XXV: The Future of Slytherin

Chapter XXV: The Future of Slytherin

'Mark my words: if anyone else loses Slytherin House points, that person will join Lancaster and Mordrin in detention for the rest of the school year. And if you have the misfortune to be in your sixth year or lower, you will continue your detention when you return after the summer.'

Snape let his gaze wander over the students of his House. The younger ones sat huddled together on the sofas and armchairs right in front of him, with terrified expressions on their faces. Some of the older students who stood behind them had adopted the same fearful look, while others had put on a brave face and even tried to look completely unmoved. But Snape saw right through the latter. He was very much aware that each and every student in the common room wished they were somewhere else right then.

They had certainly not expected him to come bursting through their door at seven o'clock on a Tuesday morning. They had most probably not expected him to show up at all, seeing as he usually held the House Meeting on Monday morning. But last night's events had dictated his presence. How on earth could Lancaster and Mordrin have been so stupid to hex those Gryffindors at the dinner table, right under McGonagall's nose? Those two nitwits had received their punishment already last night and had – since five-thirty – been helping Hagrid to scatter dragon dung on the pumpkin patch. Snape had deemed it necessary to make an example of the two boys and ensure the other Slytherins wouldn't get any stupid ideas.

'There will be no more hexing students from other Houses,' he continued in a voice that sounded like thunder. 'I demand that you co-exist peacefully with them. Yes, Mr Malfoy, even with students of Gryffindor House.'

No one could afford to be making enemies in these times. The Sorting Hat had warned the students already back in September: 'For our Hogwarts is in danger from external, deadly foes, and we must unite inside her or we'll crumble from within.' But Snape doubted that any of his students had listened to the old hat. Most of them found the rumours of the Dark Lord's return exciting. And those who had grown up in Death Eater families dreamt of a future that held fame and glory. Snape desperately hoped that he would be able to save at least some of them.

'I repeat: no more hexing. In fact, no rule breaking at all. Do I make myself clear?'

The 'Yes, sir' echoed from the cold stone walls of the Slytherin common room, and since Snape did not say anything else, the students considered themselves dismissed. Some fled to their dormitories, others to the Great Hall, but flee they did. All except a certain seventh-year with blazing red hair.

'Yes, Miss Belakane?' Snape simply said with his arms crossed in front of his chest and an eyebrow raised.

The girl looked dreadful. She was pale, and there were dark shadows under her eyes. And while she once had carried herself tall and met his gaze with a confidence that had both annoyed and amused Snape at the same time, she now seemed to avoid looking at him and was feverishly chewing her lip.

'Yes? What is it?' Snape repeated impatiently.

'At the risk of losing House points and earning detention, I ask permission to leave the castle this evening, sir.' Morgana's voice was surprisingly steady, but still she did not look at him.

'And why would you need to leave the castle, Miss Belakane?'

'I have been invited to dinner at Malfoy Manor.'

Snape's eyes narrowed. But of course. Lucius would want to make sure that his plan had succeeded and that the girl was indeed carrying his child.

'You are permitted to leave the castle after your last lesson this afternoon,' Snape growled. 'But make sure you are back before seven, Miss Belakane. You have already missed last week's lesson due to your so-called illness. If you miss today's lesson as well, I will withdraw my offer to tutor you, and you will have to forget about your NEWTs in Potions.'

And without another word, he turned on his heel and billowed out of the common room, not once looking back at the girl. Had he looked back, he would have seen that she was now biting her lips even harder than before and that there were tears glittering in her eyes.

* * *

'Miss Morgana is looking tired. Silvy will make a cup of tea before Miss goes to see Master Lucius.'

Morgana sank onto the stool by the stove in the kitchen of Malfoy Manor and gratefully accepted the steaming cup Silvy put into her hands. She knew that there was no point resisting the elf's fussing, and she did not want to either. She not only looked incredibly tired, but also felt tired, both in body and mind. And having some minutes to collect her thoughts before facing Lucius and telling him that she was pregnant was, at that moment, worth more than all the Galleons at Gringotts.

According to Dumbledore, she was supposed to pretend that she was scared and ashamed and that she did not even dare hope that Lucius would in any way be pleased about her carrying his child. And she was also supposed to pretend that she was hopelessly in love with him.

