February 24, 1997
The morning was cold for late February. Harry had left the warmth of his bed to meet Snape in his lab just as the sun was rising. He had been surprised to find a fresh layer of frost upon the windows and snow across the grounds. Harry had rugged himself up as he left the common room and headed down the tower.
In his bag, he had a heavy stack of student essays that he had graded over the weekend ready to be given back during the days lessons, and in his other hand he held his own work. His proposal that Snape had approved was to be sent into the ministry for them to assess before finalising the date for his potioner exam. The exam would be the final step in his apprenticeship before he would be granted the title of Potion Master. Harry would then be able to produce and sell his own brews, if he so desired, and also be an eligible option for a teacher position.
Snape had been rather impressed with the progress that Harry had made with his potion, the only thing he still required was a name. It would be too confusing to simply call it a 'slowing' potion as there were too many things it could apply too that were irrelevant to what it did. Harry also wanted to do further testing to see what other effects it might produce. While it had worked excellently on him, slowing the effects of the basilisk venom and providing enough time for Fawkes tears to be administrated to him, but the slowing effects on phoenix tears had been completed unexpected. While Snape encouraged Harry to complete the proposal and send the potion to the Ministry as it did as expected with no ill side effects. The potion didn't need to be produced for wider consumption until Harry was satisfied. Hence, Harry had spent not only his free time grading papers, but checking and double checking his own work.
The only issue being that Harry's mind was distracted. He had allowed himself to believe that since the chamber had been found and the diary destroyed that the remainder of the year would be ordinary. He wanted to play Quidditch, go to his classes, and hang out with his friends. He also wanted to spend as much time as possible seeing Fleur. Harry had even tried to request a visit to Fleur's school but that had been knocked back by the Headmistress, meaning Harry had to wait until Fleur could make it to Hogwarts, and as they were heading towards their end of the school year, exams were growing closer.
The other issues, other than trying to live his life, was the overhanging investigation from the ministry. Gilderoy Lockhart was murdered by a piece of Voldemort's soul. Harry and Harvey's stories were the same but it seemed that someone from the ministry, Harry believed it to be Fudge, thought there was either more to the story or something else had happen entirely. Dumbledore had informed Harry that it had been Fudge who had appointed Lockhart as the new the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor so maybe there was something they were missing.
The week after Lockhart's death, the Daily Prophet had a whole front page dedicated to him. There was the main article that outlined his life and his acclaimed achievements and a very small section about how he had died. It had only stated he died during his investigation of the Chamber of Secrets, nothing else. A number of stories from close family and friends went on about how he would be missed. The important information about what had happened had been unsurprisingly left out.
Harry didn't know if Lockhart had siblings or if his parents were still alive, they could have questions, hence the investigation, but what else was there to say. Somehow, Harry believed, that if Lockhart had any family they would be well aware of what kind of man he had been. It was his own selfishness and desire for attention that led to his own demise. And what valid reason would Harry or Harvey have to lie?
The Ministry would be sending a representative to speak to those involved or linked to Lockhart's death and they would provide a final report to the Minister for Magic with what they find. There had been no hint as to whom it might be and Harry was somewhat dreading the tool they would no doubt send their way. He could only hope it would be quick and he could go back to focusing on what actually mattered.
Harry entered Snape's lab and hung his bag on the back of one of the chairs. He removed his additional layers before rolling up his sleeves. He placed his own work on the desk Snape allowed him to use, before moving the other student's essays over to Snape's main area. He would distribute them back to the students himself.
Snape was nowhere to be seen, but there were two cauldrons bubbling away in the centre of the room. Harry took note of the neatly laid out ingredients and noticed Snape seemed to be brewing a quadruple batch of Calming Draught. It wasn't uncommon for the Hospital Wing to request such a potion, especially at the end of the year, when students become overwhelmed by their upcoming exams.
The door, that led to Snape's rooms, swung open and Snape walked in. It was one of the few occasions that Harry saw his mentor without his normal billowing capes. He was dressed in his normal black pants and a black button up. His sleeves rolled up and his hair tied back.
"So, you finally decided to show up?" groaned Snape.
Harry said, "I'm early according to the clock."
Snape ignored him and moved over to his potions.
He said, "Madame Pomfrey has requested a new stock of Pepperup Potion. Make a double batch."
Harry nodded, and moved to set up his own cauldron and started brewing. As he collected his ingredients, he asked, "My proposal is ready."
Snape said, "Is it?"
"I think so."
