Morgan trembled slightly as she entered her new rooms. This was Severus' domain after all and she felt out of place. Her things had been set throughout the rooms. The picture of her parents and Minerva smiled down at them from the mantle. Snape gave her a brief tour, they had arranged for her own bedroom and luxurious bath and she couldn't help wondering what her husband's own bedroom was like. My husband, she rolled the term around on her tongue. That is something I never really thought I'd be saying. Mrs. Severus Snape, yep that's me, wife of the dark imposing Potions Master. She couldn't help but smile at the prideful and possessive feelings that thought aroused in her.

She changed her dress before a House Elf brought up a very nice meal and the two ate quietly. After dinner Morgan fought her anxious feelings. This is my wedding night, what will he expect? Oh dear gods, the thought of those hands caressing my naked body, his lips trailing kisses like a reign of fire over my skin. How I yearn for this man and yet I'm scared at the same time. "Would you care for a game of chess?" she asked hoping and yet not hoping to delay the natural course of things.

Without answering her Severus set up the chess board and poured them each a glass of wine. He inclined his head slightly, "ladies first." As they played the game Snape mused over what this woman expected of him. At this very moment chess was the last thing on his mind. He wanted his wife. Gods how I want to carry her to my room and feel myself throbbing inside of her! I want to see her naked body and hear her moan my name in the throes of passion. So what's stopping me? He stared at the game board for a long time before making an unfortunately poor move. This was after all an arranged marriage, she didn't choose me of her own free will. What right is it of mine to take something she's not freely offered? I'd be no better than Malfoy if I did that. She is my wife and as glorious as that sounds now is not the time to push it farther, to risk her rejection. "I'm pleased to see that you and Professor McGonagall have settled your differences."

"Yes me as well. It's been so long it's nice to have a family again."

Snape wondered if she was including him as part of that family, deep inside it gave him pleasure to think that she did.

"Is your name really Morgan Le Fay? As in King Arthur's half-sister?"

"Yes," she said blushing yet not surprised that he'd caught that. "Morgan Le Fay was the wife of King Uriel of Rheged. My dad was a big history buff and he thought it was a great joke. What about you Bedale? I though your middle name was Smiles A Lot?"

"Check mate," Snape looked down at his lovely new wife and did indeed find himself grinning, "it is now."

"You play a fine game of chess professor." Morgan had grown far to anxious with anticipation for the night to continue and sought to end her own misery in the arms of her husband. She once again felt her cheeks warm as she stared at her hands where they were clasp so tightly the knuckles were white, "I believe I'm ready to retire for the evening." She rose and stepped back from the table waiting for the man to take his cue.

I cannot stand this! He felt himself harden at the sight of his blushing bride. She looked scared to death! He knew if he didn't leave now he'd surely do something to be regretted later. Things were good between them right now and it was enough. It was just right. No boundaries were crossed, no evils committed, no conscience seared, nothing to feel bad about. It would have been easy to plunge ahead into more intimate exchanges... but not yet. I need time to think. There's no rush and much at stake.

He stood and put away the chess board, "I have some work yet to do in my office so I'll bid you good night."

Morgan watched his slight bow before he slipped out the door. She was thankful that he didn't see the single tear that slid down her face. Her heart cried out in anguish as she sobbed at the closed door. He doesn't want me. Slowly she made her way to her room and threw herself on the bed as a wave of self pity over came her. How stupid am I to have thought that he might want me, me as a woman? What's wrong with me? I'm not ugly any more am I? Her sobs stilled for a moment as she wondered, maybe it's not what I am on the outside that he doesn't want? The woman's broken heart hardened then as she realized that it was her, who she was, who she really was that the man didn't want. He might have accepted me for who I am, even befriended me yes, but that doesn't mean that he's attracted to me does it? My foolish hopes, the man was just looking out for me and yet I could have sworn I felt something in his arms? I could have sworn I saw something in his eyes? Once again I am a misbegotten fool. And in light of all that my dear husband, I cannot help but want you still.

(((((

The next morning Morgan emerged from her room to find her husband reading a book while he ate his breakfast. "Good morning Mr. Snape," she said trying not to act like she'd spent hours crying over him last night.

"Good Morning Mrs. Snape," he replied looking up from his book.

"Mrs. Snape," she mused aloud, "that's going to take some getting used to."

"Hmm. Two Professors Snape at Hogwarts. That is something I have to admit I never thought I'd see," he mused aloud. "I trust you slept well?"

Why would you assume that she thought, "I've just spent my first night trapped in this loveless marriage, why wouldn't I sleep well?"

"You're sounding bitter today," he said casually.

"Bitter? No I'm resigned I suppose but I'm not bitter." His eyes roamed over her and Morgan quickly looked away.

"Breakfast?"

"Just coffee please. Do you have to work today?"

"Yes, unfortunately I have some things brewing for the Dark Lord. Have you any plans?"

