A Life Half Lived

CHAPTER 2

Morgan awoke beside the black haired man the next morning. She stretched, feeling her muscles creak.

It had been one of the most enjoyable encounters she had ever had, and had to admit that Sirius Black's reputation was well deserved. His years in Azkaban had seemed to have no effect on his skills as a lover.

She left the man sleeping and went into the bathroom for a shower. She had received a call to report to work that morning, and knew that they would not accept oversleeping as an excuse.

As she came out of the bathroom, she saw Sirius sitting up in bed looking at her. "Nice night," he said.

"Very," she responded. "I had fun."

"Do you mind if I have a shower?" he asked. She shook her head and watched him walk naked into the bathroom. As he passed her, he swung her into an embrace and kissed her, his tongue sliding over hers and she felt herself being swept into the passion.

Morgan regretfully pushed herself away. "No time," she said regretfully - kissing his jaw line.

He recommenced walking to the bathroom and her mouth went dry. "Pity," was all he said.

She gave herself a quick shake, muttering "damn straight," and quickly got dressed, sitting down at her dressing table to apply her makeup.

When she was finished, she had turned into the woman Sirius had admired the previous day.

He came out of the bathroom fully dressed and nodded in her direction. "Sex on legs," he said laughingly. "Have you got any messages for Pilar?"

"Tell her I love her," she said, "and that I can't wait for the baby to be born. I'm sorry I can't visit today, but work calls. I'll phone her tonight. Oh - and I hope the house is okay."

Black grinned. "You should hear Pilar on the subject of the baby. She says that she's sick of looking like a whale, and wants more than anything to be able to see her feet again."

Morgan laughed. "And I bet half the time she's cursing Remus for getting her into that condition."

"Yup - and then he'll kiss her and she seems to forget that's the start of how she got into that condition in the first place." Black looked regretful for a moment. Deep in his heart, he wished he had what his friend Remus did. He wished he had found somebody to share his life with, to be as deeply in love as Pilar and Remus. He wanted the sort of love his best friends Remus and James shared with their wives. Even with the heartache it seemed to bring - that sort of love must be wonderful.

Morgan saw the look, and had no idea that her own face mirrored it. Deep in her heart, she wanted to be loved and cherished like her older sister. She recalled her own hell of a marriage and vowed she would never be used like that again.

"As for the house," he continued, "both of them are overwhelmed. You don't mind if Harry and I are living there too?"

"Of course not. That was one of the reasons I offered it. That, and I definitely don't ever want to live there alone. Has the name "The Den" stuck?"

Sirius laughed. "Yup. And our revered Pack Leader is already putting his stamp on everything."

Morgan looked serious. "You know, I would have picked you to be the stronger of that friendship. But Remus is a lot stronger than he appears."

"Much. He's had a lot to live with - and it's made him a very strong person."

"And he loves P so much - I can't believe that they are both finally happy again," she said.

"Did you know what happened?" asked Sirius.

"You are all six years older than me! I was still at school when it all happened. The first I knew was that P wasn't getting married - that she was going to America and had no idea when she would be back. And I didn't even get that from P - but from Dumbledore."

"They say that they've told me everything," said Sirius, "but I can't help feeling that there is something else they are still keeping a secret."

Morgan shrugged. "They'll tell in good time," she said, "but what matters is they are happy now."

They went into the kitchen and chatted over a quick breakfast, separating on the doorstep of the entrance to the apartment block with a quick kiss. "See you," said Sirius, loping off.

Morgan went down to the garage and got into her car for the drive to New Scotland Yard. She parked it and showed her card to the officer on duty, quickly going through the maze of corridors.

Coming to a non-descript door, she took out her wand and raised it, chanting the incantation that identified her and allowed her entry into the area occupied by the Aurors.

As she did, she wondered what citizens of both worlds would say if they knew how intermeshed the Aurors and the Muggle Police were.

