Snape led Alex between two storefronts and down another, narrower lane. Her stomach fluttered; an equal mix of nervousness and lust. By the light of the moon, she noticed a sign high up on a wall: Knockturn Alley. The overhanging second storeys of the half-timbered shops loomed over the narrow street. A faint air of menace hung in the air; a darkness that had nothing to do with the lack of street lamps. Severus opened an unmarked door between two closed and shuttered shops, letting the warm glow of candlelight spill into the street briefly as he ushered her in. They made their way down a narrow hallway and into a small lobby where a house elf stared at them with huge gleaming eyes. Alex watched in silence as Severus booked a room and received a large skeleton key from the eerie little creature. The no-tell motel, wizarding style. The American stifled an urge to giggle. This is kinda weird. And I've got butterflies in my stomach. She clutched Severus' hand as he guided her up a narrow flight of stairs and down another hallway.

He unlocked the second door along the hallway and Alex followed him into a suite of rooms. With a quick spell, he lit the candles clustered in ornate brass candlesticks on the mantel. They were in a small sitting room; she caught sight of the bedroom beyond it. A shiver of nervous anticipation ran down her spine. "It's cold in here, isn't it ? Lazy house elves," he muttered, noticing, "um, I'll just light the fireplaces."

Alex locked the door as the potions master stalked through the suite, casting Incendio to light candles and kindle fires in the hearths. Heh, I think he's nervous too. Any doubts she'd had about the encounter disappeared. She broke into a grin and hastily murmured a spell of her own, waving her wand from head to toe. She tossed the wand on a side table as Severus returned to the little sitting room. His eyes widened. Alex's heavy cloak and robes had disappeared; she'd conjured herself a revealing black silk nightgown. "I think you're just a little...um, overdressed for the occasion, Severus," she commented. She crossed the room and pushed him down into one of the armchairs drawn up before the fireplace. She straddled his lap and began undoing the buttons of his high-necked robe. Severus caressed her shoulders, pulling her head down to his for a lingering kiss. Finally, they broke apart. "Ungh, all these buttons," she said teasingly.

"I'm sure you can manage to do something about them," he murmured against her throat. He slid the nightgown off of her shoulders, stroking her breasts with gentle fingers. Alex moaned as his lips followed. "You were in the process of correcting my fashion faux pas," he reminded her some time later. She giggled and resumed her efforts to disrobe him. The last button of the black robe eventually parted to reveal a shirt...and more buttons. Her fingers trembled as she worked on the shirt. His fingers were stroking her thighs, driving her wild. She bent her head to nip at his chest, rubbing her hands over the exposed skin. She could feel his heartbeat thudding against his ribs. "You don't seem to be making much progress," Severus observed, his voice strained.

He was rubbing her lower back, pulling her close, the nightgown riding up around her waist. His hands slid over her bare skin in circular caresses as she ground her hips against him. With an effort, Alex refocused on her task. "'S not my fault; you keep distracting me," she complained breathlessly. He groaned as her hands slid lower, fumbling with the waistband of his trousers. Sheesh. A button fly, yet. "I dunno, Severus, I think you've got some kind of button fetish going on here," she panted.

"Finally," he growled as she finished with the last of the buttons. He stood up and carried her into the bedroom without another word.

-----

Alex lay curled on her side, asleep. The candles flickered, dying, wrapped in shrouds of melted wax. Severus brushed her hair back from her face, then tucked a blanket around her bare shoulders. She didn't stir as he left the room and summoned an owl.

Then she woke, disoriented. The little witch blinked, taking in the strange room illuminated by the pale dawn light. There was an icy draft; she wrapped the blanket around her. Severus was in the sitting room, tying a tiny scroll onto the leg of a large owl. "Hey. What's up ?"

The note secured, he crossed to the window and released the bird, letting in another gust of cold air. The potions master turned and shrugged. "Just letting Albus Dumbledore know not to expect me back at Hogwarts," he said diffidently. "With the Dark Lord's return to power...and considering my unique position as a Death Eater working for the Order...well, um...they worry," Severus blurted, a frown darkening his sallow features. "Bloody inconvenience for all concerned, actually."

Alex smiled. Aw, he's embarrassed. I caught him being considerate. Out loud, she said, "I can understand. I'd worry too. Um, did you mention I'm with you ?"

"No," he glowered. "You're a grown woman, aren't you ? I see no reason why you should have to give up your privacy," he added with a touch of bitterness. She stopped his complaints with a kiss. The blanket slid to the floor as he returned her embrace. "You'll catch your death of cold," he chided, lifting her off her feet easily and carrying her into the bedroom. "Back to bed with you. Shall I call down for some breakfast ?"

"Ooh, breakfast in bed ?" She pulled him down onto the bed with her.

"Breakfast, lunch...dinner in bed if I can get away with it," he leered, leaning over to nuzzle her breasts.

"Mm. Hey, I thought I dealt with these already," Alex teased, tugging at his waistband. She fondled him through the fabric of his trousers. He slipped them off, pressing the length of his body against hers. A shiver ran though him as she wrapped her legs around his waist. "I think breakfast can wait for a little while."