Author's Note: I will be away for a while as I am currently moving so I won't be updating for the next month, but I would like to thank those who reviewed. I was elated to know you had taken well to the first chapter and it fueled me in creating the second, so without further ado...

Mates

Chapter Two

Hermione, Ron, and Harry sat huddled in the corner of the Gryffindor common room. Their quiet conversation unheard to the surrounding students as Harry retold them what had occurred just an hour before.

"Blimey," was Ron's articulate response.

"That is something," Hermione added.

"What should I do?" Harry asked, his eyes withdrawn from the gaping mouths of his best mates.

"I will tell you," Hermione started "-but I doubt you will want to hear it."

"I know what you should do," Ron said almost a little too enthusiastically. "Nothing...that's what!"

"Well if that were possible, I would have already Ron." Harry replied dejected.

"Its true," Hermione cut in before Ron could retort. "You won't be able to."

"Why?" Harry asked with his eyes once more meeting hers. He could feel his throat constrict as he watched her hesitate momentarily.

"Because you are mates," she said with a slight tinge of annoyance.

"What's that got to do with it?" Ron asked irritatedly.

"Really," she huffed. "Did neither of you listen? It was covered in our second year Defense Against the Dark Arts course..."

Harry listened dutifully while Ron made a face as to say he was guilty of not listening.

"Mates are magically drawn. The creature of choice, vampire in this case, will react to their mate and be possessive, protective, and overall territorial. I am surprised that Professor Snape has been able to hold himself back until now; he will ultimately seek you out and want to claim you as you will want to in turn be claimed. Bonding is essential as it does satiate some of that primitive drive."

"I don't follow."

Hermione shot Ron a glare who sheepishly grinned. "You won't be able to ignore those feelings Harry. It is impossible especially in such close proximity. It could cause madness if you were to keep yourself away. Of course, your body and mind would not let you unless you were physically restrained. Regardless, the connection is already made, and whether or not you or Professor Snape cares for it, you will eventually..."

She trailed off as the blush stained her cheeks.

"Don't you dare say it," Ron cut in with disgust. "I don't want to think about Harry and Snape humping each other like animals."

"Right here," Harry replied agitatedly.

"Well," she cleared her throat. "As I was saying, there is not much to be done about it. The longer you hold off, the harder it will be to withhold, and it could be detrimental to you both. I suggest that you do bond. I do not care for Professor Snape as much as you, but there really is no point in prolonging the inevitable. I am so sorry Harry."

Harry appreciated his honest and forthright friend though what she had to deliver was nothing short of devastating and made Harry want to bury himself deep into a hole. Thankfully, Ron did not add anything and for a while, they all sat, silent and contemplative as Harry drew deeper and deeper inside himself.

It was midnight, but Harry found he could not sleep. He felt numb; whether it was with the information of his newly found circumstances or with the realization that a deeper part of him was saddened that Snape had said he was unattractive and regarded his with such disgust. The things that the potion's professor had said in the past had never to such an extent hurt him so deeply. Why now? He pondered this as he sat, arms around his drawn up knees, and eyes forward in an unseeing gaze.

For an hour, he sat there in the same position, unmoving and thinking deeply. However, when sleep started to beckon him, he curled up with his body well beneath the cover of his blanket and let himself cry. Hot tears of sadness – not for his being the man's mate but for the rejection he received.

Harry sat at the table next to the laughter and chatter around him, but he couldn't find it in himself to smile as he usually did. Hermione was throwing him concerned glances while Ron nudged him every now and again to pull him into the conversation. He could not be persuaded. Instead, he cast his eyes unseeing at his hands.

"..arry.." came a soft voice. "Harry."

He jolted, and his eyes gazed at the worried face of Hermione. "You should eat something..." she suggested with a point of her finger at his untouched plate. Ron was shoveling mouthfuls, barely chewing in between, as he nodded vehemently. An unbidden smile touched his lips at his overzealous mate.

