He's My Mate! -reposted-

Disclaimer: Don’t own Harry Potter…

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Chapter 10

Petunia Dursley smiled sweetly down at her Daisies as she delicately sprayed them with water. She sighed and picked up the small bag of weeds and headed towards the next pot.

She found it lovely to have a quiet day to herself. With Vernon and Dudley out watching a boxing match and her nephew upstairs reading some ridiculous book – really, werewolves? - and it was nice to have the peaceful near-silence around her.

She had just gathered her dress around her knees as she moved to kneel by the pot. She blinked and appeared pair of pants in her line of vision. She shrieked and fell backwards, eyes wide, her mouth shuddering violently as she took in the man now standing over her.

He was one of them, she realized. He was one of those… Freaks.

She gaped and stared openly as the man started to talk, holding out a hand which she hesitantly took.

“Excuse me Ma’am, my name is Remus Lupin and I’m looking for Harry. Do you know where is?” Mrs. Dursley stood, her mouth opening and closing for a while. The man peered around him, noticing the tipped over watering can. “So sorry,” He apologized and she felt faint as he flicked his wrist and it filled to the brim again, “But back to my question, do you know where he is? We are in a bit of a predicament and are in need of something he has.”

Mrs. Dursley pointed to the second floor, shaking and staring and looking as though she was about to collapse. Mr. Lupin helped her to the couch, carefully directing her and ‘magicked’ a cup of tea out of thin air.

Mrs. Dursley collapsed into a dead faint.

- - -

Remus shook his head as he watched the woman fall back against the couch, her head flopping hazardously over her shoulders. No wonder Harry wanted to get to Hogwarts so fast. This woman was… Weird; for lack of a better word.

But he didn’t ponder on it for a moment longer and headed upstairs, careful to not make too much noise and scare Harry.

He knocked and poked his head into the first room in the hallway, finding it stacked full of gadgets Remus didn’t know the uses of. After seeing two wardrobes filled to such a capacity that the doors seemed to want to burst from their hinges - Remus concluded that this room belonged to Harry’s cousin, Dudley.

The next room, Remus guessed, belonged to Harry’s Aunt and Uncle and he didn’t stay long enough to take a closer look at the room; the too-strong scent of lavenders and perfume made his noise itch sorely.

Finally he reached the last door, and knocking again opened the door wide. He jumped back in fright when he was met with a wand pointed at his nose.

Harry was frowning and his bright green eyes were narrowed, promising a deadly curse if Remus were to upset him. They widened comically with shock when the boy finally realized it was Remus.

The werewolf laughed and fingered the wand, gently guiding Harry’s hand down. “Is this how you greet all your visitors?” He asked as he chuckled and moved into the room, a feeling of worry still bubbling hotly in his stomach.

“I just heard someone in the hallway. Aunt Petunia doesn’t usually go knocking on doors.”

Remus nodded and took in the tidiness of the room. He was amazed actually, he was never this clean, still wasn’t. He got straight to the point, and called for Harry’s attention as he sat on the bed, cautious of the large, heavy book resting there. “I need the map.”

Harry looked slightly insulted, “The Marauders map? Why?”

“Someone’s gone missing at Hogwarts and we need to find them.”

“But… Can’t the house elves find them?”

Remus shook his head, watching as Harry moved to his trunk, rummaging through it noisily, “No, they haven’t seen them. Nor have any of the professors.”

Remus could feel a growl threaten to crawl heatedly up his throat, but held it down stubbornly. There was no need to worry Harry after all. He snorted silently; it wasn’t like the boy would be all too sorry that the potions master was missing. Greasy git indeed, must have learnt it from his godfather.

Remus hadn’t been paying attention and jumped when he felt the aged parchment fall into his lap. “Return it will you? You never know when I’ll need it.” Harry snipped.

Remus nodded and stood, hugged Harry briefly (he was getting too touchy-feely with everyone, he decided idly, though he wished Severus would let him touch him) and apparated away after calling out a quick, “We’ll visit properly shortly!”

- - -

Black’s gruff snores reverberated around the small, stone room. Severus had to restrain himself from either banging his head against a moss-covered wall repeatedly in the vain hope of knocking himself out, or hexing Black into oblivion.