"You think?"
Harry sighed. "It is too early for this kind of conversation."
Snape looked over the cauldron's at Harry. "I only question you to get a truthful response from you."
Harry challenged his stare. "If I did not think it was ready, I would no say so."
Snape turned his head to the side. "Yet, you don't seem sure."
"You can be rather frustrating sometimes."
A small smirk lifted the corner of Snape's mouth. He said, "So I am told."
Harry put down his knife and said, "I believe the potion works. I just think it may have other properties and I would like to explore them."
Snape nodded. "And you can, before or after submitting the report to the Ministry."
"Are you so desperate to be finished with me?"
Snape's face softened. "Harrison, if I thought you were inadequate I would never have encouraged you to apply for an apprenticeship. Do you frustrate me? Yes. Do you remind me of your father, who I have hated for many years? Yes. Do you also remind me of your mother? Someone who I love dearly? Yes. If I did not think you were ready I would not be telling you to submit the damn thing."
The use of his first name made Harry take a breath. It wasn't often Snape used his first name, but when he did he was speaking to him as more than just his teacher. There were a few occasions where Harry could look at Snape like another uncle. Much like Remus, Snape was someone who Harry trusted and looked too for guidance.
Harry said, "Well, when you put it like that."
"You apprenticeship has been short, yes. My own apprenticeship lasted five years before my mentor stated I was ready." Snape looked back down at his potion and started to stir.
"You've never mentioned your mentor before."
Snape frowned. "He is not worth mentioning. He was a means to an end and rather a waste of my time."
Harry held in the questions he wanted to throw at his mentor. But from the look on his face, Harry decided it was best to leave it. There was still a lot Harry didn't know about the man and he somehow knew, and had accepted, that Snape was never going to be one to talk about himself. No matter how curious he sometimes was.
The halls were buzzing. Harvey made his way through the crowd of students heading towards his first class of the morning.
Ever since Lockhart had died, through events Harvey was trying very hard to forget, their defense classes had been left to be free study periods as there were no Professors available to take up the classes for the remainder of the year. Harvey had tried to spend his free periods doing what he could to learn about what Lockhart should have taught them during his second year. There were plenty of books that Hermione had recommended for him to read through and he even got some helpful direction from the Twins about what he should focus on for his exams.
But it seemed that someone had finally decided to take the class as McGonagall had informed them at breakfast that morning that they were to have class.
Harvey was curious about who they might have. He hoped it was someone who would teach them something interesting. He had no doubt that most of the Professor at Hogwarts could provide something interesting for them.
Harvey turned towards the staircase that led to the defense class room when he collided with two solid bodies. Arms grabbed Harvey, stopping him from falling over. He looked up into the incidental faces of the Weasley twins.
"Watch yourself, Harvey," said Fred.
"You could have hurt yourself," said George.
"Sorry," said Harvey.
Fred and George smiled before walking around him.
Harvey turned and frowned. He knew they both had Potions first thing in the morning but they were going the other way. He moved after them and yelled, "Where are you two doing?"
Fred and George stopped and gave him innocent smiles.
"Nowhere interesting," said Fred.
"Just enjoying the day," said George.
"Sure," Harvey narrowed his eyes. "I don't believe you for a second."
The twins glanced at one another and shrugged.
"Oh well," said Fred.
"We tried," said George.
They walked back over and pulled Harvey into an alcove away from any other eyes. Harvey huffed and pulled himself from their grasp.
"Stop it," he muttered.
"We have a plan," said George.
"A good one," added Fred.
"But we need you to keep it to yourself," finished George.
Harvey crossed his arms. "Haven't we had enough trouble this year?"
George shook his head.
"There is a certain second year that needs to have his head removed from his ass," said Fred.
"So we are going to assist him with the removal," said George.
"Malfoy?" asked Harvey.
The twins shook their heads.
"Then who? I wasn't aware anyone else who needs their head removed?"
"A little closer to home," said Fred.
"More familiar," added George.
"Ron?" asked Harvey.
The twins smiled.
"Exactly," said George.
"Little Ronnie needs to improve that attitude of his," said Fred.
"He's becoming more like Percy everyday," said George.
"And we can't allow that," said Fred.
Harvey looked at them, uncertain with what they might do.
"It won't be too bad," said George.
"Just the nudge he needs," said Fred.
"I think Ron has had the nudge he needed. You know, when he was possessed by an evil diary that almost killed him," said Harvey.
