The Forbidden Forest was cloaked in shadows, the silvery moonlight barely breaking through the dense canopy. The May 22nd full moon, falling on the cusp of summer, brought with it a rare warmth and a vibrant energy. The pack had left the Shrieking Shack early in the night, Moony's transformation complete, his towering form prowling behind them as the Animagi led the way.
Padfoot bounded ahead, his shaggy tail wagging, while Prongs took deliberate strides, his antlers catching the moonlight. Wormtail scurried alongside, his small form darting in and out of the underbrush. Hermione, as the ermine, moved gracefully between them, her tiny paws barely making a sound. Moony followed close behind, his golden eyes alert, his powerful frame moving with a combination of caution and predatory grace.
It started with Padfoot's antics, as it often did. He darted in front of Moony, nipping playfully at the werewolf's heels. Moony growled, low and rumbling, but there was no aggression—only a flicker of amusement in the way his ears twitched.
Prongs stepped in, nudging Padfoot aside with his antlers when the play became too rough. Hermione darted between them, her small form weaving through legs and paws, chirping with excitement. Wormtail joined in hesitantly, scampering up a low tree root before dropping back down to dart alongside Padfoot.
Moony, encouraged by the playful atmosphere, lunged forward in a mock charge. The group scattered in different directions, yipping and chittering as they led him on a merry chase. Even Wormtail got caught up in the excitement, squeaking loudly as he dodged Moony's swiping paw by mere inches.
The group paused at the edge of a small clearing, their senses alert. Moony sniffed the air, his ears twitching as a low growl rumbled in his chest. The Animagi stilled, their instincts telling them something was nearby.
Suddenly, a small herd of mooncalves stepped into the clearing, their glowing eyes reflecting the moonlight. The creatures were graceful, their movements almost otherworldly as they nibbled on the dewy grass.
Moony tilted his head, his growls subsiding as he watched the mooncalves curiously. Padfoot let out a low, questioning bark, while Prongs stayed perfectly still, his antlers lowered in a gesture of non-threat. The ermine chirped softly, her tiny form darting closer to the edge of the clearing to get a better look.
Wormtail, however, scampered forward too quickly, startling the mooncalves. They bolted, their glowing forms disappearing into the forest as Moony let out a frustrated huff. Padfoot barked at Wormtail, his tone unmistakably scolding, while Prongs nudged the rat Animagus with his hoof in mock chastisement.
As they continued through the forest, Hermione noticed a faint blue glow ahead. She chirped to alert the others, and Padfoot led the way, his nose to the ground. They came upon a patch of Luminescent Mycelia, the glowing mushrooms casting an eerie light over the forest floor.
Moony sniffed at the mushrooms warily, his instincts keeping him cautious. Padfoot, ever the troublemaker, pawed at one, releasing a puff of glowing spores that sent him into a sneezing fit. The sight of the hulking werewolf stepping back from the fungi with a snort of disdain was enough to send Padfoot into barking laughter.
Wormtail squeaked in amusement, his small form circling the mushroom patch cautiously. Prongs pawed at the ground, his antlers brushing a low-hanging branch as if to say, "Let's move on."
As the first rays of sunlight filtered through the dense canopy, the pack began their journey back to the Shrieking Shack. Moony's energy waned, his movements growing sluggish with each step. Prongs and Padfoot flanked him, their steady presence keeping him on course, while the ermine darted around his paws, her soft chirping sounds seemingly encouraging. Wormtail trailed behind, his small form weaving through the underbrush, though noticeably slower as exhaustion set in.
By the time they reached the Shack, the transformation began. Moony let out a low, rumbling growl as his body convulsed, shrinking and shifting painfully back into Remus. The Animagi quickly reverted to their human forms as well, the night's strain evident on their faces.
Remus slumped onto the old wooden floor, trembling and pale. Hermione knelt beside him without hesitation, her bag already open as she retrieved a selection of potions. "Here," she said softly, pressing a vial into his hand. "This will help with the pain."