None of this should be a problem. Morgana was scared and ashamed: scared that something in Dumbledore's brilliant plan would go amiss and ashamed that she had agreed to it. And she knew that Lucius did not care about either her or the child. All he cared about was his position in the ranks of the Dark Lord. As for her being in love with him ...

Morgana's thoughts were interrupted by Silvy tugging urgently at her robes.

'Master Lucius is wanting to see you now, Miss Morgana,' the elf squeaked, and Morgana carefully patted the creature's cheek.

What Master Lucius wants, he gets, she thought and made her way to the drawing room.

Lucius was reclining on a chaise longue by the window, looking so elegant and sexy that Morgana's breath hitched in her throat. And when he got up and opened his arms for her, not even a herd of Hippogriffs could have held her back.

'I am so pleased that you could make it, my love!' Lucius exclaimed as he embraced her. 'I have missed you.'

His kiss sent shivers down Morgana's spine, and had Lucius not held on to her, she would certainly have lost her balance, so weak were her knees.

'It is amazing,' he breathed as he abandoned her lips just to attack her neck a moment later. 'Even in your school robes, you look like a dream come true, Morgana.'

He grabbed her butt and pulled her towards him, and Morgana could already feel his erection strain against the fabric of his dove gray trousers.

'See what you are doing to me, my beautiful witch?' he growled and ground his hips against her.

Morgana let her head fall back and granted the magnificent wizard in front of her access to her neck. She felt her chest swell with pride. Lucius Malfoy, one of the most important and influential wizards in Britain, truly desired her. This couldn't just be an act. He did not need to woo her anymore. The deed was done. The heir was conceived. He could just sit back and wait eight more months. But still, he was suckling at her neck and massaging her breasts through the fabric of her school robes, not because it was part of his plan to seduce her, but because he wanted to.

Slowly, Lucius unbuttoned the girl's blouse, placing tantalizing kisses on every inch of exposed flesh. He inhaled her scent as his mouth filled with her flavour, and he sank his teeth into the soft skin of her breasts, savouring the delicate moans that escaped her lips. She was giving herself so willingly to him, and he enjoyed fucking her, even now when she was already carrying his child. Now he was going to shag her for pleasure alone.

He sank onto his knees in front of her, unzipping her skirt and pulling it down together with her knickers. And once he caught the alluring scent of her arousal, he grabbed her hips and held them steady as he buried his face in her crotch, the tip of his tongue teasing apart her lips and finding her swollen clit. Oh, she tasted sweet and was ready to be taken.

He stood upright in a blink of an eye, kissing her feverishly and relishing the idea of her tasting herself as she greedily suckled his tongue.

'Do you want me, Morgana?' he growled as they broke their kiss to breathe. 'Do you want me right here and now?'

He did not even wait for an answer. He did not need any. The girl was his, and she would not refuse him his pleasure. So unlike Narcissa, who had been feigning migraines for so many years now.

He pushed Morgana up against the wall and entered her with a swift movement, looking into her eyes. Oh, yes, she was his. His and his alone. And he would fuck her so well that she would never want another man again.

Morgana moaned deeply as Lucius slid up into her to the hilt. He filled her completely, and him taking her against the wall made his cock rub against so far unknown places, and soon Morgana felt herself tremble and wished that she had some other way of supporting herself than by clinging to his shoulders and entwining her hand in his silky, soft platinum hair.

As if he had read her thoughts, Lucius wrapped his strong arms around her waist and pulled her from the wall, just to slam her onto an antique bureau, sending parchments and quills flying to the floor. But neither of them cared.

Lucius was rough and possessive as he thrust into her with all his might, and Morgana responded by clenching her muscles around him and calling out his name.

'Yes, Lucius. Yes, YES!'

'I love it when you call my name, Morgana,' Lucius hissed as he once more plunged forward to claim her mouth.

He felt her wrap her legs around his waist and her nails clawing at the back of his robes. And he continued slamming into her, harder and faster, wanting her to reach her climax just so she would scream out his name once more.

As he slid his hand between their bodies and his finger made contact with her clit, Morgana arched up against him just to fall back onto the desk seconds later, her body shaking and quivering.

'Lucius,' she whimpered, too wrapped up in the sensation of her orgasm to control her vocal cords properly. Every little movement of his hand or cock sent new jolts of pleasure through her body. And she both hoped that he would stop and go on forever at the same time.

