Author's Note!

Wow, it's been a few months, huh? There is really no excuse, other than I've suffered major writer's block. I just didn't know how to write this chapter at all!

For the past few months, I've tried writing another story, and reading other people's stories trying to get some ideas, but it seemed as if all of my muses left me altogether! It wasn't until I read a story that the author hadn't updated in a long while, that I finally got some inspiration to finish my fanfic. I left them a review to please update, and they did within the next day! I was so shocked that my review made them want to finish writing, and I realized that there are authors out there who really do care for their fans, and push through that block, to make them happy. That's what I call a true writer.

So I give a shout out to EclipsedbyJacob! Thanks for inspiring me to plunder through that nasty writer's block to finish this story for my fans! I slaved all day and night, working on this chapter, so I hope you all like! Enjoy ;)

Chapter 10 – Captured

Harry's POV

Harry ran towards the small wizarding town, adrenaline rushing through his veins. His wand was out and ready for anything that came at him. He couldn't believe that Voldemort had actually attacked Hogsmeade. He couldn't remember anyone telling him that such a thing occurred in his time. The screams became louder, as he drew closer. Turning onto the main street, he practically bumped into at least a dozen men in black robes, hidden behind white masks. A green skull and snake was forming above them in the sky with students and Hogsmeade inhabitants running in all directions. Panic ensued. A few older students were defending themselves and their younger classmates, as they attempted to retreat from the battle. Ill-fated victims lay dead upon the ground, blank eyes staring lifelessly into the twilight sky. Other helpless students cowered in the corners as they were ambushed by heartless men.

Harry stopped short and saw his friends' faces on those of the fallen and the ruins of the Hogwarts he once called home, instead of a battle at Hogsmeade. His heart pained in his chest, as he saw another Death Eater strike down an elderly woman. He fought though the fog his memory blanketed in front of him and struggled until his senses became alert. At once Harry rushed forward, sending spells left and right. Death Eaters fell at his feet, but with every one he defeated it seemed as if two more took their place. The screams were intensifying. Where were they all coming from? Most of them seemed to fall after one spell, making him think that they were there just for kicks. They couldn't be smart enough to be in Voldemort's inner circle.

He didn't know how many he killed or stunned, but it wasn't until a somewhat familiar voice interrupted his slaughtering parade.

"Hey, Golden Boy! Didn't forget about me, did you?" the voice taunted him from behind. He recognized the man's voice. Where had he heard it before?

Harry spun, and facing the Death Eater. The man made him uneasy; he was just standing there casually as if they just met up in a pub. Why did he seem so familiar? He can't be someone I know. The 'Golden Boy' was just a coincidence. It's impossible…Harry thought, cynically. He was here because of his magic, no one came with him…or did they? He raised his wand, preparing himself for the unexpected. If the man was from where he believed then he was far more experienced than the other Death Eaters racing about.

"Oh, come now, Potter. Don't you trust an old friend?" the man asked, his words practically dripping of venom.

Harry froze. He must be an old student. He just mistook me for James. There's no way he could know my name. He was on his toes, waiting for his opponent to make the first move.

"Now, now, Potter, be nice. I haven't even lifted a finger on you, why feel the need to attack?" Harry hearing the smirk in his voice.

"Well, being one of the Death Eaters murdering helpless students doesn't help —," Harry replied, a piercing scream interrupting his thoughts. From the corner of his eye saw a small girl cowering and twisting in agony between the side of a building and some barrels, cornered. A dark robed figure was approaching her, his wand pointing at her crouched form. Harry tilted his head, to see if he could get a clear shot, and saw the opening he was looking for.

As soon as his opponent realized his attention was elsewhere, the figure raised his wand in order to catch him off guard. With a quick snap of his wrist, Harry whispered, "Doleri." The man fell to the ground, twitching and shrieking in pain. Harry proceeded to stun him to keep from drawing attention to him. He couldn't be revived if others believed he was dead. Harry didn't know if the man was as dangerous as he seemed to think he was, and he intended to question the mysterious Death Eater later on if he had the chance. At the moment he was busy with other matters; he turned his attention to the man torturing the small third year.

"Stupefy!" He yelled and the oblivious robed figure slumped to the ground, unconscious. The screaming of the girl ceased and he ran over and brought her into his arms, realizing she was out cold. Oh, Merlin please say that I wasn't too late, he thought, hoping she hadn't been driven crazy. He looked up and saw that the Death Eaters were coming with more strength now, throwing killing curses into the crowd.

He knew what he had to do, but the spell he had in mind could have disastrous results. It was one of those spells that he profusely told his students not to use unless dire emergencies. He just looked down at the slumped form of a third year in his arms and made his decision. Shifting the weight of the girl to his left shoulder, he waved his wand in an unusual manner through air in a stabbing motion, and roared, "Vindicente!"

