Chapter twelve: werewolves of London

At 11 a.m. on a Saturday morning in a quiet street of South Holloway, London, a girl appeared out of nowhere. She appeared next to a large oak tree, so that the canopy shielded her arrival from curious onlookers from windows of their homes.

There were some people in the street. A man was walking his dog while a mother tried to get two boys strapped in her car for soccer practice. A group of kids was cycling down the road further on. But none of them responded to the sudden appearance of the odd-looking girl.

For today Alicia had decided to wear muggle clothes. She had dark jeans with a white top and a trenchcoat as a jacket. It was summer, but it was also still London. Rain was never far away.

She stepped around the tree and followed the road for a bit. The street was a combination of newly build houses and old looking ones. The house she was looking for was an old one with dark bricks and big windows. She climbed the steps to the porch and rang the bell.

There was some stumbling and muffled voices in the house and then a woman in her fifties with dirty blonde hair up to her shoulders, big green eyes and comfortable house clothes opened the door. She had clearly woken up not too long ago.

At seeing her visitor, her eyes went big. 'Alicia?'

'Hi mom.'

This was the house she had grown up in. Everything looked familiar; from the family pictures on the wall to the fish tank, to the smell of lavender because her mom loved scented candles. The place was as much a combination of muggle and witch as it could get. There was a phone on a small table by the door, next to a quill with an ink bottle and some empty parchment. There was a fireplace with a bowl of floo powder but also a TV. In the garden her father grew mint and tomatoes, along with aconite and mandrakes.

However, as Alicia sat in her favourite armchair today, nothing felt familiar to her at all. Her parents were both in the room, looking anxious. Her father had decided to make tea but it had taken him twice as long as needed to get back from the kitchen. Her mother kept looking at Alicia with scrutinizing eyes. Once her father had finally returned they looked uncertain at their daughter.

'Okay, I understand I haven't been around much lately, but can you stop looking at me like I'm a stranger?' Alicia asked her mother.

She blinked a couple of times. 'Sorry dear. I just have to get used to the scars.'

The shirt she had decided on today was covering only half of her arms. The scars on her arms and the obvious one in her face were standing out like sore spots in this harmless environment.

'Sorry I didn't grow up to be a nice quiet banker like the both of you,' Alicia said while rolling her eyes.

'We never pushed you in any direction Alicia,' her father said, 'but you just had to choose the most dangerous one. I can't even imagine why people would be working with dragons!'

Alicia narrowed her eyes and pasted a fake smile to her face. 'You would if you had read my letters.'

Both of them were uneasy at this point. There was an awkward silence.

'Anyway, I came here with a reason. I need you to go into hiding or leave the country. It's getting dangerous out here for people who sympathize with muggles. He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is back and people are disappearing.' She said it quickly and clearly, in the hope there would be no protest and she could get out of here quickly.

'Into hiding? This isn't the war, Alicia. Please,' her father said with a laugh.

'Hugo,' her mother whispered. Clearly the message had landed better with her. 'We should take this seriously.'

Her father laughed uncomfortably. 'What are you saying Kate? That there is a war? It looks quiet out there to me.'

'When is the last time you have been to Diagon Alley?' Alicia interrupted. Her father looked up. 'Because if you had been there, you would see the difference. People are scared. And with good reason.'

'If it is true that…he is back…then there will be a war, yes,' Kate said with a little voice. Her eyes were starting to water. It was almost silly of Alicia to forget that her mother had lived through the last one. Her parents had already been together, but it had taken a long time for her father to realise what was happening around him. Her mother had been very protective.

'I'm glad you see reason,' Alicia stated unemotionally. 'So you'll be careful?'

Finally her mother looked her in the eyes. 'All three of us should go. Maybe some time in France will be good.'

Alicia hid her face behind her cup of tea as she spoke. 'No. I will be fighting in this one.'

There was a moment of silence before both of them started to speak. In the end her mother stood up rapidly, shutting Hugo up. 'I forbid you to do that. It will only get you killed. You aren't a soldier!'

