Eclipsed

The April full moon had come and gone without Remus, and Sirius was feeling the weight of the absence. It had now been three months of uneasy silence, punctuated only by growing frustration and concern from both Sirius, their friends, and of course, his parents. He’d missed James’ birthday, as well as his own, and Remus' absence, attributed to "research trips," seemed to be affecting Sirius more profoundly with each passing day, something that didn’t go unnoticed by their friends. 

Sitting in the cozy living room of the apartment shared by Lily, Mary, and Marlene, Sirius’ dark mood permeated the atmosphere. The walls were adorned with vibrant tapestries and eclectic mementos, but the lively decorations did little to lift Sirius' spirits. Mary, ever observant, noticed his despondent demeanor.

“You’ve been really off lately, Sirius,” Mary said gently, sipping her drink. “We’ve all noticed. Maybe it’s time to do something to take your mind off things.”

Marlene, lounging on the sofa, looked up. “What do you have in mind, Mary?”

“How about we go out dancing tonight?” Mary suggested with a hopeful smile. “It’s been ages since we’ve had a proper night out. It might be just what we need.”

Lily, who was flipping through a magazine while cuddled up with James on a fluffy armchair, glanced up and nodded in agreement. “That sounds like a brilliant idea. We could all use a break.”

Sirius hesitated, looking at James who was seated across from him, his brow furrowed in thought. “If Prong is in, I’m in.” 

“I’m not sure it’s the best idea,” James said cautiously. “With everything that’s been going on, it feels a bit risky to me… just to put ourselves out there.”

Lily sighed, leaning her head on his chest. “Come on, darling. We’re only 19 once. We need to live a little.”

Marlene chimed in, “I agree. We can be careful and still have fun. It’ll be good for all of us to unwind.”

Despite his reservations, James eventually relented. “Alright, alright. If you all think it’s a good idea, I suppose we can go.”

Outvoted, they ended up calling Peter and Dorcas, who brought along her boyfriend, Christopher. Soon, they found themselves at a bustling club in Muggle London, the music thumping and the atmosphere electric.

While James wasn’t exactly having the time of his life, he knew Sirius was probably having more fun than he had in months. Even Lily, who was quite serious most of the time, seemed to be shedding another layer, into a newer, happier version of his fiancee pressing her body into his in time with the music.  

"Relax, James. Try to have fun for once," she teased, her eyes sparkling in the dim light.

James leaned in, his voice serious despite the festive environment. "I’m sorry, love. I’m just worried about Sirius going too crazy with the drinks, Lil. He’s been doing so well, and I don’t think we should leave him to drink like that when I told him I would help him stay sober- I should stay sober is what I’m trying to say, you know, just make sure everything is okay with him– even though he probably isn’t sober anymore..."

“He’s taking shots with Marlene, love,” Lily chuckled and swatted his arm playfully. "Mind your own business and try to have fun. We’ll keep an eye on him."

Although he felt guilt over it, James tried to take her advice to heart, and attempted to loosen up. He let himself be swept up in the music, even though he felt out of his element. The dark, loud room was disorienting, but he trusted Lily to look out for him. For the first time since they’d left Hogwarts, they all drank, danced, and let loose.

Christopher and Dorcas were lost in their own world, dancing close together, their movements synchronized and intimate. Mary, on the other hand, was the life of the party, flitting from one dance partner to another, her laughter ringing out above the music.

James, feeling more relaxed than he had in a long time, found himself getting quite drunk. He and Lily danced together, giggling like school children. "I’ve missed dancing with you like this, darling" James said, swaying unsteadily on his feet.

Lily grinned, holding onto his arm to steady him. "See? I told you we needed this."

Sirius and Marlene danced together platonically, their movements carefree and exuberant. "You’re not so bad at this, Black," Marlene teased, spinning around him.

Sirius laughed. "I have my moments."

As the night wore on, the club seemed to grow louder, the music pounding in their ears, the crowd pressing in from all sides. The smell of spilled drinks and the sharp tang of sweat mingled in the air, creating a heady atmosphere that was both exhilarating and overwhelming.

Around 3 AM, they found themselves outside the club, the cool night air a welcome relief from the stifling heat inside. Peter, Sirius, Mary, Christopher, and Dorcas were smoking, their laughter mingling with the smoke that curled up into the dark sky. James, Lily, and Marlene leaned against a nearby wall, feeling the fatigue settle in.

"That was... exhausting," James admitted, a tired smile on his face.

Lily nodded, her own smile mirroring his. "But worth it."

Sirius, looking more relaxed than he had in months, approached James. "Thanks for coming out tonight, mate. I really needed this."

James clapped him on the shoulder. "Anything for you, Pads."

Since James and Sirius lived the closest, the group decided to crash at their apartment. They made their way back, tired but in good spirits. As they settled in for the night, the weight of their worries felt a little lighter, if only for a while.

