"Lupin! Potter!"
"Potter! Lupin!"
"We've got to run, James," Teddy huffed. "Or she'll really get us this time."
"One step ahead of you, Ted," the younger boy grinned.
"C'mon Remus, I know you're hurt but we've got to go," James huffed, running down the hall.
"I think," the werewolf gasped. "I think she's got us this time."
Over two decades had passed, and Minerva could hardly tell the difference. A single tear formed in her eye, and she stopped running. Just the sight of sandy-brown hair and floppy dark hair bouncing down the hallway made her pause. It was far too similar to how it had been before.
"Ted…"
"What, James? Why have you stopped?"
Teddy spun around to see James pointing back at their Headmistress, who had simply stopped in the middle of the hallway.
"I think she's crying, mate," James whispered. "I think we've really done it this time."
The two Marauders kept running, Remus finally catching up to James.
"Just a bit longer, Remus," the bespectacled boy promised. "I swear, and then we'll turn the corner and put on the cloak."
"Alright," huffed Remus. "I'll be one step behind you."
"Why…why is she crying?" Teddy asked, walking back towards James. "Think we've done something wrong?"
"Dunno…"
Teddy wasn't about to wait for an answer from his little cousin. The sixth-year trotted down the hallway, seeing his headmistress covering her eyes with her hand. "Headmistress? Are you alright?"
"Alright Moony, I think we've lost her," James panted, rounding the corner and whipping out his cloak of invisibility. "Here, get under, quick." The small, sandy-haired boy quickly turned the corner and leapt under James' outstretched arm, the two boys falling underneath the cloak. Minerva McGonagall, panting herself, stopped and looked around for the boys. Unable to see them, she sighed, and walked the other direction.
James flashed Remus a covert grin: for the time being, Potter and Lupin had avoided detention.
Minerva McGonagall nodded her head, voice cracking a bit as she replied: "Yes, Mr. Lupin, I'm quite alright…just a bit of dust in the air, I think."
Teddy crossed his arms over his chest, but not before beckoning James to come closer.
"Teddy," the younger boy hissed. "What are you doing? We were almost free—"
"Dust my arse, Headmistress, if you'll pardon my language. I fear my associate and I have really outdone ourselves this time—how's Friday, 7PM sound for detention?"
James looked at his cousin, mouth agape. "Teddy! What are you doing?"
Lupin raised a brow, glancing down at James. "Are you not free? If so, I think we can arrange something else—"
"—I'm free, but—"
"Excellent," Teddy grinned. "We'll see you then, Minnie, alright?"
The headmistress pulled her hand from her eyes, her thin lips twitching into something resembling a smile. "7PM," she whispered, clearing her throat. "I'll see you boys there."
For the time being, Lupin and Potter had not quite escaped detention. But neither boy seemed to mind.