James Potter and the Veil
Chapter Six
"Oh come on, Jules! They completely deserve it!" James insisted loudly.
"It's an immature thing to do, James. We shouldn't stoop down to their level, anyway." Juliet countered with an eye roll. The four friends were sitting by the edge of the lake on the grounds of Hogwarts. James was trying to convince his friends on a revenge prank against Ryan and Reid McCormick. Earlier during their Potions class the twin boys had 'accidentally' messed with James's and Juliet's potion by tossing random things into their cauldron.
"Seriously, just let it go." Caleb added in as he turned the page of his Muggle comic book. "If you don't this stuff will just continue to escalate."
James sighed in exasperation, taking off his socks and shoes and rolling up his pants legs. He moved over to the edge of the lake and put his feet in the water. "What about you, Ash? You up for a prank on the McCormicks?"
Ash hesitated, "I dunno, James. Don't get me wrong, I love a good prank but we already have detention with Marsh for last night. I think we're pushing our luck here. Let's wait for everything to die down a bit first."
The oldest Potter tilted his head back so he could see his friends. Caleb was still reading his comic, Ash was sitting up in a tree close to the water, and Juliet was looking across the lake at something that he couldn't see. "What if I told you we wouldn't get caught?"
Juliet shot him a quick glance, "And how would you go about that, James Potter? Unless you're psychic and forgot to mention it."
He spat out his tongue and pulled his legs out of the water before standing up and facing his friends, "No, I do have something better, though. It's a map."
"A map?" Caleb rolled his eyes, putting down his comic. "We're saved!"
"Shut up, Jackson. It's not just any map. It's the Marauder's Map."
A short silence passed before Ash said, "…and?"
"My grandfather and his friends made it back when they were in school." James explained, managing not to sound annoyed. "It shows who's in the school and where they are. And there are secret passages, too."
Ash gave a shrug and said, "Sounds good. Let's see it, then."
James went over to the tree and picked up his school bag before rummaging through it for the Map. Once he had it in his hands he pulled out his wand and said, "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." The words and images he had seen last night reappeared on the map. Ash jumped down from the tree and Juliet and Caleb joined them.
"Merlin." Ash said.
"That pretty much sums it all up." Caleb commented, sounding a bit awed. "So these are real people in the school? How'd they even make this?"
"Not a clue." James admitted, "But I'm glad they did."
"Same here." Ash nodded, "Well, guess that means we're pulling a prank, Jamesie-boy."
He shot her a glare, "Jamesie-boy? What kind of name is that, Carter?"
"It's a nick name, genius."
"Well it's not a very good one!
She laughed loudly, "Fine. What do you prefer, Mr. Potter?"
"Just James."
Later that night, after James and Ash's detention, the four friends sneaked out after their curfew and went down to the Great Hall.
"Who wants to stand guard?" James asked in a hushed voice. Juliet posted herself at the entrance, with the Marauder's Map in hand just in case, while the others made their way to the Slytherin table. Several charms and enchantments, many of which Caleb and Juliet had read in a few spell books, were cast and half an hour later the four tricksters returned to their Common Room.
"Tomorrow morning is going to be amazing." Ash laughed.
The next morning at breakfast, James, Ash, Juliet, and Caleb had seats at the Gryffindor table facing the Slytherins. Few noticed the seating change but didn't comment. Finally when the McCormicks sat down in their usual spots, Ash pulled out her wand. She muttered a spell and flicked her wand under the table.
Suddenly a large red and gold lion busted from the Slytherin table and roared loudly. Three more lions popped up, running up and down the table. While the Slytherins were screaming from shock, the Gryffindors, Ravenclaws, and Hufflepuffs were laughing loudly. Juliet hurriedly put her wand away when Headmistress McGonagall came down from the staff table. She hit the lions with a few spells and sent a look over to the Gryffindor table. James and his friends continued to act innocent.
"You wouldn't happen to know anything about that, would you?" James turned in his seat to see his Aunt Hermione standing behind him with her arms crossed and a knowing look on her face.
"No ma'am." He shook his head.
"Is there a reason why I don't completely believe you?"
James pretended to consider the question and shrugged, barely holding back a smile. The professor rolled her eyes and left. James turned back around and looked down the table where Teddy was giving him a thumb up.
Lily, George, Albus, Grandmum, and Grandpa,
The greatest prank of the term so far was pulled this morning at breakfast. Four Gryffindor lions were set off at the Slytherin table—it was great! How're things at home? Thanks for the letter, Uncle George it was very useful.
-James
James,
Please don't tell me you were the one to set off the lions…don't answer that, I probably already know the answer. What letter did George send you? When does the Quidditch season start up? Grandmum and Granddad are taking Lily and me to your games. Things at home are okay. How's school? Can't wait until I get to go next year.
-Albus
Albus,
Honestly, I'm shocked to hear such an accusation. I'll show you what Uncle George sent me next year…maybe. Quidditch starts a long time after Christmas. Despite that, our captain has us doing practice four times a week. But I don't mind practice as long as we win the cup. It'll be great to see you guys at the games! School's school, Al.
-James
P.S. Tell Lily if she doesn't write me soon the first thing I'll do when I get home is lock her in the chicken coop.
a/n: Just to keep all confusion out their last names are: Caleb Jackson, Ash Carter, & Juliet Monroe.