Chapter 15 - THE MARAUDERS MAP

Harry POV

I just said goodbye to Ron and Hermione as they were on their way to Hogsmeade. Unknown to them I would be there too this time! I felt a bit bad not telling Hermione about it, but I was nearly certain she would chastise me about breaking the rules.

Well, we will cross that bridge once we get there.

"Harry, please tell me you have some better clothes than this…"

Godric cringed at my clothes. To be honest, I even cringed at my clothes. They were oversized and had holes in some places.

"You are better off wearing you acromantula silked school robes honestly…"

Honestly, I can't agree with you more Godric…

"Eh? Well look at you, growing up and becoming a ladies man, trying to grab more birds with your looks?"

I blushed a bit at his statement.

No it's just-

"Honestly Harry I am just screwing around with you, now open my book on the transfiguration, there is a cool spell that would be beneficial for you date today".

I blushed even harder at that statement.

Date, was this really a date? Daphne never used that word…

"Ah page three-hundred and seventy-three".

DAMMIT GODRIC!

I read the first sentence and became infuriated.

This teaches you how to transfigure clothes! Why didn't you tell me about this earlier! I just spent the last thirty minutes deciding which of my ragged clothes to wear!

Godric chuckled, "Why Harry, It was so much more entertaining watching you decide what to wear to impress Daphne".

I am not trying to impress her… I just don't want to look miserable…

"Sure Harry, Sure".

I quickly read through Godric's notes on how to transfigure clothes. I then remembered back some of the muggle magazines that I read when at the Dursleys. I visualized the muggle clothes and pointed my wand at my clothes. My oversized white long sleeve shirt turned into a very warm looking white cotton jumper, my long sweatpants became a nice set of navy blue jeans, and my thin cotton jacket became a thick hoodie with fur inside. I quickly put on the clothes and felt really warm.

After a bit of resizing, the clothes perfectly fit. I then quickly followed Godric's instructions in his book and used my wand to put a set of runic markings on each clothing piece. This kept the transfiguration of my old rags permanent. I then took out my invisibility cloak and made my way down towards the carriages. There were only five more minutes before students were allowed to go to Hogsmeade. I quickly donned the cloak and waited for somebody to open the Gryffindor common room door, once somebody came in, or left, I'd sneak out.

Daphne POV

I was waiting by the carriages along with Tracey. I couldn't help but look around to try find Harry, despite him being invisible. Tracey snickered as she saw me look around slightly. I should have realized how problematic it was that Harry was invisible.

I should have told him to give me a nudge or something to indicate he was here!

Filch was about to call us up for the next carriage now, and I had no idea if he really was here.

"Relax Daph, even if he doesn't get on our carriage he will get to Hogsmeade and meet us there. You know breaking the rules is kind of his specialty right? The last couple of years are plenty proof of it".

I couldn't tell if Tracey was joking or not, but I reluctantly agreed and got on the carriage with her as Filch barked our names.

As we entered the carriage I was a bit surprised when I saw, Granger, Weasley and his sister, and Longbottom. I immediately locked in my Ice Queen mask. The six of us then sat in silence as we headed to Hogsmeade. Although I wasn't showing it on my face, inwardly I couldn't help but become slightly nervous, being in the presence of Harry's friends was a bit daunting.

I noticed that Granger kept giving me knowing looks, but she remained silent.

Surprisingly it was Longbottom that spoke up first.

"Hello, I am Neville Longbottom".

His voice we equally as shaky as the hand he offered. Tracey seemed to have taken pity on the lack of self-confidence that the boy has, she was about to shake his hand when Weasley tugged his hand away.

"Oi Neville, don't go associating with snakes".

This struck a nerve in me. Apparently, I wasn't the only one, this annoyed Tracey more than me.

"Your not his mother Weasley, besides, he was just being polite and greeting us like a proper gentleman. Too bad the same can't be said for you".

Weasley immediately became red in the face and shut his mouth. I didn't react or say anything, my face still remained calm and stoic. Tracey then held her hand out.

"Tracey Davis, this is my friend Daphne Greengrass".

