Author's note and review response at the bottom
A very warm thank you to my bet: kodiakmac
Chapter seven: Cuddliness from a severe perspective.
Severus had imagined a fair few things in his time. He had imagined --once upon a time-- becoming powerful and truly feared at the side of his master, just as he had imagined others respecting him instead of always beating him down. Then he had imagined a world in which even people that had confessed to having gravely erred to be given a fair second chance. He had seen himself dying a thousand horrible deaths at the hands of not so forgiving crowds or their children in school. He had even, occasionally and always in loneliest hours of the night, imagined himself entangled with a lover. Someone, gender didn't particularly matter, who cared for him and took care of him regardless of his many sins and faults.
But never, ever, had he imagined the picture before him, nor would he have believed any tale of it if he had not witnessed it with own eyes.
Severus had never been present during any of Draco's changes. He simply hadn't been able to face his godson, the only good thing Lucius had ever granted him, in his monstrous guise. Somewhere in his mind it had always struck Severus as ironic that he, a powerful Dark wizard capable --by his own admission-- of putting a stopper in death, was terrified of werewolves. He was not scared of vampires, or animagi or dragons even, but one only had mention the word werewolf and --in all honesty-- Severus would be in quite a state. Not that he'd admit to that under Veratiserum or even the longest Cruciatus, of course.
He could have handled pretty much anything in regards to Draco --having reconciled himself with his probable death after he had been missing for four years-- but his beautiful boy being a werewolf had been almost too much. Especially as he had found him in the company of Remus Lupin. A waif of a boy threatening Severus with bodily harm over an insult would have been funny if it had not been Draco and his intent had not been so serious.
Not only did it gall Severus that Draco so obviously adored a man he had known for less than a day, it hurt him physically that it had to be that damned wolf and that no amount of truth seemed to able to dissuade the boy from his foolishly easily given admiration. After all these years, those cursed Marauders still managed to get one over on him.
Severus had so badly wanted to believe that Lupin was just another passing ship in Draco's life. One who had taken him away from Greyback, true, but also the one who had returned him to those he belonged with. If not with Lucius and Narcissa any longer, then at least with his Godfather.
Severus had been … touched was perhaps the right word, when Draco's attitude towards him had gone from confrontational on behest of the ruddy Gryffindor to true Malfoy aloofness in a matter of minutes. It had taken Severus a couple of weeks to figure out that it was not because of some innate sense of Malfoy superiority that the boy acted that way, but because of a well crafted mask, designed to protect the wearer in a hostile environment.
Severus had found the boy crying, of all things, in his improvised potions laboratory in Malfoy Manor. For one horrible moment, when Draco had looked up at him with reddened eyes and such desperation and fear, Severus had been afraid that the boy would fling himself at him--but he had been spared. Instead, he had learned,--between wretched sobs--that Lucius had found the boy worthy of knowing about the Dark Lord and that the boy did not like that… at all. He also learned--and that was the more important information--that Draco actually and truthfully considered himself the son of a halfblood wizard and a muggle woman--and the beta of one Remus Lupin.
Severus had probed the boy's mind to see just how inconsequential Gryffindors could have succeeded in turning a Malfoy from his family, even after being dead for two years.
What he had found had shocked him to the core. Not the boy's memories of his 'father', which had been sickingly sweet and yet filled Severus with envy, but Greyback, turning up in between the loving familial scenes.
Snape, who had seen Greyback do his worst in both his forms, only truly started to hate the beast then. But the few images of Lupin had made his feeling towards that particular monster less severe.
It was then Severus decided that teaching Draco Occlumency would be a good thing to do. If the Dark Lord were to ever return it would take just one peek and Draco would be finished. Severus himself would not have survived his first five minutes with Voldemort without his skill. No matter his loyalty, his feelings towards a muggle-born witch would have cost him.
Severus brought himself back to the present and watched the two werewolves again.
Right then Draco, with his fluffy white fur, jumped on Lupin's brownish coated back only to run away again, yelping happily as Lupin stalked him.
