A Life Half Lived

CHAPTER 9

Morgan was congratulating herself on the way the job was progressing by indulging in a huge mug of hot chocolate and cake in her favorite place - the Savoy. She leaned back and smiled to herself - despite her misgivings, she and Snape had made a formidable team.

She was frightened at times at the way they seemed to be able to read each other's mind and body language. If only she could stop her hormones raging out of control around him. "If I don't have to kiss him," she thought, "I can keep in control."

A man sat down in the chair next to her and she started slightly. Hawden.

"Severus let you out on your own?" he asked casually, his hand resting on her leg.

Morgan picked up his hand and placed it on the table. "Severus is at work," she said, "as you are well aware."

"Ahh yes - teaching Potions at Hogwarts," the man paused, "I would like to discuss a proposition with him. Can you set up a meeting?"

Morgan looked at him coolly - inwardly she was jumping with glee. Hooked! "I suppose I could. I will be visiting this weekend and can speak to him then. Perhaps one evening?"

Hawden looked at her. "Next Thursday - 9.00pm - my office," he said. He then paused, and ran his finger down the side of her face, down her throat and lingering at the opening of her shirt. "Perhaps you and I could also meet privately - at my home."

Morgan stood up. This leech had quite spoiled her indulgence. "I would advise against any further propositions of that sort. You have absolutely no idea how dangerous it would be to your health," she said.

Hawden laughed. "Funny, he didn't seem the overly possessive type."

"Who said I was talking about Severus? Now that you mention it, though, you have no idea how possessive he is. He knows I won't stray - but does tend to take a rather dim view of those who, shall we say, try to tempt me."

With that, she turned and left. Next Thursday. She'd have to send an Owl to Severus and let him know - both that she would be there this weekend (Morgan had no illusions that there would be "watchers" to ensure she was telling the truth), and to let both him and Dumbledore know that the next step was happening.

Walking swiftly she went through the lobby of the Savoy towards the ladies toilets. Stepping inside a cubicle, she dissapparated. Time was short - she had to act quickly.

Morgan re-appeared outside the Owl Office in Diagon Alley and went inside - tearing a page from her notebook for the note. She scrawled the basics and bought an envelope that she addressed. As she did so, she wondered what sort of stir it would cause, and contemplated scenting it - just to annoy him. What the hell. She pulled out her perfume atomizer and sprayed a corner of the note, and the inside of the envelope.

The clerk grimaced when he saw the addressee and smelt the perfume. "This must get to Hogwarts by Friday," she said.

He paused. "Be difficult," he said finally, "You'll have to pay extra for an express Owl."

Morgan nodded. "Fine," she said, and handed over the price he asked, "just you make sure that it gets there - after all, Professor Snape is expecting this - and you don't want to have to explain to him why he didn't get it."

She watched the clerk go pale. Amazing - even here Severus had a reputation!