Moonstruck | A Remus Lupin Love Story

Chapter 36: An Unforgettable Night

Esmeray was in shock. She couldn't believe that this was actually happening. She had been waiting for so long. And now she was here. She was out. She was free. Well, only for a moment. After Esmeray had returned, dressed in a simple pale green dress and a pair of worn but hardy boots, Remus had excitedly exclaimed, 

'Come on,' and grabbed her hand quickly. With a swirl of darkness and a loud POP, Esmeray had landed on top of a winding cobblestone road that would lead them to a small town she could see on the horizon. Lanterns and strung lights decorated the streets in the distance, illuminating the village against the backdrop of blue misty mountains and deep murky wood. She could faintly hear the hum of music and the buzz of lively chatter. It was something out of a fairytale, and Esmeray was in awe. In her state of wander, she hadn't noticed Remus walking ahead of her,

'What are you waiting for,' he grinned at her. Her smile grew as she dashed towards him, clutching his outstretched hand and the pair started to make their way towards the town. 

'What is this place?' Esmeray gasped, as her head continued to rotate, trying to take in all the ancient buildings that surrounded them.

'It's where I grew up,' Remus began, ' it's known as Shadow Grove, as it's hidden within the shadow of those mountains,' he said as he pointed towards the towering peaks ahead. 

'It's mainly a muggle town but, muggles who are aware of the magic in this world.' Esmeray whipped her head around to face him fearfully, 

'Don't worry, these people are different. They respect it. We live in harmony with them,'

'We?'

'Hmm, it's also home to many estranged and misfit wizards, among many magical creatures that lost their homes during the war or were exiled.'

'Oh...do...do they know of you, like do you have friends here?' Remus thought for a moment before responding,

'Well...I'm friendly with them, but I guess I'm just known as the lonely werewolf who lives in the woods.' He looked down, smiling sadly. Esmeray caught his slight change in demeanor and quickly reached her hand towards him, pulling him from his thoughts, 

'Not so lonely anymore,' she smiled. He smiled back. A few droplets of rain started to spit down and the two hurried down towards Shadow Grove. Before they entered the warm light of the main street, Remus quickly yanked Esmeray into a side alley. 

'What are you doing?'

'I need to put a charm on you, I trust the people in this town, but Shadow Grove is subject to many travelers, and I don't want to take any chances of you being discovered,' he whispered, leaning very close to her to hide their bodies.

'Oh, okay,' she responded, trying to shove aside the rising buzzing sensations from his close proximity. 

'It's just a disillusionment charm, it will just distort your appearance to others and dull your magical energy, so you seem more or less ordinary,' he said as he raised his wand above her head. With a gentle tap on her forehead, a frosty chill ran down her spine, stretching all the way out of her toes. 

'All done,' he whispered, before pulling her back out onto the streets. 

'Alright, what do you want to do first?' Remus asked, but he was met with a speechless Esmeray as she glanced around the street. It was swarming with wizards and creatures of all varieties, painting it will life. There were markets and small shops that poked out of hidden little holes in the wall. Billions of tiny lights threaded above the buildings, each intertwined with green and golden flags that fluttered in the wind. The smell of fresh tulips and hot pumpkin soup devoured the air. It was so full of life, it made Esmeray want to cry.