Do I really need to say this again? J K Rowling IS Harry Potter. If you recognise anything from any movie, TV show, book or whatever else, it's probably because it is from them. If you want my 'full' warning, you can check out either 'Dormant Power' or 'Beginning of the End'.

If you've read both those fics, then you know how my version of it ends…but how did it begin? Again, only some names are mine, everything else is not! I've based this from the Marauders perspective so…well you'll know the story when something happens to a certain someone, even though I don't write about it in this one! Also check out 'The Apprentice', it has some info you won't find in my other two stories (wink, wink!).

Why did Trent tell Remus that his parents loved him more than he knew? Trent knows he's a werewolf (even though Remus doesn't remember it). Think back to PoA…Remus' parents did all they could for him; they could have shunned him…easily, but didn't. I was merely trying to portray that particular fact.

Again, sorry about cutting last chapter where I did…oh yes, that isn't all that happens that night! And yet another poor chapter title, my apologies again! Actually, I take it back, this is a rather cryptic title…good luck guessing! It's not really that hard AFTER you've read the chapter though (well, I don't think it is)!

Chapter 15 – Once Shy, Twice Bitten

It was around one in the morning when James ran into the back of Trent, who had stopped.

"What's goi..."

James was silenced when Trent held up a hand. Trent then slowly looked around, straining his eyes towards the forest. His back was turned to the two students as he talked to them.

"Listen up you two. Head back to the castle, and go straight to the Headmasters office. The password is 'Bertie botts', all right."

"Why? What should we tell him?" Remus asked.

"The truth. Tell him that Voldemort has sent a couple of scouts."

James and Remus glanced at each other in surprise, they hadn't been expecting that.

"Leave now, quickly!" Trent urged.

"But we can help…"

Trent nearly snorted, "don't be stupid, James. Maybe against Death Eaters you might, but unless you can fight against three werewolves, then I suggest you listen to me."

"W…werewolves? But it's not…"

"Full moon. I know, Remus. But there are some dark rituals one can use. Now go!"

Remus and James again looked at each other before taking off at full sprint back towards the castle doors.

"Do you think we should tell him about us?" James asked as they were still running.

"No. He's an Auror. He should be able to deal with this. I wonder how he knew they were there. I couldn't pick anything up."

"Nor could I. But as you said, he is an Auror."

They reached the doors and flung them open, before racing through the corridors up to Dumbledore's office.

As James and Remus ran off, Trent drew his wand before quietly making his way towards the forest. He stopped near the edge of the trees and waited. He knew that the wolves would sense him, and unlike with what he'd done with Remus a few months ago, he was planning on putting these werewolves down for good.

As the wolves were circling their prey, one of them snapped its head up. It sniffed the air and caught the scent of a human. It nodded at the other two and all three took off to where their next target was, leaving behind a very badly scratched and battered large black dog with grey eyes.

Trent smiled as he saw three shadows slowly moving against the backdrop of the trees. He raised his wand, preparing to make this quick should they all strike at the same time. Trent hoped they wouldn't, as it would be far easier to deal with them individually, and fortunately he had luck on his side. As one of the wolves stepped out into the clearing, Trent could see it baring its fangs. He didn't waste any time, the same moment that the werewolf pounced, Trent cried out,

"Encaustum silvino!"

Silver ink spewed forth from his wand and met the beast in midair. The wolf did its best to shake off the silver substance, but to no avail as its life force was slowly being sapped away. The other two had seen what had happened to their alpha, and decided to tackle their opponent together. This may have worked against most, but not an Auror.

As the two werewolves circled around, Trent tried to formulate a plan. He couldn't cast two silver ink charms at once and nor would he have the time to cast it twice. In the end, he needn't have worried. The wolves settled themselves on either side of Trent, and directly opposite each other.