'I think you are forgetting something,' Alicia said calmly. She put her empty cup on the table and stood up slowly. The boots she was wearing had a little heel, and it made her taller than her mother. 'You cannot forbid me anything anymore. I left this house, I am my own person now. I will make the decisions regarding me. I came here to give you advice, which would be wise to follow. But if you want to be stubborn, be my guest.'

Her mother seemed shocked. 'Alicia. Please don't tell me you feel so distanced from us you don't care about your family anymore.'

This did shock Alicia. She leaned back and looked from her baffled father to her hurt mother. She cast her eyes down. 'Of course I care. That is why I am here. But you made it clear you don't support any of the decisions I've made since I left school. First about the dragons, then about Remus, and now about the war. I understand you rather see me in safe places, but that is not who I am. This is who I am,' she gestured to all the scars that were visible. 'so you better accept that.'

Kate started crying. 'Oh honey. Of course we can accept that. I just wish you were more careful.' She stepped forward and hugged Alicia. After a moment she decided to hug back. 'I am careful mom. I might not seem it, but I am. And I have people around me that have my back all the time. I'm not alone.'

'Like your werewolf boyfriend that you ran away from?' Her father chimed in. He didn't sound accusing though.

Alicia sighed. 'Yes, like him. We are together again.'

Her father seemed more troubled with the idea of a boyfriend than the war and the fact he was a werewolf combined. Maybe it was because it was the only thing he really understood. 'He better takes good care of you. And I want to meet him too.'

Alicia chuckled. For a moment she imagined standing at their porch with her much older boyfriend, and the look on her father's face. She had been honest about him mostly, but left out the part that he was her professor at Hogwarts. 'Don't worry dad. I'm sure about him.'

Her father hugged her too. It felt good to have these things talked through. Alicia left the house with a much better feeling than how she entered. Luckily they had listened and would be out of harm's way.

One less thing to worry about.

Next thing to do was for Alicia to move out of her apartment. The landlady was sad to see her go, since she was so quiet and clean. Alicia didn't have a lot of personal belongings to take with her. She had enchanted a shoulder bag to be bigger on the inside. Everything went in, and she and Charles left the place in style: with her riding on the back of the dragon. They took a couple of hours to just fly over the British country. Even though it was less than comfortable, Alicia loved every second of it.

Later that day they arrived at Grimmauld Place, what would be their home from now on. Alicia wondered how long it would last. Of course Sirius was tied to the place, as he was still a fugitive. The Ministry of Magic knew by now that he was an Animagus, so even walks as a dog were out of the question. A part of Alicia pitied that they couldn't return to Remus' house. She had loved the countryside and it would be great for Charles to be a dragon more often than a dog. But it wasn't a concealed place like the Black family home, so it was less safe for Sirius.

Arthur opened the door for her. He was glad to see her again and led her up the stairs. He asked uncertainly whether she was moving in to her own room or with Remus. Equally uncertain, she said she hadn't thought that through yet. She placed her stuff for now in Regulus' old room and followed him back down. He was inquiring about the radio again.

In the dinner room were all the younger inhabitants of the house, together with Sirius. Molly was out to do groceries and Charlie and Remus had left for Order business. When she heard that news, she was a bit scared at the idea that those two would be spending the day together.

Around five p.m. Molly returned, her arms full with bags. Alicia offered to help, but she promptly told her not to worry about it and turned to the kitchen quickly. Alicia guessed she was banished from the kitchen from that moment on. A little later the other two returned too.

'Hello Alicia,' Remus greeted her warmly. He kissed her cheek which made her blush. The sudden silence in the room was a sign that they had all been watching and listening. This was not yet a normal thing, and it would take some time to fix that.

At dinner, everyone seemed quite glum. Sirius most of all, who was hating his life more every day. He stared at his food like it had offended him. Ron, Harry and Hermione had spent the day getting rid of pests in the house. Molly had given them enough to do, so they wouldn't spend too much time asking questions about the Order. They seemed tired.

Arthur's muggle radio was playing in the background. Suddenly, with a quick glance from Remus to Sirius, Alicia got an idea. It was time for a little prank.

No one was talking and the only sound in the room came from the radio. A new song started playing.

