The Rules of Engagement

.




Hello gentle reader,

Let me just say for all my ‘armchair writers’ * arches an accusing brow * do not wish the wedding to happen too soon. I did call this ‘The Rules of Engagement ‘, the ceremony will be close to the end of this story. (I think) And there is still another challenge point to meet.

So have patience, my darlings, all good (and lemony) things will come.

Glinda

#######################################################

The Lycanthrope Archives
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

As soon as Severus appeared, he was nearly blinded by the mid morning sun reflecting off the snow. Winter came early to this part of the world and it was later in the day here. Pulling up his hood, he was very glad he went back to his quarters for a heavier cloak. The dark man scanned the Olympian size evergreens that circled the apparation point where he stood. There was a path magically cleared in the snow that lead out of the clearing. Severus started walking down the path that he knew lead to Durmstrang. Since the fall of the Dark Lord, Durmstrang had been more accessible, no longer hiding it’s location, though Severus had always known where it was located. He was a spy, after all.

The long walk gave the dark man time to muse on his current state of affairs. Waking up with his arms around the woman he loved had been a joy he never imagined. It was a feeling he feared never to know. He had awoken early, as was his custom, and wished he could linger in bed longer, feeling her soft curves against him, but there was business to attend to this morning.

Severus had risen and dressed quietly, hoping not to wake the sleeping vision in the bed. His escape was nearly complete, but he could not resist the urge to kiss Hermione before he left. Brown eyes fluttered open and a smile came to those perfect pink lips he had just kissed.

“You leaving ?” Hermione asked in a sleep husked voiced. Severus sat on the edge of the bed next to her.

“I did not mean to wake you.”

“’salright, I wanted to say good bye.” Hermione slurred her words as she began to sit up clumsily, Severus put a hand on her back helping her up. She put her arms around him in a hug and relaxed against his body. “I’ll miss you.”

“I shall only be gone a day or two, my dear.” He stroked her back and she burrowed her head further into his neck.

“Doesn’t matter.” Her sleepy voice and warm breath sent a thrill through him. Someone was actually going to miss his presence. Walking through the silent and pristine blanketed landscape, he smiled at the memory of leaving her there, curled back up warm and safe in bed, and trudged on in the cold.

Approaching the castle, Severus saw a large creature standing in front of the gates. It was much larger than any man, but too small to be any of the larger creatures he knew of. As Severus drew closer, the ‘thing’ raised it’s club and it’s large grey eyes watched him.

“Who goes ?” It asked in a loud grunt. The dark man was taken aback. He had almost come to the conclusion that this was a baby troll, due to it’s size. But, blessed Merlin, it spoke. At his silence, the club was raised menacingly, ready to strike.

“Snape . . . . Professor Severus Snape.”

“Who see ?” It asked, moving the weapon back to it’s resting position along it’s side.

“I have come to see the Headmaster.” Severus marveled at the comprehension that crossed the creatures features. He could still not place what manner of creature it was. It was about the same height as Hagrid, it had a run of short bristly looking hair that ran from it’s eyebrows to the back of it’s head in a neat path. It’s nose was wide and flat in the manner of a troll, but it’s eyes were nearly human, if a bit large. As these thoughts raced through his head, Severus noticed a large blue am han hanging from it’s neck he had not seen before, it was glowing.

“It’s alright, Walter. Let Professor Snape through.” A disembodied voice said. The creature, Walter presumably, stepped aside and let him pass.

Durmstrang was exactly as he remembered it, little had changed in the castle over the last couple of centuries, which wasn’t necessarily a good thing. The interior of the castle, deep blue and dark grey stone, was unnaturally dim and the air had a moist quality to it. Severus pulled down his hood and awaited the Headmaster. He soon heard quick, clipped footsteps coming down the stairs.

“Severus.” The older wizard called in way of greeting. The younger removed his gloves and offered his hand.

“Karkaroff.” They shook hands briskly. The Headmaster seemed unreasonably pleased to see him. The Hogwart’s Professor arched an eyebrow. “Walter ?” The older wizard laughed.

