Legacy of the Marauders

Explanation

James carefully thought about how to word his explanation, and then abruptly decided to toss caution to the winds. "Adel grew up to own a wand shop and Albus became a Transfiguration professor at Hogwarts before taking up the position of headmaster. You both still are doing those jobs as we speak."

Albus taunted Adel, "Going into the family business like you always vowed you wouldn't."

He retorted, "What about you? I know your odd home life made you enjoy coming to Hogwarts, but who knew that you loved it so much that you'd never leave?"

"Not me," stated Albus jovially. "After all of the trouble I gave my teachers I hope that my students give me hell."

"We do," assured James.

Sirius added, "If I ever decide to give a shit you're the first person I give it to."

"But even though they cause mischief they really do like you," Remus elaborated. "Almost everyone does."

"I must still have a sense of humour, then." The redhead leapt up excitedly. "Let's play a prank on me!"

Adel blinked. "Don't let your mind wander; it's too small to be let out alone."

"We both know that isn't true."

"Oh no? Why would any sane person want to prank himself?"

"Brilliance doesn't mean lack of insanity," Albus logically said. "How many geniuses get to try to outwit themselves?"

"When you put it that way I can't decide if it makes you sound loonier or me sound stupider."

"It definitely makes you sound stupider."

"You have such a big head."

Albus grinned. "I know. It's almost as big as my-"

"Okay, I get it!"

"What? I was going to say 'as big as my heart."

"Sure," concurred Adel disbelievingly.

Interrupting their banter, Sirius suggested, "Why don't I carry my mate to his bed, and next we can prank the Slytherins before we worry about the headmaster?"

They agreed, and waited patiently for Sirius to return from depositing the fainted Peter in their dormitory.

"What about them?" Adel gestured to Remus and Sapphire, who were intertwined in an armchair staring into each other's eyes.

Ah, love. Tis so sweet sometimes, thought Albus.

Ah, love. It's so sickening sometimes, thought Sirius.

James shrugged and responded, "Leave 'em here." He knew it must have been difficult for Remus to never leave Sapphire's side for days, yet be forbidden to touch her. "They probably won't even notice if we leave."

Sirius, James, Adel, and Albus left the common room.

Remus and Sapphire didn't notice.

As they were gaiting down the dark corridors they saw a short girl with curly brown hair in her fifth year of Hufflepuff studying for her O.W.L.'s by the light of the half-moon that was streaming in through a nearby window. She glanced up when she heard their approaching footsteps. Her gaze raked over the four handsome blokes, lingering on Adel, before she blushed and looked back down at her work.

Not intending to miss this opportunity in spite of the chance to play a prank, Adel confidently strode up to her and complimented, "That's a nice outfit." He paused. "Can I talk you out of it?"

The girl chewed her lip thoughtfully ere replying, "Probably. I could seriously use a break from this studying."

He offered her his arm and she stood up to accept it. Adel threw the other boys a triumphant grin over his shoulder while he walked away with her.

James heard her query, "Apart from being sexy, what do you want to do for a living?"

"Apparently, I'm going to be a wand maker, but I prefer making love to making wands."

She giggled, and they disappeared around a corner.

Shaking his head, James muttered, "I can't believe that worked. Trying to use lines to chat up lines on a girl got me slapped. Not that it matters anymore; I have Lily now."

"Well, Adel has a certain...charisma," explained Albus. "I'm not saying that you don't, but I think something about his unusual eyes entrance them in some way." He shrugged. "It doesn't bother me since I like to flirt, but I'm not interested in the activities that Adel partakes in; it would distract me from my studies."

Sirius and James could not resist smiling. Devious, but reliable. Yes, that was their beloved headmaster through and through.

"I know what you mean," remarked Sirius.

"You do?" gasped James in shock. "Does this mean you and Jessie are going to stop doing your 'activities'? Sirius Orion Black can't actually be taking an oath of celibacy, could he? Because that would just be...wrong."

Sirius smirked. "I know what he means, but that doesn't make it left for me."

James sighed with relief.

Albus looked bemused. "Left?"

"It's a long story," explained James and Sirius in unison.

When they were passing the Great Hall on their route to the dungeons where the Slytherins' common room resided they observed with glee that they need go any farther because several of the Slytherins were in the Great Hall having some sort of secret party for themselves.

"Padfoot, this is fantastic!" James squealed, yet if you asked him it would've been a growl or something more masculine than a squeal.

"Mmm-hmm, but now we gotta think of what prank to pull," Sirius answered.

Albus' long fingers reached into his robes and pulled out his wand. "I know the perfect spell."