Moonlit Bonds: The Tale of Moony and Snowy

Chapter 147 - Celebrations

James stretched expansively, his grin spreading across his face as he clapped Sirius on the back with a hearty thump. "We did it, mate! I reckon that might just be the last time we'll ever have to deal with a McGonagall exam!"

Sirius returned the gesture with an equally enthusiastic shake, his eyes twinkling with mischief and fatigue. "Speak for yourself, Prongs. I might just miss her death glares during Potions."

Eliza, who had joined the group, laughed softly, the tension visibly lifting from her shoulders. "I'm just glad it's over. I could use a month-long nap after that."

Remus, always more contemplative, nodded in agreement while scanning the crowd. "You know, it's not just about finishing the exams. It's everything we've managed to accomplish along the way."

Peter, often the quietest, piped up with a hint of pride in his voice. "We really pulled together, didn't we? I mean, those study sessions in the Room of Requirement were intense."

As the group made their way from the Great Hall to the Gryffindor common room, they discussed their immediate post-exam plans. James proposed a celebratory feast, which included a visit to the kitchens to thank the house-elves personally for the extra food deliveries during their late-night study sessions.

Upon reaching the common room, the celebration turned spontaneous. Students from different years joined in, bringing sweets from Hogsmeade and tales of their own exam woes and victories. The common room buzzed with laughter, music, and the clinking of Butterbeer bottles.

Sirius, who never missed an opportunity for a speech, stood on a chair and raised his bottle. "To us, the best damn witches and wizards this school has ever seen! To friendship, to the future, and to finally being free of N.E.W.T.s!"

The cheer that followed was thunderous, resonating through the corridors of Hogwarts. Eliza leaned against Remus, her smile reflecting both contentment and nostalgia. "You know," she whispered, "despite everything, I'm going to miss this."

Remus squeezed her hand, his voice soft and certain. "We'll make new memories, Eliza. Better ones."

As the night wore on, the Marauders led the common room in games, storytelling, and even an impromptu dance-off, which Remus surprisingly won. The atmosphere was electric with the joy of completion and the bittersweet tang of upcoming farewells.

James, taking a quieter moment to the side with Lily, attempted one more time to charm her. "So, Evans, how about a victory date? I promise it'll be worth it."

Lily, who had been more amused than usual by James's antics that evening, responded with a teasing smile. "Maybe, Potter. Maybe if you can keep up this mature Head Boy persona a little longer."

As the party finally began to wind down, the Marauders gathered for a final group hug, a moment to recognize the bond that had sustained them through the ups and downs of Hogwarts life. They promised each other that no matter where life took them, this friendship would endure, forged in the fires of Hogwarts and strengthened by unconditional support and shared dreams.