“Yes. Walter has come in quite handy. He is ¼ giant, ¼ wizard and ½ troll.” Igor held up his hand as a visible shiver ran through him. “Don’t ask.”

“I can see how he might be of use.”

“Come up to my office. I’m sure you didn’t come to discuss my staff.” Karkaroff turned and ascended the stairs with Severus following in his wake.

After Severus was seated in a comfortable chair by the fire with a vodka in his hand, he came straight to the point. “I require access to the Tabularium Lupinus.”

“Researching some hard to come by potions ingredients, old friend ?” Igor smiled knowingly, making a sneer appear on the dark man’s face.

“I am researching some information for an . . . . . acquaintance.”

“Well, whatever brought you here, I am happy to see you. It has been . . . . . awhile.” The older wizard said. Severus let out an amused snort.

“You mean since you skulked off with your tail between your legs after hearing of the Dark Lord’s return.” Severus was gratified to see Karkaroff shift uncomfortably in his seat. “It is no matter, Karkaroff. If I had had the option, I would have been right beside you.”

The older wizard laughed uncomfortably. “Yes, I suppose you would have.” He took in a deep breath. “No matter now. We have put that chapter of our lives behind us.”

Severus took a drink from his glass, letting out a ‘hmmm’ over the rim.

“I will send an owl to Miss Leonov. She is the Keeper of the Lycanthrope Archives. This is her usual day off, but I don’t think she will mind coming in to help you.”

“I only require access at the present time.” Severus finished is drink and set down the glass as he rose from the chair. Karkaroff also stood and lead the way up two more flights of stairs to the main library.

If Severus had been expecting something grand, he was sadly mistaken. The Tabularium Lupinus, for all it’s impressive sounding name, was a small room off the main library. It was brighter and less damp than the rest of the castle and . . . . . . cheerier, he noticed. There was a small desk as you entered the room, a table where possibly four people could work, bookshelves running the perimeter that were only waist high and a multitude of framed photos, articles and paintings hung on the walls.

Igor left him alone to his research, thankfully. Severus had never really liked the man, though he had despised him less than most other Death Eaters in his acquaintance, but that wasn’t saying much. Once alone, the dark man looked around as he decided where best to begin his task. He looked at the neat little desk and smirked to himself thinking of the matronly old witch that must keep these little used archives. On the wall behind the desk, a framed article caught his eye. “Werewolf Found Teaching at Hogwarts.”, the headline read. Severus felt a pang of guilt at that. It was his ‘slip’ of the tongue that had forced Lupin to resign form Hogwarts the first time he taught there. Dark eyes shifted to the next larger framed arti “W “Werewolf, Remus Lupin to Teach Again : Are Our Children Safe ?”. There were also several other small articles posted on the same wall, all having to do with Remus Lupin. He raised an eyebrow at that, but did not dwell on it. For now, there was work to be done.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Her Hermione walked into the small private room off the Infirmary to find Remus, half reclining against a stack of pillows, his untouched breakfast tray on the nightstand. The werewolf had his eyes closed and she thought he might be asleep. Frowning at him, she stood there for a few minutes. Madam Pomfrey had said there had been little change in his condition and the older woman had had no luck getting the sick man to eat. Poor Madam Pomfrey was beside herself. She had no idea what was ailing the man and was frustrated at not being able to help. Hermione had promised to do what she could in persuading the Professor to eat.

“Did you just come here to stare at me, Hermione ?” The man in the bed said with his eyes still closed. Opening them slowly, he gave her a slightly teasing grin. “Afraid I’ll run off ?”

“I was just trying to decide what spell would work best to immobilize you, while I get some food iu.” u.” He quirked an eyebrow at the threat. Hermione put the tray on the rolling table and brought it over to the bed. Remus glanced at the tray sadly and sighed.

