Over the next several weeks Morgan spent most of her time with class work. There was much more involved than she had planned on. Course syllabus, papers to grade and the actual teaching as well. She felt oddly uncomfortable with her new persona as well as the quiet questioning stares from children and the staff. It was a lot more work to make herself up in the mornings and Mari resented the use of her valuable time on such frivolity.

Halloween had come and gone rather uneventfully and instead of going into Hogsmeade with the other instructors she'd finally found a day of solace relaxing with a book.

Several evenings a week had been spent with Professor Snape discussing her more feminine nature. That was the last thing she ever thought she'd be doing with him. He explained to her the nature of man, the way of the Death Eater men in particular, what they expected and how to act. She had blushed when the man gave her examples of some subtle innuendos other women had used on him. At least he didn't suggest they run through it, well, physically. After the other night that was somewhere she wasn't comfortable going.

One evening they were enjoying a nice glass of Chardonnay after Snape had assured her there was naught else to teach her. "Thank the gods. I don't see how I'm going to remember it all as it is."

"You will be fine."

"Hmm. I suppose we'll find out won't we?"

"Professor McGonagall inquired after you today."

"And what did she inquire about?"

"It seemed that she was concerned for your safety. She asked me to keep an out for you."

Morgan watched the Potions Master sitting casually in his chair. He appeared very relaxed, his legs crossed as he lounged back in the seat, "did she?"

"Yes. Odd thing for her do since she's disowned you isn't it?" Snape watched a sad expression wash over her face as she fingered the rim of her glass. "Minerva isn't one to hold such a grudge professor. I wonder what exactly it is that you did to warrant such a response?"

"Yes I imagine you do professor."

At her quiet reply Severus watched her stiffen, perhaps it was a question best left unanswered after all.

(((((

Morgan was content to sit next to Professor Snape at mealtimes. Since she was not much of one for conversation the usual silence between them as they watched the students was relaxing and comfortable. That night however the Potions Master deemed to speak to her.

"Are you planning on going to the Quiddich match tomorrow, Slytherins verses Ravenclaws? It'll be the last match before winter sets in."

"Is there?" Morgan pondered the thought for a moment, Quiddich was not usually her favorite but she could do with a break of sorts. After all she'd only been out of the school once since she arrived and a meeting with Voldemort could hardly be characterized as a pleasure outing. "I think I will. Getting out would be nice for a change. Would you like to sit together?" Morgan hoped the Potions Master wouldn't misconstrue those words.

"That would be acceptable," the deep baritone drawled, his eyes barely wavering from his plate.

Morgan tried not to watch him eat but couldn't help it. Eating in such a public setting had been very distressful at first, she'd always worried about looking silly or having food stuck in her teeth. Maybe I just don't liked to be watched doing something so awkward, she thought. Snape had such delicate fingers, long and slim and the way he cut his meat, the way he raised his fork to his mouth? Something about it was sensual, distracting, "what did you say professor, I'm sorry my mind was elsewhere?"

Snape eyed the woman who was normally so aware and in control, "I said I've received a missive I need to discuss with you."

"Oh, how about eight tonight?"

"I have a detention at eight. It seems that my methods of punishment are not as thorough as yours." Snape spoke slowly while he cut his food, his eyes turning slightly in her direction as he continued, "rumor has it that you have some sort of Muggle devise that you use to incite torture. Perhaps you'd be willing to let me borrow it tonight?"

"I have to admit the students do seem better behaved, not that I have much to base their actions on mind you. I'll be glad to bring my TV around to your rooms and I'll stay for the detention so you can get some work done."

"There is no need for your time to be taken, surely I can work this devise myself?"

Snape watched Morgan's lips turn into a slight grin, "if you stayed you'd have to listen along with the student and make sure he's watching. I can't help but think that would be far worse punishment for you than it would be for the child." The Defense instructor raised her hand slightly with the intention of patting Snape on the arm, but in realizing that quickly moved it to her glass instead. "I'll come around a few minutes early and if you can stomach it great, I'll go. If not then I'll stick around, any more detentions you can just send my way and I'll fix them right up?"

"You'd do that for me?" the Potions Master questioned.

