Under the Cursed Moon

Harry sat by the open window of his house, Number 12 Grimmauld Place, staring out at the rain-slick streets. The Wizarding World had changed, as it always did, at the drop of a hat. To the public, he had been their Savior—until he wasn’t. They had cheered for him, rallied behind him, and placed all their hopes on his shoulders. But now, with the secret of his lycanthropy leaked, those same people turned their backs just as quickly as they had once showered him with praise.

But Harry wasn’t surprised. He had expected it.

In truth, he had learned not to trust the Wizarding World's fickle nature long ago. It was the same world that had doubted him during his fourth year, questioned his every word, and branded him a liar when he spoke about Voldemort's return. Public favor was a fleeting thing, as insubstantial as mist on the lake at dawn.

He had made his decision long before the final battle. He wasn’t rushing to destroy Voldemort, despite the mounting pressure from the Ministry and the wizarding community. He knew better than to let their expectations dictate his every move. The war wasn't just about saving them—it wasn’t even about being their hero. It was about his parents, Sirius, and everyone Voldemort had taken from him. The Dark Lord’s death was personal. Revenge.

That was why he had prepared carefully, learning and growing stronger while Voldemort wreaked havoc across England. Some called him cowardly for not confronting the Dark Lord sooner. Let them. He knew it wasn’t his responsibility to save them all. The thought had been freeing—one of the few clear thoughts he had held onto in those chaotic years.

Harry leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes as memories of that final duel played out in his mind. He didn’t kill Voldemort to save the world; he killed him for himself. For his parents. For Sirius. Bellatrix’s shriek echoed in his mind, her twisted grin as she taunted him moments before he ended her life, too.

Sirius’s face flashed before his eyes, and Harry clenched his fists. She had taken his last connection to family. That, above all, was unforgivable.

As for the rest of the world, they could believe what they wanted. Harry was done with being their hero. They had cast him aside the moment they learned of his curse, and now, as he stood in the shadow of that revelation, he realized it didn’t matter. He had fought his war, avenged his family, and was no longer bound by the expectations of the Wizarding World.

The memory surged forth with painful clarity, dragging Harry back to that fateful night at the Burrow. The cozy kitchen, once a sanctuary of warmth and safety, was now a battlefield. The scent of freshly baked bread and the comforting hum of family conversations had been abruptly interrupted by the encroaching danger.

Harry had been reckless, blinded by anger. Bellatrix Lestrange’s taunts about Sirius had struck a raw nerve, and he had stormed out of the protective wards surrounding the Burrow, his mind clouded by fury. The air outside was crisp and cold, the night sky a deep, oppressive blue. The gravel path crunched underfoot as he made his way into the garden, where Bellatrix awaited, her eyes gleaming with malevolent delight.

“Come to play the hero again, Potter?” she jeered, her voice dripping with scorn. “Or are you here to make a fool of yourself?”

Harry’s anger flared, and he charged at her, his wand raised. The duel that followed was a flurry of spells and curses. Bellatrix’s wand moved with expert precision, casting hexes and jinxes that Harry struggled to counter. The magic crackled and popped around them, the Burrow’s protective wards flickering faintly in the distance.

Bellatrix’s laughter cut through the chaos. “Is this all you’ve got? You’re just a child playing at being a hero!”

In the midst of the duel, the night seemed to darken further as a new threat emerged. Fenrir Greyback appeared, his presence ominous and foreboding. His transformation was swift and brutal; his bones cracked and elongated, his limbs contorted, and his face twisted into a feral snout. The full moon was not necessary for Greyback. His beastly nature was inherent, his eyes glowing with a predatory hunger.

Harry’s heart raced as he saw the werewolf barreling towards him. “No!” he shouted, stumbling back, but it was too late. Greyback lunged, his claws slashing through the air. The werewolf’s teeth sunk into Harry’s arm with a savage bite. The pain was blinding, a searing agony that made him gasp and writhe on the ground.

Bellatrix seized the opportunity to attack with renewed vigor, her curses landing with unerring accuracy as she mocked him. “Look at you now, Potter! Defenseless and weak!”

The duel had turned chaotic, with Harry struggling to fend off both the taunting Bellatrix and the brutal Greyback. As Greyback and Bellatrix finally retreated into the night, their laughter and snarls echoing in the darkness, Harry was left alone, clutching his bleeding arm as the rain began to fall.

The once-familiar comfort of the Burrow felt like a distant memory to Harry. The idyllic haven where he had found solace during his darkest times had become a symbol of his estrangement. In the wake of his lycanthropy revelation, the bonds he had once cherished began to fray.

Harry had always considered Ron Weasley one of his closest friends. They had shared countless adventures and faced numerous dangers side by side. However, as the news of Harry’s condition spread, he began to sense a change in Ron’s demeanor. The warmth that had once characterized their friendship grew colder, and the spontaneous visits and friendly banter became infrequent. Ron’s avoidance, though subtle, was palpable. The casual conversations they once had dwindled into awkward silences. It was clear that Ron was struggling with his feelings, grappling with the prejudices he had grown up with.

Prejudices, Harry realized, were not born overnight. They were ingrained through years of upbringing, influenced by family beliefs, societal norms, and personal experiences. Ron had been raised in a world where werewolves were feared and distrusted, a belief system that was hard to dismantle overnight. Despite their history together, Harry could not expect Ron to simply shed those deeply ingrained fears and biases.

Ginny Weasley, too, seemed to pull away, her demeanor marked by an uncomfortable distance. She had once been a source of warmth and encouragement, but now, her interactions with Harry were characterized by polite but detached conversations. The dynamic within the Weasley family, once a symbol of unity and support, had shifted subtly but significantly.

