XVIII: Date with Destiny

Chapter XVIII: Date with Destiny

'Oi, Belakane, no date today? After the humiliation of showing up alone at the New Year's party? One might think you've got something nasty.'

Morgana cast Draco a condescending look. 'I do not play with boys anymore, Malfoy,' she replied in a tone that could make water freeze to ice in a matter of seconds.

'Yeah, I have heard you play with girls instead.'

Draco started laughing and with him all the other Slytherins who were about to leave the common room. But Morgana did not care. Malfoy junior was not worth getting wound up about. The little twit would get what he deserved soon enough.

Ignoring the laughs and the brainless comments from her House mates, Morgana returned to her dormitory and warded the door. Not that she expected any of the girls she shared the room with to come bursting in. Over the last couple of weeks, they had learnt that it was best to keep out of Morgana's way. And besides, they all had dates and were on their way to the Great Hall by now.

Morgana took off her bathrobe and looked at the clothes she had put out on her bed: a velvet dress with long sleeves, black of course, but bewitched so it would shimmer green when she moved, and black leather boots that almost reached her knees. Those were the clothes she had chosen since she felt comfortable in them. The underwear, however, had been chosen by Lucius: black satin and emerald green lace, delicate, sexy, expensive looking. The man had taste.

Once more she admired the jewellery he had given her, which was now glinting in the torchlight on her nightstand. Of course, he would expect her to wear it. And of course, what Lucius wanted, he got.

Morgana let her fingers caress the exquisite metal and sighed. It had meant so much to her only a couple of weeks ago. She had enjoyed the envious looks from her housemates whenever she wore the gems, and also the feeling of being elite. She was not used to wealth, but wearing the exquisite pieces made her feel like a lady. If she were honest, the gems represented everything to which she aspired: wealth, luxury, and the love and adoration of a powerful, handsome wizard who had more Galleons than he could ever spend. But all that changed of course once Dumbledore had told her about the plan.

Morgana sighed once more as she started to get dressed. Like a Christmas present, she thought. Carefully wrapped just to be ripped open and then discarded some months later.

She sank onto her bed and buried her face in her hands, tried to make the buzzing in her head stop. She had been unable to think any coherent thoughts for weeks now. Ever since the day Dumbledore had presented the plan to her, nothing made sense anymore.

Back in the Headmaster's office, everything had seemed crystal clear. He had told her that he needed her to protect Hogwarts, and like a credulous Gryffindor she had agreed to his proposition. He had told her that Lucius was an evil man, and she had agreed. By Merlin's beard, she knew that he was evil.

But as soon as she had left Dumbledore's office, doubts had crept into her mind. Lucius had said that he loved her, and she had seen the look in his eyes when he had said it. He could not have lied. She wanted him to have told the truth. She wanted it so desperately.

After a day or two, she had convinced herself that Dumbledore must have been misinformed. Lucius could not have such evil plans for her. He would not have sent her roses and poems if he only wanted her to carry a child for the Dark Lord. He would not have to. He could just make her. But he would not, of course. He had said that he loved her.

Then the invitation for dinner at Valentine's had arrived, just as Dumbledore had said. And once more, everything Morgana had been so certain of was turned upside down.

Nothing made sense anymore.

* * *

Snape tried to concentrate on the stack of parchment that was lying on his desk, but he kept being interrupted by giggles and laughter from the corridor outside his study. Merlin, he hated Valentine's! As if the decorations of winged cherubs – shooting arrows that exploded into heart-shaped confetti–which Flitwick had put up in the Great Hall – weren't sickening enough, now the students suddenly considered the dark dungeon corridors the perfect place to make out, since those were the only corridors Umbridge didn't patrol. They were Snape's territory. But the thought that the students would rather be caught and yelled at by their Potions master than be hexed by Professor Umbridge was truly disturbing.

Snape groaned as he heard yet another giggle and pushed the essays to the far end of his desk. They would have to wait. He just could not concentrate. And the snogging couples outside his door were not the main reason for it.

In less than an hour, he would be on his way to Malfoy Manor with Morgana. Lucius had sent an invitation for drinks and dinner about two weeks ago and requested that Snape escort the girl to the Manor. How very much like Lucius, to cover his back and make everything look like a social visit.

