Check Mate

He followed Harry’s scent to where he was standing under the cloak. Walking silently up, he whispered, “Harry”. There was a muffled squeak then Harry’s head appeared out from the cloak.

“You startled me.”

Remus smiled at him. “Are you ready?”

Harry nodded and reached out to intertwine their fingers. Remus tugged on the hand he was holding and quickly led the way into the forest.

They walked for what seemed like forever to Harry, Remus leading him deeper into the forest than he had ever been before. He was about to ask if they could take a quick break, when Remus came to a complete stop. He turned to Harry and kissed him on the forehead. “You’re going to see things that very few who are not Were have ever seen. Are you ready to meet my Pack and become one with them?”

“Am I going to become a werewolf?” Harry looked scared at the idea.

“No, I would never do that to you. You will understand more when you meet Lenore. She is the Alpha of this Pack, and she will explain more to you. Just remember that I love you Harry. I loved you before this happened, never doubt it. I am pleased that you are my Mate.” He pulled Harry into his arms and kissed him soundly, delighting in his Mate’s response to his kisses as he moaned and leaned in nearer to his body, trying to bring them closer together.

Harry’s eyes rose to search the face before him. Seeing only love and desire, he nodded. “I want this… let’s go meet your family.”

Releasing Harry from his arms, Remus grabbed his hand and pulled him into the Pack Denhold.


This time it was Harry who came to a stop and stared. He wasn’t sure what he was expecting, but he was fairly sure that it wasn’t a village that looked so similar to Hogsmeade. Smiling at the shock on Harry’s face, Remus tugged on his hand to get him moving towards Lenore’s home.

Harry looked around with wide eyes, taking in the sights and sounds of the village. Several people came up to greet Remus and to look over the young man that was with him. Remus tried his best to keep Harry from feeling like he was the center of attention. He could feel the waves of nervousness/fear/uncertainty that were coming from his Mate.

Finally however, they were able to make it to Lenore’s home. Turning Harry to face him, Remus offered gentle comfort and security to the younger man. His broad tanned hands framed Harry’s face, lightly holding him in place for the soft lips that descended and gently caressed his. Harry sighed into Remus’ mouth, accepting the silent message of love and safety. Harry took a deep breath, drawing in the scent of Remus into his lungs, letting the scent warm and reassure him that this was okay, and that they were okay.

A quiet ‘ahem’ caused Harry to startle a little and he pulled back with a gasp. Remus smiled at his action and turned to face the woman standing in the doorway of the home. He smiled broadly at her, and she smiled in return.

“Remus, it is always a pleasure to see you my child. And who is this handsome young man with you?” The grey haired woman with the laughing grey eyes watched as a bright flush crept up the face of the young man standing on her doorstep with Remus. Remus just shook his head and laughed as he prepared to introduce them.

He tilted his head to the side, politely baring his throat to his Alpha, then looked back at her and said “Lenore, allow me to present my Mate, Harry Potter. I’ve come home to Claim and Mark him in the Circle. Harry, this is Lenore, the Alpha of DarkWoods Pack.”

Harry smiled shyly at Lenore, the blush fading slowly from his cheeks. “I am pleased to meet you,” he said.

“Well, this is certainly a surprise. Lets not stand on ceremony here, come in… come in,” she said as she stepped aside and herded them into her home. “Come into the kitchen and sit down. Would you like some tea?” she asked as she put a kettle on to boil and set out mugs on the table. “We have a lot to talk about, from the looks of it.” She turned her attention onto Remus, “Why haven’t we heard from you since you’ve been back?”

It was Remus’ turn to blush as a light flush graced his cheeks. “I have been… somewhat… preoccupied.”

“I can see why.” She smiled broadly at her own joke. Setting up the tea items on the table she turned to the two still standing in the doorway. “Now sit and make yourselves at home. You could almost make me nervous hovering in the door like that,” she said with a soft laugh.

Remus pulled Harry into the kitchen and sat him down at the table and then sat down next to him. Lenore finished with the tea preparations and set the pot and a plate of biscuits on the table then sat down as well.

She poured the tea and passed a cup to each. “He will be a wonderful Mate. He reeks of power and innocence, and he loves you too. Not a bad combination,” She said to Remus.

Harry blushed yet again. He wasn’t quite used to people he had just met being so blunt with him, though he thought that she and Professor Snape would get along quite well and giggled softly at the thought.

Remus looked from Harry to Lenore and then back again. He’d ask Harry what the joke was when he got him alone.

“How long are you going to be able to stay?” Lenore asked as she took a sip of her tea.

"We both have a week off for the Easter Holidays, so we can stay for a few days." He ran a hand along Harry’s arm and intertwined their fingers. “Lenore, I would ask that you please teach Harry about the Marking and Mating. We want… we need to do it as soon as it is possible.”

“I see. Tell me Remus, when did you first feel the pull?”

“A month ago.”

She looked at Harry. “And you?”

“Since the Welcoming Feast. That was when I first felt it. This… need.”

Remus looked at Harry with shock on his face. “You’ve known that you’ve wanted me for so long?”

Harry didn’t think his face could get much redder as he blushed harder at the questions. He nodded silently.

Lenore chose to clear her throat at that moment, breaking the silence that had fallen in the room. “I think that the teaching can wait until tomorrow morning. Why don’t you two lie down for a nap. I still have your room set up Remus. You and Harry can stay in it. I’ll wake you in time for dinner. I think that I’ll invite Chris and Harper to share dinner with us. Do you mind?”

