He's My Mate!

Disclaimer: Don’t own Harry Potter…

Thanks to Newtype, trustingfriendship, Miejpe, Ameera, Sandy Jean and:

UnionLibre: That makes us both perverts… ^_^ I was planning a fic on them too… Hm… I just have top write the stupid idea down! Work’s gonna slow me down… Again thank you…

- - - - -

Chapter 8

“So dear cousin,” She began dramatically lifting her cup into the air and taking a quick sip, “What happened to your leg? Why haven’t you introduced me to this colleague that desires you?” She rose an eye brow, exactly like Severus did, “Hm?”

He’d shown them to their rooms and as if sensing that her mother and cousin wanted to talk alone for a bit, Gabrielle had asked if Black could give her a tour. It had taken them an hour to get them settled.

Severus had hoped that Lupin would be awake and in his own rooms, left to his own devices, but that hope quickly deflated as he peeked into his quarters and was met by soft snores.

He’d told Nicole to be quiet, though it seemed she wasn’t listening. She gazed around the room, “You really do love your dark colours.”

He nodded, “My leg got hit with a curse during the final battle, I was supposed to eliminate people from the inside,” He paused, tapping his index finger on the mug in his hands, “Some had enough time to fight back. As for Lupin, he’s asleep in the next room.”

“Lupin’s not his first name Sev, what’s his first name?”

“Remus.”

“Oh,” She said idly, staring at the floor. She looked up and grinned, “He’s naked isn’t he?”

Severus’ pale face went bright red as he glared at Nicole, “I’ll have you know I’m not in the mood for your humor.”

She laughed, “Yes, I can tell.”

Their conversation soon turned to the teachers and subjects of the school and Nicole listened and asked questions like a Ravenclaw student. Every now and then she’d make a comment that would cause Severus to snort or chuckle.

It was another hour before their morning changed.

Severus’ eyes widened as Lupin stepped out of his quarters, only in his patchwork pants. The werewolf yawned and said good morning, not noticing the woman perched in front of Severus. Severus’ eyes widened drastically as Remus walked up to him and kissed him lovingly. Remus blinked when he heard a girlish giggle.

Severus watched with worry as Remus turned and growled quietly, he wasn’t sure whether Nicole had heard it. Remus promptly sat on the couch next to Severus, his arm wrapping around the man’s slim waist possessively.

He was confused. Remus shouldn’t have been protective of him, he wasn’t in heat anymore. It wasn’t as though Remus cared even a bit for him!

“Who are you?”

“Nicole Shickles, I’m Severus’ cousin.” She held out a hand for Lupin to shake, he eyes traveling up and down the werewolf’s form. Severus was feeling protective himself… “You lucky bastard Sev, he’s a fine catch.” Both Remus and Severus blushed as Lupin realized that he didn’t have a rival in Nicole.

She giggled as they shook hands.

“Thank you, but I needn’t be told how lucky I am.” He said silkily, ignoring the soppy expression on Lupin’s face. Yes, lucky, he thought bitterly, to have a werewolf lusting over me, but not have him love me like I would prefer, to know that he’ll get sick of me and move on…

It wasn’t like he wasn’t used to being used like he was. He’d managed to never miss the short straw ever since he’d started picking it.

- - -

“You must really love him to protect him like that.” Nicole said as he escorted her to the girls’ lavatory. “And so affectionate too. Did Severus forget to tell you I was coming?”

Remus nodded, “I believe so, but… I was not myself, he probably thought Albus would tell me.” Remus sighed, a tired, exasperated sigh, “I don’t think he understands that I do though.”

Nicole picked up on what he was talking about immediately and offered a smile, “Yes, Severus has always been known to look into things a tad bit too hard. But I guess that kept him alive, with that war and all.” Nicole’s eyes were locked on him, as if she was silently checking him for lies, checking to see if he was worthy of Severus. Remus ignored her valiantly, “You do notice that he might have understood why someone would fall for him if you’d stopped Mr. Black and Mr. Potter when you all were in school?”

Remus glared, “I was cowardly, I know, now drop it.” Maybe the wolf hadn’t hidden again?

“Just making sure you understood that.” It was made clear to Remus that morning that what ever was left of Severus’ muggle family, they were not going to stand around while Severus was hurt. Not like he had done. It was when he realized this, that he’d have to … court him, not presume that Severus felt the same and was being a prat about it.

They were silent for the rest of the walk, and Remus waited in the corridor as Nicole relieved herself. It surprised him when a girl ran into him, her book cluttering to the ground.

“I’m sorry!” She said quickly, reaching down to grab the book. “Oh darn, I’ve lost my page and-” She gasped, flicking through the book quickly, “Oh god! I lost his page, now he’ll never let me borrow anything of his again! Ooooh!” She relaxed visibly when she found a snake book mark, letting out a big breath of air. “Oh, thank goodness.”

Remus watched the girl with interest, confusion and amusement. He smiled kindly as she blinked up at him, as if realizing he was there still, “Hello, I haven’t seen you around the school before. I’m Remus Lupin and you are?” He held out a hand.

“Oh, um, Gabby Shickles, I’m here visiting my cousin.” She beamed up at him as they shook hands.

Remus’ eyebrows rose, “Really? I wasn’t aware there were two of you.”

The girl nodded nervously, “You know my mother? Where is she?”

