Disclaimer: Can be found on the first chapter.

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Chapter 4: Compromises and Acceptance

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"Albus, why didn't you tell me?" Snape asked, his voice broken.

"Harry asked me not to share the information with anyone, Severus," Dumbledore answered, his voice solemn. "It was one thing to hear what he was. It was a whole different story to hear that you were his mate."

"Why me?" Snape asked, leaning into the chair and closing his eyes.

"There are many hypotheses, but no concrete evidence on the way Vampire mates are chosen, Severus," Dumbledore said, looking to his desk. "But in almost every study, the mate is someone who had forged a bond with the Vampire at some point before the inheritance is gained."

"Harry and I have never had a bond, Albus," Snape said, looking at the older man. "All that we have ever had was a mutual disdain for the other."

"And therein lies the bond," Dumbledore said. "With the mutual disdain, there was a connection formed with those feelings."

"Why me?" Snape asked no one in particular.

~*~

"How was Hogsmeade, Harry?" Hermione asked, seeing Harry come through the portrait.

"It was alright," Harry said, taking a seat next to her on the sofa. "Did Ron get his homework done?"

"Most of it," she replied, sighing. "He puts up such a fight about it, it gets to be a constant struggle."

"What didn't he get done, the Potions essay?" he asked, pulling the shrunken bags from his pockets. "Here, this is for you."

"Harry, you didn't have to," she said, taking the Honeydukes bag.

"Of course I did," he replied, smiling. "You've done so much for me, it's only fair I give some of it back."

"Thank you, Harry," she said, hugging him.

"You're welcome," he replied, hugging her back.

~*~

At dinner, Harry had sat with his friends, and he had enjoyed the meal immensely.

"At Zonko's, there was the great prank. You put a bag wherever you want, and cast a spell on it to get it to blow whenever you want," Seamus said, laughing.

"Yeah, imagine if one went off in Snape's desk," Dean said, chuckling. Harry tensed, hearing his friends talk about his 'mate' made him edgy.

"I can't believe I missed it," Ron complained, stabbing his potato with more force than necessary.

"At least you won't be cooped up all of tomorrow, like these dorks," Harry said, motioning towards Seamus and Dean.

"Yeah, that's true," Ron said, smiling slightly.

Harry laughed with his friends for the remainder of the meal. He glanced at the staff table a few times, and noticed that Snape was unusually subdued.

"He must have gone to Dumbledore," Harry thought, making a note to visit the man the next day.

~*~

"Wow, Harry," Ron said, going through the bag of things Harry had bought him the other day. "This stuff is awesome."

"No problem, Ron," Harry said, smiling to him. "What are friends for?"

"You got anything to do this evening?" Ron asked, looking at his friend.

"Yeah, meeting with Snape," Harry replied, picking a piece of grass and placing it in his hands before blowing on it. His efforts were rewarded with a sharp whistle, much like Madame Hooch's ref whistle.

"What for? The git give you detention again?" Ron asked, his face distorted with disdain.

"No, we need to talk about something," Harry replied, coolly. "Extra lessons and such."

"Oh," Ron said, laying back in the shade of the birch tree. The two stayed there for a while longer, just enjoying the company.

~*~

"Enter," Snape said, not moving from his desk.

"Hello, Sir," Harry said, standing by the door. "Can we talk?"

"We have nothing to discuss," Snape replied, sharply.

"We have a lot to discuss, Professor," Harry said, stepping into the office. "Can you let me explain?"

"Explain what? The fact that you're a Vampire, and I'm your bloody mate?" Snape asked, throwing his quill on the desk. "If that's all, I'm quite clear on the subject."

"Professor, give me a chance," Harry said, sitting in the familiar seat. "We could make a go of this. There's nothing in the rulebooks preventing a student with a creature inheritance pursuing his or her mate, even if said mate is a teacher."

"I will not allow a boy to claim me as their mate, Potter," Snape spat, sickened with himself. He knew what was going to happen sooner or later. Harry would lose control, and claim him, whether he allowed it or not.

"Professor, I know the conditions aren't ideal, but if you could get past the grudge you hold against my father, then we could really make a go at this. I've come to the decision that I'll leave it up to you," Harry said, his voice a softer baritone, rather than the gruff one he had when he was surprised.

"Potter, it would never work between you and I. I'm twenty years your senior, and…" Severus said, stopping mid thought. "Harry, we've held constant disdain for each other since you first set foot in the school. It's going to take a lot to over come that."

"I know, Sir," Harry said, nodding slightly. "But I'm willing to work past it if you are."

"For the good of your Vampire, and my well-being, I'll work with you," Snape said, offering his hand to the younger man.

"Thank you, Professor," Harry said, shaking the extended hand. The voice in his head purred as he shook Snape's hand.

"In private, you may call me Severus," Snape said, looking into Harry's eyes, relieved to see the brilliant emerald green this time.

"And you can call me Harry," Harry answered, smirking a bit.

~*~

A/N: It seems as though things have smoothed out. Have they really? We'll find out next time.

Lol. I sound like a lame TV announcer.

Anyway, I fear that this is going to be the last update for a bit. I've hitten a bit of a writer's block, but I plan to be back on track by next week. Until then, reviews are appriciated, and will motivate me to overcome the writer's block faster.

I'm glad so many of you enjoy this story. It's great to write something and have so many people really enjoy it.

-KD