I own nothing, J K Rowling IS Harry Potter. All my 'ideas' are basically ripped from stuff I enjoy; Harry Potter (duh!), Lord Of The Rings, Star Wars, Star Trek, Dragonball, The Matrix, The Lion King, 24, and anything else that even remotely looks far too creative for me to just make up! Don't say I didn't warn you alright!

Chapter 5 – Pranks And Preparations

"Right, well if that's all the questions you can think of asking me, Remus should be back in…"

Trent was interrupted as a shout was heard in the next room, "Blaze you git, what'd you do that for! I'm going to kill you!" as a purple haired and high-heeled Remus Lupin somewhat unsteadily walked into the room.

Fred and George burst out laughing, along with Harry, Ron, Ginny, Bill, Charlie, Tonks and even Dumbledore had to suppress a chuckle.

"Why blame me, the twins have a somewhat better reputation for that kind of thing than me" Trent calmly stated, but Remus scowled,

"Because only you would have known exactly where and when I'd be coming back. So that cuts out those two!"

"Ok, ok, fine. Don't get your knickers in a knot. Jeez Remus, for a fellow prankster you sure get grouchy when on the wrong end of one."

Before Remus could reply, Fred blurted out "what do you mean, fellow prankster? How come we never knew that?"

It was Harry that answered Fred's question. "You'd better be nice, Fred. After all, Moony was proud that you two carried on in his footsteps, weren't you Prof…Remus."

George jumped up and cried "you mean Remus is Moony...from the Marauders...and you knew and didn't tell us! Why Harry, my brother and I are deeply hurt!"

"Indeed we are, George. You'll have to tell us the other three Remus, or we'll add a nice tutu to go with your hair!" Fred added.

"Fine, but I'll tell you later, after I get my revenge on that git over there" Remus snarled glaring at Trent, who was doing his best I'm-not-here-no-one-can-see-me look.

"So…ah, how'd the interrogation go Remus? I trust you got what you wanted from him" Trent asked politely.

Remus' face lit up somewhat "well, now you mention it, yes, I got what I wanted out of him, and disposed of him accordingly."

It was Harry's turn to jump out of his seat. "WHAT! You didn't kill him, did you Remus? Remember you promised me you wouldn't, please I don't want you to go to Azkaban for that rodent…"

"Relax. He didn't kill him, death would be too good for him. No, actually, Albus you'll find a nice present waiting for you when we get back to Hogwarts. Just make sure you clear Sirius' name, I know it'll mean the world to both Remus and Harry."

"Of course, I shall see to it as soon as I get back. Getting a trustworthy reporter might be a trifle more difficult though" Dumbledore mused.

Harry then remembered, and turned to one of his friends,

"Hermione, what happened to Rita, her year's up. Did you let her go?"

"Yes Harry, I kept my end of the deal. I'll see if I can convince her to help. After all, it'll be two scoop stories she would've got, so I don't see a problem. The Ministry on the other hand…" Hermione replied.

It was Arthur who spoke up "I wouldn't worry about the Ministry, Hermione. We'll just mention that it was Peter who brought You-Know-Who back, and they'll do anything to make sure Sirius is cleared of all the charges"

"Speaking of deals" Remus grinned, and Trent groaned.

"Yes, fine. You do realise that's why I did that to you, you know."

Everyone looked somewhat confused, even Dumbledore, Remus chuckled

"I had a little wager with Mr. Fuller that you would convince him to take the Defence post. Needless to say, seeing as though he said when we get back, am I correct that you were able to persuade him?"

"Shut up Remus! I've always wondered what you'd look like with a pink tutu!"

Dinner came and went, with just the general chatter amongst the group. Charlie was talking to Harry about the first task in the triwizard tournament a couple years ago telling him what an ingenious idea it was for Harry to fly rather than trying to beat it on the ground. Fred and George were no doubt making up new inventions they could use for their store. Tonks was changing her facial features at Ginny's and Hermione's requests. Trent was trying to convince Severus to help him with the Duelling classes, then proceeded to chat with Moody and Kingsley about Aurors.

It was just after nine in the evening when Albus, Minerva and Severus all decided to go back to Hogwarts. Remus reminded Trent that he should also go, to prepare for his classes and that he'd help him. Trent brushed him off saying that he had to get the room ready for Harry's training.

Remus had decided to go with Trent to help get the room ready. Needless to say, Harry and his friends were becoming somewhat concerned as to what exactly was so important about this room. But Remus had assured them that all would be revealed when he started his training, which Dumbledore insisted on starting after Harry's birthday. Kingsley, and Tonks also decided to leave, as they had work tomorrow, and the rest decided to get an early night.