James sat against the wall, his shirt torn and streaked with dirt. He accepted a potion from Hermione with a tired grin. "Every month, I swear these taste worse."
"You'll live," Hermione replied with a small smile, handing a second vial to Sirius, who was nursing a scratch on his forearm.
"I don't know, this might be the month I finally succumb to the horrors of Potion Aftertaste Syndrome," Sirius said dramatically, wincing as he downed the potion in one go. "What about you, Wormtail? Survive your daring escapades?"
Peter nodded, brushing dirt off his robes. "Fine. Just... exhausted. How do we do this every month?"
"You mean how does he do this every month?" Sirius asked, gesturing to Remus, who was sipping his potion with shaking hands. "We're just the supporting cast."
"I'm fine," Remus said, his voice hoarse but steady. "Better, actually. The Calming Draught helped." He glanced at Hermione with a grateful smile. "Thank you."
Hermione nodded, her expression softening. "I'm glad. One more potion for your strength, and you'll feel more like yourself."
As they sat together in the dusty room, the sunlight poured through the cracks in the boarded windows, signaling the end of another full moon. Despite the weariness, there was a quiet contentment among them. They had their routine down, their trust in one another unwavering.
James leaned back with a sigh. "Only one more full moon left before we're out of here."
Sirius grinned, though his exhaustion was evident. "Better make the last one count."
Remus managed a tired chuckle, while Hermione set about tidying up their makeshift supplies. The pack was whole, and for now, that was enough.
The last days of May bled into the early days of June, bringing with them the looming spectre of N.E.W.T. exams. The castle buzzed with a tension that mirrored their O.W.L. year, but the stakes felt even higher. The seventh-years knew these exams weren't just tests—they were the foundation of their futures. For Hermione, the pressure was immense but not unfamiliar.
Hermione had a meticulously colour-coded revision schedule pinned to the wall of the Head Student dorms, and she guarded it fiercely. Despite James's occasional teasing about the obsessive detail, he found himself glancing at it often, especially when Hermione's stern looks kept him in line.
"Are you studying or just staring at my schedule?" Hermione asked one evening, not looking up from her Ancient Runes textbook.
"Bit of both," James replied, grinning as he lounged on the couch. "It's very motivational. All those colours… really inspiring."
Hermione rolled her eyes but didn't press further. She knew he'd be fine; James had a way of skating through with charm and natural talent, even if it drove her mad sometimes.
For Sirius, exams were another excuse to see how little studying he could get away with, much to Remus's chagrin. One evening, as they all sat together in the common room, Sirius balanced a quill on his nose, proclaiming, "The adrenaline of a deadline really brings out my brilliance."
Remus sighed heavily, closing his Herbology notes. "I'm amazed you've survived seven years."
"I'm just that good," Sirius replied with a wink, sending the quill flying when he grinned too widely.
Peter, meanwhile, oscillated between bursts of effort and moments of resigned defeat. Divination was his only saving grace, and he clung to the hope that Care of Magical Creatures wouldn't be as challenging as the practicals in Charms or Transfiguration.
"I think I'm going to fail," Peter muttered glumly as he poked at a plate of toast during breakfast.
"You're not going to fail," Hermione said without looking up from her Potions notes. "You've done the work; just stay calm."
Peter didn't look entirely convinced but managed a small nod.
James, on the other hand, had a much looser approach. He managed to breeze through most of his exams with an ease that irritated Remus and entertained Sirius.
"You're insufferable," Remus had muttered after the Transfiguration practical, while James demonstrated an advanced inanimate-to-animate transfiguration for no reason other than to show off. "Why can't you ever just take things seriously?"
"I take Hermione very seriously," James replied cheekily, earning a playful shove from her as they walked back to the common room.
The first week of exams passed in a blur of parchment, ink, and whispered encouragement. The core subjects—Defense Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, Charms, Potions, and Herbology—tested the mettle of even the most prepared students.
"Well, that's that," James said, stretching his arms above his head. "How do we celebrate?"
"I was thinking sleep," Remus muttered, rubbing his temple.