He hadn't really spoken to Ron in the last few weeks, so he didn't know how he had been acting. Ron was still disruptive in class, but he always had been. He liked to joke around with his friends. It had once included Harvey.
"Do you not trust us?" asked Fred.
"You know you can," said George.
Harvey sighed. "Trust isn't the issue. I know you both of you, too well to just let you do whatever you are going to do."
Fred and George looked at one another. They seemed to talk to one another without saying anything, before George pulled a piece of parchment from his pocket. He held it up and smirked.
He said, "If you let us do as we wish, you can have this?"
Harvey frowned. "You are trying to bribe me?"
Fred chuckled. "Maybe."
"Is it working?" asked George.
Harvey rolled his eyes and shook his head. "You two have finally lost it."
George opened the parchment. "That might be true, but this might be worth it."
Harvey took the paper. It was worn but blank.
"I have my own parchment. I don't need more."
Fred grinned and pulled out his wand and tapped the parchment. "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."
Harvey's eyes widened as the parchment changed. From the tip of Fred's wand, ink spread out from one side the other, joining together until they spanned to every inch of the page. And in the centre, is large curly writing, it proclaimed:
Messrs Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs
Purveyors of Aids to Magical Mischief makers are proud to present
THE MARAUDER'S MAP
Harvey's mouth popped open in shock. It was map. A magical map. As he opened the parchment he found himself taking in the detailed layout of Hogwarts.
Fred and George looked at him with wide grins.
Harvey watched as a set of feet moved along a corridor with a name hovering along with it. It said 'Remus Lupin'.
"We owe them so much," said Fred.
"Noble men, working tirelessly to help a new generation of law-breakers," said George.
"Where did you get this?" asked Harvey, his eyes still glued to the moving names on the page.
"Filch's office—" said Fred.
"—first year," said George.
"We got pulled in for setting off a Dungbomb in the corridor—"
"—he hauled us off to his office with the usual threats—"
"—detention—"
"—disembowelment—"
"—and we couldn't help noticing a draw that was marked as Confiscated and Highly Dangerous."
Harvey glanced up and sighed, "Don't tell me—"
"Well, what would you've done?" asked Fred.
George said, "I dropped another Dungbomb—"
"—and I whipped open the drawer and grabbed—this!" Fred tapped the map.
The sound of laughter made the twins' eyes widen. A few students walked past but didn't notice them.
"So, do we have a deal?" asked George.
"Magical map for my silence?" asked Harvey.
Fred nodded.
Harvey looked back down at the pages before closing it and looking at the names across the front. Three of them sounded very familiar. In fact, he heard them often. Moony was what his father called his uncle Remus. His father got called Prongs by Sirius. And Sirius was definitely called Padfoot. He wondered if it was possible. Could his father and his friends have made this map?
Harvey started, "So this map shows—"
"Everyone!" exclaimed George.
"Everyone?" asked Harvey.
George nodded. "Everyone!"
Fred said, "Where they are—"
George added, "—what they're doing—"
"—every minute—"
"—of everyday."
"Oh, and remember," said Fred, "when you're done, just tap it and say Mischief Managed."
With another tap, the words and lines on the parchment faded until once again it looked like nothing other than some old parchment.
"Alright, deal," said Harvey.
The twins grinned.
"Fantastic doing business with you," said George.
"Pleasure, truly."
Harvey asked, "One last thing."
"Yes?" they both asked.
"I wouldn't have said anything, why give me this?"
George said, "I'm sure you'll work it out."
"If you don't want it…" Fred held out his hand.
Harvey shook his head and tucked the map into his pocket.
"Thought so," said George.
"Come on, George. Bye Harvey."
"Bye Harvey."
Harvey watched the twins disappear before he pulled the map back out. He tapped the paper and watched it revealed itself again. He looked back at the names and smiled. It had to be his dad and his friends. But who was this Wormtail. He'd never heard them mention another name before. He cleared the map before stuffing it into his bag. He had a class to get to and could worry about it later.
Letting out a content sigh, Dolores Umbridge looked at herself in her mirror. She was pleased to see her curls perfectly framing her face, her broach sitting straight on her pocket, and her clothes neat and clean. She was perfect in every way.
Turning from the mirror, Dolores moved across her office to take a seat at her desk. Laid out in an orderly fashion were documents surrounding the death of one Gilderoy Lockhart. Dolores glanced at the grinning face of the dead wizard and shook her head, tutting her lips as she moved the photo to the side. A man with great ambitions, he had been—at least she thought so. Dolores had tried to warn the Minister against pushing for the man to take up the empty post at Hogwarts, but Cornelius Fudge had insisted.
