The Marauding Maps: A Collection of Oneshots

Technically Not Out of Bed

"And you're absolutely sure we're not breaking any rules, Moony??"

Remus Lupin held the copy of the Hogwarts code of conduct that James Potter had stolen from the office of Professor Dumbledore the last time he and his three best friends had been called into the office for breaking one of those very rules.

"Sure. There's absolutely nothing in here that forbids what we're about to do, Prongs. We'll be fine. Mcgonagall's not going to be happy if she finds us, but there'll be nothing she can do."

"She'll probably just sigh and walk away. I think she's give up on us." Peter Pettigrew laughed as he sat on his bed.

"Actually," Sirius Black said as he pulled his wand out of the messy bun on top of his head, letting his hair flow freely. "I think she be proud. Shell definitely be irritated, but she'll be proud."

"Well, what are you losers waiting for??" And with that, James cast the charm, followed swiftly by Peter, and then Sirius and Remus together.

OoOo------oOoO

"Why??" Minerva Mcgonagall was incredibly exasperated with the group of boys that called themselves the Marauders. They had been in her house for six years now, and she certainly understood the hat's choice.

"We were hungry." James shrugged. "But we're not allowed out of bed after curfew."

"So you flew. Your beds. To the kitchens... Because you were hungry?? Could you not have used a summoning charm??"

"No." Peter explained. "Says we're not not allowed to take food without permission from the house elves or Dumbledore."

"So you're telling me you levitated your beds around the castle after curfew in order to prevent breaking any rules??"

"Yes." Sirius answered, bluntly.

"Since when did you four care about breaking any rules??"

"Since we're three points ahead of Slytherin and have two days left of the school year. Can't afford to lose any."

"You were still roaming round the castle at 3:30 in the morning, which is against the rules."

"It actually isn't." Remus chipped in. "The exact rule is 'no students out bed.' We were still in bed."

"We didn't break any rules professor, Remus checked." James assured her.

"You do realise that 'out of bed' does not literally mean out of bed??"

"What does it mean, then" Peter seemed genuinely confused
"It means, 'not in your common room', 'in the corridors or classrooms', 'somewhere you are not supposed to be'!!"

"You're not supposed to be in your office at 4:00 am." Sirius smirked. "50 points from Gryffindor."

Mcgonagall signed. "Go to bed before I expel you for getting on my nerves."

The marauders turned to leave, when she called them back. "I'm not done with you yet, boys. 5 points each for creativity and spell practice."

"You just want to win the house cup, don't you professor??".

Mcgonagall hesitated slightly before saying, "yes, I do, Potter. Take your beds with you when you leave."