Surely Lucius wanted to lull the girl into false security. He did not, of course, know that she had been informed about his evil plan. And inviting her Head of House as well would certainly make her feel secure.

However, Morgana did know of the plan, and about half an hour after Snape had received his invitation, she had knocked at his door, clutching her own invitation.

Snape had been surprised that she had come to him. He had expected her to go straight to Dumbledore. After all, the Headmaster had been the one to involve her in this wicked game.

'Lucius says you will be escorting me to the Manor on Valentine's,' she had said, and Snape had nodded.

'Why does he want you to come?'

'It appears, Miss Belakane,' he had explained, 'that Lucius wants everything to look as normal as possible. He is your patron, and you have dined at the Manor before. Inviting your Head of House along with you will make anyone believe that he is truly interested in your wellbeing and your academic progress. But do not fret, Miss Belakane.' He sneered. 'I will not destroy your romantic evening. I will leave before dinner.'

To that, the girl had given him a sad smile. 'I am glad that you're coming along,' she had whispered, quietly enough for him to pretend that he had not heard.

Soon, she would knock at his door again. Lucius expected them at six o'clock, and Snape had told the girl to come to his study fifteen minutes earlier. That would leave enough time to give her some last minute instructions, but not enough for an actual conversation.

As if on cue, there was a crisp knock on his door.

'Enter,' he answered in his velvety tones.

A pale-looking Morgana gingerly entered the room, closing the door behind her. 'Good evening, sir,' she said, her voice not even wavering.

'Good evening,' Snape responded, his eyes skimming over the girl briefly. She was evidently trying to put a brave face on, but she could not fool her Head of House. Snape didn't need to use Legilimency to see that she was terrified. And he could not blame her.

'Are you ready?' he enquired, one eyebrow raised.

Morgana nodded quickly. 'I just have one question, sir.'

She bit her lip as she watched Snape's eyebrow quirk higher.

'Yes?'

'Am I supposed to play eager or hard to get?'

She looked straight at him, and Snape felt a bubble of annoyance welling in his stomach.

'Let's see,' he ground out through gritted teeth. 'How have you acted with Malfoy before? Eager, I seem to recall.' He gave her an icy stare, but to her credit, the girl did not flinch. 'It would probably do you a favour to remain that way, so as not to arouse suspicions.'

From the tone in Snape's voice, it was clear he found this necessary behaviour completely distasteful. And once more, Morgana bit her lip. Did he think badly of her now, she wondered. Did he think that she was enjoying this in any way?

'I'm about to be ... inseminated!' she pleaded. Did Snape not know how scared she was? How much she did not want to go through with this? The last thing she needed was him sniping at her and making her feel like it was all her fault.

Her hands began to tremble, and she hid them in her robes, but not before Snape noticed. 'Unfortunately, I cannot administer a calming draught as it may interfere with the fertility potion,' he murmured, his tone softer.

He could indeed see the girl was scared, but it was not her he was angry with – it was everyone else. Dumbledore and Lucius especially. And yet Morgana and he were both just toy soldiers for Dumbledore's Army, going along with whatever he said and blindly trusting him as he pulled their strings on his incessant march against Voldemort and for the greater good, hoping against hope that their actions could stop the megalomaniac from destroying their world.

'Is there anything I am not allowed to eat or drink tonight?' Morgana asked quietly, trying to occupy her mind by asking questions she did not even care about.

'Food and drink can be consumed as usual. I would recommend not rolling home tomorrow with a hangover, however. I am sure Lucius will want to ply you with the very best champagne.' Once again, Snape could not keep the bitter edge from his voice. The man's techniques of wooing the girl were crude, clichéd and blindingly obvious. But the girl was young, and she didn't stand a chance.

'I don't drink,' Morgana murmured, now feverishly chewing at her nails. Why did Snape have to make everything even harder by snapping at her all the time?

'Miss Belakane, please do not make me put an anti-bite charm on your nails,' Snape snapped with disapproval.