Dolores lifted a piece of paper and picked up another photo. This one of Harrison Black. She furrowed her brow as she stared at him.
"You look like trouble," she muttered to herself.
Cornelius had approached her, not long after they had been informed by Albus Dumbledore that Lockhart had died, and had requested that she investigate the matter. While investigations weren't her formal role, as the Senior Undersecretary to the Minister for Magic she had important business that she needed to attend to, but Lockhart's death seemed very important to Cornelius so she had dared not refused. It was only after reading the statements provided by the headmaster that she understood Cornelius concern.
Harrison Black, sixth year at Hogwarts, and his younger half brother, Harvey Potter, second year at Hogwarts, had claimed that Gilderoy Lockhart was murder by a diary created by Tom Riddle. The diary had contained a piece of Riddle's soul that had one, possessed another Hogwarts student, two, had attempted to drain said student of their life essence, and three, had murdered Lockhart when the man had tried to make a deal with him.
The whole story sounded rather unbelievable. A diary containing a piece of a soul. What nonsense. Dolores knew she would need to speak with Harrison and Harvey. It seemed most plausible that this Harrison Black had some discourse with his Professor and what might have started out as a prank had resulted in disaster and now he was attempting to cover it up.
What outraged Dolores the most was that someone like Albus Dumbledore was willingly allowing the boy to hide what he had done. But she wouldn't stand for it. No. She would make sure that boy was expelled and charged to the highest extent of the law.
A firm knock on her door made Dolores lift her head.
She cleared her throat and said, "Come in."
The door opened and Cornelius walked in.
"Dolores," he said, "I am glad you are in."
Dolores smiled warmly at him.
"Minister, good day."
"How has your inquiry into Lockhart's accident coming?" he asked.
"Well, from what I have learned from what was provided, I firmly believe there to be more to be found."
Fudge nodded. "Right. So it wasn't so…"
"Ridiculous?" she offered. "This story these two brothers have provided is just utter rubbish. Some silly version to cover what they have done."
Fudge rubbed his jaw. "Yes, yes."
"I will make my way to Hogwarts and speak to these boys. And anyone else I think could provide some light on the situation."
"Well, very good. Thank you, Dolores."
Dolores bowed her head and smiled widely. "Of course, Minister. It is my pleasure to serve you."
Fudge nodded again and turned back towards the door. As he reached to open it, he stopped and looked over his shoulder at her.
He said, "Dolores, I must warn you."
She frowned. "Minister?"
"Harrison Black, is the heir to the House of Black. His is Sirius Black's son."
"And just because he is from a noble house that should grant him the freedom to do as he pleases?" she asked.
Fudge sighed. "No. No. I just mean, only make accusations you know they won't be able to deny. That family holds a lot of power and is connected to a great many that…"
Dolores didn't need him to finish to understand. She nodded her head and said, "Do not worry, Minister. I will be thorough."
"Very good. Thank you."
As he left, Dolores glared down at the stoic face of Harrison Black. She would enjoy making this no doubt spoiled brat squirm. It was something she looked forward to indeed.
Harvey was glad when his final class ended for the day. He had been anxious to find his brother and show him the map that the twins had given him. Harvey had felt the map burning in his pocket since he had slipped it inside, and as the day wore on, Harvey had become more certain that his father and friends were the ones behind the map.
When Harvey had arrived in the defense classroom, he was pleasantly surprised to find that his Uncle Remus had agreed to temporarily fill in the role of the defense Professor for the rest of the school year. Harvey had considered asking Remus straight up if he was the Moony mentioned on the map, but decided he better not. After all, the map seemed to be designed by a group of mischief makers to help other mischief makers. Remus was now an adult and would have to act responsible in the sense that a school student should not be in possession of such an object. Harry's father, Sirius, Harvey believed would be less likely to take the map but he wasn't now a Professor at Hogwarts.
And since he could ask Remus, or his father, the only person who could have any answers would be Harry. Harvey knew that Harry had grown up on stories about their parents adventures at school; the number of times they had pulled pranks of teachers and students alike, how they had all taught themselves to become animagus so that they could be with Remus during the full moon. Harvey knew there were certain stories that their mum had forbidden his dad from sharing with him, but it was possible that Sirius had shared those story with Harry.
