𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗥 𝗢𝗙 𝗔𝗭𝗞𝗔𝗕𝗔𝗡 [𝚎𝚍𝚒𝚝𝚎𝚍]

Chapter Fourty Three: Midnight in Hogsmead

‾‾‾‾‾‾‾ ･⋆✵⋆･ ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾

"So how exactly do we do this?" came James's voice from the two way mirror.

The Marauders had planned on discussing the finer points of taking Moony to Hogsmead tonight in the privacy of their dorm. But that was before Sirius went and got himself a week long detention with McGonagall.

Professor McGonagall thought it would be fitting if Sirius' detention was to take place in the kitchens since his offense involved stepping on more than a few plates. Scrubbing pots in the kitchen wasn't fun but at least the house elves were good company. Sirius thought Kreacher might learn a thing or two from them.

Also now the boys had to use James's two way mirror with James and Peter on the other side and Sirius on this one because it's been a bloody long time since they've had a second to spare, with the Marauders Map and their O.W.L's and McGonagall abusive homework schedule.

Remus wasn't part of this meeting because he was already in the Hospital Wing being smothered by Madam Pomfrey as part of his preparation for tonight's full moon.

"We'll have to wait until it's at least midnight before we leave the Shack to make sure we won't run into any people in Hogsmead." Sirius answered James, propping the mirror against a spice jar and putting a plastic covered stick of butter under it so it wouldn't slip. The house elves stared at James' face in amazement.

"We'll have to bring him back to the Shack very early before the shops open too." sighed James, rubbing his eyes from beneath his glasses. "That won't give us much time outside."

"But it has to be better than nothing." said Peter, his face invisible since James's face took up most of the mirror's surface. "Better than being cooped up in there the whole night."

"I wish the Marauders' Map was complete." James said with a sigh.

About three fourth of the Map was complete by now thanks to a certain Homonculous Charm that Sirius helped Remus find (because Sirius is very brilliant), a special ink called Cartographer's Ink (which has to be brewed at least five miles from the nearest saltwater body then left to mature for a month before being used) and a quill Remus got Lily to enchant for him so it can draw in its own (how he got her to do it for him without telling her about the Map is a mystery to Sirius).

"We'll just have to do without it for a while." Sirius said, squinting his eyes while he rubbed a stubborn spot on the pan he was scrubbing. "Rome wasn't built in a day."

"What?" said James.

"It's just this Muggle saying Blake uses whenever I complain about her taking too long to finish homework."

"And is that butter?" came Peter's voice.

"I had to prop up the mirror somehow." Sirius shrugged. "It's butter than nothing."

"Don't do that again." James said. "The 'butter' joke, that is."

‾‾‾‾‾‾‾ ･⋆✵⋆･ ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾

The rusty clock perched on the Shrieking Shack's dusty mantlepiece ticked a quarter to midnight.

Prongs inclined his antlers towards the door of the Shack that opens towards the streets of Hogsmead, asking if they'd waited long enough.

He received a nod from Padfoot and Wormtail.

One bark from Padfoot was enough to get Moony's attention and get him to follow him and Prongs through the door they managed to pry open using Prongs's magnificent antlers.