Full moons and 16th birthdays
Remus Lupin's 16th birthday had finally arrived, and the Marauders had planned to celebrate it in the best possible way. They had all gathered in the Gryffindor common room, where a small surprise party had been set up for Remus.
There were banners hanging from the ceiling that read "Happy Birthday, Moony!" and balloons of various colors scattered around the roomRemus smiled as he walked into the common room, feeling grateful for his friends. He had been feeling apprehensive about spending his birthday on
a full moon, as he always did, but the warmth and energy radiating from his friends helped ease his anxiety.
"Happy Birthday, Remus!" James exclaimed, pulling him into a bear hug.
"Thanks, James," Remus said, laughing. He greeted Peter and Sirius, who were holding plates of what appeared to be birthday cake and drinks. He could smell the sugary scent of the cake, and it made his mouth water.
"I hope you like chocolate cake," Sirius said, grinning. "I made it myself, with a little help from James."
"It looks delicious, thank you," Remus replied, feeling
touched.
As they sat down to celebrate, Remus's thoughts turned to the full moon. He felt a pang of worry in his stomach, wondering if he would be able to control himself tonight. He pushed the thought aside, not wanting to ruin the happy moment.
As they ate cake and talked, James suddenly jumped up and announced that they should all go for a walk around the castle. Remus found it suspicious that James was so eager to go for a walk at night, but he didn't want to spoil the fun. He had always enjoyed exploring the castle with his friends, especially during the full moon when he couldn't leave the castle.
They made their way outside and started to walk around the castle grounds. As they walked, James urged Remus to show them some of his favorite secret spots. Reluctantly, Remus agreed, leading the group to a hidden courtyard he had discovered during his nighttime wanderings.
"This is beautiful," Lily said, looking around in wonder. "I can't believe I've never seen this place before."
"It's my favorite spot in the whole castle," Remus
said, feeling a sense of pride. He had always enjoyed
discovering hidden places like this, and it felt good to share them with his friends.
Suddenly, he heard a howl in the distance. His heart
pounded in his chest as he realized what was happening. The full moon had risen, and he was running out of time.
"Guys, we need to go back," Remus said, feeling a sense of panic.
"What's wrong?" James asked, looking concerned.
"It's the full moon," Remus replied, feeling his body starting to ache. "I have to go."
Without warning, he felt his body shift and contort, as his bones cracked and twisted. His clothes ripped apart, leaving him naked and vulnerable. He fell to the ground, writhing in pain as he transformed into a werewolf.
The other marauders quickly transformed into their
Animagi forms and circled around him, forming a protective barrier. As a stag, James stood tall, his antlers poised for action. Sirius, in his large black dog form, growled menacingly at anything that came too close. Peter, the smallest of the group, transformed into a rat and scurried around the perimeter, keeping an eye out for any threats.
Remus could hear their breathing and beating hearts. He recognized them, and it gave him a small measure of comfort. He could feel their concern and care for him.
As the night wore on, the group stayed close to Remus, keeping him safe and calm. James used his antlers to block any stray spells that came their way, and Sirius prowled around, alert for any danger.
Lily and Marlene had brought blankets to cover themselves in while they waited. It was a long, tiring night for everyone, but they all stayed strong and alert, never letting down their guard.
Remus could feel his body starting to shift back to his human form as he began to tire. It was always a comfort to have his friends nearby during the full moon, as he felt their strength and love.
As the moon began to wane and the first hints of dawn appeared over the horizon, the Animagi circled around him once more. As Remus's human form emerged, Sirius was the first to jump forward, transforming back into his normal self and covering Remus in a warm blanket. The others quickly followed, pulling their friend into a group hug as the
sun began to rise.
"Happy Birthday, Moony," James whispered into his ear, his voice low and gentle.
Remus felt tears prick his eyes as he hugged his friends back. He felt grateful for their love and support, especially during his most vulnerable moments.
"Thank you," he said, his voice choked with emotion.
"Thank you so so much."
They sat there in silence for a few moments, basking in the warmth of the early morning sun. Soon, they would have to head back to the castle and start their day, but for now, they were content to just be together. As they stood up to leave, Remus felt a renewed sense of hope. He knew that, even on the nights when he felt the most alone, his friends would always be there for him