Full Moon Observation Anomaly

The stairs seemed endless.

Lucretia, panting, followed the Prefect with other first-year Ravenclaws up the spiral staircase to the Astronomy Tower.

The stone steps were cold at night, and the torches hanging on the castle walls swayed in the breeze, casting flickering shadows.

A few Gryffindor students walking ahead began complaining about sore legs, and many yawned.

Emma's golden curls shone in the firelight as she rubbed her waist and complained, "Why does Astronomy class have to be at midnight?" "I feel like my brain isn't working anymore."

Campbell, the Ravenclaw Prefect, gave a wry smile and replied, "Because you can't see the stars during the day. That's the basic premise of astronomy. Besides, it's not even 8:30 yet."

Emma mumbled, yawning again, "It feels like midnight."

Lucretia tightened the scarf around her neck, also feeling a bit tired.

The tactical training in the afternoon's Defense Against the Dark Arts class had been tiring, but she really liked Astronomy class.

She had already read the book Astronomy Mysteries: Legends of the Night Sky, which Little Barty had given her, twice.

By the time they reached the top of the Astronomy Tower, half of the telescopes were already occupied by Gryffindor students.

Professor Sinistra stood in the center of the tower top, looking more agitated than last week, glancing outside from time to time.

"Hurry and line up, don't push. There are enough telescopes for everyone, no need to crowd together, spread out."

Lucretia looked around and saw another tall figure standing at the far end of the Astronomy Tower.

Lupin leaned against the stone wall, looking frighteningly pale, trying his best to stay in the shadows.

The shadow of the stone wall covered most of his body, and he stood there, pressed against the wall.

Strangely, the wind at the top of the tower was cool, yet a fine layer of sweat beaded on his forehead.

Sweating in this weather?

Noticing Lucretia looking at him, Lupin looked up and smiled at her.

The smile was forced, and he didn't walk over to greet her as usual.

He just stood there, keeping his distance.

Professor Sinistra introduced to the class, "Mr. Lupin will be assisting us tonight as a senior student representative. He is a Gryffindor Prefect and an excellent student in this class. You can ask him any questions you have. Now, let's begin tonight's..."

A gust of wind interrupted her.

Looking up, thick clouds were rapidly gathering in the sky, gradually swallowing the already hazy starry sky.

The moon was also completely hidden.

Professor Sinistra's expression grew even gloomier.

She muttered, "Damn weather, I knew there might be a problem tonight. It looks like our full moon observation tonight has to be canceled. The clouds are too thick, and they probably won't clear up all night."

This meant that tonight's Astronomy class would end early.

The Ravenclaw students let out a sigh of disappointment.

But from the Gryffindor side, there were suppressed cheers.

Professor Sinistra pointed sharply, "Don't celebrate too soon, Mr. Fenwick. We still have backup lesson content. Tonight, we will learn how to use the Astrology Chart and Constellation Chart to prepare for the next practical observation."

An overly excited Gryffindor boy immediately lost his smile.

Lucretia looked back towards Lupin and noticed something even more confusing.

When the clouds completely obscured the moon, he visibly relaxed.

She could tell because his tense shoulders loosened, and his breathing was no longer as rapid as before.

But why would the cancellation of the full moon observation make him look... relieved?

He had been so patient and focused during their training sessions in Godric's Hollow over the summer.

Professor Sinistra began distributing star charts and reference materials, teaching the students how to identify the major constellations.

Lucretia sat with her roommates, studying the winter star chart.

Sophia was quiet, concentrating on the chart and occasionally taking notes.

She leaned close to Lucretia's ear and whispered, "Leia, do you find it strange?"

Lucretia looked up, "What's strange? The star chart?"

Sophia gestured with her eyes towards the distant figure, pausing as if thinking how to phrase it.

"Senior Lupin. He seems... off. And last night I had a dream, about a full moon and a forest."

Lucretia's heart skipped a beat.

Sophia's dreams were often more than just ordinary dreams.

"What did you see?"

