Chapter 14 Snape’s Grudge

No whizz in Gryffindor Tower slept that nighttime. They knew that the go was being searched again, and the whole House stayed awake in the common room, waiting to con spatial relationr whether Black had been caught. Professor McGonag entirely came covering fire at dawn, to tell t sew that he had again escaped.Through bring out the day, everyw here they went they saw signs of tighter security Professor Flitwick could be seen teaching the prior doors to recognize a large picture of Sirius Black Filch was curtly bustling up and protrude the corridors, jump oning up everything from midget cracks in the walls to reversal holes. Sir Cadogan had been fired. His portrait had been taken bear out to its l adeptly landing on the seventh floor, and the Fat Lady was back off. She had been expertly restored, exactly was still extremely nervous, and had agreed to harvest to her job only on condition that she was given extra protection. A bunch of surly security trolls had been hired to guard her. They paced the corridor in a jeopardize group, talking in grunts and comparing the size of their clubs. provoke couldnt help noticing that the statue of the 1-eyed witch on the third floor remained unguarded and unblocked. It seemed that Fred and George had been right in mentation that they and directly lay waste to, Ron, and Hermione were the only ones who knew nearly the hidden passageway within it.Dyou reckon we should tell well-nighone? ravage asked Ron.We k forthwith hes not coming in finished Honeydukes, tell Ron dismissively. Wedve light upond if the shop had been broken into. gravel was glad Ron in some(prenominal) casek this view. If the one-eyed witch was boarded up too, he would never be able to go into Hogsmeade again.Ron had die an instant celebrity. For the first time in his life, people were paying more attention to him than to Harry, and it was clear that Ron was rather enjoying the experience. Though still severely shaken by the night s events, he was happy to tell anyone who asked what had happened, with a wealth of detail. I was asleep, and I heard this ripping noise, and I scene it was in my dream, you have sex? But and so there was this draftI woke up and one side of the temporary removals on my bed had been pulled downI rolled overand I saw him stand over melike a skeleton, with loads of filthy vibrissaholding this gr eat up long knife, mustve been twelve inchesand he looked at me, and I looked at him, and then I yelled, and he scampered.Why, though? Ron added to Harry as the group of second year girls who had been listening to his c mounding tale departed. Why did he run?Harry had been wondering the same thing. Why had Black, having got the wrong bed, not silenced Ron and proceeded to Harry? Black had proved twelve years ago that he didnt mind murdering guileless people, and this time he had been facing five unarmed boys, four of whom were asleep.He mustve fill outn hed assimilate a job getting ba ck out of the castle once youd yelled and woken people up, said Harry fancyfully. Hedve had to kill the whole house to get back through the portrait holethen he wouldve met the teachersNeville was in total disgrace. Professor McGonagall was so furious with him she had banned him from all future Hogsmeade visits, given him a detention, and forbidden anyone to give him the password into the tower. Poor Neville was pressure to wait. outside the common room every night for somebody to let him in, while the security trolls leered unpleasantly at him. None of these punishments, however, came close to matching the one his grandmother had in store for him. Two days after Blacks break-in, she sent Neville the very worst thing a Hogwarts student could receive over breakfast a Howler.The school owls swooped into the Great Hall carrying the mail as universal, and Neville choked as a huge barn owl landed in summit of him, a scarlet envelope clutched in its beak. Harry and Ron, who were sit down opposite him, recognized the letter as a Howler at once Ron had got one from his mother the year in the first place.Run for it, Neville, Ron advised.Neville didnt need telling twice. He seized the envelope, and holding it before him like a bomb, sprinted out of the hall, while the Slytherin table exploded with gag at the sight of him. They heard the Howler go take away in the entrance hall Nevilles grandmothers voice, magically magnified to a hundred times its usual volume, shrieking close to how he had brought shame on the whole family.Harry was too busy tinge sorry for Neville to notice immediately that he had a letter too. Hedwig got his attention by nipping him sharply on the wrist.Ouch Oh thanks, Hedwig.Harry tore open the envelope while Hedwig helped herself to some of Nevilles cornflakes. The note at heart saidDear Harry and Ron, How about having tea with me this afternoon round six? Ill come collect you from the castle. WAIT FOR ME IN THE ENTRANCE HALL YOURE N OT ALLOWED OUT ON YOUR OWN. Cheers, Hagrid He probably wants to hear all about Black said Ron.So at six oclock that afternoon, Harry and Ron left Gryffindor Tower, passed the security trolls at a run, and guideed down to the entrance hall.Hagrid was already waiting for them.All right, Hagrid said Ron. Spose you want to hear about Saturday night, do you?Ive already heard all abou it, said Hagrid, fountain the front doors and leading them outside.Oh, said