The Map
Lirum spent most of their Halloween night staring at the ceiling in their dorms after. Everything that happened nagging at them, while they laid in bed unable to sleep. They couldn’t take their mind off the writing on the wall. They’d read about the Chamber of Secrets before. The year before they’d skipped over the lesson in ‘Hogwarts, a history’ trying to find answers for something else.
As they tossed and turned thinking about it they finally sighed and rolled out of bed. They would be taking another midnight library trip. They cursed the part of them that nagged then for answers, and prayed to their lucky stars they wouldn’t be caught by any prefects tonight. As they descended the stairs of ravenclaw tower.
Thinking back on what Percy had said before they focused on their memories of Penelope and how she looked trying to appear as she did. Hoping of anyone saw them from a distance they would believe lirum you be the prefect making her rounds. Making their way to the library they heard footsteps behind them lirum begged that they didn’t suspect anything until they heard a voice.
“Ms, Clearwater. It is to my understanding, that you are not to be conducting nightly patrols at the moment, due to you probation. You wouldn’t be on your way to meet a certain Hufflepuff prefect, for what was it, your ‘nightly rounds’.” Professor Snape taunted, his classic sneer painted across his face. As he made his way down the Corridor towards Lirum.
Lirum shocked by his words quickly tried to mimic Penelope’s voice.
“P-professor Snape, uh due to most of the teachers being preoccupied with Mrs. Noris Professor Flitwick gave me permission back for the night so you could all focus on figuring out what had happened.” Lirum answered thinking quickly on their feet hoping he would accept the answer given.
“Flitwick is far too lenient, with students from his own house. Very well, continue with your patrol, but should I find that you’ve abused this chance, a howler, or the hospital wing chamber pots, will be the least of your worries.” Snape said wrath flickering across his gaunt face. With a swish of his cloak as he headed down the hall in the opposite direction.
“That man is so dramatic.” Lirum Said to themself under their breath watching the Slytherin head of house glide down the stairs and out of sight.
“You handled that well. I didn’t think you had it in you to lie like that.” Said a voice from behind them that caused Lirum to jump. They turned to see Fred holding a folded up paper in his hand. George was hanging back and leaning against the entry to the corridor they’d come from.
“Oh Merlin! You idiots, you frightened me half to death!” Lirum snapped, earning a laugh from the boys.
“So what are you doing out of bed at this hour making sneaking off on Halloween a tradition now are we.” Fred joked watching his friend catch their breath.
“I’m just out for a stroll.” Lirum said sarcastically.
“You should really stop sneaking around as other people when you get into an argument. As much as I enjoy seeing you red, blond doesn’t suit you, love.” George said, taking a step closer to join his brother next to the metamorphmagus.
“How did you even know it was me? Snape seemed well enough, convinced.” Lirum said, trying to calm themself.
“We might have cheated. The marauders have never lead us astray.” Fred said, waving his parchment around.
“Our old friends Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs.” George said, taking the parchment from Fred. “What do you say? Do you think it’s time they know the secret to our success?”
“Well brother, they are a dear friend of ours, and as popular as blond hair and blue eyes are in truly beginning to miss that green hair and hazel eyes. So let’s help them stop hiding right quick shall we.” Fred joked patting his brother on the back. “Now show me the face I’ve missed the past few days and I’ll show you our secret.”
“Fred, what if we get caught! I was almost caught by snape just now.” Lirum argued in a hushed tone trying not to wake any of the portraits as they slowly began to look like themself again.
“You’ll change your tune once you see the map darling. I promise you that.” Fred said, nudging George to hold out the parchment in his hands.
“All you need to say Is ‘ I solemnly swear that I am up to no good.’, and tap the parchment with your wand.” George nodded signaling for Lirum to do as he told.
“If this is a joke I really don’t have time for it.” Lirum started earning an eye roll from the twins.
“Oh come on, Thumper, just try it.” George teased, wafting the parchment about.
“Fine I solemnly swear that I am up to no good.” Lirum said as they tapped the center of the parchment revealing “Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs are proud to present the marauders map”
“We’ve told you before we owe them so much. Most of our pranks, Your owl results, Percy’s bewitched pinhead badge, and much, much more.” The twins listed in tandem.
“Is this hogwarts?” Lirum asked, confused.
“Yep, this map shows everyone,” Fred started pointing to the three of them on the map.
“Where they’re going, and what they’re doing?” Lirum watched as students tossed and turned, studied or patrolled the halls.
“every minute, of every day.” George finished nodding.
“This is insane, how is it even possible?” Lirum questioned in utter shock.
“You’d have to ask the marauders.” Fred answered.
“Is that-“ Lirum said, pointing to the name Argus Filch.