Inside was a peculiar mix of Muggle and magic. Telephones were ringing, and computers were on each desk. Morgan made herself a cup of coffee and sat down at her desk - looking with distaste at the mound of paperwork she had to complete. It was always the same. She'd come back after a mission, and there was always the inevitable mound of paperwork waiting for her.

She turned on her computer and checked her e-mail, and then checked the magical messages on her desk.

Only one was important- from the Head of the Aurors. It was a statement that she had a meeting with him at 9.30. She checked her watch - and stood. She really had overslept!

It was 9.45 as she knocked at the door and was told to come in. She entered. He snarled at her "You're late, Winter," he said. "I had hoped to brief you before this meeting but we've no time. Go to Conference room 3 - I'll be there when I've had our guests passed through."

Morgan was intrigued - obviously she was to find out her next mission - and obviously she would be working with both police and non-Aurors on it.

She headed into Conference Room 3 and nodded a greeting to the other occupants - Muggle Detectives she had worked with before.

She sat down and stretched out, wincing slightly as muscles that had been thoroughly worked the night before resisted.

One of the detectives looked at her knowingly. "Busy night, Morgan?" he asked. She looked at him and poked her tongue out.

"None of your damn business," she said sitting up as the door opened.

Her superior walked in, behind him were two people who she would never have expected to see in this particular place.

Professor Dumbledore - her old headmaster, and another man who she even more surprised to see. Severus Snape.

They took their places at the table - looking wildly out of place in their robes. She saw that Snape looked as sour and as unpleasant as ever and had a slightly superior look on his face - as though these policemen could never hope to compete with him.

"Right," said the Auror standing. "I won't bother to introduce everybody to you Professors. The less you know about them, the safer it will be. However, I will introduce to you Auror Morgan Winter, who will be in charge of this operation."

Dumbledore nodded towards Morgan. "I have known Morgana for many years," he said. "It is very nice to see you again."

"Nice to see you as well, Headmaster," she said, and nodded towards Snape. "Professor Snape," she acknowledged.

"These are Professors Dumbledore and Snape, who will be working closely with us. Professor Snape will be working directly with Morgan in this operation."

Snape looked startled - as did Morgan. Both thinking the same thing - How?

"From events in the past year and a bit we know that Voldemort has been recruiting from outside his normal Wizarding low-lives. We know that Lucius Malfoy has been helping him - and we have finally managed to track down the main Muggle contact."

He nodded towards Morgan. "This is the man who is responsible for the attack in which your sister was nearly killed."

Morgan sat up straighter. "And I get to go after him?" she asked.

"Not just yet," said the senior Muggle Detective. "The idea is to try to get as much information as we can on him, so that we can not only get him, but get enough evidence to convict everybody in the ring. Wizard and Muggle."

Morgan chuckled. "Michael, I had no idea you knew that word," she said.

He snorted. "It's a bit of an open secret. If you people listened more you'd know that." He pressed a button, and a picture appeared on a screen behind him. "This is our target. His name is Alexander Hawden. He is well known in both business and social worlds, and on the surface he seems to be an independently wealthy dilettante - in fact he's using the same cover you do, Morgan. In actuality, he's a criminal mastermind who makes his money from drugs - selling to both Muggles and Wizards - money laundering and prostitution."

"The reason we want you in on this, Morgan, is that you move in the same social circles as him - and will find it easiest to get close to him."

The head Auror took up the story. "Professor Snape will pose as your latest lover. Making sure to spread the word that he is a Potions expert - and that he is heavily involved in the Dark Arts." He looked at Snape. "Professor, you will also have to keep the masquerade up that you are a DeathEater. For this oppo to work everybody must believe that both you and Morgan are totally involved - to the point where she will actually do anything you want." There was laughter around the table at this. These people knew Morgan, and knew that getting her to do anything against her will was something of a Herculean task.

