Moonstruck | A Remus Lupin Love Story

Chapter 38: Hidden

They had slept like that for almost three weeks. Remus huddled in the small bed. Esmeray curled up on the sleeping bag. Both bodies facing each other. Each of their arms splayed towards the other, as if reaching for a lover's embrace.

Esmeray awoke as usual to her mundane routine in hiding. Remus would already be awake and have his nose buried in scripture with a steaming cup of tea waiting for Esmeray. They would both undergo training for a couple hours, building Esmeray's strength and control, ready for whenever the war would hit. Esmeray hated to even think it, but this war was taking its time. She knew she was being selfish, but she was growing tired of the seclusion, of the hiding. Though she was grateful that everyone was somewhat safe, and she had the company of Remus to get her by, her life situation was lackluster. That fiery spirit that burned within her diminished each day. One of the only things that allowed her a sense of freedom were the woods they camped in. Every few days, they would shift their camp spot to a different forest in the wizarding world, and each time, Esmeray would drag Remus out to go and explore. The only thing was that Remus was worried, too worried. After a short while, he would usher them back to camp in fear of being discovered. He couldn't lose her. Not again. Not ever. Esmeray understood his concern, but it still disheartened her. All a phoenix ever wants, is to be free.

Thier most recent spot had been her favorite.  One early morning, before the sun stretched its golden rays through the ashen trunks of the woods, Esmeray had snuck out to do her own investigating. On her adventure, she had discovered her own little oasis within her isolation. Buried behind walls of willow trees and whimsy vines lay an azure lagoon that would glow in the morning light. Its water was made of glass, painted by the sea gods. The water danced down from a cascade of roaring falls that manifested from behind moss-coated boulders. The edges of the pool were littered with blossoms and sprouts, wrapping the lagoon in lively colors. It was almost if the very air it sat in glittered with that sort of heavenly, pure magic. It was something out of a fairytale. Her own special place. A sanctuary. A place where she could breathe freely, where she could escape from stress and responsibility, where she could simply just be. 

She had visited the past few mornings and returned before Remus awoken. She didn't know when they would move camp again, so this may have been her last chance. However, as she stepped out into the chilled morning fog, she collided with a woolen chest.

'And where are you off to on this fine morning, ' Remus uttered as he crossed his arms. Esmeray's mouth froze in an O shape as she fumbled over an answer,

'I-I was just getting some fresh air...' Remus only raised an eyebrow at her before ushering her back inside.

'Look Remus, I'm sorry but before you-' Esmeray began, but was quickly interrupted,

'Do you have any idea of the danger you could have put yourself in. You could jeopardize the entire mission if you were caught-

'But I wasn't-'

'But you could have been-'

'I'm not some foolish child, I know how to take care of myself-'

'You know nothing!' Remus exhaled, regretting his words instantly. Esmeray's mouth closed, and then opened, and then closed again. She stood in shock at his words. Remus ran his hand over his faced and turned towards the desk, grabbing a pile of ripped opened letters.

'You don't understand how bad it's gotten,' he spoke as he shook the letters.

'What are those,' she quizzed as her brow furrowed, 'what haven't you told me!'

'What you didn't need to know!'

'Remus, that's not fair,'

'No, what's not fair is that while you are leaving every morning, risking your discovery, the others are out there still fighting! Hogwarts has now been taken over by a team of death eaters to which the students are suffering tremendously. Headquarters has been discovered and ransacked. Harry, Ron and Hermoine were kidnapped and tortured. Half-bloods are being hunted and killed int the streets. Sirius is nowhere to be seen and-'