He sneaked his hands under her back and pulled her upper body up against him, breathing heavily into her ear and relentlessly slamming into her with short, powerful thrusts. And once more he drove her over the edge, and this time she screamed out his name as if it were the most beautiful word in the world.

'Lucius!'

The blond wizard smiled triumphantly as he felt his own orgasm approach and buried himself deep inside her with a low growl, once more filling her womb with his seed.

'My angel,' he murmured moments later as her took her face in both his hands and looked into her blue eyes. 'I wish you would never have to leave. I wish I could always have you close to me. I wish you were mine.'

'But I am yours, Lucius,' Morgana whispered and did not resist as he once more claimed her lips.

And as Lucius gently caressed her back and shoulders with his smooth hands, he triumphed. The girl was lost. She was truly his and his alone. And she had no idea that she had practically promised him her soul.

* * *

Once they had got their breath back and rearranged their robes, Lucius led his guest in to the dining room for dinner, much to Morgana's delight. The morning sickness, as Poppy insisted on calling it, prevented her from eating anything for the better part of the day. Hence, she was often ravenous in the evening. And tonight was no exception.

'What has Silvy got in store for us today?' she asked as Lucius pulled back her chair for her, looking forward to the elf's usually exceptional cooking. Whatever Silvy had prepared, it must go down better than the rice and chicken she had had for lunch. Or tried to have.

'I must admit, love, it's a bit eclectic,' Lucius began, seating himself opposite her.

'Eclectic?'

'Yes,' Lucius affirmed, smiling mysteriously. 'The elf is certainly showing her creativity. We have Eggs Benedict to start, followed by fresh lobster, and to finish, a cheese platter with fresh fruit.'

'I see ...'

Lucius noticed Morgana pale slightly, and watched her carefully. The meal was not Silvy's idea at all; it had been his, as a way to test the girl and see if she were indeed carrying the heir yet. He had been more than annoyed by Narcissa's diet during her pregnancy and had now made Silvy prepare the exact dishes his wife had refused to eat from the very day she had found out that she had been pregnant.

He saw Morgana squirm and smiled inwardly. By the looks of things, she clearly had something important to say. But he kept his face neutral, although he wanted to triumph. There was no doubt. She was indeed pregnant. Snape's potion would not have failed.

'Love? What is it?' he asked in a concerned tone.

'I ... um ...' Morgana started. She had been building up to this point for weeks, but still she genuinely felt nervous. Lucius didn't want this child for him, but for the Dark Lord. And she was merely a pawn.

But had Dumbledore or anyone else even considered how Lucius would react once she told him that she was pregnant? What if he wanted her to stay at the Manor to be able to keep an eye on her? Or, even worse, what if he dragged her off to the Dark Lord in order to show her off?

'I think you should take a deep breath, Lucius,' she said, inhaling deeply herself. She had to get herself together. There was no point in worrying. She was important to Lucius, she told herself. He would certainly never harm her in any way.

But how does a seventeen-year-old tell her married lover that she's carrying his child? she contemplated, fidgeting with the thick, expensive, Malfoy-monogrammed napkin. Surely, if she wanted to play her role well, she was supposed to assume that the father-to-be would not take her confession well.

Lucius looked over at the girl, concern showing in his silver-blue eyes. But on the inside, he was anxiously awaiting the news that would take him one step closer to being the Dark Lord's right hand man.

'Promise me something, Lucius,' Morgana begged, now fully engaged in the role of the timid girl.

'What is it, love?' Lucius sounded truly apprehensive now. He, too, was playing his role well. The girl believed that he loved her. And he needed her to go on believing it. He needed her to trust him, so he would in the end be the one to decide how their child was brought up. If he played his cards right, she would allow their child to be gifted with the Dark Mark before the little one could walk. And who knew, maybe she would join the ranks of the Death Eaters, too.

'Whatever I tell you now,' Morgana continued. 'Please, do not yell.'

Lucius looked hurt at the very idea. 'Morgana! I would never yell at you. You know that.'

She leant forwards and gripped his hand, taking yet another deep breath. 'I ... '

Lucius raised his eyebrows, silently willing her to go on and secretly amused at her nervousness. What a darling she was, so scared that he would scold her for having been careless with her contraceptive potion. So sweet, so naive, so unsuspecting.

'I am pregnant.'

Morgana blurted the words so quickly, she was unsure if Lucius had heard or not. And as he merely blinked in response, she cast him a nervous look.

