Moody summons Remus to the Ministry's Auror headquarters to reveal that Greyback has returned to England and assign him a solo infiltration mission. Remus learns the devastating truth that the Order allowed previous werewolf attacks to proceed to protect his cover as a spy, leaving him furious and disillusioned. Despite his anger, he accepts the dangerous assignment to join Greyback's pack for three full moons.

The marauders enjoy Christmas at the Potters', but tragedy strikes when Hope dies on Boxing Day, devastating Remus. At Hope's funeral, Remus meets her family including his half-sister Siân and her partner Gethin, struggling with grief and family secrets he never knew. The chapter culminates with Remus finally saying "I love you" to Sirius for the first time, marking a crucial emotional breakthrough during one of the darkest periods of his life. The winter setting reflects the growing darkness of both personal loss and the escalating war.

Remus continues to struggle with depression and purposelessness while assigned to minor Order missions with Peter, feeling excluded from the important work James and Sirius are doing. His mood improves after a meaningful conversation with Grant about taking action and stopping self-destructive patterns.

Remus and Danny McKinnon undertake their first dangerous mission to infiltrate werewolf gatherings at the Manticore's Head pub in Knockturn Alley. Despite Remus's attempts to lead diplomatically, tensions escalate when Gaius uses legilimency and dark magic against him, forcing Remus to retaliate with unexpected magical power. The mission ends in conflict rather than successful intelligence gathering, leaving Danny traumatized and Remus questioning his role in the war. Moody's cryptic approval suggests this violent confrontation was somehow part of a larger plan.

The marauders adjust to post-Hogwarts life as Remus and Sirius move into their first London flat together, with Mrs. Potter casually accepting their relationship. Their first Order of the Phoenix meeting introduces them to the serious realities of war, while Moody and Ferox recruit Remus and Danny McKinnon for a dangerous mission to infiltrate Knockturn Alley's werewolf community.

The marauders execute their elaborate final prank involving the entire school, levitating all Slytherin dormitory furniture above the lake using coordinated magic from multiple houses. When Severus Snape attempts to curse James in retaliation, Remus instinctively creates a magical barrier that absorbs the dark curse, displaying unexpected powerful magic that surprises everyone. The prank succeeds spectacularly, creating lasting memories and cementing the marauders' legendary status. Remus reflects on the love and friendship surrounding him as their Hogwarts years come to an end.

Remus contemplates his legacy at Hogwarts while admiring his father Lyall's trophy, feeling he has nothing to leave behind. Marlene surprises him with a homemade healing poultice for his hip pain, a thoughtful gesture that provides immediate relief and represents their renewed friendship. The poultice allows Remus to move without pain for the first time in years. That evening, Remus and Sirius discuss their future together, including plans to live in London and Remus's desire for Sirius to meet his dying mother Hope.

Christopher Barley is found confounded after being manipulated by Gilderoy Lockhart, who was trying to extract information about the marauders' prank plans. When confronted, Christopher reveals his brief romantic involvement with Lockhart and accidentally transforms him into a giant jelly using an enhanced jelly-legs jinx. As punishment for covering for Christopher, McGonagall forces Remus to commentate the final Quidditch match between Gryffindor and Slytherin, resulting in hilariously biased and profanity-laden commentary that becomes legendary throughout the school.

The marauders struggle with pre-NEWT anxiety and sleepless nights in their dormitory. Remus and Sirius share a quiet early morning moment in the common room, discussing legilimency and Sirius's traumatic experiences with his mother's mind-reading abilities. Later, after their Care of Magical Creatures exam, Remus enjoys time with Mary by the lake, though she challenges his decision to join Dumbledore's war efforts, warning him that society won't change even if they win.

Remus calls Grant from a phone box in Hogsmeade, receiving blunt but caring advice about his tendency toward moodiness and self-sabotage in relationships. Grant suggests Remus struggles with accepting affection due to his institutionalized upbringing. Meanwhile, Remus apologizes to Sirius for his recent harsh behavior, and they reconcile intimately. Sirius reveals his mother's legilimency abilities and how he learned to deflect her mental intrusions, explaining some of his past difficulties with emotional openness.

Marlene approaches Remus privately in the Charms classroom to discuss his revelation, expressing hurt that she was the last to know his secret. After initially threatening to leave Hogwarts, Remus ultimately decides to stay and finish his NEWTs when Marlene chooses not to expose him. Their friendship tentatively rebuilds as Marlene begins to understand the challenges Remus faces, though tensions remain between Remus and Sirius over his reckless decision to help Danny.

Marlene confronts Remus in the hospital wing after discovering his secret letter to her werewolf brother Danny, angrily calling him a "bastard" for hiding his lycanthropy from her for years. Despite her initial fury and feelings of betrayal, Marlene ultimately decides not to expose Remus after talking with Danny, Lily, and Mary. Remus contemplates leaving Hogwarts early to pursue Greyback, seeing this as his true calling, while Sirius promises to follow him anywhere.

Pre-full moon anxiety peaks as Remus struggles with insomnia and mounting stress about NEWTs, the war, and family obligations. A chance late-night encounter with a tearful Marlene leads him to write a supportive letter to Danny McKinnon. The transformation night passes, but Marlene's discovery of the letter leads to her confronting Remus in the hospital wing. Her realization of his lycanthropy through careful observation culminates in an emotional breakdown as she finally understands the truth about her friend.

Remus develops a routine of visiting his mother Hope, bringing flowers to each meeting and slowly building their relationship. Through conversations about Lyall and family history, they share memories and connect over music and simple pleasures. Hope's declining health becomes apparent, but their bond strengthens as Remus learns about his parents' love story and begins to understand his own capacity for love through these difficult but meaningful encounters with his dying mother.

James announces Sirius's return to the Quidditch team, though the news triggers memories of past trauma. Sirius opens up about his mother's abuse and how it influenced his treatment of Snape, providing crucial context for the Prank incident. Their honest conversation leads to forgiveness and understanding, with Remus finally feeling the trauma truly resolved. The chapter explores cycles of abuse, accountability, and healing, ending with Remus's 18th birthday party where the group celebrates with music and genuine joy.

Peter has a breakthrough idea for the prank involving teleportation magic on a massive scale. The logistics of organizing thirty students creates challenges, but excitement builds around the ambitious plan. Meanwhile, McGonagall asks Remus for permission to allow Sirius back on the Quidditch team, forcing Remus to confront lingering trauma from the Snape incident. Despite internal conflict, Remus agrees, demonstrating growth in his ability to separate past hurt from present decisions and his love for Sirius.

After the emotional hospital visit, Remus wants to get drunk, leading to a night at the Three Broomsticks with his friends. Sirius stays sober to look after everyone while they discuss future living arrangements and the upcoming prank. The evening becomes cathartic as Remus processes his feelings about Hope through alcohol and friendship. Sirius's caring behavior and Remus's drunken admission that Sirius is "magic" show their deepening emotional connection despite Remus's continued struggles with expressing feelings.

Remus meets his dying mother Hope in a Cardiff hospital, experiencing a complex mix of emotions during their first encounter in over a decade. Hope is frail but eager to reconnect, sharing memories and expressing love while Remus struggles to respond emotionally. Their conversation reveals painful truths about abandonment and family, with Hope's Welsh accent and musical tastes creating unexpected connections. The visit ends with Remus unable to say "I love you" back, highlighting his emotional barriers.

The aftermath of the werewolf attacks continues to strain relationships, with Remus withdrawing further into self-destructive patterns. A confrontation with Sirius about his chronic hip pain escalates into cruel words about family trauma. Remus receives a letter from his mother Hope, triggering a panic attack that Lily helps him through.