In touch with the ground
I'm on the hunt, I'm after you
Smell like I sound, I'm lost in a crowd
And I'm hungry like the wolf

Despite the cheerful song by Duran Duran no one paid attention to it. The moment it was over, the next one started.

I see the bad moon a-rising
I see trouble on the way
I see earthquakes and lightnin'
I see bad times today

This earned a deep sigh. 'Alright. Which of you two?'

Everyone looked up at Remus. His eyes were going from Sirius to Alicia. 'Which of you two is enchanting the radio?'

Well don't go around tonight
Well it's bound to take your life
There's a bad moon on the rise, all right

'It's a lovely song,' Alicia commented, 'Don't you like it?'

At this point, Sirius caught up. 'Yes, truly lovely. I have to say, muggles are good at making music.'

'Is there a problem with the radio Remus?' Arthur asked. He almost seemed to take it personal Remus wasn't liking it.

Remus groaned. 'First the song hungry like the wolf, and then bad moon rising? That is too much coincidence.'

Now everyone understood. Harry started to laugh. 'I should have thought of that. Do you take requests?'

'Sure,' Alicia and Sirius said simultaneously.

'It is not fair to play jokes on his…sickness,' Molly said annoyed.

Both Sirius and Alicia waved it off. 'Oh don't feed his feeling-sorry-for-himself attitude Molly. Moony needs to take a joke,' Sirius said with a laugh. He looked at Alicia and winked.

Well, at least I succeeded in making some of them laugh.

The song by Creedence Clearwater Revival stopped. Next up was Dancing in the moonlight by King Harvest.

'Stop it,' Remus said with his face in his hands. Alicia knew he was hiding his smile. She couldn't help but laugh out loud.

'Everybody here is out of sight. They don't bark and they don't bite. They keep things loose, they keep things light. Everybody was dancing in the mooooonlight!' Alicia sung along.

'It's you, isn't it?' Remus said. He tried very hard to keep a straight face.

'Why? Do you have request?' she asked with a wink.

'I have to say, it is genius!' Sirius laughed.

'It's quite enough now, Alicia!' Molly said sternly.

Molly's wrath was something Alicia didn't want to feel. She grew small in her seat and stopped laughing.

'Molly, I think that is a bit unfair dear,' Arthur chimed in, hoping to stop the argument.

Remus chuckled. 'Oh I'm used to jokes Molly. I was only half-serious when I asked them to stop.'

'I'm full-serious,' Sirius said proudly. Alicia tried to laugh but was afraid Molly would go off. At least Ginny, Fred, George and Harry laughed.

'Okay I'll stop,' Alicia said quietly. Molly seemed pleased. The song continued for a little longer, and then Molly and Arthur went into the kitchen to clean up.

Everyone was looking at Alicia, hoping she wouldn't stop. The song ended. Everyone waited. New music started.

I saw a werewolf with a Chinese menu in his hand
Walking through the streets of SoHo in the rain

'One more can't hurt, right?' Alicia said happily.

Aaoooooo
Werewolves of London
Aaoooooo

At this point, everyone at the table laughed uncontrollably. Sirius had tears in his eyes. George had fallen from his chair and was rolling on the floor. Charlie slammed his hand down on the table. Alicia joined in, holding her stomach. Remus was covering his face again, but his shaking shoulders were saying enough.

'You saved best for last!' Ron said between fits of giggles.

'Oh Nessie! I missed this!' Fred said happily.

Obviously the music and the laughter were loud enough to be heard in the kitchen. Alicia got up and grabbed Remus' arm over the table. 'I guess we should go.'

In the middle of all the hysterical laughter, Alicia and Remus darted up the stairs like guilty teenagers. They had to muffle their laughter in the hall so they wouldn't wake the portraits. With hands to their mouths, and the other holding on to the other person, they made their way to Remus' room.

With the door closed and locked, they could make sounds again.

'You little shit,' Remus accused her while he was trying to stop giggling.

'I'm sorry. But everyone looked in dire need of some humour. It worked…for most of them,' she replied. With a final deep breath she had controlled her laughing fit. Her stomach and cheek muscles were hurting. She wiped a tear from her eye.

