The Secrets of the Map

Injuries and Intruders

Heads up: I just updated the chapter called "The Investigation", so it might help to go back and reread that if you are confused in later chapters ;)

    Teddy and Victoire waited with bated breath as Madam Pomfrey examines the wound with sharp, intuitive eyes. The boy's veins were bulging in his temple, and he seemed to be gasping for air and sweating as he moaned and twisted on the bed. For the first time, Teddy saw Madam Pomfrey look worried. "It's a werewolf bite all right," she admitted in a low voice to Professor McGonagall, ignoring his moans. "I gave him some temporary cures for now that will hold it off, but he needs to be taken to St. Mungos as soon as possible-I've heads they just recently began a cure for this sort of thing, but we have to catch it quick. He was bitten roughly fifteen minutes ago, correct?"
She turned to Teddy and Victoire for confirmation, who nodded, before adding, "They say it takes an hour for the change to occur, so he could be stopped if we hurry. Minerva, is there any staff who can go? I would but I don't think I can leave-"
"You better go, Poppy," Professor McGonagall decided. "I can think of no one better to take him- no one else will be able to help with the details."
Madam Pomfrey nodded grimly and waved her wand, causing the boy to float from the bed. "I'll be back as soon as I can-until then, have that Ravenclaw Jenna take my place-she's got a knack for healing."
McGonagall stepped aside for her to pass. "Good luck," she wished, as if Madam Pomfrey was going on a dangerous expedition.
The nurse regarded McGonagall warily. "Minerva...if there is a werewolf running about, we have to do something."
McGonagall's mouth had turned into a very thin line. "Yes, of course. For now I'll have the students report back to their Common Rooms-the Aurors can come later."
Madam Pompfrey nodded back. " The three watched the retreating figures march towards a fireplace before turning to one another. "You said you needed to show me a map, Mr. Lupin?" McGonagall asked curtly.
"Oh-right." Suddenly the theory seemed insignificant, and it took Teddy a few minutes to rack his brain for all the details. The thought of Aurors searching Hogwarts was so unnatural he could barely comprehend it. Like Hogwarts was a crime scene...though on second though, it probably was now. The image of the boy twisting in the bed resurfaced in his mind, and he felt a stab of guilt rip through him as he realized he had never learned he boy's name.
"Could we explain in your office, Professor?" Asked Victoire, and McGonagall nodded.
"Yes, I suppose it would be better than having rumors floating about-there will enough to talk about as it is. You'll excuse me for a moment, I must make an announcement."
She then pointed her wand at her throat, and suddenly her voice could be heard throughout her castle in a sharp, commanding tone. "Attention all students-please report back to your Common Rooms immediately for a temporary lockdown. I repeat-please report back to your Common Rooms immediately. This is not a drill. Anyone caught elsewhere will face consequences."
As her voice finished echoing throughout the halls, she lowered the wand and marched back to her office, with Teddy and Victoire trailing behind.
"I've never seen anything like that," whispered Victoire. "I've heard about it, but I never realized how painful it must be. You think he'll be alright?"
Teddy wanted to say yes, but deep down he feared it might not be so. "I don't know." He glanced warily down the other halls, which were now filling with confused students. "I can't believe we're going on lockdown."
"Well, what else can they do?" Victoire whispered. "As far as they know, the werewolf could still be out here."
"He wouldn't be dumb enough to stick around, would he?" Teddy wondered.
"He was dumb enough to attack a student, so anything's possible," she replied grimly.
Finally, they reached the golden griffin guarding her office. Curious, Teddy glanced at McGonagall as she said in a clear voice, "Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans".
Teddy jumped as the griffin spun around, revealing stairs leading to an office. For some reason the only thing he could think to say was, "The password is a candy?"
To his surprise, McGonagall's eyes twinkled with amusement. "It's an old tradition, but we have more pressing matters to discuss. Follow me," she commanded. "And when you're through, you will report back to your Common Rooms with a teacher, is that understood?"
They nodded and cautiously follows her up the steps. Teddy couldn't help being impressed at the large expanse of the office, with the many headmaster portraits covering the walls and the large simple desk at the very end of the room, where the Sorting Hat was placed.
McGonagall ignored the stares and instead stood against her desk impatiently. "Speak now or forever hold your peace."
It was now to never. Slowly, Teddy brought out the map and handed it to her, despite the guilt that seeped through him as he did so. "My dad and his friends made it a long time ago," he admitted in an apologetic tone. "Harry gave it to me-said he got it from George-"
"Of course a Weasley twin stole it," she muttered in a resigned tone. "And so he thought it would be a sentimental object to pass to you. Did you see something suspicious on it?"
"Yes," Victoire spoke up, apparently unable to stay quiet any longer. "He saw Fenrir Greyback walking around, Professor. We know he's supposed to be dead so at first we thought the map was broken, but-"