He frowned, some how neither option seemed that appealing, not that hexing the god damn Gryffindor mutt wasn’t inviting, but Remus wouldn’t like that. He wasn’t about to anger the werewolf after such a promising

He resisted the urge frown at the thought of the werewolf. Was he really that fond of him? Him? The greasy git, the dark, evil Potions master? Him? Severus Snape?

He sighed, he’d agreed with Black on one thing, Remus didn’t lie about things so serious, not unless they were a threat to his well being. Severus couldn’t help the smirk that found its way onto his lips; Remus would have been a great Slytherin.

But what to do? He needed to make sure Lupin cared; he wasn’t going to jump into give him his heart, just because Lupin said he did. Lupin would have to prove his worth.

Severus snorted, it was too bad he already had…

His dark eyes flickered over to Black for a moment as the man rolled over, his snoring muffled by his arm, his cape still wrapped neatly around the man’s shoulders.

He sighed again, returning to his problem. He’d just have to do as the young people do: Suffer through awkward dates. He scowled darkly at the word; he’d call them outings. He’d never live it down were he to call them a ‘date’ without being sarcastic. Albus’ twinkle would be blinding…

He rested his back against the wall, curling his good leg to him, trying to keep warm. If Remus wanted him, he’d have to work for him.

And he was not going to make it easy on the werewolf.

- - -

“We turn left here.” Nicole cringed into herself as they walked lower and lower, under the castle, the floor’s slope near invisible to those who weren’t looking for it.

The Headmaster had decided to stay in his office, claiming he wasn’t as strong or energetic as he was when he was younger. She could tell that and didn’t make a fuss.

Her thoughts turned to her cousin. Severus would have had a fit if he knew she was wandering around half attached to Remus, almost hugging him from behind as they walked. But she was thankful. Her cousin needed love and his suitor’s protective nature would slowly draw him in completely, no matter how annoyed he’d become when he did. Severus was very protective himself, they’d fit well together.

“Lumos.” She blinked as a light made it’s way onto the tip of Remus’ wand. She almost pouted; Oh, how she was jealous!

They’d come to a stop in front of a wall. A very solid looking, stone wall. Oh dear.

“Did we make a wrong turn, Remus?”

The werewolf shook his head, “No, the map says they’re on the other side.” His brow creased in thought, as he pressed his wand to the wall, whispering a spell Nicole couldn’t hear. A moment later he was muttering curses. Nicole sat down on a raised piece of stone and smoothed out her skirt, watching Remus pace.

“There’s no way you could remove the wall and keep the ceiling suspended?” Nicole asked.

Remus shook his head, “That would take up a large amount of magical energy, and unfortunately we’re all still suffering from the post-war time blues. You have noticed how the professors have been keeping to themselves?”

She nodded, “Black’s in there too?”

Remus sighed, but nodded. One of them had to be dead; they would rather it be that way than put up with each other’s presence. It was rather childish actually, but he guessed Severus actually had a reasonably reason for it.

“Give me time to think.” He intoned, and raised a finger to his chin.

- - -

“Black.” The man grumbled, nuzzling his nose further into his arms, “Black.” Severus said in a louder voice. He shook Black again. “For Merlin’s sake, you flea-bitten mutt! Wake up! I can hear voices.” Black just rolled over, content with snoring.

Severus had never met anyone who’d sleep this deeply. If he slept that soundly at any time he would have been dead. He shook his head, standing shakily before moving to the wall opposite them.

He turned his head and rested his ear against the moist wall. He really could hear voices. His cousin’s (there wasn’t a chance Severus could mistake her shriek for anybody else’s) and Remus Lupin’s. He was sure of it.

“Lupin?” He called. When he received no answer, he sat down again, ears piqued to the sounds outside their cell. “Nicole, are you out there?” He called, a little louder than he had. Again he got no reply.

Maybe they couldn’t hear him? A silencing charm for the outside, instead of the inside. He frowned, this torture chamber was probably made like that so the prisoner would go mad. Who wouldn’t in this dark confined space? And hearing the voices outside… He shook his head, straining his ears to hear.