'Pregnant?' Lucius, to his credit, looked shocked for about three seconds as the girl had said the words he had been desperate to hear for such a long time.

'Please don't yell,' Morgana whispered.

'Pregnant?' Lucius was smiling now, and Morgana merely nodded in response. Everything was going as planned.

'Oh, love, I ... I don't know what to say,' Lucius murmured. 'After Draco, I never thought ... '

'I can take care of this,' Morgana interrupted. 'I can take a potion ... I ...'

Lucius stared back at the girl with wide eyes. 'You don't want to get rid of it, do you?'

Ah, he was buying her act, Morgana thought, her Slytherin mind triumphing. There was no way that he'd ever suspect that she was very well aware of just how much he wanted that child and for what reasons.

'Lucius,' she pleaded. 'I'm seventeen, you're married ... I don't want to be a burden.'

'Love ... that's the last thing you would be,' Lucius said kindly, squeezing her hand.

'What?' Morgana asked, trying to sound as surprised as possible.

'I don't want you to get rid of it, Morgana.'

This time it was Morgana, also to her credit, who looked genuinely shocked. 'You don't?'

'No, love! Why would I?' Lucius smiled one of his most charming smiles as he clutched both her hands.

'Because you're married ...' Morgana began.

But Lucius cut her off. 'I've always wanted more children. Regrettably, Narcissa had complications when having Draco ...'

He seemed lost in his thoughts for a moment, gazing at their entwined hands. Then his eyes snapped up and met hers.

'Darling, I will support you one hundred percent,' he declared firmly. 'I will get you a flat near Diagon Alley. You can have a nanny so you can continue with your career ...'

And I will make sure that this child is taught proper values from the very start.

Morgana could almost see the plans running through Lucius' mind. He looked absolutely ecstatic and radiant, his eyes misted up with joy.

'Oh, I can't believe we're having a baby!'

Morgana meanwhile looked completely flabbergasted. 'WE are having a baby?'

'Yes, me and you, love. I will support you every step of the way.'

Morgana just gaped at him. For someone who had just spawned the heir of Darkness, Lucius seemed genuinely thrilled to be a father.

'Aren't you happy?' Lucius asked when seeing her open-mouthed, a little crestfallen.

'I ... I don't know yet.'

To be honest, Morgana found his reaction totally endearing. She wasn't sure what she was expecting – maybe not peals of malicious-sounding laughter, but certainly not the dewy-eyed radiance she saw in front of her. Had he changed his mind? Did he truly care that much for her that he considered this baby their child?

Lucius stood, walked around the table and pulled Morgana her up into a gentle embrace, his hand snaking to her belly.

'This little one is going to be a powerful little child. It will be loved and have the best money can buy,' he cooed as he softly rubbed her stomach.

Morgana shivered at the use of the word powerful. 'This is scary, Lucius,' she replied, not really sure anymore exactly what part of the whole situation she was supposed to find the most scary.

Lucius looked deeply into her eyes. 'Love, do not be afraid about what people say. I am proud you are carrying my child.'

It was true, he was. In the eyes of the other Death Eaters, it would make him a hero. And the Dark Lord would see him as his most devoted servant.

He stroked the girl's belly again, a silly grin on his face. 'Just think: it may be a girl. I've always wanted a daughter.'

Morgana couldn't help but laugh. 'You really ARE happy about this!'

Lucius gave her a quizzical look. 'Why would you think otherwise, my love? What can be more natural than two people who love each other, creating a child?'

'It's just ... Well, you are a man of high status, Lucius. People will talk. Narcissa will know.'

Morgana genuinely liked Narcissa and did not want to hurt the woman, not after everything she had done for her. But then again, Narcissa might just never know. In about two months' time, this child would be gone. Or would it?

'Narcissa will have to find out, yes,' Lucius conceded. 'But you know our marriage is one of status and not love. She will accept the fact, because she will not want to lose her status.'

Morgana chewed her lip. Status or no status, finding out your husband had sired a child with a girl barely older than his own son was going to smart.

If she decided to keep this baby, what would happen? Would Lucius leave Narcissa for her sake? Would she want him to?

'And Draco?' she continued, her mind buzzing with the possibilities.

'Draco will be of age soon, my love.' Lucius tried to calm her. 'He will be his own man. He will not fear the competition.'