"How much of your time has been wasted helping me? It's the least I can do to recompense and besides it's not all that bad."

"I have wasted no time on you professor," his dark eyes bore into hers, "that's a very gracious offer that I'm more than willing to accept."

"So who is the lucky student?"

"Miss Granger."

Morgan stared at him incredulously, "Snape you're not serious? That sweet young girl?" At the nod of feigned ignorance on the Potion Master's face she continued, "what did she do if I might ask?"

"Miss Granger was speaking out of turn," he spoke slowly, glancing at her out of the corner of one dark eye.

"And just what did Mr. Malfoy do to make that happen?"

"That," he annunciated sharply, "is neither here nor there."

Morgan felt herself picking at her fingernails once more as her agitation rose, "I don't understand why you prey on the innocent Snape. I know you're head of Slytherin but ye gods it makes 'me' feel horrid."

"You may not realize that I don't share the height of your esteem in a certain someone's eyes. 'I' must concern my self with showing these people where my loyalties lie."

"Well I don't have any suitable material for Miss Granger, she'd probably like to watch anything that I have so I'm afraid you'll have to be own your own for this one. Let me know when you decide to punish someone who isn't nice and sweet and innocent and I'll be glad to help you out."

(((((

Morgan passed a tired looking Hermione Granger on the way to the dungeons that night. "Have a nice torture session Snape?" she inquired sarcastically of the Potions Master as he sat behind his desk.

Snape didn't reply but glanced at her as headed into his office shutting the door behind her and sealing it with a Silencing Charm.

"I've received a missive that there's to be another ball in honor of the Dark Lord on the Saturday before the Christmas break."

Morgan flipped her hand to waive that thought away, "horrid things. I've been avoiding them at all costs. That is one place you'll not catch me."

The rich tones of his voice slowly enunciated each word as the dark man eyed her, "I believe you're incorrect with your assumption Professor Rheged. He himself has expressly requested your presence and besides, Dumbledore wants you to mingle or have you forgotten?"

"Ye gods!" she swore softly, "fine. Fine, I'll be there. Anything else?"

"Yes as a matter of fact there is," the Potions Master walked over to Morgan absentmindedly and looked in to her face. He'd been starting to find something about her old look strangely attractive yet now that he'd become accustomed to her new appearance, something inside him awakened when she was near. At this very moment, he thought, she is very near and we are very alone. He could smell the sweet scent of her body and he tried to calm his innermost stirrings, "quarter of five out front."

Morgan heart skipped a beat as the man moved away. She'd been hoping...oh what had she been hoping? Silly, stupid girl she chided herself as she left.

(((((

For some reason the Dark Arts instructor felt nervous heading down to meet Snape the next day. It's not like it's a date or anything? Yet she had taken special care with her hair and makeup, and she had donned a nice outfit and a new robe and her nicest warm coat hadn't she. He was waiting for her, leaning against the stone wall with his arms crossed and he stepped forward as she approached. The man looked dashing in his heavy black wool coat and scarf Morgan noted turning her head away to hide the color staining her cheeks as they walked to the Quiddich field.

The stands were packed and so the two of them had to sit closely. The heat radiated between them where their legs touched and she found that the center of her concentration rather than the match. She tried to watch the game but she'd always found Quiddich hard to follow. The players dashing over the field in all different directions at once, how does one remember who is supposed to do what? So Morgan sat in silence following Snape's lead and applauded when he did. Apparently Slytherin had caught the snitch, and won the game, the seeker was Malfoy was it?

Severus walked through the throngs of students with Morgan at his side. She hadn't spoken much during the match but then neither had he. It felt good to have her at his side. True she wasn't his in any way and yet they'd become friends of a sort and he felt a pleasant almost proud feeling to have her beside him. He walked her to her door as was his custom and waited while she opened it and thanked him. Hoping that she'd invite him in for a glass of wine he stood still while those green eyes turned on him.

Morgan felt her mouth open and close temporarily unable to speak while the man waited in silent invitation. She yearned to have him come stay but was still unsettled, her feelings at his close proximity earlier rushed into her mind. "Goodnight Professor Snape," once again it was not what she really wanted to say but at this moment it was all she was able to.