A stream of white light flowed out from the tip of his wand, bathing the participants of the street with the soft glow. The battle slowed to a halt as the sound of hooves filled the air, quietly at first then increasing in volume. The illumination seemed to shift and change as if a shadow was appearing through a fog. Those in the street were looking around in fear, their eyes flickering from right to left, wondering what kind of monstrous being the Death Eaters had conjured up next. Suddenly a blinding bright light shone through the silvery fog, and the light changed. It was as if it were forming and figures began to take shape, light forming where there was supposed to have been shadows. In front of them all, the figures of one dozen centaurs had materialized, wielding spears and swords. They continued to grow towering over the tallest man in the street, their faces held the features of angels, beautiful yet fierce, and the bodies of white stallions.

It wasn't until one of the Death Eaters began to cast a spell to get rid of the beasts that the battle ensued. As soon as the spell left his lips he was overtaken by the creatures, a scream never escaping his throat. Like a wave upon sand, the centaurs charged forward pushing back the dark forces, who threatened their master and his wishes. The students who were once on the ground crying out in pain from a torturing curse were washed and filled with relief. The white light covered the inhabitants of the town overwhelming them with a sense of peace and safety as the Death Eaters were forced out.

Harry knew the battle wasn't over yet. Still concentrating on his spell he grabbed hold of an arm that was nearest to him. Not taking his eyes off his fleeing enemy he said, "Take her. Get the students and the others out. Get them to the school. Those who know how to wield a wand, tell to protect the ones who can't defend themselves. Make sure you don't leave anyone behind, do you understand?"

"Wha – What?" said the shaky voice.

"Take her!" Harry said fiercely, turning the small girl into the boy's arms. "This battle isn't over yet, I can only delay them so much. Get everyone out, and get hold of Dumbledore. I sent a few students ahead already, and I hope to Merlin they made it there alright. We need help, so go!" He yelled shoving the person away from him.

He felt drops of sweat forming on his back and dripping down his face. The spell was starting to take a toll on him, but he had to keep going. There was no telling what would happen if he let his defense fall. He began to think of an alternate plan.

Come on, Potter! THINK! Once his defense failed, the Death Eaters would no doubt rush back towards the fleeing students. Why are they even attacking here in the first place? Surely someone I knew would have mentioned a raid on Hogsmeade! What's different now than before? As Harry was pondering this thought, his spell began to fade. The ten foot tall army of centaurs began to shrink and decrease in size. He looked back to see how far the crowd had gotten. They weren't nearly as far as he would have liked, but they were moving at a fast pace. He turned back towards the frightened Death Eaters and hurriedly released his spell. As quick as he could, he formed a ward over the general area where he believed the Death Eaters to be, trapping them in a bubble. Hopefully that would delay them for a good ten minutes for they couldn't disapparate, and it would give him time to catch up with the others. I hope to Merlin those Marauders made it back to the school safely, he thought.

He sprinted towards the crowd, performing every warding and barrier spell he knew, knowing that many of the Death Eaters weren't smart enough to know their counter-curses. As they ran towards the castle Harry would check back every few seconds, hoping his barriers held up. Thankfully they did and it gave them valuable time to reach Hogwarts' gates. As they sprinted, he looked along the road and far ahead, making sure they weren't going to be ambushed. After holding their breaths for the longest ten minutes, they finally made it. The younger ones began to cry with relief, and some began to smile and laugh. The few with injuries were carried up to the school to be treated by Pomfrey. Harry stayed behind reinforcing the wards of the gates, making sure they would hold. He didn't believe that the Death Eaters would be stupid enough to attack Hogwarts itself with only twenty men and with Dumbledore on his way down. As soon as the thought crossed his mind a voice behind him spoke, "It seems like you need a bit of help there."

Harry spun on his heel, coming face to face with the headmaster. "Are you just going to stand there, or did you come here to help me?" he glared.

After sending Harry a calculating look, Dumbledore waved his wand. A sweet tune filled the air and a soft, golden glow erupted from his wand with a ripple stretching to cover all the grounds. The rest of the teachers had their wands out and were at the ready, studying the edges of the gates with scrutiny. Turning back towards the path that led to Hogsmeade, Harry hoped that the black robed men had done the smart thing and had gone back to their master.

It was a cruel half hour of patience and waiting, with everyone taking deep anxious breaths, not knowing if Voldemort would decide to attack with a stronger force. During that half hour Dumbledore pulled his former professor aside with a grave look upon his face.

"Mr. Turner, I have made a great mistake of mistrusting you. I witnessed what you had done in the village, never in all my years have I ever heard of someone try to conjure up the Optimus Ferrum, and you have amazingly accomplished it! You are the exact opposite of who I thought you were. Can you blame an old man for his mistakes?"

Harry stared the old man down, with a critical eye. He believed he was good, all because of a spell? "Give me one reason why I should." He was sick of Dumbledore manipulating him. He hated being enemies with the man, but he couldn't have anyone forcing him into a cage, waiting to be let out when called.