"I'm not hungry," he said as he stood to distance himself from the overall happiness wafting through the room. Turning to the front table, he noticed onyx depths boring into his own from across the room. He felt the air in his lungs leave him, his body immediately responding to the unheard call of the other. Clenching his fists, he turned and walked out with every bit of willpower that he could. He would not return to Snape with his tail between his legs nor was he so easily beaten by such feelings. He would rather go mad than admit to the git that he wanted him; well his body did, any way.

Remus stopped Harry as he was making his way down a corridor, pulling him by his shoulder to the side.

"What's wrong Harry?" the man's eyes danced with unvoiced worry. "You did not eat anything, and you look as though you barely slept." The man's eyes searched his for the answer as Harry responded only with silence.

"Its nothing," he finally whispered. "I'm sorry for worrying you."

"I know there is something," Remus retorted instantly. "I do not need to remind you that Sirius asked me to look after you in case of such things."

Before Harry could admit once more to nothing, he felt the overwhelming presence, and his body reeled in it, drawing his eyes backwards. Snape stood a few feet behind them, his eyes blazing with rage, and his body rigid as he watched them. Then a few steps forward brought him right behind Harry.

"Professor Lupin," he nearly growled. "I believe you have a class first thing...should you not be heading over there?"

"I needed to speak with Harry," came Remus' clipped response. "I will only be a moment, Professor Snape."

However, the other professor did not move away. Instead, the dark-haired potion's master took another step forward almost close enough to touch behind Harry.

"I suggest you remove your hand," the man's voice came out as a hiss.

"I beg your pardon," Remus' eyes grew wide with anger. "I do not understand what you are meaning to imp-"

"I would take your hand from my mate or I cannot be held liable for what I may in turn do if you should not," Snape's voice was low but severely menacing, and the response from Remus was a testament to that; he took an unconscious step back, his hand falling from Harry's shoulder and appeared speechless.

"Shall we go to my office gentlemen?" came the familiar cheerful voice of the headmaster. "I fear this corridor is not an appropriate place for such a conversation as this."

"Explain the meaning of this, if you would please," came an irritated Professor Lupin. "Am I to understand that Harry is Professor Snape's mate?"

Snape scoffed in the corner with his arms drawn and received a glare as response from the irate man.

"We had our suspicions just recently confirmed and were discussing it just yesterday with Mister Potter." Dumbledore eyed the man with a calm face. Remus was breathing through his responses as he knelt beside Harry and gave him a questioning gaze.

"How do you feel about all of this Harry? Is that why you are in such a state?" Remus rested a hand on Harry's. Snape was flying forward, but before he could reach Remus, both men were frozen by Dumbledore's commanding voice.

"Enough," the oldest wizard called out, effectively stopping all movement. "I am afraid that you will only cause Mister Potter more misery if I were to allow this to continue. Now, Severus, I was under the impression yesterday that you would have nothing to do with Mister Potter..."

Snape withdrew his gaze, letting out a sort of grunting noise. The Headmaster smiled in response, the twinkle once more in his eyes. Harry was already trembling with the need to wrap himself up in the vampire's arms. He needed it like he needed air, and he found his breathing growing shallow. The headmaster did not miss his beading perspiration and frequent shifting as he clenched his fists against the trembling.

"Professor Lupin," the headmaster called. "May I speak with you privately? Professor Snape and Mister Potter, you are excused to return. Mister Potter, Professor Snape will see to it that you are excused for your tardiness."

With another smile, the old man waved them off. Harry got up slowly, fighting the violent tremors and almost ran from the room. He made it a good way down the corridor before his name was called out.

"Potter!" the man bellowed in a low, warning voice.

Harry froze and stiffened himself as the soundless progression of Snape drew towards him. He felt overwhelmed with heat and passion. His eyes, if he was not straining them so hard forward, would have already rolled into the back of his head, and he would have flung himself bodily at the man. Holding himself against the extreme tremors wracking havoc on his slim form, he waited – hoped for reprieve to remove himself of the man's presence.

