Hungry Like The Wolf

Hungry LikeThe Wolf - A PlaceFor My Head

"I watch how the
Moon sits in the sky/in the dark night
Shining with the light from the sun
The sun doesn't give life to the moon assuming
The moon is gonna owe it one
It makes me think of how you act to me/you do
Favors and then rapidly/you just
Turn around and start asking me/about
Things that you want back from me
I'm sick of the tension/ sick of the hunger
Sick of you acting like I owe you this
Find another place to feed your greed-
While I find a place to rest
I want to be in another place
I hate when you say you don't understand
(You'll see it's not meant to be)
I want to be in the energy, not with the enemy
A place for my head..."

LinkinPark, "A Place For My Head"

He felt dead inside. Deader than Azkaban had made him.Snape's words kept echoing in his mind. 'He was in bed, but he wasn't alone.'

"I think I'm gonna be sick."

The bartender set down the glass he'd been cleaning. "Okay, mate, I'm cutting you off."

Sirius sniffled. "He... he found someone else. I thought, I'm such an idiot! How could I do that to him, and expect him to still love me?"

Michael, the bartender, was used to scenes like this. Even if it was usually a woman involved. "You kill his dog or something?"

Sirius burst into tears.
-----
Sophious had returned and to Lobo's delight, she's brought with her some grade-A prime beef. Now the three werewolves were gathered around the rickety kitchen table, finishing diner. "That... was... delicious." Lobo was busy scraping his plate clean.

She smiled. "I'm glad you liked it."

"Liked is a major understatement." Lobo looked to Remus. "I bet it feels good to have a decent meal."

Remus looked at his plate. "I haven't been taking very good care of myself, have I?"

Lobo looked at Sophious, and an unspoken argument passed between them. "No man, mate or not, is worth hurting yourself like that. You're in our pack now, Remus. We're going to make sure you take care of yourself."

Remus, obviously wanting to change a touchy subject, asked, "So, when do I get to meet the rest of the pack?"

"Tomorrow, if you'd like. We usually meet in Mugglepublic places, clubs and such, to go unnoticed. Those ancient laws about wolves in groups..." He paused to finish the last gulp of tea. "If you need clothes, let me know. I think you're about my size. We'll get you cleaned up and in some clubbing clothes and you'll have a blast."

Sophious giggled. "How do you feel about leather pants, Remus?"

"Leather pants?"

"That's practically all Lobo owns," she raised an eyebrow at her partner.

"What? I like how it looks, feels, and most of all- smells," Lobo grinned, and yet again Remus expected fangs. "What can I say? The wolf in me wins that battle."

They laughed, and after a little while longer they began to clean up. Sophious seemed to be looking for something, carrying around her plate that only had a few bits of meat remaining on it. "The trash can's under the sink," Remus said.

"Oh, I wasn't looking for the trash bin." She turned to Remus. "I was looking for your dog to give him this."

Remus stared at her for a moment, then threw the plate he was holding to the floor with a crash. "That damned bastard! Sneaking into my home, after what he did!"

Lobo and Sophious stood back as Tornado Remus tore through the house. They understood.

-----

Remus was staring into a box of photos, wondering if he could really bring himself to shred them. Especially since some of them had James, Lily, and Harry in them.

"Remus?" Sophious's soft voice came from behind the closed door. "May I come in?"

"Enter at your own risk." He set the picture back down in the box.

She came in the room, Remusheard the door close behind her. He could sense her coming over, and a moment later he felt her cool touch on his shoulder, and he felt a little calmer. She sat down beside him on the floor, gracefully crossing her legs. "So... what are you looking at?"

"Pieces of the past I should have gotten rid of a long time ago." He bitterly retorted.

"Want to talk about it? I know it doesn't help sometimes, but it doesn't hurt, either." She said softly, thenpicked up one of the photographs. "So... which one is he?"

Remus reluctantly pointed, and Sophiousgave a small gasp of surprise. "He's your mate? Sirius Black?"

"Was my mate," he sourly corrected.

"I'm sorry." She said after a moment, tenderly placing her hand on his. Her eyes looked down, studied the floor. "I know what it's like, to feel so betrayed by your own mate."

Remus looked up at her, listening. This was the first time he'd seen his "angel" upset, and it already had an effect on him.

She looked up at him and continued, but with great hesitation. "I... I was bitten almost fourteen years ago." She held up her arm, and across her forearm was the familiar crescent-shaped scar. "It nearly took my arm off. I was... I was defending my husband and my son." She closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. "When I awoke at the hospital, they weren't sure if I was positive for lycanthropy or not. Hell, they didn't even know if I was going to live or not. I lost a lot of blood from the wolf's assault... But He stayed by my side, and told me that everything would be all right. And I was naïve and stupid, so I believe Him.

