A/N: You guys are really really really convincing, y'know? :P So here we go. It's desperately short, but something, at least! This chapter's dedicated to swimdiva87, who got on her knees for me! I feel so touched :D And of course, thanks to the ever-present stina whatever, and Jezabel Raewin. Thanks, guys, I owe you.

SO..here is my debt, paid off in full:

Chapter Twenty Nine

Ideas

"Ugh, this is complicated.."

"Stir four lacewings into a bucket of caster oil...ew, we have to drink it..."

"And making it in the first place doesn't sound much fun.."

"And then we have to learn this spell..this is not going to be easy."

"What are you two doing?"

James and Sirius slammed their books shut. "Nothing," they said together, equally guilty looks overtaking their faces as Remus stared at them.

"Oh really," he said suspiciously. "Then what are you doing in the library at six a.m?"

For a few moments, James and Sirius were at a loss for words. Then they both began babbling at the exact same time.

"Well there's this prank – "

"Bellatrix is scared of lacewing – "

"And I read that caster oil sharpens it – "

"And the library, no one would suspect pranksters going to a library – "

"And – "

"I'm going to ask you three questions," cut in Remus, "and if you answer them honestly, and if your answers aren't bad, I'll leave you alone.

"Does this involve me?"

"Yes," said James after a second and a very guilty look.

"Does this involve getting killed or hurt or maimed, me or you?"

"Not technically," said Sirius carefully. "Not if we do it right. In fact..it technically – "

Reading his mind, James kicked his ankle and Sirius shut up.

Remus rolled his eyes. "When is this going to take place, in the near or far future?"

"Far," said James and Sirius at once.

"Probably very far," added Sirius.

Remus sighed. "All right. Just make sure you do do it right."

"Right-o," said James brightly. "Now why don't you go back to bed, huh? What are you doing up so early anyways?"

"I woke up and saw that you guys weren't here," said Remus evenly, "and I worried, because when you're both gone at six a.m it can only mean trouble."

"We should have a way," said Sirius suddenly, "to keep track of each other."

Remus and James both turned to him. "What?"

"You know, a way to keep track of each other," said Sirius eagerly as plans began to form in his mind. "A map – a map of Hogwarts! With dots that represent us! In fact, why not extend it to dots representing everyone in the school? Then we could spy on people to our hearts' desire, and pranks would be so much easier.." Sirius was off and running, mentioning several different spells they could use, how and when to explore the school, and the many different uses that the map could provide...

"Sirius," said Remus gently, when he had hit a block, "I just have one thing to say to you about that idea."

"What?" asked Sirius excitedly.

"It is completely mental." Sirius's face fell.

"I'm sorry," said Remus, in tones that implied he was nothing of the sort, "but it is. Not to mention probably breaking seventy three gazillion school rules into pieces with all the detail you want to make it, by having to go around, sneaking into offices – put it out of your head, Sirius, and I'm going back to the dorm."

"Okay," sighed Sirius, in a way James considered thoroughly unconvincingly.

"You're not going to put it out of your head, are you?" whispered James as Remus disappeared through the door.

Sirius smiled impishly. "Not quite out..maybe in a little nook. My Prank Planning nook."

"I like the way your mind works," responded James before turning back to the book on Animagi.

And thus, the idea of the Marauders' Map was born.