The group stumbled up the steps to Sirius and James’ apartment, laughing and whispering loudly as they fumbled for the keys.Sirius, despite the effects of alcohol, noticed something off. The door frame around the front door was faintly glowing—a clear sign that the wards had been breached.

“Hang on, guys,” Sirius slurred, his eyes narrowing at the sight. “The wards are breached.”

James straightened up as best he could, a sobering chill washing over him. "Are you sure?"

Sirius nodded. "Yeah, I’m sure."

Marlene took the lead. “Let’s check it out then,” Marlene said, her voice steady despite the alcohol. She was in the Auror program, her training kicking in. “James, can you disable this for me? Sirius is swaying too much to do it.”

James began working on disabling the security wards, and although his fingers moved clumsily over the intricate spellwork, he managed to get them down with effort. The apartment was eerily quiet, the lights all off to avoid drawing any attention. The darkness seemed to swallow them as they moved cautiously through the kitchen, towards the living room. 

Dorcas led the way, her wand gripped tightly in her hand. Marlene stayed close behind, her senses alert for any signs of danger, and James was pressed against her back, disarming various charms and alerts they’d created to protect themselves. 

From the darkness came a faint whimpering sound, almost imperceptible but unmistakable. Despite their terror and the alcohol clouding their judgment, they pressed on.

“Can you hear that?” Marlene whispered, her voice trembling slightly.

Dorcas nodded, her face pale as she continued forward.

As they approached the living room, a strange, pungent smell filled their nostrils, a mix of blood and something else they couldn’t quite place.

Suddenly, Dorcas froze, her wand slipping from her hand. "Lupin?" she whispered, disbelief coloring her voice.

James, still in the back, felt a surge of panic. "Dorcas, get me to him. Now."

Dorcas gently took James' hand and guided him over to where Remus was. "Here, James. Right here."

James knelt beside Remus, his fingers brushing against his friend's clammy, blood-streaked face. The smell was overpowering, and James could feel the extent of Remus' neglect. He couldn’t bring himself to let go, his heart pounding in his chest.

"Marlene, it’s just Remus. Everything is okay. Go get Sirius and Lily. Turn on the lights," James instructed, his voice steady despite his fear.

Marlene hurried off, and moments later, the room flooded with light. The sight was harrowing—Remus lay crumpled on the floor, covered in blood and dirt, his clothes torn and his body emaciated.

Sirius stumbled into the room, his face pale as he took in the sight of Remus. He dropped to his knees beside him, his wand shaking in his hand. "Remus... Babe, oh god," he murmured, trying to cast healing spells but failing miserably in his drunken state.

The smell of blood was too much for Sirius. He gagged, stumbling to his feet and rushing to the bathroom. The sound of retching echoed through the apartment as he vomited, overwhelmed by the sight and smell of his injured boyfriend..

The apartment was a chaotic whirlwind as the reality of Remus' condition sank in. Marlene and Dorcas were already shouting about taking Remus to St. Mungo’s, their voices overlapping in a panicked symphony.

"We have to get him to the hospital! He needs serious help!" Marlene insisted, her voice rising in urgency.

Dorcas nodded vehemently. "He won’t survive like this if we don’t do something now!"

James, still holding Remus close to his chest, shook his head. "We can’t take him there."

"Why the hell not?" Marlene demanded, looking from Remus' battered body to James in disbelief.

"Marlene, we can't!" James shouted back, trying to stay composed. "It's complicated."

"Complicated? He's dying, James!" Dorcas snapped, frustration evident in her voice.

Lily stepped in, her voice steady but urgent. "Please, trust us. We can't explain everything right now, but taking him to St. Mungo's will only make things worse."

James felt the weight of the secret bearing down on him. He knew they couldn’t say it outright, but the truth was, taking Remus to the hospital would expose his unregistered status as a werewolf, bringing down the full force of the Werewolf Registry, and the Ministry itself.

"We just can't, okay?" James insisted, his voice cracking with desperation.

Mary and Christopher stood frozen, their faces reflecting a mix of shock and confusion. They were clearly out of their depth, unsure how to help.

James and Lily exchanged desperate glances, both aware they were out of their league. They kept trying different spells, but nothing seemed to work. The fear of losing Remus was palpable, and it was clear that they needed more help.

"We need help," Lily said softly, her eyes on Remus. "James, call your mum."

After a moment's hesitation, he went over to the fireplace. 

As he moved to make the call, the others sprang into action. Marlene, Dorcas, and Christopher carefully lifted Remus and carried him into Sirius’ bed. Mary, trying to stay busy, went to the kitchen to make tea, her hands shaking. Peter, meanwhile, had taken on the task of looking after Sirius, who was still in the bathroom, struggling to stop vomiting.