“That would be wonderful.” He turned and faced Harry, “Chris and Harper are a Mated pair in the Pack. I think that talking with them would be good for you.”

“Okay. A nap does sound good for now, though.” Harry yawned suddenly. He turned to Remus with a question. “I didn’t bring clean clothes, did you?”

“Nope, but I think I have some stored here. If not, cleaning charms work just as well.”

Remus stood and pulled Harry to his feet. “We’ll see you in a couple of hours. Just wake us when you want us up.” He bent and kissed Lenore on the cheek. “Thanks for every thing.”


True to her word Lenore woke them when dinner was ready. Remus and Harry spent a few minutes waking up then headed downstairs.

Remus sniffed appreciatively at the dinner odors that were pouring out of the kitchen. He wandered in there, with Harry trailing behind.

“Everything smells wonderful Lenore. What can we do to help?” Remus asked.

She turned from the stove, “You can show Harry where the dishes and flatware are stored and then you can set the table. Chris and Harper should be here shortly.”

“Are we eating in the kitchen or the dining room?”

“Dining room. We’ll need the space.”

Chris and Harper arrived while they were setting the table. Lenore brought them into the dining room and introduced them to Harry.

“Harper, Chris, this is Harry. Remus will be Marking him tomorrow evening; I thought that maybe you could help to explain to him what will be happening at that time.”

Harper reminded Harry strongly of Sirius, if Sirius had russet brown hair. Chris was a petite blond woman who barely came up to Harper’s shoulder.

Harry smiled shyly at them. “I’m pleased to meet you.”

Remus stepped up to Harry and draped an arm around his waist, “It’s good to see you both again. It’s been far too long.”

Lenore came back into the dining room from the kitchen. “Give me a hand will you, and bring in the serving dishes? Everything is ready.”


After dinner the five of them retired to the front room to have drinks and continue talking. Chris turned to Harry and asked, “So Harry, what has Lenore and Remus told you about the ceremony?”

“Nothing yet, except that I won’t become a werewolf, and that you and Harper are a Mated couple.”

She reached over and laid her hand on Harper’s leg. Squeezing it lightly she and Harper shared a look. “Harry, when you are Marked, it shows others that you are the mate of a Werewolf. In your case, because you are not a Were the Marking will change you. At least your scent, so that any who have the nose to tell will be aware that you are… not available. It will proclaim to all that you are Claimed, Mated and protected.”

Harry could hear the capitals on the words Claimed, Marked and Mated. “Um, what exactly is being Mated? Um… I mean, other than the obvious…” his voice led led off as he blushed once again.

“The first thing that you must understand is that Pack behaviors are not the same as those in the Muggle and Wizarding worlds. There is no ‘monogamy’ per say, unless you are Mated.”

Harry could hear the capitals again.

“Mates are unique, as they are two who complement each other, magically, physically, and emotionally; so much that they do not seek to find it elsewhere. The closest thing that Wizards have to it is the Soul Bond. What you and Remus are is Mates, just as Harper and I are.”

“Oh….” His voice sounded small to him, “So… Mated… will we be… um…” words deserted him as he turned very red. “Ah, ‘mating’ in front of others?” His eyes looked enormous as he thought about his first time being in front of an audience.

Remus pulled the embarrassed young man into the circle of his arms and rested his chin on Harry’s shoulder. “Well, yes. It’s nothing to be ashamed about or worried about either. When we Mate in front of the Pack as part of the Claiming, it allows them to share in the moment with us. Because of the nature of the Mate bond, this is the one time ime that they will have this connection with us. And that connection is very important in the Pack.”

“Oh,” was all Harry could manage to get out again. “Will the Marking hurt?”

“A little, after all he will be biting you.” Harry’s eye’s glazed a little at this concept and Lenore laughed. Remus could smell Harry’s nervousness and a hint desire at that thought.

“The Mating Ceremony is old and revered in the Pack. We will have you consummate your bond before the Pack tomorrow evening,” added Lenore. She picked up her cup and finished off her tea.

Remus watched in amusement as Harry tried to stifle a yawn behind his hand. Harry was tired, and he couldn’t blame him, after all it had been a very intense day. Tomorrow wouldn’t be much more restful, though he was going to make sure that Harry took a nap so that he’d be awake for the ceremony that evening.

He stood and pulled Harry to his feet, “We will bid you all good evening, its time for the two of us to retire. We will see you in the morning. Harper, Chris. Thank you for sharing dinner with us.”

There was a chorus of ‘goodnights’ from the other three as they continued their conversation. Harry was leaning against Remus, half asleep on his feet. He smiled and swung his mate up into his arms and took him upstairs for the night.

Lenore, Harper and Chris all exchanged grins and quiet chuckles then began talking again.


The next morning after breakfast, Remus and Harry walked around the village, to give Harry a chance to meet as much of the Pack as possible before the ceremony. They met up with Harper and Chris and shared lunch with them, then headed to Lenore’s for a nap.

Remus wrapped Harry in his arms as they lay on the bed, “I need to ask you something before tonight. Are you a virgin?”

A quiet 'yes' was his answer as Harry buried his face into the pillow.

Remus growled with satisfaction. “I’m pleased to know that. You will be mine and only mine after tonight.” He tightened his arms around the lithe body resting against his as they dropped off into a light sleep.

Lenore woke them several hours later. “I thought that you might like a light supper before tonight. I’ve laid out a cold plate in the kitchen so you two need to get up and come down to eat."