Moonlit Bonds: The Tale of Moony and Snowy

Chapter 173 - Under the Full Moon

Eliza's exhaustion was palpable. The nights of broken sleep, haunted by the nightmares of her summer ordeal, left dark circles under her eyes and a weariness that no amount of rest seemed to alleviate. The days leading up to the full moon were always tense, but this time, there was an added layer of anxiety. Remus's protective instincts, amplified by his lycanthropy, had become even more pronounced.

The day before the full moon, Remus shadowed Eliza with unwavering determination. Whether they were in classes, at meals, or simply walking through the castle, he was at her side, his watchful eyes never straying far from her.

"Remus, you're hovering," Eliza remarked with a tired smile as they left their Defense Against the Dark Arts class.

Remus gave her a sheepish grin, though his concern was evident. "I know, Eliza. It's just... Moony's getting more protective, I can feel it. And honestly, I just don't want to let you out of my sight."

Eliza reached up to squeeze his hand. "I understand, Remus. I really do. But I'll be okay. We've faced the full moon together before, and we'll do it again."

Remus nodded, though he couldn't shake the feeling of unease. That night, as they settled into the Marauder's dormitory, Sirius cast a worried glance at his friend.

"Are you sure you're up for this, Moony?" Sirius asked quietly, his voice tinged with concern.

Remus nodded. "I don't have a choice, Padfoot. But I'm worried about how Moony will react to Snowy this time. He's been more protective than ever."

Sirius sighed, glancing at Eliza, who was already drifting off to sleep. "We'll be there. We'll keep them both safe."

The next evening, the full moon rose high in the sky, casting its silver glow over the Forbidden Forest. The Marauders transformed, the familiar yet always awe-inspiring change washing over them as they took on their Animagus forms.

Moony, now a powerful and imposing werewolf, immediately positioned himself protectively near Snowy, growling at anything that came too close. Padfoot, Prongs, and Wormtail kept their distance, understanding the need to give Moony his space, especially with Snowy around.

Halfway through the night, Moony's protective instincts took over completely. Without warning, he grabbed Snowy by the scruff of her neck and bolted into the depths of the forest. The others tried to keep up, but Moony's speed and determination made it impossible.

Snowy, recognizing the futility of struggling, decided to go along with Moony. She knew that resisting would only agitate him more, and perhaps this way, she could keep him calm. For the next three hours, Moony and Snowy roamed the forest together. Moony's demeanor shifted from aggressive protectiveness to a playful energy, and they spent the time chasing each other through the trees, splashing in streams, and playfully wrestling in clearings.

Back in the forest, Prongs, Padfoot, and Wormtail were frantic. They scoured every inch of the forest, calling out to Moony and Snowy with increasing desperation. The hours dragged on, each minute feeling like an eternity.

When the moon finally began to wane, Remus and Eliza found themselves alone in a small clearing. Remus, now back in his human form, looked exhausted and guilty. He pulled Eliza into his arms, his voice shaky.

"I'm so sorry, Eliza. I couldn't control him. Moony just... took over."

Eliza, still in her wolf form, licked his face before transforming back. "Remus, it's okay. Really. Moony was just being protective. And honestly, it was kind of sweet. We had fun."

Just as she finished speaking, they saw a stag, a dog, and a rat emerge from the trees. The sight brought a wave of relief. The others quickly transformed back into their human forms, and Sirius ran up to Eliza, checking her over.

"Are you okay? Did he hurt you?" Sirius asked, his voice frantic.

Eliza shook her head, smiling reassuringly. "I'm fine, Sirius. Moony was just... very protective. We played for most of the night."

James, still catching his breath, clapped Remus on the shoulder. "You gave us quite a scare, mate. But I'm glad you're both alright."

Remus's guilt was still evident, but Eliza's lighthearted attitude seemed to ease it slightly. "I'm really sorry, guys. I didn't mean for this to happen."

Sirius gave him a reassuring pat on the back. "It's alright, Moony. We know you didn't. Let's just get back to the castle."

The walk back was slow, with Eliza leaning heavily on Remus and Sirius. They reached their dormitory just as the first light of dawn began to creep over the horizon. Remus and Eliza, too exhausted to care about appearances, collapsed onto the same bed, falling into a deep, dreamless sleep.

The next morning, the Marauders were up early, discussing the previous night in hushed tones. Remus woke up to find Eliza still nestled against him, her breathing steady and calm. He kissed her forehead gently, grateful for her presence and her understanding.

As the day progressed, they went about their classes, with Remus staying close to Eliza. Her exhaustion was still evident, but the peaceful sleep she had gotten after the full moon seemed to have helped.

In their classes, Eliza and Remus sat next to each other, as they always did. Their shared experiences had forged an unbreakable bond, and their friends respected the unspoken need for them to be close.

During Potions, Professor Slughorn noticed Eliza's tired state and addressed her with concern. "Miss Black, are you feeling alright? You seem a bit under the weather."

Eliza nodded, forcing a small smile. "I'm fine, Professor. Just a bit tired."

Remus squeezed her hand under the table, offering silent support. He knew that the road to recovery would be long, but with the support of their friends and their unwavering love for each other, they would face whatever challenges lay ahead.

As the day came to an end, the Marauders gathered in the common room, reflecting on the events of the night before. Despite the exhaustion and the worry, they knew that they had each other's backs. And in the face of the darkness that threatened their world, that was a comfort beyond measure.

That night, Eliza fell asleep surrounded by her friends, the nightmares held at bay by the strength of their bond and the love that had carried them through the darkest of times. Remus, watching over her, knew that no matter what the future held, they would face it together—stronger, braver, and more united than ever before.