James knelt in front of the fireplace, tossing in a handful of Floo powder. "Potter residence!” After a moment, he stuck his head inside. "Mum, Dad, is anyone there? Please, I need you. It’s an emergency!"

After a couple minute, Effie Potter's face appeared in the flames, concern etched into her features. "Jamie? It’s nearly three-thirty in the morning- what’s happened?"

"Just come," James begged. “Please, come quickly, and bring your healer’s kit."

"I’ll be there in a moment," Effie assured him before disappearing from the flames.

While they waited, James couldn’t help but wonder how Remus had managed to Floo into the apartment in such a terrible state. The minutes dragged on, each one feeling like an eternity.

Ten minutes later, Effie stepped out of the fireplace, wearing a soft, navy blue nightgown and an old, yellow dressing gown, her long, dark braid streaked with silver-gray hanging down her back. Despite the late hour and the distressing situation, she seemed older, and more tired, but alert. Her nose ring glinted faintly in the dim light of the apartment, a small, bright spot against her otherwise calm and focused demeanor. Her face, though lined with fatigue, was set in determined resolve as she quickly took charge of the situation.

James met her at the hearth, his face lined with worry. "Mum, before you go in there, there’s something you need to know, and I’m sorry I never told you before, but I just couldn’t," he said, his voice trembling. "Remus… he is a werewolf, and he has been since… for forever, I think, Since I’ve known him, at least. Please, just... treat him the same after you know. He’s the same person he’s always been."

Effie’s expression softened with understanding, but she didn’t waste time with words. "We’ll talk about this later, James."

She moved swiftly through the apartment to Remus’ side, assessing his injuries with practiced eyes. "Everybody out. Lily, go to the Lupins’ house and get his parents. I’ll start here."

Everyone listened and filed out, while Lily nodded and left for the Floo, her heart pounding.

Remus began to stir, his eyes fluttering open. He was confused, pain etched into every feature. "Mae’n brifo," he mumbled, his voice weak and trembling. “Ble ydw i?”

James held his hand tightly, his heart breaking. "Remus, you're safe. You’re at our place. We're here to help you."

Remus squeezed James' hand, tears streaming down his face. "Mam... Tad," he whispered, his voice hoarse and wobbly. 

“It’s me, James,” he replied, gently brushing a strand of hair from Remus' face as Effie continued her ministrations. "Lily's getting your parents, Moony. They’ll be here soon."

Effie smiled gently. "You’re doing great, Remus. We’re taking care of you. Just try to stay calm." She worked quickly, her hands moving with practiced ease as she cleaned Remus’ wounds and started healing his more serious injuries. She carefully popped his dislocated hip back into place, murmuring soothing words as Remus cried out in pain. She examined his malnourished state and a head wound that wasn’t too deep but bled profusely.

“James?” Remus asked, suddenly more lucid than he’d been before, "Sirius... where’s Sirius?"

James swallowed hard, unsure of what to say. "He’ll be here soon, Remus. Just hang on."

Effie continued to treat Remus, speaking softly to him. "I’m cleaning your wounds and fixing you up, love. You’re going to be alright. Just try to stay calm."

Remus squeezed James' hand tighter, his voice trembling. "It hurts so much..."

Effie looked at Remus, her eyes full of empathy. "You’re doing great, love, don’t worry. We’ve got you all fixed up now."

As Effie finished up, leaving James to sit in the room with Remus, Lily returned with Lyall and Hope Lupin, their presence only adding to the chaos unfolding. They looked, appropriately, as though they had been yanked from their beds, and the disheveled state of their attire reflected their worry. Hope, her face lined with exhaustion and concern, wore a large, old dressing gown that hung off her thin frame. Her hair, barely contained by a little purple headscarf, looked wild and unkempt. Dark circles under her eyes hinted at sleepless nights, and she scrambled out of the floo  in worn slippers.

Lyall was similarly disheveled, clad in striped pajamas and an oversized knit sweater that hung loosely on him. His work boots clunked softly on the floor as he walked, making a stark contrast to Hope’s more delicate steps.

As they entered the hallway, Sirius finally emerged from the bathroom. He looked disheveled, his face pale and strained, and he avoided eye contact as he met the Lupins and Effie. His shoulders were slightly hunched, a mix of embarrassment and weariness on his face. The sight of the Lupins, especially Hope’s tearful eyes, made his shame more palpable.

“Effie,” Sirius managed to say, his voice hoarse. “I’m sorry, I—”

Effie cut him off with a serious tone. “We’ll be having our own discussion later,” she said, her eyes softening slightly before she turned her attention to Hope and Lyall. “Hello, Lyall, Hope. I’m sorry to see you again, under these circumstances.” Her voice was firm but kind, her gaze softening as she took in the scene before her.

Without preamble, Effie asked, “How long has Remus been a werewolf?”

