A Life Half Lived

CHAPTER 11

"So," Morgan concluded, "all I need to do now is confirm the meeting."

Dumbledore nodded. He was pleased with the report the two had given him - and secretly amused that the fiction seemed to be becoming fact.

Snape looked at them both. "Make it Friday," he said. "My free weekend is next weekend, and I can leave immediately after my last class on Friday. It would be suspicious if I had a free weekend and didn't spend it with you - even more suspicious if I went to this meeting on Thursday before my free."

Dumbledore nodded approvingly, and Morgan smiled. "Good idea," she said. "I'll use that as the reason for the move - you know, can't get Thursday night off but Friday is the start of your free weekend."

Snape scowled. "You will have to be present at the meeting as well," he said, "and if he makes another move on you, I may just turn him into a toad."

Morgan's heart leapt. He really was sounding quite jealous. "Too late," she said, "he's already a toad."

"Is that all?" asked Dumbledore, "If so, I suggest we end this meeting, and join in the victory feast."

The pair in front of him nodded and rose. "By the way," said Morgan, "I promised Draco I would speak to him alone this evening. Is it OK if I steal him from the common room after dinner, Severus?"

Snape looked at her, a frown on his face. "Anything I should know about?" he asked.

Morgan looked worried. "Honestly - I have no idea. I do know that something is troubling him pretty badly - badly enough that he needs to see me alone."

Snape nodded. "He has seemed worried about something. I put it down to the match. Will an hour do? And use my office, nobody goes there unless they absolutely have to."

"Thanks," said Morgan gratefully, "I think an hour will be fine."

"Stay there when you've finished and I'll collect you," he said.

Morgan nodded. She had plans for Severus Snape tonight. And it was not in his office that she intended to carry them out.

The feast that evening was a revelation to a number of people.

For the first time, the whole school saw the three de Lisle sisters together, and it was apparent to them all that they were, indeed, sisters.

They sat together, Morgan between Narcissa and Pilar, providing a link between the two families.

It would have amused all three women to know that the thoughts of both Lucius and Remus ran the same way about their wives. The difference was that Remus had no qualms about showing his wife he loved her, and no problems in showing affection to her sisters.

Lucius, however, was terrified that if he showed any affection to those he loved, they would be torn from him. His Master was vindictive like that.

He looked as his wife - she was still as beautiful as the day he married her. He knew she was hurting at not being able to show her pride in their son, but he had made sure she knew what would happen if Voldemort suspected how deeply they both loved the boy.

The only way Draco would be safe was if he could drive him into Pilar and Remus' circle.

Lucius knew that if Draco were to become a Death Eater, then his life would be in danger. He hoped that by putting the pressure on him like he was, that Draco would rebel - would make the decision that would put him in the protection of the circle around Dumbledore.

He regretted that this would mean he would lose his son, but knew that it was the only way he could save his life.

After all, with no Draco, Voldemort could not use him as the sacrifice he needed.

And with Draco safe he could turn his full attention to finding out who it was that was betraying them to the Aurors. Already they had lost some valuable people, and he had also lost a great deal of money. He was going to make sure that somebody paid.

Harry looked up at the top table, swelled to bursting with guests. He looked at the group of adults he loved most - his family. Sirius, Remus, Pilar and now, Morgan.

As he watched, he was struck again at how much Pilar and Morgan resembled Narcissa, and yet were so different. The blonde, the brunette and the redhead. So different, yet with the same fine bones and grace. All three with the glorious blue eyes that could grab your soul. He had thought Morgan short when he saw her in Snape's arms, yet realised that it was only compared with the man's massive height that she seemed so.

Really, she was the same height as her sisters. But she had so much more presence than them. You could feel the magical power in her; feel the vibrant force of her personality.

He remembered their conversation during the summer when she had asked if he would like to be her apprentice. He sincerely hoped she would remember that offer when the time came.

More than anything, he wanted to learn from her.

The blonde, the brunette and the redhead, noted Snape. Funny how one family had produced three such unique and powerful women. Both Pilar and Narcissa looked lovely, but tonight he had eyes only for Morgan.

