The Cursed Creature

Chapter 10

A Fateful Encounter

Remus was now almost ten years old. Sometimes he still thought about Pierre and wondered if the other boy spared a thought for him every once in a while or if he had just moved on with new friends. Remus had tried to do just that, but nobody had ever stayed in his life so long as Pierre did. And even if he liked some of the other kids he got to meet, he was afraid to befriend them.

The closer he got to anyone, the sooner they would find out about his condition and the sooner they had to move again. Remus couldn’t count how many times they had to move and how many new people he had met. Most of the names and faces he didn’t remember. He knew there were some nice people, but he also knew that as soon as they would know the truth about him they would only see a monster in him.

It also got more difficult to hide his condition, since he had scars on his face now. The ones on his body could be easily covered but his face showed directly that something had happened to him. Glamour charms didn’t work on him and the scars in combination with the monthly sickness made people even more suspicious.

His parents didn’t tell him directly but he knew from the conversations he had overheard that they couldn’t afford it anymore. Additionally, through him growing, it got increasingly difficult for them to contain the wolf when he transformed. They were afraid and this in turn scared Remus. When he was five years old he thought that the pain from the transformations would be the worst thing he had to fear, but hurting his parents while he wasn’t in control of his mind would be way worse than any pain he suffered through.

Therefore, they decided as a family to move somewhere far away from any town or village. They would move to a secluded place that could only be reached by a single road and a forest path. The house his parents bought had to be completely repaired, though. Thus, while his grandfathers and his dad were working on the house, Remus and his mum spent three weeks with a former classmate of his mum in Cokeworth.

Mrs. Berrow was a kind woman who had been living alone for three years, since her husband left her. She was glad to have them and Remus knew his mum was also happy to see one of her old friends again. Remus only had to be careful to not say anything about magic in her presence, but otherwise he was free to do as he pleased and most of the time he was reading his non magical books or watching television.

When Mrs. Berrow saw that he was mostly reading, she gave him her library card and told him that he could borrow anything he wanted while they would be staying with her. Remus was delighted and the three of them made their way to the library. The building was only one street over, next to a beautiful park. Remus would easily be able to find his way there and back but was glad to have Mrs. Berrow and his mum accompany him the first time.

After he checked out two books on herbology and one children's fantasy book, they bought some ice cream and took a stroll through the park. He was glad that they timed their visit in a manner so that he would have his complete three good weeks of the month here. His mum seemed happy, he got a library card to use and the town was beautiful.

When he went to the library a couple of days later to exchange his books for new ones he saw a dark haired boy brooding at a table. He seemed to be engrossed in a similar collection as the one he had just returned. Interesting. Remus wondered if he was looking at a fellow wizard here but didn’t dare to approach the boy. He turned his attention back to shelves and picked three new books to take with him.

On his way back he hesitated shortly, when he passed the boys table, but when he saw that he had been joined by a red-haired girl, he decided to take his leave. There was no reason to risk it. He had learned his lesson and the two other children had clearly agreed to meet up here, so he shouldn’t intrude.

After exiting the library he turned towards the park. It was a sunny day and he planned to spend an hour or two reading outside while it was possible. He hadn’t managed to take 5 steps towards the park when a brunette girl barred his way.

“You! Do you come from the library?” she asked imperiously. Remus looked at her, then at his books and back to her slightly angry looking face.

“Yes?”, he answered hesitantly. He heard that his answer sounded more like a question but the question of the girl sounded like an accusation, which made him automatically react in a cautious manner.

“Did you see a redheaded girl with a grumpy looking boy inside?” she demanded to know. Okay, he didn’t know about the grumpy part, but he definitely knew whom she was describing.

“Yes”, he answered with more certainty this time.

“Oh, I knew it. They are meeting in their private circle of special children again and I’m not invited. Typical.” She took a glance at his books and frowned. “These look like the books the Snape boy would read. Are you one of them?” He wanted to deny it, but she already continued. “Are you a FREAK?!”.

He had heard many things through the years… with ‘monster’ and ‘dark creature’ being the most frequent, but ‘freak’ was new. Remus didn’t know why this hurt him so much right now. If it was the new insult or if it was the fact that this was the first time a muggle insulted him, but to his embarrassment he felt his eyes tear up.

He couldn’t see the expression on her face as his vision got blurry, but he didn’t need to. Blinking some of the tears away he walked around her and ran for the park.