Never Enough

6 November 1993

Severus Snape plowed through the corridors at Hogwarts; he was patrolling that night, and he gleefully wondered if he'd be able to take points from Potter again for "sleepwalking". The little whelp had gotten his hands on a dark artifact, and although Lupin had taken it, as well as Potter, into his keeping, he still knew that Potter would likely get his hands on it again. Lupin blatantly favored the boy, and he wouldn't stand for it.

Pot, kettle, Severus, his mind supplied for him.

Shaking off the momentary feeling of self-loathing, he rounded the corner, wand beamed out in front of him in a powerful Lumos, when he was suddenly assaulted by the most amazing scent he'd ever inhaled. Stumbling slightly from the intoxication of it, he peered through the darkness in an effort to see better, and what he saw truly shocked him.

"Potter," he snapped, and the boy snapped to attention; he was visibly trembling as Severus stepped closer to him, and peered down his long nose to assess him, the scent washing through to his very pores. "What in Merlin's name are you doing out of bed? It is past curfew, and with Sirius Black on the loose..."

"I couldn't sleep," Potter complained, and it was then that Severus also saw that he was sweating profusely, practically gripping the stone walls around them for support. "I don't know what's wrong with me," he wailed suddenly, clawing at his clothes. "It won't stop coming out of me, and I don't know what to do, professor..."

Severus could easily deduce what was wrong with the boy and, against his better judgement, lifted him into his arms; Poppy, surely, would be far better-equipped to deal with this than he was. "Do you know about Alphas, Betas, and Omegas, Harry?"

Potter seemed to squirm slightly, but Severus was unaware if it was because he was holding him so close, or the verbalization of the use of his first name. "Yeah," he managed to get out; the boy was gritting his teeth. "Professor Binns mentioned them in our first lesson this year..."

"A blatant disregard to curriculum, I see," Severus spat. "He's supposed to teach you as first-years, but, I suppose, being dead, he loses track." He hesitated for a moment as they rounded a bend and made for the grand staircase. "What do you know about them, then?"

"Betas are ordinary—like Muggles, only that they are still a witch or wizard," Potter replied, and Severus nearly sneered at the simplicity of the explanation. "With Alphas, they're in charge, and they've got knots that bind their true Omega mate to them," he continued. "And, as for Omegas, they have to obey their Alpha, present when asked, and permit the Alpha to breed them."

Severus clicked his tongue. "I see Binns is teaching you the old lessons..."

Potter blinked owlishly up at him. "Old lessons, professor?"

Severus painstakingly carried Potter down the staircase as he chose his next words very carefully—no need to scare the boy, after all. "There have been reforms within the Ministry of Magic and, surprisingly, Fudge has upheld them," he replied; he really did not have a high opinion of the current minister. "It no longer labels Alphas or Omegas as creatures, but as different genders altogether, with their own set of powers. Once an Omega presents, then he or she must either be mated as soon as possible, or take Heat Suppressants, to ensure that they won't be taken advantage of by an unruly Alpha."

"Oh," Potter replied, his dark brows knitting together at that. "But what about when it comes to obeying their Alpha, professor?"

Severus nodded; it was a fair question. "Omegas are permitted to say no, and have been given that right for the last hundred years," he explained. "The Alphas are given Compelling Circumscriptions to ensure the safety of their Omega. Unlawful relationships are frowned upon, as are Omegas being forced to breed when either they are unwilling, or unable to do so, usually because of medical conditions."