Morgana nodded and made a noise of agreement, even though the idea of giving birth to Draco's step-sibling suddenly made her blood turn to ice. Wanting to leave that thought alone, she decided to turn to a more practical issue.

'I am taking my NEWTS in four months. I will have to tell Snape.'

Morgana saw the muscle in Lucius' jaw flex at the name of her Head of House.

'Yes, that is unavoidable,' he stated. 'But believe me when I say it is within Severus' interests to make sure your life is comfortable, because there will be hell to pay otherwise.'

Morgana raised her eyebrow at the steely look in Lucius' eyes, a look that soon turned to tenderness as he reached down and kissed her.

'Precious darling,' he drawled.

And Morgana sighed heavily, draping her arms around his waist. 'This is overwhelming, Lucius. I'm only seventeen.'

And only two years older than your son, she thought to herself.

'I know, love. But having a child won't stop you having a future.' He looked down and saw the girl looked torn.

'I know this is overwhelming for you,' he said softly, kissing her forehead. 'But I know a place that could help you get as excited about our child as I am. Bonnie's Bouncing Babies in Diagon Alley is the oldest Wizarding baby shop in existence. My own mother used to buy me toys and clothes from there. Plus there are plenty of books and advice for new mothers.'

'Are you sending me on a shopping trip, Lucius?' Morgana asked, looking up at the fair wizard. Trust Lucius to think that throwing money at the issue would somehow magically resolve it.

'Yes, love. I think it would be good for you. Why don't you go and explore, get some literature, get a feel for it. The expectant mothers' section is supposed to be very informative.'

'Don't you think it's a little ... early?' She was barely one month in. So much could happen.

'It's never too early to be prepared.' Lucius sounded so enthusiastic, so sincere. 'Besides, I personally can't walk past a pair of miniature boots without feeling broody.'

Once again, his face lit up like a child's at Yule. 'Wait until you see the miniature flying broomsticks. They are just adorable. I still have Draco's somewhere.'

Morgana could not help but smile as she brushed a strand of white-blond hair from his face. 'You're too sweet, Lucius. I can't believe this. You ARE happy!'

'Happy? I'm over the MOON, my love!'

He smiled indulgently as his young lover threw her arms around him and laughed.

'Then I guess I am happy too,' she conceded whilst Lucius placed soft little kisses all over her face. There was no denying it, Lucius was ecstatic, and his talk of baby things had planted the seed that maybe, just maybe, Lucius would love this child as he loved her and would not use it as a tool for power. She gazed up at him once more only to see his silver-blue eyes sparkling with happiness.

'We're having a baby, darling. I'm so excited I could burst!' Then his radiant smile turned into a serious expression. 'You will need to get lots of rest, my love. I want you in bed by eight o'clock.'

Morgana looked at him as if he'd just announced that he enjoyed wearing women's underwear.

'Eight? Are you serious?'

'I have never been more serious. Pregnancy is very draining.'

'I'm a few weeks pregnant, not an invalid!' Morgana protested, using the very same words Snape had hurt her with only about a week ago. Suddenly, it didn't seem to matter anymore.

But Lucius shook his mane of fine, golden hair firmly in response. 'I want you taking care of yourself.' And the steely look in his eyes told Morgana there were to be no more arguments as far as bedtime was concerned.

'I will, Lucius, I will,' she murmured.

Lucius effortlessly summoned his money pouch from the inside of one of the bureaus, and it fell into his open hand with a satisfying chink.

'Lucius ...' Morgana began as she watched him take out a big fistful of Galleons.

'Go and have a nose in Diagon Alley, and buy YOURSELF something nice, too, love.'

He noted Morgana's pleading look and continued, 'This is my baby too, and if I want to spoil it, and you, then I will!'

Morgana sighed in defeat. 'Lucius ... '

But before she could protest too much, he was kissing her again, and she could not help but yield to his embrace.

The sound of chiming clock from the mantelpiece interrupted their clinch.

'Bedtime, then?' Morgana asked with a smile. She had just remembered that Snape expected her to be back in time for her Potions session. If she arrived late, he might just give her detention. And who knew when she would be able to see Lucius again in that case.

'Yes, love, you should really be getting some rest.' Lucius stroked her face tenderly before grabbing both of her hands in his and looking deep into her eyes.

'You have made me truly happy, Morgana,' he murmured. 'I am excited beyond words.'