The old man gave a heavy sigh. "Mr. Turner, I know how much I have broken your trust with me from the first day, and I am deeply sorry. We are in times of war, and we do not know exactly who to trust. I believed if I could keep a closer eye on you then I would be able to make you join our cause –"

Harry gave a bitter laugh. "You don't get it, Dumbledore. I would never ally myself with you, but you should know that I would never fight against you. What you are offering me is a life within a cage, and I can't have that. If you even began to understand my predicament you would have me locked away in Azkaban just for thinking about it. I need to be free to make my own choices, that way I'll be able to keep things as they were meant to be," he said, his voice worn. He let Dumbledore to draw his own conclusions. He laughed mentally at the irony. Dumbledore believed he was helping to conserve the future, he had no idea he was trying to change it entirely.

Not catching the small lie, Dumbledore nodded, finally with some understanding. I was completely wrong with him. He was trying to help us in every way he could, and I accused him of being an ally of Voldemort's. "You are right, Mr. Turner. I know I will not gain your forgiveness, but I am willing to look forward, and try to be more understanding of your decisions. Will you try to be patient with this old wizard?" he asked. Guilt overwhelmed him for distrusting the strong young warrior. He knew he would have to be careful if he wanted Harry to continue helping him throughout the war.

Harry studied his old mentor, still not fully trusting him. He clicked his tongue a few times. "I'll think about it, Professor," he said, turning away from him. He turned to speak with McGonagall about who was going to keep watch during the night, when something down the road caught his eye. He snapped his gaze towards the gates. Upon seeing the young man start, the rest of the teachers immediately became focused on their new target. Harry narrowed his eyes, noticing that the figure running towards them wasn't in the form of a Death Eater. I thought we got everyone out! When the person was close enough for him to recognize, his eyes widened.

"Hold your fire! Put your wands down! There's a student still out there!" he yelled at the others. The teachers looked at him in shock. How did he know it wasn't a trap?

"That's Remus! Dumbledore, open the gates!" Harry yelled orders left and right. Dumbledore did what Harry had done previously, by checking the so-called Remus' mind, and immediately opened the gates.

Harry sprinted forward down the road to meet his former student. Where are the rest of the Marauders? Where's Lily? His thoughts turned to panic and worry. They were supposed to head straight towards the school, so why was Remus just arriving? Something's wrong…Something happened.

Remus was running with a slight limp in his step, he had a smear of blood on the right side of his face. "Professor Turner! You've got to help them! They took them! They're gone!" he yelled, fear lined every inch of his face.

Harry grabbed the boy by the shoulders, trying to steady him as well as himself. "Who? Where? What the bloody hell happened, Remus? Answer me!" he yelled, starting to shake him. He was starting to panic. It was his fault. If he hadn't ordered them to go around, then they wouldn't have gotten caught. The Death Eaters took them, and he didn't know the first place to start looking for them. It's all my fault…

"Mr. Turner! Mr. Turner! You're hurting the boy!" Slughorn shouted perplexedly from his left. Quickly Harry stopped what he was doing. The old professor was right, he wasn't going to get answers this way. Without a second thought he placed one of Remus' arms over his shoulders and placed his own around the boy's waist hoisting him up a bit, to keep the pressure off his wounded leg. Swiftly he started walking Remus towards the castle.

"Professor, stop! James…the others…we have to help them!" the teenager cried out, trying to break away from his hold.

Harry just held him tighter. His voice was filled with grief as he spoke. "It's too late, Remus. This is all my fault. If I hadn't told you five to go around, then…We don't even know where they took them. We'll just be wasting time searching the woods. As much as I hate to say it we have to get the wounded help first, and that includes you."

Remus struggled against his hold, but to no avail. "No! Don't worry about me! Did you even hear me right? Death Eaters have them! They could be dead by morning!"

Harry stood his own as the boy thrashed about violently to be freed. "Remus, I'm making it my personal duty to find them and to bring them back safely. I promise you that. I promise," he said. He made sure Remus was looking him the eyes as he said it, making the teenager see that he made it his every intention of getting his friends back.

The young werewolf stopped fighting against the young man's hold and gave him a look full of distress and sadness. He couldn't believe that the Marauders were gone. His best friends had disappeared off the face of the earth, and he didn't even know if they were dead or alive…

AN: So I hoped you liked the new update! I am sincerely sorry for making my readers wait this long, and I promise to have another chapter out by next Saturday. Pinky-promise! Having me break a pinky-promise is like breaking an unbreakable vow. If I don't have another chapter out by then, I give you all the right to send a mob after me. No joke!

Next chapter is going to be about Remus' flashback, other than that I really don't know. As I said before, I'm making this story up as I go along, so I honestly can't tell any of you what's going to happen. I'll be just as surprised as you are!