Moonlit Bonds: The Tale of Moony and Snowy

Chapter 20 - December Challenges

The Gryffindor common room buzzed with festive cheer as December descended upon Hogwarts. The Marauders had outdone themselves this year, enchanting the room with snow that glittered like diamonds under the warm glow of the fire. Laughter and chatter filled the air as students admired the magical display, some even attempting to catch snowflakes on their tongues.

Eliza and Sirius, however, found it hard to fully embrace the holiday spirit. As they lounged near the fire one chilly evening, Eliza traced patterns in the arm of her chair, her brow furrowed with worry.

"You alright, Liz?" Sirius asked softly, noticing her distant expression.

Eliza sighed, glancing up at him with a forced smile. "Just thinking about Christmas..."

Sirius's eyes softened with understanding. He knew all too well the dread that accompanied their return to Grimmauld Place. Their parents' disapproval seemed to grow stronger with each passing year, casting a shadow over what should have been a joyful time.

"We'll get through it, like we always do," Sirius said reassuringly, reaching out to squeeze her hand.

Eliza nodded, grateful for his unwavering support. "I know... It's just hard sometimes."

The days leading up to Christmas were filled with both anticipation and apprehension. The Marauders continued their festive pranks around the castle, spreading cheer wherever they went. They turned staircases into winding slides that deposited students into the corridors with surprised laughter, and enchanted mistletoe to float above unsuspecting heads, much to the amusement of their peers.

On the morning of their departure, Eliza packed her trunk with a heavy heart. The prospect of facing her parents' disappointment loomed over her like a dark cloud. Sirius, too, seemed quieter than usual as they boarded the Hogwarts Express.

The journey back to London was somber, the train rattling through the wintry countryside as snowflakes danced past the windows. Eliza leaned against the cool glass, watching the landscape blur into white.

When they arrived at Grimmauld Place, the atmosphere was as cold and forbidding as ever. Walburga and Orion Black greeted them with stern faces, their disapproval palpable in the air.

"Gryffindor," Walburga muttered under her breath, her lip curling in disdain.

Orion remained silent but his disappointment was evident in the way he looked at them, as though they were a constant disappointment.

The days that followed were a blur of rigid routine and stifling expectations. Eliza and Sirius tiptoed around their parents, trying not to draw attention to themselves. The beatings were less frequent now, but the emotional strain was just as heavy.

Eliza found solace in the few moments she could steal away with Sirius, hiding in their shared bedroom late at night. They whispered plans for their return to Hogwarts, dreaming of the freedom and camaraderie waiting for them there.

Christmas morning arrived with an air of forced cheerfulness. Walburga insisted on a lavish breakfast, though the meal was punctuated by icy silence. Eliza picked at her food, her appetite dulled by anxiety.

Sirius caught her eye across the table, his expression filled with silent understanding. He reached out under the table, squeezing her hand gently, a silent reassurance that they were in this together.

As the holiday break wore on, Eliza counted down the days until their return to Hogwarts. The castle had become their sanctuary, a place where they could be themselves without fear of judgment or punishment. She longed for the warmth of the Gryffindor common room, the camaraderie of her friends, and the simple joy of learning magic.

On the eve of their departure, Eliza packed her trunk with a mixture of relief and apprehension. She knew the challenges that awaited them at Grimmauld Place would only grow more daunting with each passing year. But as she glanced at Sirius, who was carefully stowing away his belongings, she felt a glimmer of hope.

"We'll be back soon," Sirius said quietly, meeting her gaze with determination.

Eliza nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "And when we do, we'll make the most of every moment."

With that promise hanging between them, they closed their trunks and prepared to face another term at Hogwarts, where the magic of the holidays would linger in their memories, a beacon of light amidst the shadows of their home.