"What can I do for you, professor?" he was barely able to bite out. The man did not respond, but he was forced forward with a push to his shoulder and almost lost his footing as he stumbled. He threw his arms out in front of him, but he was being jerked backwards by his robes and thrown into a stone wall. His body shuddered with the force.

"Do not presume to speak to me in that tone," the taller wizard hissed so close to his face that he could feel the heat of the man's breath. He closed his eyes as the sensations sent him into overdrive. His arms lifted, and he pressed hands to a heaving torso that was surprisingly muscular beneath his touch. His body trembled in relief as the first contact sparked a desire unlike anything he had felt to date. Harry gasped against the sensation, welcoming it with another slide of his hands. He could feel the man's heart beat, matching his own in speed, and he felt slightly pleased by it. Drawing in a shaky breath, he opened his glazed over emerald eyes.

"I don't want this," he whispered in a shaky voice. "I shouldn't want this..."

Snape was watching him with an intensity that sent a course of electric shivers down his spine. The man drew forward, placing his hands against the stone next to Harry's head and forcing his touch to become firm. He pressed his nose to the crook of Harry's neck and inhaled deeply. "For once, Mister Potter, I concur."

Harry was breathing so erratically that he was sure to pass out any moment from hyperventilation. "Please..."

Something in the man's eyes snapped, and he was sneering as he pushed off the wall and put distance between them. Harry felt cold, the warmth leaving him as soon as his touch failed to reach the other. Snape watched him for another moment before fleeing down the corridor in a billow of robes. Harry watched the dark-haired professor depart as he slid downward and felt his stomach curling so tightly it was sure to burst.

"Harry," Remus cried out as he ran from his exit of Dumbledore's office. "What happened!?" The man knelt before Harry and gathered him up in his embrace. Harry felt numb as if Snape's obvious rejection had rid him of every nerve in his body. Hazy in his thoughts, he stared blankly at the other, neither hearing nor seeing the man.

In his comatose state, Harry was empty and in desperate need of the filling feeling only Snape could offer. He hated it – despised it because the meaning behind it was confirmation of what Hermione had said before. He was going mad and soon, he would not be able to keep himself from seeking out Snape.

"Harry," Remus' voice was becoming panicked, but Harry could barely respond to it. All he could think about was finding Snape and pressing himself into the protection his mate offered. His head felt fuzzy and then he was standing, walking away from the fretting werewolf, and seeking...seeking his mate.

His arm was grabbed, and he was pulled into a tight embrace. Voices around him. Harry could barely care enough to listen as they argued.

"What is happening, Albus?" Remus' voice was pitched. Harry could feel the man trembling with anger as he barked at the headmaster.

"He is seeking out Severus," the man said simply. "Bring him to Severus' rooms. The two will have to face each other before this becomes unmanageable."

"So he is truly his mate..."

"I am afraid so Remus...you know how maddening it could be if you were withheld from your mate..."

"Yes," the man's voice carried a sad tune. "I will only do this for Harry's sake. We must alert Sirius at once...though I doubt it will go well. He will be in a fury."

"I will handle Sirius," Dumbledore replied. "Get Harry to Severus' rooms, and I will retrieve Sirius."

Severus was barely able to control himself as he stalked through the corridors. He could no longer hold his urges to possess the boy at bay. The blood lust alone was nearly impossible to ignore. Potter's scent was intoxicating. When he had found the boy, being mooned over by that dirty werewolf Lupin, his vision had gone red. He was unable to control his need to thrust the man from what was his and hex him into the next week. He did not of course. However, he could feel the pull of the boy even now as he was clear across the castle. Potter was calling him. He did not think the boy was doing it consciously, but the steady stream of pulls at his shaking form was making his progression nearly impossible. His vampire wanted to be at its mate's side.

