On Christmas day the wolfsbane potion doesn't taste like ripe death, and Remus is a bit bewildered.

Nothing else has changed. Snape brought him the potion with a sneer and left with a veiled insult. The cup is the same. The smell is the same. But the taste is a little like eggnog and a little like mint and makes Remus think of wrapping paper and snow on the trees.

He goes to find Snape, intending to ask; but Snape is elbow-deep in essays and says "Go away," before Remus can speak.

"Happy Christmas, Severus," Remus says, and is content.