𝐋𝐈𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐃 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 | 𝐇𝐏 𝐈𝐌𝐀𝐆𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒

The Quiet Moon - 🐺 ݁˖ ݁

⊹ ₊ ˚ 🌑 𓂃 ⸝⸝ ♡

The Gryffindor common room buzzed with the usual chatter of students unwinding after a long day of classes. The fire crackled in the hearth, its warm glow casting flickering shadows on the stone walls. Y/N sat in the far corner of the room, a textbook open on their lap and a quill poised in their hand, though they hadn't written a word in the last fifteen minutes. Their gaze kept drifting to the group near the fireplace, where Remus Lupin sat with his friends, the infamous Marauders.

Remus wasn't like the others—not loud and boisterous like James, nor mischievous and quick-witted like Sirius, nor clumsy and endearing like Peter. He was quieter, more thoughtful, the steady anchor in the storm of chaos that was his friend group. And though Y/N rarely joined their circle, they often found their eyes drawn to him, captivated by the way his hazel eyes seemed to hold an entire world of stories he never spoke aloud.

Tonight, Remus was laughing softly at something Sirius had said, but there was a weariness to him, a heaviness that no amount of laughter could mask. Y/N had noticed it more often lately—the way he would retreat from the group when he thought no one was watching, the dark circles under his eyes that seemed to deepen each month. There was a mystery to him, one that Y/N couldn't help but be drawn to.

With a sigh, Y/N closed their book, realizing they wouldn't be able to focus until they cleared their mind. They stood and made their way to the portrait hole, stepping into the quiet corridors of the castle. The cool air was a welcome change, and they wandered aimlessly for a while, letting their thoughts drift.

They were rounding a corner near the library when they nearly collided with someone. "Oh! Sorry—" Y/N began, but the words caught in their throat when they saw who it was.

Remus.

"Y/N," he said, surprise flickering in his hazel eyes. His voice was soft, warm, like the crackle of a fire on a cold night. "What are you doing out here?"

Y/N smiled sheepishly, tucking a strand of hair behind their ear. "I could ask you the same thing."

Remus chuckled softly, his lips quirking into a faint smile. "Couldn't sleep," he admitted, his gaze drifting to the floor. "Needed some air."

"Same," Y/N said, though it wasn't entirely true. They hesitated for a moment before gesturing toward the corridor. "Want to walk with me?"

Remus seemed surprised by the invitation, but after a moment, he nodded. "Sure."

They fell into step beside each other, the silence between them comfortable, companionable. Y/N stole a glance at him as they walked, noting the way the moonlight streaming through the windows softened his features, made him look almost ethereal.

"You've been quiet lately," Y/N said after a while, their voice gentle.

Remus glanced at them, a flicker of something—surprise, perhaps?—crossing his face. "Have I?"

Y/N nodded, their gaze steady. "More than usual. Is everything okay?"

For a moment, Remus didn't respond. His steps slowed, and he turned to face one of the windows, his hands slipping into the pockets of his robes. "Sometimes," he began, his voice barely above a whisper, "it feels like there's a storm inside me. And no matter what I do, I can't calm it."

Y/N's heart ached at the vulnerability in his voice, the quiet pain he tried so hard to hide. They stepped closer, their gaze soft. "You don't have to go through it alone, you know."

Remus turned to them, his hazel eyes meeting theirs. For a moment, he seemed to be searching for something, some sign that he could trust them. And then, almost imperceptibly, he nodded.

"Thank you," he said quietly, his voice filled with gratitude.

They continued walking, the conversation shifting to lighter topics—classes, favorite books, the antics of the Marauders. Y/N found themselves laughing more than they had in weeks, and they noticed that Remus's smile seemed to come easier now, less weighed down by whatever burden he carried.

By the time they returned to the common room, the fire had burned low, and the chatter of students had faded into the quiet hum of the night. Y/N turned to Remus, a soft smile on their lips. "I'm glad we ran into each other tonight."

"So am I," Remus replied, his gaze warm. "Goodnight, Y/N."

"Goodnight, Remus."

⊹ ₊ ˚ 🌑 𓂃 ⸝⸝ ♡

The next few weeks passed in a blur of classes and study sessions, but Y/N and Remus found themselves gravitating toward each other more and more. They shared quiet moments in the library, exchanged knowing glances during Transfiguration, and lingered by the fire long after the others had gone to bed.

One evening, as they sat together in the Astronomy Tower, the stars stretching endlessly above them, Y/N turned to Remus, their voice soft. "You know, you're different when it's just the two of us."

Remus raised an eyebrow, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Different how?"

"Quieter," Y/N said thoughtfully. "But not in a bad way. Like you're... more yourself."

Remus's gaze softened, and he looked away, his expression contemplative. "It's easier to be myself around you," he admitted after a moment. "You... you make me feel like it's okay to let my guard down."

Y/N's heart swelled at his words, and they reached out, their hand brushing gently against his. "You don't have to be anyone but yourself, Remus. Not with me."

Remus looked at them, his hazel eyes filled with something unspoken, something that made Y/N's breath catch. "Thank you," he whispered, his voice barely audible.

And as they sat there, side by side beneath the stars, Y/N felt a quiet certainty settle over them. Whatever storms Remus faced, whatever battles he fought within himself, they would face them together. Because in the end, they weren't just two people sharing a quiet moment—they were two souls finding solace in each other's light, a light that even the darkest night couldn't dim.