In Need

~~**~~

Naturally, rumors started to fly immediately. Megan noticed smirks from the Slytherins and protective agitation from the Gryffindors. The two tall figures of Megan and Severus walking around campus together was already a familiar sight, but no one had really thought about it like *that* before. Megan was friendly with everybody, so no one had thought it strange that Professor Snape had warmed up to her somewhat as well. But now, there were hints of much more than that - and there were some pretty strange stories on top of it all, that no one could confirm or deny.


Professors Waters and Snape seemed to carry on much as before - they were friendly in public but not overly so. They didn’t usually sit next to each other at meals, but it was rumored that they had been on outings together. No one knew exactly what was what, which was perfect fodder for the rumor mill because all were free to create their own versions of what was really going on. Even the faculty were not exempt from the guesses and discussions - the only person who seemed to really know the whole story was Dumbledore, and he just smiled quietly and let the stories fly and cancel each other out.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Severus was leaving Megan’s quarters early one morning after a night of passionate lovemaking and was kissing her goodbye, when a very agitated Bill Weasley knocked on the door. Severus gave Megan a protective squeeze and told her that he would see her at breakfast later on. As he passed Bill on the way out, Severus gave him a dangerous glare and swept pasm wim without a word.


Bill closed the door behind Severus and looked angrily at Megan for a moment before he said anything. “What is going on with you?” he hissed at her. “Are you out of your mind?”


Megan sat down behind her writing table and regarded him levelly, disguising the anger that his sudden appearance and attitude stirred up in her. “Bill, what’s going on?”


“Megan, I think you know EXACTLY what this is about,” he said in a voice that was getting louder. He walked over to her desk and put his hands on it and leaned toward her, his face flushed, and his breathing quick. He stood up again, running his hand through his hair and looking do He He asked, “Is it true what I heard? Did you go to Durmstrang for him?”


“Yes.”


Bill closed his eyes and shook his head. “You know, when you both missed the meeting this past weekend, I didn’t even think anythwas was out of the ordinary, until Dumbledore said something about you two ‘taking some time together.’ It bothered me and I wanted to talk to you about it, and now seeing him here this morning…” Looking into her eyes, he demanded, “Are you interested in him?”


She figured that the direct route was best. “Yes. I am.”


“Megan, I’m crazy about you, and you’re telling me that you’re interested in someone else?”


Megan sat quietly and looked at him for a moment. “Bill, there’s a and and a place for questions like the ones you are asking, and this isn’t it. I haven’t heard from you in awhile - you haven’t exactly been pushing your case. And besides, it’s not like people plan these things. You know, anything I can tell you about it is really going to sound too clichéd and pedantic to do justice to you or him. I really liked the time we spent together, Bill, but…”


“So then I should have told you sooner? I didn’t want to push you…”


“The thing is,” she said gently, looking at him kindly, “he and I are together now.”


Bill’s Jaw dropped. “Oh my GOD,” he yelled, putting his hands in his face. “Megan, what can you possibly *see* in him? He’s an awful person! Look at him, and look at how he treats the people around him!”


“Bill,” said Megan dangerously quiet, “you will *not* speak about him that way to me. I really want to remain friends with you, but if this is how it’s going to be, then I need to say goodbye and get ready for my classes.”


“No, wait, Megan. Hold on a minute.”


He sighed heavily and looked sad, but was calmer. He came over in front of her chair and knelt down in front of her. He took her hands into his, and appeale her her, “Look, I’m sorry about coming in here this way. I really am. All of this has just come as such a shock to me, you know?


All I can say to you is this - I guess I can see how he could seem appealing in a dark and myiousious way. I mean, he’s got that whole bad boy thing going - callous but still brave, sarcastic but still does the right thing in the end and all.


I’ve already seen you take plenty of hurt things under your wing to take care of them - just make sure that’s not what you are doing while thinking you’re actually in a relationship. I mean, what can he reallye yoe you? He has tons of gold, but you hardly need that. He’s bloody brilliant, that’s true, and he’s probably one of the most powerful wizards that either of us know personally.”


Megan waited quietly as Bill took a deep breath and continued.


“But think of this though - what happens when the romance fades into everyday life and the bad boy glamour loses its charm? What will you be left with then? A powerful and cranky wizard, that’s what. Megan, you grew up surrounded by people that love you - you need that.


It might be jumping ahead to talk like this, but I know you weloughough to know that you don’t jump into relationships easily - you told me that you would only be intimate with someone you were really serious about. So… if you *are* really serious about him, then you need to think ahead about what that means for your life and how you want it to be. Imaginholiholiday as you are used to it - Christmas morning, say, with the family together, and the tree and presents, hugs and kisses and all that. Now imagine *him* fitting into that - or would you spend every Christmas alone with him in a dungeon? He’s never seemed like a very festive sort of fellow, if you get what I mean.


And God, Megan, what about children? I don’t know if you ever want to have children, but if you do - you see how he is with his students! He has no patience or compassion for them. Your skin is thick enough and your wit is sharp enough to know the right things to say to get around him. A little kid won’t know that, though. How would he be as a father? Would he even give you the children that you want?”


Sighing, he looked at her hands, which he was still holding, and then back up at her face. “I know that I’m not glamorous. And I know I could be too late in saying this to you, but I need to anyway. I really adore you, Megan, and I think that we could have a wonderful life together.


I’m not a particularly passionate guy as a rule, but I am steady and I am usually quiice.ice. I would give you as many children as you wanted, and I know that I can be a great dad because I had two amazing parents to teach me about how you are supposed to treat others. My family love you, and they would welcome you with open arms. When you think about the long run, imagine what happy days and hard days would look like. Imagine how he would handle it if you ever really needed him for something. Imagine a holiday by us at the Burrow - the kind that you are used to - surrounded by people and laughter and noise and activity…


Love doesn’t have to be glamorous to work - but it does have to be steady. Yes, of course I have selfish interest in saying all of this to you, but with all of this, I’m really hoping that you don’t get hurt or sell yourself short either.”


Finishing, he sighed and said, “Don’t worry - this is the last you’ll hear of it unless I ever know that you want to hear more. Just know that you can always come to me… and I will always hope that you do.”


He left, quietly closing the door behind him, tears pricking his eyes.


---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Megan skipped breakfast and went for a very long run. Severus frowned when she did not show up. As he was leaving the great hall to teach his early class, he naturally looked outdoors to find her, and spotted her across the grounds sprinting up the hill next to the lake. Knowing how rare it was for her to miss a meal or break plans, he was immediately irritated by whatever Bill had said to her to make her need to run.


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A/N - Many thanks to all of you who have been following the story! Let me know what you think so far - I would love to hear your impressions.

Best wishes,
Rapunzel