Remus has a sexual encounter with Mary MacDonald while struggling with his feelings for Sirius, who continues dating Emmeline Vance. The experience with Mary is pleasant but lacks the emotional intensity he feels with Sirius, confirming his preferences. When Sirius learns about it, he becomes curious and even aroused hearing details, highlighting the complicated nature of their relationship. Their physical connection continues despite Sirius maintaining his relationship with Emmeline, creating emotional confusion for both boys.

Remus meets with Leo Ferox to discuss his encounter with Livia and makes bold demands of Dumbledore through his former professor. He refuses to sign the werewolf register upon turning seventeen and requests amnesty for Greyback's pack members after the war, positioning himself as a potential spy among werewolves. Ferox is impressed by Remus's newfound political awareness and maturity, comparing him to his father Lyall. The conversation reveals Remus's strategic thinking about his unique position in the coming war.

Remus encounters Livia, a terrifying werewolf from Greyback's pack, outside the Hog's Head. She's covered in tattoos depicting moon phases and tries to recruit him to join their "family," using dark magic to restrain him and threatening that he'll eventually come to them broken and alone. Leo Ferox arrives just in time to save Remus with silver chains, but the encounter leaves Remus deeply shaken and changes his understanding of his place in the wizarding world. Dumbledore interrogates him extensively about the meeting afterward.

Remus struggles with insomnia and guilt following the Hogsmeade werewolf attack, while Sirius tries unsuccessfully to comfort him. Christopher Abercrombie approaches Remus in the library, courageously coming out by discussing Oscar Wilde and other queer authors, leading to a meaningful conversation between the two boys in the Astronomy Tower. That night, Remus defies Sirius's wishes and sneaks out alone to the Hog's Head, determined to confront the werewolf he knows is waiting there, setting up a dangerous encounter.

January 1977 brings everyone back to Hogwarts, disrupting Remus and Sirius's intimate holiday bubble. During the full moon, Remus transforms outside the Shrieking Shack for the first time, drawn toward Hogsmeade by the scent of another werewolf. The morning after reveals a werewolf attack in the village - a young couple targeted, with the woman killed and her husband bitten. Remus realizes he could smell the attacking werewolf and feels overwhelming guilt about not warning anyone.

Remus and Sirius spend Christmas holidays alone at Hogwarts, developing their physical relationship while playing makeshift games and bonding deeply. Their intimate twelve days together include ice skating with Ravenclaw students, smoking weed, visiting the Hog's Head on Christmas Eve, and sharing quiet moments that strengthen their connection. The holiday ends with both boys setting off fireworks from their dormitory window as 1976 becomes 1977, marking a pivotal time in their secret relationship.

Christmas break arrives with only Remus and Sirius remaining at Hogwarts, creating an intimate setting for their relationship to deepen. They enjoy peaceful moments together listening to music, sharing meals, and experiencing a more domestic side of their connection.

Remus and Sirius establish a pattern of secret physical encounters while Sirius continues dating girls publicly, including a series of relationships that Remus must watch from the sidelines. The war escalates with more werewolf attacks, leading to increased anti-werewolf sentiment at school that deeply affects Remus. Meanwhile, he receives concerning letters about losing his place at St. Edmund's upon turning seventeen and being unable to go to the Potters for Christmas due to safety concerns.

During detention cleaning the bathroom mess from their prank, Remus and Sirius share their first real kiss and establish the secret physical relationship that will define much of their dynamic. Sirius insists he's "not a" certain word while Remus promises secrecy, and they agree to continue meeting in private.

The Halloween party becomes a turning point when Sirius and Remus have their first intimate encounter on Remus's bed during the celebration. The moment is interrupted by party noise, and Remus gets extremely drunk afterward to cope with the overwhelming emotions. A marauders prank gone wrong with bubotuber-puffball hybrids that lands Remus and Sirius in detention together, setting up their next significant interaction while showing the aftermath of their newfound physical relationship.

The first full moon of sixth year goes smoothly with all marauders participating, and Remus begins healing lessons with Madam Pomfrey alongside Marlene. He receives an encouraging letter from Professor Ferox about his OWL results, though it contains little concrete information about Greyback.

Sixth year begins with renewed friendships as the marauders return to Hogwarts. Remus and Sirius have reconciled, James is optimistic about winning Lily's affections, and normal teenage dynamics resume. However, Remus faces new challenges including silver sensitivity from Christopher's prefect badge and his first letter to Professor Ferox seeking information about Greyback.

An uneasy truce develops between Remus and Sirius while staying at the Potters, with both boys maintaining civil distance for Euphemia's sake. During a moment treating Sirius's injured hand, they finally have an honest conversation about their friendship and the events of the previous year. Sirius acknowledges his mistakes and promises to prove his remorse through actions, while Remus begins the difficult process of forgiveness, setting the stage for rebuilding their relationship.

Remus stays with the Potters after being retrieved from London, learning about recent werewolf attacks linked to Greyback and the war. Moody reveals that Greyback may be seeking to recruit Remus, viewing him as a "son" figure.

Remus escapes St. Edmund's after the full moon and finds Grant living in a Mile End squat with other queer youth. Grant offers comfort and perspective about Remus's heartbreak, while Remus experiences a brief taste of freedom and acceptance in the muggle world. James and Sirius track him down using Padfoot's abilities, forcing Remus to return due to Auror threats.

The final chapter of fifth year shows Remus completely shutting out Sirius despite constant apologies, reverting to his colder, more guarded personality. He withdraws from his friends, increases his drug use, and harbors violent fantasies toward Sirius while still being unable to stop loving him. As term ends, Lily discovers Remus's werewolf secret through Snape's hints, and Remus confirms it to her. The year concludes with relationships fractured and trust destroyed, setting up major changes ahead.

Remus wakes from the full moon alone and devastated to learn that Sirius told Snape how to bypass the Whomping Willow, nearly exposing Remus's werewolf secret and potentially causing deaths. James managed to stop Severus just in time, but the damage is done. Remus feels utterly betrayed by his best friend and makes the devastating decision to never forgive Sirius, cutting off all communication despite Sirius's desperate attempts at reconciliation.

OWL exams create intense pressure for all fifth years, with James becoming obsessively studious while Sirius remains mysteriously calm. The chapter references the infamous "Snape's Worst Memory" incident from canon, where James and Sirius humiliate Severus after their Defense Against the Dark Arts exam. Remus watches but doesn't intervene, later regretting his inaction. The incident severely damages James's relationship with Lily and escalates the ongoing tensions between Gryffindor and Slytherin students.

During his career meeting, Remus tells McGonagall he plans to join the war effort, leading to her emotional breakdown about losing her students to conflict. After a successful Quidditch match where James and Sirius excel, Remus is attacked by Snape, Mulciber, and Crouch using a silver prefect's badge. Sirius helps him recover and promises not to retaliate, showing genuine care despite their strained relationship, while dark tensions continue building throughout the school.