Sophia glanced at Helena, who was instructing Emma, and confirmed they weren't listening before continuing, "I'm not sure. Just fragments. The moonlight was bright, the forest was deep, and there was... pain. Intense pain."

If you like this book, remember to add it to your bookshelf so you don't lose it next time.

She looked up at the night sky, completely hidden by clouds.

"But maybe it's just a normal nightmare."

Just as Lucretia was about to respond, a cold night wind swept through the Astronomy Tower, making her shiver.

She said in a low voice, reaching to tighten her robes, "It feels like it's going to rain."

Sophia nodded, pressing down on their star charts to keep them from blowing away.

"I hope this class ends quickly."

The weather grew worse, the clouds pressing lower. The temperature at the top of the tower plummeted, and some of the students dressed in lighter clothing began to shiver.

Professor Sinistra sighed and waved her wand, casting a Warming Charm around them.

She grumbled with dissatisfaction, "This wretched weather! Such a rare full moon observation opportunity is being wasted like this."

Lupin coughed suddenly in the distance.

A few students looked at him curiously, but he waved his hand, signaling he was fine.

Lucretia saw that his hands were trembling.

A Gryffindor girl asked with concern, "Prefect, are you alright?"

Lupin managed a weak smile, his voice sounding weary, as if he were forcing himself to stay alert. "Just a bit of a cold, don't worry. Hurry back and listen to the Professor's lecture."

Around eleven-thirty, a light rain began to fall, a few sparse drops at first, then a continuous curtain of rain.

Professor Sinistra waved her wand, creating a transparent protective shield at the top of the tower, but the sound of the rain hitting it was still loud.

She announced the end of the class, sounding frustrated.

"It seems tonight's class ends here. Next week, we will continue with moon phase observations. I hope Britain's wretched weather will give us some consideration. Now, pack up your notes and charts, and leave in an orderly fashion by house."

The students breathed a sigh of relief and quickly packed their things.

Lucretia saw that Lupin's complexion had become even paler, and the sweat on his forehead had increased.

He looked like he could collapse at any moment.

She hesitated, wondering if she should go ask him how he was. Just then, Emma accidentally knocked their reference materials all over the floor.

Emma said in annoyance, "Ah! Sorry!"

Several girls quickly crouched down to pick up the papers.

The star charts were blown everywhere by the wind, and they scrambled to chase after the scattered papers.

By the time Lucretia picked up the last chart and looked up at Lupin, he was gone.

He had vanished as if into thin air.

The stone wall was empty, with only the sound of rain hitting the stones remaining.

Professor Sinistra instructed the Ravenclaw prefect, "The weather tonight isn't suitable for wandering around the castle. Mr. Campbell, please ensure all students return safely to their dormitories. Mr. Lupin is feeling unwell, so the Gryffindor students are also in your care."

Going downstairs was faster than going up, but also more dangerous.

Rainwater seeped through the cracks in the stone walls, making the steps wet and slippery.

Lucretia walked in the middle of the group, but her mind drifted elsewhere.

Why did Lupin look so pained?

Why did he seem relieved when the clouds covered the moon?

And Sophia's dream...

Sophia pulled her, making her avoid a puddle at her feet, "Be careful. What are you thinking about? You seem distracted."

Lucretia shook her head, "It's nothing. I'm just worried about Mr. Lupin. He was clearly not feeling well, but he still insisted on coming to class with us."

Sophia nodded and didn't ask further.

But Lucretia noticed that Sophia was also glancing upwards, as if thinking about what had happened at the top of the tower.

As they neared the bottom of the stairs, Lucretia remembered something.

She said quietly to Sophia, "I need to go to the library. You go back with Helena and the others. The copy of Ancient Herbology I borrowed is due tomorrow, and I need to extend it with Madam Pince. I'll need it on Thursday."

Sophia frowned, "Now? It's almost curfew."

"It should be fine before the library closes, just to get her to sign it."

Sophia nodded, "Okay, be careful. Don't get caught by Filch."

Upon reaching the main floor of the castle, Lucretia quietly slipped away from the group while the prefect wasn't paying attention.

She waved to Sophia again before heading in the direction of the library.