The Cursed Creature

Chapter 14

The New House

A short while after the girl had said her goodbyes it occurred to Remus that he hadn’t gotten her name in return. He wondered if he would run into her a second time during his stay. Without a doubt, today had been one of his most bizarre experiences yet.

The Muggle girl had spoken more bluntly than he was used to, but he found that he liked it. Maybe he could someday find a place in the Muggle world where no magical families lived. If he could find a solution to silence and contain his own transformation, that is.

Remus did not, in fact, see the Muggle girl again. He kept an eye out for her on his way to the library and back, but all too soon came the day of their departure. Upon returning to the now livable place they planned to call their home for the foreseeable future, Remus and his mum inspected the considerable changes. It was a small, but beautiful house and he could see himself living there.

~

Lyall was glad that their lives had calmed down somewhat after they had moved away from society. Finally, they didn’t need to relocate every couple of months. On the whole it was an improvement on the financial side of their predicament. The emotional side on the other hand was a completely different matter. It was undeniably hard for Hope and Remus to be denied almost all social interactions outside of the family.

Especially, since Hope’s parents died within six months of each other after Remus’ 10th birthday. They had always been close and their loss resulted in an even smaller circle of loved ones to confide in. He just hoped that his own parents would still be with them for a long time. As loath as he was to admit this to himself, at times he still felt utterly overwhelmed with the whole situation.

After Remus's last growth spurt his magic hadn’t been strong enough to contain him in a simple shed anymore. Lyall had to suppress a shudder at the livid memory of the werewolf that broke through his wards. Lyall had been able to keep him away from Hope and himself, though he had to resort to some spells he would rather not have used against his own son.

Remus's state when he woke up back in human form the next morning had been telling and they knew something had to change. With heavy hearts they installed metal bars inscribed with silver runes within the shed, feeling horrible for seeing no other option. Lyall went back to investigating wards and possible treatments after this incident with new awakened fervour.