Morgan looking stunning in a lace gown of deep purple, almost black, the neckline coming to a v and showing of part of her breasts. He felt himself harden, and fought down the desire. She was so beautiful. He watched her reach around Pilar and Remus and snatch something off Sirius Black's plate, and Black's teasing reaction as she laughed at him.

For a moment he remembered their meals together, frustrating for him until he realised she seemed to be unable to eat solely off her own plate. In the end, they just shared a large plate, and she seemed content. From the corner of his eye, he watched the interaction, and felt an emptiness he never knew he had. Desperately, he wanted to be part of that intimate group.

Again, he regretted the choices in his life that had made him what he was. And again, he retreated from making the changes that would redeem him. Fear once again ruled him, and he retreated into his half-life of darkness.

Morgan wondered what Lucius was up to. Her and Pilar's brief conversation with him earlier had been cryptic in the extreme, and neither she nor P had been able to work out what he had meant.

Other than one thing. Had he wanted Draco to choose to betray him? Was that the insinuation? That he was pushing Draco in the hope that the pushing and intimidation would make Draco choose not to become a Death Eater.

If it was, she wondered what Lucius would get out of it. She glanced at him, and was surprised to see him looking at Narcissa, for once his eyes unguarded, and showing in them a look of such love that her heart turned over.

There was much more here than met the eye. Morgan gazed down at the Slytherin table and grimaced. Nothing. Not a trace in Slytherin of a girl strong enough to be the Queen. And yet... she felt her tattoo stir, and allowed her gaze to follow its prompting. She remembered her training; that tattoo would be her best guide to choosing or finding the Queen Slyth.

As she allowed her senses to roam, they focused suddenly, and she sat straighter, her eyes gazing into those of another redhead.

But why would the Queen Slyth be a Gryffindor? She allowed herself a glance down the table to Snape, and, from the look on his face, decided he had had the same revelation.

He nodded his head to her once and she looked back at the girl, who was looking back at her with a clear gaze, her eyes knowing and calm. What a find this one was. Morgan chuckled and both Narcissa and Pilar looked at her.

For once Morgan ignored P. This was Slytherin business, and none of Pilar's. "Narcissa, can you give me a reason why the current Queen Slyth would be a Gryffindor?" she asked.

Narcissa relaxed, and Morgan felt her senses roam as hers had done moments before. She watched Narcissa come to the same conclusion. "Good god," she said, "this will put the cat amongst the pigeons." Narcissa Malfoy grinned - looking more like Morgan than ever before. "I wonder how the Slytherins are going to react when she starts exerting herself?"

Morgan giggled. "Especially when they find they can't resist her."

The two women looked at each other, and circumspectly checked out the reactions of the Slytherin males. Lucius was obviously reacting to the presence of a Queen Slyth who was unknown to him. Snape held himself better in check - he'd had more experience in controlling his emotions.

The boys at the Slytherin table were starting to preen.

And the redhead at the Gryffindor table, sitting next to Harry Potter, still held her head high, her gaze clear.

She knew exactly what power she was exerting.

Morgan made a swift decision. "I'll have to train her," she said to her sister. "In this one, we could have a Queen strong enough to prevent Voldemort getting his hands on the pick of the Slytherins."

Narcissa nodded, her voice low to ensure Lucius did not hear. "Ginny Weasley. The youngest Weasley apparently. A year younger than Draco. And very much aware of her power."

Morgan looked startled. She knew the Weasleys - after all she and Bill Weasley had been at school together, and had enjoyed a fling a few years ago. She knew that Weasleys all had high-class magical power, but they definitely weren't Slytherin material.

Except for this girl. Morgan met that clear gaze again and nodded gravely, like meeting like.

The girl nodded back, acknowledging and accepting.

Ginny felt something go through her, it was almost sensual. She had felt the regard from the high table when Morgan had looked at her, and had been surprised at the feelings she had sensed.

The obviously feminine searching of her, the probing. And the almost sexual power of the male probes. She had felt a shock when she identified the probers - and wondered why she didn't feel afraid.

Why she felt a surge of excitement. As Morgan nodded at her, she nodded back, acknowledging that this woman was about to introduce her to something that would change her life.