Once Upon a Full Moon

Once Upon a Full Moon

Chapter I, A Starless Night

There had been a thick fog that night, the clouds had swathed the sky, and what little patch of moon there was had been smugly fit under deep blankets of gray. It was early summer, but winter's chill still lingered where the sun couldn't shine its light through.

It was a lonely night out on the grounds. The wet grass had squeaked under his boots and the cool air sent shivers crawling up his spine. His cold hands had dug deep into his pockets; searching for what little warmth they could provide him.

He couldn't remember why he had wandered out so late, or why he had gone alone. Those answers had been pushed away by memories that were more important to him, memories of the first day she had come into his life.

At times he regretted meeting her. He had been unknowing, naïve by all the pain he would soon cause her. At times he thanked her for stepping through the door into his world, thanked her for all the wrongs she healed. But there were other moments, when he could not deny, although not fully yet understand, the emotions he had so unconsciously buried.

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Remus Lupin was cold. The thin brown jacket he wore was not sufficient enough to block out the crisp wind of late spring. It had been a stretched, dreadfully frosty winter. The snows had covered all life, and put a threatening silence to the world. Remus had found it quite serene, although the cold had been too severe to anyone's liking. Slowly summer was regaining its hold, although it was taking an awfully long time.

He brushed some hair out of his face as he strode farther away from the castle. He placed one foot after the other, and then some more. But each breeze of fresh, cool air that hit him only brought shivers running up his body, he could not be comforted.

Fatigue and displeasure were the only feelings he could muster up along with severe frustration. He was quite unsure from where these emotions erupted but he certainly knew the reason.

He felt the hair on the back of his neck stand up. The light of the moon slid from under the clouds and dustily shone on him. He no longer walked but only stood, in fear... it couldn't be!

The pulse in his neck pounded, and his heart threatened to tear away from his breast. His head clouded, and he could feel a slight tug of animal instinct at the pit of his mind. But he would not be transforming tonight, the moon was not full. His breath came out more easily as the light hid behind the clouds once more, but as exhaustion overwhelmed him he fell to his knees, gasping for air.

"Why me...? Damn it, why me...?" he moaned quietly to himself. He let his pounding head rest on the cool, wet grass. He lay there, listening to the sounds of the night. The clouds rushing by, and the wind whispering. He heard the owls and heard their cries. And then a wolf howled in the distance, his vision blurred and finally faded into blackness. He spun out of space and time and fell into a dreamless sleep...

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He did not know how long he had been sleeping under the clouded sky, or how long the wind had howled above him but it was silent, and the stars overhead twinkled at him. He sat up, and expected to feel an aching pain in his head, and his body cramped and bruised from the hard ground, but he felt no such. In fact what he felt was completely opposite to what should have been. His mind was spinning hazily, but it was a pleasant tingling.

Remus supported himself with his hands and suddenly he knew something was very different, very wrong... for no sound reached his ears.

"What the-?" he muttered as he tried to shake himself from his dreamlike state. And then he realized the strong blue light of the moon shone on him, but it did not bother him a bit, nor aroused any wolfish, beast like wants inside of him.

And then he heard it. The song echoing through the depths of the night... and a sudden jolt shook him to the roots of his hair. He quickly got to his feet, hand reaching for his wand. But there was no need for it; his fingers did not accept the solid wood that provided him comfort. He was not in danger, it knew.

And his feet blindly carried him, to whereabouts unknown. It sang to him, the voice so rich and pure and dark. He could not distinguish the foreign words, but it did not matter for the melody spoke the story itself. He did not know what sort of enchantments were at work, but he could not stop them from seducing them by their beauty, and so Remus fell into a trance.

It sang of love, and the world, and the stars that danced above the towering forests and sparkling lakes. He could not think, only want... his heart was at the pit of his stomach, beating wildly, pounding with a sweet anguish. It called to him, called his name as his feet carried him into the forest...

The palms of his hands were covered in sweat, and his eyes glowered in a strong radiance of power. He was getting closer, and he could feel the dance of the magic blending with him, the voice unfailing, still sang and called his name. The power of life pounded through him and the song intensified.

'Where, where..." he questioned urgently, tormenting himself. It wasn't much later that he discovered that his breath was being spent on humming along with the song.

Deeper and deeper into the forest he dwelled, without a hint of awareness, without a scent of right, or of the forbidden mysteries that were hidden deep in the trunks of the soaring giants above his him. But the darkness was not at all he thought it would be, the forest was alive with life and he felt himself drawing closer to the voice... drawing closer to the music, to light...

Drawing closer to her...

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He could feel her now; feel her soul singing for him. And he knew that in such a few moments he would see her, be so close that he might be able to touch her, feel the power of universe that drenched her very being... he was so near... So very near...

