Two boys were crouched behind the door to Filch's office, hiding under an invisibility cloak. One had dark brown hair and glasses—the other was tall and skinny with light-brown hair. They were, of course, Mr. Potter and Mr. Lupin: cousins and partners in crime. Though they were four years apart, and James only in his second year at Hogwarts, the two of them had already caused enough mischief for ten. They were certainly giving the Messers. Potter and Lupin that came before them a run for their money.
"Teddy," James hissed. "We're going to get caught."
"With an attitude like that, you bet. Now come on—we have to get that map back. It's not my fault—"
"I told you it was Al's fault—he's no good at it," James insisted. He tended to blame most things on his younger, Slytherin brother.
"It was your fault and you know it—don't blame Al," Teddy said, rolling his eyes. "Now shh—I hear Filch."
The old man began to open the door to his office. He, along with a new kitten, stepped out into the hallway.
"Come, now, Miss Norris…We have halls to protect," He grumbled, the kitten following behind him, though quite distracted by all the sights and sounds. She was no Mrs. Norris but Filch knew he could train her all the same. As soon as Filch was out of sight, Teddy and James scuffled to the door, still underneath the cloak.
"You're stepping on me," James complained. Teddy rolled his eyes and whisked out his wand.
"Alohamora," He whispered. The lock on the door creaked, and the boys pushed the door open—unaware they were being watched by a rather clever cat down the hallway. As soon as they entered Filch's office and shut the door, the boys took off their cloak and looked around.
"Alright, let's start looking—Accio doesn't work in here," Teddy added bitterly.
The boys searched around the office, finding many useful things that had likely belonged to the Weasley twins, Fred and George. James would pick something up, ask Teddy if they could keep it, and the elder boy would simply roll his eyes. He would explain to James, every time, that if they took everything that looked interesting, Filch would certainly know that they were there. James still managed to nick some things, however. He was James Potter, after all.
After some searching, Teddy finally found it—the map. He smiled, and held it up for James to see.
"Got it! Now, let's get out of here before we get caught." Teddy looked at the map fondly, and tapped it with his wand.
Mr. Moony is relieved that his son has found the map, but implores him to check the map for—
"Great!" James cheered, the cloak under his arm. The two boys exited the office, closed the door, and just as they were about to hide under the cloak…
"Mr. Lupin, Mr. Potter…what are you doing up so late at night?" Headmaster McGonagall asked the two boys, her thin lips trying their best not to curl into a smile. Truthfully, she loved seeing the two boys together. They reminded her of another Mr. Lupin and Mr. Potter—though these boys were certainly different. For starters, Minerva never imagined a world in which a Mr. Lupin would have more detentions than a Mr. Potter, nor could she picture any sort of James Potter being best friends with a boy in Hufflepuff.
Teddy looked at James and sighed. They had been caught, somehow. James pulled the invisibility cloak off and looked down at the floor. Teddy shoved the map in his pocket and smiled.
"Hello, Headmaster Minnie. Just enjoying a nice stroll in the moonlight," He grinned. "Have to show young James all the ins and outs of the castle."
McGonagall was unimpressed.
"Mr. Lupin, even if I did believe you—which I certainly do not—you would still be breaking a school rule. What I believe is that you boys tried to nick that map of yours from Argus' office—a place where it will, ironically, end up again."
Teddy's hair changed red and he narrowed his eyes. James stepped on his cousin's foot to get him to calm down, and the young Potter shrugged.
"I don't know what you're talking about, Headmaster," James grinned. "What map?"
"As far as I know," Teddy added, hair returning it its natural state, "There is no such map. Sounds like a bit of complex magic, really—"
"Probably created by some great wizards of old—"
"Perhaps geniuses," Teddy finished, "But it's quite hard to say—"
"Accio Marauder's Map," McGonagall whispered. The map flew out of Teddy's pocket and into McGongall's hand. She tapped the map with her wand and said:
"Revelio."
James snickered. Teddy smiled.
"You want to read what it says, Headmaster?" He quipped. McGonagall narrowed her eyes.
"Messers. Moony, Padfoot, and Prongs kindly suggest that Headmaster Minnie return the map where it belongs—in the hands of their kin.
Mr. Prongs would like to chastise his grandson, young Prongs, for losing the map in the first place and blaming it on Al. However, he firmly believes it belongs in his care.
Mr. Moony would also like to take a moment to chastise young Mr. Moony for his numerous run-ins with Headmaster Minnie and would like to encourage his son to get into less trouble—
Mr. Padfoot would like to chastise Messers. Moony and Prongs for chastising boys who should be praised.
Mr. Moony was not finished and would like to contest that the map belongs to young Mr. Prongs and believes it should belong to young Mr. Moony, since it was Mr. Moony himself who did most of the grunt work.
Mr. Prongs says did not.
Mr. Moony says did too…"
Minerva sighed. "I'm not reading more of this nonsense. Considering that even the elder Messers. Lupin and Potter can't figure out who the map belongs to, perhaps I should just keep it for myself," She said, thin lips turning into a smile. "If you want it back, you can come to my office—for detention." Teddy groaned.
"But that's not fair!" He complained. "My dad didn't die just so that I could get my map—"
"Your map?" James asked incredulously. "And don't play the dead dad card with a Potter," He teased, "It's my map—it belonged to my father, and his father before him. That's two generations—"
"Exactly!" Teddy insisted. "You're twice removed—I'm the actual son of a Marauder. Besides," Teddy said, pretending to tear up, turning his eyes red and puffy and his hair turning a sad blue, "It's all I have left to remember—"
"Oh bugger off," James quipped. "Minnie—" James paused. While the boys had been arguing, their Headmaster had vanished. James elbowed Teddy.
"This is your fault—she got away with my map!"
"My map," Teddy corrected.
"Our map," James conceded. "Now, come on—she's got a head start. We've got to get that map back."
I might add more...and if I do, review and let me know what you would like to see!