“Remy, you have to keep your strength up. Severus will be back soon. He’ll find something, I know he will.” She was trying to be encouraging. He took her hand in his cool and damp one.

“You’ll have to let me go, Hermione. For your own sake.” Remus spoke quietly. Tears pooled in her eyes threatening to spill. She took a deep breath and looked up into his amber eyes.

“No.” She said with all conviction. He chuckled.

“You’re as stubborn as he is, you know. You make a good match.”

Hermione covered her blush by offering him a forkful of scramblegs. gs. He looked at it distastefully, but opened his mouth for her. The warming spell on the plate kept the food from getting cold, so at least it should taste alright, she thought. He chewed slowly, obviously only doing it for her benefit.

“I want you to promise me something, Hermione.” She lowered the next forkful back to the plate.

“What ?”

“No matter what happens . . . . . to me. I want you and Severus to go to Ernie and Susan’s wedding this weekend.”

“Remy . . . . . .I can’t promise . . . .”

“Whatever is going to happen to me, will happen. Whether you’re here or not. I want you to go enjoy yourself and make Severus have a little fun. Merlin knows he deserves it. Please Mione, for me.”

The young woman sighed and closed her eyes a moment. “Alright, if you wish. I’ll make sure we go to the wedding, but you’ll be better by the Halloween feast on Friday, just wait and see.”


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Severus sat hunched over a large dusty tome laid out in front of him on the table. He found the information here very enlightening, but for his particular needs, not very helpful. He rubbed his neck to help remove the kinks that had developed over the past few of hours.

“Hi there.” A cheerful voice pulled him out of his thoughts. A young woman had just come in the room. Her short blonde curls bounced merrily as she walked to the table. Her clothes were . . . . interesting, was the nicest way Severus could put it. Almost like a traditional costume of the region. She wore a full, heavy skirt that stopped mid shin to reveal practical, low heeled boots, a rather flouncey blouse under a lace-up heavy vest and a headband that kept her hair out of her eyes. Both vest and headband were embroidered with trailing flowers. She wasn’t overly pretty, though she wasn’t plain either. There was something about her Severus couldn’t quite put his finger on.

“You must be Professor Snape. Igor said you could use some help.” She offered her hand out to shake his. Severus stood and accepted the hand.

“Miss Leonov ?”

“Call me Annya. Yeah, the name throws people, at first.” She said in an unmistakable American accent. Severus held onto her hand and looked at her more closely. It was her eyes. Vivid and beautiful. They were a verde green laced with gold and a thin black rim around the edge. They were the eyes of a . . . . . .

“You are a werewolf ?” He dropped her hand in astonishment. She laughed lightly.

“Makes sense the Keeper of the archives should be a Lycanthrope, doesn’t it ?”

“But . . . . . you are an American.”

“No. Actually, they tell me I was born not thirty miles from here, I received the bite very young. The Werebitch that raised me was from America. I picked up mom’s accent.”

“You speak that way of the woman that raised you ?” The dark man furrowed his brow.

“Werebitch, you mean ?” She laugh heartily. “Believe me, it’s not an insult. If someone tells you, you have the determination of a Werebitch, smile and thank them for the great compliment.” After a pause, where Severus took in this new information, she spoke again. “So what is it I can help you with, Professor ?”

“There is an acquaintance of mine who is gravely ill and we have not discovered the malady or how to treat it.”

“This acquaintance ‘is’ a werewolf, I presume.”

“Yes.”

The young woman chewed on her lip thoughtfully, then walked over to her desk. “Why don’t you tell me the symptoms and we’ll start from there ?”

They settled back at the table. Interestingly enough, Annya was using a muggle notepad and pen, instead of quill and paper.

“So what are the symptoms ?”

“The illness manifested roughly 18 months ago. He has been losing his appetite, had difficulty sleeping, restlessness at night, and had weakness of the limbs. These symptoms carry over into his wolf form. The effects are more pronounced before and after the full moon.”