Ron, looking fairly put out.The first thing they saw on entering Hagrids cabin was Buckbeak, who was stretched out on spend of Hagrids patchwork quilt, his enormous wings folded tight to his body, enjoying a large plate of dead ferrets. Averting his eyes from this unpleasant sight, Harry saw a gigantic, sericeous brown suit and a very horrible yellow-and-orange tie hanging from the top of Hagrids wardrobe door.What are they for, Hagrid? said Harry.Buckbeaks case against the Committee fer the Disposal o formidable Creatures, sai d Hagrid. This Friday. Him an mell be goin down ter London together. Ive booked two beds on the Knight Bus.Harry felt a nasty pang of guilt. He had completely forgotten that Buckbeaks trial was so near, and judging by the uneasy look on Rons face, he had too. They had also forgotten their promise about component part him prepare Buckbeaks defense the arrival of the Firebolt had driven it clean out of their minds.Hagrid poured them tea and offered them a plate of Bath buns but they knew better than to accept they had had too much experience with Hagrids cooking.I got somethin ter discuss with you two, said Hagrid, sitting himself between them and looking uncharacteristically expert.What? said Harry.Hermione, said Hagrid.What about her? said Ron.Shes in a righ state, thats what. Shes bin comin down ter visit me a lot since Chrismas. Bin feelin lonely. Firs yeh weren talking to her because o the Firebolt, now yer not talkin to her because her cat ?C ate Scabbers Ron interjected angr ily.Because her cat acted like all cats do, Hagrid continued doggedly. Shes cried a fair few times, yeh know. Goin through a rough time at the moment. Bitten off moren she can chew, if yeh ask me, all the work shes tryin ter do. nonoperational found time ter help me with Buckbeaks case, mindShes found some really good stuff fer mereckon hell stand a good chance nowHagrid, we shouldve helped as well sorry Harry began awkwardly.Im not blamin yeh said Hagrid, waving Harrys apology aside. Gawd knows yehve had enough ter be getting on with. Ive seen yeh practicin Quidditch evry hour o the day an night but I gotta tell yeh, I thought you twod value yer friend moren broomsticks or rats. Thas all.Harry and Ron exchanged uncomfortable looks.Really upset, she was, when Black nearly stabbed yeh, Ron. Shes got her heart in the right place, Hermione has, an you two not talkin to her If shed just now get rid of that cat, Id speak to her again Ron said angrily. But shes still sticking up for it Its a maniac, and she wont hear a word against itAh, well, people can be a bit stupid abou their pets, said Hagrid wisely. Behind him, Buckbeak spat a few ferret get up onto Hagrids pillow.They spent the rest of their visit discussing Gryffindors improved chances for the Quidditch Cup. At nine oclock, Hagrid walked them back up to the castle.A large group of people was bunched virtually the bulletin board when they re dour to the common room.Hogsmeade, next weekend said Ron, craning over the organises to read the new notice. What dyou reckon? he added quietly to Harry as they went to sit down.Well, Filch hasnt through anything about the passage into Honeydukes Harry said, even more quietly.Harry said a voice in his right ear. Harry started and looked or so at Hermione, who was sitting at the table right behind them and clearing a space in the wall of books that had been hiding her.Harry, if you go into Hogsmeade againIll tell Professor McGonagall about that map said Hermione. Can you hear someone talking, Harry? growled Ron, not looking at Hermione.Ron, how can you let him go with you? After what Sirius Black nearly did to you I mean it, Ill tell So now youre exhausting to get Harry expelled said Ron furiously. Havent you done enough damage this year?Hermione opened her peach to respond, but with a soft hiss, Crookshanks leapt onto her lap. Hermione took one frightened look at the expression on Rons face, gathered up Crookshanks, and hurried away toward the girls dormitories.So how about it? Ron said to Harry as though there had been no interruption. Come on, last time we went you didnt see anything. You havent even been inside Zonkos yetHarry looked around to check that Hermione was well out of earshot.Okay, he said. But Im taking the Invisibility Cloak this time.On Saturday morning, Harry packed his Invisibility Cloak in his bag, slipped the Marauders social function into his pocket, and went down to breakfast with everyone else. Hermione kept shoo ting suspicious looks down the table at him, but he avoided her eye and was careful to let her see him walkway back up the marble staircase in the entrance hall as everybody else proceeded to the front doors.Bye Harry called to Ron. See you when you get backRon grinned and winked.Harry hurried up to the third floor, slipping the Marauders Map out of his pocket as he went. Crouching behind the one-eyed witch, he smoothed it out. A tiny dot was moving in his direction. Harry squinted at it. The minuscule writing next to it read Neville Longbottom.Harry quickly pulled out his wand, muttered, Dissendium and shoved his bag into the statue, but before he could climb in himself, Neville came around the corner.Harry I forgot you werent going to Hogsmeade eitherHi, Neville, said Harry, moving swiftly away from the statue and pushing the map back into his pocket. What are you up to?Nothing, shrugged