Chapter 9: Maps
Harry, Draco and Neville all set out to master the patronus charm. They knew, just from looking at the book they were learning out of, that it would be difficult and would take a lot out of them but they were determined.
So far it was only Harry that had had any progress with the charm and even that was only mist.
What also took a front seat for the boys was the completion of their new and improved Marauders map. Their map was called the Deviants map and despite Blaise been astray from the group they had still put his name on it considering he had come up with some of the ideas on it as well.
Their map was a lot more advanced than the Marauders map. With the one they had made it was a map of everything and everyone in the castle and it's grounds but if you wanted to find an individual you just had to tap it and say their name. You could also zoom in and see exactly what they were doing like a looking glass.
It could be classed as an invasion of privacy but the boys decided they'd been screwed over enough and that they'd only use that part of the charm if it was absolutely necessary.
The map also had a voice recognition charm. It would only work for one of the Deviants and only if they had the correct command for it, they each had their own.
"Has Padfoot said anything else on the Pettigrew thing?" Draco asked as the boys sat alone in the Slytherin room common room.
Harry shook his head.
"He's getting impatient though but there's nothing he can do until he gets the passwords, which seem to change far more than what ours do,"
"It's that new portrait that's taken over for the Fat Lady, I've heard Weasley and Thomas bitching over it," Neville said rolling his eyes. "Apparently it's changing the passwords at least twice a week,"
"An incompetent portrait for an incompetent house," Draco snorted. "Sounds about right,"
"Maybe so but it takes the piss when I need to get the passwords," Harry said with a grimace.
"I don't see why you're risking it, there are plenty of other ways Padfoot could get the rat without getting you involved," Neville said shaking his head.
"Because this is the only way he can do it without having a high risk of being caught by Lupin," Harry stated as if it was obvious.
Neither Draco or Neville said anything in return.
Harry knew they didn't understand why he was doing what he was but Harry knew just what Sirius' entrapment and Pettigrew betrayal had cost his godfather and he wouldn't let it cost him anymore.
Christmas came and Harry was surprised to see a Firebolt arrive anonymously.
"Who sent that?" Neville asked flabbergast.
Harry and Draco shared a smirk.
"Padfoot no doubt," Draco answered.
"How come he sent only Hades one?" Neville quizzed wondering why Draco hadn't been sent one too.
"Same reason that Snape sent me an advanced rare copy of curses," Draco shrugged.
Neville still looked confused.
"He's my godfather, Hulk, just like Snape's Draco's," Harry said taking pity on his friend.
Dawning spread across Neville's face.
"Did any of you send Sly anything?" Harry asked quietly looking over to the empty bed.
Neville reddened as he nodded. "I couldn't just not get him something,"
"I sent him something as well," Draco said tonelessly. "I expect him to send it back though,"
"I sent him his activation phrase to the map," Harry stated before standing up. "I'm going to shower, father wants to see us before the feast later,"
When school came back into swing the boys were surprised when Blaise didn't send their gifts back but he didn't acknowledge them either.
It was an impasse.
Harry became aware of how irritated his godfather was becoming with their lack of movement and started actively marking the passwords down.
It would be a matter of time.
One night he was sat in the common room studying the map when he saw something that made him shoot up and out of the common room.
Pettigrew was in the corridors, and he was alone.
It wasn't unusual for him to be in the castle at night but this time it seemed the darkness was overwhelming.
He could very well be about to prove his godfather's innocence.
He tapped the name and saw that the man was in his animagius form.
"Chaos Caused," he murmured to the map before pointing his wand to the ground letting light hit the floor of the corridor where he knew Pettigrew was scuttling.
He stayed still waiting to see what he was looking for.
Just as he saw the rat he was interrupted.
"Malfoy, what are you doing out of bed?"
Harry spun around to see Lupin looking at him looking less than pleased.
"Sleep walking," Harry said silkily, grinding his teeth.
No doubt the rat had scuttled away.
"I find that very hard to believe, do you mind turning out your pockets?" Lupin said posing the demand as a question.
