Title: What Do You Think?
Summary in first chapter.
(Harry and Remus talking about Harry's broom)
"The tree smashed it to bits."
"This is entirely your fault, Remus," James said. "You should get Harry a new broom, since you're the reason he lost his."
"Sorry, Prongs. Not going to happen."
"Why not?"
"Maybe because I live in a different time and I'm talking to his dead parents."
"Oh, that's why."
"Why is it Remus' fault that Harry lost his broom?" Lily asked.
"It just is, Lily. Don't worry about it," James responded, sighing because he had answered the same thing all day.
(Remus explaining why the Dementors were at the match)
"All that excitement…emotions running high…it was their idea of a feast."
"Well then they should try one of the Hogwarts feasts," Sirius suggested. "Maybe they'll like that better. I can't really understand why human emotions taste better then what the house-elves here cook."
"Maybe that's because you aren't one of the foulest creatures alive," Remus replied.
"I might have to disagree with you, Moony," James said.
"You don't think that's why he doesn't understand?"
"No, I think he is one of the foulest creatures alive."
"Thanks a lot, Prongs, you're a great friend," Sirius said sarcastically.
"Yeah, I know. Aren't I?"
"Most of them go mad within weeks."
"But Sirius Black escaped from them," Harry said slowly. "He got away…"
"That's because he's already mad," James explained.
"You made that dementor on the train back off," said Harry suddenly.
"That's because I'm amazing, Harry. Most wizards can't," Remus answered.
"But if the dementors come to another Quidditch match, I need to be able to fight them-"
Lupin looked into Harry's determined face, hesitated, then said, "Well…all right. I'll try and help."
"Great, now Harry can be able to fight the dementors," James said, excited.
"James, I can't promise that I can teach Harry how to defend against the dementors. I don't even know how to do it now," Remus explained.
"Don't worry, you'll be fine. Just pretend he's me."
"I don't want to be yelling at Harry while I'm teaching him."
"Fine, pretend he's someone else."
"Like who?"
"I don't know… maybe Hermione."
"How about I just pretend he's Harry Potter."
"That's a great idea. Why didn't you mention it earlier?"
"Psst – Harry!"
He turned, halfway along the third-floor corridor, to see Fred and George peering out at him from behind a statue of a hump-backed, one-eyed witch.
Sirius and James both became much more alert, not wanting to miss anything the twins might have said or done.
Fred pulled something from inside his cloak with a flourish and laid it on one of the desks. It was a large, square, very worn piece of parchment with nothing written on it.
James and Sirius both glanced at each other and grinned.
"You know, James. It might not be what you think, but just a piece of parchment," Remus said.
"But the name of the chapter suggests it is what I think," James replied, still grinning.
"This, Harry, is the secret of our success," said George, patting the parchment fondly.
"I knew I liked them for a reason," Sirius said. "We helped them become who they are."
"And I'm glad of that, too," James agreed. "Just think what could have happened if the map landed in someone else's hands. Someone less worthy. I'm glad they found it."
"We let off a Dungbomb in the corridor and it upset him (Filch) for some reason-"
"I wonder why," Lily said.
"-and we couldn't help noticing a drawer in one of his filing cabinets market Confiscated and Highly Dangerous."
"Ah, I know that drawer well," James commented.
"Very well organized, isn't it?" Sirius said.
"More than you'd think since it's in Filch's cabinet."
"George caused a diversion by dropping another Dungbomb, I whipped the drawer open, and grabbed – this."
"WHAT?! Why would Filch have had it?" James asked, frightened.
Sirius, equally scared, said, "I don't know, but that is too precious to end up in his hands."
"Why? It's just a piece of parchment, isn't it?" Lily asked.
"Didn't you just here Fred and George say it's the secret to their success? Obviously it's more than that."
"We don't reckon Filch ever found out how to work it."
James and Sirius both sighed with relief. Even Remus relaxed a little bit, quite aware of how bad it would be if Filch was to ever figure it out.
He took out his wand, touched the parchment lightly, and said, "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."
"How did he figure out how to open it?" James asked.
"I don't know, but I believe him when he says he's up to no good," Sirius said.
Messrs. Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs
Purveyors of Aids to Magical Mischief-Makers are proud to present
The Marauder's Map
"You made a map?" Lily asked, looking at James, Sirius, and Remus.
"Yes, we did. But it's not just any map, it's the marauders map. It's one-of-a-kind," Sirius answered.
It was a map showing every detail of Howarts castle and grounds. But the truly remarkable thing were the tiny ink dots moving around it, each labeled with a name in minuscule writing. Astounded, Harry bent over it. A labeled dot in the top left corner showed that Professor Dumbledore was pacing his study; the caretaker's cat, Mrs. Norris, was prowling the second floor; and Peeves the Poltergeist was currently bouncing around the trophy room. And as Harry's eyes traveled up and down the familiar corridors, he noticed something else.
This map showed a set of passages he had never entered.
"That describes it pretty well," said James, appreciatively. "Well, what do you think, Lily?"
"That's… that's… amazing."
"Really? You're not going to tell us that it invades privacy and that we shouldn't have something like that?"
"Not today."
"Right into Hogsmeade," said Fred, tracing one of them with his finger. "There are seven in all. Now, Filch knows about these four"
"Oh no, he only knows about two of them now," James said, worried again. "How did he find out about the other two?"
"Don't bother with the one behind the mirror on the fourth floor. We used it last winter but it's caved in – completely blocked."
"That was my favorite," Sirius said, saddened. "It was a very useful passage."
