Chapter 23
"Psst!"
"Harrikins!"
Harry felt himself being dragged into an empty compartment. He was about to pull his wand out on the offenders, but when he saw the shock of red hair, he stopped.
"What do you two idiots want?" Harry asked exasperatedly.
Fred and George grinned. "We have a present for you!" Fred said.
"No thanks, I don't want to be turned into a canary or turn my hair green," Harry retorted.
"Harry," George wailed dramatically, "how could you ever think we'd prank you?"
"Our darling honorary brother," Fred moaned.
Harry snorted. "What do you want to give me, then?"
They lost the dramatic look and Fred pulled out an old piece of parchment.
"This," said Fred seriously, "is the key to our success."
"We're giving it to you, to protect you from Dumbly," George added.
"It's... a piece of paper," Harry said dryly.
"It's more than that, my dear Harrikins," Fred said with a smirk. He pulled out his wand and tapped the paper. "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."
Words began to appear on the parchment.
Messrs. Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs, Purveyors of Aids to Magical Mischief-Makers, are Proud to Present
The Marauders Map
Harry sucked in a breath.
"We thought you'd recognize the names," George said with a smile.
Harry opened the parchment and blinked. "It's a fucking map."
"It is a Fucking Map indeed," Fred said with a lopsided grin.
"A map of Hogwarts," Harry breathed. "Thanks, Fred, George."
"Hang on, we have to show you how to close it," Fred insisted.
George tapped the parchment with his own wand. "Mischief Managed."
The parchment was blank once again.
"Don't forget that last bit-"
"Otherwise anyone can read it."
The twins pulled Harry into a tight hug.
"You behave, now!"
"See you next year!"