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!).

Ok, slight change in plan; I'll get this fic fully posted by Xmas. There are 3 chapters plus a timeline to go, so…consider it an early pressie for those who have enjoyed reading it, lolol!

Well, I certainly wasn't letting Regulus off lightly…and nor was Moony going to do the same with Padfoot.

A bit more battle action…kind of!

Chapter 19 – Forgiven, But Not Forgotten

The weekend came, and since Lily had decided to spend this trip with her friends, this left the Marauders to spend the day doing what they do best; planning pranks. They went to Zonko's so James and Sirius could stock up on supplies, before heading over the Honeydukes to satisfy both Peter's and Remus' addiction to sweets and chocolate. They had settled themselves at a table inside The Three Broomsticks, with Madam Rosmerta coming back with four butterbeers.

As they sipped the delicious drink, Sirius smiled and leant back in his chair.

"You seem to be in a good mood, Sirius."

"That would be because I am, James. Thumping Regulus must have had something to do…"

"That was still a stupid thing to do!"

"I know, Remus. But I have to say it felt ruddy good!"

"That's no excuse for what you did though" Remus countered. While he understood why Sirius had done that to Regulus, he was still a little disappointed that his friend had been unable to control his actions.

"Whatever. Besides, I've seen the looks you've been giving Snivellus…"

"That's completely different!"

"How?"

"He hasn't slugged him" Peter quipped, shooting Remus a grin.

"Not yet anyway!" Sirius added, grinning as well.

"Shut up, Peter. I'd like to see how you'd react in my position" Remus snapped back.

"He's got you there, Peter. Might I suggest something, Remus?"

Remus looked questionably at James and waited for him to continue.

"He wouldn't notice a broken nose…"

"That's because you ordered one of your beaters to smack a bludger at him last year, despite him sitting in the stands!"

"I most certainly did not do that, Remus! I merely suggested that if the opportunity arose…"

"I have to say though, it was an excellent shot!" Sirius announced, fondly remembering that moment.

"True, what do you say we head somewhere to plan a few pranks?" Peter replied, as he finished his bottle, deciding to abruptly change the topic of discussion.

The other three nodded in agreement, before sculling the rest of their butterbeer and heading out the door. Sirius had again led them to the small cave that he had stumbled upon two years ago. They didn't notice exactly how much time had passed until they walked outside and discovered it was nearing sunset. Sirius motioned for his friends to follow him, claiming that he knew a shortcut back to the centre of Hogsmeade.

"You sure you know where you're going, Padfoot?" Remus asked as Sirius led them down yet another alley. They had currently 'wasted' about twenty minutes trudging back into town.

"Yes, yes. I know these streets like the back of my head" Sirius replied, finally stepping out into the more familiar parts of Hogsmeade.

"Well, that explains why they're empty" James mused, while Peter struggled to not laugh.

A slight breeze rustled the leaves along the road they were standing in and Remus felt the hairs on the back of his neck start to prickle.

"Prongs actually has a good point. Where is everyone?" he asked as he nervously looked around the now vacant streets.

"I don't like this. I don't like this at all. You don't think they left without us, do you?" Peter added, now looking just as nervous as Remus.

"Let's just head back to the castle, all right" James answered, his eyes darting around, looking for any signs of trouble.

"Shrieking Shack passage?" Sirius suggested.

Remus shook his head. He didn't like the feeling of impending disaster one little bit, but decided to try and lighten the mood, "nah. If we hurry, we should be able to catch up with the others before they notice we're gone. I can still smell Snape's greasy hair!"

The others grinned as he said this. Remus then quickened his pace with the others following suit. As they rounded the last corner that led back to Hogwarts, they froze with what they heard, and then saw.

"Why the hurry to leave? We haven't even had the chance to play!"

There were ten people wearing black robes and masks blocking their exit; Death Eaters. Laughter rang out through the empty street, and the four teenagers all looked at each other with differing expressions. James and Sirius both had determined looks on their faces, and Remus could see that they had gripped their wands tighter than normal. Peter had a look of pure fear, he didn't know what to do. Remus himself had a look of resignation on his face, as if he knew he wouldn't make it back to Hogwarts but was willing to give it his all anyway. Remus now wished he had listened to Sirius, if they'd gone via the Shrieking Shack, they wouldn't be in this situation.

One of the Death Eaters raised their wand, but before they could utter a spell, a new voice cut through the air, "Resorting to duelling students? How utterly pathetic."

The lead Death Eater didn't lower their wand, but looked around before shouting, "WHO DARES TO SAY THAT? I DEMAND YOU TO SHOW YOURSELF FOOL!"

There was a bang from nearby as a door flew open, and someone suddenly stepped out of the doorway. Peter gasped as he recognised the familiar sight of Trent. One look at his face, and Peter knew that he was more than ready to do battle.

"I dare" he spoke in a dangerously low voice that sent a shiver down all four of the students' spines.

Trent then slowly made his way into the street until he was the only thing standing between the Death Eaters and the four Gryffindors.

"What are you going to do, Auror. You can't disapparate as we've put up wards and you're also outnumbered. You're as good as dead" the lead Death Eater said, his voice full of venom.

"That remains to be seen, Death Eater" Trent spat back, before slowly withdrawing his wand.

Sirius still clutched his own wand tightly, and was very surprised when Trent's voice appeared in his mind.