After Harvey's defense class with Remus, which had been the most productive and interesting class he'd had all year, he had hoped to find his brother but wasn't able too. Even during their lunch break, Harry was nowhere to be seen in the Great Hall and no one knew where he was. So that left later, when Harvey was hoping his brother would appear.
The halls with busy with students as Harvey made his way towards the Great Hall. Harry was one who tended to eat early so he had more time in the evening to do other things. As it was Monday, Harry would have dinner before heading to Quidditch practice. Harvey had a Quidditch meeting with the Gryffindor team as the next match was going to be Ravenclaw and Gryffindor and it seemed that Oliver Wood wanted to discuss strategies, so he needed to be quick.
As Harvey reached the main entrance, he spotted Harry leaning against the wall with Carlisle. The two of them were laughing as he ducked beneath a few students to reach them.
"Little Potter," greeted Carlisle.
Harvey smiled. "Hi, Carlisle."
"Excited for the upcoming match?" Carlisle asked.
Harvey nodded. "It will be interesting, that is for sure."
Harry smiled.
"Well, we are all cheering for you. Maybe you'll finally be the one to knock this cocky prick off his perch." Carlisle nudged Harry's arm.
Harry said, "Well, you will just have to wait and see."
"I think I could beat you," said Harvey.
Harry raised an eyebrow.
For a moment, Harvey couldn't help but compare the look to their mother when she made the same expression. It normally was directed at his father when he said something he thought was funny but she believed to be utterly ridiculous.
"Is that so?" asked Harry.
Harvey grinned and shrugged. "We'll see."
Carlisle chuckled. "Nothing like some sibling rivalry to make the match more exciting."
"Well, after losing to you last year, I think I owe you some payback," said Harvey.
Harry laughed softly.
"Carlisle!"
Amelia was standing by the doors to the Great Hall. She placed her hand on her hip and looked annoyed.
Carlisle shrunk and said, "Oh, that doesn't sound good."
Harry clapped him on the shoulder. "Good luck, my friend."
"Thanks," frowned Carlisle.
Harvey watched Carlisle walk away before he turned back to Harry.
"I have something to show you," he said.
Harry asked, "What?"
"Not here."
Harvey grabbed Harry's arm and pulled him outside into the courtyard. Harry didn't complain and followed as they went down the stairs and into the alcove out of site. Harvey dug into his pocket and pulled out the map and handed it to Harry who flipped it over and looked at him confused. Harvey quickly checked their surroundings, then tapped the page.
He said, "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."
Harvey watched Harry's face as he map revealed itself. His eyes widened and his brow clenched.
"The Marauder's Map?" he said.
Harvey nodded.
"Where did you get this?" Harry asked.
"Fred and George. They found it Flich's office during their first year."
"This is a map of Hogwarts."
"Yeah, and it's where everyone is right now. See—"
Harvey opened the map to the Great Hall and pointed at Carlisle and Amelia's names.
"—it shows where everyone is at this exact moment."
"This is incredible."
"And the best part, I think dad, your dad and Uncle Remus made it. Look."
Harvey closed the map and pointed at the names.
Harry read, "Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs."
"Moony is what dad calls Uncle Remus. Padfoot is your dad. And Prongs is my dad. I don't know how Wormtail is though."
Harry scratched the back of his head and said, "The nicknames came from their animagus forms, or in Remus' case, his werewolf side. My dad's a Grim, a big dog. James is a Stag."
"Well that makes sense, but what about Wormtail?"
"No idea." Harry sighed. "Maybe it was a random addition to trick anyone who found it. They probably didn't want any teachers to find out they'd made it."
Harvey scrunched up his nose. "But it's invisible. I thought about asking Uncle Remus—"
"He'll just confiscate it before you shouldn't have it."
"Yeah, I figured that."
"I'll ask my dad. If they did make it, he will be thrilled you have it."
"Why? I'm not exactly one to get up to mischief."
"Seriously?"
"What?"
"Your first year at Hogwarts, you and your friends worked out that someone was after the stone and against very sane thought decided to go after the stone to protect it. And then this year, not too long ago, we both ended up in a secret chamber fighting a basilisk. I would say you are a mischief magnet."
Harvey grinned sheepishly. "Not all of that was because I wanted to find trouble."
Harry smirked. "Perhaps not. Still. Keep it safe and hidden."
Taking back the map, Harvey wiped it before stuffing it back in his pocket. He couldn't wait to find out about this Wormtail person. If he was someone who'd been friends with their parents, where was he now?
