Memory of a Wolf

Memory of a Wolf

Chapter 2 - New house, new kid

Remus put his things on the dining table in his new found home. He was glad that Lily had taught him how to use a muggle telephone and muggle money. He found Mr. Green two hours ago, and the house owner immediately gave him a tour of the house. It was strange that Mr. Green was desperate to loan his house as soon as possible. The rent was very cheap, and Remus was curious about that. He looked guiltily at the payment receipt. The young man had not brought enough muggle money, so he had to transfigure some leaves into the paper things. He just hoped Mr. Green would not discover that.

The young werewolf picked up his precious newspapers again, this time checking for job vacancies. He used some color pens to highlight the details. It was better for him to pretend that he was a muggle, yet he still had to apparate from time to time as he did not have a car. He checked the place on a map carefully, which was given by an oddly kind Mr. Green, and willed himself to be in the employment agencies.

Remus landed hard on a toilet seat. "This is the worst apparition I've ever made!" he exclaimed and held his bottom dearly. It was dangerous to apparate to an unfamiliar place. Luckily, he did not end up sitting on the toilet with someone else. Remus straightened his transfigured muggle clothing once more, and walked towards the office.

One and a half hour late,r Remus left the employment agencies happily. He managed to get two part-time jobs in a bar and a bookstore. He also posted a note on the board, stating that he was willing to baby-sit children. He had not thought about getting a full-time job. The employer would probably not be pleased as he needed a few days for rest around the full moon period. Remus brought two sandwiches from a nearby supermarket. He then went to deserted corner and apparated to his house.

***

Remus opened an eye. It was not the familiar dining table. He wished he was just having a bad dream, as he opened the other one. He eyes met a new street he had never gone to.

"Holy shit!" the werewolf shouted. He suddenly felt dizzy and light-headed. It had only been two days since the last full moon and he needed more time to recuperate his health. If he could not master enough energy to apparate again, he would have to stick to this place for a whole night. He sat down to catch his breath. A man come out of the opposite house and stared at him suspiciously. Who cares! Remus cursed silently. It was bad enough to have two unsuccessful apparitions a day.

A strange noise caught his attention. Remus turned over his shoulder to find the source of the sound. What he saw made him smile inwardly. A child, about three or four years old, was struggling with shopping bags. His right hand was clutching a large plastic bag, so big that it was touching the ground. The little boy tried to lift the bag off the ground but with no avail. His legs were so short! Remus snorted. It was a funny sight.

The boy looked straight to Remus's eyes suddenly. Startling green eyes met chestnut brown ones. The child's eyes clearly send a message: don't mess with me. Then he concentrated on dragging his plastic bag again, as well as holding a big paper one close to his chest with his left arm. A few of the contents fell out of the paper bag. The boy's reaction was fast. He let go of the plastic one and made some desperate gestures, trying to catch the falling objects. In the confusion, the kid's small foot was tangled with the shopping bag and he lost his balance. Several objects flew through the air as the child fell flat on his face in a loud crash.

Remus was torn between bursting out laughing and feeling sorry for the boy. His lips still stitched uncontrollably, but he chose the latter decision. He was at the boy's side in tow strides. He helped the boy to a sitting position and started to pick the fallen things back to the bags.

"Are you okay, kid?" Remus asked kindly, afraid that the child was hurt.

"I- I'm sorry!" the child squeaked, his voice terrified.

Remus looked up at the boy. He was startled. Why on earth was this boy apologizing to him? The child was in a mess. A large bruise was formed on the left side of his cheek; and his palms were starting to bleed.

"You don't need to say sorry. You haven't done anything wrong." Remus tried to give the boy a reassuring smile. Muggles are really strange, he thought. He placed his hand on the child's shoulder and tried to comfort him.

The child, however, recoiled so suddenly that he almost knocked Remus off his feet when the man touched him. He backed away from Remus clumsily, and ended up damaging his wounds even more. His emerald green eyes showed nothing but fear and pain, the don't-mess-with-me look had already crumbled into a million pieces during his fall. The poor kid was now trying to fight back his tears and swallow his sobs.

"Look, kid. You're injured. I'll never hurt you. Trust me, I'm going to help you, okay?" Remus said softly. When he saw the little boy nodding dumbly, he approached the child once more. The child flinched again upon body contact, but managed to stay still. Remus took out a clean handkerchief and tore it into two pieces. He wrapped one of them around the child's right palm, and did the same to the other one.

"Your wounds need cleaning. Go home and ask your mum to do it for you," the werewolf said gently, wondering why the kid's parents would instruct the child to do such heavy shopping.

"She's dead," the child said shortly. He had an almost haunted look in his eyes as he said.

"I'm sorry," Remus murmured uncomfortably. He knew he had hurt the child's feelings.

The boy seemed oddly familiar... He knew the big emerald green eyes and messy black hair somewhere; he just could not put his finger on it.

"Hmm, what's your name then?" he tried to change the subject and cheer up the child a bit.

"Ha- my name is Hans," the boy spoke softly, as if he was scared to be scolded.

Remus raised an eyebrow. The kid was a hopeless liar. He avoided eye contact when he lied, how obvious. Kids would certainly speak their names proudly when people asked them. It was their nature. This one was different... He seemed to be a little bit withdrawn. Remus decided not to press on the subject. He had developed a liking towards the kid.

"Alright, Hans, let me help you with these bags," he helped the kid to stand up and grabbed the shopping bags.

"No... Please. I can hold them on my own," Hans tugged Remus' sleeve and pleaded. His voice was mixed with fear and panic. Remus was again surprised at the child's abnormal behavior.

"Why not? You'll only hurt yourself even more if you hold the things again."

Remus lifted the child easily and picked up the two bags. Hans was so shocked hat he did not move in the beginning. Then realization kicked in, and the boy started to squirm violently, wishing to get back onto the ground.

"Don't move!" Remus said shrilly, in a louder voice than he intended to.

Hans became rigid in Remus' arm immediately. He mumbled softly, "Sorry,"

Remus smacked himself mentally. He had scared the kid again. He ought to try a different approach.

Remus looked into the boy's eyes. "Hans, I'm just preventing you from hitting the ground. Why don't you stay still in my arms? I assure you it's really comfortable," a small smile appeared on Hans' face and Remus continued in a cheerful voice, "You may want to wrap your arms around my neck too; it'll make me feel warmer."

Hans raised his arms hesitantly. "May I?" he asked in a timid manner.

Remus nodded and Hans wrapped his tiny arms around the man's neck. The boy's arms were cold and stiff. The feeling sent a chill down Remus' spine and he tried his best not to shudder.

"So, where do you live, Hans?"

"Number four, Privet Drive," came the muffled reply.