Chapter seventeen: the man who cried wolf

There were shapes flying around. Light and dark. There was something hurting in his back. It was the headache that finally jolted Remus awake. He was on his back on a big flat rock. There was the sound of running water nearby and the brilliant sunlight between the branches and leaves of the trees.

Remus groaned as he pushed himself up in a sitting position. His vision stopped turning and he tried to focus on his surroundings. First thing he noticed was that he was cold. He looked down and realised he was naked.

'Great. Good start of the day,' he muttered to himself. He also couldn't find his wand. He looked around in the dirt until he noticed….blood. His heartbeat quickened as he inspected himself. He wasn't bleeding anywhere. So whose blood was it?

He looked beyond the clearing, and in the shade of the trees he finally noticed someone sitting there. He walked closer and ran into a shield charm. 'Auch!'

His noise woke her up. It was Alicia. She looked very tired, her hair sticking up in various angles. There was a woollen blanket over her that she shook off when she woke up. 'Remus! You're awake.'

'Alicia there is blood over here. Please tell me I didn't…' he stopped as he saw the way she wobbled towards him. She wasn't putting any pressure on her left leg. 'Alicia…'

She took down the shield and was in his arms the next second. 'You didn't bite me,' she whispered. A huge flood of relief washed over him. But it was still not okay. 'But I hurt you,' Remus said as he pushed her at arm's length. She picked up the blanket and threw it over his shoulders. Remus welcomed the warmth and covering up of his private parts. She placed her hand lovingly on his cheek. 'Yes, you scratched me. I won't deny it. But seeing how wrong things could have gone, I'm glad it's only that. You didn't hurt anyone else. Well…possibly Sirius before I arrived. But not Harry, Ron or Hermione. I also stopped you from hurting the centaurs.'

He looked astounded. 'I remember walking with Peter and Ron and…I'm such a fool for forgetting the full moon. After all those years you should expect me to know when the full moon is…'

Alicia shook her head. 'I forgot too. We were both very busy with the exams. Then with Sirius and Peter-,'

He had taken a step back and was looking at her. He looked angry. 'You were with Sirius. That day I asked you to protect the Shack. You were with a man I thought had murdered my friends and you didn't tell me?'

'Don't think I don't feel guilty about that. I wanted to tell you. Sirius made me promise I wouldn't. I think he was ashamed to face you. But you did now, right? You saw him and heard the story? Are you guys friends again?' Alicia asked rapidly.

First he just watched her. A muscle in his cheek moved. Then he leaned forward and placed a hand on her shoulder. 'It took me a long time to be convinced of his innocence, and I had proof. I saw Peter. You just…believed him. He could have killed you!'

She looked down. 'I know. I'm sorry. I won't lie to you again.'

He was taken aback by that. 'Good. I didn't expect you to back down so fast though. You are usually more stubborn.' She smiled and dared to glance at him. 'I guess you could say I learn from my mistakes.'

Remus his look softened. He pulled her in for a hug. 'Alicia what would I do without you?' She chuckled and kissed his neck. 'I don't know, and I don't mean to find out. Now, I think we should get you to the Hospital Wing.'

They started walking. It would be a long and uncomfortable walk, since the one was barefoot and the other had an injured ankle. At least the weather was nice. Remus started telling the story of yesterday. Alicia listened intently. The outcome wasn't ideal since Peter got away. But at least he believed Sirius. At this moment neither of them had the correct information to finish the story, so they would have to ask someone at the castle.

'So how often did you go to him?' Remus asked calmly. He didn't seem mad anymore. 'Two times. The first time I ran into him when you asked me to ward the house, the second time I went by choice. He looked so bad. I gave him food and medicine. And company.'

Remus smiled. 'Did you believe him quickly?'

'Not really. I asked him a lot of questions and was scared in the beginning. But he wasn't hostile. I don't know. I took a leap of faith.'

There was a moment of silence before Alicia spoke again. 'There is something else you should know.'

Remus waited. A deep sigh came from Alicia before she told him. 'I…told my three friends about you being a werewolf…and that I lo-…that we are a thing.'

It was hard to read his expression. He seemed to concentrate. 'Why?'

'Well, the werewolf part Michelle figured out by herself. Damn her smart brain. And I needed to get out of the tower to get to you, but they were done listening to my lies. I needed to tell the truth or they would have stunned me and locked me up. But I made them swear not to tell anyone. I trust them, Remus.'

