Thanks once again to all of my reviewers and my beta, Badbugz.

Chapter twenty seven- A Werewolf's Instinct Part One

"Where'd you two go?" Ron asked as Hermione and Darian entered Charms, both still very red. "I was going to ask you if our essay on the Repelling Charm was due today."

"Library," Hermione answered in a small voice. Darian sat beside her, staring determinedly at the blackboard as they waited for Flitwick to arrive.

"Library? For what?" Ron asked.

"Just reading," Hermione said, managing to keep her voice normal. "And yes, the essay was due today!"

"You're not serious!" Ron groaned. "I thought it wasn't due for another week!" he whined before noticing their red faces.

"And…and are you two blushing?"

Hermione flushed deeper.

Ron's eyes widened and comprehension dawned on his freckled face. A wide smile appeared. "Way to go, mate!" he said cheerfully at Darian, reaching across Hermione to thump him on the back. "I knew you had it in you!"

Hermione put her face in her hands.

Darian narrowed his eyes, feeling anger and a fierce protectiveness well up in him at Ron for making Hermione feel so uncomfortable.

"So, how was it?" Ron prodded eagerly.

Darian growled, his vision turning hazy as Hermione let out a pained moan of embarrassment….

"None of your damn business!" he roared, standing up in front of her almost protectively; the charm on his eyes broke to reveal furious amber eyes.

Ron nearly fell out of his chair; the chattering students fell silent.

Hermione looked up from her hands at Darian in shock. "Darian…?" she asked cautiously, putting a hand on his arm.

Darian blinked and glanced from her to Ron's pale face and back again.

"I was just joking, mate," Ron said shakily. "I didn't mean…"

Darian swallowed, feeling his breathing quicken. He glanced apologetically at Ron and picked up his books, gently detaching himself from Hermione's hold.

"I-I have to go," he said quickly, shoving the books into his bag.

"Darian!" He heard Hermione call. He stopped for a moment and shook his head at her pleadingly, before hurrying out of the classroom, nearly knocking over poor tiny Professor Flitwick in the process.

"Sorry," he muttered quickly, not bothering to help pick up the papers the tiny man had dropped.

Darian walked down the empty corridor at a fast pace. What had happened in there? Why had he been so defensive? He knew Ron. Ron would never seriously say anything to hurt Hermione. Why did he get so angry?

He closed his eyes, stopping to lean on a wall and take a few calming breaths.

Darian glanced back at where he had just come from. He hoped he hadn't hurt Hermione's feelings…

Clenching his eyes shut again, he took a few more gulps of air. Why did he suddenly care so much? What was happening to him?

He rubbed his forehead tiredly and turned to where he knew the Defense classroom would be. He had to talk to Remus about this. These strange emotions he was feeling weren't normal. They were too…..protective, almost dangerously so, to be labeled as what Petunia would say in a sickeningly sweet voice "Puppy Love."

Darian shuddered at the thought of what he felt for Hermione being described in Petunia's disgusting coo. No, this was far more serious then something as repulsively fake as that.

As he reached the classroom, he hesitated before knocking quietly on Remus's door.

"Come in," Remus called.

Darian walked in to see, to his immense surprise, that his father was talking rather heatedly to Remus.

"Darian?" Remus asked, his eyes flashing in concern. The large black dog at the foot of his desk perked his ears up and barked happily.

Darian couldn't restrain a smile. "Hey, Snuffles."

Severus turned around at the mention of Sirius. "Shouldn't you be in class?" he asked, hoping his voice wasn't as harsh as it sounded to him.

Darian's eyes traveled between to two men.

"Your eyes!" his father said suddenly, striding over to him. "Why did you break the charm? Did anyone see?"

Darian stiffened as Snape grabbed his forearm but the man only waved his wand with a few chosen words and Darian felt a distinct itchy tingling. As it faded, Darian saw his world in a haze of green for a moment before it faded into normal vision.

"I don't think so…" Darian murmured, thinking about it. Merlin, he hoped not.

Severus didn't seem satisfied with his answer but nodded anyway. "Now, why aren't you in class and why did the charm on your eyes break?"

Darian bit his lip and looked at Remus. "Can…can I sit down please?"

Remus looked startled. "Of course, Darian. You don't need to ask."

Darian sank gratefully into the chair, shivering slightly as he remembered why he was there in the first place. Snuffles licked his finger consolingly and he absently scratched the dog behind his ears.

Severus sat in the chair he had previously been occupying, eyeing Darian and obviously sensing that something was wrong.

"Remus," Darian began cautiously. "I have a question."

Remus smiled gently, acknowledging the unspoken subject of the question with a nod. "Hopefully I have an answer."

