Severus awoke from a deep sleep to an unusual sensation if warmth. It took a minute for him to clear the fog from his head to realize where he was. And remember what happened. He stared at the beautiful witch in his arms. Last night was unlike any other he had ever experienced. For Severus, sex was a tool he used to get information. A job to do. He had never slept with a woman he cared for. And allowing her into his mind...to use her words, mind blowing. But what was he doing? How could he allow this to happen? The bigger question was how could he stop now? He took a deep breath inhaling her scent. She was like a drug and now he was addicted. But is it fair to her? She deserves someone who can love her with his whole heart. Severus wasn't sure he could do that.

"Sev? Are you awake?" she whispered

"I am"

"Do you think everyone knows we didn't go home last night"

"Not everyone. Minerva will be discreet"

"Did you sleep well?"

"Better than usual. Did you?"

"I did."

"I'm glad" He got up and felt her eyes on him as he went to take a shower.

As soon as he got in the shower, he heard her come into the bathroom.

"Do you mind if I join you?" she didn't wait for an answer. Watching her under the water with her hair cascading down her back was seductive. She pulled him in so their bodies were touching. He picked her up as she wrapped her legs around his waist and he pushed her against the shower wall. He thrust into her roughly as she moaned in pleasure. Her tongue found his and their bodies and minds were connected. They both finished quickly, her hair a tangled mass covering them both. She smoothed the hair from his face and pressed her forehead against his.

"You can put me down now"

He let her go and helped her wash her hair. They put on the clothes they wore the previous day and she coiled her hair up expertly. Having never seen her with no makeup, he never noticed the freckles on her nose.

"Ugh I never go anywhere with a clean face. Makes me look like a child" She laughed

Severus tried not to think about their age difference.

They left the hotel and apparated back to the castle gates and were successfully able to sneak down to the dungeons without being seen to change clothes. Severus had to fight the urge to go knock on her chamber doors. The thought of being surrounded by her scent was overwhelming and he wouldn't be able to control himself.

Severus didn't have to wait long for her to come to his office.

"Thank you for bringing me to London. And everything else" she blushed "But I need to say something. I need you to be careful with what you say and do. If I don't make you feel complete, and if I can't have all of you, let's not get carried away. I could give my whole self to you, but if you can't do the same in return for me, then I can't do this. I'm not asking you to love me right now, because love takes time. But I'm asking you to give us a real chance. I won't put everything I have into someone who is never going to love me again. I can't do that. So, before you make another move or say anything about it. Think about me. Think about my feelings. And spare them" She had tears in her eyes as she closed the door.

A blue cat appeared on Severus' desk summoning him to Minerva's office. He had a feeling he knew what it was about.

Minerva was not in her office yet.

"Hello Severus" said a familiar portrait

"Albus" he nodded

"Something troubles you"

"How do you know that"

"I have known you since you were 11. For a good many of those years, I was lucky enough to consider you a friend. I trust you would say the same about me"

"It's my assistant.. "

"Ah yes. The lovely Miss Lee. She shows great promise. And she has a few talents of her own I hear. I heard a rumor that the two of you were...ah out until quite late this morning. Portraits talk you know" Albus winked "So what seems to be the trouble?"

"She deserves someone who can give her his whole heart. Not just broken pieces"

"And you fear that it cannot be you?"

"You know it can't" Severus hissed

"I know no such thing. You are a remarkable man whose loyalty is unmatched and loves with every fiber of his being. I can think of no better person for Miss Lee. And you seem to be quite fond of her. I think you need some sort of closure. No amount of guilt can change the past, Severus"

"Ah Severus." Minerva sat at her desk and looked at him over her glasses.

"You wanted to speak with me?"

"I wanted to see how your day and..ah..night went" she smiled knowingly

"Ah well apparently you are aware of how it went"

"Yes, although I do find it funny to see you looking so uncomfortable in that chair" she laughed "What I wanted to talk to you about is of a more... personal nature. We are both aware of your past as well as Alex's. I implore you to consider them both before you proceed. I would hate for her to feel the need to leave Hogwarts due to the willful ignorance of her feelings"

"Agreed. Now may I please get back to my office?"

"You may"

Severus got up and quickly walked out of Minerva's office.