He's My Mate!

Disclaimer: Don’t own Harry Potter…

Thank you to trustingfriendship, me, Miejpe (Thank you, I’ll see if I can work it in there! ^_6), UnionLibre, andie, Katie K and Akitso!

Warnings: None…

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Chapter 5

Hagrid brewed them a steaming tea pot full of strong tea, his seemingly forever present rock cakes sitting in the middle of the table under a tea towel.

“I shoulda warned yeh about them. Ever since Aragog passed away those spi’ers ‘ave been runnin’ wild.” He said as he placed four cups on the table. He offered one to Severus, who politely refused.

“Who’s Aragog?” Sirius asked before he took a gulp.

He was ignored for the most part; everyone’s attention seemed to be set on Snape, who was staring at the ground in a vain attempt to ignore a certain werewolf’s eyes almost glowing eyes.

“What did you think you were doing in there? You do notice that your knee is still injured?” Remus it seemed had reverted to his nagging mother mode as soon as they’d arrived at Hagrid’s hut. “Severus, don’t ignore me.”

Severus was silent. His dark eyes still trained on the floor. Hagrid cleared his throat, “The Professor is known for walkin’ around the forest. Firenze tells me that he used to have long talks with ‘im.”

The information didn’t help Severus at all as Remus’ glaring increased, and Hagrid and Sirius felt more like they were witnessing something they shouldn’t have. Eventually, after clearing his throat again, Hagrid got up.

It didn’t take long for Snape to snap, and soon he was glaring back at Lupin with as much heat and anger as he could muster. Unfortunately, it seemed to spur Lupin into yet another hormonal whirlpool and the werewolf’s lip was beginning to twitch up into a smirk.

Sirius noticed it.

“Well, considering what has happened, why don’t we get Snape back to his quarters? I’m sure the headmaster has something for us to do Remus.” They said their farewells (except Snape), and headed back to the castle. Remus had grabbed Snape’s hand.

“I was worried you know.” Sirius heard Remus say as he helped the sore Potions Master up the hill to the castle doors. “Talk to me, why were you in there? Slytherins have enough sense to stay alive, why were you walking around in there?”

Snape stayed silent.

He sighed when he noticed Remus’ hand move from Snape’s own to his waist, encircling it protectively, pulling the Potions Master to him as they walked (or in Snape’s case, Sirius noted almost gleefully, limped). He couldn’t help the shiver that went through him.

Why wouldn’t Snivellus answer him! Didn’t he see he cared? Sirius frowned, but why should he care? Snape was a git, he always would be. Maybe it was all the hormones and they made him think he liked Snape in that way?

They eventually made it to Severus’ quarters and Sirius managed to drag Remus away from Snape long enough to close and lock the door.

- - -

How? How could he have known he was in danger? He hadn’t used legimacy, he hadn’t used his wand to send up warning sparks. He hadn’t done anything but stumble and fall.

How had Lupin known he was in danger?

He laid down on the bed, quickly stripping off his robes and throwing on a singlet and some loose slacks. His cousin had bought them for him during his last visit. She was always doing stuff like that for him.

He heard spied the letter on his desk, and hobbled over to it sitting down with a huff.

Nicole,

Please do not sigh to yourself over the (as you call it) lame start, I am under a lot of stress right now. It seems the headmaster has decided to make me be the object of a colleague’s desires.

Now don’t laugh, I’ve had enough of people laughing at me in one life time. But I think he’s been hit with a spell, or drunk a love potion of some sort. You’ve seen me, I’m not in the least bit attractive. Why would he want me?

But that isn’t why I’m writing. I was wondering if the Gabrielle and yourself wanted to come and stay over later on this month? Preferably in two or three weeks, just before the holiday ends. I know how much you’ve been wanting to see my home, but I must warn you it isn’t much. It’s just a dingy dungeon.

Suits me don’t you think? The broody, sarcastic, evil Potions Master.

Let me know how the children are and I hope to hear from you soon. I need to start arranging things with the Headmaster.

Severus.

PS – I know you don’t like owls, but it seems I’ve run out of envelopes.

He frowned, and picked up his quill, cursing quietly when he noticed its state. He threw it away and grabbed another, dabbing it in the black ink quickly.

PPS – This colleague of mine has become rather protective and affectionate, how do I deal with it? He hugs me and I don’t know how to react, except in disgust. And an event that took place this afternoon has me rethinking my course of action. At least for a few hours.

PPPS – Please hide this well, or destroy it; I will not have anybody but you knowing my thoughts.

He nodded absently and called for a house elf, asking them to attach it to an owl called: Pewter. He knew where to go, he’d explained. The house elf nodded and bowed respectfully before disappearing with a ‘pop’.

But what could he do about Remus? Obviously he owed him his life but… He frowned an idea forming in his head. But what was his life worth?

Once or more?

- - -

The Headmaster let a new wave of worry wash over him when he saw Remus’ state as he stalked into his office: tired, neglected, ruffled and shirtless.

“Child, what has happened?” Remus blinked and blushed when he noticed he still hadn’t put on his shirt. He was even more surprised when Sirius threw it to him.

Sirius answered, “Snape was in the forest, some spiders were after him.” He held back an amused smirk, when Remus glared at him, obviously noticing the laughing tone in his voice.

“Is he alright?”

“He’s tired and shocked.” Remus answered.

“That’s good. I was afraid something bad had happened last night, he seemed so put off this morning.” The younger wizards blinked, a questioning look in their eyes. Dumbledore was smiling though, the twinkle in his eyes directed towards Remus.