'Maybe YOU should get some rest, too,' Morgana noted.

Lucius gave her one of his trademark smirks. 'Well you do seem to tire me out, you incorrigible witch!'

And with that, he kissed her deeply once more, driving away every single doubt the girl still might have had on her mind.

* * *

She had not wanted to leave Malfoy Manor. When Lucius had kissed her goodbye, Morgana had clung to him as if they were taking farewell forever. And when she had turned on the spot to Apparate to Hogwarts and Lucius had blown her another kiss, her heart had ached. But now, as she was walking down the dark corridor that led to Professor Snape's study, that feeling was fading at the same speed as the taste of Lucius' lips on hers.

She had already knocked at Snape's door when the big clock in the Entrance Hall started to chime seven, and she was sure that Snape would tell her off for being late although she was exactly on time. To her surprise, he did not.

'Good evening, Miss Belakane,' he said, looking up from his workstation. His knife and chopping board were lying next to his cauldron, and he had arranged all the ingredients methodically in front of him.

'You will be sitting behind this charmed glass screen for the demonstration,' he instructed her. 'To protect you from the fumes. Tonight I shall be making Wolfsbane.'

Morgana nodded and took her seat on the stool that had been placed behind the protective glass screen, putting her notebook onto her lap. She felt privileged. Everybody knew that Snape was indeed a master when it came to potion making, but he was rarely seen actually making any potions. And Wolfsbane was a difficult potion, taxing even to the most capable NEWT student. And still, Snape deemed it worthwhile to show it to her.

'Wolfsbane is fiddly to prepare,' Snape declared. 'It needs to be made under the right circumstances, at the right stage in the moon's cycle. Hence, it is said that females are better suited to concocting this potion. I myself, however, have never had any troubles.' He waved his wand lazily, and his spiky handwriting appeared on the blackboard behind him. 'Although I can make this off by heart, it will benefit you to see both the ingredients and the methodology. I will not talk you through, so I would like you to follow the method with me. Do try to keep up.'

He reached for a root and crushed it skilfully under his blade, then shredded it into stringy segments. And Morgana watched him intently, fascinated by his skills as well as his fluent movements. Even when he poured water into his cauldron and conjured a flame underneath, he did it gracefully and with an attentiveness that suggested that this simple task was just as important as chopping the most powerful and precious ingredient.

'I trust your nausea has now passed?'

Morgana tore her eyes off her teacher's smooth hands and took to staring at his face in surprise instead. Had Snape just asked how she was feeling?

'I asked you a question, Miss Belakane.'

Morgana cleared her throat. She knew that Snape was the one preparing the potion for her morning sickness. She did not want to tell him that it wasn't working.

'I know that there was liver stew for dinner, sir,' she said instead. 'The smell was still lingering in the air when I returned to the castle. It would make anyone nauseous.'

Snape wrinkled his imperious nose. 'The stew was served with herb dumplings and gravy. Those on their own were adequate. But I assume that you have dined royally at Malfoy Manor.'

Morgana shook her head. 'There was no time, sir.'

'No time? Is that how much Lucius cares for the mother of his child?'

He stomped to his desk. From the top drawer, he produced a couple of Chocolate Frogs.

'We still have some minutes until the water boils and the root can be added,' he declared and extended the Frogs towards Morgana. 'I suggest you eat some of those. Once the potion is underway, I will not have the time to scoop you up should you faint due to low blood sugar.'

Morgana swallowed drily. As much as she had always loved chocolate, it nowadays made her queasy. But she was hungry. And who knew how angry Snape would get if she did indeed faint.

Morgana couldn't help but smile as she carefully nibbled at a Frog. Who would have guessed that Severus Snape had a sweet tooth? Most probably, the Frogs had been confiscated during lessons. But Morgana preferred to think of them as Snape's own private stash, a treat he would reward himself with after grading a stack of parchments. She could just imagine him huffing at the card before savouring the Frog. Her whimsical thoughts were interrupted however by Snape's rich baritone.

'Madam Pomfrey informs me that you are still requiring the Morning Sickness Potion,' he mentioned incidentally as he – one by one – dropped little pieces of the shredded root into the now boiling water. 'She also says that morning sickness rarely lasts more than six weeks. You should be out of the woods shortly, as it were.'