And then he felt it...He was flying towards where his mate's call was. His mate was being touched by another. That person was more than likely that bloody insufferable wolf that pawed over him at every opportunity. He was picking up speed, his vampire causing his shift about the corridors smooth and effortless. He was flying no doubt, invisible with speed to those around him. He reached his rooms and stormed inside, noticing that the wards had been disturbed.

Potter was being held on his couch in his living quarters by that disgusting dog Lupin. He flew across the room, and Lupin's eyes grew wide. He pulled away from Potter and distanced himself.

"I only brought him here for you," the wolf barked, his eyes narrowing. "He needs his mate..."

Severus halted in his consuming rage to stare at the other. He looked to the boy who was shivering on the couch with his eyes glazed over. He threw the wolf another glare before he was at the couch, drawing up the boy into his arms. He could instantly feel Potter relax with his touch. Small fingers clenched the material of his shirt, and Potter was pressing his face into his torso, startling him as his mate breathed in his scent.

"Brilliant," the boy whispered. Severus wanted to groan but held it back as their company watched them with a mixture of emotion in his eyes. Severus could feel his own body reacting to his mate. He wanted to taste the Gryffindor in his arms in every sense of the word. He knew the blood would be the best he would ever taste and that body, oh dear Merlin, that lithe body writhing beneath his own as he thrust his hard flesh into it...Severus jerked himself from his thoughts.

"Voyeuristic tendencies Lupin?" Severus sneered. Lupin went red in the cheeks –bloody werewolf- and cleared his throat as he left the two of them. When he was sure the other was gone, Severus downcast his gaze to the Gryffindor in his embrace. Potter was running slender fingers over his chest, gasping as his hips began to move against Severus'. Groaning, he felt the firm hindquarters of his student rub his swelling length. He bent forward, pressing his nose to his young mate's throat, and drew in a deep breath. The smell was mouth-watering, and he tasted the flesh with his tongue, hearing the boy give way to a moan which only did to arouse him more.

Oh bloody hell, he was going to take the boy at this rate. His sense of morality was alerting him, but he could not repress his answering thrust to the boy. Potter moaned while moving his bum backwards against Severus' throbbing prick. Severus growled and without further hesitation, allowed his fangs to extend and break through the flesh.

The Gryffindor's blood tasted like heaven—well if heaven had a taste and was not some idealistic dream built up by muggles. Still he drank it in and savored it on his tongue. Potter was gasping and mumbling incoherently as he drank from him. He could feel the tremors and taste the boy's lust with each draw of precious liquid life.

His vampire, possessive as it was, wanted to mate the boy; Severus, his coherent self, would force that side to wait at least until he could be in the right state of mind. Severus pulled away, having satiated his urge, and licked the wound on the boy's neck to heal it. Without thinking, he pressed a kiss first to the wound that was freshly healed. He then pressed a kiss to those gaping, plump cherry-red lips, tasting and claiming them.

Harry could barely think let alone breathe as he was ravished an inch within sanity by his potion's professor. His mouth moved in the only way it knew how, trying to match the older, more experienced individual. Harry moved around to straddle the man's lap and encircled his arms around the vampire's neck to deepen their kiss, mewling softly with a thrust of his hips.

Hands clasped his arse cheeks, firmly setting a rhythm. Harry pulled away from the kiss, bucking his hips into the other in unreserved madness. His lower belly was tightening with foreboding, and he gasped at the air for purchase. "Professor..." he moaned.

Snape growled again, his lips once more claiming his and thrusting a powerful wet tongue to taste every corner of his mouth. Harry was soon stiffening as he came essentially wetting his trousers in the process. Snape pulled his mouth away as Harry grew boneless and numb. Before he knew it, he was pressing himself as tightly as he could into the warmth of his mate and drifting off to sleep.

Severus is such a sexy, naughty vampire...taking advantage of the boy-who-lived and all.