Remus flushed, “I think I was being a little too persistent. I told you this would happen.” He grew ever more serious, “Why does he refuse my affection?” He asked almost to himself.

“Because he’s an asshole.”

Sirius didn’t have time to react as he was punched in the jaw and lifted off the ground by his throat, pressed back against one of the walls. “Do not call him that!” Remus it seemed had had enough and after the scare an hour ago, he was ready to rip something to shreds.

Dumbledore was by their side quickly, “Remus, child, please let him down, Severus would not like Sirius dead.” Sirius had turned an ugly shade of red, “Calm down child.” Slowly Sirius was lowered to the ground, coughing and spluttering. Remus looked awkward and horrified, and was quick to seek refuge on the opposite side of the room.

“I’m sorry, I went too far that time.” Albus nodded, but said nothing on the matter. He soon turned back to Sirius, who was uncharacteristically quiet.

He sent him a wary look, but turned as sat behind his desk, Fawkes sitting on the back of it. He sighed and motioned for them to sit down. They did and even though Sirius looked as if this was going to be another dramatic lecture about people being different, Remus sat alert and attentive.

“Severus Snape has not had an easy life.” Dumbledore started, taking his time, “As a young boy he was always alternated between his muggle mother’s home and his father’s wizarding one.” Sirius and Remus gaped, “Yes, he is a half-blood. His father has managed to keep it hidden, but he is. His mother was very loving woman and treated him like he was her greatest treasure, which he was. His father however did not.

“Tobias Snape was a pure blooded wizard with the same beliefs as Voldemort. The fact that he’d had a son to a muggle disgusted him, it was only out of family honor that he took Severus in whenever he did.” Dumbledore’s twinkle dimmed.

“When he arrived at Hogwarts he was a quiet, unsure boy who believed that he was a failure to all of wizard kind. To think that there were muggleborns and half-bloods in the school that were loved just like many of the pure bloods he’d met while growing up was taboo. It only dampened his spirits further.

“He was surprised when he was sorted into Slytherin, after all he was a half-blood and as you later let him know, Slytherin was the house for ‘evil pure bloods’. Severus didn’t know how to act around magical folk, except that he had to be as quiet and as invisible as possible. That changed when he started doing well in Potions. As he later on explained to me. There was nothing very ‘magical’ looking about it, it made him feel more at home, like he was cooking for his mother.

“You Marauders began to notice him properly after second year. After he’d become top of the year twice, beating Remus by only a few marks each time. That was when your teasing started, and the things you all went for were the same things that his father did: His hair, his nose, his overall appearance.”

Sirius looked as though he wanted to argue, but Dumbledore held up a hand, silencing him, “I would prefer that you remained silent Sirius, I have not yet finished.” He stroked his beard, thinking, “Severus now stayed in his father’s home, getting all his faults burnt into him with cutting remarks, hard glares and occasionally a hit or two. His mother was still caring, she taught him about life as I would have liked him to have learnt, but she soon past away, and his father claimed full guardianship of him.

“That I believe is when he got his nickname,” The Headmaster looked imploringly as Sirius, “Snivellus? On the train in third year? The Marauders found him crying at the back?” Sirius nodded hesitantly, looking slightly sick, “Hm, yes… Severus was still mourning the loss of his mother at that time. He realized that being quiet wasn’t going to help him and he started talking back, his sarcasm being his defense. At times he hexed you back, and I made sure to talk to him about that.

“Your taunts continued, his father’s mistreating of him continued and I must admit I didn’t help him very much. I didn’t reprimand you. It wasn’t until his last and final year that I realized the seriousness of the situation.” Again he stared at Sirius, who shifted uncomfortably under his gaze. Remus did so too.

“Yes… I was afraid you would turn into another Tom Riddle if I expelled you after ‘The Incident’. I let you remain here and took off house points and gave you a month’s worth of detention. Little did I realize then what I was doing.” Dumbledore closed his eyes sadly, “I was belittling him just as his father and you yourselves had done. I made him think his life was worth a few house points and your time. It didn’t surprise me when he took the mark.”

“But that was his choice,” Sirius said, trying to make Snape look like the ‘bad guy’, “It was hypocritical, but it was his choice.”

“I believed had that too, but when I received his owl a few days later I realize his father had forced it upon him. After all… He needed to seem as pure blood as possible, taking the mark was just that.” Dumbledore sighed, “How I had failed him. He asked if there was a way that good could come out of his joining, and I’d mentioned that we’d needed a spy. He was young, 18 at best when he became just that and a few years later, when Professor Slughorn retired he joined my staff. He has remained with us since then.”

“He’s still an ass.” Sirius said, flinching away from Remus’ glare.

“Yes, and very argumentative, but that is Severus for you. He was taught to stand up if you thought something was wrong, which he does. His mother made sure of that. At times I wished I could do the things he’d asked. Slytherin would have benefited because of it.” He heard Sirius’ snort and sighed again, completely exasperated.

When they left a few hours later, Sirius and Remus were silent, thinking over the information they’d just been given.

- - -

Severus had used the few hours away from Lupin to eat, sleep and clean. It was a habit, cleaning, and he really didn’t need to do so. But he did and gazed sadly at a frozen picture he’d hidden behind a Slytherin tapestry. He supposed he wouldn’t have to hide it now.

It was of a black hair woman hugging a black haired boy.

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DF: Right… Now… I borrowed Snape’s life story from my friend who has worked it out for her story… She loves him more than me…

Anyway… Very sorry for the speech, it’s important if I make this story go where I want it to go…

Review please… ^_^