Hope’s eyes filled with tears, and she looked helplessly at Lyall. Lyall, his face a mask of stoic resignation, responded quietly, “He was turned when he was four.”

Effie’s eyes softened, her voice imbued with compassion. “I can’t imagine how challenging that must have been. You’ve done an admirable job raising him. He’s a wonderful young man,  despite the difficulties you must’ve faced, and all the health issues associated with lycanthropy.”

Hope began to tear up, her shoulders trembling as she wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. “Thank you,” she whispered, her voice choked with emotion.

Effie gave a reassuring nod. “I understand why you didn’t say anything- and I’ll keep his condition between us.” She paused, pursing her lips. “I don’t see him any differently now that I know, and I don’t think any less of you for hiding it. He’s the same boy to me today as he was yesterday.”

Lyall’s stoic demeanor remained unchanged, but his gratitude was evident in his gaze. “Thank you, Effie.”

Effie then turned to the matter at hand, gesturing for them to follow her towards the closed door of the room where their son was sleeping. “When Remus arrived, he was in a bad state. He had a dislocated hip, severe malnutrition, and a deep head wound, which, although not life-threatening, bled profusely. He also showed signs of extreme exhaustion and had been neglecting his… personal care, I would say, for an unknown period.”

She continued, “I’ve realigned his hip, cleaned and dressed his head wound, and given him a basic nutritional boosting potion. I can find the exact name for you, if you need it. He’s asleep now, although he was asking for you a couple minutes ago, and hopefully, the rest will help him recover.”

Hope and Lyall exchanged a look. “Can we see him?” Hope asked softly, her voice trembling.

“Of course,” Effie replied gently. “Go in and keep him company if you’d like.”

Hope and Lyall moved quietly into Sirius’ bedroom, their footsteps muffled by the thick carpet. As they entered the room to be with Remus, James quietly stepped out, giving them the privacy they needed. The soft hum of quiet conversation and the shuffling of feet seemed to follow him as he made his way to the living area.

In the dimly lit lounge, Sirius was sitting on the couch, looking dejected and disheveled. His eyes were red and swollen from crying, and his hands trembled slightly. Peter was beside him, rubbing his back in a comforting manner, while Lily was magically cleaning the blood out of the carpet in front of them. Marlene and Mary were gathered on the other end of the couch with their now-cold cups of tea, and Dorcas and Christopher had fallen asleep, squeezed into the armchair. 

Effie took a seat next to Sirius, her expression a mix of concern and exhaustion. James settled onto the couch beside her, giving Sirius a sympathetic look.

“Alright girls,” James said, his tone gentle but firm. “Why don’t you go take my bed? We’ve all had a rough night.”

Lily, Marlene, and Mary nodded silently. Even Lily, who would usually resist an offer like that from James, accepted without protest. They shuffled to James’ bedroom, leaving the living room quieter and more subdued.

Sirius, feeling overwhelmed, turned to Effie with tearful eyes. “I’m so sorry, Effie. I should’ve been sober. If I hadn’t been drinking, maybe I could’ve helped Remus. I—I’m just so sorry.”

Effie reached out and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. “Sirius, what’s done is done. The past doesn’t matter right now. What’s important is how you move forward from here.”

James, sitting beside Sirius, added quietly, “I’m sorry too, Sirius. I should’ve known better than to agree to a night out. I should’ve fought harder. I shouldn’t have cared if you were mad. I said I would support you and I didn’t.”

Sirius looked at them, his expression a mix of guilt and gratitude. “We all pressured you, Jamie, It’s not all on you.”

Peter, feeling the weight of the night’s events, finally stood up, stretching his arms up above his head. “I don’t suppose you can transfigure me a sleeping bag or something, can you? I don’t think I could manage it right now.” 

Effie pointed her wand at a couch cushion, and in it’s place appeared a rolled up bag, which Peter took into the corner of the living room, and instantly fell asleep. As Peter drifted off, Sirius also slumped over, utterly exhausted. His eyelids drooped, and he soon fell into a restless sleep, his head falling into James’ lap, the stress of the night catching up with him.

Effie watched over him with a gentle gaze. She turned to James, her eyes filled with warmth and pride. “James, I’m proud of you. Not only for keeping Remus’ secret all these years but for being such a good friend to him, despite everything.”

James, feeling a bit shy under her praise, responded softly, “It was easy. Remus is easy to love.”

Effie reached over and patted him affectionately on the cheek. “You’re a good boy, Jamie.”

James managed a small, grateful smile. 

Effie then stood up, ready to head home. “I’m going back to bed. Get some rest, and take care of each other. I love you, darling, don’t forget it.”

“I love you too, Mum. Thanks for everything.” 

As Effie prepared to leave, James listened to the familiar call “Potter Residence,” and the telltale whoosh of the Floo. He felt Sirius’ head heavy in his lap, still asleep, and let out a deep sigh, grateful that the night was over.