Chapter 103 The Secret Behind The Marauder's Map

Harry, Ron, and Hermione didn't grasp Snape's words. Neither did Lupin, apparently.

"Do you mean, by Mr. Wormtail or any of these people?" he said. "Harry, do you know any of these men?"

"No," said Harry quickly.

"Well, Severus, it seems to me that this is a product from Zonko's Joke Shop," Lupin addressed Snape.

"It's us!" Fred and George made their way through the crowd. They explained to Lupin and Snape, "We bought this parchment a few years ago at Zonko's Joke Shop. We just gave it to Harry."

"Very well then, everything is clear," said Professor Lupin with satisfaction. "Harry didn't break any school rules. He simply showed this joke parchment to his friends, in my opinion, and simply didn't want the professor to know about it..."

"Lupin!" Snape took a step forward and whispered. "Don't play dumb. You and I know what this parchment is."

"Yes, obviously, I just said it's a mischievous product. Anyone who wants to read it will be insulted," Professor Lupin blinked.

"No, I don't mean that..."

Snape suddenly stopped speaking and looked indignantly at Lupin.

Even though he had seen this parchment more than once in the hands of James Potter when they were students, he truly didn't know what this parchment was for or what it was. Its four creators made sure it remained a secret.

Since Lupin didn't want to talk about it, there was no point in continuing this dead end. Snape also didn't want his youthful past exposed in front of the students.

"Very well, Lupin." Snape returned to his usual unpleasant tone. He smiled and said, "I suddenly remembered that tonight is a full moon and I hope you'll be home alone. Don't forget to lock the door! By the way, I'll send you your potion. After that, we can discuss the delightful topic of this parchment."

Snape looked at Lupin with a displeasing look. He deliberately emphasized the words: at night, full moon, and locking the door, as if giving a hint to everyone.

"No problem, my door is open to you at any time, Severus!" Professor Lupin said cheerfully. "And thank you for your potion."

"You're welcome." Snape's face didn't show a smile; he gazed fiercely at Lupin, Harry, and Evan, then continued, blinking, "I made a whole pot, if you still want more, just let me know."

"I started taking it a week ago, and a little more this afternoon should be enough," said Professor Lupin, turning to Evan and the rest of his group. "Harry, Evan, Ron, Hermione, come with me, I have something to tell you about the task I assigned you..."

Professor Lupin took two steps forward and seemed to remember something. "Severus, I'll take this. You don't mind, do you?"

Snape didn't speak, but his grim expression showed that he was annoyed.

Lupin pretended not to see Snape's expression. He swiftly approached, took the map, folded it, and tucked it into his robes.

Evan and the three followed behind Professor Lupin and left the Great Hall. None dared to look back at Snape.

When they reached the entrance hall, they dared to speak.

"Professor, we..." Harry quickly said, apparently wanting to retrieve the Marauder's Map.

"I don't want to hear explanations, Harry!" Lupin looked around the empty entrance hall. Other students were still behind in the Great Hall. There was no one else besides them. He said quietly, "In fact, I just found out that this map was confiscated many years ago by Mr. Filch, I know this parchment."

Harry and Hermione looked at him with great interest. Ron lowered his gaze and wondered what he might be thinking, while Evan couldn't hide his head between his arms.

Professor Lupin not only knew the map, he was one of its creators.

Harry's luck was terrible. Once he had handed it over, it was useless. Professor Lupin would never return the map to Harry.

"I don't want to know how you got it. To my surprise, you didn't plan to hand it over, especially with Sirius lurking around the castle!" Lupin addressed Hermione. "What you did was wrong, Hermione. I thought that, unlike them, you would be more sensible."

"Don't blame Hermione. She simply told me to hand it over." Harry inquired with curiosity. "Professor, how do you know about this map?"

"This is not something you should know, Harry." Lupin's face made it clear that he didn't want to say more on the subject.

"Well then, why did Snape think I got it from its creator?" Harry persisted with his questions.

"That was because..." Lupin hesitated. "Because the person who created the map might have wanted to get you out of school, they thought it would be fun."

"Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs," Evan interrupted.

It turned out that after the four graduated, this map fell into Filch's hands. That was why it stayed within the school confines.

This made it seem like James Potter, Sirius Black, Peter Pettigrew, and Professor Lupin during their school days must have been as mischievous as Fred and George are now, also causing headaches for Filch.

"Yes, it's them," Lupin nodded.

"Professor, do you know them?" Harry asked, looking impatient.

"We have met before," Lupin shortly replied, looking more serious at Harry than usual.

"Wait a moment, Professor, about this map," Evan hurriedly asked. "If you know it, then you must know how it was made, right?"

"Oh, it requires a very deep knowledge of magic, not suitable for your age..."

"Professor, I don't want to know the specific way to make this map," Evan continued, "Just tell me how those four could have created it. I believe they needed a source of great magical power."

Professor Lupin looked at Evan in amazement. Harry, Ron, and Hermione also gazed at him, surprised, wondering why Evan would suddenly ask such a question.