A/N: While writing this chapter (which was originally going to be split into two, but I didn't have enough in either section, so I combined it!), I really started using Snape's first name. And I realize that I haven't done that a lot throughtout the rest of the story, but I feel like now that they're becoming more intimate, its ok? Ha, I dunno. I had an impulse and I went with it. And I just realized, I posted one chapter a day for like, 3 days! That's some accomplishment, lemme tell you! OK, enjoy!

CHAPTER 7: HONESTY NEED NOT BE FEARED

It was nearly midnight, and Severus was nowhere near finished with his sixth-year papers. He had just finished grading Granger's, who unfortunately, received full marks for her eight rolls of parchment on the proper uses of acromantula venom. Potter's was next, and it brought great delight to Snape when he realized that the Boy Who Lived had much the same paper as Granger and Weasley. A twisted smile appeared on the man's tired face as he scratched a large red 'F' at the top of the paper. He would wallow in Granger's embarrassment when he brought up what their punishment would be.

After grading several more dismal papers, Severus let out a yawn and dug the heels of his hands into his eyes. Lucky for him tomorrow was Christmas Day, and there was no need for him to get up early. He stood and stretched, making his way back into his bedchamber. When he noticed Morgana fast asleep in his bed, he realized that he had nearly forgotten she had been there.

He took a few steps closer and simply watched her sleep. Her dark brown hair splayed out around her head, almost creating a dark halo. The wizard smirked at the irony of it; she looked like an angel, but her soul was laced with evil.

Severus inched closer, wanting so badly to wake her, cradle her in his arms, and claim her as his own. He could even do it without waking her and she need not know …but no. He was not the young, impulsive Death Eater he had once been. At thirty-seven and fighting for the chance to purge his soul of the evils he had committed as a youth, raping the woman he cared about the most was probably not the smartest idea in the world.

And oh, how he cared for her. He knew he didn't show it very often – there was no way he could do so without revealing to the students that their god-awful Potions Master had a 'soft side'. The nights he spent, lying awake, wishing she were with him, were becoming unbearable. He was tempted to climb into bed with her, just to sleep next to her and breathe the scent of vanilla that radiated off her skin; to just be able to hold her in his arms. But he knew it was too much to think of doing right now. She had just spent the night confessing her past to him, reliving memories she had surely buried. Waking up next to someone like him was something Severus didn't want to put her through.

Heading towards the bureau, he unbuttoned his robes and tossed them onto the chair next to the bed. Out of the bottom drawer he pulled a pair of faded black pajamas. Not in the mood to put the top on, he drew the pants up over his legs and went back into the sitting room.

Why did she care so much about him, anyway? He was nothing special. He was a snarky, purposefully rude man; he wasn't anything to look at, in his opinion. He knew he was smart, but what girls were attracted to smart men these days? Not many. And, to add insult to injury, he was one of the higher standing members of the Dark Lord's inner circle. From her recollection of her past a few hours prior, Death Eaters didn't seem like they would be very high on Morgana's list.

Of course, she wouldn't kiss him if she weren't attracted to him.

Another thought crossed his mind at that point: did he love her? It was too soon to tell. He knew what words she had meant to say to him last night – she was going to tell him she loved him. But he wanted to be sure he loved her as well. And at the present, Severus wasn't sure about anything. Getting involved with someone like Morgana could prove very dangerous if the proper precautions weren't taken. Severus didn't want to end up being caught in a feeding frenzy…

He erased the thought from his mind and yawned again. It was too late to be thinking of such things. It was also a dangerous time, especially for Severus, to become involved with anyone. The Dark Lord wouldn't miss an opportunity to question Severus' loyalty, and Morgana's presence in his life would certainly present one.

He sighed. He didn't want to think about that right now; about how his loyalties and the position he was in could make having a relationship a bad idea. So pulling the throw blanket off the back of the sofa, he settled in for a long sleep.

When Morgana woke early the next morning, she could have screamed. For some strange reason, she was down in the Potion Master's chambers – in his bed, for Merlin's sake! – and he was nowhere to be found. She sat up, allowing her eyes to adjust to the pale candlelight coming from the other side of the room. Severus' black robes were strewn carelessly over the chair next to the bedside table; Morgana tore off the layers of blankets to make sure she was still clothed.

What in the world…she began to ask herself, before the memories of the previous night began to flood back. Severus had brought her down to talk to her, to figure out what was wrong. She must have fallen asleep.

Rising from the bed, she smoothed her robes out as best she could and made her way towards the sitting room, only to pause and stare at the volumes of magic books lining the walls. She ran a tapering finger over the spines, carefully taking in each of the titles as she went. Many were about dark magic; even more delved into the darker side of potion making, the side no student at Hogwarts would ever be taught. Most of them, Morgana realized, were titles that could have been found in the library at her own house, back when she lived with her father.

She sighed, pushed back the thoughts of her old life, and continued into the sitting room. The magical fire was still burning, tended to continuously by the unseen house-elves. Papers were scattered across the mahogany coffee table, and lying fast asleep on the sofa was none other than Severus Snape.

Morgana reached a hang out to wake him, but retracted it after a second thought. She took a seat in one of the black chairs next to the fire and studied him thoughtfully. He obviously slept without a shirt, because his bare arms were sticking out over the blanket he was resting under. She was a bit surprised – he was a lot stronger than she believed him to be. With his robes always pulled so tight, it was a wonder she hadn't noticed earlier. In a way, it frightened her; as strong as she was, he could probably overpower her if he wanted to.

She shook the thought. He looked too peaceful when he slept for her to be terrified of him. His lanky black hair fell almost gracefully over his face, and was only disturbed by the even patterns of his breath. Morgana smiled; this was the man that she…

Did she love him? She cared deeply for him, that much she knew. Even when he was being the cold, callous man he usually was, she still loved to be around him more than anyone else in the building. She knew she would rather die than let any harm come to him, especially if she would present a danger. She looked at her hand and then at his, and remembered how they had looked joined the night before. Hers were so small and delicate; his nearly enveloped hers. But they felt perfect in each other, as if they were two pieces of a puzzle finally coming together.

Her smile widened and she sank to the floor in front of the sofa. She took his hand in her own and kissed it lightly, knowing then that yes, she did love him, and she didn't want to lose him.

A faint moan escaped the Potion Master's lips as he stirred, opening his bleary eyes and staring down at Morgana. He squeezed her hand tightly in his before his eyelids drooped shut again and he lapsed back into sleep. The half vampire sat vigilantly by her newfound love until she fell asleep on the floor beside him, still clutching his hand.