Sirius clapped him on the back with a grin. "Sleep? Moony, where's your sense of adventure? This calls for something legendary."
Hermione shook her head, though a small smile tugged at her lips. "How about we celebrate by not breaking any rules for once? Also some of us still have exams left."
"Blasphemy!" Sirius exclaimed, throwing a mock-scandalised look at James. "You're engaged to this woman?"
"And I wouldn't change a thing," James replied, sliding an arm around Hermione's shoulders.
By the second week, the Great Hall became the domain of the fifth years for their O.W.L.s, while the seventh-years' electives moved to smaller classrooms. Divination and Care of Magical Creatures combined written and practical exams on Monday and Tuesday for Peter, and on Wednesday, Ancient Runes and Arithmancy saw Hermione in her element, Lily and Remus joining her in the morning in the examination room as well. Peter trudged back from Divination looking hopeful, while Lily and Remus were both tired but relieved after their Ancient Runes papers.
As the week neared its end, James found himself spending more time in the common room, waiting for Hermione to finish her last exams. He noticed how the stress began to lift from her shoulders as Friday crept closer and closer, her determination shifting into relief.
On Thursday evening, she walked into the common room with a look of quiet triumph with History of Magic and Muggle Studies out of the way as well. James immediately stood from the couch where he'd been lounging with Sirius and Peter.
"All done?" he asked, his grin wide.
"All done," Hermione replied, her smile weary but genuine.
Sirius let out a dramatic cheer. "Finally! Now we can celebrate properly."
"I thought you've been celebrating all week," Hermione said dryly, though her tone was light.
"Always room for more," Sirius replied, throwing an arm around her shoulders as they made their way to the couches.
"Tomorrow night," James said, leaning closer to Hermione, his voice warm. "Just us. We'll celebrate surviving N.E.W.T.s in style."
Hermione laughed softly, the tension in her chest easing. "I suppose I can't argue with that."
The evening after Hermione's final exam, the Head Student dorms were uncharacteristically quiet. James had insisted she take the night off—no books, no notes, no schedules—and relax. They were curled up together on the couch, Hermione with her legs draped over James's lap, a cup of tea balanced in her hands.
"Now that you're done with exams," James began, his tone light but careful, "there's something I wanted to tell you."
Hermione looked at him curiously, setting her tea down on the table. "Oh?"
James hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck in a way that told Hermione he was trying to tread carefully. "It's about Lily. She… well, she talked to me a little while ago. About our Patronuses."
Hermione stiffened slightly, her brow furrowing. "When?"
"The night we got kicked out of the dorm for being too noisy," James admitted with a small, sheepish smile. "I didn't want to bring it up then, knowing how stressed you were about exams. And honestly, it didn't feel urgent. But now…" He trailed off, watching her reaction closely.
Hermione pulled her legs off his lap, sitting up straighter. "What did she say?" Her tone was calm, but there was a sharpness in her eyes that James didn't miss.
"She was confused," James said, choosing his words carefully. "About what it means, her Patronus being a doe. And, yeah, she brought up the fact that mine is a stag."
Hermione stared at him, her emotions bubbling under the surface. "And what did you tell her?"
"I told her the truth," James said gently. "That I don't know exactly what it means, but it doesn't change how I feel. I told her I care about her as a friend, but that's it. And I made it clear that whatever romantic feelings I had for her when we were younger are long gone."
Hermione exhaled slowly, her hands twisting in her lap. "I… I understand why she might want clarity, but…" She shook her head, her voice softening. "It feels a bit like a betrayal. She encouraged me to date you, James. She insisted she didn't want you. I held back my feelings for so long because I thought—"
She cut herself off, biting her lip. James reached for her hand, his touch warm and steady.
"Because you thought we were endgame," he finished softly, his hazel eyes filled with understanding. "I know, love. But we've changed that. You've changed that. I chose you, Hermione. And I'd choose you a thousand times over."