As Harry was lying in bed trying to let sleep claim him, Ron broke the silence,

"What d'you reckon your training will be like?"

"I dunno, but if I can even do half of the stuff that Trent did, I'll be happy. I mean, how did he find us so quick? Not to mention his wandless magic, that was cool!" Harry replied.

"Yeah, you're right on that mate. Did you see Lupin's face when he came back, that was wicked!"

"He did mention martial arts, so I s'pose I'll be learning how to fight like that. It'll be interesting though, that's for sure, but I don't know what's so special about this room he kept on mentioning. I mean, a room's a room right? Unless it's something like the Room of Requirement, but I mean, you don't need to prepare that, it just suits your needs as you think it."

"It could be like one of those multi-room trunks that are around."

"Maybe. Professor Moody had one of those, it had seven compartments, so you might be right. Anyway, I think I'll worry about it when the time comes, g'night Ron."

"Night Harry."

The next morning started with a bang, literally. Harry was woken by the sound of an explosion, then

"DAMN IT REMUS! I SWEAR, EVERY TIME I THINK YOU CAN'T RAISE THE STAKES ANY HIGHER, YOU PROVE ME WRONG! RIGHT THEN, WE'LL PLAY BY YOUR RULES. LET THE PRANKING BEGIN!"

Harry was then greeted with the sight of Trent Fuller bursting into his and Ron's room, sporting a rather fetching rainbow coloured afro, and a very revealing dress.

"Er, that doesn't really suit you, Mr. Fuller."

Trent snorted "no kidding, Potter" then a mischievous grin appeared on his face. "May I please borrow a spare set of robes, as this won't wear off for a while if I know Remus."

Ron grabbed one of his robes and handed it to Trent.

"Thank you Mr. Weasley. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a certain stubborn old wolf boy that needs to be taught a lesson. And for that, I'll need to visit two of your brothers!"

George was just exiting his room when Trent arrived and pushed him back into it "hey, what're you…wow, nice hair, Trent!"

"Shut it, Weasley. I need your assistance in getting a certain someone back for this."

George got an evil glint in his eye and woke Fred up, and together they spent the better part of an hour coming up with a plan to out-Marauder the smartest Marauder.

Remus Lupin was happily humming to himself when the explosion went off, but was surprised at how long it took Trent to come into the kitchen for breakfast. When he finally did, right behind the twins, who all had their wands drawn, his heart stopped.

"Oh no, I'm so dead" and then took off at top speed. But not before Trent, Fred and George all got their fair share of hexes in, which didn't seem to do anything.

It wasn't until later on that Remus figured out what exactly happened. He walked into the living room where Harry, Ron and Bill were discussing Quidditch, when they stopped and looked at Remus. Each wore a look of shock on their faces.

"Er, you should probably put some clothes on, Remus. That's even worse than Trent this morning."

Remus looked down but couldn't see anything wrong. "What, I don't see any problem?"

"Ah, then he did get you back. Maybe you can't see it, but to us, you ah, aren't wearing anything but your underwear" Ron replied.

Remus looked horrified. "Right then, I think I need to pay a visit to a certain rainbow haired…" but before he could finish, he crashed to the ground as his shoes had somehow been transfigured into roller skates and a silencing charm had been put on him.

"You were saying, Remus? Hope you had a nice trip. I need to talk to Mr. Potter, so if you'd kindly remove yourself from the floor, that would be much appreciated" Trent said, his eyes twinkling much like Dumbledore's do, then turned to Harry.

"Righto, due to the events at the Department of Mysteries, you have acquired something that Voldemort might find somewhat useful. Therefore, I'll pick up Occlumency with you where Severus stopped, all right?"

"Ok, but I don't really know how I'm supposed to clear my mind, so I won't be that great at it" Harry said

"Don't worry about it. I doubt he even gave you enough time to prepare yourself for it, so we'll go over the basics first then. Meet me in your room after dinner, ok?"

Harry nodded and Trent then walked past Remus who was still sprawled out on the floor and laughed.

"For Merlin's sake Remus, put some clothes on. You'll scar Molly for life" he said before pulling him up onto his feet.

Trent dumped a bag into Remus' hand "I believe that was the deal, now if you'll come with me so we can prepare what I'm supposed to be teaching this year."

Remus scowled and then they both went into the kitchen, leaving Harry, Ron and Bill all looking rather amused.

After Trent and Remus had gone, Bill spoke up "I wonder why those two get on like that, I mean, Trent said he was only at Hogwarts for a year…"

"But Remus was his apprentice or something, so they must've become friends during that time. Something is different though."

"What d'you mean, Harry, different how?"

"I dunno. Remus seems more…relaxed than I can remember, and he's never mentioned Trent before. There's something strange going on, I can feel it."