“Can’t you magic up some wood or something, set it up so it holds the ceiling and then remove a couple of blocks?”

“I’m not sure.”

“Come on Remus, what would Severus say if he saw you looking so pathetically pissed off?”

Remus deepened his voice slightly, talking aristocratically, “‘Of course you wouldn’t be able to come up with a solution, werewolf. Now move out of my way.’”

“Not nice, Remus.”

Severus snorted indignantly. He did not talk like that. And why not remove a few stones. He was sure that if you removed them from the side, closest to the other walls, the ceiling would remain in tact, as long as the centre bricks remained untouched.

His attention was automatically brought back to the people outside the room. “What are you doing? Remus!” Severus was quickly clinging to the wall, hoping to be able to hear more, “Stop it, don’t do that! Why did you do that, you idiot? Look at your hand…”

Remus’ hand? What had he done? Was he alright? He heard Nicole’s motherly voice reprimanding the werewolf, and couldn’t help but feel his stomach sink. Had he hurt himself? Lupin wasn’t usually so reckless.

He tapped his wand on the wall, patiently moving across the wall’s surface inch by inch. There had to be some point on the wall that wasn’t magically guarded, or if it was not as strongly as the others.

He continued, slowly moving up the wall, before he started moving down it. He could feel his stomach starting to do tumble turns.

Wait! His eyes shot open and focused on the wall, his frown deepened, as he tapped the stone again. This one was the weakest yet… All he needed was a strong burst of magic. Just one…

“Bombarda!” He called out.

As the smoke cleared it, he found that the stones were only scratched. He needed to concentrate.

“Bombarda!” He called again.

He couldn’t resist the tiny victory smirk that was now on his lips as the smoke cleared away, showing a hole where the block of stone once was. He moved to the wall. “Remus?” He called softly.

“Severus!” Nicole jumped into his line of vision, one of her hands snaking its way through the wall as she reached for him, petting his cheek gently. “You’re alright?” She was teary now and Severus smiled lopsidedly, before becoming serious again.

“Nicole where’s Remus?”

“I’m here.” The muggle stepped left, letting Remus kneel down with her, “Are you alright?”

“Fine, but you need to remove several bricks from where the wall joins the other one, either that or call a couple of the professors to help levitate the ceiling up.”

Remus shook his head, “Everyone’s tired Severus. And Minerva, Vector and Trelawny are the only ones here. They’re not that young anymore.” Severus resisted the urge to snort, but Remus continued, “I’ll try your other idea, how many stones do you think? Five? Six?”

Severus heard Remus chuckle and scowled, but the werewolf has already moved to start prodding at the wall.

“Is Black in there with you?”

Severus nodded, straining his ears to hear Lupin’s mutterings. He heard a spell, hardly audible, and shifted to watch the wall. He felt his heart leap when yet another blade of light cut through the darkness, and he was quick to help remove the stone.

Fifteen minutes later they’d removed four, and Severus was quite sure that he’d at least be able to fit through it. He turned to Black, who was on the verge of waking, and was tempted to leave him there. He sighed, earning a surprised look from Remus.

“Remove two more, Black has broader shoulders than what I do.”

“Sirius is in there with you - alive?”

Severus gave an exasperated huff, “Yes Lupin, now remove those stones.”

But Remus kept talking, “He didn’t hurt or insult you did he?”

“Lupin, I would like to return to my rooms. Remove the blocks!” Remus moved (admittedly hastily) back to his job, and was soon done.

Severus cast a strengthening charm, before he turned to stare at Black. After a minute or two he sighed and moved to stand beside the still sleeping form of his arch nemesis.

He poked the wizard’s side with his foot impatiently, “Black, we are able to escape. Get up this instant.” When he received no reaction, Severus kicked him, earning a groan from Black and a disapproving look from Remus. Nicole looked amused, beside Remus.

“Just drag him out by his ears, dearie. It’ll teach him to go to bed early instead of staying up to all hours of the morning.” She smirked as she acting out what to do.

In the end, (fifteen torturous minutes later) Black was up and stumbling up the passage way having been threatened by Remus for insulting his mate, and having had his ear drums blown out by the mentioned mate’s cousin.

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TBC