All The Young Dudes

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.