Severus was pacing and huffing. Hermione had been missing aside from checking in and dinner for the last three days. Her warning about Zabini being there during the full moon toppled him. It was required because he wasn't stable? Severus shook his head before snatching his bag from the ground.
He's going to take her from us, Severus.
"Shut up," Snape hissed.
She's going to follow a stronger wolf.
"I said shut up," Severus repeated and tossed his head.
If she doesn't leave us, then you will harm her, Severus.
"I said bloody shut up!" Severus snarled and tore at his hair.
He gulped down the goblet on the table and marched toward the entrance. He was flustered and disagreeable. Popping over to Grimmauld Place, Hermione and Blaise were already standing there. She was smiling as he was finishing a story.
"So, she asks me why wouldn't I marry her," Zabini smirked.
"And?" Hermione asked.
"And I told her it was because I don't believe in marriage. So, Francesca slaps me and cusses me out in French before dashing off," He finished with a shrug.
Hermione shook her head and tutted. "You're shameful."
"Lose one of your girlfriends, Zabini?" Severus hissed.
Blaise stood straighter and nodded. "Yeah, but it happens. Sarah is likely on her way out too. The novelty of being a werewolf is wearing off. You know, they tend to get tired of us not making it even."
Severus sneered and moved toward Hermione. However, Blaise stepped between them and gestured for Hermione to unlock the door. Snape bristled and watched her wince as she did his bidding.
"Tonight is going to be a rough one," Blaise said as he eyed Severus.
Hermione unlocked the door and headed inside without further conversation. Severus moved to follow, but Blaise stepped in front of me. It was a standoff as the werewolves glared at each other with potent power.
"What?" Snape huffed.
"You're not allowed to speak to her tonight," Zabini growled.
"You won't be telling me what to do, Zabini," Snape retorted.
Blaise erected his form to meet Severus's height, and his eyes narrowed. "I will because I'm fucking running the show tonight, Snape. If you're going to use and abuse her, then I'll make it my mission to rip your throat open. I'm alpha tonight, and you'll fucking listen, understood?"
Severus blinked as his scowl tightened.
Rip his throat open, Severus. He's lesser.
"You have no grounds," Severus said.
"If it weren't the full moon, I'd beat the shit out of you. Knock some sense into your thick skull. That woman is pledging her life to you, and you're being a coward. Now, I have to step in and take care of this, so you don't ruin her," Blaise hissed.
"Enough, Blaise. We have twenty minutes," Hermione snapped as she appeared in the doorway.
Zabini rolled his neck and smiled before turning to her. "Of course, Granger. You're the witch of the hour," he declared and walked up the staircase.
Severus felt as if he entered an entirely different moment in time. It was convoluted with all doubts and worries he'd been shelving. As he followed the bulkier werewolf up the staircase, he had to wonder. What was the point in bringing another werewolf? They were fine, well, maybe not fine. However, they were decent. Right?
This is your fault, unfortunately.
Severus attempted to breathe through the sharp grin he saw in his mind. The wolf was laughing at him for his doubts and concerns. When had he felt so distant from the lupine personality in his mind? What had caused such a rift?
Focus, Severus. I'll be joining you soon.
Hermione opened the master bedroom and set down her bag. Blaise ran his hand over her shoulder before setting his down and digging through it. He was handing her items as she placed them in order on the dresser.
Snape watched on with scrutiny as he set out his change of clothing on the bed.
"Are you feeling up to this?" Blaise asked as he nudged the witch.
Hermione breathed and rolled her neck. "Walk in the park, as usual."
The young werewolf straightened his form and began to strip. Hermione set the bags aside and moved toward the doorway. "I'll be back when you've both transformed."
Blaise smirked and winked. "Stay for the show, Granger."
Hermione rolled her eyes and left the room.
Severus was glowering at Blaise while unbuttoning his robes.
"She's pretty cute," Zabini baited with a smile.
"That's my companion you're talking about," Severus hissed as he tossed the robes to the mattress.
