Chapter 7 – Marauder's Map

Who the hell Snape was trying to fool? When he revealed the Lupin's secret to me, he said it was important to hold it back from the students. And what he was doing now? Well, here is the short version.

After Halloween, in our next DADA lesson Snape strode in, announcing that Professor Lupin is sick (I already knew that – it was full moon that week) and that he will replace him. After throwing some insults at the lack of order in Lupin's notes, Snape ordered for us to open the page three hundred ninety-four. My eyes (and not only mine) widened at the chapter title – Werewolves.

There was a sharp word exchange between Snape and Ron when the latest stood up for Hermione (she merely answered on Snape's question how to recognize the werewolf, but Snape called her insufferable know-it-all in response), and Ron received detention, of course. After that, we all sat quietly and wrote down the signs of werewolf from the book. When the lesson finally was over, Snape gave us the homework – two scrolls of parchment with description of how to recognize and defeat the werewolf.

"Snape never behaved so disgusting towards any of previous defense teachers, even if he desired to take the post himself," Harry thoughtfully said, when we left the class (Snape held Ron back to assign him detention). "Why does he hates Lupin so much? Could it be because of that boggart?"

"Dunno," Hermione thoughtfully drawled. "But I really hope Professor Lupin will get better soon..."

"He will, I'm sure of it," I murmured. "Too bad that the Quidditch game is tomorrow."

Harry threw a confused look at me. "Since when you don't like Quidditch anymore?"

"I do, but tomorrow's game means that I won't have the lesson with Snape. And that means that there won't be a chance for me to question him about Lupin. I'll have to wait another week to find out something more."

Harry was about to say something, but then Ron caught up with us, totally pissed off – Snape had assigned him to clear chamber-pots in hospital wing without magic.

However in the next day the weather was so terrible that at first I wondered why they have not cancelled the game. It was not just a rain or wind – it was a full blown storm. The lightnings cut the skies every other minute, the wind bent the trees in Forbidden Forest, and in spite of early morning it was so dark as in late twilight hour.

I woke up early and laid still for a while, listening the wind howling outside – in spite of living in dungeons (the Slytherin rooms were actually located under the lake), the enchanted windows perfectly showed the whether outside with both audio and visual effects.

Malfoy still nursed his arm, and that was why Gryffindor team had to play against Hufflepuff – the Slytherin team captain, Marcus Flint informed Gryffindor captain, Oliver Wood about the changes only a week ago. They had to re-organize their practices and combinations, because each team had their own style. I swear, one fine day Malfoy will receive a payback!

Feeling angry at the whole world, I threw back the blanket, quickly put my dressing-gown on and strode away to the bathroom, shivering in dungeons coldness. Those fireplaces did nothing much to warm the place. sometimes I lost the count of how many times I had to cast the Warmth Charm on myself to not freeze my butt off.

During the game I had only one thing in mind: I – HATE – THE – RAIN! Five minutes after the beginning I was already soaking wet, frozen and unable to distinguish the players. Thankfully I could hear Lee Jordan who commented the game, otherwise I would not be able to follow the score. So far Gryffindors were in the lead with fifty points. Still I hoped that in spite of terrible weather and low visibility the game would end without any serious complications, but I was wrong.

At least hundred Dementors suddenly rounded the pitch, their hooded heads raised up. And then I heard panicked screams. When I looked up, my insides froze at the sight. There, at least fifty feet above the field I spotted a small figure, falling down.

It was Harry.

"ARRESTO MOMENTUM!" Dumbledore shouted, running into the pitch and waving his wand.

He still fell, but much slower now. Without thinking, I leapt over the barrier, pulling my wand out in process, and run to the spot where Harry was supposed to land. Ignoring rain that poured on my face, obscuring the vision, I draw a quick circle and muttered the incantation for Cushioning Charm which softened his landing. Harry fell on the wet ground, unconscious, yet alive.

"Bella, cast your Patronus!" Dumbledore hastily said, then brandished his wand towards the Dementors.

I did the same. We both cast our Patronuses almost simultaneously – the mountain lion and phoenix lounged at the dark creatures, instantly banishing them away from the pitch. When Dumbledore turned his attention back to Harry, I felt an urge to step back, because the Headmaster looked furious. His entire body practically radiated hatred and power. He conjured the stretchers under Harry's body and levitated him to the castle. I followed close on his heels, with a corner of eye seeing Snape and McGonagall rushing out of the crowd and following in a small distance.

