Moonlit Bonds

17. Full Moon Promise

The full moon would rise again, but this time, it would not find them cowering in the shadows or retreating into secrecy. It would find them standing side by side, ready to embrace whatever fate had in store. The bond between Remus and Sirius had deepened, tested by the weight of their secrets and the uncertainty of the world outside Hogwarts, yet their connection felt indestructible.

The story of Remus and Sirius had only just begun, and it was a tale of love and sacrifice, of friendship and courage, and of a bond that would withstand even the darkest of nights. But while their relationship flourished in the quiet spaces between classes, in the hidden alcoves of the castle, and beneath the moonlit sky, the challenges of the outside world began to creep in.

Each full moon was a reminder of the battle Remus fought with his own nature. The transformations were painful, but they no longer felt like a lonely punishment. Sirius was there, always. And not just as Padfoot, his faithful Animagus companion, but as Sirius, the boy who loved him, who saw him for more than the beast he feared becoming.

In those moments of transformation, Remus found a strength he had never known before. The love and support Sirius offered—whether through words of encouragement or the simple act of staying by his side—was enough to chase away the bitterness that had once gripped his heart. The full moon no longer held the same dread it used to, because Remus knew he wasn't alone.

But the wider Wizarding World wasn't so kind.

As the months passed, whispers followed them in the halls of Hogwarts. At first, they were subtle, barely noticeable. A glance here, a hushed conversation there. But soon, the whispers turned into something heavier, something that pressed down on them with the weight of expectation and prejudice. They both knew it couldn't stay hidden forever, not in a world where Sirius's family name carried such a complicated history, and Remus's condition was still viewed with fear and suspicion.

One afternoon, they found themselves by the Black Lake, sitting beneath the sprawling branches of a large oak tree. The sky was a brilliant shade of blue, the warmth of the sun cutting through the lingering chill of autumn. Sirius lay back on the grass, his arm resting behind his head as he stared up at the sky.

"We can't keep dodging them forever," Remus said quietly, his fingers playing with the edge of his robe. His tone was thoughtful, but the tension in his voice was unmistakable. "People are starting to notice. More than before."

Sirius turned his head to look at him, his grey eyes narrowing slightly. "Let them notice. Who cares what they think?"

Remus sighed. "It's not that simple, Sirius. You know how people are. They see me and they think... they think monster."

Sirius sat up, a flicker of anger flashing across his face. "You're not a monster, Remus. And anyone who thinks that doesn't know a damn thing about you."

"But they don't need to know me," Remus said, his voice quieter now, the weight of reality sinking in. "All they see is what I am once a month. And you... you're risking everything by being with me. Your family, your reputation..."

Sirius shook his head, his jaw tightening. "I couldn't care less about my family. They've disowned me, anyway. And as for my reputation..." He paused, a mischievous glint appearing in his eyes. "When have I ever cared about what people think of me?"

Despite himself, Remus smiled, but the smile didn't quite reach his eyes. "It's different now, though. We're not just friends anymore. We're... this."

Sirius leaned forward, his hand finding Remus's and squeezing it gently. "This," he repeated, his voice softer now. "I don't care what people think, Moony. I care about you. I love you. And I'm not going to let anyone take that away from us."

The words hung in the air, heavy and powerful, the raw honesty of them making Remus's heart ache in the best way. Sirius had always been brash, bold, and unafraid, but when he spoke like this, with that fierce sincerity, it made Remus believe—truly believe—that maybe they could face whatever the world threw at them.

Still, the fear of discovery gnawed at Remus's insides. The glances in the corridors were becoming more frequent, the whispered rumours louder. It wasn't just about them anymore—it was about how people would react. How the world would react.

"I just don't want to see you get hurt," Remus admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

Sirius's expression softened. He reached out, tucking a strand of Remus's hair behind his ear. "I'm tougher than I look," he said with a small grin, but his eyes were serious. "And I won't let anyone hurt you either. We'll face this together, like we always have."

Remus swallowed, the lump in his throat making it hard to speak. "I don't know what I'd do without you," he said quietly.

"You won't have to find out," Sirius promised, pulling him closer until their foreheads touched, the warmth of Sirius's breath fanning across his skin. "We'll figure this out, Moony. One day at a time."

They sat there, the sun setting slowly behind them, casting the lake in shades of gold and pink. For a moment, it felt like the world outside their bubble didn't exist, like the challenges they would face in the coming weeks and months were far away. But they both knew that the whispers would only grow louder, and eventually, they would have to confront them head-on.

Still, in that moment, the fear of discovery, the prejudice of others, and the weight of the world seemed to fade away. Because as long as they had each other, Remus knew they could face whatever the future held.

As the stars began to twinkle above them, Siriusleaned in and kissed him, slow and deliberate, as if to remind him that nomatter what, they would always have this—this love, this connection, thisunbreakable bond. The moon would rise again, the world would judge them, butthey would stand tall, hand in hand, ready to embrace whatever came their way.