Harry rolled his eyes and pulled out the blank map and his wand.
He watched as the werewolf's eyes trained in on the map.
He took the map.
"I solemnly swear I am up to no good," he chanted to it tapping it with his wand.
Harry smirked.
"Messer's Hulk, Sly, Watcher and Hades would like to praise Professor Lupin at his trip into mischief but ask he keep his paws to himself and stick his snout into someone else's business," Lupin read aloud.
Harry had to bite his tongue to stop his laugh.
Lupin looked up coldly before handing it back to Harry.
He had no proof to say it was anything more than an insult parchment.
"I will ask you one more time what you were doing out of bed before I take you to professor Snape,"
"No need Lupin, I am here and I am curious as to why you are holding up one of my students," Snape said coming into view.
"I have just caught Mr Malfoy out of bed,"
"I told you I was sleep walking," Harry said silkily. "Prove that I wasn't and I'll accept punishment,"
Lupin shot the boy a look before turning to Snape.
"It is as the boy says. Prove he wasn't sleep walking and then punish him, if you can't then let him get back to his bed, he has classes in the morning," Snape said coldly.
Lupin nodded and allowed the potion's master to lead the student away.
Harry threw a smirk back over his shoulder.
"I will not cover for you again, Hadrian," Snape said firmly as he lead him to the common room.
Harry nodded and entered the common room before going to his dorm.
He couldn't believe he'd missed his chance but he was relieved the map hadn't been confiscated.
It was as he was climbing into bed that he noticed Blaise watching him.
He could tell the boy wanted to ask him what he'd been up to.
"We're waiting for you to come back," Harry stated. "But until you do you're not privy to what we get up to,"
"It's not as easy as that," Blaise stated before rolling over.
"That's because you're stubborn," Harry snapped before closing the hangings around his bed.
A few weeks later the Slytherin VS Ravenclaw match dawned.
Harry sat beside Flint and opposite Draco.
"We can do this, we're Slytherin's and we have the fastest broom in the world on our side. Nothing can beat us," Flint said.
"So it's nothing to do with our skill," Harry smirked.
He was the only one on the team that wasn't scared to stand up to Flint.
"We have more skill than Ravenclaw could hope for, I assumed that was already known. Now come on lets do this," Flint said standing.
The Ravenclaws were noticeably nervous as they stood waiting for the Slytherins.
No one in the entire school except for the Slytherins knew whether or not it was just a rumour that Harry had a Firebolt, now that it was shown to be reality the hope seemed to seep out of the Ravenclaws.
"I want a clean game," Hooch said looking at them all looking slightly sorry for the Ravenclaws.
Harry smirked as he sped into the air, it would be a piece of pie, nothing was going bring him down this time.
He saw Cho Chang smile at him flirtatiously.
Smirking he winked at her before shooting down down to the ground.
Cho followed instantly and just before crashing into the ground Harry pulled up sending Cho smashing into the ground.
"AND CHANG IS OUT FOR THE COUNT AS SHE FOOLS HERSELF INTO THINKING SHE COULD MATCH THE SKILL OF THE FIREBOLT!" Lee Jordan shouted over the cheering and booing crowd.
Harry caught sight of Sirius just in the shadows of the pitch and he grinned.
It was time to show them just what he was made of.
With an astounding acceleration, Harry raced after the snitch, never letting out of his eye rang.
He caught it just as Slytherin scored another point.
It was 190-0.
The green side of the pitch screamed with happiness.
There would be a hell of a party that night but Harry had something to take care of before the party.
AN: Well roles are certainly reversed in this one :) What did you guys think?
Pig-Rabbit-Suk - It's awsome when you read something and manage to come up with a completely new idea for something else :) That's how a few of my plots have evolved for other stories :D
Albionia - Thank you so much :) It's good to know that you think the series is enjoyable :D Hopefully that will continue to be your outlook :D
Dragons-Twilight1992 - More you ask for and more you shall get :D I'm glad you're enjoying the story :D :)