As soon as we reached the hospital wing, Dumbledore quickly explained Madam Pomfrey what happened. When she began to attend Harry, Dumbledore announced that he must go and have a word with Dementors – for their own sake I hoped that Dementors knows how to vanish fast, because the Headmaster seemed ready to explode in anger.

Harry was released from the hospital after couple of days. He was very upset for both losing the game (Hufflepuff Seeker caught the Snitch right after Harry fell) and for losing his broom – the wind blew it straight into the Whomping Willow. Of course, now there was nothing but a pile of wood splinters left of Nimbus 2000.

However I could tell that there was something else that bothered Harry; something he did not told even to Ron or Hermione. And it had something to do with the reason of why he passed out in presence of Dementor. I doubted anyone would ever find what it was, but unexpectedly it revealed after the next DADA lesson, when Lupin called Harry back, but I remained at the door, waiting for my friend. Harry knew I was there, but seemed that it did not bothered him as he approached Lupin.

"I heard about the game," Lupin said, "I'm sorry to hear about your broom. Is there any chance to fix it?"

"No, that tree totally destroyed it," Harry sighed.

Lupin explained that Whomping Willow had been planted in that year when he began to attend Hogwarts. Then Harry asked if he heard about Dementors too. I stood, holding my breath, hoping that perhaps Harry would reveal what was bothering him.

"You fell off your broom because of them, I assume?" Lupin glanced at Harry.

"Yes," Harry said, then threw a quick glance over his shoulder at me. I fidgeted, then moved closer to him. "Why? Professor, why do the Dementors affect me so? More than anyone else, I mean?"

"Listen," Lupin walked over to Harry and looked straight into his eyes. "Dementors are among the foulest creatures to walk this earth. They feed on every good feeling, every happy memory until a person is left with nothing but his worst experiences. The Dementors affect you more than others because there are true horrors in your past, horrors your classmates can scarcely imagine. You are not weak, Harry. You have nothing to be ashamed of."

"You made the Dementor retreat in train," Harry hopefully looked at Professor Lupin, who threw a quick glance at me.

"Actually it was Bella who banished the Dementor. I merely forced it to back away," he said. "There are some defense ways, but you must remember, Harry – there was only one Dementor in the train. The more of them gather together, the harder it is to fight against them."

"Can you teach me how to fight with them?"

Lupin looked at me, but I shook my head. "I can try to help Harry with theory, but in fact I learned Patronus Charm on my own and I'm not sure if I can teach it to someone. I could assist you, of course."

Harry's face was full of determination, and that seemed to convice Lupin. He nodded. "Alright, I'll try to help you. But I'm afraid we'll have to wait until the next trimester. I have a lot to do till the holidays." Lupin closed his bag and walked out of the classroom, apparently heading to his quarters – his office was located right here, up the small stairs above the classroom.

Harry and I were left alone. He stared out the window, silent. I approached him and placed a hand on his shoulder. Harry tensed, but did not broke away.

"What's bugging you, Harry?" I asked, quietly. "Come on, you can tell me, whatever it is. I will understand."

"No, you won't," he bitterly snapped.

"Then I will do my best to try."

Harry bit his lower lip, then the words practically broke over his lips. "When they're approaching me... I hear the screams... my mother's screams in that night when she – " His voice broke, shoulders trembled, however he did not cried.

But I did. The tears slowly slid down my cheeks. That explained a lot. I knew that Dementors can extract the worst memories of human's mind, and Harry had experienced a true hell in his past. Unable to contain my emotions any longer, I pulled Harry in tight embrace and let the tears flow freely. He was a bit startled for my reaction, but responded to the gesture.

"It's okay, Bella," he awkwardly patted on my back. "It's past, and I have to deal with it."

I sniffed, releasing him. Now it was Harry's turn to put a comforting hand on my shoulder. He shook me slightly. "Come on, Bella, we must go to the next class. I've got Charms, and you?"

"Transfiguration," I fished in my bag to find a tissue and dry my eyes before anyone notice that I have been crying. "Listen, I'm sorry – "

"Don't be," Harry shook his head. "You would have found out one way or another. I mean, how long one person can keep the secrets from his own friends?"

"Not very long, I guess," I gave him a faint smile as we walked out of classroom.