Draco had been overly exited the entire day. Where the previous three times he had taken the potion he had been quiet and withdrawn, --hough clearly grateful-- this time he was literally bouncing on the balls of feet, smiling broadly and very happy to tell Severus over and over again how great a Potions Master he was. And Severus didn't mind the praise, but it hurt that he or his potions weren't the true cause of his godson's happiness. He had been even more gruff than usual but it had not deterred Draco in the slightest.
Draco had even leaned upward and pecked him on the cheek.
Severus had stood, staring after Draco a long time after the boy had left, damning Lupin to hell and back. The boy was turning into a damned Hufflepuff.
Severus watched as Draco jumped out of Lupin's way just as the older werewolf made a grab for the unruly cub.
They were acting like animals more than humans and Severus had wondered briefly whether his potion was actually working properly. But the complete lack of aggressiveness on either beast's side disproved that. When Severus had arrived he had thought there was, though, and he had almost gone in to hex Lupin to pieces.
The damned wolf had his teeth set in the nape of Draco's neck after all. But then Draco had yipped and yelped and there was no denying that those were excited, happy noises, not noises of distress.
They were simply playing, bonding, and Severus was aghast. To see Draco in his wolf form actively seek out domination by Lupin, because there was no mistaking that in Severus' eye, made his stomach clench. Lupin's words still on forefront of his mind, he realized that Lupin had been right. Draco and he clearly connected on a deeper level. The way Draco had come to life over the past few days was proof of that.
And although it had been utter folly to allow Draco to attend his remedial teaching session, Severus couldn't find it in his heart to deny the boy. That, and he was pretty sure that Lupin had been quite serious in his unspoken threats.
Severus watched as Lupin caught Draco. Easily overpowering him and Draco not resisting at all. Draco turned onto his back and bared his throat to Lupin. Severus remembered Draco's memories of Greyback well enough to see just what the boy was offering and he feared what would happen next. To his relief Lupin backed away, giving Draco a reprimanding growl. Draco whined but seemed to understand Lupin's actions as he stood up and approached the werewolf on all fours, even if he did keep his head down in and tilted to the side in submission. Lupin did accept this as he nuzzled the boy's neck before sinking his teeth in his neck once more, this time drawing blood. Draco mewled like a cat, oddly enough.
Severus watched the pair as they broke apart and finally settled in for some sleep. Lupin stretched out on his side and Draco curled up against him, forcing Lupin to put a paw across his chest. Lupin tended to the bite with a couple of licks, Draco arching his neck to get the most of the ministrations but quickly the two were fast asleep on the wooden floor, disregarding the cots set up for them.
With a heavy sigh, Severus left them to their sleep, knowing he'd been seeing both of them in just a couple of hours' time.
During his walk back to the castle Severus marveled over what he had just observed. Again, he remembered Lupin's words and he had to agree that he did indeed know little about werewolves, or plain wolves for that matter. He even admitted to himself that Lupin was whole-heartedly committed to Draco. Perhaps he'd even go as far as to admit that he felt a certain honour at being appointed and accepted as the Alpha in Lupin's stead, although those thoughts could be blamed on the hour of the night. Yet --and this thought had come to him during the day as well-- Lupin did not seem the push-over he remembered.
Severus was not surprised to run into the Headmaster as he entered the castle.
He stood there, looking tired and worried, but still he managed a small smile for Severus.
"They're alright then, I take it." he said after had only nodded his hello.
"They're perfectly fine." Severus said, a bit shortly, but he was tired and actually acknowledging the happiness that had been so obvious hurt more now than it had before.
"Good, good," Dumbledore mumbled before pinning Severus with a more serious look, "Does Draco know of what has to happen?"
Severus was slightly taken aback by the question. He had put that matter in the back of his mind, as he was sure Lupin had done as well.
"I would not know, Albus. I'll leave that bit to the actual Alpha."
Dumbledore nodded with a sad expression on his face and Severus nodded at Albus once more.
"It's been a long night Albus, and I do have extra classes to teach. Goodnight." And with that he headed down towards the dungeons.
He barely heard Albus' goodnight wishes in return, but he'd wish the man would stop calling him 'boy'.
Author's note: Finally an update. Please read and review!!
Thank you kodiakmac for your review!! Unfortunately you were the only one.