Darian took in a breath, feeling embarrassed for talking about this to his teacher and father.

"Well," he started uncertainly. "I've been feeling something that's not normal for normal people to feel."

Remus looked bemused. "I'm sorry Darian, but you'll have to be more specific then that."

Severus, however, pinned Darian with a look. "Does this have anything to do with the predicament I had the unfortunate luck to find you and Miss Granger in?"

Darian blushed deeply. "I knew this was a bad idea," he groaned, putting his face in his hands. Snuffles growled at Snape.

"Severus," Remus scolded quietly. "One part about being a parent is compassion, you know."

"How dare you lecture me!" Snape spat furiously, his eyes flashing.

"I'm just saying that-"

"Lately I've been protective of Hermione," Darian interrupted in a loud voice, ceasing the rise of bickering he knew was to come.

Remus turned to him. "Protective?"

Darian nodded. Snape was silent.

"How so?"

Darian sighed. "Violently," he murmured and proceeded to tell them about what had happened in Charms class.

"I don't know what I was thinking," he admitted, feeling ashamed. "I just got so angry, and I couldn't control myself. All I kept thinking about was how uncomfortable she was and how I needed to make her feel all right again somehow." Darian clenched his jaw, remembering the thought that had crossed his mind when he had yelled at Ron. "So I tried to scare off the threat."

"Threat?" Severus asked, frowning. "Weasley?"

Darian closed his eyes.

Remus was quiet, obviously thinking. "Werewolves," he began. "Can become extremely protective over their mates."

Darian blushed deeper than he had when Snape had caught Hermione and him in the hall earlier that day. "M-mate?" he said, his voice sounding very small. "I don't….I mean…"

"Mate?" Severus interrupted, narrowing his eyes at his son.

Snuffles's ears perked straight up. He gave Darian a look that might have been described as a reprimand.

"We…we haven't," Darian stuttered. "We never…we're not stupid…. Hermione and I wouldn't do…that."

Snape arched an eyebrow, folding his arms suspiciously.

"The term 'mate' does not come from the action, Severus," Remus said seriously, though he looked amused. "It is merely a term of endearment for the werewolf race."

Severus relaxed slightly.

"What do I do?" Darian asked quietly, not looking at either of them.

"There really isn't anything that can or needs to be done, Darian," Remus said. "It is a natural way of life for werewolves."

"Oh yea?" Darian challenged, looking up to meet his fellow wolf. "Did you ever go through this with some girl?"

"I hardly think Hermione is just 'some girl' to you, Darian," Remus said kindly. "And yes, I did go through this."

"How many times?"

"Twice," Remus replied. "When I was twenty four and thirty. A werewolf does not give out the title 'mate' lightly."

"Twenty four!" Snape said. "He is only sixteen!"

"Yes, but he has obviously found someone worthy of that title, Severus. It does not matter of the age, only the person," Remus retorted, sounding a little irritated. "He is lucky to have found someone at such a young age."

Severus glared hatefully at the man. "I do not approve of this," he stated firmly.

Darian's eyes narrowed. Snuffles whined curiously.

"There's not much to be done about it, besides," Remus chuckled, "I find it hard to believe that you are so unwilling to accept this when you and Lily were completely smitten for each other at Darian's age."

Severus wisely chose not to say anything more, and Darian felt himself relax.

"There's nothing I can do then?" Darian asked, feeling dazed.

"I already told you, Darian, you don't have to do anything. It is natural," Remus said in a calm, yet soothing voice. Snuffles barked in agreement.

"But what if I hurt someone?" Darian blurted out. "I felt like I would attack Ron if he said anything else! What will I do if it's someone I don't really like anyway? What if its Pansy Parkinson or Zacharias Smith next time?"

"It doesn't matter where the person stands emotionally to you, Darian, only how much that person poses a threat to your mate."

Darian flushed at the word again. "You know what I mean."

"I do," Remus said. "But, as I said before, there is nothing you or anyone else can do about it. It has happened, and that's all there is to it."

"Would Wolfsbane help?" Severus asked suddenly.

"No," Remus negated. "I've tried many times, but it is useless."

Darian sank into his chair numbly. Yet another way he could endanger the people around him. "I will hurt someone," he stated. "If I got so defensive over Ron when he was joking, I will surely hurt someone who really insults her."

"Then perhaps it is time to let everyone know that you are a werewolf," Remus said quietly. Darian blinked as he heard a door open but he was too preoccupied by his father's reaction to turn and look.

Severus nearly exploded. "Are you insane!" he roared, standing. "Do you realize what advantage that will give the Dark Lord!"

"Severus…"

"No! I will not allow it! It is only a weakness for them to find out about him!"