"What was that Lupin said about you banishing that Dementor in the train?" Harry asked, when we turned around the corner to the corridor that led to the Charms classroom.

"There is one particular thing, it's called Patronus Charm. I'll show it to you later, but it's best if Lupin will teach you," I said. "It was rather easy to learn it on my own, but I really have no idea of how to teach it to someone else."

We made agreement to meet later, and then we went to our next classes. Now I knew what Harry heard in Dementor's presence, and it only increased my urge to protect him. I swore to myself that I will rather die than let Sirius Black to get anywhere near him. No one would mess around with those I cared about. Ever.

The Christmas was coming, and another trip to Hogsmeade was announced in last Saturday of trimester. I hated the thought of missing the lesson with Snape, but it was his idea that I could take this Saturday off, because we recently spend another fourty-eight hours of brewing the Wolfsbane Potion. Besides, I really needed to take that trip to buy the presents for all my friends. Including Snape, of course. Even if he was not very friendly, I kind of hoped that it might change one day.

I only wished that Harry could come with us, when early that morning I left the castle together with Ron and Hermione. The snow was falling with thick, heavy flakes which, accompanied with cold wind breeze, soon made my friends to wrap tighter in their robes – I wore a Muggle winter coat which was a bit warmer than uniform cloak. However even I shivered, so eventually I cast a Warmth Charm around all three of us.

When we reached the Hogsmeade, I could not help but admire how much it resembled the villages on Muggle Christmas cards with holly wreaths at the doors, enchanted candles in trees and windows, the roofs of village houses wearing a white snow caps, a bunch of people singing Christmas carols in the middle of Hogsmeade's main street. In spite of blizzard that threw the snow in face, I smiled broadly.

"I have some errands to run. I'll join you soon," I said, when we reached the "Honeydukes".

"Where you're going?" Ron asked, puzzled.

"I'm going to buy the presents. You don't think I will let you to spoil the surprise, do you?" I grinned. "I'll try to do the shopping fast. We could meet at – "

" – Shrieking Shack," Hermione finished. "We weren't there previously, so I thought we could now – " she glanced at Ron as if not being sure if he wants to go to see the most obsessed house in British Isles.

"Yeah, okay," Ron nodded. "Shrieking Shack, and then we could go to the "Three Broomsticks" and have some butterbeer."

"Sounds like a plan. See you in a bit."

I really tried to buy the presents fast. Once again it was Snape's gift that caused me the real headaches while I was trying to figure out what to give him this year – I still wore his present. In fact I never took it off, except for when I was taking a shower (or bath – depends on how much time I had). But eventually I managed to find something that he might appreciate. Or so I hoped.

When I finally filled my backpack with Christmas presents, I went past the "Honeydukes" and turned on a remote path that led to the Shrieking Shack, but I did not made a step, when I spotted rather familiar three people walking on the same direction. Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle. They marched down the road, and I did not liked it. Since I knew that Ron and Hermione was there, waiting for me, I also knew that this confrontation might not end up good.

Well, no teachers were here, so even I would hex them in another century, there was no one who could put me in detention or take the points away. And, especially if no one would see me. I grinned wolfishly, then arranged the backpack's straps, Disillusionated myself and followed the trio, unnoticed.

"Well, well, look who's here! You two shopping for your new dream home?" Malfoy jeered at Ron and Hermione who stood at wire fence that enclosed the territory around the Shrieking Shack, very shabby-looking wooden house in a distance. "I heard that back in home your entire family is sharing one room, Weasley."

"Shut up, Malfoy," Ron growled.

"Ooh, being rude, aren't we?" Malfoy threw a smug glance at his bullies. "Boys, I think we should teach him a bit of respect toward the chosen ones."

"Ha, I hope you don't mean yourself," Hermione snapped.

Malfoy's face turned into an expression of disgust. "How dare you, filthy Mudblood!"

I gritted my teeth and already raised my wand, when suddenly out of nowhere a snowball hit the back of Malfoy's head. The blonde jumped and darted his gaze around, looking for the culprit. Before he could make a step, another snowball smacked him across the face. Then another one, and again.

Whoever it was (though I had a good guess), it was a really good idea. I put the wand away and made a snowball, throwing it precisely in Goyle's face, joining the invisible one, who pulled Crabbe's pants down, leaving him in ridiculous underpants. Then someone grabbed Goyle's scarf and whirled him around until he got dizzy and fell down. I shot my feet in Malfoy's way, tripping him effectively.

