"I know," Draco whispered and confessed, "but he takes... the bad out."
Lupin nodded. "He's establishing himself as your mate and... umm... removing... any other claims."
Draco looked at him, astonished. "He's taking Fenrir out?" He had already guessed that, but to hear it confirmed was another thing.
Lupin sighed, resigned. "Yes."
"Then... I want him to do it," he said.
"I figured you'd say that," Lupin muttered, but then leveled with him, his scent turning sad. "However, it's an issue, Draco, because if you bite him... then there is no going back."
"I'm not going to bite him!" he spat. He could never hurt Harry. Even in his wolf form, he wouldn't, couldn't hurt his mate.
"Even while human, Draco. If you nick him or taste his blood, even accidentally, he'll be the only one for you. There's no taking it back. You will pine for him... maybe to the point of death, if you are separated. You can never leave him, betray him, or have anyone else."
Draco grimaced. Lupin's scent changed to concern.
"And you have to understand... Harry is not a wolf, Draco. He will not be linked to you in the same way."
Draco's mouth dropped open.
"Yes... that is my point. If Harry decides to move on... you will let him do it, because you'll do anything for him. And alone, you will never recover. It's very hard to move on, even if your mate dies."
Lupin's words were like knives. Harry couldn't die.
"Draco, I went through that. My mate was human. We were separated for over a decade and then he died. I can't tell you how painful it is... for a wolf. I love Tonks, but I won't dare bite her and erase my former mate completely. I don't want you to go through that, you understand? This isn't just about Harry. You can suffer greatly if you mess around with this."
"I... but I can still be with him... stay here? Just don't bite him?"
"Yes, you can and not be linked. I'm not saying leave... I just needed to impart that it's permanent if a bite happens. It's dangerous for you."
"Then I won't bite him. I mean, why would I...."
"Your wolf will crave the connection. It's also amazing... when you are bound together. You feel that when Harry touches your bitemark, right? I know it feels great, and you can feel Harry's emotions. But Harry won't feel that. He's not a wolf."
"I understand," he whispered, disappointed. "Why do I call him that, though?"
"Mate? After your first full moon with your partner, the person who touches that bondmark, your wolf will call any partner that. Greyback probably would have...."
Draco let out a growl and immediately hissed, "Greyback was not my mate!"
Lupin was not perturbed by his aggressiveness. "After the full moon together... he would have been, Draco. The first to bite you... the second full moon to make you his. He had to wait a month, and he would have had absolute control over you as soon as he made you bite him. The weeks in between were just... an interlude to what was to come."
Draco started shaking, as the implication seeped in.
"I'm glad we saved you from that. I really am, Draco," the older wolf said. "Any later... and there would have been no way to easily pry you from him."
He smelled sincere. Draco looked away, shamed. "Was that all?"
"I'm glad you're doing better. I wasn't planning on freaking out like I did last time. It caught me off guard. Draco... you're breeding. You aren't mated. You are putting out a... well... come-and-have-me scent to Harry... and really any werewolf. That's why they're chasing after you... that and... what's inside you."
"They want the child?"
"To be their next Alpha, no doubt. Greyback held a lot of sway over his pack as they are all his kids or he turned them. They are bound by blood and bite, and the pack feels that they all belong together. Greyback made them believe he was the strongest Alpha. The pack will want his child to lead over a turned mutt like Raulf or Scabior."
Draco wondered if he should ask the werewolf about what the healer said. "I won't let them have... it."
"Keeping the child is the brave thing to do," Lupin acknowledged. "Harry... had to talk sense into me for my own son."
Draco looked at him. "You're not going to tell me to get rid of it?"
"I don't like that you're tying Harry to you like this. He couldn't say no, if he wanted. I'd rather not have him...."
"Be saddled with a fuckup like me?" Draco finished.
Lupin's eyes darkened, but he looked away. Draco could smell shame. "You seem like a good kid. I won't meddle in your... relationship with Harry, I promise. I really did come to make sure that you didn't get hurt and made sure you understand what is happening to you. Is there anything else that you're confused about?"
"Why did Greyback... want me? Why did he do... this to me?" he whispered, avoiding looking at him.
Lupin smelled disgusted and angry. "Because he was a sick fuck who wanted you helpless. He's done this before... even to children. He bit me when I was young and nearly took me back to his pack. And that pack? All were bitten by him or are his kids over the last thirty years of hunting. He's a monster... and their mothers or... other fathers were killed by him eventually. I imagine that he was trying to make the perfect... son."
Draco's eyes met his and his eyes watered, shamed. "He raped, turned and tortured me... just to breed me?"
"I'm sorry, Draco. I'm sorry if I hurt you or Harry. I want the best for Harry... and honestly... maybe you are it. At least, I know that you will be loyal to him. I don't enjoy the battles he will face fighting for you... but love is worth some battles. I'm a stupid, old man sometimes," Lupin finished, smelling ashamed.
"Thank you... for telling me," he murmured, ready to be done with the conversation. "I suggest you leave before Harry returns. He wouldn't be happy to see you here."
"You're not going to tell him?"
"That you came? Do you want him to stop talking to you?" Draco sneered.
"No... thank you. Draco... please floo me if you have any questions."
"I probably won't."
"Be brave, Draco, like you were today. Thank you for speaking with me," Lupin said and headed toward the floo. He took a handful of powder and paused before the fireplace. "You should tell Harry... about... the no-biting thing, too."
Draco had no intention of doing that but he nodded. Lupin finally flooed out.