Severus opened the door to his chambers and summoned 2 glasses of whiskey.

"So, when are we going to talk to your buddy's wife?"

"We won't be. I do not meddle in the personal affairs of old colleagues"

"Oh come on. It'll be fun."

Severus finished his whiskey in one shot.

"So, I know you don't celebrate your birthday, but I got you something" She pulled out a small box.

Severus opened it slowly and picked up the small vial inside.

"Where did you get this? Acromantula Venom is extremely rare and dangerous to procure"

"I made a few contacts here in London" she said mysteriously.

"You always seem to treat rare and expensive gifts as commonplace items"

"Money is nothing. I just pick things out that I know people would like." she shrugged

"Thank you"

"Your welcome. Now, the other night you mentioned something about a Prefect's Bathroom... "

Severus was hesitant. He certainly didn't want to be caught with his assistant. Maybe that made it a bit more alluring.

Alexianna took his silence as acquiescence and stood up pulling his arm.

"We must be discreet. Go to the fifth floor in the hospital corridor. Knock to make sure no one is in there. Password is 'Pine Fresh'. Go in. I will be there 15 minutes later"

"Oh my god I can't believe you are going to do this it's so exciting"

"Do not draw attention to yourself. If there is anyone in the corridor, keep walking and double back when the coast is clear"

"Ok ok ok. Got it. Play it cool."

Severus took the next 20 minutes trying to figure out what the hell he was thinking and drinking a few more shots of whiskey.

Severus walked up to the fifth floor, knocked on the door and opened it. Alexianna had already changed into one of the bathrobes that were kept in the bathroom and started playing with the hundreds of taps. Severus locked and soundproofed the door and stood by watching Lexi get excited by all the different levers and knobs.

"This is amazing! How come teachers don't have anything like this?"

She had finally decided on rose water and jasmine and had the water running. Lexi started unbuttoning Severus' shirt as he unpinned her hair. She trailed kisses down his neck and chest as he finished undressing. She took his hand and led him into the water.

"How do you stand the water so hot"

"Just relax." she whispered

He picked Lexi up by her ass and she wrapped her legs around him, her lips never leaving his. Their minds connected and they took their time exploring every inch of their weightless bodies.

"Will you come stay with me tonight?" Lexi asked after catching her breath

"You are insatiable" He smirked

"No. I don't want to fuck you...well I do. But that's not what I'm saying. I just want you to sleep next to me. Will you? Please?"

He couldn't say no to her and he had to admit he slept better with her in his arms.

They got dried off and dressed.

"I'll leave first. Come to my room. My password is Thunderbird. Don't knock, just come in. Bring a change of clothes for tomorrow so we don't have to wake up so early."

"I'll leave in 15 minutes." he whispered and she nibbled at his neck.

20 minutes later, Severus entered her chambers. Lexi already had a tee shirt on and was in bed. Severus stripped down to his shorts and lay next to her. She cozied up to him running her fingers over his chest.

"Happy birthday old man" she smiled

The next morning, there were 2 envelopes on Severus'desk. One was an invitation to an engagement gala for Draco Malfoy and Astoria Greengrass. The other was a note from Lucius.

Severus:

I assume you have received an invitation to Draco's engagement gala. I will be in attendance and I would like you to speak with Narcissa for me. I also would like to request the presence of your assistant, Alex.

Lucius

"Marital drama. Are you sure you want to get mixed up in that mess? And why does he want me there?"

"I most certainly do not want any part in their marital troubles, however I must up attend. And I think it's pretty clear why he wants you there. He wants to make his wife jealous."

"What makes him think I want any part in that?"

"Lucius is accustomed to getting what he wants. Particularly with young women. I'm sure it's part of why be is in the predicament he is in. But it seems curious that he would want to go that route to reconcile."

"So it sounds like I need a new dress. I don't think we should publicly go 'together'. I mean we don't need rumors going around the school, right? With those types of rumors, you will never come out looking good. I don't want to ruin your reputation"

"How so?" Severus agreed that they should keep their arrangement private, however, he didn't know how it would ruin his reputation.

"Young, naive girl who just moved here and knows no one... Older, lonely man with a dark past... it will always look like you took advantage of the situation"

Severus knew she was right. If he was being honest with himself, his reputation was in shambles anyway, but why was she risking hers to be with him?

"Are you ready to teach your classes today? You usually just assist with the older students. It's going to be different. Plus the subject is of a more... controversial nature"

"Yeah. I mean I asked to change the curriculum, so I better be right? Although I think it would be hilarious for you to teach it" She winked

"Most definitely not"