Hermione's lip quivered slightly, and she looked down at their joined hands. "It's just… after everything, why now? Why not say something last year or the year before? Why wait until we're engaged?"
"I think it caught her by surprise too," James said. "She didn't know her Patronus was a doe until recently. It's not like she's been pining after me all this time. She just needed answers."
Hermione nodded slowly, though her chest still felt tight. "I didn't even know about the Patronus connection. It wasn't something I ever learned about the future."
James smiled faintly, squeezing her hand. "You didn't know because it doesn't matter. It's just a spell, Hermione. A powerful one, yeah, but it doesn't dictate our lives. What matters is us, here and now."
Hermione let out a shaky laugh, leaning into him. "You're annoyingly good at saying the right thing, you know that?"
James grinned, wrapping his arms around her. "It's part of my charm."
They sat in silence for a moment, Hermione resting her head against James's chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. The tension in her shoulders began to melt away, replaced by a quiet resolve.
"I don't want to dwell on it anymore," she said finally. "Lily needed clarity, and now she has it. I trust you, James. I'm choosing to let it go."
James kissed the top of her head, his voice soft. "That's all I can ask for."
And though the lingering sting of Lily's actions didn't fade entirely, Hermione felt a sense of peace settle over her. She wasn't a pit stop or second choice. She was James's, and he was hers—and that was enough.
The Hogwarts grounds were unusually quiet, a calm settling over the castle now that the whirlwind of N.E.W.T. exams had finally passed. Hermione sat cross-legged on the grass by the Black Lake, a light breeze ruffling her hair as she leaned against James, her head resting on his shoulder. Nearby, Sirius was sprawled out lazily, his hands clasped behind his head, while Remus sat with his knees drawn up, absentmindedly tracing patterns in the grass. Lily was perched on a nearby rock, her red hair glinting in the sunlight, and Peter hovered at the edge of the group, fiddling with a loose thread on his robes.
"Finally," Sirius drawled, stretching his arms overhead. "No more exams. No more Snivellus. No more being told what to do every second of the day."
"Except by Dumbledore," James quipped, smirking. "You're not exactly known for following the rules, Pads."
"Ah, but Dumbledore's rules are different. They're optional, with flair," Sirius retorted, earning a chuckle from the group.
Hermione sighed, exhaustion etched into her features. "Nine exams. Nine. What was I thinking?"
"You were thinking you're the smartest witch of our generation," James teased, pressing a kiss to her temple. "And you were right."
Lily smiled faintly, though her gaze drifted out toward the lake. "It's strange, isn't it? Thinking about life after Hogwarts. It's not like we're heading into some grand adventure. It's a war."
The mood shifted, the reality of their future settling over them like a cloud. For a moment, no one spoke, the lapping of the Black Lake the only sound cutting through the silence. The relief of their N.E.W.T.s being over had carried them this far, but now, the weight of what came next was settling in.
Sirius exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "Well, we're all in it together, aren't we?" he said with forced levity, stretching out on the grass. "That's what counts."
Peter, who had been staring at the water, frowned and turned to him. "What are you talking about?"
Sirius scoffed, pushing himself up onto his elbows. "The Order, Wormy."
The second the words left his mouth, James stiffened, Hermione's head snapped toward Sirius, and Remus visibly winced.
Peter blinked, his expression faltering. "Wait… the Order? You're all in it?" His voice rose slightly, a strange mixture of confusion and hurt. "When—when were you going to tell me?"
The group exchanged uneasy glances. Sirius looked around at them as though waiting for someone else to answer. When no one immediately spoke up, he frowned. "Wait, Dumbledore didn't invite you?"
Peter's expression twisted. "No," he snapped. "No one's said a bloody thing to me about it! And now you're all sitting here talking like it's already decided?"
A heavy silence fell. Hermione swallowed hard, glancing at James, who pressed his lips into a tight line. They couldn't exactly tell Peter the truth—that Hermione had specifically made sure he wouldn't be invited. That she had known what he would do in another timeline and had done everything in her power to keep history from repeating itself.
