The Marauders Rise (II)

Sneaking Out

January 28, 1974

In the Gryffindor common room, the Marauders are gathered at one of the tables.

JAMES: (laughing) Yeah, yeah. Anyway, Peter, what did you do over holiday?

PETER: Oh, nothing much- pretty boring, actually-

SIRIUS: The day that Peter has an interesting holiday is the day McGonagall finally goes out with me.

JAMES: (whacking him on the back of the head and laughing) You're a prat.

REMUS: Speaking of McGonagall, how have your, er- lessons been going?

SIRIUS: Pretty well, actually.

JAMES: Yeah, we'll be on our way to becoming animals in no time. I just want to bloody know what I'll become-

SIRIUS: Bet you five Sickles that I'm a lion, just you watch.

JAMES: In your dreams.

PETER: So- do you think the second term is going to be terribly difficult?

SIRIUS: Oh, Peter, relax. School will be just fine.

JAMES: Yeah. We're not worrying about that right now. I say- it's high time we break out that old Map of ours.

REMUS: I don't really think that's the best of ideas-

JAMES: Come on, Remus, we haven't used it in ages! It's probably broken by now.

SIRIUS: That's true. I can't remember the last time we snuck out at night. It's maddening, following the rules all the time. I don't know how you do it.

REMUS: There's no point to it, really- where would you even go?

SIRIUS: The kitchens? I'm in the mood for a snack.

JAMES: I'm in. Let's do it. (He begins rummaging in his bag).

REMUS: The kitchens? How are you gonna get in?

SIRIUS: The door behind the painting of the fruit.

REMUS: You know how to get it open?

SIRIUS: You just tickle the pear, genius. Have you learned nothing from this place, Remus? And you call yourself the smart one. (He takes out the Map from his bag).

JAMES: Ready? (He removes the Invisibility Cloak from his bag).

REMUS: We really shouldn't be doing this-

JAMES: Oh, come on, Remus, just for a few minutes. Come on.

JAMES and SIRIUS coax REMUS and PETER into joining them, and together the four friends don the Invisibility Cloak and step out into the corridors.

SIRIUS: (whispering) This way!

They continue walking down the stairs towards the kitchens. Suddenly, they hear voices behind them.

PETER: Someone's coming!

SIRIUS: (reading the map) It's my cousin patrolling the corridors!

JAMES: Quick, against the wall!

NARCISSA: (approaching from behind) Shh! Do you hear that?

The four boys quickly press themselves against the wall. From behind, NARCISSA and LUCIUS sprint towards them.

LUCIUS: I don't see anything.

NARCISSA: I thought I- there! I saw it!

LUCIUS: What?

NARCISSA: Watch it be those Gryffindor brats- we're gonna catch them this time- (She sprints down the hallway towards the sound of the footsteps).

NARCISSA: Where are you? Lumos maxima! (The entire corridor is suddenly ablaze with light, but there is no one to be seen. The Marauders, under the Invisibility Cloak, press themselves against the wall. NARCISSA stops just feet away from them, but they remain completely invisible to her).

LUCIUS: I told you. It's probably just that new caretaker's cat prowling around-

NARCISSA: Yeah, whatever. (She extinguishes the light).

LUCIUS: Come on. I want to show you something.

NARCISSA: (smiling) What?

LUCIUS: Just follow me, come on.

NARCISSA and LUCIUS disappear down the corridor. After a few minutes, the Marauders take a deep breath.

REMUS: That was a close one.

SIRIUS: Yeah, my cousin the charmer. Good thing she didn't see you, James. She would have nearly killed you.

JAMES: Very funny. Come on, let's get going. I'm starving.

The Marauders continue down the corridor, carefully checking the Map for any other night-time wanderers.