James nibbled on the fruit bread as he scanned the map. He was bored and wide awake. Worst of it all, Sirius was already snoring in his bed. And Peter had fallen asleep too.

From the corner of his eyes, he caught sight of Snivellus on the map. "What in Merlin's name –" whispered James. Snivellus was walking around the castle. He was right behind Remus and Evans.

'Alright… that's not creepy at all,' thought James, as Snivellus stopped around the corner of first floor corridor. A crease formed at the centre of James's eyes. He kept an eye on Snivellus, as he thought, 'Maybe he is following Remus, not that it makes it better.'

Near the staircase, Remus turned to the left while Evans continued on to take the right-side corridor. As if an alarm went off inside James's head. His eyes widened, 'Why are they separating?'

Snivellus continued following Evans. James dropped the map on his lap and almost sprang out of his bed. 'Should I go after them?'

His hand reached for his invisibility cloak, but he paused. 'Maybe Evans knows,' thought James, as he settled back down. He decided to stay up until Remus returned to confirm his suspicions.

When the door cracked open, James drifted out of sleep. He straightened up, there was a strain in his neck. He reckoned it had something to do with the way he was sleeping.

"James?" whispered Remus, as he made his way to bed in the dark. "Are you still awake?"

"Yes," replied James, rubbing the sore spot on his neck. "Can I ask you something?"

Remus dropped his robes on his bed and made his way over to James's bed. He waited for James to continue.

James crawled towards Remus, as he asked, "Did you know Snivellus was following you?"

Remus's brows furrowed, as he shook his head. "He wasn't."

"I saw him on the map, he was following you and Evans," replied James, shaking his head. "Then you went in different directions and he continued following Evans."

"That's not worrisome at all," sneered Remus, raising his brows. There was a distance in his eyes. Then, he shook his head as if to shake some thought away.

James shrugged, and replied, "We already said he was creepy."

"Does he do that often?" asked Remus, his lips pressed in a straight line.

"This is the first time I've had this map to check," said James, rumpling his hair. "But the way he was doing it, it did seem like he does it often."

For the first time, Remus was silent. His mouth remained agape as he tried to process the information. James knew it wasn't normal!

"Should I tell Lily?" asked Remus, with a loud sigh.

James crinkled his nose, as he crossed his arms in front of his chest. "How'll you prove it?"

Remus gave a sharp nod, and agreed, "Good point."

James's eyes were fixed on the door of Evans's Ancient Runes classroom. Any minute now she'd be out of there. He had dragged Sirius with him. He didn't want to sit outside Evans's classroom alone.

"Why are we sitting here?" asked Sirius, letting out a loud sigh. He stretched his legs in front of him, as they sat on one of the window stools.

"I want to check something," mumbled James, running his fingers through his hair. He bit the inside of his cheek, as he rocked back and forth.

The class ended just in time. Students flocked out of the crowd, and James craned his neck to look for Evans. His eyes scanned the students as fast as he could, not wanting to miss her. His mouth remained slightly agape.

But Evans was hard to miss. As soon as she stepped out of the classroom, her red hair caught James's attention. There was the reaction again – James's heart stopped for a second. When he noticed she wasn't alone, but with her friend Marlene, he knew she was safe. A smile grew on James's face, as he sank back against the window.

"You had to check on Evans?!" cried Sirius, hitting the back of James's head.

James whipped his head in Sirius's direction, shoving Sirius away. "No," replied James, as he rubbed the back of his head. "Last night, I saw Snivelly following her on the map, during patrolling."

"Snivellus wouldn't be here," said Sirius in a matter-of-fact voice, pursing his lips.

James turned towards Sirius, straightening up again. "Why?" he asked, narrowing his eyes.

"He was in Professor Slughorn's office."

"How do you know that?"

"I saw him going inside."

James nodded slowly, as he looked at the crowd filling the corridors again. He had to scan, just in case. Instead, his eyes landed on Peter, who was grinning as soon as he caught the boys' sight. "There's Peter," said James, jerking his head in Peter's direction.

"Were you waiting for me?" beamed Peter, as he jogged up to the boys.

Sirius scoffed, shaking his head, "No, he's keeping an eye on Evans."

The grin from Peter's face disappeared at once. "Why?" he asked, a crease forming between his brows. He clutched his books against his chest.

James inched closer to Peter, and whispered in a low voice, "Snivellus stalks her at night."

Peter paused for a minute, as his eyes grew wide. Perhaps he was waiting for James to say he was joking. His jaw hit the floor, and when James didn't say anything, he looked at Sirius.

