Chapter Eighteen

The Discovery

When Harry arrived at the Gryffindor Common room, it was full of hysteria. Nobody had the faintest idea what was going on.

"Attention!" Professor McGonagal said. "May I have your attention please. Due to some recent developments, all outdoor events and classes have been canceled indefinitely."

An immense amount of chatter, gossip, and anger filled the air.

"What about Quidditch?" more than a few people chanted.

"Please, please calm yourselves. This may be over tomorrow. Who knows."

With the hope of resuming Quidditch practices and games, the students returned to their dormitories.

The next morning, during breakfast, Professor Dumbledore was not at his usual seat at the center of the teachers table.

After breakfast, Harry left the Great Hall and headed towards Dumbledore's office.

"Gumdrop!" Harry said as he reached the door(Dumbledore had informed Harry of the password change the day before). After he said the password, the phoenix statue started to turn, and go upwards. Harry stepped on the rising platform and in no time at all he was in Professor Dumbledore's office.

"Uh.. excuse me.. uh... Professor Dumbledore. Are you here sir?" Harry said awkwardly as he walked through the office.

"Yes Harry, I am," Dumbledore said, emerging from the shadow of his bookcase.

"Sir, you weren't at breakfast and I was worried."

"Yes, I thought you would be, but I was busy."

" Is anything wrong?"

"We do not know where Professor Salia is, Harry."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, Harry, that yesterday, when Professor Snape went to look for her, we couldn't find her. We searched the whole of the castle and the grounds."

"Excuse me sir, but I might have something that may help."

"And what would that be?"

"It's in my dormitory sir. May I get it?"

"Yes Harry, you may, but hurry."

Harry left the room, went through the corridors to the Gryffindor boy's dormitory. He retrieved the item he was after, and returned to Dumbledore's office.

"Here sir," he said.

"What is this?"

"It's called The Marauder's Map."

"How does it work and what does it do?"

"Well, first you tap your wand to it and say, 'I solemnly swear that I am up to no good'."
"Then?"

"Then a map of the school and grounds will appear and dots with peoples names will appear where the person is at the moment. It even shows people in invisibility cloaks."

I see."

"But when you're done, you must whip it clean."

"And where did you get this, Harry?" Dumbledore asked?

"I... uh... I found it on the floor a long time ago."

"Hmm... this may come in very handy. Thank you Harry." He said as he tapped the map and said, "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."

"Let's see," he said. "Professor McGonagal is in her office, Professor Sprout is in Greenhouse 3, and my word!"

He immediately sent Fawkes out of the office with two notes.

"What, what's going on?"

" I am afraid I am not even sure Harry. However, I am sure that everything has changed now."

"What do you mean?"

"I am afraid I cannot tell you that Harry. Not until I know myself."

All of a sudden Professors Snape and Lupin came in, followed by Fawkes.

"We received your letters headmaster. What seems to be the trouble?" Professor Lupin asked.

"Please come look at this," Dumbledore said motioning them over to his desk.

"Where did you get this?" Professor Lupin asked cautiously.

"Harry has graciously lent it to me. That's besides the point. Look over here, is this the name I think it is?"

"Oh my goodness!" Snape exclaimed.

"Hurry, to the forest!" Dumbledore said. "I am sorry Harry, but I must leave you. " And he went with Lupin and Snape, leaving the Marauder's Map on his desk.

Curiously, Harry walked up to the desk, picked up the map, and read the name next to a dot in the forest:

Professor Karakoff