"I know, and she oozes delicious smells," Blaise murmured before throwing his clothing toward his bag.
"I would watch what you say if I were you," Snape warned as he shed the last of his barriers.
"No, I don't think I will," Zabini responded.
Before a fight could brew, both men howled and squirmed. The transformation was always harsh and unforgiving. It brought them to their knees as flesh stretched and bones popped—the inhuman sound of cracking joints and distortion of limbs. Even the boiling of the mind as the consciousness that remained in the back all month pushed forth with vicious revelry at the full moon.
Severus breathed and groaned as he shook himself out. However, the dark brown wolf gave him little time to recover. Zabini launched at him and pinned him to the ground, growling with teeth bared. Severus kicked him from his body and manipulated to his feet, ducking down in threat.
Zabini snarled and flicked his tail before launching at Severus again. This time it caught purchase on his jaw, causing the dark wolf to howl and flail before pawing at Zabini. Severus's teeth caught the lighter wolf in the nose and leaving pricks of blood. They hunched a distance apart and growled menacingly.
The door creaked, and the fluffy border collie entered with her speckled brown fur. She barked and skipped over to the wolves, glancing between them. Zabini murmured greetings and wagged his tail before allowing her to lick his face.
Severus sat down. Baffled. His instinct to fight was subdued only due to her relief and grumblings. It was going to be a long night indeed.
Severus opened his heavy eyes to take in a form moving. With a bit more effort, he opened his eyes to see Hermione on the mattress, moving. His limbs and chest felt relief. She must have just administered his routine. Noticing her doing similar to the other werewolf in the room halted his tongue, and he shut his eyes.
"Damn, Granger, this beats a green advocate any day," Blaise chuckled.
"It should. I've been doing this for years," Hermione puffed as her fingers traced his abdomen.
"Are you feeling alright?"
Hermione glanced at the snoozing werewolf next to her before exhaling. "Yes, I'm just tired," she returned her gaze to Zabini.
"He's fine. You worry far too much," Blaise grunted.
"I know," Hermione mumbled.
"Seriously, Granger, you need to stop worrying about him and take care of yourself. Go make some food. We'll nap and be ready to eat in a bit," Zabini groaned.
Hermione breathed and rocked her head. "Alright, but if you need anything," she stopped at the grimace displayed on Blaise's face.
"Yes, yes, I know. This isn't my first rodeo either," Blaise grumbled.
Hermione smiled and bent to kiss his cheek before climbing from the bed. Her feet padded on the floor, and the fading thuds permitted Severus to open his eyes. He was stewing in misery and discomfort this morning.
"You need to get yourself a new advocate," Blaise hummed and stretched.
"Why?"
"Because you're going to kill her if you aren't willing to bite her," Zabini mumbled.
Severus chanced, reaching for his face and rubbing it. The bite below his jawline was indented in his skin but could be concealed. "You know what that entails if I do. She will be shackled to me for life."
"You'd rather give her up than soothe her pain?" Blaise asked. "Don't lie to me. I saw it last night."
"It's wrong and horrible. To ask that of her is destructive," Snape grumbled and closed his eyes.
"How did your wolf handle his rank taken away?" Zabini inquired.
Severus grunted.
"What took place this month can't continue, Snape. If you aren't going to bite her, then you have to walk away. There is a reason why I don't grow attached. We can hurt our humans if we aren't willing to give ourselves to them. Worse that she's your mate, and you deny her relief of the connection."
Snape gazed through the gaps in his fingers and breathed. "I can't find my footing on what would be the best course."
Zabini grunted and slumped on the pillow under his head. "Then you have your answer. Let her go if you are going to lie to her about biting her. Hermione will take all the abuse you grant due to your segregation of wolf and man. He will force drastic measures, and next time, you won't like the outcome. Apologies mean you won't do it again, and you will."
"It seems to me you have something to gain," Severus grumbled with disdain melted into his voice.