'I understand. You had to do that. Also to maintain your friendship with them. Lucky for me all of you will graduate soon. Let's hope that is really all. But I'm afraid…that word about tonight will get out,' Remus said glumly. 'Also…'

He stopped and tugged on her arm. She stopped too, not sure what he would do or say. He smiled down at her and leaned in to kiss her. Their lips met for a long moment. She felt his hand on her cheek, softly rubbing circles with his thumb. He let go with a gasp. Alicia just stood there for a moment, taken aback.

'I love you too,' he said with that famous smirk on his lips. She couldn't help but smile. 'Yeah, that,' she said before she kissed him back. They stood there for a while, enjoying each other. Remus groaned as he let go of the kiss. 'Careful now Alicia. Don't get me too excited. I hardly have anything to cover my excitement up.'

She let her eyes travel down over his body, wrapped into the blanket. She made sure he saw her look. 'I wouldn't mind that.'

Remus steered her back in the direction of the castle. 'This will be a busy morning. We don't have time.' She sighed. 'Alright fine. But only because I don't want to take advantage of a sick old man.'

'You little-,' one moment she was smirking proudly, the second she was upside down slung over his shoulder. 'Oh bloody hell not this again,' she protested.

He just kept walking. 'Sick old man right? I can still handle you with one hand if I have to.'

He carried her like that for a little while before putting her back on her feet. They walked and talked through the early morning. They passed by the spot where he had turned last night, but there were no clothes or wand to be found. Alicia suggested they went by Hagrid to get something that she could shrink to his size. He wasn't in his house, which was all the better. It was hard to explain why Remus was naked in the woods, but maybe harder to explain why she was there with him.

They found pants, slippers and a shirt that she shrunk until they fitted. He didn't look like himself at all, but it was only temporary. It was still only 7:30 A.M. so hopefully must students were in their beds. They climbed the stairs towards the Hospital Wing.

Madame Pomfrey was in all sort of states. She had expected Remus to show up but was almost angry at Alicia for being there too. 'I have the whole set today then! First Weasley, Potter and Granger and now you two as well. Alright, sit down Doreen. I'll be with you in a moment.'

She smiled at Remus as he was guided to his regular bed in the back, where she would heal his small wounds and give him a potion against his exhaustion. When Madame Pomfrey came over to Alicia and saw the wounds, she looked troubled.

'Yes, they were inflicted by a werewolf,' Alicia whispered. 'It's okay. I won't tell anyone. Please just help me as much as you can and leave the rest to my body to heal.'

She shook her head fiercely. 'In all my years, I never met anyone with the collection of wounds you have, Miss Doreen.' Alicia chuckled. 'Don't worry Poppy, this will be the last time you see me in here.'

The witch almost cracked a smile.

That day was very tense for most students. Everyone was still waiting for the exam results to come back, which would happen on Monday. So mostly students were enjoying the nice weather outside and going to Hogsmeade.

The first people Alicia spoke to were Fred and George Weasley. She found them in the hall as she was leaving the Hospital Wing. They saw her leaning on a walking stick and were straight away concerned. After she forced them to tell her what they knew, she learned that Sirius had escaped tonight. That the Minister and Snape were beyond reason. They also told her that Ron was slightly injured on his leg, but that he was healing quickly.

She thanked them and hobbled on. There were multiple people she wanted to see. Remus was still in the Hospital Wing but would soon go to Dumbledore to talk things through. She didn't know where Harry was but she would love to hear the story from his side. And eventually she had to confront her friends…

First Harry, she decided. She walked down the stairs slowly when someone jumped on the moving staircase just in time. 'Hi Alicia! Oh wow, are you injured?'

Alicia turned her head to face the Slytherin with a huge crush on her. 'Hi Damian. Uh, yeah. My ankle is twisted. The stick is to relieve pressure. How did your exams go?'

He beamed at her. 'Very well, thank you for asking. Probably top marks in Potions and Divination. But I wonder if anything will change for Defence Against the Dark Arts.'

She had a bad feeling about this. 'Why would that change?'

Damian looked incredulously. 'You haven't heard? Everyone in Slytherin knows. Professor Lupin is a werewolf! Can you imagine that? We got taught by a bloody monster!'

She had never tried harder to keep a fake smile on her face. 'And who, pray tell, told you this?'

BAM! The door to Professor Snapes office flew open, nearly ripping off the hinges. The professor sat up straight and held his wand out to the door. If he expected anything, it wasn't this. Not her.

