A/N: Essentially, what you recognize belongs to the goddess that is J.K. Rowling, and what you don't belongs to lil' ol' me.
After several weeks, numerous ridiculous tries, many groans of frustration, and occasional, albeit mysterious, egging on from the ever more peculiar parchment, they'd finally pieced together the first part of the password.
"I solemnly swear," Genevieve began with just a hint of exasperation, "that I am up to. . . brilliant pranks and mischief?" she finished uncertainly.
"No doubt about it," George mumbled, eyes still glued to the paper. Genevieve fought back a smile, they'd pulled off several more shenanigans since that fateful day in Filch's office, some of which involved each other. A Fred with dyed pink hair came to mind.
Words appeared on the page.
Mr. Moony concurs that you are ever closer, but not quite there.
After so long, Mr. Padfoot wonders if his genius shall ever be put to the proper use of mischief-making.
"Well, why don't you give us a clue, then?" Fred growled impatiently.
Mr. Wormtail admits that, for the sake of time, it might be wise to throw them a bone.
Mr. Prongs agrees with Mr. Wormtail and would like to present a clue.
"Well, don't let us stop you," George said, excitement edging into his voice.
Mr. Moony advises the new generation of pranksters not to focus on what they are up to, but rather what they are not.
There was a collective "huh?" moment before a lightbulb lit in Genevieve's eyes. "I've got it!" She tapped her wand to the parchment and stated, confidently, "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good!"
The result was immediate. Lines branched out from where Genevieve had touched her wand, forming a diagram of . . . Hogwarts?!
All three first years dropped their jaws in surprise. But what baffled them even more were the words above the map:
Messrs. Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot Prongs
Purveyors of Aids to Magical Mischief-Makers
are proud to present
THE MARAUDER'S MAP
"Who do you reckon they are?" Genevieve asked, wonder evident in her voice.
"Who cares??? Look!" Fred pointed to a small dot, which was accompanied by tiny writing. It showed Snape in his office.
"We can see where people are?" George questioned, still stunned. "We can see where people are!"
"But there's more!" Genevieve pointed. "Look! These passages go out of Hogwarts! I reckon they go all the way to Hogsmeade!" For a while, the group simply sat in awe of the priceless treasure before them. Then Genevieve frowned. "Wait. How are we going to keep everyone else from seeing this?"
Mr. Prongs is glad you asked, and, since you worked so hard trying to figure out how to unlock the blasted thing, we'll go easy on you. To wipe it, simply touch your wand to the map and say 'Mischief managed.'
Fred shrugged. "Easy enough. Now . . . what shall we do?"
They group soon began relying on the map heavily to pull off the most elaborate of schemes, to escape capture, and to plot more trouble.