James cleared his throat, voice deliberately casual. "Maybe Dumbledore just hasn't gotten around to it yet," he said, ever the peacemaker. "It's not like he called us all in at once. And we didn't even know you weren't invited yet. This wasn't some grand conspiracy."
Peter's face was tight, his jaw clenched. "But why not me? Is this because I wasn't there at Hogsmeade? Haven't proven myself yet in battle?"
Hermione felt her stomach twist uncomfortably. She could see the way Peter's fingers dug into the grass, his knuckles white. He was frustrated, hurt—even though he had no idea how much she had influenced this decision.
James, ever the diplomat, exhaled and rubbed the back of his neck. "I don't think it's like that, Wormy. Dumbledore has his reasons for who he brings in and when. It's not like we got an invitation the second we turned seventeen."
Peter scoffed. "Easy for you to say. You're James Potter. Everyone knows you were always going to be asked."
Sirius bristled at that, straightening. "Oh, come on, Pete, don't be like that. If it were up to us, we'd have dragged you in right alongside us."
Peter didn't look convinced. His eyes flicked from Sirius to James, then to Hermione, and she could see the gears turning in his head. He was wondering—questioning why his supposed best friends had all been given something he hadn't.
Remus, who had been watching Peter carefully, finally spoke, his voice gentler than the others. "Pete, look, Dumbledore's not exactly the kind of bloke to explain his reasoning for anything. Maybe he's still deciding. Maybe he just wants to talk to you later."
Peter swallowed hard, his jaw working as he processed this. "Yeah," he said eventually, though he didn't sound convinced.
Lily, clearly picking up on the tension, quickly changed the subject. "Well, we've still got some time before graduation," she said brightly. "I, for one, am determined to enjoy the last of it before we're thrown into adult responsibilities."
Sirius, ever eager to lighten a mood, smirked. "Yes, before James and Hermione start planning the most obnoxiously extravagant wedding we've ever seen."
James, who had been watching Peter closely, finally let out a laugh. "Obnoxious? I'll have you know Hermione has impeccable taste."
Hermione elbowed him playfully. "And yet you're the one who insisted we get a cake the size of a Hippogriff."
Peter managed a chuckle, but Hermione could see the shadow lingering in his expression. The damage had been done—whether or not he believed their reassurances, a seed of doubt had been planted. She only hoped it wasn't one that would grow.
The others had started making their way back toward the castle when Hermione lingered behind, waving James ahead with a reassuring nod. He hesitated for a moment, his eyes flicking between her and Lily, before finally following the others.
Lily had already turned toward the lake, as if she knew exactly what was coming. Hermione fell into step beside her, the rhythmic crunch of their footsteps on the grass the only sound for a long moment.
"I suppose you're about to tell me off," Lily said wryly, crossing her arms.
Hermione inhaled slowly, steadying herself. "I just want to know why you went behind my back to talk to James."
Lily sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I know. It was a shitty thing to do. I'm sorry." She looked down at the rippling surface of the Black Lake. "I just… I needed to hear it from him."
Hermione frowned. "And you couldn't have talked to me about it first?"
Lily let out a dry laugh, shaking her head. "No, Hermione. No, I couldn't. Because no matter how much I tried to tell myself it didn't matter, no matter how much I reasoned with myself that of course James had moved on, no matter how many times Remus told me the same, there was always this little voice in my head saying, what if? What if it was just a matter of timing? What if he would have chosen differently if things had played out another way?"
Hermione clenched her jaw. "And what would you have done if James had said that you were meant to be together?"
Lily stopped walking, her expression pained. "I never actually thought he would say that."
Hermione arched a disbelieving brow. "But if he had?"
Lily exhaled sharply and turned away, staring out at the lake. "I don't know, alright? I wasn't trying to steal him from you, Hermione. I just—" She faltered, rubbing her arms. "I just needed to hear him say it. That the Patronus thing didn't mean anything."
Hermione's shoulders dropped slightly. "And did you believe him?"
Lily huffed out a breath, half a laugh, half a sigh. "Yeah. I did."