Then an evil idea got in my mind and I grabbed one of Malfoy's legs to drag him towards the Shrieking Shack, but it turned out that I was thinking simultaneously with the invisible pranker who had grabbed the other leg. Together we dragged Malfoy a few feet down the path that led to the haunted house while the blonde screamed in panic. Then we let him go and watched how he scrumbled up on his feet, making the fastest escape I have ever seen.

Ron and Hermione were watching the scene, laughing out loud, but Ron's amusement ceased when someone began to tug his hat. He looked a bit freaked out, actually. Only Hermione remained calm even when a few strands of her hair raised up on their own.

"Harry!" she laughed, and Harry took off his Invisibility Cloak, laughing too.

"Bloody hell!" Ron gasped in shock and relief.

"Hey, who else is here?" still smiling, Harry glanced around. "I felt someone else besides me when I dragged Malfoy down there."

I grinned and sneaked behind him, suddenly grabbing him around the waist and making him to jump. Only then I removed the charm.

"Bella?" Ron gasped again, his gaze shooting between Harry and me. "You two could put Fred and George in shame!"

"Wow, thanks, Ron!" I playfully elbowed him. "Just make sure they won't hear you saying that. Harry, how did you got past Dementors?"

Harry told us about the very interesting thing he got from Weasley twins shortly after we left the castle. It was a map of Hogwarts, made by four persons who called themselves as Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs. The map itself was named as Marauder's Map, and it showed not only the entire Hogwarts castle and every single room in it, but also all secret passages (there were seven of them) that led out of the school to the Hogsmeade. Filch knew only about four of them, but only one of remaining three was usable.

Together we walked back to the Hogsmeade. Harry was certain that no one would pay attention to him due to the bad weather. And, since he had his Cloak, neither of us could see the problem of why he could not come to the village with us. Hermione, however, thought that Harry should give the map to McGonagall, but Ron objected by saying that Harry might as well hand over his Invisibility Cloak, so Hermione gave up and quit her objections.

We walked to the "Three Broomsticks", but then were forced to stop when a carriage arrived with McGonagall, Fudge and Hagrid. They approached the owner of the pub, Madam Rosmert, who instantly complained to the minister about Dementors – they had been visiting her pub a couple of times, scaring the costumers away. Fudge explained that those are security measures to find Sirius Black, Madam Rosmert asked why would Black come to Hogsmeade.

When Fudge mentioned Harry's name and ushered the whole company inside, I spotted that Harry immediately put his Cloak on, vanishing from our sight. Only a trail of footprints in snow indicated that Harry went straight to the pub. We tried to follow, but it turned out that the pub today was closed for underage students. It did not applied to me, of course, yet I decided to remain behind and wait along with Ron and Hermione for Harry to come back.

We sat down on a bench next to the entrance and waited. Neither of us spoke a word for a long time, until Hermione finally spotted a new trail of footprints passing by. The bunch of carol singers suddenly were knocked off their feet – we followed the trail, quickly apologizing as we passed the singers. Apparently Harry was in such rush he did not paid much attention to where he was going. Realizing that, Hermione and I exchanged anxious looks, then kept on following the trail.

The trail abruptly ended outside of village, in a small forest clearing, where we heard a muffled sob coming from a huge rock. Hermione slowly walked on, while Ron and I kept ourselves a bit away. She reached the rock, fell on her knees and reached out. As her hand touched something in seemingly empty air, she took a deep breath and lifted the cloak off Harry. I inched closer, worried to see Harry so upset.

"Harry, what happened?" Hermione quietly asked. Harry took a several ragged breaths, before answering.

"He was their friend, and he betrayed them. HE WAS THEIR FRIEND!" he suddenly yelled, his anguished voice echoing in the forest.

Within an instant I knew of whom he was talking about. We all were silent, letting Harry's words to sink in our minds.

"I hope he finds me!" Harry announced, his eyes blazing in pure hatred – somehting I have never seen about him. "Because when he does, I'm gonna be ready! When he does, I'M GOING TO KILL HIM!"

The snow kept on falling over the clearing, covering the land with thick, white blanket. It was cold and merciless, just like the words that were taken by the wind and carried away.