Eclipsed

After a long day back at work, Sirius stood in the locker room, the sounds of the hospital faint in the background. He felt the weight of the day settling into his bones, every muscle in his body aching with exhaustion. He slipped out of his green Healer robes, folding them with care, and then reached up to loosen the waistband of his scrubs, the fabric stiff and clinical against his fingers, sliding them off and pulling on his jeans. The locker room was dimly lit, the fluorescent lights overhead flickering slightly as they buzzed quietly.

As he placed his folded robes neatly into his locker, Sirius caught sight of his reflection in the small mirror on the inside of the door. He looked haggard, his usually sharp features dulled by fatigue. The circles under his eyes were darker than usual, his skin pale against the starkness of his dark hair. He ran a hand through his hair, pushing it back from his face, and sighed. It had been a rough day—one filled with patients, emergencies, and the ever-present hum of the hospital. But it was good to be back. It was a distraction, a way to keep his mind from wandering to darker places.

Just as he was about to close his locker, the door creaked open behind him, and in walked Healer Ben Maynard, one of Sirius’s coworkers, and one he’d slowly become friendly with, ever since that first big Halloween attack. He glanced at Sirius, his brow furrowing slightly as he came closer.

“Christ, you look like you’ve been through the wringer,” Ben said, dropping onto the bench beside him. “Long day?”

Sirius snorted, tugging on his boots. “Something like that.”

Ben shot him a look. “You were out for a week. Everything alright?”

Sirius hesitated a fraction too long before forcing a shrug. “Yeah, just needed some time.”

Ben nodded but didn’t look convinced. “Fancy a pint? Reckon we’ve earnd it.”

The offer was tempting. Too tempting. Sirius could already taste the burn of whiskey, feel the weight of it dulling the sharp edges of his thoughts. But he thought of the promise he’d made—to James, to Effie, to Remus. To himself.

He shook his head. “Can’t. I’ve got some things to take care of at home.”

Ben raised an eyebrow, not entirely convinced. “Really?

Other coworkers, catching the end of the conversation, joined in. “Yeah, Sirius, it’s been a tough few weeks for everyone.”

“Why don’t we all go to the Leaky Cauldron?” another suggested, nodding in agreement.

Sirius tightened his grip on his bag. “My partner’s been ill,” he said evenly. “That’s why I was off. Need to get back.”

A brief pause. Then: “You’ve got a partner?” someone asked, surprised.

Sirius scoffed. “What, do I need to start making public announcements?” He glanced around at the curious faces, sensing the shift in their interest. “Why would I say anything to you all about it? Not like it really matters at work, right?”

Ben held up his hands. “Alright, alright. No need to get your knickers in a twist. Just didn’t take you for the settling-down sort.”

Sirius exhaled sharply, then nodded at him. “See you tomorrow.”

He walked quickly out of the locker room, the echoes of his footsteps the only sound in the quiet hallway. The crisp evening air felt refreshing as he stepped outside, and Sirius took a deep breath, letting the coolness chase away the lingering stress.

The streets were quieter than usual, the city settling into itself. Sirius took a deep breath, letting the crisp air clear his head as he walked the familiar route home. The exhaustion was creeping in, but he pushed through it, his focus narrowing on the thought of getting back to his flat—to Remus.

When he finally unlocked the door, the warmth of home wrapped around him instantly. The scent of Effie’s leftovers lingered in the air, mingling with the faint trace of James’ cologne and whatever cleaning products they’d . The wireless hummed softly in the background. He toed off his boots and wandered into the living room, finding Remus curled up on the sofa, a thick novel resting against his knee.

Remus glanced up, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Hey.”

Sirius let out a breath he hadn’t realised he’d been holding. “Hey.”

He crossed the room in a few strides, leaning down to press a kiss to Remus’s forehead. The warmth of him, the familiarity of his touch, eased something in Sirius’s chest.

“How are you feeling?” he asked, brushing a stray curl from Remus’s face.