And she lowered her hand, only to start fidgeting with her cuticles instead, afraid she would start crying if she didn't occupy herself somehow.

Snape sighed. 'I know this is difficult, but you must pretend this is an ordinary night. Use your Occlumency. If Lucius suspects you are afraid of him, he will suspect that I have told you of the plan.'

Morgana looked up at Snape, taking deep breaths, clenching and unclenching fists and trying to will the ball of panic that was rising in her chest down. 'Control your emotions,' she mumbled to herself. 'Discipline your mind.'

'Reach into yourself. You will be having sex tonight for pleasure only. I know you can do this. You are a Slytherin.'

Snape looked at the girl with hard black eyes, and the girl gazed back stoically.

'Any means to achieve our ends, right?' she asked, never taking her eyes from his.

'Regrettably, yes. Come, let us hope that the fresh air may help to steady your nerves.'

And before Morgana had a chance to change her mind, she was following her Head of House down through the corridors and beyond into the Hogwarts grounds as he swished out in a swirl of black robes.

* * *

The first thing they heard when they Apparated into the magnificent garden of Malfoy Manor was the barking of the hounds, and Snape saw the girl flinch.

'Surely you are not afraid of Lucius' little pets, Miss Belakane,' he enquired. 'Trust me when I tell you that they will not bite. Their inbred little brains are not capable of carrying out even such a basic task.'

Something they might have in common with their owner, he thought with a sneer, but held his peace.

Morgana shrugged. It was not the dogs she feared. It was the whole situation. She was being brought to Lucius Malfoy, the man for whom she no longer knew what she felt, to carry out a task which would save many and sacrifice one, a concept so unfamiliar to a Slytherin; she was being brought to Lucius by Severus Snape, the man she had lusted for and still did, the man she had feared and even hated, the man who stood by her side now, tall and imposing, the only one she could cling to for support, like a rock in the stormy sea.

She looked at her teacher now and felt confused. Two weeks ago, when she had gone to his office to drink the fertility potion, his words had actually made her cry. She had tried to convince herself that she hated him because of the way he had treated her. But she had failed. His words had hurt her, and she did not want him to think anything bad of her. Instead, she wanted him to care for her, look out for her. And that sudden need for affection confused her even more. She did not know what to feel for Snape anymore. Over the last couple of months, she had learnt how it was to fear him, to hate him and to desire him. The fear had been planted in her mind by Lucius, Morgana knew that now. And her hatred had been nothing other than hurt pride when she had understood that he had chosen Charis over her. But that didn't matter anymore, Morgana tried to convince herself. Her desire for Snape's body had cooled and had been replaced by some strange need of closeness. But that was ridiculous. After all the feelings she had gone through, she could not be falling for Severus Snape, now could she?

He had been kind to her today. He had assured her that she was strong enough to go through all of this. And his words had made her feel safe. That was a feeling she had not experienced for a long time.

The last couple of weeks had been filled with worried and sleepless nights. And Morgana had kept mostly to herself, trying to figure out when everything had started to go wrong. All the plans she had had back in September, the seduction of Severus Snape and the destruction of Lucius Malfoy, none of it had turned out as she had wanted it to. She now desired the man she was supposed to hate. And from the man she had desired, all she craved now was a kind word, some sign of affection.

Get a grip on yourself, Morgana, she thought and closed her eyes for a moment, concentrating on the fortification of her mental barriers. She would try to hide her emotions tonight. She had neither the time nor the energy to care about them. She did not know what to feel anyway. Maybe it would be best not to feel anything at all?

'Miss Belakane?'

Snape's voice made Morgana open her eyes, and she found him looking at her with orbs of beetle-black, those eyes that seemed to see right into her soul.

'Why did you agree to this, Morgana?'

Morgana.

She swallowed dryly. Snape rarely called any students by their first name, and that he did it now meant the world to the girl.

'I have done many stupid things this year, professor,' she said. 'I have broken the rules, I have lied, and I got tied up in my own web. I am trying to make things right again.'