"And we don't reckon anyone's ever used this one, because the Whomping Willow's planted right over the entrance."
"Think again," Remus said in a slightly mischievous tone.
"But this one here, this one leads right into the cellar of Honeydukes."
"My personal favorite," James commented.
"Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs," sighed George, patting the heading of the map. "We owe them so much."
"You're welcome. Use the map as much as you want to," James said to the book.
"As long as you use it for mischief," Sirius corrected.
"Noble men, working tirelessly to help a new generation of law-breakers," said Fred solemnly.
"At least someone appreciates our work," James said.
"Work? You call what you do work?" Remus asked, doubting that they honestly did.
"If it's for the greater good of law-breakers, then we'll work tirelessly," Sirius answered.
(In Honeydukes after explaining about the map to Hermione and Ron)
"How come Fred and George never gave it to me!" said Ron, outraged. "I'm their brother!"
"Because Harry needs the map more than you," James answered. "Sorry, but it's true."
"Plus, the map should end up with Prongs' son. It should always go to the child of a marauder, even if Ron does deserve it and would use it well," Sirius added.
"You act like you actually follow rules, Padfoot," Remus remarked.
"This is strict marauder code, Moony. You can never break those rules."
"But Harry isn't going to keep it!" said Hermione, as though the idea were ludicrous. "He's going to hand it in to Professor McGonagall, aren't you, Harry?"
"He most certainly is not," James replied, amazed that anyone would such a thing.
"That would be crazy. Why would he give that up?" Sirius agreed.
"Are you mad?" said Ron, goggling at Hermione.
"Obviously she is," James said.
"Hand in something that good?"
"Terrible idea."
(Fudge, McGonagall, Flitwick, Hagrid, and Madam Rosmerta in the Three Broomsticks.)
"Do you know, I still have trouble believing it," said Madam Rosmerta thoughtfully. "Of all the people to go over to the Dark Side, Sirius Black was the last I'd have thought…"
"Thank you, Rosmerta," said Sirius appreciatively. "Glad to hear someone can think straight."
"I mean, I remember him when he was a boy at Hogwarts. If you'd told me then what he was going to become, I'd have said you'd had too much mead."
"Speaking of mead…" Sirius began.
"Focus, Sirius," Remus warned.
(Talking about Sirius and James)
"Never saw one without the other, did you? The number of times I had them in here – ooh, they used to make me laugh"
"I'm really starting to like Rosmerta after this book," commented James.
"As if you didn't like her before," Sirius said.
"Now more than ever."
"Both very bright, of course – exceptionally bright, in fact"
"I don't think I've ever hear McGonagall talk about you like that before," Remus said.
"She loves us," Sirius answered.
"Black was best man when James married Lily. Then they named him godfather to Harry"
"Thanks, Prongs," Sirius said.
"No problem."
"Indeed, he had suspected for some time that someone on our side had turned traitor and was passing a lot of information to You-Know-Who."
"Impossible," James said immediately. "That means that Sirius, Peter, or Remus would have turned, and that would never happen."
"I shoulda known somethin' fishy goin' on then. He loved that motorbike"
Sirius all of a sudden had a dreamy look on his face.
"Don't you think there are more important matters than the motorbike you won't have for a few years?" Remus asked, noticing the look.
"Yes, but it's still a motorbike."
"I bet he'd've pitched him off the bike halfway out ter sea."
"Never," Sirius said. "Hagrid's great and all, but he's a little off on this one."
"It was little Peter Pettigrew – another of the Potters' friends. Maddened by grief, no doubt, and knowing that Black had been the Potters' Secret-Keeper, he went after Black himself."
"That doesn't sound anything like Peter," Remus said. "He would never attack Sirius, maddened by grief or otherwise."
"I know, he's idolizes me too much," Sirius agreed.
"Pettigrew…that fat little boy that was always tagging around after them at Hogwarts?" said Madam Rosmerta.
"That's not very nice," James said.
"Hero-worshipped Black and Potter," said Professor McGonagall. "Never quite in their league, talent-wise."
"That sounds like Peter," Remus commented.
"Nobody but trained Hit Wizards from the Magical Law Enforcement Squad would have stood a chance against Black once he was cornered."
"Even they wouldn't stand a chance," James said. "I've seen Sirius in a duel. He's really good."
"Thanks, Prongs. You're not so bad yourself."
"I'm quite aware, thank you."
"…but I was shocked at how normal Black seemed"
"That wasn't Sirius," Remus said instantly. "If he seemed normal, then it couldn't be Padfoot. He was never normal and will never be normal."
"Remus, I don't think I say enough how great of a friend you are," Sirius said.
"And he was one of the most heavily guarded in the place, you know. Dementors outside his door day and night."
"That sounds dreadful, Sirius," said James with pity. "How did you ever break out?"
"No idea. But it doesn't surprise me, I am pretty awesome."
Ron's and Hermione's faces appeared under the table. They were both staring at him, lost for words.
The same things seemed to be going on in the Room of Requirement. Everyone was thinking to themselves about what they found out. No one wanted to break the silence, so the room was quiet for a few moments. Finally Sirius spoke.
"So that was fun, I say we keep reading to find out what else I've done for the dark lord."
"Ok. But first, I'm getting hungry again. Let's go to the kitchens," James suggested.
"You've been to the kitchens?" Lily asked, shocked.
"You haven't?" Sirius asked back, unable to comprehend not being to the kitchens at least one. "We go twice a week, if not more."
"Lily, there's so much we need to show you. Come with us," James said before getting up and leaving the room.