To Welcome You Home

Chapter 4

Harry was now sneaking into Filch's office, in search for a magical map of some sort..

He dug through the desk drawers, sifting through objects of all kinds, most which probably (most likely) belonged to the Weasley Twins, Fred and George.

Thinking to himself, he swiped a few, thinking they just might come in handy.

Tricked wizard toys, food, and all kinds of things he could think of, but no battered old parchment, which would be the map.

He went back to Dumbledore's office.

"I didn't see it." Harry says, and Remus sighs. "But I think I might have an idea of who has it.."

"It's called the Marauders Map. Have you heard of it?"

"I don't know~" Fred says, and Harry glares, holding out an odd Frisbee that he found in the drawer.

"Where'd you get this?!" George gasps, grabbing for it, but Harry jerked it away. "I want answers."

"Yes, we've heard of it. Happy?" Fred reached for the Frisbee, but Harry yanked it away again. "No. Do you have it?"

"Yes, " Said Fred, "No," Said George.

Harry tossed the Frisbee at them, pulling out another object. Fred and George grabbed at the Frisbee before making eye contact with the new object, mouth open in awe.

They stood up straight, tossing the Frisbee down, saying loudly at once, "We have the Marauders Map! I'll go get it!" They then began stumbling over each other, pushing each other out of the way towards their dorm room.

Harry stood, chuckling to himself. "I knew that'd do it."

Harry heard the portrait door open behind him, and he didn't think much of it, until...

"Harry..?"

He tensed at the familiar voice.

Shit..

"Harry? Is that you?" Another voice said, and Harry turned around slowly, "Uh.. Hi.."

He was suddenly pummeled to the ground with two giant hugs, falling with a loud thud, gaining the attention of the people that were in the common room.

"Blimey Harry, where were you?! We've been worried sick!" Ron says, Hermione following, "You weren't on the train! You weren't at dinner! Or breakfast! Or--

"Why are you so thin?!" She suddenly shrieks in horror, standing up to get a better look at him, "You're skin and bones! LITERALLY!"

"Bloody hell Harry! What happened?!" Ron says just as Fred and George came back with an old piece of parchment.

Harry snatched it from them and pointed to a pile of their lost trick toys, "Those are yours. Thanks. Bye." He headed out, but Ron wasn't having it. He grabbed his arm, yanking him back, making Harry wince. "Harry, no, we need to talk."

"No, we don't. In fact, I'd rather we not." Says Harry.

"Harry, this is really serious. And after what I saw at the train station last year? I don't have any doubt who--"

"SHUT UP!" Harry shouted, turning to him sharply, "Just shut the hell up! You don't know anything!"

Ron looked stunned, and he let go of Harry's arm, the sleeve falling back for a moment, showing a series of scars, scabs, and infected wounds. Harry covered it back up, glaring at Ron before turning around and leaving, leaving Ron, as well as everyone in the common room, in a stunned silence.

Harry went back to Dumbledore's office, holding out the map to Lupin. "There. I got it."

Lupin smiles to himself, as if he were reliving an old memory.