Chapter 51: Wisdom Of The Father

Unknown Location, Forbidden Forest, Wizarding World...

Drops of blood had oozed from the severed head of the fallen white stag as Were-Snape seemed to calm a bit. He took off back toward the tree where he had left his mate. The blood trailing behind him as he clawed the ground on all fours with his lengthy tail poised. His ebony fur clad muscular frame rippled as he moved swiftly with the neck of the beast dangling from his powerful jaws. The rumble of his growl put an end to the further advancement of any were-beasts on the magically shielded witch, whom had been nearing the brink of exhaustion by the time he showed up. The sight of the white stag's head had been enough to halt any further attack as the ebony werewolf brought the dead head toward Hermione and laid it at her feet.

Resisting the urge to recoil in fear given the massively bulging eyes of the deadened creature and the amount of crimson blood leaking from it's severed neck. The indentation of Snape's dagger sharp teeth had been evident in the soft flesh as he made his way toward her. The were-beasts watched in amazement as the base of the tree shifted once the blood of the white stag pooled at it's roots.

Hermione's amber eyes widened once she realized they had not taken refuge beneath a large tree but a hand carved statue. A totem if one were to be correct. She immediately recognized the shape of a rather large man with wolfish claws for feet and hands like a man that grasped a spear. His body was muscular and his legs powerful, the perfect hunting specimen. His head had been like that of the dead stag and the eyes as wild as that of the wolf. She noted something of a tail behind him and an ancient necklace made of the bones of a hawk.

"Hircine." she said recalling a similar image in the book she read in the Hogwarts Library.

Snape looked up at the stone carved statue and tilted his head in confusion.

Before anyone could make a move the booming voice of Hircine "The Father of Man-Beasts" echoed through the small section of the forbidden forest.

{"Well done little Prince." he said seemingly pleased. "You have become the master of the hunt, not only turning my prized hunters into prey but capturing my white stag at the same time."}

Snape gave the statue his full attention.

"For this feat of keeping me entertained and following the spirit of the hunt, I shall grant you two boons." continued the seemingly pleased Hircine. "The first is what you value most, the little witch is free of my call for blood...you've embraced your wolfish nature and that is all that I initially required of you."

Hermione's eyes widened.

"Y-You mean you did all this just to make him act more life a wolf?" she asked.

Hircine chuckled in apparent amusement.

{"Fear not little one...the second boon I grant to you both is information." he replied.}

With a subtle glow in his eyes, the statue of Hircine bid the rest of the were-beasts to flee as he turned his attention back to Hermione and Snape.

{"Your Severus Snape and I have been in the midst of a stale mate since he was but sixteen years of age." replied Hircine looking Snape over. "I was poised to have him join my pack when I was presented with a very impressive plea from the one you call Dumbledore."}

"Dumbledore?" asked Hermione confused. "What does The Headmaster have to do with this?"

{"Upon the second encounter with this illusive prince, I was encountered by the one you call Dumbledore." continued Hircine. "He bargained that I could have the prince if I should spare the lioness...I knew not then how clever he had been as he bound my son to the lioness where I could not fully retrieve him nor could any other given she is who commands him through my blood."}

Hermione looked over at Snape confused.

"I-I command?" she started.

Were-Snape lied down on his belly curled up around the witch awaiting her newest orders.

{"Why look so surprised?" asked Hircine. "The one called Dumbledore arranged for you to be the leash that binds the beast and as such he nor any of my blood is allowed to infect you...you are immune to the call." said Hircine with his eyes glowing white like that of the stag. "The most illusive of the prey and as such the beast seeks independence from you...yet cannot be unbound."}

Hermione narrowed her eyes at the statue.

Severus could not have hurt her even if he wished to and it was all because of a pact Dumbledore made with Hircine the night Severus was attacked by Professor Lupin.

"All this time...Dumbledore was simply using Severus for a way to control the werewolves before Voldemort could get to them." she said understanding the Headmaster's motives.

It also explained why she wasn't infected during her own encounters with both Severus and Greyback. The other's were not allowed to infect her despite their attempts.

"I...I don't understand." she said looking from Snape to Hircine. "Why make him do all this with the stag if he couldn't hurt me to begin with?"

{"What father doesn't wish to see his son rise to the challenges presented to him?" asked Hircine. "Severus has served me well...and as such he may retain my gifts and speak with my voice to any who bares my blood."}

Snape rolled onto his stomach in a bid to get Hermione to give him some attention.

{"Treat him well lioness." said Hircine before fading from view along with the white stag's head. "Until next hunt."}

Once everything settled down Hermione turned her attention to Snape whom had been whimpering as he scooted closer to her hand. The exhausted witch sighed and rubbed his belly watching as his leg kicked much like that of a dog in reaction to the affection she bestowed upon him.

"At least I know I can't be turned into a werewolf." she said.

Snape seemed to fall into a deep sleep as she noted his beast-blood had calmed and he was reverting back to his human form. Once his reverted transformation was complete, she found herself stroking his pale muscle toned belly.

"What am I going to do with you." she whispered as he grunted in his sleep.

The injuries he suffered from his fight had gotten her attention and she took special care in mending his wounds and dressing them. The lack of attire due to his full on transformation had come into play and she transfigured a pair of ebony trousers for him.

After several minutes of resting in the same spot at the base of the statue.

Hermione finally levitated the sleeping wizard and set up camp once more. She had her fill adventure and shock for the remainder of the day.