He jerked a finger over his shoulder, pointing to the bathroom door. The girl nodded and disappeared inside.

Again Remus was left alone in the corridor, thinking over Albus’ story again and again. There had to be a reason behind Albus telling him about his mother. She seemed far too little in the story to have been important. It would have been received harder if she wasn’t mentioned at all. ‘A life without love’ story, it was so much like Severus, it made him smile sadly.

Maybe he’d like to go out somewhere with him? On unofficial dates, and maybe after he gained the man’s trust (if he ever gained it) he’d be able to really make Severus his mate. The wolf in him whimpered. Merlin, how was he supposed to survive without him in his bed or kissing him or touching him for the time it took Severus to trust him enough to allow all those things? How was he supposed to stay away now that he’d had a taste of the Potions Master?

When he noticed the slight tightening of his pants, Remus froze.

Think of something dirty, he thought to himself hurriedly. An image of Severus laid out on his bed, his legs parted as he stroked himself and called him, he groaned. Not that type of dirty. Again the Wolfsbane potion saved him from utter embarrassment.

It was another five minutes before the two muggles emerged from the bathroom, and Remus was thankful he hadn’t needed to go and find them. But there was something wrong, something…

He stared down at Nicole as she stepped in front of him and did an near identical (besides the fact that she was female and was a lot shorter than Severus) impression of Severus’ glare and folded arm stance.

He felt the need to run, but stood still as his eyes roamed over the two girls warily. “Yes?” He finally asked.

“You should teach that friend of yours to keep his mouth shut, and when Severus hears of this he will not be happy.” Her glare grew colder, “And you can kiss your mate goodbye.” She then glided off, the little girl behind her.

- - -

“Morning Moony! Have a good sleep?”

“What did you do?” Remus’ voice was low, threatening as he leant over the table, his hands rested on top of it.

Sirius shrugged, feigning innocence, “Do? To who?”

“Gabby.”

“Oh her,” She took another bite of his apple, “I just told her what her cousin does for a living and how much of an asshole he is.”

Remus couldn’t believe his ears and before he could stop himself he had Sirius by the collar of his shirt, “Didn’t you learn from the other night? Because if you keep going like this I will strangle you properly.”

Sirius was frowning, his eyes wide, his hands resting on top of his friends hot ones. “What is with you? It’s just Snape. And you can’t use your ‘I’m in heat’ excuse anymore.” Remus’ growl did nothing to hinder Sirius tongue, “I mean, you really can’t be in love with the guy.”

Remus fought to not throw Sirius to the ground and beat him to a bloody pulp. No one talked about his mate like that. No one! Severus was special, he was unique, he was exotic and lovely and caring when you weren’t looking. He’d saved people’s lives and gotten near no recognition for it. Severus was his mate and he would protect him.

“I think it’d be smart if we didn’t speak to one another for a while Black,” Remus’ voice was still hushed, a threatening whisper, “Just to make sure I don’t kill you.”

Remus dropped Sirius on his backside, leaving the wizard staring after him in confusion.

- - -

“You wanted to see me Headmaster?”

Dumbledore looked up from the parchment he was scanning, and smiled as he motioned for Severus to sit. “Lemon Drop?” Severus shook his head, his obvious distaste on his face. He wasn’t one for sweets, unless it was brown, creamy and wrapped in foil.

Dumbledore smiled again and popped the sweet in his mouth. After swallowing it he spoke, “It has come to my attention, dear boy, that you haven’t been acting very lovingly towards Remus.”

Severus stared, “It is not my job to make the werewolf feel loved, sir. I would prefer if you would not lecture me on it.”

“Severus, there is nothing wrong with loving someone and having them love you back. If anything it makes you stronger.” He heard Severus snort as he went back to reading a piece of parchment.

Severus took this as a sign to go, and stood. He had just opened the door and was heading out when the Headmaster called, “Severus, if it isn’t too much trouble, Madam Pomfrey would like a few more Healing drafts and Pepper-Up potion.” Severus nodded and disappeared down the staircase.

He walked in silence, not bothering to pay attention to the portraits around him, or Peeves and his snickering.

He was near the dungeon stairwell when Black came around the corner, looking ruffled. He had planned to walk on past the man, ignoring his existence completely, but Black had other plans.

Severus was pushed against a wall, his head throbbing from the collision. Black held him there at wand point. Severus’ eyes darted around, taking in the suit of armor to his right and the emptiness of the corridor to his left. Black was glaring heatedly in front of him.

“What did you do to Remus?”

Severus snorted, “I haven’t done a thing to him. Why? Haven’t gotten your way?” He knew he’d said the wrong thing as black growled, pressing his wand harder to Severus’ throat.

“He would never protect you Snivellus!”

Severus’ insides clenched, “I know he wouldn’t, what is your point?”

“You’ve done something to him! Why is he protecting you?” Black’s hand was slapped against the wall in an attempt to make him feel threatened. Not that he wasn’t already…

“I have done nothing except sleep with him.” He jumped minutely when Black’s fist punched the wall.

“Liar!”

Before he could argue back there was a creak, like stone moving against stone, and they were falling.

- - - - -

DF: I’m sorry, it’s a short chapter I know, and it took a while for me to update… Work’s started again and I’ve had to go shopping and stuff! Expect a few days between updates…

Again, sorry…

But review, please, I still like to know your opinions and ideas… ^_^