Fred and George and the Toilers of Trouble (Year 1) ✔

Chapter 12:5

Deep in thought, the investigator set the map down, removed his monocle and dragged a finger across his upper lip. He stared at them for a long minute before responding.

"Objects of this sort work with an incantation, similar to the popular diaries that were being sold on Diagon Alley when I was your age. Using a phrase and a coinciding response, known only to the user, you're able to lock and unlock your secrets with ease. Somehow you happened to learn how to unlock the map. To re-lock it, however, you need the correct phrase," he paused, looking suspiciously at them. "Where did you find this, really? And how did you hear the opening phrase?"

The twins were as still as the orange moon glowing high above Hogsmeade. There was absolutely, unequivocally, no way they would tell a stranger about the founders' room behind Gregory the Smarmy — even if he had just spent four Sickles on them.

"Very well," the investigator said, with a serious expression. He placed his items back into the hat and tapped his wand to the map. "Indeed, you boys unlocked the secrets within this parchment...but there is a deeper secret that was only visible through the monocle."

"What secret?" the twins asked together.

The investigator took a deep breath. "It's a symbol. A...very dark symbol hidden within the page itself. But why it's there, I cannot —"

Suddenly the lines of the map spread apart and an open rectangle formed at the center. Ink was rippling within a new box and Lexington leaned back to read the developing words.

Padfoot would prefer it if the Magical Investigator would stop poking around where his wand does not belong.

Moony confirms that the four Marauders know nothing of what was in the map before it reached our hands.

And no one likes a pest.

Well said, Mr. Prongs.

Thank you, Mr. Wormtail.

As the text vanished, Lexington set down his wand and broke into a fit of laughter. "Blimey, it just keeps getting better. This map was imbued with the personality charm of no less than four individuals, which is rather unheard of in the wizarding world."

"We're aware," said George.

"It's the Essence Enchantment," said Fred.

"Right you are, but do you boys realize what you have here? This map can see everyone and everything within that castle. It is a dangerous piece of magic in the wrong hands. We must learn how to turn it off, if for nothing else than to protect the safety of Albus Dumbledore. I'll think on it, and send you an owl," he said firmly, drinking down the last of his swirling green Roughwater. "It's a shame you didn't see who had ruined those paintings. Do keep an eye out for unfamiliar characters."

"Investigator...what was the symbol you saw on the parchment?" George asked, as Fred studied the corner of the page where Lexington had been staring.

"It's not something one speaks about in polite conversation," he uttered evenly, his expression going cold. "You won't be able to see it without formal instruments. And you're too young to understand the...enormity...of such a symbol. On a different day, I might have suggested that you destroy this map. And I may still. Eventually, you will learn about the symbol. But when you're older. If you have not, then you may ask me again."

Suddenly a door burst open on the floor above them and a man dressed in a bright turquoise robe stepped onto the landing. He had shoulder-length, sandy blonde hair, and a gleaming, white smile. In the momentary silence, he almost appeared to be presenting himself to the bar patrons below, in the anticipation of applause.