Pain slashed through Morgan as she spoke and she looked at her husband surprised to see that he was not looking at her with horror. His eyes were wide but not reproachful and for that she was thankful. At least he'd wait until he heard her out before passing judgement.

"You killed your parents?" Snape took in the slight nod as she stared at the floor. "I think something stronger than wine is on order," rising he removed a bottle from the cabinet and poured to heavy glasses of brandy. He gave one to the woman and ordered her to drink, wondering if the moist eyes were from the whiskey or out of remorse.

"My mother and Minerva were as close as only sisters can be. The two and my father had been the best of friends since their first year at Hogwarts. Inseparable they were, they did everything together, shared all of their secrets. It was only a matter of which one my dad would end up marrying. He loved my mom more than anything and he reminded me every day that she loved me as well. I repaid that love when I killed her coming into this world."

"She died in childbirth? That's almost unheard of for a witch."

"Apparently I tore her inside. They say she lost so much blood there was nothing anyone could do."

Snape felt pity for her, after all these years feeling the burden of something she had no control over, "such a thing was not your fault. Surely you know it was nothing you did, nothing you could have done. You were but a babe. Morgan you cannot hold yourself to blame for her death and I can't believe Minerva would either."

"If not my mother's death then my father's."

"Continue," he spoke softly.

Morgan gulped another drink of brandy before going on, "I was an angry bitter child. No matter how much my father lavished me with love I couldn't love myself. I hated myself. I hated my father for sending me to Hogwarts. I was sure everyone at school hated me and I hated them right back. I had no love for anyone or anything or so I thought. Minerva was good to me, she did what she could to help my father raise me right and she was devastated when I was sorted into Slytherin. She was sure the hospital had given my dad the wrong baby. When I graduated from Hogwarts I wasn't really sure what to do with myself and then came the Dark Lord. The lure of power was great. A little but of power can be a heady and intoxicating thing, too much can be a great danger. I became a Death Eater, encompassed into the throng of his followers, valued for my skill or so I believed. My father found out what I'd done and tried to stop me but I would not relent. He intercepted a message about a meeting that was to take place one night and sought to take matters into his own hands."

Rain poured down scouring the earth as Morgan Apparated near the forest. Night was falling and all was silent except for the sound of water hitting leaves softly while she searched the small clearing with cold eyes. Alone she stood, taking in signs of the recent battle, trembling as her dark form made way toward the shadows where the fallen one lie. Kneeling on the muddy earth her long fingers trembled as they searched the body for some sign of life. Ignorant of the wind that thrashed through the trees the young girl sat quietly while her bitter tears were washed away by the heavy rains. Shaky hands cupped the now still face of her father and her warm lips pressed softly against his cold cheek in silent goodbye. Like a shadow the mourning woman lay her body down in the mud, settling into the arms of the dead, waiting, hoping for her own escape into death.

"I went the only place I could think of, to Minerva and Dumbledore. Her voice still rings through my mind, "what have you done? You've killed your father Morgan! Your evil Slytherin soul has killed your father and I dare say you'll rot in Azkaban with the rest of your ilk. Don't you ever come near me again, you are kin of mine no more..."

Snape watched as she sat stiffly, tears silently falling down her cheeks and though he longed to reach out and wipe them away he sat still. What could he say to ease her pain? What could he do to give her back what she'd lost at Voldemort's hand? He understood her presence in the Order now, her hatred of the Dark Lord and the overpowering need for revenge. Minerva's anger at her fit in at last. The loss of a close friend because of the foolish acts of a young girl.

Severus was grateful that his parents had died prior to his graduation from school, before they could be hurt by the path he'd chosen to take with his own life. His own father had been a strong and quiet man, his mother full of laughter and love. They'd been killed in an accident when he was in his seventh year and his own bitter mourning had only been exacerbated by Potter and his friends. The thought of his parents finding out he'd become a Death Eater, his father would have been so ashamed and angry he'd probably have done the same thing.

"So there you have it. The whole bitter truth, and what do you think of me now husband? Am I a vile creature?" she smiled sadly waiting for his reply.

He smiled bitterly, "the path to darkness is and easy one to follow professor, but the one back is much harder to tread." The Potions Master leaned forward and placed his elbows on his knees, clasping his hands. "I can see where that would weigh heavily on your soul. I think no less of you Morgan. These things were not your fault, any of them. I am sorry that you have suffered thus."

"I don't want your pity," she snapped. "This has been a long night. I'll see you in the morning." Morgan went to bed, all thoughts of seduction completely erased from her mind.

(((((

The sun shone brightly that summer's day. Minerva had invited her to Hogsmeade for a reprieve of sorts. Many years had passed since she'd been in the Hog's Head bar. One small dingy, dirty room that smelled of a slightly foul odor Morgan couldn't place. What on earth possessed her aunt to come here she'd never know. There were quite a few unseemly looking characters seated around the room. She watched the grumpy looking barman as he sidled toward them. Tall and thin he had a great deal of long grey hair and a beard to match. I know him from somewhere, she thought. Very familiar.

"McGonagall," he said approaching the table.

Morgan sipped her ale as she eyed the man. She saw the slip of paper hidden under the Galleon her aunt used to pay. Suddenly her eyes went wide with recollection, "Minerva! That man-"

"Morgan!" her aunt cut off her speech. She spoke in hushed but forceful tones. "Not out loud! Don't ever say what you're thinking right now aloud. I must make very clear the importance of this."

