Headstrong

Chapter 29

Amanda took out her wand and touched the parchment lightly. She stated clearly for Harry to hear, "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."

At once, Amanda saw the familiar lines and shaped being inked on to the piece of parchment lying in the desk. Finally, with a flourish, the words appeared:

Messrs. Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs
Purveyors of Aids to Magical Mischief-Makers
are proud to present
THE MARAUDER'S MAP

She smiled proudly at her father's, Remus' and Sirius' work. However, she felt the strong urge to curse the name 'Wormtail' off the map.

"Right into Hogsmeade." Fred was saying, "There are seven in all. Now, Filch knows about these four, but we're sure we're the only ones that know about these. Don't bother with the one behind the mirror on the fourth floor. We used it last winter, but it's caved in - completely blocked. And we don't reckon anyone's ever used this one, because the Whomping Willow's planted right over the entrance. But this one here, this one leads right into the cellar of Honeydukes. We've used it loads of times. And as you might've noticed, the entrance is right outside this room, through that one-eyed old crone's hump."

"Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs," sighed George, patting the map. "We owe them so much."

"Noble men, working tirelessly to help a new generation of law-breakers," said Fred solemnly.

"Right," George said briskly, "don't forget to wipe it after you've used it-"

"-or anyone can read it," Fred warned.

"Just tap it again and say 'Mischief Managed!' and it'll go blank." Amanda told him.

"So, young Harry," said Fred, in an uncanny impersonation of Percy, "mind you behave yourself."

"See you in Honeydukes," George winked.

Then the three of them left, leaving Harry in the classroom, with identical smirks on their faces.

The three of them walked to Hogsmeade, laughing at the memories they had with the map.

"So, any idea on who the Marauders are?" The twins asked Amanda. It was their favourite past time. They always liked to guess who they were, and Amanda would always giggle and keep the secret.

"Like I've told you before, I'm sticking with my guess that they got their nicknames from a prank gone wrong."

Fred snickered. 

"Yeah, anyone who goes around being reminded of the time they mooned someone must be a right laugh."

...

Meanwhile, Harry was in the Three Broomsticks with Ron and Hermione, listening into a conversation between Professor McGonagall, Hagrid, Professor Flitwick, Cornelius Fudge and Madam Rosmerta.

"You say you remember him at Hogwarts, Rosmerta. Do you remember who his best friend was?" Mcgonagall murmured.

"Naturally," she answered, "Never saw one without the other, did you? The number of times I had them in here - ooh, they used to make me laugh. Quite the double act, Sirius Black and James Potter!"