"The map never lies," Professor McGonagall finished grimly, pinching her nose above her spectacles. Her expression still held the same determined look, but looked more worried than scared. "Well, I must say this is a new turn of events. Is he visible now on it?"
Teddy couldn't help feeling surprised at how calmly she was taking this. "That's the thing-he keeps appearing and disappearing off the map randomly. You just have to watch it until he shows up."
McGonagall sighed through her nose. "I see. Well, thank you for bringing this to my attention, Mr. Lupin and Mrs. Weasley. I'm sure it will come in handy for the Aurors."
He should've guessed it, but Teddy couldn't help asking cautiously, "Aurors?"
"Yes, Mr. Lupin. This map will be very helpful for them when searching the castle, and it will help me locate wandering students for safety measures."
"But I will get it back, right?" He could explain how, but it had become some sort of prized possession for him-almost like a talisman.
"I'm afraid not, Mr. Lupin. The map is useful for security purposes, but I will not have it in the hands of students, however trustworthy they may be."
Suddenly his stomach twisted in agony as a new thought came to mind. "You won't give it to Mr. Filch, will you?"
"That is still to be determined, but I suspect you will eventually know if and when it happens." She waved her hand dismissively. "I sent for Hagrid while you two were talking-he will escort you back to your rooms." She gestured pointedly at the map. "I will see if there are any meanderings on the way."
Teddy nodded reluctantly, and the two left her office. Hagrid was already waiting outside for them, running his hand over his grey-streaked black hair anxiously. "There ye are," he said, smiling in relief at the two. "Guess ye both know what's happening better than anyone."
    Teddy nodded grimly. "What are the staff supposed to do?" asked Victoire in concern, her French accent replacing her usual tone as her anxiousness increased. "Are ze patrolling ze halls as well?"
    Hagrid didn't seem surprised by the change in accent. "Most of us are, but a few like Filch are stayin behind since they aren't too good with combat magic."
     "I hope ze will be alright," Victoire added in concern.
      "They'll be fine," Hagrid assured in a gentle voice, giving her a side hug as hey walked. "And you will be too-jus stay in yer rooms."
      "But we should help you!" Teddy protested, and Victoire nodded in agreement. "We can't just stay in there not knowing what's happening."
    "There's nothin' can do, Teddy," Hagrid said in a firm tone. "Ye hear me? If there was we'd ask ye."
     Teddy bit his tongue and sullenly continued to walk down the hall. As they did so, a group of adults in long Ministry robes passed by-a woman with long, ginger hair and three men of various heights, but all with grim expressions.
     "Thanks fer comin'," Hagrid greeted, causing two heads to turn as he pointed. "McGonagall's office is that way, if yer wonderin'."
     "Thank you," one man replied, breaking into a friendly smile. He had blond hair and an easy smile.
     The witch glanced at the two in confusion. "Are these two...?"
    "I'm escortin' em back," Hagrid said in what he clearly thought was an important tone. "I'll see you all later."
    They nodded back politely as hey passed, and the three continued down the halls and stairs until they reached the corridor near the kitchen.
Teddy and Victoire reluctantly approached the barrels. "Are you sure you don't need any help?" Teddy asked.
"We'll be fine, Teddy-they're trained professionals, they know what to do," Hagrid responded, giving Teddy a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Now go on, both of ye. And don't worry about me knowin the password, I've never been one to remember those."
Victoire's mouth twitched in a barely hidden smile. "Good luck, Hagrid."
"See ya in a bit." He waited until they had tapped the correct rhythm on the barrel two from the bottom in the middle of the second row, and was still standing there when the door closed behind them.
The main room was stuffed with all the Hufflepuffs, who were talking in worried tones that all ceased when Teddy and Victoire entered.
Feeling they deserved to know, Teddy announced, "They took the kid to St. Mungos-there's a chance he'll be okay if they got there in time, and now the aurors are coming to search the halls."
"For a werewolf?" Asked a second year girl with braids, and Victoire nodded, causing more murmurs to emerge.
"Why was McGonagall talking to you two?" asked a fellow fifth year, Drew-the same one who had been whispering about Teddy behind his back earlier.
Teddy opened his mouth to reply when suddenly he noticed a vase of flowers move slightly to the side. It was such a small movement that no one else noticed, but Teddy immediately was suspicious. Harry had spoken to him of a strange way to sneak around-could the intruder possibly be here in this very room?
Thankfully Victoire responded. "We have a hunch at where the werewolf came from-we were just telling her about some claw marks we found on the wall."
"So no one knows anything?" Asked Heather, who was standing next to the fireplace. Teddy shook his head, and groans echoed throughout the room as the crowd immediately dissolved into chatter.
Quietly, Teddy slipped away towards the vase, which lead to a small corner behind the fireplace, and groped around until something in his grip confirmed his suspicions. Immediately he dragged it behind the fireplace and ripped off the disguise before staring at the person in shock and horror.
"James?"