Blaise groaned and yawned. "I'm not moronic, Snape. She would never agree to anything such as that. Hermione is safe from my bed, but she shouldn't be crawling into yours if you refuse her relief."
"I will file for a new advocate tomorrow," Severus murmured and turned away from the young werewolf.
"Good, then she will cope with your loss faster," he responded with a sharpness to his tone.
Snape breathed and internal pressed down the sudden anguish.
"Just like bloody Lupin," Zabini said with sleep entering his voice.
That was a harsh insult. True, but still the worst thing anyone could have said. He was nearly the same as Lupin, aside from the obvious. Lupin would have likely never forced her into this mess in the first place.
Hermione sat with the paperwork on her desk and scowled. Severus Tobias Snape has asked for a new advocate. He didn't speak to her. He just sent in the forms. It had been two days since the full moon, and Hermione took care of him with all the effort in her power.
So this is where this led them? He refuses to bite her and made the decision. The witch exhaled and signed the paperwork as the Division Senior Staff Member.
"Knock, knock," Zabini murmured as he rapped his finger on her door jam.
"Did you know about this?" Hermione asked as she held up the page.
Blaise stepped in and winced. "I did. It was the day after the full moon. He told me he could never bite you and agreed to seek another advocate."
Hermione breathed and nodded. "Yes, that makes sense. I always knew he wouldn't. He is more man than a beast and doesn't understand."
The werewolf sat down and took the page, grabbing a quill from the inkwell. "Well, now you are free," he nodded and signed the page.
"I'll never be truly free, not really," Hermione murmured and snatched up a folder. "My heart will always be stuck in Spinner's End."
Blaise pursed his lips and twitched his nose. "He isn't going to tell you, is he?"
"No, that isn't his way. He will disappear and pretend it never happened. I'm going to give him Harry as his advocate," Hermione nodded as she turned to the end of the file.
"What about Weasley?" Blaise questioned.
"After evaluating his file, I decided on an unorthodox approach. Michael will join them in Grimmauld, and Harry will learn from him how to handle the tasks until I speak to Pansy myself."
"Interesting, I'm listening. Why get her involved?"
Hermione finished her scribbling before setting aside Severus's folder. "Because she is his alpha."
Blaise grinned and reached over, clicking his tongue as he touched his knuckles to her face. "You're too smart, Granger."
"Yes, I know," Hermione smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes.
"You're going to be fine, you know?
Hermione rocked her head and handed him the completed files. "I know. I've lived through far worse and can live through Severus Snape. He taught me how."
Blaise nodded and snapped up the stack. "You should come over this week. I'm having over a few friends for drinks, and it would be a good change of scene for you. Especially since I'm the only werewolf."
The witch thought about it and bit the inside of her cheek. "Let me think about it, and I'll let you know. What day?"
"Thursday," Zabini nodded.
"Okay," Hermione smiled and nodded. "Now, I have to go over and see Severus with Harry after I tell him. That way, I can establish communication between them."
"Good luck," Blaise groaned and stood up. "If it gets horrible, I'm meeting Malfoy for dinner if you wanna come."
"You both still talk?" Hermione asked as she erected from her seat.
"Oh yeah, the bugger has a lil bouncing baby. Astoria promised I could steal him away for the evening," Blaise declared and shifted.
Hermione beamed and bobbed her head. "It might be nice to see him. You're right, I'm going to need a change of scene after all this. It might be a good idea to do so."
Blaise winked and pointed at her. "I gotcha, Granger. You'll get through this, and that's what I'm here for as your advocate, remember?"
Hermione snorted and waved him off. "Now, I best be going to nab Harry. I'll see you later."
"I'll owl you the place, alright?"
The witch bobbed her head and left the room. Hermione's shoulders sunk, and she felt the wave of terrible sadness strike her. This was the end, and now she had to wake up to the real world. Hopefully, Harry wouldn't be too hard on Severus. It wasn't his fault. It was her failure, after all. She should have paid more attention to her service to him and less to her heart.