McGonagall came back into the office a few minutes later.
"Right. Well, we'll just go back to our dormitory," Sirius said, "Good night, Minnie."
"We aren't finished. We need to discuss a few things first," she said, blocking the door.
Sirius crossed his arms but didn't move forward. "Yes, Minnie?"
"First and foremost," McGonagall said, "you will not tell anyone of what you have learned." She was more stern then they had ever seen her.
Peter cowered slightly, but nodded with the others.
"And secondly, you are out after hours. I cannot let that go unpunished. Twenty points each, Mr. Black, Mr. Potter, Mr. Pettigrew, Mr. Lupin, for breaking curfew."
James stifled a groan.
"However, I did hear what the three of you said to Mr. Lupin. Thirty points each for your loyalty. That is something many students lack," McGonagall said, almost proudly. Her lips twitched upwards, almost into a smile.
The boys gaped at her.
"Well? Off to bed, all of you! It's late, and there's class tomorrow!"
"Did Minnie just smile?" James asked, astonished.
"I think so," Sirius said.
They walked in silence back to Gryffindor Tower.
"Pixie Dust," Peter said, and the portrait opened.
Once inside the dormitories, the boys collapsed on their beds. No one bothered to change out of their robes.
The Marauders were late to classes the next morning.
"That's the seventh time you've been late this year," Flitwick noted as they walked in.
"Sorry, Professor. We accidentally overslept," Peter said.
"I hope that's the case," Flitwick said, looking dubious. "Last time you said that, the Slytherin Common Room was covered in flamingo feathers."
"Brilliant. Thanks, Professor," Sirius said.
"What are you thinking?" James whispered.
"You know those cat plates Umbridge keeps in her office?"
"Yeah."
"What if we transfigured the cats into other animals?"
"I like how you think," Peter said, beginning to grin.
"Remus, any thoughts?"
"Umbridge will know it's us of we do it, but if we turn all the cats into snakes, if any other teachers look at it, they'll either decide Slytherin did it, or they'll assume it was a set up," Remus said cautiously. "If McGonagall looks at it, she'll probably go with the first one."
"How much are we betting Umbridge is afraid of snakes?" Sirius challenged.
"Two galleons that she is," James said.
"You're on," Sirius said, grinning.
"During lunch?"
"Perfect."
"Do you want Remus and I to sneak you food during Potions?" Peter offered.
Remus quickly shook his head. "That's too dangerous. What if something get covered in Bulbadox Powder? If you want something, we can get it to you during History of Magic."
"Brilliant. History of Magic works. If I may request a roll and a chicken leg…." Sirius glanced at the chalkboard and groaned. "Summoning. I hate that bloody charm."
After Defense Against the Dark Arts, James and Sirius snuck off to Umbridge's office. Fortunately, she wasn't there.
"What kind of snakes?" James muttered once they were inside.
"I dunno, big scaly ones? Like a python," Sirius suggested.
They pulled out their wands and began.
The work was tedious; They hadn't learned as much about transfiguration as they wished they had. One snake still had ears, another fur instead of scales. It took the whole of lunch to finish the office.
"For the finishing touch," Sirius said, smirking. "Can you use Accio? I'm rubbish at that one."
James grinned, then said, "Accio snake."
It appeared as though nothing had happened, then-
There was a crash as the window broke, something large had hit it with great force.
Sirius whistled appreciatively. "Nice one, James."
The large something was a eight foot, writhing snake, complete with mossy green scales and black, beady eyes. It hissed as it rose to full height, turning to face the boys.
"Reparo," Sirius said, and the window mended itself.
The snake began to slither towards him.
"Come on," James said, and they left the office, closing the door behind them.
When James and Sirius got to History of Magic, they were starving.
"Thanks, mate," James said when passed a sandwich and flask of pumpkin juice.
"Chicken," Sirius said, taking a large bite out of the leg. "Mmmm, great seasoning."
"How did it go?" Peter asked; They had been at separate stations during Potions and had no time to talk.
"We'll see, I think it worked," James said, taking another bite out of his sandwich.
"It worked. Plus we left a special surprise for Umbridge," Sirius said between bites.
"That doesn't sound good," Remus said quietly. "What did you do?"
"You'll see," Sirius said.
Remus and Peter didn't see, rather they heard it. They were on their way back from class when there was a high-pitched shriek from the direction of Umbridge's office.
"I believe that she found it," Sirius said, fighting to keep a smirk off his face.
"Found what?" Peter asked nervously.
"The snake," he said calmly.
"Snake?"
"Yeah."
"Like a live snake?"
"Yes."
"A live snake?"
"Yes, Peter, I said it was a live snake."
"Where'd you get a live snake?" Remus asked. "It's not like they're all over Hogwarts."
"Magic," James replied.
"You summoned a snake? Is that even allowed?"
"Probably not."
It was at this moment that Umbridge ran down their corridor as fast as her little legs could carry her.
"Two galleons," James whispered.
"Alright, I'll get it later," Sirius said.
"We should get out of here before she suspects you," Remus said.
"Sure, we should do that Transfiguration essay anyway," James said.
That night at dinner, Umbridge was seething. She looked around at the students carefully, glaring pointedly at specific ones. The Marauders received one such look.
The rest of the teachers, however, talked amongst themselves. McGonagall laughed about something with Dumbledore. Flitwick and Slughorn chatted animatedly about one thing or another.
Dinner was lively and enjoyable, even more so when McGonagall passed them to leave the hall.
"Hypothetically, it worked," she whispered out of the corner of her mouth.
Sirius and James grinned broadly.
When Dinner was finished, they returned to the dormitories.
"Thank you," Remus said as they began to settle in.
"For what?" James asked.
"For, you know, not leaving me. You didn't change your minds," Remus said quietly.
"'Course not. Like we said, we're mates, and nothing is going to change that," James assured him.
"Thanks. Well, goodnight, guys," Remus told them.
"'Night, Moony," Sirius said.
Remus gave him a strange look. "Moony?"
"Yeah, just a nickname I thought up at dinner," Sirius said hurriedly, "If you don't want anyone to use it-"
"No- no, it's fine," Remus said, nodding.
"Alright, well, goodnight, guys," Peter said.