The morning light filtered through the tall windows of Gryffindor Tower, marking the Marauders' second day back at Hogwarts. The common room buzzed with energy as students prepared for classes, the chatter mixing with the crackling of the fire in the hearth. Among the chaos, the four boys claimed their usual corner, their camaraderie as effortless as ever.

James Potter, ever the ringleader, perched on the armrest of a chair, his hair sticking up in all directions despite his attempts to flatten it. "And then, of course, McGonagall gave me the look-you know the one." He mimed an exaggerated glare, earning laughter from Sirius Black, who lounged lazily on the sofa, his legs draped over the armrest.

"You mean the look that says, 'James Potter, one more stunt and I'll transfigure you into a toad'?" Sirius quipped, grinning wickedly.

Peter Pettigrew chuckled nervously, glancing between his friends. "She'd probably do it too."

Remus Lupin, seated in a corner with a book in hand, gave a small, weary smile. His pale complexion and the faint shadows under his eyes betrayed his lingering exhaustion from the full moon just two days prior. Despite his best efforts, he couldn't quite keep up with his friends' boundless energy today.

"Moony, you've been awfully quiet," Sirius remarked, nudging Remus's leg with his foot. "C'mon, share something wise and profound with us."

Remus glanced up, his amber eyes soft with amusement. "Wise and profound? How about this: if you spent half as much time studying as you do making trouble, you'd be top of the class."

"Oi, that's uncalled for," James said, clutching his chest in mock offense. "We can't all be scholarly werewolves, you know."

"Leave him alone, Prongs," Sirius said, tossing a cushion at James. "Moony's recovering. He doesn't need your nonsense."

Remus shook his head, a hint of gratitude in his smile. As much as he adored his friends, their constant antics could be exhausting, especially on days when he still felt the toll of his transformations. The warmth of their companionship, however, was something he never took for granted.

~~~~

The day unfolded in its usual blur of classes, laughter, and whispered plans for their next escapade. By evening, the Gryffindor common room had settled into a comfortable hum, with students scattered about doing homework or chatting softly. Remus, seeking some quiet, slipped away unnoticed.

The library was a haven at this hour, its vast shelves of books illuminated by the gentle glow of floating candles. The moonlight streaming through the tall windows cast silver patterns on the floor, and the faint scent of parchment and ink filled the air. Remus made his way to a secluded corner, sinking into a chair with a sigh. He pulled out a worn copy of Hogwarts: A History and let the familiar words wash over him.

He hadn't been reading long when something unusual caught his eye. A small piece of parchment, folded delicately, fluttered down from nowhere and landed softly on the table in front of him. Frowning in curiosity, Remus set his book aside and picked up the note.

The parchment was adorned with a simple yet whimsical doodle of a crescent moon surrounded by twinkling stars. Beneath it, in a flowing, delicate script, were the words: 

"Even the moon needs rest to shine brighter tomorrow."

Remus stared at the note, a faint warmth blooming in his chest. He glanced around, but the library was empty save for the shadows stretching between the shelves. Whoever had sent the note had done so anonymously, but its kindness was undeniable.

A small, genuine smile curved his lips as he tucked the parchment into his pocket. For the first time in days, the weight on his shoulders felt just a little lighter. The magic of Hogwarts, he thought, came in many forms, and sometimes, it arrived in the most unexpected ways.