'Miss Doreen?' he asked more shocked than angry. 'Why are you disturbing me?'

'Because I'm mad at you Snivellus,' she said. She sounded more threatening than she had ever sounded. She flicked her wand and before he could respond she had her Potions teacher pinned to the wall, his feet dangling.

'What is- PUT ME DOWN AT ONCE!' He had lost it. He looked furious, but not as furious as she was. 'I'm wondering. If I killed you right here in your office, would there be anyone that cared? Is there anyone on this earth that cares about you, Snivellus? I don't see you going home to a wife and kids. I don't see you being buddies with your neighbours. The only company I can imagine you in, is the Dark Lord's followers.'

'HOW DARE YOU-,'

'I'm not done yet. I figure that your own life is so miserable, so lonely and so insecure that you take your frustration out on others. Others who are just trying to get their life back on track. Others who deserve happiness. And you…you will be the bogeyman that takes that away. How pathetic.'

He looked down his nose at her. Even pinned to the wall he still looked arrogant, looking down on her. 'This is about Lupin isn't it? I thought you two were…involved. He can't seem to stop breaking rules, can he?'

She couldn't handle his sneer right now. 'I didn't come here to ask you to understand. I know you will never be anything other than that sick twisted bastard who likes to bully students. Did Lily hurt your feelings back in school? Did you call her a Mudblood and was that the end of your bond with her? Were you really surprised that she would leave you behind one day? Did you really think she loved you?'

She had never seen anyone do it, but this was different. He tore out of her spell and went right for her neck. He pushed her down to the stone floor, his hands around her neck.

'YOU WILL NOT SPEAK TO ME THAT WAY. YOU WILL SPEAK WITH RESPECT. DO NOT PRESUME TO KNOW ME FILTHY HALF-BLOOD!'

He had knocked her wand away, so there was really only one thing to do. She clenched her hand into a fist and punched him as hard as she could in the face. He shrieked when his nose started bleeding. Alicia was swift enough to get her wand and point it at him before he could pick up his own.

'Sit in your chair,' she ordered. 'Let the wand where it is.'

He obeyed and sat down, with a venomous look in his eyes. 'You think you can get away with this? Attacking a teacher is enough to get you expelled! So close to the end, but you forgot the year isn't over yet. I can still make the coming week hell for you.'

Alicia shrugged. 'You could,' she raised her wand to his head. 'If you could remember. Obliviate.'

She did feel slightly better after putting Snape in his place and punching him. The obliviation had worked and she had looked at him with a disillusionment charm over her to see how confused he looked around. She had left quickly before she felt the urge to do it again. She did still feel the pressure on her neck where Snape had grabbed her.

However, she also knew it was too late. She couldn't obliviate every Slytherin. Besides, by now it was more likely the entire school knew. It was too late to safe Remus' job. He had to go.

She stepped into his office a little moment later. She was still using the cane even though she hadn't taken it in Snape's office with her.

'Knock knock,' she said deflated. Remus turned around. He had started packing. 'You look tired,' he simply said as she seated herself in one of the armchairs. 'Tired, frustrated, furious, sad…pick one,' she told him as she rested her head on her palm. Remus took the other chair and leaned over to grasp her hand.

'So you heard?' he asked simply.

She couldn't help it. It was probably the most immature thing he had seen her do, but she couldn't stop herself. She cried. 'Remus you don't deserve all this crap! Why does it matter so much to people? It's so unfair!'

He sat on his knees in front of her now, both his hands on her cheeks. 'Maybe it is unfair, but also understandable. I am dangerous. Your leg is proof of that.'

She swatted his hands away. 'I would gladly come here every month and lock you up or give you the potion. I would do anything for you!' She began to sob hysterically.

He kissed her on the top of her head. 'Hey, hey. Listen. I don't care that much about this job. Not nearly as much as I care about you. I'd rather be with you than here. I'll find work, don't worry. Nothing permanent, but I'm used to that. Don't you understand? Alicia, you have given me a reason to live again.'

She sniffed. 'I did?'

He smiled brilliantly. 'Of course. I'd rather leave this place today and wait for you at Kings Cross, and then you can come with me. We will figure everything out together. I don't need Hogwarts anymore. I have you now.'

She tried to smile through her tears. 'And Padfoot.' He chuckled. 'Yes, and Padfoot. We'll help him too. We will be an odd little family. Sounds good?'

She nodded, not being able to speak in fear of crying again. After a moment she said: 'Sorry I'm such a mess.'