The two wolves leapt at Trent, who dropped to the ground. In a flash, he again cast the silver ink charm. Two wolves and one charm met each other at the same time. As Trent got up off the ground he looked over at the struggling beasts. He decided to show a little mercy, as he was unsure how painful silver was to them. He then pointed his wand at them before casting the Killing curse on each of them. He then moved into the forest, to check if they had attacked any of the creatures that called the forest their home.

Sirius, in his animagus form, sensed that someone was near. He decided to chance his luck. He felt it was better to be killed by a Dark wizard straight away, than being left here to die from blood loss. He could feel his strength failing him and he whimpered, hoping the person could hear him. He soon heard footsteps nearby, before a familiar voice,

"Oh Merlin! So that's what took them so long."

Sirius inwardly relaxed as he recognised Trent's voice. His insides then froze as he realised Trent had now seen him in his animagus form. He wondered if he should stay in his dog form, but this was discarded when Trent next spoke.

"I'm going to heal you now. Just don't move alright? I believe we need to have a little chat about tonight, Mr Black."

So Trent knew. Well, no sense in trying to hide it. He let Trent heal him, then transformed back into his human form. Trent glared at him, Sirius faltering under his gaze.

"Looks like I'll have a new partner to help me with next week's patrol, Sirius. We'd better get you up to the hospital wing."

"But you already healed me!" Sirius exclaimed.

"That may be so, but you need to take a blood replenishing potion. Why did you decide to follow us tonight?"

Sirius hung his head, "I…I was just curious, that's all."

Trent glared at the young wizard in front of him. "Well, curiosity nearly killed the cat, or in this case, the dog."

Sirius looked lost and Trent had to smile, "it's a muggle thing, don't worry about it."

Trent then returned to glaring "the point is you nearly died, Sirius. Why couldn't you have waited until the morning and just ask them?"

"I…I don't know" he answered truthfully.

"Fine, let's get you back to the castle. You need to get some rest."

Trent helped Sirius to his feet, before speaking again, "first things first though. The others will most likely be waiting for me, and you being with me could cause some problems. If anyone asks, you were attacked by centaurs, and I found you before the werewolves did, got it."

Sirius nodded in reply. He wondered how Trent knew about him being an animagus, but decided against asking. Trent would probably tell him next week during their patrol.

Trent let Sirius use him as support as they slowly made their way back to the edge of the forest. The sight that greeted Sirius was not one to remember. Albus Dumbledore was standing over the dead bodies of the three werewolves. Remus and James were with him, with Remus standing over to one side, not daring to move any closer to the wolves.

They looked up when the duo came out of the forest, and the looks on James and Remus' faces was one of shock.

"S…Sirius? What happ…"

"Questions later, Mr Potter. Would you and Mr Lupin please escort your friend to the hospital wing for treatment. He got into a fight with a couple of centaurs and has lost quite a lot of blood. I was lucky to get to him before the wolves found him."

Trent then looked over at Dumbledore before continuing, "with your permission, Headmaster, I would like to relieve both students from continuing their patrol with me tonight. I would, however, like Mr Black to come with me next weekend."

Dumbledore nodded his agreement, before James and Remus helped Sirius back to the castle doors, leaving Trent and Dumbledore standing over the dead bodies of three werewolves.

"I didn't think centaurs attacked students, Mr Fuller" Dumbledore said, his blue eyes twinkling.

Trent smiled. He knew that the young wizards had not told Dumbledore about them being animagi. Trent was going to keep his promise of not saying anything, even though the four students didn't remember.

"They don't. But Mr Black is of age, and is therefore legally an adult. I guess that fact must have slipped his mind."

Dumbledore nodded, then looked down at the werewolves, "what did you do to them?"

"Silver ink charm. My personal modification of 'Encaustum'. Then I put them out of their misery. I don't know exactly how painful silver is, so I just killed them. Three more casualties of war."

With that, Trent nodded at the Headmaster and continued his patrol. He hoped that nothing else would happen tonight, it had been far too eventful already.

