*At first Snape is vaguely confused; he considers Wesley the Alpha. Having been teased, insulted, and generally tormented in his youth by the "alphas"...aka the popular kids and his parents...he is naturally suspicious at first, but as Wesley continues in this behavior, with no repercussions falling on Snape, he begins to grasp the concept that Wesley is protecting him, and grins deliriously at the attention and affection he never really has had before. When Wesley bites the leeches or strangles larger creatures, he rewards him with fond pats on the head and pleased grunts.*