"WHAT?!" Sirius screeched. "JUST LIKE THAT?! THAT LITTLE-"

"Pads, calm down!" I tried.

"CALM DOWN?! BAINES JUST LEAVES WITHOUT A WORD OF WHEN SHE'LL BE BACK AND YOU WANT ME TO CALM DOWN?!"

I glared at him. "Padfoot, there's something attached to the letter!"

"It's... it's a pass to the Restricted Section. For the rest of the year."

"She said... 'I hope it comes in handy. Prank hard, my friends." He looked at me. "What if we made a map?"

"A map? What of?"

"Hogwarts."

"Those already exist."

"No, no, I mean maps that would track anyone in the castle and tell the owner exactly where everyone is!"

"I don't know, Pads..."

"Moony."

I glanced at him. "Yes?"

"You're a brilliant man, don't get me wrong, but sometimes you can be so annoying! This could be the greatest thing we ever create!"

"Ask James. If he says yes then sure."

"Picture it. The Marauders' Map."

I rolled my eyes. "I'm guessing you're not giving Lupa any credit?"

"Why should I?" He pointed to underneath the note. "P.S. I'm not much of a Marauder anymore, so don't include me in any of your pranks and accomplishments."

0o0o0

"I still don't understand why she had to go," Prongs grumbled.

"None of us do," I said quietly. "I think that's the point."

"Would McGonagall know?"

"Probably wouldn't care."

"The password to the Lab is Rebecca," I whispered. "Conrad said-"

"What?"

"In our first year. When Conrad came to visit. I told you he'd said something. He'd told me the password to the Lab is Rebecca, among other things like how you trust me more than Prongs. I didn't pay much attention to either, which explains why I was so surprised by your expression of love, but I think he was telling me that the current password is Rebecca!"

"How would he know?" Sirius scowled.

"Didn't 'Snuffles' look shockingly like you?"

He paled. "And Conrad had your wand."

"This is bullcrap!" James exploded. "You're saying Conrad and Snuffles are time travelling versions of you?"

"It explains a lot..." I mused.

Peter crunched on chocolate.

My eyes narrowed. "Peter, is that my chocolate-"

Sirius grabbed my arm warningly. "Calm, Moony."

"I'm calm," I said. "Just pointing out that that little rat stole my CHOCOLATE!"

"We have more important things to worry about," Pete said, glancing at the wall fearfully. "Look."

Congratulations, Wolfstar. You have figured me out. Only a few more secrets.

"Azalia-"

Don't even try to get me to come back, Prongs. Even wh- okay, maybe then I'll come back. For a few days.

"What do you mean?"

No matter what I mean. Brilliant idea with the map, by the way, Padfoot. I'd check 'Tracking Enchantments' by Thomas Venator. If it's not in there then I'm of no help. Have fun slaving away over exams, you four. I'm off to Romania for a while. Talk to you in two years. Then again two years after that. Then I don't know when again. Have fun with your kids, Prongs.

"Kids...?"

Never mind. Obliviate?

"Protego," I muttered.

Bye. Don't expect to hear from me for the next few years, I may place a call every so often but probably not. I'm going to be busy stocking up for the Ministry's potion stores. That's going to be fun.

"Have fun!" I said.

Thanks. You too. All of you.

Azalia's signature Celtic knot flashed brightly before disappearing.

Sirius laughed. "Dramatic."

"Just like our Azalia," I murmured.

0o0o0

"I miss her," Sirius sighed for the fourth time in five minutes. "It's weird not having her yelling at me to study."

"Guess I have to take that role on now," I said teasingly, pressing a kiss to his cheek.

"Or not," he grumbled, pointing to a note in the book.

SIRIUS ORION BLACK I SWEAR TO GOD YOU BETTER STUDY WHILE I'M GONE!

I chuckled. "Brilliant, Azalia."

Thanks?

"Go piss off a dragon," I grumbled.

Rather not. Oh, by the way, if Father asks, tell him I chose Reg, Sirius?

"Azalia?"

If I have to choose between him and the other blokes, he's the obvious choice besides you but you're gay. Besides, I already talked to him about the platonic level of the marriage and how it's only to satisfy our parents' nagging.

Sirius sighed. "Christ. So you're going to be my sister-in-law?"

Bugger off.