Moonlit Bonds: The Tale of Moony and Snowy

Chapter 94 - Resuming Studies

The start of classes in their fifth year at Hogwarts brought with it a renewed sense of purpose for the Marauders. As they settled into their seats in the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, the air was charged with anticipation and determination. Professor McGonagall, now their Transfiguration professor as well, stood at the front of the room with her usual air of authority.

James Potter sat upright, his glasses glinting in the sunlight streaming through the windows. He exchanged a grin with Sirius Black, who leaned back casually in his chair, looking more relaxed than usual. Remus Lupin sat beside them, his expression serious as he reviewed his notes, a deep furrow between his brows.

Across the aisle, Peter Pettigrew fidgeted nervously, adjusting his robes as he glanced around the room. Beside him, Eliza Black sat with an air of quiet determination, her focus already on the syllabus in front of her. Her mind, however, drifted momentarily to Sirius, who had been quieter than usual since their reconciliation.

Professor McGonagall cleared her throat, drawing their attention to the front of the classroom. "Welcome back, everyone. I trust you had a restful holiday. Now, as fifth years, we will be delving into more advanced topics in both Defense Against the Dark Arts and Transfiguration. Your O.W.L.s exams are not far off, and it is imperative that you are well-prepared."

James leaned over to Sirius, whispering under his breath, "Looks like McGonagall means business this year."

Sirius nodded, his eyes fixed on Professor McGonagall. "I bet she's going to make us work twice as hard."

Remus glanced at them, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Good thing we've always been up for a challenge."

Peter looked at his friends nervously. "Do you think we'll be ready for the O.W.L.s?"

Eliza turned to him with a reassuring smile. "We'll study hard, Peter. We've got each other's backs, right?"

Peter nodded, a hesitant smile forming. "Right."

Throughout the morning, they moved from Defense Against the Dark Arts to Transfiguration, then onto Potions in the afternoon. Professor Slughorn, jovial as ever, greeted them warmly as they entered his classroom. The smell of potions ingredients hung heavy in the air, mingling with the bubbling cauldrons and the scratching of quills on parchment.

As they worked on their Draught of Living Death, James leaned over to Sirius, his voice low. "Think we can brew this one without turning it into a disaster?"

Sirius smirked, stirring his potion carefully. "I don't know, Prongs. I heard the last batch of Amortentia smelled like rotten eggs."

James chuckled, carefully measuring out the next ingredient. "That was Peter's fault."

Peter flushed pink, but he grinned sheepishly. "Hey, I've improved since then!"

Eliza worked steadily on her own potion, occasionally glancing over to check on Peter's progress. Sirius watched her, a small furrow forming between his brows. He had been avoiding prolonged conversations with Eliza since their reconciliation, unsure of how to fully reconcile his protective instincts with the reality of her relationship with Remus.

After Potions, they headed to the library for a study session. The shelves were filled with students poring over books and parchment, their heads bent in concentration. James claimed a corner table large enough for all of them, spreading out their notes and textbooks.

"Alright, let's review Defense Against the Dark Arts first," Remus said, flipping open their textbook to the chapter on dark creatures.

They spent hours going over their notes, quizzing each other on spell incantations and magical theories. Eliza and Remus sat close together, their shoulders occasionally brushing as they discussed the finer points of Patronus charms and counter-curses. Sirius, seated opposite them, struggled to focus on his own studies as he stole glances at his sister and Remus.

As the day turned into evening and the library grew quieter, they finally packed up their things and headed back to Gryffindor Tower. The common room was warm and inviting, the fire crackling merrily in the hearth.

Sirius lingered near the window, gazing out at the darkening sky. James approached him quietly, leaning against the windowsill beside him. "You okay, mate?"

Sirius sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I guess. It's just... weird, you know? Knowing they're together."

James nodded sympathetically. "It's a lot to take in. But they seem happy, don't they?"

Sirius glanced over at Eliza and Remus, who were sitting together on a nearby sofa, their heads bent close as they whispered quietly. Eliza laughed softly at something Remus said, her eyes sparkling with affection.

"Yeah," Sirius murmured, a hint of resignation in his voice. "Yeah, they do."

James clapped him on the shoulder. "Give it time, Sirius. It'll get easier."

Sirius nodded, his gaze lingering on his sister and Remus once more before he turned away. As he settled into an armchair by the fire, he knew that their journey through fifth year would be filled with challenges both academic and personal. But with the support of his friends and the bond they shared, he also knew they could face whatever lay ahead, together.