The Gryffindor common room was winding down for the night, most students drifting off to their dormitories, full from dinner and tired from study. But in one particular armchair near the fire, twin redheads leaned close together, eyes scanning something unseen by anyone else — the Marauder's Map, spread flat across their laps.
Fred tapped the parchment, grinning. "Look at that, Georgie. Our little badgers are on the move again."
George leaned in. "Third time this week. Either they've discovered a love for late-night exercise, or they're about to get into trouble."
Fred wiggled his eyebrows. "The good kind of trouble. Let's see…" He pointed as the tiny ink names glided through a narrow hallway behind the old Transfiguration classroom. "Hadrian Potter, Dora Tonks, and Iris Potter — again."
George gave a low whistle. "Potter and Potter. I know what you're thinking, and yes, we're getting out-pranked by Hufflepuffs."
"First-years, no less," Fred added dramatically.
George chuckled. "They've got guts. And clever enough to avoid Filch every time. Even Peeves hasn't managed to catch them."
Fred leaned back in his chair, arms crossed behind his head. "What do you say, Georgie? Time to welcome them properly to the world of high-stakes Hogwarts mischief?"
George rubbed his chin theatrically. "I say we observe a little more. Let the cubs grow sharper teeth before we pounce. But when we do…"
"…It'll be glorious," Fred finished, their matching grins flashing in the firelight.
George tapped the map again. "They're near the greenhouse now. You think they found the Hollow Tree Passage?"
Fred nodded. "Looks like it. That one's got potential if it's not caved in. I'll give them this — they're good. No map, no older siblings helping them. Just instincts and a lot of sneaking."
"Do you think they're planning a Hogsmeade run?" George asked, half-impressed.
Fred laughed softly. "No doubt. And you know what, Georgie?"
"What?"
"I hope they succeed."
George raised an eyebrow. "Soft spot for underdogs?"
Fred's grin widened. "Soft spot for future chaos. Besides, it's about time someone shook things up in Hufflepuff. They've got potential."
The map shimmered faintly as the trio's tiny names paused, then shifted direction.
"Think they know we're watching?" George asked.
Fred shrugged. "Doubt it. But if they ever figure it out…"
"…We're definitely recruiting them."
The twins laughed in perfect sync, the map folding shut between them. Somewhere in the darkness beyond the castle walls, Hadrian, Iris, and Dora crept beneath the starlight — unaware that Hogwarts' reigning kings of mischief had just noticed the rise of new royalty.