Lycanthropy burden cut to the chase
The Gryffindor common room buzzed with activity as the Marauders along with Lily Evans, gathered for an evening of camaraderie. For Remus pity the class has been occupied with werewolves since this week. They need to write a three pages long essay about the subject with an extra section of impact on a lycanthropy life. Remus had been offered to hand in a white page but he still had to deal with his friends studying the subject non stop.
Like today as well they are all reading different books and sharing informations with each other. When they were uncertain they would ask Remus who was reading a book about spells in the meantime.
Lily, immersed in a book about werewolves, decided to share an unexpected and somber tidbit.
"Here's a heartbreaking fact about werewolves," Lily began, "many of them resort to self-harm around the time of the full moon to cope with the emotional pain."
Remus, who had been quietly reading was disturbed by the fact in an instant, because he felt a pang of recognition. He kept his eyes trained on the book, struggling to maintain composure.
James, attempting to lighten the mood, playfully questioned, "Lily, are you sure that's true? Werewolves cutting themselves? Sounds rather unreal and overacted?"
Lily, maintaining a serious tone, responded, "It's a documented coping mechanism. The emotional toll of lycanthropy is told to be immense and for a good reason I might add."
Expecting Remus to dismiss it with a quick denial, the others looked at him for confirmation. However, Remus remained silent, his expression unreadable not looking up.
When James noticed Remus serious expression his smile dropped and made way to a worried glance.
Sirius, ever curious and concerned, decided to investigate secretly hoping he didn't listen. "Moony, is there something you want to say about that?"
Remus, hesitating for a moment, mumbled, "It's nothing. Just an old myth."
James, not fully convinced, teased, "Come on, Moony, don't hold out on us. Werewolves self harming? Really? That has to be fake."
Sirius, deciding to playfully go along with it, moved closer, saying, "Let's see those arms, then."
In an instant, Remus pulled his arm away, a flicker of panic crossing his eyes who were flashing amber. "I... Excuse me? There is absolutely nothing to see, but I am definitely not denying the fact. You are trying to get me to speak in all werewolves names but I will not."
The others were stunned looking a little abashed. "Sorry Remus… We didn't want to talk you into something." Said Peter.
Remus sighed. "Sorry, I've overreacted I'm just tired… I will go to bed…"
He retreated quickly snatching his book and leaving the others in stunned silence.
Sirius, looking at the empty space where Remus had been, spoke first. "Did we just... I mean, he wouldn't really, right? Did we go too far? I didn't think—"
Lily, somber, replied, "It's not a joke, Sirius. Many werewolves genuinely struggle with this."
James, realizing the gravity of the situation, said, "We need to be more careful with our words. This isn't something to take lightly. Does this mean he does it?"
As they contemplated the unintended impact of their conversation, the atmosphere in the common room shifted from light-hearted banter to a realization of the deeper struggles Remus faced. The Marauders and Lily learned a valuable lesson about the importance of approaching topics related to lycanthropy.
When the marauders went to their room to lay down, Remus was already asleep, or at least seeming so.
A/N: Hi there, just a little bid of writing I did there. Well not really me, credits go to Chat GPT. Cheers! See ya!