What Eyes Can See

Chapter 3 - Claiming

Remus sat up and stretched. Ahhh, he was sore. The wolf hadn't been tamed at all last night, and he'd howled and scratched and thrown his body at the door over and over again. Luckily Remus healed slightly faster than normal after the full moon.

Well, the only thing to do was to wait until Ron or someone else came down to unchain the door.

Ron. Remus seemed to spend a lot of his time thinking about Ron. About how he loved Ron, and about how he really shouldn't. Love was... love was a bad idea, simply put. Werewolves in love led to one thing... a Claiming. And a Claiming was complicated. You didn't do it right, the other person usually ended up dead. The magic of it was powerful, only able to be worked on someone close to the wolf. Someone they loved.

When Remus was at Hogwarts the Wolfsbane Potion had yet to be discovered. During seventh year Christmas break he had stayed at school, and James had volunteered to remain there with him. The day after the full moon both had returned to their human forms, and Remus had been seized with an almost undeniable lust. Sexual, yes, but he also felt the need to bite James, bite him and draw blood. And he wouldn't have stopped but for the scent of Lily that had clung to him. Even now Remus looks back on the memory and knows that.

He is marked, the wolf had snarled, and that hesitation was enough for Remus to pull him back under control. But just barely.

The wolf had never tried to mark Sirius. He was never exactly sure why. Maybe because he was too close to Remus, being a dog. Maybe he knew that Sirius was really the stronger one, and the wolf couldn't handle being anything but dominant. Whatever it was, even later when Remus had seen Sirius the wolf greeted him as a friend and nothing more.

The wolf wasn't what people thought it was most times. It didn't automatically take over him each full moon and run amok. It was more like a voice, one that grew stronger if he was angry or violent, and weaker if he was calm or happy. It did become louder as the moon grew larger, but there were few times in Remus's life that the wolf had complete control. He was not proud of any of them.

"Professor? Professor, are you there?"

Ron. With one swift movement Remus opened the door from his side, letting the boy inside. He'd taken the chains down without Remus noticing. He'd been a bit too deep in thought apparently.

"Yes, Mr. Weasley, I'm still here."

The boy smiled a bit. "Came down here as soon as I could. The transformation can't be pleasant without the potion. Er... you seem all right though."

"I'm fine. My clothes didn't come out so well though."

When Remus turned around to gather the shreds of his robe Ron's gaze moved freely over Remus's mostly unclad form. He was in even less clothing than yesterday. No shirt, to be exact. A few scratches marred his side, crossing over old scars and puckering his skin oddly. Ron's eyes slipped lower, from his wide shoulders to his back, to his narrow hips, his butt, small and firm, and... Ron swallowed slowly. I. Am not. Thinking. Those. Kinds. Of. Thoughts. Not here, not now. He's hurt... and half-naked. Gah! Stop it!

"What... what happened to your shoulder?"

Remus turned back around as a smile flickered over his face. "Tried to knock down the door. Not too smart, I know, but the wolf doesn't like being caged."

"So you are ok then?"

He smiled again. "Nothing Madame Pomfrey can't fix with some foul-tasting potion or other. I just need a few minutes. My head is still a bit cloudy."

"From the transformation?" Jeez Ron, don't say anything vaguely intelligent, he thought sarcastically.

"Mm-hmm. Things are still a bit unreal looking."

The wolf had mostly faded. Oh, he was still there, lurking around the edges of his mind, howling and whining but he could be mostly ignored. Remus watched Ron, enjoying the use of his heightened senses to observe the boy. And Ron is a boy, he stubbornly insisted to himself, Despite evidence to the contrary. He'd grown taller - does he ever stop? - and his red hair and freckles, which should have made him appear childish, were rather... sexy. It was foolish, Remus thought harshly, to think about him in any other way than that of a student. He was more than twice Ron's age, completely resigned to spending the rest of his life alone. He shouldn't be thinking these things. It was all ready difficult enough teaching class to him. Must he be so desirable?

Lovely, the wolf growled, completely taking him by surprise. Want him.

No! Oh no. Totally off limits.

Want him, the wolf insisted. Take him. Mark him.

No. Nonononono. This was not happening. Sweat broke out on Remus's forehead. Images flashed in front of his eyes. The wolf? Ron, flushed, held tightly in his arms. Lying on top of him, hand scraping the stone floor. Biting Ron's neck savagely, still-pointed teeth drawing pearls of blood. A moan.

