life in Edinburgh but he missed Harry dreadfully.
The cake he had baked for afternoon tea had only been the first surprise Severus had for Harry. When dinner time arrived he had served a roast dinner he had cooked himself, under the watchful eyes of Colly and Cadby. The two elves usually resided in the Potter Townhouse in London but Harry had sent them to look after Severus while he was alone in Edinburgh. They had been surprised by Severus’ request that they teach him to cook but they had been eager to help. Harry had been very happy and just a little bit relieved to find Severus so happy and settled that he had taken his omega to bed after dinner and proceeded to take the man apart.
When he had finally got his husband upstairs he pressed Severus down on their new bed and ravished him, relishing all the noises Severus made now when they were intimate. His omega had been so afraid at first and now Harry loved that he felt safe enough to express his pleasure. When they finally joined together and moved as one it was truly magical.
Severus opened his eyes and looked at the alpha holding him, he felt a little cramped after sleeping all night tucked under Harry’s chin, he stretched his back out gingerly and discovered he was pleasantly sore in all the right places. He settled back on the sleeping alpha’s chest, enjoying the warmth and comfort of Harry’s strong arms around him, he listened to the steady beat of Harry’s heart and his even breathing and he purred softly. He was so lost in the feeling of being close to his alpha that he almost didn’t notice the gentle fingers moving slowly over his naked back.
“Sev, I know you’re awake love,” Harry said with a smile. He truly loved nothing more than waking up with his husband curled against him. Severus’ baby bump was big enough now that it prevented them from pressing flat against each other so Severus had curled his legs up into the gap and pressed his head into Harry’s chest.
Severus hummed contentedly and pressed closer and Harry chuckled.
“I thought we were going to the shared lunch with your support group today,” Harry whispered.
“Hmmm, we are alpha,” he agreed lazily. “But not until lunchtime.”
“Severus it’s almost 11:00,” Harry replied.
The omega blew out a sigh, “oh,” he muttered.
“Come on lazy bones, up you get,” Harry said giving the omega a nudge.
Severus suppressed a very crude response to his alpha’s statement and instead rolled off Harry and got out of bed making his way to the bathroom. He could still feel Harry inside of him when he moved, Harry noticed a very slight limp as the omega walked away from him and the alpha smiled smugly before throwing off the covers and following his husband into the bathroom.
By the time they managed to shower and dress, they were very late and so much to Severus’ embarrassment (everyone would know why he had not had time to bake) they had to purchase rolls and pastries on their way to the Clinic, as their contribution to the group lunch.
Severus was both excited and nervous to introduce Harry to the members of his support group he still could not believe he was in a support group. It had been the very last thing on his mind when he moved to Edinburgh but it had been the very best thing which could have happened because now Severus had friends.
Minerva, Poppy and Aurora had been as close to real friends as he had when he had lived at Hogwarts. They were kind and generous ladies who liked Severus and whom he liked in return. They were comfortable colleagues to share a cup of tea with, in the staffroom and they would often sit in one another’s offices or rooms on the weekend and share something a little stronger. Occasionally they even ventured to the Hogs Head together for a meal.
However, the friends he found in the group were different, they were omegas for a start. Since Regulus had died the only omega he had any contact with was Narcissa but she had been Lucius’ wife and therefore he rarely saw her.
These people were different to any others he had known. They all understood Severus’ difficulties he did not need to explain himself or any of his odd behaviours. If he was out of sorts on any given day they accepted that it was a bad day for him and they gave him the option to share his thoughts and feelings but they did not press him. They understood him without him having to say a word.
Never in his life had Severus felt so at home or so welcome in a group of people. He hoped Harry would like them and their alphas he could not bear it if Harry hated them all and forbade him from seeing them. Not that Harry would do that of course Severus chastised himself silently for that thought, Harry was not the Dark Lord or Albus Dumbledore not even close.
To no one’s surprise, they were fashionably late arriving last out of the group at 12:20 pm. Severus lead Harry by the hand through the building and out to the sheltered gardens at the back of the old house which had been converted into Penny’s Clinic. Morgan stood immediately and moved to greet them both warmly, hugging Severus and shaking Harry’s hand. Severus introduced Harry to everyone and they found a seat on an outdoor sofa and sat close together.
It was a wonderful afternoon full of good food, non-alcoholic drinks, laughter and friendship. Harry had been ecstatic with how relaxed and comfortable Severus was in the group. They had talked about the clinic and Severus’ potion. Morgan had personally thanked Harry for helping her keep her job as the Ministry analyst after the war. Harry had not known who the omega was he had defended but he had been pleased to learn it had been Morgan he had helped.
Dylan’s alpha Mathias, who was a Defence Master at the Magic Academy in Denmark was thrilled to learn that Harry taught Defence at Hogwarts. They spent a long time talking about the skills taught at school and comparing Harry’s Mastery subjects to those offered in Denmark.