"They must believe that you can be persuaded to use your skills with Potions to brew some of their most deadly and addictive concoctions."

Morgan looked serious. "I take it we will have backup," she said. "Who will they be - and how will we contact them?"

All three of the senior people in the room looked troubled. "That, Morgan, is something we cannot tell you. You will have backup. But we cannot tell you who they are. Nor will you be able to contact them directly." The Auror looked even more uncomfortable. "In addition, Morgan, for the duration of this oppo, we will need your Warrant Card."

"My Card? Just how deep undercover will we be, Sir?" she asked, "And just how much danger will there be?"

"Very deep. Very much. There must be nothing that will lead them to suspect you. We've taken the opportunity of arranging for a new mobile phone for you just in case."

Morgan took a deep breath and looked at Snape. It was obvious to her that he had no idea of the full implications of the conversation that had just taken place.

"Have you explained exactly to Professor Snape the risks that will be involved in this?"

"I have, Morgana," said Dumbledore, "and he is well aware of the risks, and also of the importance of what we are asking you to do."

Morgan stood up and strolled around the room - all the male eyes on her as she did so. She stopped next to Snape. "Stand up" she snapped, and hauled on his shoulder. He stood, looking down at her - surprised that she was as short as she was - her head only reached his shoulder. He met her eyes and realised that she may not be very tall, but she had an aura of power around her, and a presence that was palpable.

Snape was shocked as he realised that beneath the exterior that was all fluff and sex appeal, he may be looking at one of the most powerful witches alive.

She pulled him away from the table and walked around him, looking him up and down. "I'm going to need some time to prepare him," she said. "New hairstyle, new clothing."

"And what is wrong with my hair and clothing?" asked Snape haughtily.

"Frankly," she said, "nobody would ever believe that you were my latest lover. And there is a certain look that is expected in the circles in which we will be moving. One in which you do not fit in now."

"Morgan," said the Auror, "please remember we're on a budget here"

"Well, it's that or nothing," she said, "and I think you'll agree with me that he needs to be changed if this will work."

The Auror growled. He hated it when she was right, and he hated it even more when he had to give her permission to spend money. "Don't spend too much," he said, "and keep the receipts."

With that, he pushed two heavy folders towards them. "This is the file - everything you need to know is in here. We've gotten you invitations to the charity Art Display tomorrow night that the target is holding. Make contact there, and nose around. Integrate into the social life and get invited to everything he does."

Morgan was leafing through the file. "I know that Do tomorrow - in fact I've been invited myself," she said absently. She looked up suddenly. "So, Professor, I assume you have some luggage?"

He looked surprised. "Luggage?" he said.

"You know - clothes? "

"Why would I need clothes?" he asked.

"To play the part of my lover - my lover for whom I would do anything - you are going to have to share my apartment. For that - you will need clothing. Unless you intend to stroll around naked."

Snape looked startled. He had not realised that he would be living in London during this time. In fact he had thought that he would be staying at Hogwarts and just apparating in when necessary. He voiced this thought.

"Not going to work," said Morgan flatly. "You have absolutely no idea how this social world works. There are functions we will be attending during the day as well as in the evening. People are going to expect us to be turning up as a couple at all times - and encountering us in fashionable places. In addition, we will need to do some research - and we cannot do that with me in London and you at Hogwarts," she paused before she resumed. "There is one other reason - you are well known. Wizards I introduce you to will know where you work. As it's summer holidays, they will expect you to be with me. Once school resumes, your absence will not be questioned. It will, however, at this point in time."

She turned to her boss. "Is there absolutely nobody else we could use?" she asked, glancing at Snape as she did so. "Preferably somebody who has some clue?"

"Sorry, Morgan. Professor Snape has the background to help you best. Remember, he's been a DeathEater and is suspected to be "dark" - if not still a DeathEater."

She sighed and looked at Snape. "I've certainly got my work cut out for me" she said, and sat down in a chair.