Dinner passed quietly, although no one missed the glares that Remus and Trent were giving each other. Before long it was time for Harry to restart his Occlumency lessons, this time with Trent. He wasn't expecting Trent to just give him a book on meditation techniques to read and try some of the ideas. But Trent had explained that it's much easier to clear your mind when you're in a peaceful state of mind, and he'd prefer Harry to find someway to do this, before teaching him how to defend himself against any attacks Voldemort might try.

Harry had sat on his bed and was part way through the second chapter, when Remus walked in, fully clothed thankfully, and broached the subject that Harry had been trying to avoid all summer

"Harry, I think it's time we have a talk about Sirius."

Harry winced "Do we have to, I don't really want to yet…"

"Nor do I, but the longer we put it off, the harder it will be when we finally get around to it. Once Gringotts is made aware of the fact that Sirius has moved on, they'll be sending an owl to those who are mentioned in his will. Now I have absolutely no idea who else is in it, but I do know that you'll be getting most of it. He loved your more than you can imagine, Harry…"

"Then why'd he have to die!" Harry shouted.

Remus flinched slightly. "He died doing what he swore he would do. He gave everything to protect you, just like he promised James and Lily he would two days before…well, you know."

Harry sat quietly before looking up at his former Professor, tears starting to form in his green eyes.

"It doesn't change the fact that if I hadn't been stubborn enough to not listen to Hermione when she said it could be a trick, he'd still be alive. It's all my fault."

Remus sat down next to Harry, and comforted the sobbing young wizard.

"Harry…I don't really know what I can say to help, but if it's any comfort for you, I felt exactly the same after James, Lily and at the time, Peter died, and when Sirius got thrown in Azkaban without a trial. I wanted so much for it to have been a dream. Everyone I cared about was gone. Do you want to know the only thing that kept me going?"

"Not really, but I have a feeling you're going to tell me anyway" Harry replied, wiping away his tears.

"It was you, Harry. You were all I had left. I knew that if you died, that really would be the end for me. I couldn't let that happen. I pleaded with Albus to let me take you in, but of course he didn't. He kept saying that your safety was the most important thing, so when the chance came for me to teach you in 1993, I jumped at it. You never cease to amaze me Harry; a fully fledged Patronus, youngest triwizard winner, duelling Voldemort to a draw" Remus sighed and wiped away a tear that had formed in his eye.

"You've probably faced more in your fifteen years than anyone else will in two lifetimes. I know you hate the attention, and would give everything just to be normal, but until Voldemort's gone, I'm afraid that won't be possible"

"I know it's just…I now know why he wants me dead, I was so angry after Dumbledore told me, he could've told me when I'd finished my first year, but didn't. Now because of it, Sirius is gone, if I'd known what was going on, I wouldn't have gone there in the first place."

"He would've found a way, Potter, you know that" Trent said as he stood in the doorway.

"How long have you been there, you'd better…?"

"Don't worry, I only heard the bit about how Albus should've told you something ages ago. I just came up to tell you that after tomorrow's edition of the Daily Prophet, you'll need to go back home for a while, until Gringotts send Sirius' will. Owls can't get to this place as it's unplottable.

"Remember this though Potter. Don't let your anger get the best of you, that's what Voldemort did. Instead, use it as a tool, to remind you what you're fighting for. Remus and myself will teach you more when your training starts. Also, Severus dropped off a few vials of Dreamless Sleep Draft, I've got them in my room. Let me know if you want one all right? Good night gentlemen" Trent said before exiting the room.

Remus looked at Harry "I think I might take one of those tonight, do you want me to grab one for you?" Harry nodded and Remus got up and walked to the door.

"Pr…Remus? How'd you get to be such good friends with Trent anyway? I mean how long was your apprenticeship, and why'd you call him Blaze last night?"

Remus chuckled "I got to know him when he was at Hogwarts, I was in my final year at the time. I became much better friends with him during my one year apprenticeship, after he showed me some quite amazing things. As for calling him Blaze, well…let's just say that you don't want to see him angry, his eyes blaze like fire, hence the nickname. By the way, how'd you go in your OWL's? Hermione got O's for everything except Astronomy, and Ron got five, I don't know who was more stunned, Molly, Hermione or Ron himself."

Harry grinned "yeah, I can imagine. I got six. I got an A for my Astronomy and Herbology practicals, and a P for History of Magic. I even got the highest Defence practical grade this century, and I owe most of that to you."

"Well, I can't take all the credit, Harry. As Trent said the day he came, you are rather powerful. Anyway I'll go and get a couple vials of Dreamless Draft, ok. Good night Harry."

"Thanks Remus, g'night"

After Remus came back, Harry swallowed the potion and drifted off to sleep.