There was a lot of talk about families and children everyone in the group was experiencing their first pregnancy and so all were facing huge changes in their lives. Nursery planning was an ongoing discussion among the omegas and the alphas in the group were all keen to prove their skills at building bassinets, cots and change tables. Two of the omegas, Dylan and Rachel, were very close to their due dates and so baby showers were being planned, they would be held at the clinic in the coming weeks. Severus asked about a gift registry, something he had learned about when Dudley Dursely had invited them to his wedding, everyone had thought it was a wonderful idea and Sean who was organising Dylan’s shower took on the task of seeing what was available locally.
Harry had been especially excited to meet the babies of the group and to get the chance to hold Morgan’s daughter, Sage, he held her for the best part of the afternoon. As the gathering drew to a close in the late afternoon Morgan’s husband Andrew sought Harry out to retrieve his daughter joking that he had been worried about Harry absconding with her.
Harry and Andrew had laughed heartily but the joke seemed to fall flat with Morgan who had whispered something to Severus, which had caused him to shake his head at her and reply in a harsh whisper. Morgan looked abashed and she and Andrew had left quickly after that saying a hurried goodbye.
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The walk back to their home was quiet and Harry worried that it might be because of Severus’ sudden disagreement with Morgan. He knew Morgan and Severus had become close and he worried that he might have caused a rift between Severus and his new friend somehow but he had no idea how to broach the subject with his husband.
Harry stewed on the problem for the whole walk home but it was not until they were seated in the sitting room with a slice of Severus’ cake and a pot of tea that the omega gave him an opening to ask about his argument with Morgan by commenting about how good Harry was with babies.
The alpha smirked “Sage is such a sweet baby though, she slept the whole time. I imagine it’s a little different at 3:00 am when they are screaming for who knows what reason,” he said.
“Yes, Sage is a good baby. Rumi I believe is not much of a sleeper. Poor Morgan is often up most of the night. I imagine she was tired today,” he said in an off-handed manner. He was unsure if Harry had heard what Morgan said but he hoped if he had Harry would accept this as the reason for her comment.
Harry looked at Severus “I hope I was not the cause of an argument between you two,” he said carefully.
“It was hardly an argument alpha. Morgan simply said something I felt was out of place. I was perhaps a little harsh and I do regret that, I am sure she was joking it’s just…” he trailed off trying to figure out how to explain Morgan’s situation.
“Just?” Harry prompted.
Severus sighed “Morgan said you were so good with Sage that if I were to give birth to two alphas we could swap her for one of our alphas,” Severus said carefully.
Harry frowned in confusion “Why on earth would she say that?” he asked.
“Alpha, you have to understand the implication, both the girls are omegas therefore, neither of them can inherit Andrew’s Lordship. That means they have to try again for an alpha heir, preferably a male alpha heir,” Severus explained rather shortly. Giving Harry the distinct impression that was all he wished to say about the subject.
Harry went silent for a short time as he processed what Severus had said and the implications of what he left unsaid but did not push to continue talking about the subject. He instead turned their conversation to the vegetable and potion ingredients gardens at the Clinic and what they might potentially do in their own garden.
Severus agreed that once the babies were born he would like to make a garden in the backyard. He insisted that teaching children about potion ingredients and how to grow them when they were young would be a good start to their education. The discussion of alpha and omega children was dropped for the moment however it was not forgotten by either man.
Later that night as they lay together in bed Harry wrapped Severus up in his arms and asked the question which had been weighing on him since they got home that afternoon. “Sev, is Morgan disappointed with her girls,” he asked carefully.
Severus stiffened “Of course not alpha why would you think that?” he asked a little too quickly.
Harry shrugged “The way you said they would have to try again, it made it sound like it was not something she really wanted but would be forced to do because her children are girls,” he replied.
Severus rolled his eyes and sighed, “It’s not that they are girls Harry, but that they are omegas. I know you think that the passing on of family titles is pure-blood nonsense but to many people, it is a very real pressure. Andrew is Lord Abernathy and his family expects him to pass on that title to an alpha son. An alpha daughter might do, but a son would be the preference. Morgan is his wife thus the family expect her to birth him that son,” Severus explained.
Harry considered that information, he really hated the Magical world's system of Lordships and heirs the whole thing was sexist and archaic. It struck him suddenly, that he did not know how Severus would feel if their children were omegas. “Would you be disappointed Sev, if both our children were omegas?” Harry asked softly.
Severus lowered his gaze “I…I don’t know Alpha. It would be difficult I think, to know I had failed you,” he told him.
“Severus, how can you possibly think you will have failed me? You will have given me two children,” Harry said incredulously.
“Perhaps, but omegas are not the children that you need,” Severus told him.
Harry tilted Severus face up to look at him “Do you think I would not be happy with omega children Severus, or is it that you would not be?” Harry asked hesitantly, unsure if he really wanted the answer.
Severus did not reply, he did not know how. He had thought long and hard about this ever since he had the conversation with Morgan about her needing to try again and Severus’, until then unspoken hopes, that these two children he was carrying would provide both him and Harry with the heirs they needed.