"Ok," she took the hint. "I must be right then."

"Hmmm."

They spoke for some time over their drinks before Minerva finally broached the one subject her niece knew she'd been dying to. "So how are things going between you and Severus?"

"Fine," she replied dryly.

"Just fine? You seemed so pleased to have him as your husband after all these years. As much as you care for him I can't believe that having the man as your lover would be anything you'd describe as merely fine."

Morgan put her lips over the edge of her glass while muttering, "werenotlovers."

Her aunt raised her eyebrows in surprise, "that sounded suspiciously close to we're not lovers."

"It did didn't it?"

"Do you mean to tell me that after more than six months you haven't even consummated your marriage?" the older woman spoke forcefully, unable to hide her disdain.

She flushed, staring down at the table. "Yes."

"But why? You care for the man Morgan. My eyes may be old, but I can see that you want him."

"He doesn't want me," she spoke softly. "My own husband has no desire to bed me? Isn't that hilarious?" her words dripping with sarcasm. "Maybe I should have married Malfoy after all. At least he wanted me."

"Lucius Malfoy is an evil man. To hear you even say such a thing gives me the chills. Perhaps you just need to-"

"No!" she hissed. "I can't force myself on the man. I am what I am and if he doesn't like that I'll not change!" Morgan stood, "I have to go to the apothecary for some supplies my 'husband' wanted. I'll be back shortly."

She raced out the door, pausing to take a deep breath. The intimacy between her and Snape was a delicate matter in her mind and discussing it was not something she wished to continue. The door to the bar closed behind Morgan as she stepped into the alley way. Great, she's following me. Rough hands grasp her arms and pulled her deep into the shadows. She tensed, unable to reach her wand and feeling very helpless.

"How very intriguing that little conversation was my dear," the sensual voice of Lucius Malfoy sang in her ears. "Never assume you are not being overheard in the Hog's Head my lady."

Her back pressed up against his firm chest and strangely his powerful arms felt reassuring to Morgan. His hands ran up and down those arms before leaning slightly to span them over her stomach. Her body had been so tightly would with sexual frustration that his touch was exciting. Lucius is an arrogant, hateful bastard yes, but right now he's a man and he makes me feel wanted.

"I am shocked to hear that Severus has not taken you by now. Such an oversight on his part is surely unforgivable. A woman such as yourself needs a man Morgan."

The last time she'd been this close to him she'd been awash with revulsion. Now? Something inside of her tingled, empowered with the knowledge that she was actually able to stir lust in a man. His lips trailed down her neck to the base of her throat. She heard the moan that escaped her lips and felt her body arch closer. A soft laugh escaped the fair man and Morgan felt his need stiff against her back. I hate Malfoy what am I thinking, she said to herself only to be drowned out by the delicious feeling of his touch.

"He's a fool not to take you my love."

The witch knew that they were just words yet she desired to hear them so badly. His fingers slipped over her blouse to massage her breast.

Lucius nuzzled her ear with his nose lovingly, "you aren't an ice princess after all are you Rheged?"

Morgan barely heard the man call her by her maiden name. Desire to be loved and needed flowed through her.

"I would be more than happy to take his place in your bed Morgan. I am after all a real man. Your desire excites me as much as it surprises me. The Dark Lord wants you to sire children. I don't see what difference it would make were you to bear mine instead of Snape's."

Lucius spun her around and pushed her back to the stone wall. His lips claimed hers roughly and Morgan kissed him back, need running through her.

"You know should have married me don't you my love. I'm ten times the man Snivellus will ever be."

Something inside the witch snapped. 'Snivellus!' How dare he? As good as it felt to be desired, needed, as a woman? Her anger for the man came rushing back. Shame that she'd betrayed her husband hit her full force. Severus is a good man and he doesn't deserve this betrayal. Morgan pushed Lucius hard on the chest, forcing him back a step. That beautiful arrogant face stared at her lasciviously.

"Now you are playing aren't you darling? Intriguing."

"Malfoy," she said exasperated. "You are not my husband and this is not going to happen. Ever, so just go away will you? Leave me alone?"

He sneered at that, "you can't be serious? Don't tease me when I can feel such passion in your response. You want me and as I said I'm willing to make myself available for you."

Morgan felt absolutely horrid that she'd let him touch her, that she'd responded so. Snape was a hundred times the man Malfoy was! He was her husband. She plastered a sneer on her face to match that of the fair man and looked at him with bold confidence, "from what I just experienced you don't have all that much going for you Malfoy."

His face contorted with rage at her snide remark, "do not toy with me Morgan. I am not one to be played."

"Well you just were. I have no want for the likes of you. My husband will suit me just fine, but thanks for the offer. If I ever feel like slumming I'll know where to find you." Morgan moved to head out of the alley to be stopped by a painful grasp on her arm.

"You will regret that Snape!" his voice seethed venomously.

Morgan wrenched out of his grasp, shaking slightly while walking to the apothecary. "You are probably right there," she whispered to herself.

(((((

Latin, I'll have to keep a closer eye on ole Snapey boy...

Jay, my little Vermicious Knid...Willie also said, "little surprises around every corner but nothing dangerous."

BurningWhite, I'm glad you've been enjoying it. The tension is mounting....

LM, Alan also has some nice lips on him. As for his hips? They aren't to bad either. Veiled compliments....

NativeMoon, awe is a great compliment. You may arise. I though that was a good one myself.

Fury's Grace, shagging will come soon enough. Well, eventually anyway.