Chapter 3: The Marauder's Map

"Hey, Ali!"

Alicia turned her head to see Fred (or George, she couldn't be sure) sprinting towards her.

"Hi," she said as he fell into step beside her.

"So, guess what we just found?" Fred had a mischievous glint in his eye and his voice sparkled with excitement.

"What?" she sighed, but with a smile on her face.

"Ok, you can't tell anyone but we found the most awesome thing in Filch's office!"

"Filch's office? What were you doing there?" Alicia asked, disapproval colouring her voice.

"Well, George let off a Dungbomb in the Charms corridor. I just happened to be there too, not as a lookout or anything."

"Sure," said Alicia, sarcastically. "You're about as innocent as Peeves."

"Well, unfortunately Filch happened to be just around the corner and so he hauled us off to his office and started threatening us with the usual- detention…disembowelment…and we couldn't help noticing a drawer in one of his filing cabinets marked Confiscated and Highly Dangerous…"

"You didn't."

"Oh come on, Alicia. Do you really believe that we could just let it sit there, unexplored?"

"No. I don't. But-"

"George let off another Stinkbomb and I nicked this from his drawer."

"Oh, honestly Fred. You two are just awful. What if Filch finds out?"

"He won't. I don't think he ever knew how to work it. But we did. Didn't take us long either; thus proving that we are very capable and intelligent wizards."

"Or that you're just absolutely insanely crazy," she muttered.

"It's great- this little beauty's taught us more than all the teachers in this school."

"What, that raggedy old piece of parchment?" Alicia said sceptically, looking at the old worn square piece of paper.

"A piece of old parchment!" Fred exclaimed, in an affronted tone. "Watch this."

"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."

"I can believe that," Alicia smirked.

But as she watched the parchment, she saw thin lines of ink which began to spread across the paper and words began to write themselves in curly green letters:

Messrs Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs. Purveyors of Aids to Magical Mischief-Makers are proud to present:

"THE MARAUDER'S MAP," Alicia whispered as she read the words that had now spread across the top of the parchment.

Below the words, a detailed map showing every part of Hogwarts and its grounds had now revealed itself. Tiny ink dots moved around the paper and each was labelled with a name in miniature writing. It showed that "Severus Snape" was currently sitting in his office in the Dungeons and…there she was herself; in a charms classroom standing beside "Fred Weasley". Alicia was dumbfounded. It was truly amazing.

"That's…that's seriously skilled magic," she observed.

"Isn't it?" Fred said, patting it fondly. "Pure genius."

"You should hand that in to Professor McGonagall," Alicia chided him. "It could be dangerous."

"What?" Fred cried out, "Hand it in? No way. Oh, lighten up Ali; this is a blessing in disguise for us."

"Never trust anything that can think for itself, if you can't see where it keeps its brain."

Fred groaned. "You sound like my dad. Honestly, Alicia. I don't see how this can be risky. And neither does George. That's two against one. Overruled." Fred sounded pleased with his reasoning.

"George doesn't count. You two are as bad as each other."

"Come on Alicia," Fred wheedled. "Have a bit of fun. Be a rebel. Look, we'll just test it out; sneak into Honeydukes."

"What's Honeydukes?" Alicia asked curiously.

"I keep forgetting you don't know the best things about the wizarding world. Honeydukes is in Hogsmeade. Best sweet shop ever."

"Hogsmeade? But only third years and above are allowed to go there."

"Exactly, we can't wait that long."

Alicia sighed. "Oh, alright then. But be careful. And if you get caught, don't come crying to me."

Fred grinned. "Wait, you're forbidden to tell anyone. Here, make an Unbreakable Vow."

"I may be Muggle born but I'm not a complete idiot, Fred Weasley. And if I catch you doing that again, I'll hex you into next century," Alicia said, grinning. "…when I learn how," she added.

"Alright then. Come on, let's find George and Angelina."

A/N. Some of you may have recognised the parts in italics; they are quotes from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. They seemed to fit well into this chapter…