Amidst this shifting landscape, Hermione Granger remained a steadfast presence. Her unwavering loyalty and support were a beacon in the storm of Harry’s isolation. Unlike Ron and Ginny, Hermione had grown up in the Muggle world, where the fear and prejudice associated with werewolves were less pervasive. Her upbringing did not include the same ingrained biases, allowing her to approach Harry’s condition with an open mind and compassionate heart.

Hermione’s continued support became a cornerstone of their relationship, reinforcing the deep bond they shared. She visited Harry regularly, offering both practical help and emotional support. Her presence was a reminder of the friendship that transcended the superficial prejudices held by others. Hermione's empathy and understanding, grounded in her Muggle upbringing, helped bridge the gap between Harry's current reality and his past life.

Their conversations became a source of solace for Harry. Hermione listened without judgment, offering insights and strategies to cope with his new condition. Her perspective was invaluable, as she approached his struggles with a level of objectivity that others, who were influenced by fear and prejudice, could not.

Harry found himself grateful for Hermione’s unwavering friendship. It became increasingly clear that true loyalty was not merely about standing by someone in times of triumph but also about maintaining that support through the challenging and less glamorous times. Hermione's ability to see beyond Harry's condition and focus on who he was as a person was a rare and cherished gift.

In this evolving landscape, Harry began to focus on the strength of his relationship with Hermione. Their bond was forged in shared experiences and mutual respect, transcending the superficial judgments that others might harbor. As he navigated his new reality, Harry drew strength from this steadfast friendship, finding comfort in the knowledge that some relationships were resilient enough to weather the most intense storms.

As the days passed, Harry continued to adapt to his new life, finding solace in the steadfast presence of Hermione. The shifting sands of friendship had revealed both the fragility and the enduring strength of the connections he valued. With Hermione by his side, Harry felt a renewed sense of hope and determination to face the future, no matter how uncertain it might be.

As Harry and Hermione continued their quest to hunt Horcruxes across England, the small tent they called home became more than just a shelter; it became a haven where their friendship deepened and evolved into something more profound. The constant threat of death and the intense experiences they shared forged a bond that transcended their previous relationship.

The tent, a seemingly ordinary structure enchanted to be far larger on the inside, became their sanctuary amidst the chaos. Each night, after long days of searching and confronting dangers, they would retreat to the modest confines of their living space. The flickering light of the lantern cast soft shadows on the canvas walls, creating an atmosphere of intimacy and solitude.

Their days were filled with perilous encounters and relentless pursuits. The hunt for Horcruxes took them through ancient ruins, dense forests, and abandoned buildings, each location steeped in its own dark history. They faced magical creatures, traps, and hostile forces, their lives constantly at risk. The constant danger made every moment feel precious, and their conversations often turned to deeper, more personal matters as they sought solace in each other's company.

It was during these quiet moments of respite, after a day of danger and exhaustion, that the depth of their feelings began to surface. As they sat by the makeshift table, eating simple meals, or when they would share a brief, peaceful moment by the flickering fire, they found themselves drawn to each other in ways they hadn’t anticipated.

The proximity and shared hardships brought their emotional connection into sharp focus. Harry would often catch Hermione’s gaze lingering on him, her eyes reflecting a mixture of concern, admiration, and something else he couldn’t quite place. Hermione, in turn, sensed the shift in Harry’s demeanor, the way he seemed to cherish their time together more deeply as the days wore on.

One particularly harsh day, after narrowly escaping a particularly dangerous encounter, they sought refuge in their tent, their nerves frayed and their spirits exhausted. The silence that followed was heavy with unspoken words. They had spent so much time depending on each other for support, and the constant threat of their own mortality had made their feelings impossible to ignore.

As they lay on their makeshift beds, the air thick with the weight of their shared experiences, Harry turned to Hermione. The vulnerability of their situation, coupled with the intimate environment of their temporary home, made the moment ripe for honesty. He looked at her, his heart pounding with a mixture of fear and longing.

“Hermione,” he began, his voice steady but filled with emotion, “we’ve been through so much together. I can’t help but feel… that we’re not just friends anymore.”

Hermione’s eyes met his, and for a moment, the world outside the tent faded away. She took a deep breath, her own feelings mirrored in the softness of her gaze. “I’ve felt it too, Harry. All this time, being with you like this… it’s made me realize how much you mean to me.”

Their confessions were simple yet profound, born from the rawness of their shared experiences and the certainty of their uncertain future. The knowledge that any day could be their last lent their words a deeper significance. They embraced, finding comfort in each other’s presence as they faced the reality of their situation together.

Their relationship blossomed amidst the shadows of their quest. The small tent, once just a place of rest, became a symbol of their growing love. The danger they faced each day, instead of driving them apart, brought them closer together. The intimacy of their shared struggles and the tender moments of quiet conversation forged a bond that was both romantic and enduring.

Each day, as they continued their hunt, they did so with a renewed sense of connection and purpose. Their love became a source of strength, a beacon in the darkness that surrounded them. It was a love born from the fires of adversity, one that gave them hope and solace as they faced the trials ahead.

In the quiet moments of their journey, amidst the danger and uncertainty, Harry and Hermione’s relationship grew into a profound, romantic bond. They had found something precious and enduring in each other, a love that gave them strength and comfort as they navigated the challenges of their quest. Their journey together had not only forged their friendship into a deeper connection but had also given them a reason to fight for a future beyond the shadows.