She wrote all of this down quickly nodding to herself. “Sex drive ?” She asked, then looked up at him for an answer. “Forgive me, Professor, but we have a strong sex drive, if that has been effected it would be helpful to know.” She seemed so clinical about asking such a question, but Severus found his cheeks heating under her gaze.

“He . . . . erm . . . he insists he has had little inclination for the past year.”

“A year ? My goodness, what do the elders of his pack say ?”

“Pardon ?”

“His pack, his Lycanthrope family.”

“Lupin does not know any other werewolves.” Annya dropped her pen and her eyes widened in disbelief.

“Remus Lupin is ill ?”

“Do you know him ?”

“Well, no, not personally. But he is the reason I even applied for this position. Mr. Lupin is thought of as a pioneer in Lycanthropic circles. Werewolves can now hold jobs in the wizarding world, where before they could not. Even Igor needed a bit of convincing to hire me. Did you say he doesn’t know ANY other werewolves?”

“He told me he has only met one other. A man who had just been bitten.”

“Never ? But he’s . . . . . well, you’re age, I think. There must have been . . . “ . “ Annya’s question trailed off. She picked up the notepad and read her notes again quickly, looking more distressed with each sentence. Suddenly, she shot out of her chair.

“Come on.” The yowomawoman did not wait for an answer, but bolted through the door. Curious, Severus followed.

Annya had not seemed overly tall, but Severus was finding he had to lengthen his strides just to keep her in sight. He had no idea where they were going, until she turned and ascended the stairs leading to the Headmaster’s office. Severus stopped at the bottom and called to her. “Miss Leonov ?”

The woman continued without a backward glance. Severus seriously thought about going back to his research, but his curiosity was peaked. The woman acted like she knew something he didn’t. With a sigh, he realised he would have to follow.

He entered Karkaroff’s office just in time to see Annya stepping into the floo. Thoroughly annoyed now he glared at Igor. “What is the mea of of this ?”

“You tell me. Annya said she was leaving with you and didn’t know when she would return.”

“But I did not …….” Severus began to stutter, but Igor held up a hand.

“Have a seat, Severus.” They both took seats before the hearth. “Annya may be young and a werewolf, but she is very quick, that one. If she thinks she should return to Hogwarts with you, then it is best to go along with her. Drink ?” Severus nodded.

The men were nearly finished with their drinks, when the fire flared again and Annya stepped out in a heavy cloak and carrying a carpetbag. She looked at Severus impatiently.

“Let’s go. I’ll send word when I know more, Igor.” The blonde said. The Headmaster nodded. Annya went out the door before Severus had even fastened his cloak.

“Snape.” Karkaroff said stopping Severus at the door. “Look after her. I’d hate to lose that one.” The dark man lifted a brow, but did not comment.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Hermione slumped down on the couch in the Gryffindor common room. Ron was reading his Transfiguration homework next to her, Colin and Dennis Creevy were playing wizard’s chess in the far corner, Dean was writing an essay on one of the tables close-by and Lavender and Seamus were snogging on the other couch. Hermione sighed.

“You alright, sweet ?” The red head asked. She dropped her head onto Ron’s muscular shoulder.

“You worried about Lupin ?” He asked. She nodded. Ron closed his book and put his arm around her.

“He’s tough, he’ll come out on top.” She sighed again.

“He just seems to have given up.” Hermione turned and looked up into her friend’s bright blue eyes. “I don’t think Harry could take losing him, too.” Ron squeezed her tighter and kissed her forehead.

“The old wolf’ll make it, you’ll see.”

“What about Tonks ? Have you talked to her ?” Hermione asked. Ron’s cheeks began to blush.

“I . . . um . . . talked to her a little. She’s depressed about Remus, too.”

Poor Ron, she thought, he was so sweet. Why did he have to have a crush on someone so unobtainable ? There were plenty of girls his own age that had their eye on Ron. Luna Lovegood’s name came to mind.

They sat in silence fofew few minutes. “Where’s Ginny ?” Hermione asked, changing the subject.

“Up in her room, I think.”