"Professor?"

Ron's eyes, lidded and glazed with lust. His red hair rumpled and the smell of sex clinging to him. Ron laughing, sitting with Remus, arms wound around him. Whispering. Whimpering.

I want, the wolf insisted slyly. You want.

No! he thought, horrified with himself. Ron is Harry's best friend... Harry, the son of MY best friend! I-- I couldn't.

You care for him. That is good. You want him. That is good as well. Take him.

It seemed to Remus like he watched this from someplace outside his body, like it was some cruel copy of himself and it wasn't really happening. He watched with a horrified fascination as he walked slowly forward, one hand coming up to grasp Ron's face, staring into his eyes. The boy unconsciously took a step closer to him.

No! Go, now. You don't know what you're getting into. This isn't... Run...

"Ron..." he managed to force out, unknowingly using his first name. "You should... leave... now..."

But Ron didn't run. He didn't move. A blush stained his cheeks, and he looked out cautiously at Remus from behind his shaggy hair. The wolf was pounding on the restraints put up around him, wailing for his release. When he was this close to Ron Remus could smell his fear and apprehension, but also concern, trust... arousal? Ron's? His? The wolf's for fuck's sake? It was all the wolf needed. With a gleeful cry he broke through the shields, and Remus surrendered himself utterly. A strangled cry burst from his lips as he crushed Ron to him, placing a hungry kiss upon his lips.

Mine, the wolf howled gleefully.

And mine as well.

Remus - or was it the wolf now? Frankly he didn't know, or at this point care to nit-pick over particulars. Remus - or the wolf, or maybe both - was kissing Ron hard, very hard, and neither of them were coy or doubtful.

He's done this before. And as soon as the thought passed through Remus he was irrationally angered. He could smell Harry on him, Hermione, the vague scents of a half dozen or so teachers, Ginny, and... another boy. One younger than him, a sixth year, perhaps a fifth. This boy had touched Ron, kissed him. Remus's rage only fed his desire. He is mine.

With a rough moan Remus pulled Ron's shirt over his head, barely registering he had ripped it to shreds. In the moments following their clothes flew across the room, and then together they tumbled to the floor, hitting the stone hard mid-kiss.

For a brief moment Ron had wondered whether he was dreaming this, but the coldness of the floor against his back reassured him. He didn't know why exactly, or even how, but what he wanted for so long was finally happening. Remus's odd gold-brown eyes gleamed down at him in the pale morning light, and his body was everything Ron had ever imagined. How the hell am I going to be able to concentrate in class now? Oh... oh, who cares... He pressed closer to Remus. His hands, God, his hands...

The taste of Ron and the feel of his abandoned response to him only made Remus hunger for more. With a whimper the redhead dragged his nails across Remus's back. A shudder went through him, prompting Ron to repeat the gesture.

"I want..."

"I know what you want."

Do you? Do you really? With a new purpose, Ron began to bite his way down Remus's body. Not gently, because he didn't want this gentle, but not hard enough to draw blood. Remus made a broken sound in the back of his throat and stiffened, all of a sudden bearing down on Ron and biting him ferociously, breaking the skin. Ron watched, his eyes mere slits, strangely turned on as Remus lapped at the cut. Neither of them realized the significance of this simple act at the time, and when they finally did it would be too late. The consequences would be dealt with, the price would be met and the piper paid, and both would suffer for their actions. But all of this would be later. Much later.

Remus flipped Ron over effortlessly, surprisingly strong. He nipped the small of his back, working his way upwards to his shoulder where he licked at the rapidly healing cut. He felt a brief pang of guilt at disfiguring Ron's flawless skin, but he had wanted to mark him. Needed to. Lay our claim, the wolf growled.

Remus's arm stole around Ron's neck, and he buried his face in the crook of the older man's elbow, taking in his scent. There was no question of what was to happen next, not that Ron would have stopped him. He moved up against Remus, silently asking, pleading.