"When the tests came back... it was almost the full moon again. I'd spent most of the month swimming in and out of consciousness. They told me that I was a werewolf, and that there was no cure known to stop the curse. And just like that, my life was over. They went through all the restrictions on werewolves, Ministry laws, things like that. Then, I went home, and things went from bad to worse." Remus saw her visibly shudder at the memory, and she closed her eyes again to regain her composure. He instinctively squeezed her hand, urging her to continue. "My husband wouldn't even look at me, and kept my baby far away from me. I didn't share His bed anymore... not even His room. Since the full moon was drawing near, He talked me into staying down in the cellar. I was scared of what would happen when I turned for the first time, and I wanted Him near me. He agreed- only if I stayed in a cage. After all the nurses, doctors, and specialists had described what I would become, I agreed to His request.

"All I can remember are bits and pieces of things from my first few transformations. I can see Him, and I can tell that somehow He's won the wolf's trust. It took a year, but the wolf... it bonded with Him, and He became my mate. While He pampered the wolf, He tortured the rest of me. I never left that cellar or that cage. I was a prisoner in my own home, really. He never brought my son to me... and I grew to hate Him. But the wolf wouldn't let me do that. Even when He hurt me like He did... the wolf cried for Him when He did not show up on a full moon... and there were times when I would wake up in terrible shape, like you." She looked up, her gaze locking on to his. "I know the pain you're going through more than anyone else. As long as the wolf is bonded to its mate, you are. Only the wolf can make or break the connection."

'Only the wolf.' Did that mean he was doomed to live his life alone? Moony still loved Padfoot, and after thirteen years, Remus knew he always would.

-----

Sirius was just sniffling now, slowly drinking the coffee Michael gave him. "And, and I forgot to leave a note. Moony, *hiccup*, I'm so sorry."

Michael was convinced his customer was bonkers. Werewolves and evil wizards. What a crock. But, he was pretty sure the break up was real. "Hey, maybe he'll take you back."

Sirius shook his head sadly. "I found him in bed with another man."

Well, bugger. "You sure?"

"They had their shirts off, and he was touching my Remus's scar." Sirius slammed the coffee cup down. "I'm gonna get him back."

"Good for you."

"Any ideas?"

"Look, for now, just go out, have some fun. Get this Remus off your mind." Michael handed him a flier. "Check it out."

-----

Remus remembered why he hated clubs. He could smell blood everywhere. Even on the leather Lobo had made him wear. The rest of the pack was sizing him up.

"He's cute." The dark haired woman with olive-colored skin spoke first. Her dark brown eyes had the familiar golden flecks in them. She extended a graceful hand. "My name is Kalika. I'm from America. Welcome to the pack."

Leaning against the wall was the man introduced to him as Blaze. Older, middle-aged, with graying hair and sunglasses indoors or out, he projected a kind of injured dignity. Remus could only guess the glasses hid the flecks in his eyes. "So you're the one who taught at Hogwarts?" He asked. "What did you teach there?"

"Defense Against the Dark Arts."

The older man's eyebrows arched. "No kidding? That's a good thing to know, especially tonight."

"Why? What's going on tonight?"

"You can smell it, can't you? Blood everywhere.That means they're near, and so we'd better be on the look out." Blaze stated, gazing over the crowded dance floor from their corner.

"Yeah. Stupid blood-sucking gits, they think they're so goddamned perfect. And since we're stronger and faster than your average human, they like chasing after us. Think it's some sort of game." Lobo grumbled from across the table, where he was lounging beside Sophious.

"Shh. Lobo, don't start." She hissed at him, but it was too late- a small group of people clad in black leather had headed in the direction of their table.

Remus could smell undead flesh mingled with fresh blood and his stomach churned. He instinctively slid his hand into his pocket and grabbed onto his wand. The group- about seven of them- stopped just short of their table. Lobo simply flashed his devilish grin at their guests. "May I help you?" He asked, still grinning.

"Blood-sucking gits?You want to say that to my face?" The obvious leader of the vampire gang stepped forward, placing his hands on the table and leaning forward.

"How about I call you 'decaying undead halflingscum', would you prefer that, Azimodeus?" Still with that grin, his volume never rising. That only made the vampire angrier.

"You no good mutt," he spat, eyes dangerously narrowed and his fangs flashing. "Just you wait, Lobo. One day, I'll get what's coming to me. You'll never be free of me. Let's go guys. We don't have time to play with the puppies right now." With that, the vampires stomped off, vanishing into the undulating crowd.

Sophious had her hand on Lobo's chest, holding him back. He was absolutely seething with rage. "Puppies?I'll give him puppies..." He snarled.

"Don't let him get to you."

"After what he did to you, you want me to-"

Sophious placed her hand on top of his clenched first. "They aren't worth it."

Her voice combined with her touch made the flicker of anger fade from his features. "You're right. Azimodeus isn't worth the effort. Besides, my fangs are bigger than his fangs anyways."

"Lobo..."

"Fine, fine! I need a drink." Before Sophious could protest, Lobo was on his feet, heading for the bar.

He didn't notice the man sliding off a barstool until it was too late. They both stumbled. "Watch it you-"

Recognition dawned on him as Sirius Black's fist raced towards his face.