Little Moonfoot

The Marauder's Map

"Hermione walked into his office looking devastated. "What happen Hermione? Aren't you supposed to be in Hogsmeade right now. "

"Buckbeak's trail was today," she said.

"Oh"

"They lost the case. Hagrid sent me a letter. This is not fair. They don't care if Buckbeak is dangerous or not. They just took Malfoys' side because he has influence and money."

This was perfectly true. His daughter had a good chance of a career in politics if she wanted that. The department of disposal of dangerous creatures had always given Remus the chills as he too was considered to be a creature which they might need to dispose of. He remembered how Sirius used to tell him that he would shut down the whole department if he became the black heir. But now he was. Remus got a brilliant idea.

"That's true. They always side with the money and power and that's why we are going to win this case" Remus said with an excited grin.

"What?"

"You are the daughter of the most wealthy and influential family in Britain."

"But how are you--"

"Not me, Hermione, Sirius. The Black family owns half the assets on which the ministry runs. I will clear his name, he will retake his position as the black heir and he can appear during the appeal."

"But wouldn't we be using the same dirty tactics that the Malfoys did."

"What is the purpose of having power if you cannot use it for good?"

"But will he agree to do it?"

"Of Course Hermione. Sirius would do anything for you, not to mention his all time dislike for the committee of disposal of dangerous creatures. And his dislike for Malfoy."

"You know what. He doesn't even have to appear for the appeal. He can just threaten to freeze half of Malfoy's assets as they technically belong to the black family. Malfoy would withdraw with his tail between his legs."

"Wait. Sirius is related to Malfoy?"

"Yes. Sirius and Narcissa were first cousins."

"Which means I am related to Malfoy. The one person in this school whom I wished I wasn't related to."

Remus chuckled and patted her head, "Well that's family for you, can't choose them."

----------------

Remus was correcting some essays when his fireplace lit up with a bright green flame.

"Lupin!" Snape called into the fire. "I want a word!"

Remus had no idea what this was about, but whatever it was, Snape did not seem very happy about it. He set down his quill and clambered into the fireplace.

"You called, Severus?" he said mildly. A terrified Harry was standing beside Snape.

"I certainly did," said Snape, his face contorted with fury as he strode back to his desk. "I have just asked Potter to empty his pockets. He was carrying this."

Snape pointed at the parchment, on which the words of Messrs. Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs were still shining. The map. Their map. The one Sirius often referred to as their first baby. He tried to close off his expression and contain all his feelings.

"Well?" said Snape.

Remus tried to come up with something quick but the shock of seeing the map again was still afresh.

"Well?" said Snape again. "This parchment is plainly full of Dark Magic. This is supposed to be your area of expertise, Lupin. Where do you imagine Potter got such a thing?"

Remus looked up and, by the merest half-glance in Harry's direction, warned him not to interrupt.

"Full of Dark Magic?" he repeated mildly. "Do you really think so, Severus? It looks to me as though it is merely a piece of parchment that insults anybody who reads it. Childish, but surely not dangerous? I imagine Harry got it from a joke shop —"

"Indeed?" said Snape. His jaw had gone rigid with anger. "You think a joke shop could supply him with such a thing? You don't think it more likely that he got it directly from the manufacturers?"

Remus didn't understand why Snape was saying this. The map as well as their nicknames had been a secret well guarded from him.

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

"No," said Harry quickly.

"You see, Severus?" said Lupin, turning back to Snape. "It looks like a Zonko product to me —"

Right on cue, Ron came bursting into the office. He was completely out of breath, and stopped just short of Snape's desk, clutching the stitch in his chest and trying to speak.

"I — gave — Harry — that — stuff," he choked. "Bought — it... in Zonko's... ages — ago..."

"Well!" said Lupin, clapping his hands together and looking around cheerfully. "That seems to clear that up! Severus, I'll take this back, shall I?" He folded the map and tucked it inside his robes. "Harry, Ron, come with me, I need a word about my vampire essay — excuse us, Severus"

He led Ron and Harry walked all the way back into the entrance hall before speaking. Then Harry turned to Remus "Professor, I —"

"I don't want to hear explanations," said Remus shortly. He glanced around the empty entrance hall and lowered his voice. "I happen to know that this map was confiscated by Mr. Filch many years ago. Yes, I know it's a map," he said as Harry and Ron looked amazed. "I don't want to know how it fell into your possession. I am, however, astounded that you didn't hand it in. Particularly after what happened the last time a student left information about the castle lying around. And I can't let you have it back, Harry." he said.

He needed to get the map back and he needed for Harry to not suspect anything. The map may be able to help him find Sirius, or whatever he was looking for. He may have also wanted it for his own personal reasons.

"Why did Snape think I'd got it from the manufacturers?"

"Because..." Remus hesitated, "because these mapmakers would have wanted to lure you out of school. They'd think it extremely entertaining."

"Do you know them?" said Harry, impressed.

"We've met," he said shortly and left with the map.