'Sirius, listen up, here's what you're going to do. I am a telepath, that's how I'm speaking with you right now. There's a gap between the trees and the Death Eaters on my left. I'm going to put on a little light show for our friends here. The moment I raise my wand, you four need to shut your eyes. After I finish the spell, you and the others open your eyes and sprint straight for that gap. Don't stop running until you reach the gates, and for Merlin's sake don't look behind you. Get ready, I'll give you about ten seconds to tell your friends that they'll need to shut their eyes. Oh, and yes you can tell them about me being telepathic. Goodbye.'

Sirius gulped, then he whispered "psst, you three. Shut your eyes when Trent raises his wand!"

The others looked confused but nodded when they saw the sincere look in Sirius' eyes. They looked at Trent and saw him lift his wand up. The four students then shut their eyes, wondering what Trent was doing.

They then heard him say, "Thanks for giving me the first shot. SOLARIS BURSTAN!"

Trent then grabbed Sirius and yanked him to his feet.

"Go now! While they can't see!"

"But what about y…" James began, but Trent cut him off

"There's no time! Sirius knows the way, just hurry! Don't stop until Sirius does. GO!" Trent hissed.

Sirius then nodded at his friends before the four of them took off. They passed by the Death Eaters, who were either shielding their eyes, or blinking rapidly. They heard a few say "what happened? I can't see!" as they ran past. Not bothering to look behind him, Sirius continued to run.

Eventually he reached the gate and he slowed to a halt, panting furiously. He looked up the road, and watched as his three friends quickly came into view, with Peter being the last to arrive. Finally, after catching their breath by the gates, James, hands still on his knees, asked the most obvious question,

"What…what just happened?"

"Trent just saved our lives, that's what! He wanted us to get away. That's what he told me."

"Told you? When?" Peter asked.

"Just before he did…whatever spell he did."

"The solar burst charm. It's only used for a distraction" Remus answered.

"Hang on, how did he tell you? I didn't hear him say anything" James enquired.

"He's a telepath" Sirius simply replied.

"Really? Wow! Where is Trent anyway? I thought he'd be following us" Remus said, looking over his shoulder.

Sirius' eyes widened as he realised exactly what Trent had done. He slumped to the ground in disbelief.

"Sirius? What's wrong?" Peter asked.

"He…oh Merlin, he didn't!"

"Didn't what? Padfoot, what're you talking about?"

Sirius looked up at James before answering. "He's not coming back."

"WHAT!" three voices shouted simultaneously.

"He...he stayed behind. He knew that…that if he came with us, they'd follow us."

"You mean he's going to fight against ten Death Eaters by himself? He'll get killed!" James exclaimed.

Sirius nodded, "I know, and so did he. The last thing he said to me was 'goodbye'. Do you know what the last thing I told him was? I told him he was a pathetic excuse for an Auror! And now he goes and does this!"

Sirius was nearly in tears at this point, so Remus tried to get him to relax.

"Calm down, Sirius. You were a little angry at the time."

Sirius brushed his friend off. "Don't you get it, Moony? He's been everything but useless! He befriended us when he didn't have to. He gave us additional lessons when he didn't have to. He…" Sirius felt his voice choke up as he tried to continue.

"He saved my…my life that night in the forest, and this…this is how I repaid him! I never even apologised to him!"

It was all too much. Sirius broke down, tears streaming down his face as he remembered how helpless he felt that night as the werewolves attacked him. How he thought he was going to die until Trent showed up. He slammed his fist into the grass in frustration.

Remus sat down beside his friend. "He forgave you, Sirius."

Sirius lifted his head, wiping the tears away with his sleeve. "How do you know that?"

"Simple. If he didn't, he never would've saved us just now" Remus replied.

Sirius snorted. "It's his job. He would've had to do it anyway."

"No he didn't. He could've left earlier with the others. He must've known we hadn't gone back yet. He was waiting in case something like this happened. His job was to protect us this year. That's what Dumbledore told us at the starting feast" James said.

Remus nodded, "and he did. He stopped that duel between me and Snape from ever starting when he saw what was going to happen to James. He was also one of the first there when my parents were killed. He told me what really happened. He comforted me."

"He helped me produce my Patronus. He was always there when we needed someone different to talk to" James added as he slowly slid down the gate post and onto the ground.

Sirius then recalled what Trent had told him; 'friendship is something worth dying for.'

He now understood; Trent thought of them as friends, and he was prepared to die for them. Sirius closed his eyes, trying to stop more tears from forming as Peter continued where James stopped.

"He gave me self belief. He told me to try to look on the positive side of everything."

James nodded, "and he's right. Trent feared nothing, his Boggart proved that. He wouldn't want us moping around like we are right now. He was just doing his job as Padfoot said. The least we can do is have some fun in his honour. After all, in a couple of months, we won't be able to prank Snivellus anymore!"

Sirius barked out a hollow laugh, "I think we should do something more. Something that everyone will remember us by."

"Like what?" Remus warily asked.

Sirius grinned, "do what Trent did. Prank the whole school. Well not so much a prank, more a thank-you-for-putting-up-with-us-for-seven-years."

James nodded, "when?"

"The closing feast" Sirius replied.

James, Remus and Peter all grinned. James then stood up and pulled Sirius to his feet.

"Well then. We've got a fair bit of planning to do, don't we?"

The four of them headed back to the castle doors, each vowing to never forget what Trent had sacrificed for them.