Without warning Remus had creeped up behind her and was now holding her arms pinned to her sides. His mouth went to her ear. 'Do you think you can get away with that so easily?'

A shiver went from her ear all the way through her body. It lit a fire low in her abdomen.

'I-I think so,' she said with a small voice.

His nose rubbed against the top of her ear. Then she felt his wet lips too, touching her lightly. He hummed and it gave her goose bumps. 'Well I don't think so. I think I should get you back for that.'

A shuddering sigh escaped from her lips. Her legs started to feel unsteady, but his firm grip on her kept her standing. His fingers left her arms, his arms now snaking around her. He held her close to his chest, his mouth still to her ear. She dropped her head backwards on his shoulder and hummed happily.

Suddenly he bit her earlobe. He growled softly. This turned her on badly. The fire that was lit earlier burned brighter in her body. She felt a wetness between her legs.

'Remus do you have any idea what you are doing to me?' she whisper-pleaded. Her eyes rolled back in their sockets.

He chuckled darkly. One of his hands clasped around her breast and started massaging it. 'I can take a guess,' he whispered back. He continued to bite her ear and flick his tongue around the edge.

The other hand found her other breast and now both of them were being treated very nicely. The sensation in her breasts, combined with the feeling of his wet lips to her ear was taking a high toll on the poor girl. Her entire body was covered in goose bumps now and she was shaking on her legs. A breathy moan escaped her lips.

'Do you want me, Alicia?' Remus asked.

She smiled broadly. 'Obviously.'

His hands left her breasts to pull her shirt over her head. Alicia helped in the process, but then turned around quickly so she could look him in the eye again. Her arms circled his neck and pulled him close to her. His hands rested on her hips for the moment, as his hungry eyes stared in hers.

'Why are you so good at seducing me?' Alicia asked with a smirk.

Remus shrugged. 'Because looking at you is enough to make me hungry for you. I want you, so often, so badly.'

This answer was more than satisfactory for her. She kissed him roughly, forcing his lips apart with her tongue. His tongue was waiting for the opportunity and got into her mouth without hesitation. They both moaned desperately in the heated kiss. It turned Alicia on even more.

Remus his hands went from her hips to her ass, squeezing hard. It encouraged her to get even closer to him. The kiss went sloppier and needier. Her hands were in his hair, pulling him ever closer.

Then she pulled back within a second. He looked perplexed as he was suddenly not touching her anymore. She took the wand from her pocket and waved it at his shirt. It disappeared.

'Damn it. You still haven't taught me that spell,' he said with a dark chuckle.

Alicia chuckled too as she put the wand away to do his trousers the old-fashioned way. 'And I'm not going to.'

His trousers and pants were down and gone too, leaving him naked. She looked him up and down for a moment, noticing the new scars. There weren't many new ones. He was mostly the same as she remembered.

Remus didn't like the staring. He reached out for her and scooped her up in his arms. Then her back hit the soft blankets on the bed. He leaned over her as he undid the button of her jeans and pulled them down rapidly. He took a moment to run his fingers over the fabric of her knickers before he pulled them away too. Alicia decided to get rid of her bra herself.

Remus crawled over her on all fours, his figure a dark silhouette against the illuminated walls. He hovered over her for a second, that mischievous smirk back on his lips. It was enough to drive Alicia wild.

'Come here,' she groaned as she reached up to grab his face. She kissed him and in doing so pulled him down with her. Her legs circled his hips, forcing him down there too. He allowed her to do so, and then she felt his hard cock rub against her belly. She moaned in his open mouth as she arched her hips so his cock would be touching her clit.

Remus understood what she wanted and started grinding himself against her. The feeling was wonderful and very enticing. She gasped and moaned happily as he continued to pleasure her.

'Do you want me Nessie?' he asked again.

Alicia groaned. 'Stop asking that. Of course I want you, you bloody werewolf!' She didn't allow him to react. She pushed him around so she was on top of him. Her legs were straddling him and she started to rock her hips. 'I want you. As often and as badly as you want me,' she assured him. Then she placed his cock to her opening and pushed down. Both of them moaned loudly as he entered her vagina.