Sirius shrugged as he gave Peter a firm nod, jumping down from the window stool.

James jumped down from the window stool too, and sighed, "I know it's creepy."

Sirius draped his arm around James's shoulder as the two started walking.

Peter was hot on their heels, as he asked, "Where are we going now?"

James grinned, patting Peter on the back. "Back to the common room."

"What are you doing Prongs?" Sirius's voice made James jump.

James folded the map in haste, as his cheeks grew red. "Nothing," he muttered, shaking his head.

"Are you watching Evans again?" asked Sirius, narrowing his eyes.

James opened the map again, "Look," he said. Pointing towards Snivellus and Evans. "Snivelly is following her again."

Sirius rolled his eyes and let out an exasperated sigh. "Why does it matter?" he asked, throwing his hands in the air.

"This isn't normal," replied James from between his teeth as he jammed his finger repeatedly at Snivellus's footsteps in the map.

Sirius crouched down near James's bed, and took his hand in his own. "Neither is what you are doing." Sirius smirked, before letting out a chuckle.

James snatched his hand away, glaring at Sirius. "I was only trying to see if he'd do it again," mumbled James, folding the map.

"Now you have," replied Sirius, pursing his lips. "Can we get ready for the prank?"

"Yes," mumbled James, getting up from the bed. He felt uneasy because of what he had just seen. He felt angry because his best friend and brother didn't understand. James wanted to slam his fist against something – perhaps Snivellus's jaw.

"I'm sorry mate," said Sirius, as he watched James sluggishly put on his shoes. "I don't understand what you see in her."

"I don't know," whispered James, his eyes fixed on the shoelaces he was tying.

Sirius gave James's shoulder a squeeze, "We'll talk more once we get back."

The Marauders made their way to Filch's office without any problems. The map and the invisibility cloak made them unbeatable. Even Peter was at ease!

James looked at Filch's empty office on the map before he pushed open the door. "Filch isn't here, let's do this quickly."

The boys dropped the invisibility cloak on Filch's chair and started emptying their pockets. They had bought a dozen Dungbombs and they were going to fit all of them in Filch's office.

James put one under his chair and grinned, prayed if it would explode when Filch is sitting on the chair.

"Put one in his drawer," said Sirius, handing one Dungbomb to Peter. He pointed towards the chest of drawers on their right.

"One?!" gasped Peter, his brows furrowed. "Give me three, one for each."

Sirius had a face splitting grin on his face as he handed Peter three Dungbombs.

It didn't take more than five minutes for the boys to stuff Dungbombs in the worst places in Filch's office. James kept an eye on the map. When he saw Filch making his way back to the corridor leading to his office, his heart leaped.

James picked up the invisibility cloak and announced, "Let's get out now."

The boys darted out of the office under the invisibility cloak. James could feel the excitement erupting in the pit of his stomach. In a few minutes, Filch would get what he deserved.

It was all perfect until Peeves glided out of no where and noticed the door of Filch's office being closed at its own accord. He stood there for a moment and then looked around. But the boys didn't stick around to see what Peeves did next.

Once the boys were back in their room, Peter didn't waste a minute to get paranoid. "Do you think Peeves knew it was us?" he squeaked.

"How could he? No one saw us," replied Sirius, waving his hand dismissively.

Peter pointed his finger towards James, as he said, "But Prongs told him we'd teach Filch a lesson."

"Yet, he doesn't have anything to prove it was us," said Sirius, shaking his head.

"Oi, Filch is entering his office," Remus's words drew everyone's attention. The boys hurried over to Remus, who was holding the map. James looked at the map over Remus's shoulder. His smile grew

"I can't wait to see his face in the morning."

"Where is he going?"

"He's talking to Peeves!" cried Peter, pointing his finger towards Peeves and Filch on the map.

The conversation was short as Filch glided away from Peeves. Rather than going to his office, Filch rushed somewhere else. James tilted his head, his eyes remained fixed on Filch. "That didn't last long."

"He's going to Dumbledore's office."

"Are you sure he didn't see us?" squeaked Peter, his hands clasped around his mouth.

"Calm down Wormtail," said Sirius, rolling his eyes. He pressed his lips together, glaring at Peter.

"Padfoot is right, when have we ever gotten caught?" asked James, resting his hands on his waist.

"Remember when you both –" started Peter, with tears at the brim of his eyes.

James let out an exasperated sigh. "I meant with the invisibility cloak," he cut off Peter.

Peter fidgeted with his fingers, as he mumbled, "There is always a first."

