The next few weeks flew by. In no time at all it was time to go back to Hogwarts. I can't believe it's nearly our last year! Soon we'll be old enough to Apparate, drink alcohol non-illegally, and drive… so many options, so little time. Remus and Peter were the only one who was worried about our exams and all that. Peter admittedly isn't as smart as us, but we'll help him, just like always. We've always got top marks before. It's easy enough.

None of us have really much idea about what to become when we leave school. James doesn't actually need a job as his family are rich enough to set him up for life. Actually, I probably would be able to get by okay as well. Uncle Alphard did give me a lot of gold. But I would like to be an Auror. So would James. Remus said he wouldn't mind being one, but he didn't seem quite as keen. Peter had no idea. He said he wanted to be an Auror too, but I think he was just copying us.

Remus has finally given in to going around Hogsmedade once a month. Personally, I don't see what was stopping him before. As I always say, the risk makes it fun. We've had a couple of near misses, but I and Prongs are big enough to keep Remus from wandering off and biting somebody. These night time escapades mean we are actually learning much more about the school grounds and Hogsmeade as well. We must have discovered six new passageways. I bet we know more about this school than the caretaker! We could make a map of the school… hey actually that's a pretty cool idea! We could do with a new venture, after we finished the Animagus one.

I mentioned my map idea to the others one lunchtime.

"Great idea!" Remus exclaimed, getting all excited. Peter looked worried at the prospect of more work.

"We could call it the Marauder's Map!" James suggested, warming to the idea. "And have all the secret passages etc…"

"That's what I thought!"

"We could charm it so that it keeps a record of everybody on the school and where they are!" Remus said excitedly. "We could make it so that anybody shows up, even if they're invisible or Transfigured in some way, or in Animagus form…"

"We can do that?!"

"Sure, but it'll be difficult…"

"And could we disguise it? So we say an incantation or password to reveal the map? And usually it just looks like a blank parchment?"

"I guess."

"Perfect!"

So…our new mission. This incredible map of the school. First we have to draw bits out. This will take ages. But we know the castle inside out, so at least we don't have to go around taking notes! We have started sending a great deal of time in the library making the map. Lily seemed shocked when she came in and saw us all hard at work.

"Are you guys revising?" she asked. James looked up and hurriedly ran his fingers through his hair.

"No, it's a kind of… personal project." he told her, his voice smooth and pleasant. His "Lily" voice, we call it.

"Oh?" she asked, sounding interested. James looked mollified. He glanced at us.

Don't tell her, don't tell her, don't tell her… I prayed silently.

"Actually we're making a map of the school." he told her.

I and Remus groaned. James looked fiercely in our direction, his eyes still fixed on Lily.

"What kind of map?" she asked

"It's going to show every room in the school, and it'll…"

I pointed my wand at him under the table and thought Silencio. James opened and closed his mouth, but no words came out.

"Well, we're pretty busy now, so we'll see you later Evans, see you!! Bye!!" I said, shooing her away.

"Bye everyone, bye James." she said. Remus waved and gestured her out of the door.

James glared at him, and we glared right back.

"What happened to the Marauders Code of Conduct, huh James? What goes in the club stays in the club? You were sworn to secrecy!"

James pointed his wand at himself.

"I thought that we could tell Evans!" he said. "You made me look like an idiot in front of her!"

"You were about to blab our secret! And besides, she said James didn't she? Bye everyone, bye James. That's what she said."

"That's beside the … wait. She did?"

"Yup. She loves you Prongs."

"You think so?" James said dreamily.

"Yeah and as soon as you stop acting like a prat in front of her, I'm sure she'll tell you herself."

"I do not act like a prat!"

"No, we don't think you do. But you do tend to show off when she's around."

"I guess… I just wanted to impress her."

"Well I think you would make better headway just being yourself." Remus told him.

"I'll try." James promised. "I would do anything for her."

"Well no more spilling our secrets to her. Or else." I threatened. I put my hand out to James and we did the secret Marauders handshake.

"Now let us make this map!" James proposed.

"Hear hear!"