Remus closed his book and set it aside. “Better. Still tired, but getting there.” His voice was rougher than usual, but there was color in his cheeks again. “How was work?”

Sirius flopped onto the sofa beside him, stretching his legs out with a sigh. “Mad. But it kept me busy.”

Remus reached out, fingers combing through Sirius’s hair, rubbing circles into his scalp. “Missed you.”

Sirius let his eyes slip shut, melting into the touch. “Missed you too.”

For a while, they sat in comfortable silence, the wireless filling the space with soft static and the low murmur of music. Eventually, Sirius stirred. “You eaten?”

Remus rolled his eyes. “Yes. Effie sent enough food to feed the whole street.”

“Good,” Sirius said, though he still eyed him suspiciously. “And your potions?”

Remus huffed. “Yes, I took them. Not going to keel over on you, don’t worry.”

A door creaked at the end of the hall, and a moment later, James appeared, half-asleep and thoroughly fed up. “That you, Pads?”

“Yeah,” Sirius said, his voice coming out rougher than he meant. “Just me and Moony out here.”

James hummed. “Good,” he mumbled, rubbing his eyes. “You bring me anything?”

Sirius scoffed. “What, like a souvenir from work? Got half a vial of Skele-Gro if you fancy it.”

James wrinkled his nose. “I’m back to bed then. Don’t get up to anything too soppy, yeah?”

Sirius scoffed. “Wouldn’t dream of it, mate.”

“Night, Moony.”

“Night, James,” Remus murmured.

The door to James’ room clicked shut behind him, leaving Sirius and Remus alone. Sirius nudged Remus’ knee. “Bed?”

Remus nodded, letting Sirius help him up. They moved through their quiet routine, Sirius making sure Remus had everything he needed before they finally crawled into bed. As soon as they settled under the covers, Remus pressed close, his forehead resting against Sirius’s shoulder.

“Glad you’re home,” he murmured sleepily.

Sirius swallowed, his throat tight. “Yeah. Me too.”

Remus hummed in response, already half-asleep, and Sirius let his eyes close, the steady rise and fall of Remus’s breathing grounding him. For the first time in days, he felt like he could actually rest.

James and Dorcas hurried through the dimly lit streets of Hogsmeade, their nerves palpable as they approached the Hog’s Head Inn. The unsettling atmosphere of the old tavern greeted them as they entered, the smell of stale ale and smoke hanging in the air. James, holding his cane tightly in front of him, kept close to Dorcas, whose own shoulders were hunched with tension. They had spent the day at their new internship assignment, but this meeting felt more significant, more daunting.

They were quickly ushered into a backroom by Aberforth Dumbledore, whose gruff nod was the only welcome they received. The room was crowded, filled with a mix of familiar and unfamiliar faces. James heard Lily’s voice before he saw her, and she greeted him with enthusiasm as she approached.

“James!” Lily exclaimed, taking his hand and giving it a reassuring squeeze. “You made it.”

A smile touched James’ lips, some of the tension bleeding away at her touch. He bent his head, finding her chin with his free hand and pressing a kiss to her cheek. “Wouldn’t miss it,” he murmured, his voice lighter than the anxiety churning within him. “Where are Remus and Sirius?”

Lily gestured towards the corner of the room, before remembering. “Behind me, to the left about 20 steps or so. Remus claimed that corner seat as soon as they walked in… poor thing still looks shaky.”

“Yeah, I’ll bet. I’ll catch up with you in a bit, love.” James made his way over, sweeping his cane lightly in front of him as he headed in the direction Lily sent him in. 

“Prongs, over here!” Sirius called out to him, and James headed towards the sound of his voice, barely making out his friends’ shadows in the dimly-lit room. 

“Pads!” James reached out, and meeting Sirius’ hand, pulled him into a quick hug. "Hey, Moony, big day out for you, huh?” 

Remus chuckled softly, though there was a weariness in his voice. "Yeah, thought I'd stretch my legs a bit. Can’t let Sirius have all the fun."

Sirius smirked at that, though there was a hint of tension in his expression. “Yeah, the walk from the couch, to the fireplace, and onto a new couch was quite the invigorating stroll, wasn’t it love?” 