He probably didn't expect any answer, as he opened a large leather bound book with lots of technical drawings and charts in it. And Morgana's eyes followed his long, slender finger down one of the charts. And when he took to stirring the cauldron, whispering inaudible incantations, she lifted her eyes to his sumptuous lips, suddenly remembering the way he had kissed her in the garden of Malfoy Manor and the dark corridor in the Three Broomsticks. If she thought about it, he had certainly tasted of chocolate.

She watched him grab some powered Aconite and measure out an amount in a pair of little brass scales. And she saw his eyes glitter with excitement as he bent to judge the scales by eye before lifting the little bowl and pouring it into the cauldron. He looked so content, as if he had not a worry in the world.

Morgana flinched as the potion hissed loudly and hoped that Snape had not noticed her daydreaming. But he was watching the cauldron intently, running his fingers through the steam as if he could feel the vapours and extract meaning from them. Then he picked up his wand and waved it over the cauldron in complicated sequences, all the while muttering incantations under his breath. He looked like an artist, a painter or a dancer or both at once. Morgana could not decide which, but one thing was for sure, when it came to his craft, Snape was a true artisan.

'Once the potion has cooled, it will have to bask in the moonlight to absorb its powers for two weeks before the second part of the brewing process can begin,' he explained. 'The drinker, the lycanthrope, will absorb those lunar powers and therefore gain immunity. Do you have any questions?'

Morgana shook her head, and Snape picked up the cauldron. 'Follow me.'

They climbed the stairs to the Astronomy Tower, where Snape placed the cauldron in a niche in the south wall. 'We will leave the cauldron here for a fortnight,' he declared and once more withdrew his wand.

Morgana watched her Head of House intently as he cast protective spells around the cauldron. His pale face looked like polished marble in the moonlight, and his dark hair framed his features like curtains of black velvet. And his eyes were like bottomless dark oceans, and Morgana had to look away lest she drowned in them.

When they returned to the dungeons, Morgana expected to be dismissed and sent to bed. But Snape wordlessly passed the door that led to the Slytherin common room, and Morgana followed him back to his study where he allowed her to help him clean his work station.

'How did Lucius react to you telling him that you are with child?'

The question had come out of the blue, and Morgana stared at her teacher, slightly taken aback. How strange, she had not once thought about Lucius since she had entered Snape's study almost two hours ago.

'He was ... overjoyed,' she started tentatively. 'He told me how much he is looking forward to becoming a father and that he will look after me.'

'You are of course aware that he is lying, are you not, Miss Belakane?' Snape interrupted, his black eyes boring into hers.

Morgana swallowed. Of course she was aware of that. Lucius was responsible for the deaths of her parents, and he only cared for her because he needed her to provide him with a child that combined two ancient bloodlines. Her rational brain told her that he was talking out of his perfectly-sculpted buttocks.

But Lucius had also told her that he loved her and had started to plan a future for her and the baby, their baby. And her heart swelled at the very thought.

'Are you, Miss Belakane?'

Snape's voice sounded like thunder, and Morgana nodded, too scared and too confused to admit the truth.

Snape narrowed his eyes. 'And how, Miss Belakane, do you feel about Lucius?'

Once more, Morgana did not answer, and Snape felt as if someone had hit him with a Stunner. This must not have happened! Lucius must not have succeeded! He must not have won over the girl!

He closed the gap between him and the girl in a blink of an eye and grabbed her firmly by the arms. 'I sincerely hope that you are not telling me that you have feelings for Lucius Malfoy, Miss Belakane.'

'I don't know, sir.'

'You do not know?' Snape had to fight the urge to yell. 'What do you mean, you do not know? Do you or do you not have feelings for Lucius Malfoy?'

'I do not know,' Morgana repeated, a pleading tone in her voice. 'When I am away from him, everything is crystal clear. I know that he does not care for me. I know that he wants this baby to gain power. I know that he is a Death Eater and one of the Dark Lord's most loyal supporters. But when I am with him, when he holds me in his arms ...'

She broke off and lowered her gaze. She felt so stupid, so utterly stupid. But she could not help it. Lucius had promised her the moon, and she had believed him. He had told her he loved her. And she had believed that, too.

'You silly little girl,' Snape hissed, tightening his grip around her arms and shaking her lightly. 'A kiss is not a promise! A caress is not a contract!'

'I know that, sir.'