Darian flinched.

Severus let out a loud breath and sat down. "We can't," he began, glancing over at Darian. "Let anyone know that he is a werewolf. It will ruin his entire life. Not only that but it will be a weakness because they will know what they can use against him as a werewolf."

"That is true," Remus murmured. "Perhaps we should speak to Albus about this."

"Not to worry, Remus, I am already here," Dumbledore said as he shut the door quietly behind him.

Severus was the only one who looked startled at his sudden presence.

"Severus is right, of course," Dumbledore said, summoning himself a chair to sit in. "It is far too early to let them know about Darian's condition. If any of Tom's Death Eaters were to have an extensive knowledge on werewolves, which I'm sure there would be at least one, then they would recognize Miss Granger as his mate. I daresay they would use her to their advantage."

Darian's right fist clenched painfully. He bit his tongue to suppress the anger, but Snuffles sensed this and licked his fingers again.

"You know how dangerous I am going to be," Darian said quietly, petting Snuffles's head.

"It isn't anything that we haven't had before," Dumbledore said cheerfully.

Darian glanced at Remus. "But you said that your first mate was-"

"Remus hasn't been the only werewolf to come through this school, Darian," Dumbledore said gently. "I remember a rather short-tempered girl that came through our school. In her seventh year she discovered her mate. However, we were able to deal with it."

"How?" Darian asked softly. "A Potion?"

"Unfortunately, there is nothing to numb the effect. It is mostly based on mental strength," Dumbledore said.

Severus frowned. "Mental strength? Darian can't control who he gets angry at, Headmaster or do I need to inform you of what had occurred with Mr. Weasley?"

"No need, Severus, Filius already told me," Dumbledore said quietly.

"Does he know about me?" Darian asked quietly.

Dumbledore nodded. "He has for a few months now. He recognized how protective you were about Miss Granger and saw fit to inform me."

"Charms is over?" Darian asked.

"Yes. It has been for about twenty minutes now. I have informed Professor Sprout that you might be absent from her class."

Severus cursed and stood. "I have a class."

"Wait-" Darian began and stopped himself. He didn't want his father to leave, not now when everything was so confusing and he was so helpless with to what to do with this situation.

Severus looked at Darian and nodded, sitting back down, to Darian's great shock.

Dumbledore and Remus exchanged smiles. Snuffles looked as if he were having a hard time tolerating this.

"All I can tell you to do is to try to control your temper," Dumbledore said truthfully.

Darian gapped at him. "Haven't you been listening? I can't-"

"Miss Granger may be able to help you calm down a bit once you explain the situation to her," Dumbledore said thoughtfully.

"You mean…tell her?" Darian asked hesitantly.

"Of course."

Remus nodded. "You are going to have to tell her eventually, Darian. It is better than not telling Hermione and she finding out later on her own."

Darian lowered his head. "Yeah, I guess."

"Well!" Dumbledore clapped his hands together. "Now that that's finished, I shall be returning to my office. I am trying to think of a new password, you know."

Darian looked over at his father, wondering how Remus and Dumbledore could be so calm about this whole thing.

"I was thinking of Chocolate Frog? What do you think, Darian?" Dumbledore asked serenely.

Darian sighed. "You've used that password a hundred times, Professor."

Dumbledore looked startled. "Have I?" He chuckled. "My memory is not what it used to be, my boy! Perhaps you could give me a sweet you are particularly fond of?"

"Turkish Delight," Darian said absently, staring at his hands.

"I don't believe I've heard of it. I most certainly will have to try it once I get around to Muggle London again…."

Dumbledore stood and put a hand on Darian's shoulder. "Relax, my boy, it will be alright." He left.

Darian hesitated, staring at his lap.

"He is right, Darian," Remus said softly. "It will be okay. You will soon learn to love what you feel for her."

"I don't hate it," Darian said. "It just scares me."

Remus smiled. "Well, that will change."

Darian nodded and stood, as did his father.

"I need to see what damage has been done to my lab," Severus murmured, looking horrified. 'What on earth was I thinking, leaving a bunch of fourth years in my lab unattended….'

Darian forced a pained smile to Remus. "See you tomorrow then." He ruffles Snuffles's mane.

As he exited Remus's office after his father, he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned to see his father waiting for him.

Severus hesitated. "Are you alright?" he asked finally. "This has to be overwhelming for you."

Darian smiled a real smile. "I'll be okay. Thank you."

Severus nodded. "If you need…anything, you know where my office is." He squeezed Darian's shoulder briefly before going in the opposite direction.

Darian stared after him. Faint warmth formed in the pit of his stomach. Feeling a little reassured, he headed down to the greenhouses.