Remus offered a weak retort, while James reached out and clapped a hand gently on Remus’s shoulder. “Glad you’re here, though,” James said, his voice sincere. Remus’s hand came to rest briefly on James’s arm.

“Me too.”

Dorcas, who had been quietly observing the room, leaned towards Lily. “It’s quite something, isn’t it? How many recent Hogwarts graduates are here.”

Around them, the low hum of conversation continued. Caradoc Dearborn, Benjy Fenwick, Frank and Alice Longbottom were all present, along with a scattering of unfamiliar witches and wizards. Lily and Dorcas exchanged knowing glances, silently counting the familiar faces. “Feels like a school reunion,” Lily murmured, and Dorcas nodded her agreement.

“Mostly Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs,” Dorcas murmured back, a thoughtful frown creasing her brow. “Interesting.”

Before they could delve further into the observation, a wave of silence rippled through the room as Dumbledore entered.

The last whispers faded as Dumbledore stepped forward, his presence instantly commanding attention. A warm smile crinkled the corners of his eyes behind his half-moon spectacles.

“Good evening, everyone,” he began, his voice carrying with a calm resonance. “First, my sincere thanks to each of you for being here tonight. Your presence, your courage, and your dedication to our cause are deeply appreciated.”

He paused for a moment, letting his gaze sweep across the room, taking in the faces of those gathered—some young and full of hope, others older, marked by the weight of years and experience.

“We find ourselves in challenging times,” Dumbledore continued, his tone shifting to something more serious. “But in this room, I see the very best of our world. I see bravery, wisdom, and an unwavering resolve to stand against the encroaching darkness.”

He let his words settle before continuing, “We must remember that the strength of the Order lies not only in our individual abilities, but in our unity. It is our collective spirit that will see us through the trials ahead.”

Dumbledore’s expression softened as he looked toward Remus, who sat quietly in his corner chair. "Remus has recently returned from a mission that required great courage and endurance. I ask that we all listen carefully to what he has to share, for his experiences will help guide our next steps."

With that, Dumbledore stepped back slightly, nodding to Remus to begin his report. As the room settled into a tense silence, Remus felt the weight of every gaze on him. His hands, still shaky from the lingering effects of his recent ordeal, gripped the armrests of his chair. Sirius, sitting beside him, offered a reassuring glance, his hand lightly brushing Remus’ shoulder in a silent gesture of support.

"Remus," Dumbledore began, his tone gentle but firm, "could you share with us the details of your mission in the Palatinate Forest? It’s important to understand what transpired, and how it might guide our future actions."

Remus took a deep breath, nodding slowly. "Of course, Professor," he began, his voice low and steady, though it wavered slightly as he continued. "I was sent to infiltrate a werewolf pack in the Palatinate Forest, located in Germany. The initial intelligence suggested that most of the pack members were neutral, perhaps even resistant to Voldemort’s influence."

He paused, gathering his thoughts, his gaze flickering around the room. The faces looking back at him held a mixture of concern, curiosity, and in some cases, a hint of skepticism. It was the latter that tightened his throat, but he pressed on.

“Initially, things proceeded as expected. I integrated into their society, worked alongside them… It was a communal existence, with everyone contributing in some way. But after the February full moon, everything shifted. I awoke surrounded, and it became clear that certain members—radicals—had plans to fully initiate me into their… cult.”

Dumbledore leaned forward slightly, his expression unreadable. "These radicals," he interjected, "did they reveal their ultimate goals? Were they actively recruiting for Voldemort, or was it more about consolidating power within the pack?"

Remus hesitated, searching for the right words. "It was... complicated," he replied slowly. "While they never openly declared allegiance to Voldemort, their rhetoric was aligned with his. It was more about power—control over the pack, and by extension, a potential alliance with the Death Eaters."

The room remained hushed, the tension almost a tangible thing as Dumbledore nodded thoughtfully. “And after the March full moon?” he prompted.