“Sev?” Harry asked again when the omega did not reply. “I would not be disappointed, I could never be disappointed by children made from our love,” Harry told him gently.
Severus snorted softly “Such sappiness, alpha,” he whispered, trying for disdain in his tone but not quite getting there.
“It is true omega, I will be the happiest man on earth when these two children are born and nothing will change that, to hell with the Lordships, they mean nothing to me anyway,” Harry insisted.
Severus sighed “I know you will be happy regardless, Harry but two alphas would be perfect. Our son could be Lord Potter-Black and our daughter Lady Prince,” Severus told him.
“You have been thinking about this?” Harry asked.
“I try not to, but it has crossed my mind. There is nothing I can do about it, it is a bridge for us to cross when we get there. I would, however, very much like for my children to be your heirs,” he said softly.
Harry nodded at that, he would like their children to be their heirs too, but it was not something he had given any thought to before now. “The Potter and Prince lines can pass to an omegas alpha, just as I claimed the Prince Lordship, our omega children’s alpha could do the same. The Black Lordship will eventually find an heir among the Black family if not with me,” Harry told him.
“I know alpha, I know,” Severus whispered.
Harry tightened his grip on the man in his arms, “I don’t require more than these two children Severus, I will not ask this of you again. You promised me one pregnancy and will not force you to birth more children,” He said softly.
The omega cupped his face and smiled a little sadly “I wish I were better at this, and that I could give you all that need, I did warn you you that deserved better than me,” he told the alpha sounding weary.
“There is no one better for me than you, Severus Potter-Prince, no one anywhere in this world, so put that thought out of your head. Please Sev, it has been such a lovely day. I really enjoyed meeting Andrew and Morgan, Dlyan and Mathius and everyone. I am so proud of you for going so far out of your comfort zone to find them,” Harry whispered.
Severus sighed “Thank you alpha I am happy that I have pleased you,” he said snuggling in close to Harry and tucking himself under the alpha’s chin.
“You always please me, Severus Potter-Prince, always,” Harry told him kissing the top of the head which was tucked under his chin.
They spent the rest of the weekend together alone in their home sleeping late and then walking around their backyard plotting out gardens. Harry promised to send some elves from either Potter or Prince Manor to dig the gardens so they would be ready to plant once Severus was back on his feet after the birth of the babies.
Late in the afternoon on Sunday, Severus received a visit from a mortified and repentant Morgan. Harry had disappeared into the study and given the two some space. Morgan apologised profusely for her ill-thought-out comment. Severus, who was not a natural hugger and had only hugged two women apart from his mother in his whole life, wondered just who he had become when took his friend in his arms and assured her there was no harm done. He understood what she had meant and knew all too well the situation she faced. They parted several hours later with a promise to meet for afternoon tea the following Tuesday as usual.
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Harry had been reluctant to leave on Sunday night, he knew he would miss having Severus so close. However, he was comforted by the fact he was not leaving the omega alone after meeting the omegas from the support group and seeing how happy and comfortable he was he was reassured that Severus was in good hands.
It was not long until Christmas now and they would be spending it in their new home together. Severus was looking forward to Yule. He intended to get a bigger Yule log as he had the space to burn it in this house and was already planning where to put the tree. Harry had smiled and told him he couldn’t wait to see how Severus decorated their home.
Back at Hogwarts though Harry slipped into worried alpha mode. It bothered him that Severus might be disappointed by their babies Harry could not fathom such a thing. It made no sense to him. He had sent a letter to Penny about it, but she had yet to reply. In the meantime, he had student essays to keep him from dwelling on problems which were for the future.
The fifth and seventh-year students were starting to feel the pressure of their upcoming exams as they got closer to Christmas. Harry was starting to push them to revise what they already knew as well as focusing on the new topics. When he reminded them to study at the end of every class he knew he sounded just like Hermione, when she had nagged him to revise and reread the topics already covered. He even handed out a sample study schedule to his students, which he had based on the ones Hermione had drawn up for him when he had to revise for exams. Not that he would ever tell her.
Harry put aside a small pile of essays which belonged to students he was worried about, he would take them to the staff meeting on Tuesday night. Ever since he had learned that children raised in the wizarding world usually had a tutor to help them with all the things Hogwarts didn’t teach like how to structure an essay and construct grammatically correct sentences. He had been pushing to have English tutors on staff, every week he brought essays of students he was concerned about, Draco had started to do the same as had Neville. Harry was holding out hope that he was getting somewhere with his argument. He gathered up the parchment scrolls to put into his satchel ready to take to the meeting when he saw the name on the top essay Charles Fernby he remembered that he had meant to catch up with Pomona about the boy’s home life, Harry could not put his finger on his concern but there was something niggling at him about the boy.
He put it out of his mind, he would follow it up in the morning he poured himself a drink and sat down in Severus’ old chair. He missed his omega he was not sure how long he could continue living away from him, especially once the babies were born.
There was a tap at his window and he got up to let in the owl.