THE SHADOW PATH ⎯ james potter

[020]

chapter twenty:

you could never be a burden

The Great Hall was alive with the morning bustle as Ellie and Charlotte finally dragged themselves through the double doors, yawning and rubbing their bleary eyes. The enchanted ceiling above them showed a bright, cloudless sky, but neither of them were feeling particularly sunny after their long night of researching runes. They exchanged tired glances before making their way over to the Gryffindor table, where the boys were already halfway through their breakfasts.

James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter sat together, their plates piled high with bacon, sausages, eggs, and toast. James was halfway through enthusiastically retelling a story about Quidditch tryouts when Ellie and Charlotte slid into the seats beside them.

"Well, look who finally decided to grace us with their presence!" Sirius teased, raising an eyebrow at the girls as they slumped into their chairs. He flicked a piece of toast at Ellie, who barely had the energy to dodge it.

"We were up late studying," Ellie mumbled, reaching for a piece of toast and barely managing to keep her eyes open as she buttered it.

"Studying?" Peter asked, glancing between the two girls suspiciously. "Since when do you two study that late?"

Ellie shot him a weak smile, trying to play it off. "There's a first time for everything."

"Yeah, we were, uh, revising for Charms," Charlotte added hastily, stifling a yawn. She glanced down the table, hoping no one would push the matter further. The last thing they wanted was to explain their midnight investigation of the mysterious runes.

James smirked, shaking his head. "Studying or not, you both look like you've been hit by a Bludger. Did you even sleep?"

"Not really," Ellie muttered, her head resting on her hand as she absentmindedly poked at her toast. Her mind was still preoccupied with the runes and their potential meanings. They had made progress, but there was still so much they didn't know. And now, with the headache and strange flare-ups of magic... Ellie felt on edge.

"At least you won't be the only zombies in class today," Sirius added cheerfully. "Peter stayed up late last night too—he was trying to charm his books to do his homework for him." He chuckled as Peter turned red and scowled at him.

"Well, it almost worked," Peter grumbled defensively. "Until the book caught fire."

Everyone laughed, and the tension eased a little. Ellie managed a small smile, appreciating the lighthearted banter. But her thoughts were interrupted when Remus, sitting across from her, leaned forward slightly.

"Ellie," he began, his voice low enough that only she could hear. He cast a quick glance at Charlotte, as if making sure she was listening too. "I got letters this morning from Mum and Dad."

Ellie blinked, straightening up a little as her heart gave a small flutter. "What did they say?"

Remus glanced around quickly to make sure no one was listening in too closely before lowering his voice further. "They said it might be best for us to stay here again for the full moon this year."

Ellie's heart sank a little, but she nodded. She and Remus had spent last year's full moons at Hogwarts, given how Madame Pomfrey could tend to him after the transformation. 

While she understood why it was necessary, it still made her anxious every time. She hated feeling so helpless while Remus suffered through his monthly transformations. And now, with the magical disturbances and the runes they were investigating... she couldn't help but feel uneasy about what this year might bring.