“You two still not talking ?”

“We’re talking, Ginny just isn’t saying anything.” Ron looked mildly annoyed.

“Is she talking to Harry ?”

“I don’t think so. It’s weird, she doesn’t seem mad at him exactly, she just won’t talk to him.” Ron let out a deep sigh. “I don’t know. Women.” He said shaking his head, making Hermione chuckle. Ron went back to his book. Hermione looked up in time to see Ginny coming through the portrait hole, cross the room and head up the stairs to her dorm. Ron must have been really absorbed in his book earlier.

“Um . . . . . Mione ?” Hermione looked over to see Neville standing there looking a little nervous.

“Did you need something, Nev ?” She asked sitting up.

“Yeah . . . . I um, just wanted . . . . . . oh,. . . .to . . . . uh ask you something. In private.” It seemed Neville was trying to convey message.

“We can go in my room.” She turned back and gave Ron a small smile. “Thanks, see you later.”

Hermione opened the door to the Head Girl’s room, walked in and waited for Neville to come in. He hesitated a moment, then walked in, looking much relieved.

“What is it, Neville ?” mionmione asked, then squeaked in surprise when she felt a hand squeeze her bottom. She jumped towards Neville and looked back, but saw nothing there. Then she heard a familiar laugh, pursed her lips and drew her wand.

“Unless you want me to throw an Elephantitis hex at you, Malfoy, you’ll come out from under that cloak this instant.” She said in good humor.

The blonde appeared, still laughing and she now heard Neville was chuckling behind her. “Please, Mione.” He gasped for breath, he was laughing so hard. “Don’t hex the family jewels.”

“Yeah, I’m rather fond of those.” Neville added. Draco set the invisibility cloak aside and picked up the Head Girl, hugging her fiercely.

“Oh . . . I feel like I haven’t seen you in a year.” The Slythesaidsaid, finally setting her back on her feet. He put a hand on either side of her face and kissed her soundly. “How are you , Luv ?”

“That’s enough of that.” Neville said, pretending jealousy. The tall and muscular Gryffindor grasped his lover’s arm and pulled him closer, then kissed him possessively. Hermione was a little envious of the way the two could show such genuine affection for each other. When they parted, they cast a last lingering look into each others eyes, then Neville turned to her.

“I’ll go now and leave you two to talk. And you . . . “ The brown haired youth said as he swatted the blonde on the bum. “behave yourself.”

Draco stepped out of the view of the door, so as not to be seen by any in the common room, while Neville left. The two friends now left alone, kicked off their shoes and curled up in front of the fire together on the plush rug. Hermione leaned against the side of the couch and Draco sat between her legs, leaning back and resting on her breasts. One of his favorite ways to sit, when they were together sometimes in the house on Grimmauld. They sighed contentedly, just happy to have the time alone together.

“How are things with you and Neville ?”

“Mmmm, wonderful. We can’t thank you enough for allowing us to use your room. I hope it isn’t stretching our friendship too far.” Blue eyes turned up a worried glance.

“No, I fine with it. Though it does irk me a bit that you’re seeing more action in my room than I am.” She chuckled, feeling his head bouncing as her breasts jiggled.

“Didn’t the cancombs work ?”

“Condoms. Honestly, you should pay closer attention in Muggle Studies. And no. They didn’t work.”

“What do you mean ‘they didn’t work’ ? I thought they were a good form of birth control.”

“They are, it isn’t that, it’s . . . . . “ Hermione sighed. Did she really want to talk about this ?

“What ?” Draco asked, then sat up and turned to look at her. “You can talk to me, Mione. I am a man.”

“Let’s just say Severus found them less than appealing.”

“He wouldn’t even try them ?”

“Of course he did . . . . it just didn’t . . . . work.” She lowered her eyes from his gaze, but could feel him studying her.

“Didn’t work ?” He paused, then drew in his breath. “Oh . . . . You mean when he put it on . . . . . . and then . . . . . . oh.”