He kissed her on the forehead. 'I'm a mess too. Let's be messes together.' She laughed at that. He stood up and watched the Marauders map on the desk. 'I have a feeling Harry is coming up to see me. Do you still want to be here when he arrives?'

'Yes. I still don't know all the details of yesterday. Or did Dumbledore tell you?'

Remus informed her on everything Dumbledore had told him. Also that he was sorry to see Remus go, but that he understood completely. She also heard the good news that Buckbeak was not dead, but in fact happily out there with Sirius.

'So you are leaving today then?' she asked in the end.

He sighed. 'Yes. I can't face all the students. I'd rather go quietly.' Alicia nodded. 'Alright then. But you will be there next week on the platform?'

Remus took two strides to close the distance between them. He kissed her roughly, needy. She needed him too, kissing him back with all the energy she could muster. When he let go, he gave her that smirk again and winked. 'You can count on it. I am not letting you go for anything.'

'You better don't. I'm very wanted,' she said back with a wink. Remus chuckled and continued his packing. After a moment he looked over Alicia's shoulder at the map. 'I saw you coming,' Remus said with a smile. Alicia turned around to see Harry standing in the door opening.

'I just saw Hagrid. He said you'd resigned. It's not true, is it?' Harry asked bewildered.

'I'll leave you two alone,' Alicia told them both. She got her cane and hobbled on her way out. Harry watched her and turned his attention to her. 'What happened?'

She turned to face Remus, who had a calm look on his face. 'Scratched by a wolf,' she told Harry with a wink. Harry seemed mildly shocked. 'Hermione told me you were there yesterday. Said you ran into the woods to protect me from…uh…' He looked uneasily between Remus and her.

'From me. And she did. She stopped me from killing or hurting. Apart from herself, of course.' He rolled his eyes. Alicia placed a hand on her hip. 'Don't sound so disappointed. For my first time handling a werewolf, I think I did pretty well.'

Harry gave the two of them an odd look, maybe wondering why she was so casual with the professor. But to be fair, Harry was casual with him too. Remus was practically an uncle to him.

'So when we were at Hagrid's, you knew already that was Pettigrew?' Harry asked her before she could leave. Alicia nodded. 'And you did nothing. You ran away.'

She sighed. 'I said the same thing to Ron. You wouldn't have believed me. Sirius needed him as proof.'

'So you did that for Sirius then?' he asked bewildered. Alicia nodded. Then she placed her hand on Harry's shoulder and moved out of the office. She was in the classroom now, wondering where the time went. She remembered her first day this year, when she was late. She must have looked like a lunatic when she got in. But Remus had not given her detention. He had in fact never given her a hard time. Not during classes, anyway.

She sat there for a while, leaning against a desk, when someone else walked in.

'Ah, Miss Doreen. Good morning,' he said cheerfully.

'Good morning Professor Dumbledore. How are you doing today?' she asked politely.

'Oh good, very good. Thank you for asking. Although I wished I didn't have to lose one of my best teachers. How is your leg?' Dumbledore asked as he also leaned on a desk.

'I can manage. I've had worse injuries over the years,' she said with a wink. Dumbledore smiled. 'Ah yes. Miss Nessie is what they call you, if I'm correct? The student you can trust to find the beauty in the beast.' He winked back and had that twinkle in his eyes, when he knew something he wasn't saying. Alicia turned red. How did this man always know?

Remus and Harry emerged from the office. 'Ah, Remus. Your carriage is at the gates,' Dumbledore told him.

'Thank you, Headmaster.' Remus carried his suitcase down the stairs, Harry was right behind him. 'Remus I meant to ask, Professor Snape seemed to have some form of accident earlier. He can't remember what happened but suddenly his nose was broken. You don't happen to know anything about that?'

If Remus had known, because he had tracked her on the map, then he wasn't showing it. He was perfectly blank when he answered. 'I don't. I'm sorry. Sounds like a nasty accident.'

Behind Remus, Harry was trying to suppress a smile. He locked eyes with Alicia, who tried not to look too guilty. Still she had a feeling he knew.

'Very well then. Thank you for everything Remus. And goodbye,' Dumbledore said as he offered to shake his hand. Remus took it and looked back at Harry and then Alicia. 'Would you mind to accompany me, Miss Doreen?'

She jumped up a big too eagerly and followed him out. Once they were out of hearing distance from the classroom he said: 'What did you do?'

'I don't know what you-,'

'To Snape. What did you do to Snape?'