“Filch he’s been pacing back and forth in that corridor since the teachers left Lockhart's office. Mrs. Noris never left the office, but since she’s still on the map she can’t be dead.” George said pointing to Filch's name moving back and fourth down the hallway before gesturing over to Mrs. Noris who still laid on Lockhart’s desk.
“If he weren’t so evil I’d feel bad for the guy.” Fred said with a shrug.
“Wait! Is this how you two always sneak up on me?” Lirum asked, stunned. Assuming they’d hit the nail on the head when they received silence in return. “This is how you know what I’m up to all the time-that comment you made about where I always am at that time. How frequently do you just watch me on the map?”
“Its not like that! I swear!” The boys sputtered together.
“Oh you're lucky I don’t have the energy for this after everything tonight. I’m going to the library to find my book and going to bed. Expect we’ll be talking about this in the morning.” Lirum said, taking the map and leading the way.
“Are you going into the restricted section?” Fred asked.
“No, we’re not.” Lirum snapped trying to count how many prefects and teachers would be patrolling on their way to the library.
“So just a normal book then?” George asked, following quickly behind.
“Yes just a normal book.” Lirum answered, confused by the twins' sudden interest in why they were out of bed.
“I know you Ravenclaw’s love books and all but sneaking out when you could just check it out in the morning?” Fred spoke quizzically, earning a jab from George. “What? It’s a genuine question.”
“They hate it when you do that and you know it.” George snapped at his brother.
“Do what?” Fred argued.
“The whole ravenclaw stereotypes thing!” George said again, knocking his brother's shoulder.
“Can you two quit it for one second so I can plan our route. You two are going to wake every portrait in the castle at this rate.” Lirum snapped at the twins.
“Someone’s cranky, maybe you should head back to bed, bunny needs their beauty sleep, huh? The book will still be there in the morning.” Fred teased
“Yeah sure, except I doubt it will be. Every student will be trying to get their hands on it because as far as I can remember ‘Hogwarts, a history’ is the only book in the whole school with any mention of The Chamber of Secrets. So if I want answers to any of my questions I need to go now before there’s a mile long waiting list.” Lirum argued back, turning to face the older twin.
“You’ve been through a lot today darling. Let me get the book for you. I’m serious about the fact that you need some rest.” Fred said, taking a step closer to them. “I won’t be caught I’ve got the map I’ll be safe.”
“That’s sweet but I can’t sleep until I have answers and I’ll be just as safe. We have the map after all. So, let’s just keep moving.” Lirum said as they continued.
“I think you should go back to your common room. Fred’s right, we can get the book for you, ‘Hogwarts, a history’ right?” George said awkwardly from behind.
“What is up with you two?” Lirum asked skeptically, looking back at the twins.
“Lirum, you saw what was written on the wall. Enemy’s of the heir beware. Charlie used to talk about the chamber of secrets like a ghost story. Salazar Slytherin's mission to get rid of anyone who wasn’t a pureblood.” Fred spoke softly.
“You’re joking right?” Lirum asked, thinking the twins must be trying to prank them.
“It was written in blood.” George said seriously.
“You two are really trying to prank me right now? While we’re all out after lights out? Come on, you’re not going to scare me that easily.” Lirum argued, trying to keep walking only to be stopped by the twins again.
“If you don’t believe in it then why are you looking for answers about the chamber of secrets?” Fred asked.
“Because fear is easily put to rest with fact.” Lirum answered without hesitation.
“So you admit there's something to fear.” George insisted.
“No I just-ugh, you to are insufferable. Why come out and try to help me if you’re just gonna send me back to the tower, huh?” Lirum asked, put out with the boy's nonsense.
“Because if we just told you we didn’t think it was safe for you to be out you would refuse to listen, and ignore us completely. We know what you’re out here for now. It’s for something simple. We can take care of you. Go back to bed will bring it to you at breakfast. If you won’t go to bed just wait in your common room we can bring it there.” George insisted almost sounding reasonable.
“So what you butter me up by showing me your magical map of hogwarts? Make me feel better about sending you on my errands? If there's danger ahead the map should tell us right, nothing to worry about so let’s stop wasting time. As if it’s any better for the two of you to be out here alone then with me here.” Lirum snapped, shoving the map back into George’s hands.
“He wanted to get rid of anyone who wasn’t a pure blood Lirum. Enemy’s of the heir would anyone who’s not a pure blood. That includes you.” Fred stressed trying to prevent Lirum from getting even further from their common room.
“So this is about blood purity now? I can’t do something as simple as go to the library because I’m not a pure blood? I didn’t know you were the type to subscribe to Salazar's beliefs.” Lirum said arms crossed.
“Why do you always have to be so bloody stubborn all the time?” George called out. Earning a scoff from Lirum as they charge toward their common room refusing to hear another word from either of them
“Lirum, wait!” Fred called out followed by the distinct sound of the twins bickering behind them. As the pair watched the Ravenclaw disappear down the hall.