The next day quickly passed, with Sirius being released from the hospital wing shortly before lunch. His friends had restrained from asking him anything, but he knew they were waiting for the right time; namely when just the four of them were alone. They all were sitting in James and Lily's common room, and after James whispered something into Lily's ear, she announced that she wanted to head to the library to study for her Healing NEWT.

After she had left, Sirius felt three sets of eyes on him. It was James who got the 'interrogation' under way.

"Padfoot, did you follow us last night?"

"No! Well…um…yes" Sirius managed to say before staring at the floor so as not to see the glares his three friends were giving him.

"Why? You said you were just hungry and wanted to go to the kitchens. I was starting to wonder if you got lost."

"I…I didn't want you to come with me, Wormtail."

"What! Why not? Sirius, I thought I was your friend! You do trust me, don't you?"

Sirius snapped his head up and snorted, "of course I trust you. I...I just wanted to go alone, all right."

Peter bit his lip, "fine. But what happened? These two said you were attacked by centaurs, is that true?"

"Yes, I…" Sirius began, but Remus angrily interrupted him,

"That's a lie and you know it, Padfoot!"

His three friends looked at him. James and Peter shared a look of confusion, but Sirius' face was etched in sorrow and regret.

"How much did you hear last night?" the young werewolf asked.

"No…nothing…"

"DON'T lie to me, Sirius. Or did you forget that I have a heightened sense of smell? You didn't think I wouldn't be able to sniff the scent of werewolf on you while we were taking you to the hospital wing, did you. I can also smell your fear right now. Answer my question!" he snarled.

Again, Sirius hung his head in shame.

"Moony's right, Padfoot. How much did you hear?" James gently asked.

Sirius closed his eyes before answering. He spoke so quietly, that only Remus could pick up what he said. Peter and James immediately turned to Remus whose voice had started to choke up, but not with sadness.

"You heard…everything? What about…you…you didn't hear what Trent told me after James had moved to the stands…did you?"

Again, Sirius spoke in barely more than a whisper, "yes."

Remus' eyes flashed in anger before he stormed outside, slamming the portrait behind him in the process.

Peter turned to Sirius to ask the most obvious question, but Sirius got in first, "don't ask, please. It's bad enough that Moony knows I heard. Just…don't ask…either of us. I'm going to try to talk to him."

Peter and James nodded, watching him go outside. Whatever Sirius had overheard, was obviously something he shouldn't have. Sirius on the other hand was hoping his friend would find it within himself to forgive him…like he had done two years ago.

The other Gryffindors watched as Remus came marching into the common room before stomping up to the dorms. His face had a look on it that suggested if anyone got in his way, they'd be instantly vaporised. As the young wizard threw himself on his bed, he could feel the tears stinging his eyes. He wasn't upset, he was beside himself.

'How could he do that? After what happened two years ago when he told Snape to follow me, I thought he'd learnt. He must remember how long it took for me to even think about trusting him again. And now he does this…Sirius, you…you…idiot! And then to be attacked by those werewolves…'

Remus was brought from his thoughts when the door creaked open and he could smell an unwanted scent.

"I have nothing to say to you" he coolly said, slowly getting off his bed and standing up.

"R…Remus? I'm sor…"

Sirius was cut off when a jet of light hit the wall beside him.

"Perhaps you didn't hear me. Leave. Now. Black. I won't miss next time" Remus spoke in a low voice through gritted teeth, his wand pointed straight at his friends' heart.

"Please, let me expl…"

Again he was cut off when a beam of light crashed into his body, sending him back through the open door. Sirius flew across the common room and there was a loud 'crack' as he used his arm to stop his head from smashing into the wall.

All commotion ceased when this happened, and Sirius gingerly stood up, cradling his right arm. He then saw Remus, eyes ablaze with fury at the top of the stairs.

"GET OUT! DON'T YOU GET IT, BLACK? I DON'T WANT TO TALK RIGHT NOW, PARTICULARLY NOT TO YOU! GET OUT OF MY SIGHT!"

Sirius flinched but quickly left the room without another word. He knew he'd done it this time; he'd betrayed his best friend…again.