'I….yelled at him, punched him in the nose and made him forget.'

He sighed deeply and held his head in his hand. 'Why?'

'Take one fucking guess why.'

He looked at her again. 'You need to control yourself better Alicia. I thought you said you learn from your mistakes. That fiery attitude of yours will get you into trouble one day.'

She bumped into his side. 'I thought I had you for that. To keep me out of trouble.' He chuckled. 'So after all those years keeping James and Sirius out of trouble, now it's you and Sirius? What is my life?'

Alicia scanned the hallway quickly, decided it was empty and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. 'You're our wolf-boy.'

Remus just didn't have the energy to continue that conversation so they just laughed. They walked all the way down. Once they walked outside the Entrance Hall onto the court, they found a couple of people again. Including her three best friends, who were returning from their trip to Hogsmeade.

'Hi guys,' Alicia said cheerfully. The three girls looked glum and conflicted. At last Elena ran over to them and stopped in front of Remus.

'Professor,' she whispered, 'We didn't say anything. Alicia made us swear to not tell anyone, and we didn't. We were completely surprised when everyone knew this morning. Please believe me, it wasn't us.'

Both Alicia and Remus smiled. 'I know,' Remus said. 'It was Snape,' Alicia continued. Remus gave her a look. 'Thank you for keeping my secret Elena. Now that I'm not your teacher anymore, I think I can pull one final prank on the school. Michelle, Sophia, please come over here.'

The girls were very curious at this point. 'What is it, Pro-Remus?' Michelle said with a look at Alicia. Remus just chuckled. 'All four of you passed your DADA N.E.W.T.S. Sophia with an Exceeds expectations and the rest of you Outstanding. Congratulations.'

The girls were gleeful at that news. Some bystanders wondered what got them so happy. They said their goodbyes to Remus, wished him well and then it was the two of them crossing the bridge. There was indeed a carriage waiting on the other side.

'Will you survive the coming week without me?' Remus asked lightly. It gained him a giggle from her. 'Neh. I think I will perish.' They laughed at her stupid joke. She felt something move against her hand. When she looked down she saw his hand, opened and questioning. She raised an eyebrow. 'Taking all the risks now?'

He turned around. 'I don't work here anymore so I don't care at all.' He grabbed her hand and intertwined their fingers. Then he raised their hands and kissed hers on the back. She giggled. 'Missed opportunity. We should have done this all the way through the castle.' Remus shook his head, but was also smiling. 'You are still awaiting your final grades. When those are in, we are free. For now make sure nothing influences your marks.'

Alicia huffed. 'You think I care? Even if I failed everything I wouldn't return here. Can you imagine, me being here for another year with another DADA teacher? Can you risk me flirting with someone else? I am after all a professor-hunter.' She wiggled her eyebrows for emphasis. Remus laughed loudly. 'Sorry, sorry. I just imagined you trying to flirt with other teachers. It's hilarious.'

'I should have you know I'm one of Flitwick's favourites,' she said proudly. After a shared look they both burst out in laughter. 'No, Alicia. Anyone that was also a teacher when I was a student here is too old for you.'

'Alright fine. Severus it is.' Remus laughed, but more quiet this time. He had probably not agreed with her actions earlier. If she was completely honest, she already started to regret it. She had just lost it, and went too far. Better not to dwell on it though, if everything went all right no one had to find out.

They reached the carriage. Remus threw his suitcase inside and stood next to the door. 'Well, I guess this is it. Goodbye for now,' he said, sounding more sad than she had expected.

'I have never not seen you for a week or longer. Even when you were ill during classes, I still saw you in the Great Hall. Gosh, the amount of meals that I've been staring at you. They already feel like a lifetime ago,' Alicia admitted with a soft expression. She fixed his jacket that had some creases in it.

He looked down at her with a fond look. 'I noticed you staring. I liked it. Sometimes I wished I could just stare back and dare you who would hold the other's gaze the longest. But well, that was too risky.' He kissed her forehead. 'Don't worry darling. I'll see you soon. A new chapter is starting.'

'So there is,' she whispered back while he hugged her close to his body. She tried to take everything in. His smell, the sound of his breathing, the feeling of his arms around her…

He let go to kiss her on the lips. She reached up on her toes to get closer to him, entangling a hand in his hair. 'I already miss you,' Remus whispered. She smiled when he jumped up into the carriage. She stepped back and waved one final time before the carriage brought him to the train station.

Only one chapter remains after this! The end is near...