Silence stretched between them, the wind rustling through the trees.
"You talked to Remus about this," Hermione said after a moment, her voice quieter, but edged with something sharp.
Lily winced. "I did."
A small, bitter taste settled in Hermione's mouth. She didn't say anything, but Lily seemed to pick up on it anyway.
"I had to talk to someone," Lily said, her voice almost defensive. "And Remus—he sees things differently than Sirius. He listens. He doesn't push."
Hermione swallowed down the flicker of hurt. Remus was her best friend. Shouldn't he have at least warned her? But she forced herself to push it aside for now. This wasn't about Remus. This was about Lily.
"I wish you'd come to me instead," she said finally.
Lily nodded slowly. "I know." She looked back at Hermione, a small, sad smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "But I think we both know it wouldn't have felt the same as hearing it from James."
Hermione let out a slow breath, releasing the last of the tension that had been gripping her since she found out about that conversation. She still wasn't happy about it, but she understood now.
"Alright," she said finally. "But next time—"
"There won't be a next time," Lily interrupted with a faint chuckle. "I think I've embarrassed myself enough for one lifetime."
Hermione huffed a laugh, shaking her head. "Come on, let's get back. If we take too much longer, Sirius will start assuming we drowned each other."
Lily smirked. "And honestly, who could blame him?"
With that, they turned toward the castle, the weight between them lighter than before.
The air inside the Shrieking Shack was heavy with anticipation. The last rays of the setting sun filtered weakly through the boarded-up windows, casting long shadows across the dust-covered floor. Hermione sat on the old, creaking bed, her arms wrapped around her knees, while James leaned against the wall, absentmindedly flipping his wand between his fingers. Sirius was pacing, restless as always before a full moon, while Peter fidgeted with a loose thread on his robes. Remus stood near the window, his expression unreadable as he gazed at the fading light.
The last full moon at Hogwarts.
It felt… surreal.
"Well," James said, breaking the silence, "I suppose this is it, then. Full circle."
Hermione glanced up at him, raising a brow. "Full circle?"
James nodded toward Remus. "Seven years ago, he was here alone, tearing the place apart. And now, he's never been alone since."
Remus turned from the window, giving James a small, tired smile. "No. I haven't."
Sirius smirked. "And to think, if we had just listened to McGonagall and stayed in our beds like good little boys, none of this would've happened."
"Right," Hermione scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Because you were ever going to do that."
"Fair point," Sirius admitted, flopping down onto the bed beside her. "But still, it's kind of poetic, isn't it? We started this here, and now we're ending it here."
Peter hummed thoughtfully. "Not really ending it, though. Just… moving it somewhere else."
James grinned. "That's the spirit, Wormy. The Marauders don't retire. We just relocate."
Remus let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. "I don't know what I'd do without you lot."
"Probably have a much quieter, more responsible life," Hermione teased, nudging his arm.
Remus gave her a knowing look. "You do realise that includes you, right? I hardly think sneaking out as an Animagus once a month qualifies as responsible."
Hermione shrugged. "Fair point."
A comfortable silence settled over them, broken only by the occasional rustling of the wind outside. The reality of their final days at Hogwarts pressed down on them, unspoken but deeply felt.
Sirius cleared his throat. "So, Moony. Any special requests for your grand farewell transformation? We could all howl dramatically at the sky. Really give the villagers something to talk about."
Remus huffed a laugh. "Just… be here. Like always."
James clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Always, mate."
Outside, the last sliver of sunlight disappeared beyond the horizon. Hermione stood, stepping back as Remus exhaled deeply and braced himself. Sirius and James exchanged glances before shifting seamlessly into their Animagus forms, Padfoot shaking out his thick fur while Prongs pawed at the wooden floor. Hermione followed suit, the familiar warmth of her transformation washing over her as she landed gracefully on four small paws.
Remus let out one last breath as the moon rose, his body trembling as the transformation took hold.
And just like that, the Marauders and their packmate entered the night together—one last time at Hogwarts.