Remus swallowed hard. This was the part he had been dreading, the memories still sharp and painful. “After the March full moon, I woke up… chained to a wall. They… they kept me there, barely fed me, for nearly a month. When the April moon came, they released me, but not to join them. It was a test—a fight.”

An older wizard spoke next. "A test? Against whom?"

"Against their pack leader," Remus answered, his voice barely above a whisper. "He’s... he’s been a werewolf for a long time, not too much longer than me, but he’s... not like me- his wolf isn’t like mine at all. He likes it… likes being a werewolf, and his wolf is... it’s wild, savage. He... he won the fight, and they... they abandoned me."

Remus bit his lip, the memories flooding back. "I was left in the woods, badly injured, with only my wand and the bag I had arrived with. I... I managed to crawl to the bag, get dressed, and find the portkey Dumbledore had given me for emergencies. It took me to the German Ministry of Magic, but I was in such a state that... well, it was a struggle just to get them to let me through the Floo back to England."

Dumbledore’s expression softened slightly, a hint of concern breaking through his otherwise stoic demeanor. "Tell us, please—during your time with the pack, did you gather any intelligence that could be useful to our cause?"

Remus frowned, trying to recall the details. "There were whispers," he began, "of other packs in Eastern Europe, possibly aligning with Voldemort. But nothing concrete. They were cautious, paranoid even. It’s clear that Voldemort’s influence is spreading, but how far and how deep... I couldn’t say for sure. I never made it into the inner circle to find out."

Dumbledore nodded slowly, his gaze drifting around the room, taking in the reactions of those gathered. "Thank you, Remus," he said finally. "Your insights are invaluable."

Sirius was watching the room closely, noting every reaction, every sideways glance. His gaze hardened slightly when he noticed some of the older members shifting uncomfortably as Remus spoke.

As the discussion unfolded, a debate sparked about the value of the information Remus had obtained. Some younger members, including Frank Longbottom, who’d been Head Boy when they’d been in their second year, argued that reaching out to more packs was essential, and Sirius bristled, ready to argue, but Remus gently shook his head. 

One of the older witches, her silver hair pulled back in a severe bun, spoke up, her voice crisp and authoritative. “With all due respect, Albus,” she began, “I believe Remus would be more effectively utilized back in England, perhaps working on those ancient runic texts we’ve recently uncovered. His… expertise could be better employed there.”

The room seemed to turn towards Remus, and he fought down a wave of nausea at the thought of returning to the field so soon. “I’ll do whatever is needed,” Remus said quietly, meeting Dumbledore’s gaze directly. “If you believe it’s best for me to continue reaching out to other packs, I will. But if my skills are better suited elsewhere, I’m happy to go wherever you need me.”

Dumbledore held his gaze for a long, measured moment before nodding. “Thank you, Remus,” he said. “Your commitment is noted, and we will decide our next steps accordingly.”

With that, the meeting continued, but the tension remained. Dumbledore, still standing at the front of the room, commanded attention even in the dim light of the pub’s back room. He began to assign tasks to the members of the Order, his voice steady and authoritative.

“To ensure we cover all necessary fronts,” Dumbledore announced, “I am assigning various duties. Mr. Dearborn and Mr. Fenwick, alongside Miss McKinnon, will undertake stakeouts of suspected Death Eater meeting points. Please see Mr. Bones for further details regarding locations and timings at the conclusion of this meeting.”

Marlene, Caradoc, and Benjy exchanged determined nods.

“Mr. and Mrs. Longbottom will focus on monitoring Muggle-born and half-blood activists who have been vocal against the Dark Lord,” Dumbledore continued. “Miss Evans, Mr. Black, would you join them?” Lily nodded eagerly, while Sirius offered a more reserved agreement. “Thank you.”

Frank glanced at Alice, who squeezed his hand reassuringly. They both smiled at Lily, a silent acknowledgment of the responsibility they were undertaking, not only for those they were watching over but for their friends as well.