'There is still time to turn around,' Snape said in a calm voice. He hated the way Dumbledore was using the girl. He hated that he was the one to bring her to Lucius. And he hated the fact that she had agreed to all this. 'There is still time to come up with some excuse. I will tell Lucius that you have been hit by a Bludger or poisoned by one of the Weasley twins. And Dumbledore will simply have to accept the fact that he cannot ask this of you.'

The girl seemed to contemplate her options, and for a moment, the tiniest of moments, Snape hoped that she would let him take her back to Hogwarts. But then she shook her head, and with a sad smile on her lips, she turned around and marched towards the front door of Malfoy Manor.

* * *

Snape banged on the glossy black front door of Malfoy Manor using the huge, heavy brass knocker, which was fashioned into the shape of a coiled snake. His timing, as ever, was perfect; a quick check of his fob watch showed he was exactly a minute early.

It was barely ten seconds before Silvy opened the door to the dark wizard and the pale girl beside him.

'Welcome Master Snape and Miss Morgana,' the elf squeaked, bowing her head repeatedly in such a way that made her ears flap from side to side.

Snape answered brusquely, and Morgana offered a weak smile. Now she was here; her stomach was churning with nerves. She did not trust herself to speak.

'Master Lucius is awaiting you in the drawing room,' the elf piped, holding the door open wide and standing aside.

Snape was no stranger to Malfoy Manor, and he strode through the hallway imperiously, the girl at his heels. He could almost feel her eyes on the back of his head. But he could not turn around and comfort her now.

Snape stopped in the doorway of the drawing room, the girl hanging back shyly behind him. 'Good evening, Lucius,' he announced their arrival. 'Your guest of honour has arrived.'

Lucius turned towards the door, brandy in hand, a fake smile plastered all over his aristocratic features. 'Severus! Welcome.'

A sweep of Lucius' hand gestured Snape to come through, and he obliged, noticing the change in Lucius' gaze as his eyes fell upon the girl. It was a gaze filled with lust and something Snape could not quite define. But it made his stomach turn.

'Morgana,' Lucius murmured, looking the girl up and down before stepping towards her. He made a big show of bowing to kiss her hand, glancing up at her with his glittering grey-blue eyes. He looked resplendent in his dove-grey robes, of course, and Morgana couldn't help but smile at his attentions, despite almost being able to feel the animosity radiating off her Head of House.

After spending a few moments gazing into Morgana's eyes, Lucius turned to his other guest. 'Well, your timing is impeccable, Severus,' he announced, holding out the empty crystal glass. 'I do believe it is time for drinks. Elf!' he barked, and Silvy Apparated obediently next to her master with a crisp pop.

'Severus, what can I offer you?'

'Firewhisky would be acceptable,' Snape muttered, standing by the window. He had actually no desire whatsoever to stay, but he did not want to leave the girl just yet either.

'One Firewhisky, one brandy, and a pumpkin juice for the lovely Miss Belakane,' Lucius ordered, and the elf nodded and Disapparated again, only to appear moments later with the drinks.

Once everyone had a glass in hand, Lucius snaked an arm around Morgana's waist and held his glass aloft. 'A toast! To the future!' he exclaimed, looking straight at Snape with his icy, silvery eyes.

Snape raised an eyebrow and clinked glasses with Malfoy, but did not repeat the toast.

To the future indeed! The next few months were surely going to be hell. The girl's insemination was bad enough, but three months down the line, he would have to brew the potion by which to claim another innocent life. Not to mention the ceaseless crowing and self-promotion Lucius would surely embark on once the girl was pregnant. And Potter on top of all that ...

Snape took a sip from his Firewhisky. 'Well, Lucius, I must say it is MOST unusual to invite a student for dinner on Valentine's night, of all nights,' he said with a smirk. If he had to go along with this charade, there was no harm in making Malfoy squirm. 'One would have thought you would be safely curled up with that darling wife of yours.'

Snape saw a flicker of annoyance flash over Lucius' features before he arranged his face into a curious expression. 'Oh, is it Valentine's? Must have slipped my mind. And Narcissa is on a shopping spree in Milan.' Lucius was smiling now, but the smile did not extend to his eyes.

'Good to see romance isn't dead,' Snape muttered, returning the stony stare.