Take, was all the wolf said, and Remus did not argue. With a single movement he and Ron were made one. And Ron could feel Remus's hot breath on his neck, his arms around him, his mouth upon him. Was reflexively scraping the floor with his fingers, moaning softly, arching up against Remus. Then, suddenly, with a sharp cry Ron came, blinded by white spots in front of his eyes, and Remus followed a second later, biting down on the cut again. Remus pulled Ron on top of him and he snuggled there happily. Both raced into sleep. Remus, with the taste of blood on his tongue and Ron nearly crushed in his arms, but all the warmer and happier for it.

~~~~~~~

~~ "Y Byd'aun Cychwior Defion Gan Y Bleidd'ion" ~~

~~ The Life Mate Rites Of The Werewolf ~~

The process of lifemating is one of complex situations. It was once thought that the claiming rites could take place during any sexual act, only an exchange of words would trigger the occasion, however that is not that case. The werewolf is question needs more than simple words to bind a person to their soul.

The process is formed by many stages including the time, place, emotions, and the inevitable exchanging of love, passion, trust, and blood. Even if the rite is performed during the correct time, without the exchanges of the other parts of the rite the claim will not consummate.

First and foremost the timing is essential. The only time that a werewolf can claim another is the day of or the day after the full moon cycle. The lunar phase during this time causes the highest peaks in the werewolf's body, mind and soul. It is recommended therefore that the rites take place during or right after sexual passion on those days, since the werewolf and it's mate are already in position to accept the claiming with little efforts.

Emotions play a key role in the claiming. The werewolf must want the person enough to have them as their own for life. Lust does not play into the scene, only pure love can be used. The werewolf must love the second party to the point where without the other they feel empty and lost. The werewolf must be the one with the key emotions, however, which may provide an unwilling partner. The second party can refuse the rites, though doing so is detrimental to both parties, often resulting in severe injury, magical backlash, and/or death.

Trust and understanding is essential. The werewolf must believe in itself and that what it is doing is right or the claim will backfire. If the werewolf is of the mind to complete the rites, then it will do whatever is necessary to provide and protect it's mate, going so far as that it would even kill to defend it's claim. Werewolves are territorial, and its lifemate will be considered its property once the claim is made. Therefore others that may share in the pack must also be willing to accept the werewolf's mate as a sharer of territory. It is also accepted that the other person will be trusted enough so that their mate will provide and protect the werewolf and its pack in return

The final exchange of blood is the sealing of the rites. No instrument other than its own teeth is acceptable for the exchange. It doesn't matter where on the body the bitemark is made as long as blood is drawn from it. The scar marks the person as the werewolf's mate, internally as well as externally. The bitemark(s) made by the werewolf during the rites will never fade. It is the only physical mark of the claiming.

Internally once the skin is broken, if their mate is a non-wolf, it will intertwine the properties of the werewolf within them. Though the non-wolf will never have to submit to the transformations themselves, they will become aligned to the werewolf. They will find during the full moons a heightened sense of reality. Hearing, touch, taste, smell, instinct, speed and strength become advantages.

Once claimed both werewolf and its mate will find a spiritual link as well. Even if separated for vast amounts of time or areas they will always know if the other is safe or endangered. Prolonged separation is not a good idea. This will manifest itself as physical pain after a while, the period of time depending on the power of the bond between them. Also, see Chapter 18 - Uses of the Dark Arts in Psychic Connections for information on the mindlink between the werewolf and its mate.

The claiming rites must be treated with caution however. Though essentially easy to consummate, it is a claiming of forever. With the blood exchange the two become one soul, and therefore the werewolf is advised to use caution when claiming a non-wolf. Both should be aware of the risks, and be in control of all functions at the time of the exchange. ~~

"Remus... I don't wish to make assumptions... but did you...?"