James gave Peter's shoulder a light squeeze, as he assured him, "It's not going to be this."

Remus let out a chuckle, as he folded the map. He turned towards Sirius and James. "You better hope, otherwise you both would be on Hogwarts Express tomorrow evening."

Sirius and James grinned as they looked at each other. There is no way they'd be caught. Sirius looked at Remus, as he asked, "Would they do it before we serve our detention or after?"

"Why are you serving detention on Saturday?" asked Remus, sitting down on his bed with a thump.

"We're going to the Forbidden Forest with Hagrid," replied James, walking to his own bed.

"The Forbidden Forest?" gasped Peter, his eyes growing twice in size.

Sirius gave a sharp nod, his lips twisted in disgust. "Yes, we have to get some knotgrass … without magic."

Peter gave Sirius a puzzled look, as he tilted his head. "That's not so bad."

"Yes, only that due to less rainfall, there is a shortage of it," said James, rolling his eyes.

Remus scoffed, as he said, "Good luck to your backs."

"But I reckon Hagrid's not so bad," said James, looking at Sirius from the corner of his eyes.

"I am scared for what McGonagall is going to do with us," said Sirius, shuddering.

"Tell me Wormtail, did Aubrey do anything since then?" asked James, turning his attention back to Peter.

"He might have, if he could step outside the infirmary," squeaked Peter, as he shrugged.

"He is still in the infirmary?" gasped Sirius, his jaw hitting the floor. But it was immediately replaced by a smug grin.

Peter nodded fervently, informing them, "It's going to take a day or two for him to get better."

James raised his brows, smirking as he said, "It had been two days." Knowing that Sirius and he taught Peter's bully a good lesson felt wonderful. What was more brilliant was that Sirius and he thought of the same spell to do that!

Remus rolled his eyes, as he said, "You both hit him with an illegal hex, give him some time to recuperate."

"If he does something again –" started James, fixing his eyes on Peter. He needed Peter to know that they'd do it again for him in a heartbeat.

Peter shook his head as he added, "I'll not let him."

James smiled, pushing his chest out. "We're right behind you."

Sirius and James were ready to serve their detention bright and early. After breakfast, they were supposed to make way to the courtyard. The start of the day was a little off. But James's day improved in an instant when he almost collided with Evans in the corridor.

"Alright Evans?" said James, with a face splitting grin. His heart was already in his mouth.

Evans paused for a moment, shifting her weight from one foot to another. Her eyes drifted towards James's legs. Then, without a word, she darted off.

"Why did you greet her?" muttered Sirius, rolling his eyes. He was throwing daggers at Evans's back. But she didn't seem to notice or mind and disappeared around the corner.

Shrugging, James averted his eyes to the ground, "It's like a reflex." His smile had disappeared with Evans.

Sirius and James met Hagrid in the courtyard. It seemed like he had been waiting for them for a long time. The boys hurried over to the half giant.

"Hello James," said Hagrid, his cheeks puffed up. James reckoned he had smiled. He then looked at Sirius and gave him a nod too, "Sirius."

James grinned, as he replied, "Hello Hagrid."

"Are yeh ready?" asked Hagrid, gesturing the boys to follow him.

The boys stood on the edge of the Forbidden forest with Hagrid. They had been inside in their Animagus form. James's heart leaped as he thought what he might see there! Hagrid looked down at the boys, as he said, "Now don't wander around."

It had been hours since they entered the Forbidden forest and all they had seen was the grass and their own shoes. James's hands and clothes were covered with dirt and sweat. He was sure he had smeared some dirt on his face too when he tried to wipe off sweat.

"Ugh! My back!" cried Sirius, hitting his back with his fists.

"Yer not even half way done," faltered Hagrid, pointing towards the small pile of knotgrass they had collected.

James was sure they had collected more than what he was looking at right now! Had someone been eating their knotgrass?!

Sirius held up the index finger of his right hand. His left hand stayed on his knee. He had turned paler than usual, "Let me lie down for a second, I might pass out."

"Dramatic much?" muttered James, under his breath.

"You'll carry me back if I pass out?" bellowed Sirius, narrowing his eyes at James. The way he was hunched over made it all the more hilarious in James's eyes.

Hagrid's eyes widened, as he let out a sigh. "'Suppose yeh can take a break."

"Thanks Hagrid," cried Sirius as he dropped on the ground with a loud thud. "You're the best."

From whatever part of Hagrid's face was visible, it seemed like he had turned red. "I heard yeh follow'd Remus to the Whomping Willow?" asked Hagrid, glancing sideways at James and Sirius.