“As for our research efforts,” Dumbledore said, “a team will continue to investigate the Dark Lord’s plans and the motivations behind his actions. Miss Jones, feel free to select from among the newer members present—I can assure you that Mr. Pettigrew’s final paper on Moonstones makes him an excellent candidate… not to mention the glowing reports I’ve received from Miss MacDonald’s professors at Broomhaven regarding her memory charm development work.” Both Peter and Mary flushed slightly at the praise, and Hestia Jones offered them a warm smile and a wave.

“I’ll catch you both later, then, alright?” Peter and Mary nodded.

“Elphias, Daedalus, find me this evening. Minerva and I wish to discuss a few matters with you both.” The older wizards nodded, and McGonagall offered them the barest hint of a smile.

A subtle shift rippled through the room as each member absorbed their assigned task, a mix of resolve and apprehension settling on their faces. Dumbledore then turned his attention to Remus, his gaze gentle but firm. “Remus, given your recent ordeal, I want you to focus on your recovery before undertaking any further missions. Your health is paramount.”

Remus nodded, relief and gratitude evident in his eyes. Sirius, sitting close, placed a supportive hand on his shoulder, a silent gesture of comfort and solidarity.

Dumbledore’s attention shifted to James and Dorcas. “James and Dorcas, as you know, the recent loss of our Wizengamot contact, Mr. Thorn, has necessitated a change in your assignment. You will be joining the internship office of Edmund Burke, a prominent pureblood politician, correct?”

Peter, who had been quietly nursing his drink throughout the meeting, suddenly choked on his beer. His face flushed as he coughed and sputtered. “Went down the wrong way,” he mumbled quickly, trying to regain his composure.

“Yes, that’s correct,” Dorcas replied, giving Peter a curious sidelong glance. “We started a few days ago.”

Dumbledore, noticing the brief commotion, gave Peter a sympathetic look before turning back to James and Dorcas. “Excellent. Your task will be to gather information on whether Burke or his associates are involved with the Death Eaters or Voldemort. It is crucial that you report any findings discreetly.”

“Understood,” James said, nodding solemnly, a flicker of disappointment crossing his features. “We’ll keep you updated.”

Dumbledore smiled warmly. “Thank you both for accepting this delicate task.” Dorcas nodded, and James’s lips tightened into a thin smile.

Satisfied with the meeting’s progress, Dumbledore looked around the room. “If there are any questions or concerns regarding your assignments, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I believe that concludes tonight’s meeting. Safe travels, everyone.”

As the room began to empty, people gathered their belongings and exchanged quiet goodbyes. James lingered with Lily outside the tavern, the cool spring air a refreshing contrast to the stuffy interior.

“You’re making that face, James,” Lily said to him, reaching up and patting down a hair that had dried in the wrong direction. 

“What face?” he asked defensively. 

“That mopey face you make when things don’t go your way, but there’s no precedent for you to complain about it.” 

“The one you get when things don’t go exactly as you’d pictured, but you know there’s a good reason.”

“You know me too well.” James sighed, leaning against the rough stone wall. “I just feel like my assignment is… I don’t know… like he had to find something for me to do since I can’t be on the front lines, can’t do what the Order really needs.”

Lily placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. “James, it’s not that at all. First of all, your safety is a priority to all of us, and secondly, your assignment will make a huge difference! Besides, this is about playing to your strengths. Being pureblood gives you access and influence that we desperately need. It’s a different kind of contribution, but it’s incredibly valuable. Think of it like… Remus meeting with werewolves because he is one. It’s an opportunity to do good with the privilege you’ve been given.”

James rubbed his forehead, the frustration still evident in his voice. “I guess you’re right. It just feels like I should be doing more.”

Lily smiled softly. “You’ll be doing plenty. We all have roles to play, and yours is extremely important.”

James nodded reluctantly, the weight of his concerns easing slightly under Lily’s reassurance. “Thanks, love. Just getting in my head, I suppose.”

Lily leaned in and gave him a gentle kiss. “Love you, James. See you tomorrow.”

With that, the different groups set off in their own directions, the weight of the day settling over them.