The man is so dammed polite she thought, so aloof. "I thought I'd spend some time meditating, getting my Shakra realigned." She poured cream and sugar liberally into her coffee and stirred it with a spoon.

Snape raised his eyebrows while she sipped the steaming mug, "have some coffee with your sugar won't you?"

Morgan looked into her cup. She always drank her coffee like this, light and sweet, "there 'is' a little coffee in my cup thank you."

"I'll be back for lunch if you'd like to join me, otherwise?"

"I'd like that yes, thank you," Morgan responded as her husband left for the office...

(((((

The next few weeks went much the same for Morgan. Severus was a considerate and respectful man and for that she was grateful. If only they could truly be husband and wife, intimately? She imagined life would be as close to perfect as possible. They broke their fast together in the mornings, lunched together as often as possible and relaxed in each other's company in the evenings. Her husband loved to play chess but Morgan had to admit she was becoming a bit of a sore loser. His mind was just to devious and calculating for her to be much of a challenge at all.

Morgan always bathed in the evenings and one night she sought to see how her husband would react and came out in her nightgown. She was fairly put off that he didn't even seem to notice the less than demure cut of the bodice. There had been some incredibly risque negligees in the store she and Madam Hooch had shopped at but that sort of thing was not her style. I guess I'm a complete failure at these subtle forms of seduction, she thought.

Still she continued to wear her bedclothes about their rooms in the evenings. Usually this meant a heavy flannel or cotton piece and her favorite pair of fuzzy pink slippers. Yes, they had small bunny ears, but they were exceptionally comfortable. Her husband was always more formal. At least he relaxed in his shirt sleeves. Occasionally the man even deemed comfortable enough to remove his shoes.

That night Morgan relaxed on the sofa next to him. She lay on her side reading a book resting her feet gently against Snape's thigh. He absentmindedly lay his hand on her ankle caressing the skin with his thumb as he read his own book. He frowned slightly to see her set her wine glass on the table where a pool of sweat beaded around the bottom.

"Do you think you might use a coaster?"

"I might but I probably won't," she mumbled nibbling on the corner of her fingernail. "Do you think you could stop being quite so anal?"

Severus hid his chagrin at her words, "I might but I probably won't." His could see his wife grin without looking up at him. It was nice to see her smile. She didn't do that nearly enough. "Would you like me to do your nails for you?"

Morgan held her hand out and made a show of examining her nails. The edges were rough and torn from her incessant biting and picking. "Nah, I like to bite em."

That figures, Severus though. "What are you reading?"

"Smut." Morgan noted the blank expression on his face, "you know a romance novel."

"Ah yes, great literature."

"Exactly."

Severus nodded and went back to his book. After several minutes he heard his wife start to sniffle. Once, twice he ignored it. Several sniffles later he glanced over to see Morgan's cheeks wet with tears. "Are you crying? Morgan are you unwell?"

The woman wiped her eyes. "I'm fine," she said and began to sob harder.

"If you were fine you would not be crying." He grabbed her hand and pulled her up and into the crook of his arm, "what is it?"

"It's just my book," she replied snuggling closer to him. His arm around her felt wonderful. "It's so sad. She loves him so much but she thinks he hates her when he really loves her. I hope they can work it out."

Severus was really not in the least interested in the romantic goings on in her book. He'd never understood why women were drawn to such useless writings when there were many more useful pieces of literature to read. I can't believe she's crying over such a silly thing. "Interesting I'm sure." He stiffened for a moment as Morgan shifted her legs to drape across his own. The warmth of her body crept into his as she snuggled into the crook of his arm still engrossed in her novel.

She felt so good in his arms while he read. He was completely content and at ease that when he finally closed the book he was surprised to find her sound asleep. Severus reached up and pushed a small curl of hair from her cheek. For a long time he stared at her, really looked at her as if putting her face to memory. She was lighter than he thought as he picked her up and carried her through the open bedroom door. As he lay his sleeping beauty down her arms tightened around his neck pulling him closer. Severus found himself unable to resist the lure of her and leaned closer to place a soft kiss on those sweet lips. "Good night my princess," he whispered softly.

(((((

Not the smutty wedding night you were expecting was it? Sorry, Snape has a delicate constitution and he's just not ready yet...Lol, I promise they'll get there in due time.

SnapeLady, that's exactly what I was thinking about Fawkes when I read that. It's true thatthey do say that in the Egyptian Book Of The Dead and it would be interesting if JK does put that in won't it?

NativeMoon, thanks as always. Those Imps were great by the way.

Ember, had to do the lovey-dovey with Minerva. Just seemed right somehow. Not to much I hope.

Latin, I know it doesn't sound like him to much, but I wanted to do the mischievous, behind the scenes guy at least once. I know you hated the 'honeymoon' laughs

LM, thanks. I'm happy too. Hope you like the rest as well.

J Orin, yes, I am a tease...lol