Lucy Jones 3: Blackbird

9 Hogsmeade 2

It's colder. Lucy is doing her homework. It's a translation of some runes, and after that, there is an essay for potions: Shrinking solutions, the uses and its history. Mina sits on her lap and is sleeping.

Christmas is coming closer. The rooms get decorated, and the trees arrive in the great hall, beautifully decorated.

Lucy would stay in school. Harry, Ron and Hermione didn't go home either.

And as a last surprise, a Hogsmeade trip is planned for the weekend before the vacation. Everyone is looking forward to it except Harry.

Ron, Hermione and Lucy left for Hogsmeade, and Harry wanders back to the Gryffindor common room. Wood had lent him this book about brooms, and he decided to give it a chance. He needs a new one anyway.

'Harry.' He hears. It's a whisper.

He looks around and sees it's Fred and George. 'Why aren't you going to Hogsmeade?'

'We are going, but first, we must give you something.' George says.

'We have a Christmas gift.' Fred adds: 'It's the secret of our success. It will be difficult to part with it.'

'But last night, we thought you need it more than we do.' George says.

'And we memorized the map, every corner.' Fred continues while I follow them in an empty classroom.

'What's that?' Harry asks when they hold an old piece of parchment.

'That's it.' Fred says: 'The Marauder's map.'

Harry tilts his head to look at it again when George lays his wand on the paper: 'I solemnly swear that I am up to no good.'

And a text appears:

Messrs., Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs

Purveyors of Aids to Magical Mischief-Makers

are proud to present

THE MARAUDER'S MAP"

It's a detailed map of the entire school. It shows every hallway and every classroom. There are moving names on it, showing where everyone is. Some of the lines go outside the school... Harry lays his finger on one.

'Indeed, these lead directly to Hogsmeade.' George says.

'There are seven secret passageways. Filch knows about these four.' Fred says, pointing at them: 'But we're pretty sure only we know of the other three.'

'But I would only use this one.' George says, and Fred points at one: 'The entrance is close by, behind the one-eyed witch statue. It leads you into Honeydukes cellar.'

'But don't forget to wipe it clean again.' Fred says.

'Or else anyone can use it.' George adds.

Fred puts his wand on the map: 'Mischief managed'. And the map goes back to its original state, folding itself closed.

'Use it well.' The twins say before leaving me alone with the map.

Ron and Hermione are discussing which candy Harry would like. Lucy looks at the fudge flies. Then she hears a familiar voice: 'No, not those, Ron, maybe the ones Lucy is looking at.'

'Harry!' Hermione squeaks.

'Shh.' He says.

'Harry, what are you doing here?' Lucy asks: 'How did you get here?'

'He learned how to apparate.' Ron guesses.

'No.' Harry explains the Marauder's map and how Fred and George gave it to him.

'I cannot believe that they didn't give it to me. I'm their brother.' Ron mumbles.

'Harry is not going to keep it, of course.' Hermione says.

Both Harry and Ron look at her.

'You must turn it in. What if Sirius Black uses it?' Hermione reasons.

'Hermione, think about it.' Ron tells them about the dementors that go through Hogsmeade every night. Harry discusses the secret passageways and why they cannot be his way in.

'Maybe we should let Harry enjoy his Christmas.' Lucy says. Hermione stares at her. 'You're right. He should give it to McGonigal or Dumbledore, but it doesn't have to be right now.' Lucy states.

Hermione stays quiet as they walk through Hogsmeade. Ron points at things and explains everything to Harry. At The Three Broomsticks Inn, they take a table in the back, and Lucy and Hermione order a few butterbeers.

Harry tastes his one and drinks some more.

When Cornelius Fudge, Minerva McGonagall, Filius Flitwick, and Rubeus Hagrid arrive, Harry hides underneath their table to avoid being seen. Madame Rosmerta gives them their drinks and asks them something. A story follows, and they can hear bits and pieces. Never... would give in.... Black and Potter ... Harry's godfather.... Dumbledore said.... Potters knew .... Went into hiding.... Used Sirius as secret keeper.... You knew who... Peter Pettigrew....

It's enough to imagine what there could have been said. Harry's parents trusted Black, and he betrayed them, resulting in their death.

Lucy doesn't know how they got out without Harry being seen. Harry sits on a log close to the fence of the shrieking shack. Ron and Hermione look at him, and Lucy walks over to him. She lays a hand on his shoulder: 'Harry.'

'They... He...' Harry says and looks up. A few tears are going down his face. She can see he tries to find words, but it doesn't go.

She takes his hand: 'It's terrible. I'm sorry.'

He looks back at her and stays still for a moment. He holds onto her and whispers: 'Thank you.'

'If you do want to talk about it. You can talk to me.'

'I know.' He says and smiles. The smile disappears as fast as it appears.