Chapter 28: A Mistake on the Marauder's Map??

"Can anyone guess what these are?"

Harry stared at the bulky heap of manuscripts, as well as the rest of the seventh year

Gryffindors.

Ron and Harry glanced at each other. Both had the same puzzled looks, but something

told them it was not good.

Mcgonagall looked around.

"Yes, Miss Granger?"

Hermione trembled, her face pastel as she squeaked, "Our N.E.W.T results?"

"Correct."

Harry could have slapped himself in the face. Could he have gotten any stupider? He

had entirely forgotten about the results.

"Please, please let me have done good." Harry silently prayed. As long as he had

mastered most of his N.E.W.Ts, then he was to have a job in the Auror office at the

Ministry of Magic for sure.

Harry's heart jumped into his throat as Mcgonagall passed out papers. There were cries

of satisfaction blended with some yelps of frustration. Mcgonagall finally reached the

two friends.

"Good job you two." Mcgonagall beamed at Harry, which was quite a setback to Harry,

as she rarely smiled, much less beamed.

"I don't believe this." Ron gaped at his outcomes. "There must be a error somewhere."

"No, there isn't Mr. Weasley." Mcgonagall sniffed. "These tests are 99% accurate."

Ron took the words right out of Harry's mouth. He had passed all his N.E.W.Ts.

"Along with the results," Mcgonagall declared, "are some job offers the Ministry of

Magic has worked hard to produce for you."

Harry scurried to the end of his papers. There it was:

Job offer for young wizard or witch to become an Auror.

First must become a trainee, then when the Auror has decided, that person may move up to

apprenticeship. Will take three to five years to finalize.

Pay:

Trainee – 12 galleons per hour

Apprentice – 20 galleons per hour

Auror – 35 galleons per hour

Contact Auror Office in the Ministry of Magic if interested.

Ron nudged Harry over and read his occupation proposal.

"I got one just like that!" he exclaimed excitedly. "What do you think Harry? Wanna try

it?"

"Of course." Harry grinned cheerfully at his friend.

"Gotta go tell Lavender. She'll be wanting to know I expect." Ron made haste to his

girlfriend while Hermione took Ron's spot.

"Oooooh Auror!" Hermione cried gleefully. "That's a very talented profession. And it's

just right for you Harry. Good job Harry!"

"Thanks Herm." Harry looked at Hermione's results. "Glad to see you passed all of

yours, no surprise. What are you going to do?"

"Well, I did get a job offer for Hogwarts." Hermione squealed excitedly. "Professor

Mcgonagall decided to retire and gave me her job if I am interested."

"And you are?" Harry inquired.

"Certainly!" Hermione giggled. "Transfiguration is one of my best gifts!"

"Hey Harry!" Seamus called, "All the seventh years are going to Hogsmeade as a

celebration! Wanna come?"

================================

It's been," Lissa counted. "forty-one days since Luna vanished, and still no sign of her."

"I know." Frances nodded her head. "And only last Friday, did Dumbledore meet with

Cornelius Fudge to inform him of this matter. So now the Ministry is looking for her

too."

"And no luck like usual." Said Lissa sulkily. "Does her father know about this?"

"If he does, he obviously doesn't care about her." Frances said angrily. "I talked with

Flitwick yesterday and he said they still have yet to receive a response from her father."

Lissa looked sadly at the ground.

"What if she's never found," she whispered, "what if –"

But she never got to finish her sentence as a group of seventh years headed their way.

"Quick, hide!" Frances hissed. Both girls were able to hide behind a bookcase as the

group walked on by, including Harry and his friends.

"Cmon, let's go." Frances urged Lissa as they climbed out.

"Looks like someone dropped something." Lissa picked up a piece of faded paper and

stared at it.

"Why would anyone want to keep something like that?" Frances asked.

"Maybe for a magical purpose?" Lissa guessed. Tapping the paper softly, Lissa was

correct when words wiggled into existence on it.

"I solemnly swear I am up to no good." The girls read, astonished with what they were

seeing.

Lines crisscrossed the whole page. Up down, horizontal, sideways, all over the place

they appeared.

"It's a map of Hogwarts and the grounds!" Frances cried when the whole picture was

finished.

"Yea and look," Lissa pointed to hallway on the fourth floor. "There we are."

"Awesome," Frances exclaimed. "And look, Professor Snape is in his office while

Professor Mcgonagall is in the Great Hall."

"Splendid!" Lissa stared. "And look there's the road to Hogsmeade."

"Yes and there is the Shrieking Shack." Frances pointed out.

"And look in the Shrieking Shack," Lissa said, "there's –"

A pair of mouths hung open. Four eyes widened and the faces flushed white.

"It can't be –" Lissa muttered.

"Out of all the places –"Frances whispered.

"It's gotta be a mistake."

"There it is!"

Lissa and Frances jumped guiltily as they handed Harry his map.

"Next time, don't steal other people's things." Harry snapped as he shoved it into his

book bag.

"Ok, if you don't leave them on the floor first." Frances sneered.

Harry glared at the friends and started to leave.

"Uh, Harry?" Harry turned around to face Lissa.

"What is it?" he barked. "I don't have time for this."

Lissa looked awkward.

"Um.........does that......that thing," she pointed to Harry's bookbag. "does it make

mistakes?"

"My map?"

The girls nodded.

"Of course not." Harry snarled. The Marauder's Map never has, or will make a slip-up."

Harry turned and stormed off. Lissa and Frances looked at each other.

"PROFESSOR FLITWICK!!!!!!" they screamed, running as fast as their legs could carry

them to Flitwick's office.

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Hope you enjoyed it. For those of you who don't want to be kept in suspense any longer, the teachers FINALLY find Luna in the next chapter. I might write it later today.