“Yeah.”

“Sorry.”

“Me, too.” She said with a laugh. Draco nestled back into his former position and Hermione was grateful. These kinds of things were easier to talk about if they weren’t looking at each other.

“There are . . . . . other things you could do, you know.”

“That was what I told him, but he thinks we’ll get carried away again.” Hermione sighed, then Draco sighed.

“Tell me what it’s like to have sex with a woman.”

“I don’t know, I’ve never had sex with a woman.” She said with a giggle. He reached down and tickled her foot in retaliation. “Stop that. Why do you want to know ? I thought you were happy with Neville.”

“I am. But I will have to marry soon.”

“You’ve changed your mind about waiting out the year ? What does Neville think about that ?”

“Nev was the one that brought it up. He and I are the last males in our families, the last of our lines. I don’t imagine you would understand the pressure associated with that, but I’m certain Snape does.”

“But you and Neville . . . . . .You like men.”

“That doesn’t mean we dislike women, Luv. You know that from experience. We’re expected to carry on our lines. “ There was a pregnant pause. “So . . . . . . . . tell me, what it’s like for you.”

Hermione felt herself beginning to blush and was glad he couldn’t see her. She didn’t think of herself as a prude, but . . .

“I don’t know what to tell you, it just is. I haven’t really had that much experience anyway. Danny wasn’t that good at it and well, there was really only the one time with Severus.”

“Would it help if I told what it was like for me . . . . . . with Nev ?” Draco asked softly. Hermione wasn’t certain this was the kind of things friends should be talking about, but she was curious.

“You can . . . . . . if you want.” She said shyly.

“Well . . . . we usually start out kissing. Nev is a wonderful kisser. Then we . . . . . um . . How graphic do you want me to be ?”

“Not too graphic.”

“Alright. Next we undress each other, by hand. It’s more fun than with a wand.” She grinned as she felt the same. “Then we lay on the bed and kiss some more and touch each other. Then he’ll pleasure me with his mouth. Sometimes there’s more, but I won’t get into that.”

“Thank you.” Hermione said. Draco pulled her feet onto his lap and began rubbing them. The massage felt good. Relaxing. In contrast to the topic of conversation.

“So tell me what you like. What can a man do to get you excited ?”

Hermione sighed deeply, mostly because she didn’t know how to answer the question. “I’m not sure. I mean, when Danny and I fooled around, everything was just so new. I was excited to have a nice looking guy interested in me.”

“I can understand that.” Draco said and she could hear the smile in his voice.

“Severus . . . . . . . His touch is warming, reverent almost. You might not believe it, but he’s very passionate.”

“I could see that.”

“The way he kisses . . . . . “ She said, trailing off as the memories.

“So . . . . . . . being with a woman, would be a lot like when I’m with Neville. Should I try to be in charge of the experience ?”

“I think you’ll both enjoy it more if you aren’t. Have you talked to Hannah about this ?”

“Not yet. Father has not put in a petition for her yet.”

“I ran into him, you know. When Harry and I went to get the condoms.” The blonde man sat up and turned to face her.

“You ran into Father ? Did Potter hex him ?”

“No, I was . . . um . . . by myself, at the time.” Blue eyes grew large and angry.

“Potter left you alone ?”

“No, it was my fault. Severus already yelled at me. He won’t let me go out of the castle now unless he’s with me.” That seemed to calm Draco a bit.

“Well, that’s something. Mione, you have to be more careful. I swear, if Father ever touches you, I’ll kill him.”

“I don’t want you ending up in Azkaban. Lucius won’t get the chance, Severus will see to that.” Hermione glanced at the clock and saw dinner was about to start. “You should get down to dinner. I’m going to go up and try to get Remus to eat.”

Draco stood and offered her a hand. “How is he ? The rumors don’t hold out much hope.”

Hermione felt the all too familiar tears burn her eyes. The Slytherin , seeing them, pulled her into a tight hug.

