Off the Pitch

Chapter 4: Adventure at Midnight

I was sat on the couch in front of the fireplace with a pile of school books in front of me. We had only had two weeks of school so far, yet the amount of homework was overwhelming. As I reached for my potions book to begin writing my essay about the Draught of Living Death, the twins stormed into the common room. I lifted my head up curiously. 

"Let's go", George said out of breath. 

"Where?" I asked in confusion. 

"We'll explain on the way", Fred replied and pulled me up from the couch and towards the exit. I glanced at my never-ending pile of school work but decided I'd finish it over the weekend. 

"Can you please tell me", I stopped to catch my breath before continuing: "Where on Earth are we going?" 

"Come on, almost there", Fred said and sped up his steps. I sighed and rushed after them. 

After what had felt like an eternity (and at least a hundred different staircases), the twins stopped in front of a door. 

"This is professor Lupin's office", I said while observing our surroundings. 

George gave me a meaningful look. 

"Ohh", the realization hit me: "We're returning the Billywig, aren't we?" 

George nodded. 

"Why am I here?" I questioned. 

"To make sure that no one comes in", Fred said brightly. 

"But professor Lupin is probably in his room and –" 

"No he's not", George said with his eyes glimmering. 

I frowned. Fred looked amused when he saw my confused expression. He then reached for his pocket and pulled out a piece of parchment. 

"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good", he mumbled and touched the piece of parchment with his wand. 

My eyes widened as a map started drawing out onto the piece of parchment. When the map was complete, I broke the silence: 

"That's Hogwarts, right?" I asked. 

Fred and George traded glances. 

"No, you idiot", George said to me. "It's obviously the map of London." 

I rolled my eyes. "So what does it do?" 

"Look closely", Fred said and pointed at a name on the map. 

A name –

"The map shows the location of... everyone?" I said, not able to believe my eyes. 

"Yup", George said proudly. 

"Wow..." 

"Wow indeed", the twins replied simultaneously. 

I observed the map carefully and found the spot where we standing right now. The twins were right – there was no dot called Remus Lupin in his room on the map. 

"Now, what we want you to do", George turned towards me, "is stand here and alert us if you see anyone approaching." 

"Oh, and if you see someone coming", Fred added, "just tap the map with your wand and say Mischief Managed – that'll clear everything out."  

I nodded and sighed nervously. Mischief Managed. Have to remember that one. 

"Alohomora", Fred mumbled, and the twins disappeared into the room, closing the door behind them. 

I looked at the clock on the wall opposite to me. Five minutes had passed since the twins had gone through the door.