'I see you are not courting anyone tonight, Severus,' Lucius said lightly, the poisonous smile still fixed on his face.

'I have no need to pander to such whimsy,' Snape replied bitterly.

'So I've heard. Say, Morgana, is Severus always this grumpy at Hogwarts?'

Morgana cleared her throat, feeling awkward about the mounting tension between Lucius and her Head of House. Draco had always maintained that Snape was a close friend of the Malfoy family, but from what she had seen, it looked as if they despised each other. She did not want to exacerbate the situation further, and so she chose her words carefully.

'Professor Snape is a demanding teacher. And he teaches a dangerous subject. He is supposed to be strict.'

Lucius threw his head back and laughed. 'Good answer, pet. Good answer indeed.'

He glanced at Snape's glass and noticed it was now empty.

'Thirsty, I see, Severus. Care for another?'

Snape's glass magically refilled, and he watched Lucius intently over the brim. It was sickening how Lucius was nuzzling into the girl's neck, pretending that he did not notice that Snape was looking. And now he even had the audacity to nibble at her ear.

Snape's jaw clenched with frustration, and he downed the Firewhisky in one, only to have it once again magically refill seconds later.

'Draco tells me that Dumbledore has re-arranged the Great Hall for tonight,' Lucius started, his eyes on Snape but his lips still close to Morgana's neck. 'No House Tables, just tables for two. Very intimate.'

Snape could see Lucius' hand slide over Morgana's waist to her butt, resting there protectively.

'The Headmaster does like to indulge his sense of frivolity,' he replied with a sneer.

'I think it's sweet.' Lucius smiled, and from the way Morgana jumped, Snape concluded that he had squeezed her butt. How dare he?

'So, will you be chasing snogging students tonight, Severus?' Lucius continued, pretending that nothing had happened.

'Thankfully, I am relieved of that particular duty,' Snape replied, curtly, trying to keep his anger in check.

'Oh! I rather thought you'd enjoy it.' Lucius was smirking now, and his hand was resting lightly on the back of Morgana's neck.

'Watching hormone-addled, inexperienced teenagers slobbering over each other like werewolves?' Snape spat. 'My tastes are more refined that that, Lucius.'

He swigged down yet more whisky, trying to drown out the bubble of anger rising inside him as he saw Lucius grind up against Morgana and quickly kiss her neck.

Snape's knuckles whitened as he gripped his glass tighter. Trust Lucius to make a display out of this whole situation! Not only was it disgusting, but it obviously made the girl uncomfortable as well. Snape could see the muscles in her jaw twitch. But he had to hand it to her, she knew how to play along.

'Draco and Pansy looked very comfortable when I left,' Snape said, attempting to quell his anger by steering the conversation in a different direction. The alternative was to hex Lucius into the next century. 'I often think how well suited they are to each other.' He gave Lucius a wan smile. Both are back-stabbing, spoilt little brats, he thought with a sneer.

'Oh, they are,' Lucius hummed. 'Pansy is a delightful young woman. Isn't she, Morgana?'

Morgana shuddered as Lucius' hand slid down her back again. What could she say? She loathed Pansy and wouldn't piss on her if she were on fire. But she could not say that, could she?

'Draco does seem rather smitten,' she agreed, skilfully avoiding the question.

'The boy has taste.'

Snape could not help but notice that Lucius was now actually trying to pull up Morgana's skirt at the back. The man had absolutely no shame at all. Morgana, to her credit, squirmed uncomfortably.

'Let's hope he inherits his mother's sense of dignity, shall we?' Snape replied caustically.

Lucius smirked lazily. 'Severus, do tell why you can only stay for drinks this evening?'

Snape downed the rest of his whisky to wash away the bitter taste in his mouth. Once again, the glass refilled by magic.

'Three is very much a crowd, Lucius,' he answered pointedly.

'Oh, I don't know about that. Three can be fun, can't it, Morgana?'

Snape gritted his teeth at the reminder of the afternoon with Bella as Morgana looked to the floor with shame.

'It would be inappropriate to dine with a student on this night of all nights,' Snape answered, intensely annoyed now at Malfoy's faux hospitality. All three of them knew Malfoy could not wait to see the back of him, but here he was, maintaining the social pretence. The man set his teeth on edge with his insincerity.