Remus buried his face in his hands. "God yes. Albus... I didn't make him a werewolf, thank God, but... this seems so much worse. He's bound to me for his whole life!" His shoulders shook with silent sobs. "God, Albus, its practically rape! The wolf had such a hold on me..." He stood up so quickly the chair he had been sitting in flew back. "I'm everything I always tried not to be. I'm a monster! A monster! What kind of person does that to someone? What kind of a person..."

"A person who loves him," Dumbledore interrupted gently. "He is claimed. You must love him, and that Remus, speaks for itself. The boy did not consciously refuse the claim. He obviously cares for you at least a bit. You did nothing wrong," he stressed. "You had no Wolfsbane Potion, you can't be held responsible for your actions..."

"Can't I?" Remus asked bitterly. "I knew what was going on the whole time. The wolf knew. I think... I almost think the wolf planned it. Or had the idea beforehand. Albus..."

But there was no more to say, because at that moment Ron came hesitantly in the room.

"Headmaster, you wanted to see me?" And no wonder. I suddenly get the feeling student-teacher flings are frowned upon. Fuck, Remus looks tense. Oh God. He won't lose his job will he? I thought Hermione said... It'd be totally my fault! Oh God...

"Sit down Ron," Albus said kindly. There was no easy way to say this, and frankly he had no idea of Ron's feelings on the matter. As much as he liked the Weasley boy, this could have been a dare or bet. Maybe he genuinely cared for Remus, but right now there was no way to tell.

Ron sat in the chair the Headmaster had pointed at as quickly and quietly as possible. He tried his best to look anywhere but at Remus, but his eyes couldn't help but be drawn to him. Did he regret what they'd done?

"Ron... this is quite a serious matter."

No shit. I figured that out myself.

"There is nothing against student-teacher relationships. After all, a little Veritaserum could clear up any ideas about fixed grades or such things, so what's the point?" Ron nodded mutely. Where was this leading?

"The reason you are here is not because you are a student and Remus a teacher. It is because Remus is a werewolf... and you may recall that he... bit you."

While we were having sex. Yeah. Won't forget that anytime soon. Wait... shit...

"So... I'm a werewolf?" Well, it could be worse, right? I've had weirder things happen to me...

Remus burst out with a mix of a strangled sob and a laugh. If only it were that simple.

"No. You're not. It's something different entirely."

Patience was not one of Ron's virtues. (Patience is a virtue, and virtue is a grace, and Grace is a little girl who doesn't wash her face... Eh, sorry, completely off-topic.) As I was saying, patience is not one of Ron's virtues. He was quickly becoming frustrated with Dumbledore's tiptoeing around the subject. Whatever the subject was.

"Will one of you please explain what's going on?"

"We're lifemated."

Silence.

"Lifemated?"

"You and I... are blood-tied. It happens among werewolves. We're bound to each other for life."

Time was at a standstill. The air was a bit thick in here. Wasn't it? "Bound?" And the echo in the room was becoming quite pronounced...

"You are bound on all levels," Dumbledore said seriously. "You will feel each others pain. You'll need to be near one another." He cleared his throat nervously. "It's an ancient werewolf rite. Basically, if a werewolf bites someone right after the full moon... after, er... sexual intercourse..."

You know, Ron thought disbelievingly, The look on Dumbledore's face would be funny under other circumstances...

"Well, basically... you are his mate. Married, with an exchange of blood. Not valid by law, but by magic. It's indestructible. The problem with it is... love is only required for one person... not by the other." Albus subtly probed Ron for a reaction. Do you love Remus or not? he wanted to shout. Can't you see he's killing himself over this?

Oh God. He was so embarrassed. No, not embarrassed. Mortified. Completely, totally, and utterly mortified. He wouldn't even look him in the face. Oh God. Because of his stupid crush Professor Lupin - Remus, he corrected bitterly, after you fuck someone you should be able to call them by their first name - Remus was stuck with him for the rest of his life. God. All his fault. What the hell was I thinking, going to see him right after the full moon, especially when he hadn't had any Wolfsbane Potion? He wasn't in his right mind. He didn't really want me. Fuck. And now we're bound together forever. God.

The silence in the room was just too much. "Excuse me... please..." he choked out before stumbling his way out of the door. He was going to be sick. He'd never felt guilt like this, ever. He'd ruined both their lives, all because he was a stupid, stupid kid who'd fallen in love with his teacher.

Ron's mind vaguely realized he was walking, though to where he couldn't tell you. He was on autopilot, his thoughts problem enough without the world interfering. He guessed when people say 'Be careful what you wish for', this is when they say it.

