Mischief Managed Y2 Part 2: The Truth of the Tournament

Chapter Forty-Three: The Invisible Intruder

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On March 9th Sirius was nowhere to be found. James joked that Wanda had kidnapped him which Remus did not find funny.

"We need a map to show where we are. So we'll know if the other is in danger or in detention or something," Remus pointed out absentmindedly, trying not to visibly fret. He went back to reading his book on Hogwarts defences in awe over the whole topic, never knowing how much intricate powerful magic went into the levels of protection around the castle. Remus had half a mind to ask Dumbledore about it but he hadn't seen much of the headmaster throughout the second part of the term as he either seemed to be gone or with his very close friend, some rumours suggesting more than friends. Remus supposed that was better than Professor Corbyn who he worried himself sick over when he didn't appear in class two days before Remus' birthday. 

Then Sirius went missing too and Remus was beginning to feel like he was going crazy. He needed to see the wolves who he had only been able to see twice since the initial memorable meeting. If only there wasn't the thick miasma that seemed to be killing the forest. Remus spent a lot of time looking over the protection of the forest itself which mostly relied on the nymphs. Could the nymphs be sick? Remus had tried to ask Skipper the last time he had seen him just inside the forest, but there was still a big language barrier, especially with Skipper who was from a different generation than most of the other wolves, and it turned out that communicating nymph in wolf was downright impossible.

"Remus, you're a genius!" James shouted after being quiet for a long time.

"Huh?" Remus looked up just as he was about to turn the page to start the last chapter on the most powerful of Hogwarts defences, a classic leave the best information for the last type of book which he loved.

"Why stop with just us though? Couldn't we do it for all the students? It would be great for pranks!" Peter suggested eagerly.

"Peter you're also a genius," James praised loudly and the youngest Marauder looked delighted.

"Sorry, I was reading, are we still talking about the map?"

"Yes, the map, let's begin working on it again. We have a better purpose for it now and we're all more mature and able to get along with each other better." James pointed out also excited. Remus shut the book, sadly realizing the last chapter would have to wait.

"We have the potions challenge for the YSCs in which the teams aren't even formed yet, another trial assuming we pass the potion one, the last task, and not to mention the end of term exams," Remus pointed out, sometimes really hating how being the voice of reason often fell to him. James deflated and Peter looked ill at the very thought of exams. "But I see no reason we can't begin next year. The Marauders Map has a nice ring to it after all," Remus offered and the excitement renewed.

"Oh Sirius is going to freak out when he hears about this," James stated and Remus frowned at the mention of the absent boy.

"But where is he?" Remus inquired again. With his head out of his book this time he noticed the quick glance between Peter and James. "Out with it you two. What has he done now?" Remus asked warily.

"So little faith in me this one has," Sirius laughed as he pushed open the door, looking tired but fully intact and happy.

"Where have you been?" Remus questioned. Sirius was the least likely to go off by himself, preferring to pull along one of the other Marauders whenever he could. Then Sirius pulled Wanda into the room and the worry Remus had been feeling turned into annoyance.

"I thought there were no girls in the dorm room?" Remus attempted, trying to be diplomatic.

"Well, Lily's been in here before and she's not even any of you tossers' girlfriend. Wanda has been asking for weeks for a tour."