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.