James and Albus were hiding near their father's office. They were on a very important mission. Their uncle had told them stories about a very special map. Once upon a time, he and his brother had used it for various pranks. Legend had it that it was now stored away in Harry's desk. The boys were planning on finding it, and they were very eager to finally have it. James, in particular, thought it would be pretty useful. After all, he had his grand-father and father's disregard for the rules. With that map, he could go anywhere in Hogwarts without getting lost or being caught.

Albus wasn't so keen on the idea of stealing it from their dad, but his brother convinced him by betting that he wouldn't even notice it was gone. It was a good bet, really. Their mom and their aunt Hermione had said many times that Harry wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed.

"Let's go over the plan one more time," James whispered. "When Dad comes out, you're gonna keep him busy until I can get my hands on the map, got it?"

"Yeah, James, I got it," Albus answered irritedly. "You've said this a billion times already. You're getting annoying."

James frowned. "Why you little-" He was interrupted by the sound of a door opening. Harry was coming out of his office with a look that screamed 'I need coffee.'

"I think he's in a bad mood, maybe we should wait for ano-" Albus started, but James pushed him out of their hiding spot. He glared at the older boy, but the latter just gestured for him to go.

"Bloody moron," Albus muttered under his breath. He then put on a smile and walked to his father.

"Hey, Dad, are you finally going to help me with my homework?"

Harry turned around and gave his son a tired smile. "Sorry, Albus, I've had a busy day. Maybe tomorrow."

Albus pouted and brought out those puppy dog eyes no one could resist. "But you said that yesterday, too. Come on, Dad! I want to finish it today!"

Harry hesitated for a moment, then sighed. "Alright. Let's go in the living room."

He started walking, turning and disapearing into the hallway leading to the living room. Albus looked behind him to see James hurrying toward the office door.

"Thank you," James mouthed when he spotted him.

"You owe me," Albus mouthed back with a dirty look, then followed after their father.

James entered the office and closed the door behind him. He approached the desk standing in the corner of the room and opened the first drawer, beginning the search for his treasure. George had been nice enough to tell him that the map would look like an old piece of blank parchment all folded up. Unless it wasn't hidden. In that case, it would be instantly recognizable.

After twenty minutes of checking in every single drawer, James had to accept the truth: the map wasn't just lying around in the desk. His father had probably hidden it with a spell or two.

James took out his wand. "Revelio," he murmured. At first, he thought nothing happened, but then he saw a new drawer. This one had a keyhole and was quite obviously locked.

He tentatively pointed his wand at it. "Alohomora."
He tried to open it, but it wouldn't budge.

"Oh, come on," he said, stumped. What else could he do, if Alohomora didn't work? Maybe there was another spell, but he was only a fourth year. He was no expert.

After a few seconds, he facepalmed. He knew how to pick a lock the Muggle way.

"Merlin, I'm slow sometimes," he thought.

He proceeded to unfold two paper clips, then inserted them into the keyhole. He moved them around a bit and...

Click.

He smirked and opened the drawer. Inside was, as George had said, an old piece of blank parchment all folded up.

James picked the map up, closed the drawer, and locked it again with his makeshift lock-picking kit. After making sure everything was back where it should be, he left the office. Just as he closed the door, his sister walked around the corner.

"James? What were you doing in Dad's office?"

Said boy faced Lily with a nervous smile. "Uh," he uttered out. He had to come up with something, and fast.

Lily eyed the map suspiciously. "What's that?"

"This?" he said, holding up the paper. "I have an essay to write for school, and I ran out of parchment," he lied.

"Mhm," Lily said, clearly unconvinced.

James sighed. "I'll give you five galleons if you shut up about this."

"I want ten," she replied.

"What? No way," he scoffed.

Lily grinned diabolicaly. "Hey, Dad-" she started to shout, but James clamped his hand over her mouth.

"Fine! Here," he said, fishing the gold pieces out of his pocket and dropping them in her hands.

"Thanks," she said and walked away.

James watched her leave and shaked his head. She might've been the youngest, but she was the best at getting what she wanted. This map had better be worth it. He'd just lost ten galleons because of it.

*   *   *

"Argh, this is impossible!"

James and Albus were at their uncle's place, and they had been trying to make the map appear, to no avail. James was exasperated.

Albus looked away from his raging brother to ask for help. "Uncle George, can't you just tell us?"

George grinned, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. "Giving up already?"

The boys glared at him. They'd been trying all kinds of silly things for hours. They had no patience left for the red head's teasing.

"Okay! I'll tell you," George said, finally giving in. He took the map from James' hands and tapped it with his wand.

"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."

The boys watched in awe as dark ink etched itself onto the parchment to form the presentation message and the familiar hallways of the castle.

"Messrs Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs
Purveyors of Aids to Magical Mischief-Makers are proud to present The Marauder's Map," Albus read out loud.

"Geniuses, those guys. They made Fred and I's time at Hogwarts so much better." George said nostalgically.

The kids took the map from him and opened it up on the kitchen table. They were astonished at the fact that they could see everyone in the school, even the ghosts. They excitedly pointed to specific places where they'd seen their friends who stayed at the castle for the Holidays. They laughed when they saw Professor Longbottom pacing in his office.

"If only you were here, Fred," George thought as he watched on. "I know exactly what you'd say: mischief managed again!"

***

Hey guys! I hope you liked this one-shot... And I hope it didn't make you too sad xD I know it's unedited, but I'll fix that eventually. I just thought I'd publish it now, since it's been sitting in my works for months. Anyways, you're welcome to vote and leave a comment if you liked it.

See ya!

~Sara

EDIT: Yeah, I changed the cover... Haven't edited this yet, though. I'm so lazy xD