Moonlit Bonds: The Tale of Moony and Snowy

Chapter 97 - A Midnight Feast

The excitement in Gryffindor Tower was palpable as the Marauders, Eliza, and their friends prepared for their clandestine trip to the Hogwarts kitchens. The plan was simple: wait until curfew, sneak out under the cover of James's Invisibility Cloak, and enjoy a feast fit for kings.

As the common room emptied and the castle settled into a hushed stillness, James pulled out the worn and well-loved cloak, its silvery fabric shimmering in the firelight.

"Alright, everyone ready?" he whispered, his voice barely audible over the crackling fire.

Eliza nodded, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "This is going to be brilliant."

Remus smiled at her, his hand brushing against hers in a brief but affectionate gesture. "Just like old times."

Sirius, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, finally grinned, a hint of mischief returning to his eyes. "Let's do this."

Peter, ever the nervous one, shifted anxiously. "Are you sure we won't get caught?"

James clapped him on the back. "Relax, Wormtail. We've done this a hundred times. What could go wrong?"

With everyone gathered under the cloak, they made their way silently through the darkened corridors of Hogwarts. The castle, imposing and ancient, seemed to hold its breath as they passed, the only sounds their muffled footsteps and the occasional whisper of a portrait.

As they neared the entrance to the kitchens, James reached out and tickled the pear in the painting of a bowl of fruit. It giggled, transforming into a doorknob. With a quick twist, the door swung open, and they were greeted by the warm, bustling atmosphere of the kitchens.

House-elves hurried about, preparing food for the next day's meals, but upon seeing the group, they broke into wide, welcoming smiles.

"Good evening, sirs and madams!" squeaked one particularly enthusiastic house-elf. "What can we be getting for you?"

James grinned, stepping forward. "We're in the mood for a midnight feast. Whatever you've got that's delicious and plentiful."

The house-elves sprang into action, gathering an assortment of pastries, cakes, sandwiches, and jugs of pumpkin juice. The friends settled at a large wooden table, the spread before them enough to feed a small army.

"Dig in!" James declared, grabbing a large slice of treacle tart.

As they ate, laughter filled the air, mingling with the clatter of dishes and the hum of the house-elves' activity. For a while, all worries were forgotten, replaced by the simple joy of good food and better company.

"This is amazing," Eliza said, her eyes wide as she bit into a chocolate éclair. "Why don't we do this more often?"

Lily, who had joined them for the adventure, nodded in agreement. "This was a great idea, James."

James puffed up a bit at the praise, but his eyes were on Lily, a hopeful look in his gaze. "Glad you think so, Evans."

Sirius, always the prankster, smirked as he flicked a grape at James. "You're just trying to impress her."

James shot him a playful glare. "And what if I am?"

The banter continued, light and easy, a testament to the bonds that had weathered so many storms. As the night wore on, they shared stories, reminisced about past adventures, and made plans for new ones.

At one point, Remus and Eliza slipped away from the group, finding a quiet corner of the kitchen where they could talk without interruption.

Remus took her hand, his expression serious. "I'm glad we're here together. I know things have been complicated, but..."

Eliza squeezed his hand, her eyes meeting his. "But we'll get through it. Together."

They shared a soft kiss, a moment of intimacy amidst the chaos. When they returned to the table, no one seemed to have noticed their absence, too engrossed in their own conversations and the feast before them.

As the first light of dawn began to creep through the windows, they knew it was time to head back. Reluctantly, they gathered the remnants of their feast and thanked the house-elves profusely.

"Back under the cloak, everyone," James instructed, his tone serious despite the smile on his face. "Let's get back before Filch or anyone else decides to make their rounds."

The journey back to Gryffindor Tower was uneventful, the thrill of their successful escapade lingering in the air. Once safely inside, they collapsed onto the couches and chairs, exhausted but exhilarated.

"That was brilliant," Sirius said, his voice filled with genuine happiness. "We need to do that again."

Lily yawned, leaning her head against James's shoulder. "Maybe next time, we plan it for a night when we don't have classes the next day."

James chuckled softly, wrapping an arm around her. "Agreed."

As the others drifted off to their dormitories, Remus and Eliza lingered for a moment longer, sharing a quiet smile.

"Goodnight, Eliza," Remus whispered, his voice soft.

"Goodnight, Remus," she replied, leaning in for one last kiss before heading upstairs.

The Gryffindor common room fell silent, the remnants of their midnight feast a testament to the night's adventures. Despite the challenges they had faced, and those still to come, the bonds of friendship and love had proven stronger, ready to face whatever the future held.