where: cottage outside the forbidden forest. who: open. when: before the full moon.
The cottage was dim, lit only by the flicker of a dying fire. Outside, the trees groaned against the wind. Inside, Remus moved with tense precision, checking wards, locking cabinets, and avoiding the mirror that kept showing him the reflection of a man who looked far too tired.
Something about this moon felt âŠdifferent. Wrong. He couldnât put his finger on it.
He glanced over his shoulder, sensing movement. He hadnât told anyone he was here other than Aurora. The location was meant to be safe, forgotten.
Then the knock came. Just once. Quiet. Sharp. Not a sound a stranger would make. But not a friendly one, either.
He froze. One hand hovered near his wand.
âWhoâs there?â he called, voice low, controlled but beneath it, tension thrummed like a pulled string, seconds from snapping.
It had been many moons since he had last seen Moony. Between his work, Lily's pregnancy, and now raising Harry, putting a full moon night on his calendar had been nearly impossible. But his friend needed him now more than ever. The recent conflict with Peter made James wonder if his tight focus on Sirius had caused him to drift too far from the others. Being close with Sirius didn't mean being far from everyone else, and the guilt had been spinning in him ever since. James needed to show up for all his friends, especially in the hardest of times. He needed to make time.
James knew the cottage well and knew that Moony would be inside. His knuckles rapped on the door, and he waited. Instead, he was met by an impenetrable silenceâthe unmistakable effect of a powerful defense charm.
"Oh, don't give me that Remmy, it's me," James said, recognition in his voice. "Now open the bloody door."