'Fuck…Alicia,' he moaned as she started to rock herself back and forth. She couldn't go very fast, but for now this pace was more than enough. His hands were on her hips, helping her to find a rhythm. She leaned forward so he could reach her nipples with his tongue. She held one hand to the back of his head to urge him to lick her. Alicia could feel her excitement rising.

Remus had decided it wasn't going fast enough. In his frustration he threw her on her back and was on top of her in seconds. She looked a bit dazed when he pushed himself inside her again.

'Oh…yes!' she screamed out as he got inside of her fully. Remus kissed her and fucked her at the same time. Their movements were getting more erratic. 'Remus…baby…I…'

'Yes Nessie I'm going to come too,' he whispered back. She looked him in the eyes when his climax hit him. He bit his lip as he felt himself come inside her. Unfortunately he had stopped before she had reached her climax, but that was fine. She enjoyed seeing him like this almost as much as tumbling over that edge herself.

'Oh my…that felt good,' he said breathlessly. He pulled himself out and cleaned up. Alicia picked up the covers and threw them over the two of them. Remus laid there, staring at the canopy. He was still coming back from his orgasm. Alicia curled up beside him and kissed his cheek.

'Satisfied about my punishment?' Alicia said with a chuckle. Remus laughed at this and looked at her.

'Not quite,' he told her.

She was about to ask him what he meant, but she didn't get the chance. He dived under the covers.

'ReMUS,' she exclaimed as there was suddenly a tongue licking her pussy. She could hear him chuckle but he didn't stop. His tongue was flicking over her clit quickly. Then he sucked, and then he licked. Both actions were driving her mad.

'Oh…' was all she could utter. She looked down at the blanket covering her werewolf boyfriend who had his head between her thighs and the sight of that combined with the feeling of his tongue flicking her clit was finally enough to throw her over that edge. She clasped her legs together around his head and yelled it out.

Remus re-appeared with a satisfied look on his face. He wiped his lips and kissed her. 'Now I'm satisfied.'

She was still gasping for breath as he cuddled up next to her. She looked at him and couldn't help laughing. 'You ridiculous man. What did I do to deserve you?'

He stroked her cheek softly. 'I was wondering the same thing about you.'

They kissed and hugged each other close. For some time the only sound in the room was the crackling of the fireplace. The curtains were drawn and it was getting dark. Alicia listened to the sound of his heart, which was still trying to slow down after their exercise. Things were feeling good.

'Was there any reason you had to clarify what I am during sex?' Remus asked amused.

'You mean the 'bloody werewolf' thing?' she asked. He nodded. 'Yes, there was a reason. You often ask me whether I want you. First I thought it was a kinky thing. But the more you say it, the more it sounds like you really aren't sure. Like I have to consider it every single time. So I clarified that even during sex, I'm totally fine with what you are. And in the future you don't have to ask me anymore, unless it is a kinky thing.'

Remus chuckled. 'Alright, you are on to me. I have to admit, to many people the idea of mating with a half-breed is disgusting. Or so some of them told me over the years. I think I grew up with the idea that no one would ever want me in that way. And even though we've had sex before and I know you can look past my disease…the idea is often still in my head.'

Alicia propped herself up on one arm. 'Don't worry. I love myself a furry half-breed.'

Remus laughed suddenly and very loudly. 'Merlin's beard you are so weird.'

'What did you say?' she challenged as she poked his side.

He recoiled. 'No, Alicia. Stop it,' he warned. Her eyes narrowed as she started tickling his side.

'Alicia! I said NO!'

'I heard you.'

They ended up tickle-wrestling for ten minutes before Alicia was so out of breath she called a truce. At this point she was laying across his chest.

'Hey Remus?' she said with her face partially obscured by the mattress.

He looked down with a happy expression on his face. 'Yes darling?'

'I didn't leave because of your furry little problem. And I'm never going to leave you again. You are stuck with me now.'

His eyes became watery. He pulled her back to him so they could hold each other close. 'I love you,' he told her.

She kissed him. 'I love you too.'