Chapter 9 Mischief Managed

Harry was happy to say that he did learn the hangover potion, as well as many others. His grades had taken a definite turn for the better. Remus and Lily were both extremely smart. They were like laid-back versions of Hermione. Harry had never felt so smart before. Spells and potions were coming along more easily. He had also been under vigorous quidditch training with James and was slowly building up a more muscular figure.

Harry was quickly becoming best friends with the Marauders, Lily, and the Longbottoms. 'They obviously don't completely trust me yet,' Harry thought as he ate lunch. 'They haven't told me about being animagi or Remus being a werewolf. They haven't even told me about the map… THE MAP?'

Harry dropped his fork and froze suddenly. His friends all stared at him curiously. How could he have forgotten about it! It was a bloody miracle that no one had looked for Evan Jameson and found Harry Potter. He stood up abruptly.

"Where are you going?" Remus asked bemusedly.

"I forgot my defense essay," Harry made up hurriedly as he ran out of the room.

"But there was no defense essay due…" Peter called after him.

"That was really weird," Sirius said.

"Yes, it was," Remus said suspiciously. "I'll be back." He left the room and made his way to the Gryffindor tower.

Harry rushed into the dormitory. "Where is it?" he hissed to himself. 'Are you a wizard or not?' he thought. 'Accio marauder's map!" Harry bellowed. The map came flying towards him. "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good," he said frantically. The familiar green and curly words sprawled out across the page.

Messrs. Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs

Purveyors of Aids to Magical Mischief-Makers

are proud to present:

THE MARAUDER'S MAP

Harry's eyes traveled all over the map, finally coming to rest the name of the only figure in the 6th year boys' dormitory, Harry Potter. He pointed his wand at his name and cast the most powerful confounding spell he knew. He manipulated the magic so that his name read Evan Jameson. Only if you looked extremely close could you see that there was something slightly minor off with the name. It was slightly lighter than the others'. Harry looked at the map more closely. Remus Lupin was almost to the door of the dormitory. Harry quickly said, "mischief managed," and cleared the map, just as the door creaked open.

"Evan?" He asked. "What are you doing?" Harry realized he probably shouldn't be holding the map, even if it was blank. He was just about to hide it when Moony's eyes widened slightly. "What are you doing with that?" he demanded to know.

"Oh this? Well you see," Harry thought quickly. "I was tearing the room apart looking for my essay, when I realized that we didn't even have one."

"The room's not messy," Remus pointed out.

"Yes that's right. That's because once I realized what I had done, I felt really guilty and decided to put everything away. I just found this spare bit of parchment and was trying to figure out where it had come from."

"You messed up the room and cleaned it up all before I got up here?"

"Well, I didn't get that far before I realized what I was doing," Harry lied. "Come one, we're going to be late for defense."

"Evan, may I have the parchment," Remus said.

"Oh yah sure." They walked to defense in silence.

'Woo, that was close,' Harry thought.

'There's something strange about him…' Remus thought. 'What are you saying! You're the one that's strange. You're a bloody werewolf. Maybe I should back off… If it was me, I wouldn't want him to find out about my lycanthropy.'

"We've gone through dark magical creatures, the unforgivables, and several offensive and defensive spells. I think that now you all are ready to try mock-duels. We'll be having a mini-tournament today and the winner will receive extra-credit for their exams before break. To win, you just have to render your opponent unable to cast a spell. Please class, try to keep it clean."

The students were excitedly exchanging looks. The Slytherins looked rather put out at Professor Jones' final words.

"Please pair up with someone. I'll tell you when to start the duel. If you win this round, find a new partner who also won. If you lose, please go back to your seat and watch."

Harry faced off against Frank, Lily against Alice, James against Sirius, and Remus against Peter. "Begin," she called out.

Harry started out on the defensive and put up a shield as Frank's stunner shot by. He dodged several more shots before finally casting a curse himself. "Stupefy," he said. The spell whizzed by and barely missed Frank as he shifted. They battled on for a couple of more minutes before Harry cast, "Expelliarmus" and Frank's wand flew out of his hand.

Next Lily faced off against James and Remus dueled Harry. Needless to say, James found it very hard to curse the girl he loved and so he lost. Harry and Remus fought but it was quickly over. Harry was holding back, as he had with Frank, but Remus didn't say anything. He did notice though and took note of the suspicious activity.

After a couple more rounds, two groups were left, Lily vs. Severus and Harry vs. Nott. James was horrified at the thought of Severus cursing Lily and had taken to standing very close to their duel in an attempt to intimidate him. Using several barely legal dark curses, Severus had Lily almost completely cornered. She had no chance but still showed no fear. Her eyes seemed to blaze and the tide began turning. The fight went on for an excruciating long time. Eventually Lily emerged victorious.

Severus swore. "Filthy mudblood," he muttered as he walked away.

"I'd watch what you say about me. I did just beat you in a duel after all," Lily responded, hearing his words.

Harry and Nott's duel was brief. The Slytherin tried to use some very dark spells, but Harry just sidestepped them. Nott was working so hard on trying to do the complicated spells properly, that a simple "petrificus totalus" took him out.

Harry and Lily were the only ones left. The class silently looked on as they bowed and began to fight. Harry again took the defensive. They battled on and on, wands moving furiously. Harry was going pretty much at full strength but couldn't stop himself from holding back. For goodness sakes it was his mother after all!

Finally, Harry had her at his mercy. She had lost and she knew it. There was no way out. His wand was pointing directly at her as she turned and her's was uselessly hanging at her side. Her eyes shone with bravery. She wasn't going to say anything. She was just going to take it and keep her pride. Harry faltered. 'Is this how she looked when Voldemort killed her? Oh god. I'm in the same position he was. Oh god.' His wand hand shook and he lowered it.

Lily looked at him curiously. "Why don't you curse me?" she asked him quietly.

"I can't. I just…can't." Harry ran out of the classroom, leaving behind a bewildered class. Class ended moments later.

Lily explained what happened to the marauders, Frank and Alice.

"That's strange," James said.

"Really strange," Sirius put in.

"He's been doing a lot of strange things lately," Peter commented, remembering the other times Remus mentioned Harry's abnormal secrecy. "Remus even caught him doing something with the map."

"Map? What map?" Lily asked.

"It's nothing!" Remus cut off her questions.

The marauders caught each other's eye. They would definitely check the map later. The Gryffindors walked back to the Gryffindor common room without much chatter after that. Everyone was thinking about the mysterious Evan Jameson.