'What a shame though. Silvy has been slaving all day in the kitchen.'

'That is her job, is it not?' Snape hissed back.

'Of course. But on occasions like this, she tends to put in some extra effort. She is rather fond of Morgana here.' With that, Malfoy stepped behind the girl and pulled her closer to him.

Snape watched as Lucius hands sneaked up Morgana's sides and lightly brushed her breasts. He could also see the girl was apologising with her eyes, she did not want him to see this. Not this time. But Lucius obviously did. He wanted to rub his nose in it as much as possible.

He glared at Lucius with disgust as the man began nibbling at the girl's neck, now without even the pretence of hiding. And he saw Morgana bite her lip. Her cheeks were flushed, from excitement or embarrassment, Snape did not know.

'I can see you are fond of Morgana also, Lucius,' he spat sarcastically.

'Only a blind man wouldn't be, Severus. Or a celibate one,' Lucius sneered as he ran his hands over the girl's belly, making his way slowly downwards.

Snape ground his teeth, watching Lucius bend his head and place delicate kisses on her cleavage. As loath as he was to leave the girl alone in Lucius' company, he had seen enough. Soon, Lucius would surely start his seduction in all seriousness, and Snape had no desire whatsoever to witness him seduce the girl once more. He had seen enough the last time, and the mere memory of that afternoon made him wish that the girl would be spending the night with him instead of Lucius.

He placed the glass forcibly down on a side table. 'It seems I have outstayed my welcome,' he noted, controlling the anger in his voice and the feeling of arousal that was creeping towards his groin.

'Going so soon?' Lucius asked with fake protest. 'What a shame. Tell me, Severus, does dear Morgana have a curfew?'

Lucius looked like butter wouldn't melt in his mouth as his hands now cupped Morgana's breasts.

'Miss Belakane needs to be back in time for lessons tomorrow morning,' Snape hissed, already striding towards the door. 'Preferably well-rested.'

'Good,' Lucius exclaimed. 'I'll make sure she eats breakfast. Silvy, show Professor Snape out, will you?'

'Enjoy your evening.' Snape looked pointedly at Morgana, who gave him an apologetic look in return. She had not wanted her Head of House to see all this. It was bad enough that he knew that she was going to sleep with Lucius tonight. He did not need to witness the foreplay as well. And she hoped that Snape understood. But he was already out the door and did not even turn around when Lucius confirmed that they were indeed going to enjoy their evening.

Lucius affectionately squeezing her bottom ripped Morgana out of her thoughts. 'Your dear professor is such a strange fruit, isn't he?' he asked, and Morgana nodded.

'Hm. I pity the first student that crosses his path tonight. And I am afraid you got me into trouble, Lucius,' she replied, smiling up at the blond wizard.

'Me?' Once again, Lucius put on his best innocent expression, his silver-blue eyes twinkling.

'Yes, you. Did you have to feel me up in front of that bat?' she asked playfully. She did not like to call Snape names, but she had a role to play now. She had to humour Lucius.

'Oh, I couldn't resist showing him what he's missing,' Lucius replied with a smirk, once more fondling her breasts. 'Especially as I know what you're wearing just for me underneath.'

Morgana blushed slightly. Obviously, Lucius expected her to thank him for his gift now. 'Yes, thank you for the underwear, Lucius,' she murmured. 'It fits beautifully.'

'Hmm, well I shall be the judge of that later, won't I?'

Lucius smiled, and Morgana lowered her head. What was it about Lucius that made her knees go weak and turned her into a blushing, trembling girl?

'Poor Severus,' Lucius lamented, his hands now at Morgana's waist again. 'He just doesn't have much luck with the ladies. Can't think why.'

'He has neither your charms nor your looks,' Morgana answered as she caressed his long blond hair with a gentle hand. Play along now, she repeated to herself.

'And he doesn't have you, my sweet,' Lucius murmured before kissing her deeply. And Morgana melted into his kiss and felt her self-defence crumble. She could not have resisted him even if she wanted to. And she was not even sure if she wanted to resist.