Time flew beyond his recognition and life pounded within his veins, the song overwhelming him. And then, just when he felt the growing pain of bearing the magic in him, it lessened, and he saw her.

She stood, lithe and slender amidst the trees, glowing with a light. She was but so tiny... so fragile, and so young... how could she be singing so much power, weaving so much magic into such an enchanting voice...

Yet he found himself breathless, and as she finished her song she smiled at him and his heart skipped a beat. She slowly made her way towards him, her feet seemingly not touching the ground... her long brown hair flowing behind her like silk threads, and her eyes, her very eyes held the universe and the shimmering stars in her gaze! Lord, he breathed, she was beautiful...

"Il n'y a pas une pleine lune ce soir, Remus..." There were no words to describe the affect her voice held on him, the strength of the spell that she kept him under. And yet though he spoke not a bit of French, he understood the very meaning of her words.

He held his breath in anticipation as she moved closer, and he could see her small hands at her sides, she was but so frail, so small... he feared that she would break at his touch, or perhaps at the very loud beating of his heart. Would she disappear if he touched her, was her delicate beauty just a dream...?

Her laugh was pleasant to his ears and she almost seemed to read his thoughts "I am just bone and blood and flesh," she spoke to him "I am so ordinary, as ordinary as you or anyone"

He reached out a hand and still he could not breathe until his fingers touched her cheek, he realized she was just as solid and real as he was, and he let out a breath of relief, and quickly drew his fingers back, puzzled at himself.

"Why did you stop singing?"

"The song drew to its end, but listen, the trees sing still!"

Remus strained his ears and a faint melody reached his ears, surrounding him, engulfing him in its power... he turned his eyes back to her and they stood in silence for a few moments, looking at each other intently.

"Your blood sang to me" she told him quietly "I could feel you through the wind and the sounds of the night, your blood sang my song back to me"

He stood in awe, his mouth slightly agape. He did not know what to say, she finally smiled and took his hand in hers, the tingling of magic passed through them. And she began to walk quietly, and he followed her, unknowing.

The trees almost seemed to create a path as they walked, bending aside to let them stride through. It took Remus some time but when he finally came to it, he knew exactly where he was and he glanced at the girl by his side questioningly, his free hand creeping to his wand in caution.

"Aren't there creatures in this forest that could possibly cause you harm?"

She leaned slightly forward and studied his hand in his pocket, grasping his wand. She raised an eyebrow and shook her head as she straightened her back.

"Your wand will do you little use, the creatures that dwell in the dark places of the world will not harm you unless you invade their space"

"Which is precisely what we are doing just about now" his voice held an edge of concern.

"We are within the protection of the trees, the light of the moon lights the forests and the stars provide warmth creatures of this forest fear. It is a safe night to wander these paths. Anyway, you are with me, I will protect you"

For a reason unknown, Remus found comfort in her words and he gazed at her in wonder, her green eyes twinkling mischievously. Although, he could not see how a delicate thing like her could face the evils of the world, he cringed and drew his gaze away as he remembered the evil that lurked within him, that erupted under the light of the full moon and threatened to harm and hurt. He could not let her see him in such a state, he would not! He solemnly swore to himself and stole another guilty glance at her serene features.

They walked in silence, content in each other's company until they reached the edge of the forest. The sky stretched like a sea full of stars above their heads and they paused, letting the beauty seep into them and find a place of warmth inside them. He felt a sting of pain, as he knew that the sun would soon rise, and he would have to be at the castle. He did not want to part with her yet.

As they turned to look at each other, she smiled sadly. "You have so much sadness bared upon your soul and you carry it like a heavy burden. So much regret and frustration, I do wish you'd be happier. I would like to see you smile"

And he did.

She returned it as she glanced worriedly at the growing clouds in the sky. "You must take leave now, but if you ever need the comfort of the forest, you know where to find me. I will be here as long as you need me..."

Her eyes sparkled and he felt the wave of her magic flood him as she stood on her tiptoes and kissed his lips gently. And she stepped back, and he could see her cheeks burning, and he felt his own shyness peak through.

But as the first droplet of rain fell, he remembered... he remembered that he did not know her name!

"Wait!" he cried as she let his hand go. "I don't know your name!"

"Its goodnight, not farewell" and with that she was gone.

Remus stood long moments, letting the cool rain cleanse him. He smiled to himself, finally feeling the fatigue dawn on him. And with a final look at the forbidden forest he dashed towards the castle, running as fast as he could.

+++

As he watched out the window, he looked back at the sky, the night was starless once more as the heavy rain clouds fell to the earth and soaked through the soil.

Where was she now?

He slowly tore his gaze from the window and yawned. He pulled his blankets over himself and before his head hit the pillow, he was fast asleep.