It was 1968, and the world was much different that we know it today. Hogwarts, Durmstrang, and Beauxbatons were gathered in the Great Hall on a brisk late November morning. "Students, I would like to announce that we shall be starting a new exercise this week." The hall quieted slowly, all three schools turning to watch Dumbledore. His eyes twinkled as he waited a moment before saying, "There will be mandatory journaling from today until the end of the Tournament. This is an extra surprise challenge. However, it is a challenge in reverse. The champions need not keep this journal. There are a few good things that can come of being Champion. The journals shall be distributed at the beginning of your first class. Be warned, I shall be alerted if you do not journal for a full 24-hours. It must be at least half a page. Thank you, that is all." The students all set out for their classes, disgruntled murmuring echoing throughout the hallways. What Dumbledore didn't know, however, was that the Marauders had first class with Minerva McGonagall.

Minerva was sick and tired of not knowing about the Marauders. With most students, she was able to get into their heads and find out what made them tick. These boys, however, were a complete mystery to her. She was sick of it. Before she handed them their books, she charmed them so that one entry randomly selected from among them would reach her every night. It wasn't violation of privacy. It was covering her ass in case they decided to plan another master prank. That night, she read:

Remus Lupin, December 17, 1968 7:19 pm

Sirius was being an idiot. Again. But he's the idiot that's my friend, so he's different and cool. Not different like me. He doesn't turn into a freaking monster every month like I do. And, unlike me I like to think, he's a douche. He gives me Hell for my 'monthly disturbances', as he likes to call them. Honestly, he makes it out that I'm secretly a girl in hiding. James is decent about it. He just calls it my 'furry little problem'. Then I can say a have a bad rabbit instead of saying I have PMS or something. Like I said, Sirius can be a pain in the ass. But he can come through sometimes. Especially on the female front.

We have the Yule Ball in a week, and I don't have a date. Which I am totally cool with. James is going with Lily (finally!) and Sirius is going with whatever girl he is currently dating that day. Peter is beating it back home for the holidays. Lucky him. I doubt they'd even let me back home. So, I have plans of spending the night sleeping, and most likely doing homework or reading. Possibly getting wasted alone in my room. Alright, I have very definite plans of getting wasted alone. I already smuggled in the firewhiskey and rum. Maybe even a little amaretto. Tasty stuff, that is.

Anyway, Sirius found out I have plans of spending the night alone. After giving me a load of bullshit about masturbating in front of Girl X's picture, he agreed to get me a date for the Ball. Why he wastes his time, I have no idea. Just don't fight nature, and all will be well. Maybe he hasn't had time to plan any major pranks lately. *sighs* I don't know. But if he does get something going for me, it'll be a bloody miracle. Well, I think I'm about done. This is almost a full page, and I'm tired. Plus, I still need to finish some homework. Or rather, finish Sirius's homework. Good-night.

Minerva shook her head and laughed. But there was also a little sadness tainting it. Why wouldn't Remus be accepted at home? Sure, he was a werewolf, but there wasn't even a full moon during the Christmas break. She sighed, and set the letter aside. Minerva strolled to her rooms, and slept peacefully that night. It was the first she was plagued with visions of Voldemort coming and killing all of her cubs.