An eye for an eye, fifty snakes for a snake...

Date: September 1975
Location: Gryffindor Common Room
Status: Public? Marauders at least.
Completion: Incomplete

James tossed the snitch up into the air, watching for a brief, transitory moment as the ephemeral golden wings unfurled, catching the glow cast from the kindling fire and glinting prettily in the evening light. With a movement so fast that it was blurred to the vision of anyone watching, his right hand shot out, fingers clasping around the small ball, folding the wings in on themselves once more before it could escape from him. His stomach rumbled briefly, reminding him again that he'd skipped lunch to try to desperately finish off that Charms essay before class. He hadn't managed it, of course, but Professor Flitwick had been understanding.

Well, understanding in the sense that he hadn't given him detention, just a stern talking to about balancing responsibility, which naturally had kick started his thought process onto an area of duty that he'd sadly neglected recently - his Marauding. The target had come in a moment of brilliant inspiration, with his memory taking him back to Lily's mentioning about Malfoy taunting her in Potions. True to his word, he wouldn't say anything to the boy, but he was sure that between the creative genius of the Marauders they could find some appropriate punishment. This was also his job of course, he told himself, policing the students, meting out penalties for inappropriate behaviour...

He didn't think that Evans would really equate pranking to the tasks assigned to his post, but it was a nice justification for sacking off his rounds tonight. As long as he didn't get caught.

He sighed and glanced up at the clock again, before throwing the snitch and reflexively catching it once more. The others should be filing in soon from wherever it was that Marauders went when not together. He grinned in anticipation. It was going to be a fun night.

Upon entering the Common Room Sirius' expression was one of utter boredom and confusion. The fact he had just returned from a extremely long study session with Evans in the library left his mind completely numb. How could his day have been wasted sitting in a room with Lily Evans researching through countless old and dusty tomes? 'I 've gone soft in the head' he told himself. His walk was that of a slight slouch, feet would slide across the stone floors instead of actually being lifted. His satchel would make him look as if it weighed a ton as it hung on his shoulders, his head hung low, eyes watching the floor pass underneath him. A dull wretched sight to say the least. Uncharacteristic of him sure, but partner with that stiff-necked Evans girl and anyone would find themselves put through the wringer. Her words and orders she barked at him still rang in his ears. At least it was over with for today he told himself, which would bring only a small comfort to him.

Finding his way to the plump comfortable couch Sirius let his satchel slide off his shoulder down his arm and crash onto the floor. Proceeding immediately he fell face first onto the sofa and let out a sigh that one would think could be of the largest relief. His mind raced with ideas, tring to find something to bring back his charismatic side. So deep in thought he almost didn't recognize someone else was in the room with him. Bringing his head up just inches from the pillow his face was buried in he turned his head lazily to see who it was. Who he saw instantly perked him up, if only just a little. It was none other than his best friend and prankster elite James Potter himself. Pacing the floor tossing that snitch he always carried with him. How he was able to keep an eye on the bloody thing was beyond Sirius' comprehension. He would release it and catch it without effort whatsoever. The look in his eye told Sirius that something mischevious was running through that thick skull of his. Sitting up now Sirius couldn't help but feel that the time for a Marauders exploit was in the beginning stages of completion.

Watching James pace around, snitch in hand thinking of the next great endeavor Sirius was beside himself with anticipation. Unable to hold it back any longer he burst out saying, "Well?!, Whats the plan Prongs?"

Remus entered the common room quietly, a piece of chocolate in his mouth, the remaining bits of it wrapped up and placed in his pocket. He was known for his love for chocolate, and it was definitely not a secret. It always seemed to have a somewhat calming effect, and he'd had a rather long day and a short night of sleep. He'd been trying to get much of his assignments done, or at least started on most of them so he wouldn't have such a large workload when he couldn't make it to class. Still, despite the school work, he was quite happy to be back at Hogwarts, if only because it was here that he felt the most welcomed.

He swallowed, and looked toward Sirius as he issued forth his outburst. Remus grinned as he walked forward and sunk into one of the comfortable armchairs. "Yes, Prongs, do tell." He said, curious, his attention switching to the other Gryffindor, only to have his eyes drawn toward the golden snitch in his hand. He considered idly that James' snitch was much like his own chocolate, never quite far out of reach.

(OOC: Since I'm also playing Wormtail, to save time and effort his disalogue will appear in James' posts and vice versa. I'm not godmodding, it just saves me writing two posts saying the same thing )

James glanced at his two assembled friends, a small quirk of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth and threatening to break out. He tossed the snitch up in the air and caught it one more time, hurriedly pocketing it as the portrait door opened and Peter entered. As much as he liked Wormtail, he couldn't stand the boy's...exuberance over James' ability to catch the snitch, nor the squeals of delight when he saw the small golden ball. He'd once taken Peter to Quidditch practice in a thinly-veiled attempt to cure him of his fixation with the object, setting him up as a seeker for a pick-up game. However, James hadn't figured on the boy's total ineptitude on a broom and his long-sighted eyes, a fact that became very apparent as he tried to catch a rogue bludger instead of a snitch, and ended up convalescing in the Hospital Wing for a rather long time.

