Written for The Houses Competition, Hufflepuff.

Year: Prefect 1, Stand in.

Category: Short

Prompt: [Speech] "Literally everything about this is illegal."

Word count: 630

Betas: Aya

James slowed to a stop at the end of the corridor, poking his head around the corner slowly. He gave a mute nod before continuing. Three silent figures followed him. A smirk graced his lips as they approached McGonagall's office; whoever said the Marauders couldn't be quiet were mistaken - how else did they think they set up pranks?

James locked eyes with Sirius and paused – time to split up. Taking the bag of tricks from Peter to hand off, Sirius gave him a mock salute before heading left with Peter to keep watch. Remus came up beside him with a mild disapproving look.

With a light chuckle, James continued to their destination with one of his best friends close behind him.

"Here we are," he spoke softly, his voice echoing through the corridor. "Why do things always seem louder at night?" he asked rhetorically before adding. "Don't answer that."

Remus' mouth was half open as he turned around, obviously ready to answer the question. "Can we be quick?"

"What's your rush?"

"Literally everything about this is illegal."

James scoffed. "No. It's just against the rules, not illegal."

Remus took a very deep breath. "Breaking and entering is illegal, even if it's in the school we sleep in."

"I don't recall breaking anything," James replied smugly, twirling his wand around in his hand. After all, why would he break the door when he can just use Alohomora? Remus' logic made no sense sometimes.

The charm worked effortlessly as the office door creaked open. Slipping in quietly, James took the lead and began pronouncing the relevant charms. He knew Remus was waiting to tell him how this was a bad idea again, before relenting and helping out.

James indicated for Remus to assist him with the finer details - he was always the best at making sure all the pranks were safe.

"Before I do this," Remus started, taking a dramatic pause before continuing, "I should stress that I greatly disagree with it. Pranking our Head of House is not the brightest idea you've had. She could expel us!"

"Minnie wouldn't do that," James scoffed. He glanced at his friend. "Hurry up with your high and mighty speech, remind me that it's not legal, and get on with it. The longer we're here, the more likely we will be caught."

Remus sighed but simply helped out. "Fine, I'll rant later."

"That's my boy!"

Remus rolled his eyes before pulling the merchandise out of his pocket and helping set it up.

James grinned. "This is so easy. Next time we should–"

"No!" Remus exclaimed suddenly, interrupting him.

Both of their eyes widened as they heard a noise outside and within seconds James pulled his invisibility cloak over the both of them. Looking at each other, they knew it was time to get back to their common room.

Slowly they made it out of Professor McGonagall's office and down the corridor silently. James was already grinning to himself; they had successfully gotten away from it. However, this time, he celebrated easily. Though he and Remus were safe from detention, a very angry McGonagall had found Sirius and Peter slinking the halls.

Sharing a look, Remus and James slowly took a different route back to their common room. There was no point them all getting caught - besides, Sirius had let them all get caught a few weeks back. Revenge was sweet.

A stray exploding mouse unknowingly slipped from James' pocket. Landing on the floor, it started to squeak loudly while darting around the corridor in the opposite direction. Running into the wall, the thing promptly exploded into a pile of confetti. Cover completely blown from the abnormally loud toy, the pair bolted in a feeble attempt to dodge what they knew was coming for them.