Neville then nervously reached his hand back out again and shook Tracey's hand. After that, the awkward silence resumed. Once we got off Tracey and I immediately took a different route to the rest of the Gryffindors and started heading towards the Shrieking Shack path.

Harry POV

I was sprinting down the steps after someone finally opened the damn door, damn, I was going to barely make it! I ran through the clocktower courtyard and saw Daphne looking around for me. I started to pick up the pace when a person suddenly grabbed me.

Wait what? No… two people are grabbing me? I looked and saw I was still under my invisibility cloak. How?

I then quickly looked to my left and right and frowned.

I hissed, "Hey guys...let me go, c'mon Fred and George, don't do this".

"Clever one Harry-"

"But not clever enough-"

"Besides-"

"We've got an better idea!"

I then desperately said, "Guys, c'mon, I'm trying to get to Hogsmeade!"

Both twins then responded at the same time.

"We know!"

Fred then started off.

"Don't worry-"

"We'll get you there-"

"We will show you a quicker way as well-"

"If ya pipe down..."

Fred then tilted his head and chuckled.

"Ah, bless him".

I was becoming desperate now, I might not be able to meet Daphne at Hogsmeade at this rate. I didn't have an axe, or should I say Horcrux, hanging over my head any more, I'm not linked with Voldy! I just wanted to try for some happiness in my life for once and I got blocked... again!

"Let me… c'mon guys… don't…"

I was struggling in their arms. Then then dragged me inside to an abandoned stairwell.

"Now Harry, come and join the big boys", said the twins in unison before tearing off my invisibility cloak.

"What are you doing?!"

I wanted to shout even more before George cut me off with a Shhhh. Fred then handed me a parchment of some sorts.

This has got to me some joke?

"What's this rubbish?"

Both twins chuckled slightly before Fred started off.

"Hehe, what's this rubbish he says-"

"That there is the secret to our success-"

"It is a wrench giving it to you believe me-"

"But...we have decided that-"

"Your needs are greater than ours".

I looked at both twins now utterly confused. Fred merely smiled and told George to do something with the parchment.

"George, If you will do the honors".

George then took his wand out and waved it at the parchment.

"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good!"

Then the parchment opened up and ink started to materialize out of the parchment. I then saw words starting to form and read what was on the parchment.

"Messrs Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs are proud to present… the Marauders Map?"

Still confused I looked at the twins again. George then spoke up with a giddy smile.

"We owe them so much!"

I then looked back at the parchment again and opened it and something like a muggle architecture floor plan of Hogwarts appeared. I then saw some labels floating about, but one caught my eye.

"Hang on… this is Hogwarts... Is that…No… is that really-".

Fred then interrupted me first.

"Dumbledore-"

"In his study-"

"Pacing-"

"He does that a lot!"

The twins once again going back and forth. I was utterly shocked, this map was amazing. Godric seemed to even chime in and become interested in how someone has mapped Hogwarts. Coming out from my shock I quickly thought of a question to ask the twins.

"So you mean this map shows-".

George then cut me off this time.

"Everyone!"

I still couldn't believe it and repeated exactly what George said, "Everyone?"

The twins looked at me and grinned.

"Everyone-"

"Where they are-"

"What they're doing-"

"Every minute-"

"Of every day!".

My smile grew bigger and bigger as the twins went on.

"Brilliant! Where'd you get it?"

Fred then rolled his eyes as if I said the stupidest thing in the world.

"Nicked it from Filch's office of course...first year".

He then smirked. I couldn't help but laugh. George then started off once I settled down.

"Now listen Harry, there are several secret passageways out of the castle, we recommend-"

"This one, the one-eyed witch passageway-"

"It will lead you straight to Honeydukes cellar-"

"Now you best hurry Harry-"

"Filch is heading this way-"

"Oh Harry, and don't forget, when your done, just give the parchment a tap and say-"

Then in unison, both twins said, "Mischief managed, otherwise anyone can read it".

The twins then created a diversion for me to put on my cloak and escape Filch as they distracted Filch. I then proceeded to quickly race towards the one-eyed witch secret passageway under my cloak.

Merlin! I really need to repay the twins big time!