"Uh oh." Peter said, glancing up at the expectant looks of Remus and Sirius, and the mischievous grin on James' face.

"Uh oh indeed matey." James said as the lump boy took a seat on the sofa next to Remus, stopping his pacing and looking at each of his Marauders in turn. "Tonight, my friends, the Marauders return in style to Hogwarts. Specifically, by teaching a certain pureblood bigot that saying certain things to certain...ahem...people..."

"Evans." Peter groaned. James ignored him.

"...will be punishable by pranking. Now," He turned to Sirius with the air of a general about to divide his Lieutenants. Which, in effect, was what he was. "Padfoot, I need you to talk to Andy, see if you can convince her to give us the password to..." He paused for dramatic effect, scanning each of their faces again. "The Slytherin Common Room."

Sirius sat there on the common room couch eagerly awaiting to hear what Prongs had in mind. Of course he wasn't going to divulge it without Moony or Wormtail there, so he would just have to control his excitement. Its about time we do something he thought. Its been far to long he told himself. James still paced the floor with that look in his eye. Yes, he was deep in thought and Sirius knew this was going to be a prank for the ages. He knew he wouldn't be able to get anything out of him until everyone was there so Sirius just leaned back on the couch and waited. Just as he did Moony, came through the door eating a bit of chocolate. Making his way through and finding a seat in the arm chair. It seemed he sensed what was going on for his reaction was the same as Sirius' only calmer and more controlled. Well here are three of the four Sirius thought, now where in the bloody hell is Wormtail? Peter was never far from either of them, he was always tagging along with one of them. It was like he had an insatiable need to be accepted and liked. Sirius couldn't help but like the chap for some reason or the other. But it was odd he wasn't with either one of them, he thought for sure he would be tagging along with Moony seeing as he wasn't already in the common room with him and Prongs. Wherever he was it wouldn't be long before he arrived.

Turning his gaze back to James he still paced the floor deep in thought. Looking over at Remus, Sirius saw him relaxing in the chair calm and collective as ever. How someone as nice and calm as Moony managed to join The Marauders was a bit mind boggling. But Sirius was glad he was a part of them, a grand addition to the team. At that moment the doors opened again and in waddled Wormtail. Finally! Sirius exhaled a deep sigh, the plotting begins. Eagerly awaiting the plan to be laid before him he glanced at all three of them, mischief wrote all over his face. It was necessary however for them to be more careful than ever when pulling one of these harmless activities. James was Head Boy, and it wouldn't do none of them any good if he were to be caught. Listening to his best friend speak Sirius could hear the pleasure he was gaining from his thoughts in his voice. That only reinforced Sirius' notion that this "mission" would be one to remember. James would divide each of them up as always, each having a specific role. As it was it was no different this time around. James proceded to inform the group that they would be needing the password for the Slytherin entrance. Sirius' eyes would glow with excitement and a grin that would equal James' would spread acrossed his face. His cousin Andromeda would have no problem divulging the password.

Curious now Sirius stood up, walking over to his best friend he nudged his shoulder as he asked, "So am I to assume this bigot you speak of is none other than Malfoy?" How he hoped it was.

"Right you are, Padfoot!" James replied. "And if we have time, possibly that greasy little Snivellus as well. I caught him threatening to hex first years earlier, he needs a reminder." He turned to Remus then, who was regarding them calmly from the chair as per usual. "Moony, your job is to take...this..." James fished around inside his robes for a moment, before producing a battered burlap sack that looked as if it had gone past its sell by date a few centuries ago. "And see what you can do about setting a replicating serpensortia charm on it. Malfoy keeps some strange bedfellows as it is, I'm sure he won't mind about...oh...twenty or so more?"

James removed the snitch again subconsciously, as he often did in the middle of a Marauders' Meeting, flipping and catching it one more time before turning to Peter, who was grinning broadly. James rolled his eyes.

"Wormtail, your job is to be our Mapman for this adventure. Go with Sirius to get the password, and make sure you aren't seen. I'll work on distracting Lily, and then help Moony with the bag."

"Oh, but James..." Peter moaned. "I'm always the Mapman. Can't I do the charms this time?" James shared a worried look with the others, remembering the last time they'd let Peter do the spellwork for one of their pranks. He still didn't think he'd managed to get quite all of the blue out of his hair even today, and that was a year ago.

"Sorry Pete," He replied. "Moony's the man for this one, you can do the next time." Wormtail looked downcast for a moment, causing James to feel slightly guilty. It wasn't really Peter's fault that he wasn't as talented as the three of them. He felt bad that the boy could never fully participate, but he fulfilled a vital function anyway. "Besides, you have the most important job." He said, grinning at the boy, who glanced up. "Without you watching our backs, there'd be no pranking, mate. We wouldn't trust anyone more than you anyway, right guys?"

He cleared his throat then, glancing around.

"Any questions?"

