Chapter Text
The next day was the first day of the waning moon, the day the peur occulta revelatur ritual would be conducted. The St. Mungo’s healers were meeting with the group of friends at the lake down the street from Remus' cottage. Thankfully, Melina was one of the healers, and she had brought her protege Wrathers. James was sat in a wheelchair on the shore with the two healers while the elements of the ritual were prepared.
Marlene began crushing up the charred wood and coals of ash from the potion until it was a fine black dust, and then worked with Remus to help James out of his clothes. The two took their time covering James in the inky soot. It was surreal and disturbing to move James around like he was a living doll, completely out of control of his own body. Remus had to keep taking steadying breaths but had a hard time seeing James blackened body, as if he’d been burnt to death. Once they had completely covered James in the ash, Marlene pulled Remus away and into her arms, just letting the steady pressure of the hug calm her friend.
Dorcus began to heat up the potion and dropped in Remus’ fang, watching the translucent navy liquid run clear as the tooth dissolved in the acrid brew. As the potion continued to bubble, Mary brought over the diamond tears, place the appropriate colors on the chakra zones along James' body. She had Sirius help her with the few more intimate chakra zones. The diamonds seemed to adhere to James' skin as if magnetized and began to emit a very subtle glow.
Once the potion was complete, Dorcus bottled the clear liquid and handed it to Marlene. “Are you guys ready to do this?” she asked.
All of the friends stood around on the shore looking at one another. As eager as they were to have James back, it was easy to see the fear lingering in their eyes.
Sirius came over and put a hand on Remus' shoulder, “Come on, Moons. Let’s do this.”
Mary and the healers stood back on the shore as Dorcus and Sirius lifted James by his arms and legs and waded waist-deep into the lake after Remus, Marlene not far behind.
Remus turned to face James, who was being held hovering just above the water, and began to recite the incantation:
Heart or mind, it is no choice
Listen to a guiding voice
Both deceive and lead astray
Let not your vile tongue betray
Tis the soul to seek love’s embrace
But from your lies, truth you now face
Bathe in the solar flares of ardor
Redeemed at last from moon-shone water
Once said and done, Marlene poured the potion down James’ throat, only giving him a few seconds to swallow before he was unceremoniously dropped into the lake below. James' body appeared to sink below the murky water; only a faint shadow of his body shape could be visualized through the rippling waves.
Seconds passed like minutes, minutes passed like years.
Remus looked up at the friends surrounding him, his heart beginning to pound rapidly in his chest.
It’s taking to long.
He’s been under the water too long.
He can’t breathe!
He’s going to drown!, “James!”
Remus was about to dunk under and grab him when a rainbow-like burst of light shot from below the water's surface, arching in a swirling spiral toward the sky, shining so bright it was almost blinding.
Suddenly, James sprang up from the water, coughing, gasping, and very unsteady on his feet.
The sound of cheering and screaming erupted from all around, tears of relief shining on many faces as Remus pulled James into a tight hug and began to sob.
James, still taking in his surroundings quickly hugs Remus back, “Moony, why are you crying? Don’t cry love.”
Trying to gain his composure, Remus pulls back to look James in the eye, “Oh, Merlin, James I thought I’d never speak to you again. You were in a magically induced coma. Do you not remember?”
James frowned in concentration, “The last thing I remember was telling you I love you.”
Remus broke down into sobs again, pulling James into his arms, “Oh, Jaime, I love you so much. Please don’t ever scare me like this again.”
James squeezed back just as tight, “Moony, I will always love you no matter what.”
The sound of someone clearing their throat beside them made the couple turn, “Excuse me, lover-boys, but you might like to know you’ve got a bit of an audience.” smirked Sirius.
Finally extricating themselves from one another, James and Remus turned to face the shocked and amused faces of their friends.
“It’s about damn time,” winked Marlene, who was swiftly elbowed by her girlfriend. Dorcus offered a subdued congratulations and a smile.
“How long has this been going on?” asked Mary, arms crossed and a wide grin on her face.
James glanced between Remus and their friends, “Not nearly long enough.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Once James’ recovery had been thoroughly celebrated, Melina requested James briefly return to St. Mungo’s for a final check-up and discharge. Before parting ways, the friends agreed on a “Welcome Awake” party for the coming weekend, giving James time to rest. After being given St. Mungo’s healthy seal of approval, he and Remus made their way back to the werewolf’s cottage.
The two sat for a quiet dinner next to each other, Remus using his non-dominant left hand to eat so they could hold hands throughout the meal. The two kept laughing and smiling at each other for no other reason than pure joy from the other’s presence.
The young couple soon found themselves snuggling on the living room couch, a fire glowing before them. Remus laced their fingers together, “You know, somehow this doesn’t feel real. Part of me keeps feeling like I’m going to start crying again, and I can’t tell if it’s from relief or happiness.” He lay his head on James’ shoulder, who turned and placed a kiss on top of his head.
“I can’t imagine what you went through, Remus. I feel like I blinked and all of a sudden everyone I love has been through a trauma. It’s hard for me to wrap my head around. I’m so sorry you suffered, darling.”
Remus tilted his head up toward James, “You know I’d go through this whole rotten experience all over again if it meant we could be together like this in the end.” They gazed into one another’s eyes, emanating love so intimately it was as if their souls kissed.
James placed his palm on Remus' cheek, brushing a thumb along the scattered freckled, before pulling the man close to place a gentle kiss on plush lips. The blushing heat of love and magic flushed through the kiss, sending sparks of joy and pleasure coursing through them.
The universal truth will always come out: Nothing can ever extinguish the flames of true love.
"Remus...I love you so much." James smiled down at his love, "To the moon and back."
Remus chuckled softly, "I love you too. To the sun and back."