~~~~~~~

Albus could almost feel the gloom settle over Remus. He shook his head sadly. Remus had been a favorite of his back he was a student. He'd evolved to become a great friend, ally, co-worker, and one of the strongest and most interesting individuals Albus had ever known. (And that's saying something, no?) Albus had always been of the opinion that Remus deserved to be loved, and right now he wasn't sure if he'd finally gotten it or shot any chance of it all to hell.

"He hates me," Remus said quietly.

"I rather think he hates himself." He reached down to grasp Remus's shoulder. "You love him. And you had no control over the situation. You can't be blamed. Neither can Ron. It was just... unfortunate."

"Unfortunate? Unfortunate? I've irrevocably fucked up his life, and you say it's unfortunate? We're bound together for life, physically, mentally, emotionally, magically, something Ron obviously doesn't want. I took advantage of him. I couldn't control the wolf. I was too weak and I let him down. I made a mistake, and Ron will suffer for it." Remus absently rubbed his aching collarbone. "It's a bit more than unfortunate."

"Feel better now?"

"Honestly? No. It's even worse hearing it out loud."

The Headmaster sighed, ill at ease with the whole situation. He was of the opinion that it wasn't quite so hopeless and maybe in time Remus would see that as well. Ron's reaction had been of horror, but perhaps not for the reasons Remus thought. "I suppose it's not the best of times to offer you a lemon drop?"

Remus smiled a little, appreciating the attempt to make him feel better. "I'll be in my room if you need me Albus." He stopped dead in his tracks at the door. Good Lord, Arthur and Molly... they'd never forgive him! "Ron's parents... will they be told?"

"That won't be necessary. Ron is, after all, seventeen and therefore a legal adult. Unless he wishes them to know, I see no reason to owl them."

"Thank you." That was one battle Remus didn't particularly feel up to right now, though it would come someday.

"No need my boy," he said softly. "And... don't give up hope yet, eh? Love is a magic no one fully understands."

Remus laughed, but any amusement in it was aimed solely at himself.

~~~~~~~

Ron sat on the windowsill of the north tower, staring out towards the Whomping Willow. Not the source of his problems, but it could become his new symbol of them. God knows he'd never look at a full moon the same way again. He blinked the tears back. Who the fuck was he kidding? He could never look at anything the same way again.

Should he tell Harry and Hermione? The thought had been bothering him. He didn't want to tell them what had happened. He'd been humiliated enough today, ok? But he figured they'd notice something was wrong. They were wrapped up in each other, sure, but even at their mushiest and gushiest they never ignored him. And Ron felt a bit of a pang right then, because he couldn't be like that with anyone except Remus. And he'd made it pretty clear he hadn't meant for that to happen.

Pushing his hair back ruthlessly Ron found himself on auto again, heading for the Gryffindor common room five floors below. He'd tell his friends everything. Well, not everything. He's gloss over the events in the Shrieking Shack, but everything else was going to be confessed. He had to tell someone how stupid he'd been.

Remus, I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry.

~~~~~~~

He hated pity. He'd seen it before, when he'd complained about Mum and Dad not being able to buy him something or other, seen it in Harry's sideways glances. When his friends had been sick or injured or on the verge of fucking death and the teachers had whispered every time he checked on them in the Hospital Wing. Every time he came up short; too slow, too stupid, too poor, too Ron. Every time he tried at something and failed, or simply didn't measure up. Yeah, Ron hated pity, and right now Harry and Hermione were drowning him in it.

"So... you're blood-bound. Is that like... married?"

I don't have all the answers you know. "It's... kinda... worse. We're magically connected. Forever. Literally, 'til Death do us part. We can feel each other's pain, and... I don't know exactly. There's more..." At least that's the way Dumbledore explained it.

"So... so... oh my God, you slept with Professor Lupin!" Hermione screeched. Ron winced, guessing that had finally sunk in.

"Yes. I slept with him." That wasn't so difficult, was it?

"So... how was it?"

His eyes slid shut. "I am going to pretend I didn't hear that." And I'm going to pretend I'm never going to think about it again.

She had the grace to blush. "Sorry. Inappropriate."

It was that fucking silence again. Couldn't he get away from it?

Ron sighed again. "It's permanent. No way around it, so don't bother researching 'Mione. And... it had nothing to do with Remus. It was all the wolf." It hurt every time that name passed his lips. He'd earned the right to use it, but it tore at him so. Why did things get twisted, so mangled and messed up? "It didn't have anything to do with me, just luck of the draw. I... was stupid." Carefully avoiding meeting their eyes Ron stood. "I'm kinda tired... from everything. I'm going to bed. See you two in the morning." He walked swiftly up to the dorm, still able to faintly hear Hermione and Harry whisper once they thought he was out of earshot. Weird.

Ron flopped onto his bed, burrowing into the covers and pulling the pillow close to him. Was it foolish to wish it were Remus? He threw it off his bed furiously. Damn pillow. See? I knew this would change everything.