'Do you? Do you really?' Snape was angry, but not at the girl. Who could blame her? She was young and naïve, and Lucius was a master of deceit. But she mustn't fall for the blond wizard.

'You must resist him, Miss Belakane,' Snape commanded. 'Practice your Occlumency.'

'I can't. When I am with him, I can't.'

'You MUST! Your feelings for Lucius Malfoy will lead you into nothing but despair. He will take you. He will consume you. And he will sit, laughing in your ashes. If you do not use your Occlumency against him, he will ruin you.'

Morgana was looking up at her teacher now, treacherous tears glittering in her eyes. 'I can't,' she whispered. 'I cannot resist him. What am I doing wrong?'

'You are needy, Miss Belakane,' Snape growled. 'You need his love, and so you let yourself fall open to him.'

Morgana's eyes widened. She had run to Lucius on New Year's night, after Snape had turned away from her. Had she made a fatal mistake that night? Had she sold her soul?

'You MUST resist him,' Snape repeated. 'If you cannot employ your Occlumency, then you will have to use a memory in order to shield yourself.'

It was a long shot, Snape knew that. But he had to try. He was not going to sit back and watch the girl become another of Lucius' victims. He knew that the man was almost vampiric in the way he sucked desire and love from a woman. And he had seen him leave them, empty husks, drained and desperate, time and time again. But Snape would do all in his power to make sure that Lucius did not destroy Morgana.

Not so long ago, she had desired him, Snape knew that. She had even competed with her best friend to gain his attention. So far, he had turned her away, not because he had wanted to, but because it had been the right thing to do. If he could now rekindle her desire for him, if he could remind her of the moments they had shared, if he gave her something to hold onto, she would possess a weapon against Lucius, a shield to protect herself, a mental Patronus. It was a long shot indeed, but he had to try.

He cupped her chin with his long finger and made her look at him. And once his eyes had caught hers, he was sure that she was not going to look away.

Morgana gasped as her mind was flooded with memories. She found herself in the garden of Malfoy Manor with her hand at Snape's crotch and her lips tightly pressed against his. And at the same time, she was being pushed up against the wall in a dark corridor at the Three Broomsticks, and Snape was grinding himself up against her, eliciting soft moans from her lips as he caressed her breasts through the fabric of her robes.

'When you are with Lucius, you need to focus on those memories,' Snape whispered, running his fingers lightly down her arms. 'His touch must be my touch. His kiss must be my kiss.'

With that, Snape reached down and brushed her lips with his own. He kissed her tenderly at first until he felt her lips part under his. And he deepened his kiss, tasting the sweetness of her mouth until he felt her respond with passion. Then he pulled away.

'Do you understand now, Morgana?' he asked, his hands still resting on her shoulders.

The girl nodded, her blue eyes still locked onto his, and Snape desperately hoped that she wasn't lying, and that she was going to use those memories to protect herself. And he watched her leave with her head held high and her back straight, but he didn't need to use Legilimency to know that her posture was nothing but a facade.

He had meant it when he had called her needy. But who could blame her? Her headstrongness and her morals had made her more enemies than friends in her own House; she had no family to turn to, and – from the looks of things – she had for some reason lost her best friend. She felt alone, and now Lucius was telling her that he loved her and that she was the most desirable witch in the country. Of course she would fall for it. Even Slytherins needed to feel loved and appreciated. But Snape hoped that he had done enough to show the girl that Lucius was not the only one she could turn to for affection. Little did he know how much his actions had confused her.

Lucius had awoken feelings in her which Morgana did not know how to handle. And when she was lying in his arms, when she was captured by his steely gaze, she could not resist him, and her brain switched off all the alarm bells as soon as they started ringing. And she forgot about the dangers, Lucius' wickedness and even the Dark Lord.

She knew it was wrong. She knew that Lucius did not love her for herself. She knew that their child was just a pawn. But still she did not want to lose Lucius. She did not want to miss his touch and the taste of his lips on hers.

But now Snape had touched her. Snape had kissed her. And her body as well as her heart had responded at once. She had wanted him first. And then she had gone to Lucius because she had been unable to get what she had wanted. She had made a terrible mistake.

'Practice your Occlumency,' Snape had said as if it were the only way to keep her safe. Most probably, he was right. And with every step Morgana took towards the Slytherin common room, she added a brick to the mental wall that protected her mind, hoping that it would also protect her heart.