“Snape is a clever chap. Don’t give up yet.” His words did help some. She sighed onto his shoulder for a moment, then pulled away. “Besides . . . . You’re very good at nagging.” Draco said with a smirk.


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Severus hurried along behind Annya, his long legs barely equaling her werewolf speed. As he came out of the front doors, he saw she had stopped to talk with Walter at the front gates. The sound of the large creatures moans reached him before he was close enough to hear the young woman speaking.

“Walter miss Annya.” Walter wd. d. She patted the huge gray hand comfortingly. “Annya no go.”

“Walter, I’ll miss you, too. I have to go. Do you remember me telling you about Professor Lupin ?” The large bristly head nodded and she went on. “Well, Professor Lupin is sick and I think I can help. You’ll be fine. If you need anything while I’m gone, you go to Henri and he’ll take care of you.”

Walter’s big gray eyes grew watery with his distress, as fat tears began to roll down his leathery cheeks.

“Walter go too.”

“No, Walter.” Annya said soothingly. “The Headmaster needs you here. You must protect the children. I’m counting on you to look after them while I’m gone.” The half troll nodded his head again and appeared more composed.

“Walter stay.” She gave him a smile, an awkward hug, then turned and walked away, pausing some distance away to turn and wave. A tree-like club was waved enthusiastically back at her.

Annya went a little sloweeepieeping pace with Severus so they walked side-by-side.

“You are good with him.” The dark man observed. The young woman turned, appearing to have been pulled from her thoughts.

“Walter’s a good boy. Henri is the Care of Magical Creatures Professor, he’ll look after Walter. He’s still very young. Igor told me he’s only about ten or eleven years old. Walter’s a unique individual.”

“Indeed. Karkaroff told me of his parentage.” They walked in silence for a few minutes, until Severus felt he had to ask the obvious question.

“What is it you believe to be wrong with Lupin ? I could find no illness like this listed for Lycanthropes.”

Annya chewed her lip then sighed. “Do you know if Mr. Lupin has ever been mated ?”

Severus stopped dead in his tracks and grabbed the young woman by the arm, turning her to face him.

“Do you mean to tell me you dragged me out of my research because you think Lupin is a virgin ? auseause I can assure you, he is not.”

“I’m not talking about sex. Has he ever been mated . . . . to a werebitch ?”

Severus searched her eyes, his brow furrowed. “He has never met one that I am aware of. What has that to do with his illness ?”

“Everything . . . . . I think.” Annya began walking again towards the clearing with greater purpose. Severus fell into her urgent pace. “I didn’t immediately recognize the symptoms. We have had males brought to us that displayed one, maybe two of the symptoms you described to me, but never with the severity you describe.”

“What exactly is happening to him ?” Severus asked, his heart pounding with urgency now.

“Remus Lupin . . “ The young woman turned her now tear filled inhuman eyes to him. “ . . . . is dying. The spirit of the wolf that resides in all of us needs companionship, it must connect to another. I have heard of werewolves, loners, who left to themselves have died from lack of contact. No human woman can give him what he needs. This is a need at the very center of our beings.”

“So you are going to offer yourself ? Have you not already been mated to another ?” She shook her head.

“No, I’ve never been mated, but I live with other werewolves. My inner spirit has not called out for it yet. I will offer myself to him. He may not accept me, but I have to try.”

They reached the apparation circle. Severus turned to her. “Is this why you did not tell Karkaroff why you were leaving ? Do werewolves not mate for life ?” The blonde woman laughed.

“Didn’t do as much research as you should have, I see. Werewolves do not mate for life necessarily, we are still people, but a mating would be required every few years.” She looked at him expectantly. “You can apparate two people, right ?”

“You cannot apparate yourself ?”

“Not a witch, you see. I was a muggle before I was bitten.”

“Ahh.” Sevesaidsaid, then allowed the woman to walk into his embrace. ‘This woman is just full of surprises’, he thought just before apparting them to the grounds of Hogwarts.


###########################################

Please leave some words of encouragement.

Glinda