Remus, too, watched as Peter entered, wondering where he had been. It wasn't often that he was on his own. Perhaps he was gaining a bit of independence, not necessarily a bad thing really. As the other sat next to him, he shifted slightly away, a natural reaction to someone entering into his own personal space, his attention more on the conversation.

Just the same as Sirius, he was trying to suss out which certain pureblood bigot James was referring to, sadly there were quite a few of them. It really only narrowed down to a Slytherin, who tended to be more forthcoming about their beliefs, as prejudiced as they were. As he continued to listen, it made more sense as to who he was talking about, and that it was only proved right when Sirius guessed that it was Lucius and wasn't surprised that James' mentioned Snape in the next breath.

Remus eyebrows raised in a nonverbal questioning way as he took the sack, it was rather old looking, perhaps even outdating much of his the things that he, himself, owned, secondhand as they usually were. His silent question was answered as to what his task was. "I believe I can do that," he said, grinning and sitting forward a bit to show his interest, and knew that the others believed he could as well.. otherwise he would not have been asked.

"Just so, Prongs," he agreed, smiling, nudging Peter with his elbow a bit. "We'd have served more detentions with Filch, then I would care to think about." He, too, felt that Wormtail could do with a bit of confidence building.

As James cleared his throat, he looked back up, and shook his head. He hadn't any questions as of yet.

Upon hearing James' confirmation that his assumption was correct Sirius laughed as somehow he wondered why he even asked the question. Whats more is the mention that if they had time they would involve Snivillus. What a grand idea he thought. "James, you never cease to amaze me." Sirius spoke laughing all the while. As usual Wormtail decided to complain about his role, poor guy didn't understand being the Mapman was indeed the most important role. It would be him that watched and keep track of Filch, Mrs. Norris, and the Head Girl Evans. Especially Evans, if she caught them it would be the devil to pay. To long had Sirius had to listen to her in the library, he definately didn't want to hear the lashing they would get if she caught them. Looking over at Peter, Sirius would give a nod of support and appreciation. Eager to get down to business the thought of how he would get Andromeda to grant him the password became prominent. He knew she wouldn't mind, but might feel somewhat guilty all the same. Or perhaps fear that she would somehow be found out that she was the one who supplied them access if they were caught. Shaking his head to rid of himself of these thoughts, he asked himself what he was thinking. 'Get caught? We have the map and we never get caught.'

He still couldn't fathom how Moony was able to contain the excitement and remain calm. Sirius wasn't seething like some first year student hopped up on sugar. He was however anxious and ready to get going, but these plans they make were always a delicate process that took time and effort to map out. First things first, he had to find his cousin and talk to her privately. Brought out of his thought process by James clearing his throat and asking if any of them had any questions, Sirius planted a smile on his face and replied, "The only question I have is, why has it took so long for us to pull something like this off?"

Peter sighed, giving a smile out to the assembled group.

"Thanks," He mumbled, not really meaning it, but saying it just the same. He knew it was what they wanted to hear, an absolution of their own guilt for excluding him again. Mapman...he nearly snorted in displeasure. The map was Remus and Sirius' achievement more than anything, another thing he was clinging onto. Even something as basic as their names, he was lesser to them. Wormtail. The rat. James was a stag, Sirius a dog, and Remus...

He felt a sudden, sharp pang of guilt as he thought of Remus' animal form, not taken by choice but thrust upon him. Immediately, he thought he was a very small person indeed for thinking that he constantly got the rough end. His animagus form may not be as impressive, but he didn't have to suffer as poor Moony did. He supposed, when thinking about it, watching their backs was a small price to pay to be part of the group. Sirius asked his question, and Peter joined in with the group's laughter. He was right though...out of all the Marauders, it had ended up being mostly Sirius who had been doing the pranking. Remus was always working, or in the Library, James was so distant now with his Head Boy duties, and all the time he'd been spending with Evans...and himself...

Well. The less that was said about what he had been doing, the better really.

As everyone split up to go their own separate ways, Peter hurried up to their dorm, pulling out the secret, loose plank in the floor and retrieving the Map, before making his way back down the stairs to meet Sirius.

"Shall we go then, Padfoot?"

It wasn't that Remus was not excited, it could be seen in the rising color of his cheeks, the slightly widened eyes, and the wide curve of his lips into a grin. He was not one however to shout and bounce about, too contained to do so. Remus could be considered a bit of a control freak, not necessarily over others, but moreso over himself. It may have had something to do with the fact that there were times when he was not in control at all, and those times were never very pleasent.

He was already considering which charms or spells would work the best together, he wanted a replicating charm that would stop at the rough amount that he wanted, but would also take the less energy to maintain. And thinking of something lasting, the serpensortia spell would have to be strong enough as well. Remus hmmed a bit, his fingers running over the burlap sack, before rolling it up and placing it in pocket, and standing. He had a few ideas, but he'd rather research them a bit more. It certainly wouldn't do to have more snakes than he wanted, or that the bag could contain. Remus did not relish the thought of coralling them. He would leave that up to Lucius and his Housemates.