"Yes," replied James, nodding. "But this isn't for doing that." He continued looking for more knotgrass.

"It's for Aubrey," groaned Sirius, he stretched his limbs as far as he could.

Hagrid pointed his finger at James and Sirius, narrowing his eyes. "Yeh both need to mind yeh temper."

"He bullied Peter," mumbled James, shaking his head. "I reckon he hasn't done it the first time." He narrowed his eyes to look for more knotgrass. He could swear they had picked all that there was.

"Ever thought Professor McGonagall might give him a better punishment?" asked Hagrid, in a low voice. "Legal punishment."

James straightened up, and he felt his muscles seize. A groan escaped from between his lips. "But is it okay to let someone walk all over your friends?" asked James, resting his hands on his back. He massaged his back with his fingertips.

"Er – No," mumbled Hagrid, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Exactly!" exclaimed James, throwing his hands in the air.

Hagrid looked at James in disbelief. "Doesn' mean yeh use illegal spells!" cried Hagrid, shaking his index finger.

James let out a huff, as he said, "Alright, we'd stick to legal one's next time."

"I reckon we won't need them," said Sirius, waving his hand dismissively.

"Why?" asked Hagrid, his bushy brows furrowed. He fixed his black eyes on Sirius.

Sirius grinned, craning his neck to look at the half giant, "Half the school is scared of us."

James could feel the muscles in his back twitch in pain. He could hardly move. Holding onto the railing of the staircase, he pulled himself up.

Sirius was massaging his back, still hunched over. He couldn't bring himself to straighten up all the way.

"Hagrid wasn't that bad," whispered James. He groaned internally as he took another step. "I am dreading McGonagall." If the staircases changed now, he would lay right here.

"I hope we don't have to bend over for her detention," said Sirius in annoyance. "Otherwise I might never straighten up."

After dinner, Sirius and James walked to McGonagall's classroom. She had asked them to serve their detentions there. But she had still not told them what their detention was going to be.

James stood outside the classroom, he watched McGonagall place something on two desks. "Professor?" said James.

McGonagall looked at the boys, and gave a nod. "Come inside," gestured McGonagall. As she took her seat, the boys stood in front of her desk.

She pointed at the desks in the second row, "Sit."

James sat in the row on the right and Sirius sat in his adjacent row. James noticed a roll of parchment, ink and quill resting on their desks. "Are we writing lines Professor?" he asked.

"No," said McGonagall, her already thin lips were pressed further together. "You both would be writing an essay on why you mustn't use illegal spells."

James could see the corner of Sirius's lips twitch. "How long will the essay be Professor?" asked Sirius, pulling his sleeves up.

McGonagall pushed her glasses back, as she replied, "Till you reach the end of the parchment."

James knew it sounded too easy, and McGonagall's detentions were anything but easy. He knew that because he had served more detentions with her than he could count. And he was right! The moment he reached the end of the parchment, it extended itself.

At first James's eyes grew wide, and he looked over at Sirius. When he noticed Sirius clenching onto the quill as he glared at McGonagall, he stifled back a laugh.

"This is torture!" cried Sirius, as he continued writing on the never-ending parchment.

James massaged his sore hand, as he tried to write. His brain didn't know enough words to fill the never-ending parchment. "My arm is going to fall off."

"Look," said Sirius, dropping his quill on the desk. He held his hand out, palm facing down. "My hand is shaking." Sirius's hand shook like a dead leaf trying to hang onto a tree branch on a windy day.

After three hours of pure torture, McGonagall decided it was time to look at the boys. She stood up, and glided towards James and Sirius's desk. "What did you learn Mister Black?" and then she fixed her gaze on James, "Mister Potter?"

'That this punishment is worse than Cruciatus Curse,' thought James. He replied in a shaky voice, "We mustn't use illegal spells Professor."

McGonagall looked over to Sirius, her face was unnaturally still. And for Sirius's sake, James prayed that Sirius didn't say anything snarky.

Sirius nodded in affirmation, "We'll never use illegal spells Professor."

McGonagall pushed her glasses back, she pointed her wand at the boys as she said, "You better remember it."

James let out a sigh. After this, he didn't think his hand would ever be ready to use any spell. The boys responded in unison "Yes Professor."

With the flick of the wand, the never-ending parchment rolled itself. McGonagall looked at the boys, "Off you go."

"Good night Professor," the boys said in unison. They jumped out of their desks and dragged their feet out of the classroom.

"Good night."