CHAPTER FIFTEEN--THE CLAIMS

Remus could feel the wolf threatening to break free as an intoxicating scent of smoky pine needles warped his senses. He could feel his throat vibrating with a warning growl as tawny eyes glared at the invading figures. His other mate was trying to push the others aside, succeeding as everyone began moving away from the catatonic female.

Sirius stared wide-eyed at his mate when a rough hand grasped one of his in a painful hold, yanking him towards Isis. With a growl, Remus commanded his submissive, "Follow." Dragging his mate out the hospital wing, Remus trailed his way to his rooms.

"Remus?"

Waiting to growl out the password to his rooms, Remus practically threw his mate inside and dragged in a second mate. "She's ours."

"Uh, Remus, what's this about?"

Tawny eyes flashed as the wolf rejoiced at the ability to claim a new mate. Harshly, the werewolf yanked Sirius close for a harsh kiss, "You read the essay." Pulling the now unresisting man to their new mate, "She belongs to us now."

The werewolf gently nuzzled the left side of her throat, encouraged by the strong scent residing there. Sirius smirked at the action, knowing his mate had found the spot for a claiming mark. Gently, he pulled the two closer to the bedroom, "Remus."

The loud growl caused two figures to shiver as they all tumbled onto the large bed. "We share, love."

Moments later, a loud satisfied howl caused five friends to shiver. "Guess that's one down."

Drunken laughter followed the comment. "Leaves the twins and Thor out. They already expressed a no desirable mate, well at least the twins do."

"Shut it, Lucas. Or else you'll be waking up at the bottom of a lake covered in seaweed."

Lucas fell from his perch in uncontrollable laughter, Osiris peered over the couch's arm to look, "Might do him some good."

The twins snickered, "It would do the both of you good. You know full well drinking wine made by demons is not safe."

"But it's very tasty!"

"Oh, stop whining, Lucas!"

Osiris was the next to fall to uncontrollable laughter. "I think they've lost it, girls."

"It's YOUR fault, Thor!"

Said vampire held up his hands in surrender, "What'd I do?"

For every step by the advancing twins, he stepped back, "You just had to open a case of Demon Spirits. Didn't you?"

"Hey! Those two could use a boost. Isis found herself with a mate, well two. They have yet to make their move."

"What's that suppose to mean, Thor!" Two drunken voices called from the floor, still trembling with laughter.

"Think about it, Lucas. You and Osiris have been eyeing those two males since we arrived!"

"Least I've liked my longer. But the vision of two blondes is quite satisfying."

"OSIRIS!" The War Mage snickered at the four staring at him. Even hidden in the shadows, two invading figures fought to keep their laughter in check.

"What! I didn't fully describe the fantasy. Just stated it." Emerald eyes pinned a blushing elf, "What do you see in the prat?"

"He sees a spoiled, rich, sarcastically rude blonde. I still swear Lucas can only attract blondes."

"Shut it." A wobbly thrown pillow collided with Thor's smirking face. "I'm not the only one. Osiris just had to be attracted to a rude, unmannered, sarcastic bastard!"

"Subject change!" Everyone laughed at the unbalanced leader, "What do we know?" But none would argue once the male tried to stay within a buisness attire, even if he was still wobbly from drinking.

"Guess we hit too close to home. But it seems someone found out their little heir won't join. We've been told that your lovely enemy has sent orders to change the mind of one Draco Malfoy."

"He's not lovely or mine. Neither is Malfoy." Osiris pouted. Even though Voldemort was technically his enemy.

Snickering, Lucas piped up, "Hopefully, he'd be mine in that case. But he does have Ilianya on his side. She will do what she can. We should keep an eye on him."

"Meaning you will. But he's not the only one. Severus Snape is back to being number one on the hit list. He's to be taken dead or alive to Voldemort."

"Sadistic bastard!"

"Uh, was that for the scaly one or the potion master?"

"Severus always was a bastard ever since I can remember. He's already survived one beating for being a traitor. Let's just hope he'll accept the help."

From the shadows, two figures glanced at each other with evil smirks before gliding forward, minds whirling with what they had heard. Lucas and Osiris yelped in surprise, falling to the floor, once again, in a drunken tumble, "Drinking on a school night, Professors?"

Both males groaned at the cheerful tone, "Hello."

Their friends snickered as they rose to their feet, "We'll bid you, gentlemen, a good night. Thor still has some energy to release and we'd like to communicate with the council."

"NO!" But the warning came too late as three friends swept away. "I hate it when they do that."

The two Slytherins shared a look while faced with a drunken pair, "What were you six talking about?"

Eyes widened at the question, "Uh?"

Two pairs of hands dragged the drunken pair from the floor, "Let's go."

"Where we going now?"

"Unlike what you possibly think, I do not share my quarters with everybody. Draco's Head Boy. Silver Mage Lucas will be staying with him, while you, War Mage Osiris, will stay here for now." With those final words, the two Mages gave into their drunken darkness willingly. Neither wanted to remain awake, since both had a nasty habit of spilling things. But it was a weakness, drinking Demon Spirits, that both Mages thoroughly enjoyed. Just not the consequences later.