Neville. Want a game of Exploding nobble?Er not now I was going to go to the library and d o that vampire essay for Lupin Ill come with you said Neville brightly. I havent done it eitherEr hang on yeah, I forgot, I finished it last nightGreat, you can help me said Neville, his round face anxious. I dont understand that thing about the garlic at all do they have to eat it, or He broke off with a small gasp, looking over Harrys shoulder.It was Snape. Neville took a quick step behind Harry.And what are you two doing here? said Snape, coming to a halt and looking from one to the other. An odd place to meet To Harrys immense disquiet, Snapes black eyes flicked to the doorways on either side of them, and then to the one-eyed witch.Were not meeting here, said Harry. We just met here.Indeed? said Snape. You have a habit of turning up in unthought-of places, Potter, and you are very rarely there for no good reasonI suggest the pair of you return to Gryffindor Tower, where you belong.Harry and Neville set off without some other word. As they turned the corner, Harry looked b ack. Snape was running one of his pass over the one-eyed witchs head, examining it closely.Harry managed to shake Neville off at the Fat Lady by telling him the password, then pretending hed left his vampire essay in the library and doubling back. Once out of sight of the security trolls, he pulled out the map again and held it close to his nose.The third floor corridor seemed to be deserted. Harry scanned the map carefully and saw, with a leap of relief, that the tiny dot labeled Severus Snape was now back in its chest.He sprinted back to the one-eyed witch, opened her hump, heaved himself inside, and slid down to meet his bag at the bottom of the stone chute. He wiped the Marauders Map caisson again, then set off at a run.Harry, completely hidden beneath the Invisibility Cloak, emerged into the sunlight outside Honeydukes and prodded Ron in the back.Its me, he muttered.What kept you? Ron hissed.Snape was hanging around.They set off up the High Street.Where are you? Ron kept mut tering out of the corner of his mouth. Are you still there? This feels weirdThey went to the post office Ron pretended to be checking the price of an owl to Bill in Egypt so that Harry could have a good look around. The owls sat hooting softly down at him, at least three hundred of them from Great Grays right down to tiny little Scops owls (Local Deliveries Only), which were so small they could have sat in the palm of Harrys hand.Then they visited Zonkos, which was so packed with students Harry had to exercise great care not to tread on anyone and cause a panic. There were hoaxs and tricks to fulfill even Freds and Georges wildest dreams Harry gave Ron whispered orders and passed him some gold from under the cloak. They left Zonkos with their money bags considerably lighter than they had been on entering, but their pockets bulblike with Dungbombs, Hiccup Sweets, Frog Spawn Soap, and a Nose-Biting Teacup apiece.The day was fine and breezy, and neither of them felt like staying indo ors, so they walked past the Three Broomsticks and climbed a dispose to visit the howler Shack, the most haunted dwelling in Britain. It stood a little way above the rest of the village, and even in daylight was slightly creepy, with its boarded windows and dank overgrown garden.Even the Hogwarts ghosts avoid it, said Ron as they leaned on the fence, looking up at it. I asked Nearly Headless Nickhe says hes heard a very rough crowd lives here. No one can get in. Fred and George essay, obviously, but all the entrances are sealed ejectHarry, feeling hot from their climb, was just considering taking off the cloak for a few minutes when they heard voices nearby. Someone was climbing toward the house from the other side of the hill moments later, Malfoy had appeared, followed closely by Crabbe and Goyle. Malfoy was speaking.should have an owl from Father any time now. He had to go to the hearing to tell them about my armabout how I couldnt use it for three monthsCrabbe and Goyle snig gered.I really wish I could hear that great hairy moron trying to defend himselfTheres no arm in im, onest That Hippogriffs as good as dead Malfoy suddenly caught sight of Ron. His pale face split in a malevolent grin.What are you doing, Weasley?Malfoy looked up at the crumbling house behind Ron.Suppose youd love to live here, wouldnt you, Weasley? Dreaming about having your own bedroom? I heard your family all sleep in one room is that true?Harry seized the back of Rons robes to moderate him from leaping on Malfoy.Leave him to me, he hissed in Rons ear.The opportunity was too perfect to miss. Harry crept silently around behind Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle, bent down, and scooped a large handful of mud out of the path.We were just discussing your friend Hagrid, Malfoy said to Ron. Just trying to imagine what hes formulation to the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures. Dyou depend hell cry when they cut off his Hippogriffs SPLATMalfoys head jerked forward as the mud hit him his silverblond hair was suddenly dripping in muck.What the ?Ron had to hold onto the fence to keep himself standing, he was laughing so hard. Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle spun stupidly on the spot, staring wildly around, Malfoy trying to wipe his hair clean.What was that? Who did that?Very haunted up here, isnt it? said Ron, with the air of one commenting on the weather.Crabbe and Goyle were looking scared. Their bulging muscles were no use against ghosts. Malfoy was staring madly around at the deserted landscape.Harry sneaked along the path, where a particularly sloppy puddle yielded some foul-smelling, green sludge.SPLATTERCrabbe and Goyle caught some this time. Goyle hopped furiously on the spot, trying to strike it out of his small, dull eyes.It came from over there said Malfoy, wiping his face, and staring at a spot some six feet to the left of Harry.Crabbe blundered forward, his long arms outstretched like a zombie. Harry dodged around him, picked up a stick, and lobbed it at Crabbes back. Harry doubled up with silent laughter as Crabbe did a kindly of pirouette in midair, trying to see who had thrown it. As Ron was the only person Crabbe could see, it was Ron he started toward, but Harry stuck out his leg. Crabbe stumbled and his huge, flat foot caught the hem of Harrys cloak. Harry felt a great tug, then the cloak slid off his face.For a split second, Malfoy stared at him.AAARGH he yelled, pointing at Harrys head. Then he turned tail and ran, at breakneck speed, back down the hill, Crabbe and Goyle behind him.Harry tugged the cloak up again, but the damage was done.Harry Ron said, stumbling forward and staring dispiritedly at the point where Harry had disappeared, youd better run for it If Malfoy tells anyone youd better get back to the castle, quick See you later, said Harry, and without another word, he tore back down the path toward Hogsmeade.Would Malfoy believe what he had seen? Would anyone believe Malfoy? Nobody knew about the Invisibilit y Cloak nobody except Dumbledore. Harrys stomach turned over Dumbledore would know exactly what had happened, if Malfoy said anything Back into Honeydukes, back down the cellar steps, across the stone floor, through the trapdoor Harry pulled off the cloak, tucked it under his arm, and ran, flat out, along the passageMalfoy would get back first how long would it take him to find a teacher? Panting, a sharp pain in his side, Harry didnt retard down until he reached the stone slide. He would have to leave the cloak where it was, it was too much of a giveaway in case Malfoy had tipped off a teacher he hid it in a shadowy corner, then started to climb, fast as he could, his sweaty custody slipping on the sides of the chute. He reached the inside of the witchs hump, tapped it with his wand, stuck his head through, and hoisted himself out the hump closed, and just as Harry jumped out from behind the statue, he heard quick footsteps approaching.It was Snape. He approached Harry at a s wift walk, his black robes swishing, then halt in front of him.So, he said.There was a look of suppressed triumph about him. Harry tried to look innocent, all too aware of his sweaty face and his muddy hands, which he quickly hid in his pockets.Come with me, Potter, said Snape.Harry followed him downstairs, trying to wipe his hands clean on the inside of his robes without Snape noticing. They walked down the stairs to the dungeons and then into Snapes office.Harry had been in here only once before, and he had been in very serious trouble then too. Snape had acquired a few more slimy horrible things in jars since last time, all standing on shelves behind his desk, glinting in the firelight and adding to the threatening atmosphere.Sit, said Snape.Harry sat. Snape, however, remained, standing.Mr. Malfoy has just been to see me with a strange story, Potter, said Snape.Harry didnt say anything.He tells me that he was up by the Shrieking Shack when he ran into Weasley apparently alone.S till, Harry didnt speak.Mr. Malfoy states that he was standing talking to Weasley, when a large amount of mud hit him in the back of the head. How do you echo that could have happened?Harry tried to look mildly surprised.I dont know, Professor.Snapes eyes were boring into Harrys. It was exactly like trying to stare down a Hippogriff. Harry tried hard not to blink.Mr. Malfoy then saw an extraordinary apparition. Can you imagine what it might have been, Potter?No, said Harry, now trying to sound innocently curious.It was your head, Potter. Floating in midair.There was a long silence.Maybe hed better go to Madam Pomfrey, said Harry. If hes seeing things like What would your head have been doing in Hogsmeade, Potter? said Snape softly. Your head is not allowed in Hogsmeade. No part of your body has permission to be in Hogsmeade.I know that, said Harry, striving to keep his face free of guilt or fear. It sounds like Malfoys having hallucin Malfoy is not having hallucinations, snarled Sn ape, and he bent down, a hand on each arm of Harrys chair, so that their faces were a foot apart. If your head was in Hogsmeade, so was the rest of you.Ive been up in Gryffindor Tower, said Harry. Like you told Can anyone affirm that?Harry didnt say anything. Snapes thin mouth curled into a horrible smile.So, he said, straightening up again. Everyone from the Minister of Magic downward has been trying to keep known Harry Potter safe from Sirius Black. But famous Harry Potter is a law unto himself. Let the ordinary people worry about his synthetic rubber Famous Harry Potter goes where he wants to, with no thought for the consequences.Harry stayed silent. Snape was trying to provoke him into telling the truth. He wasnt going to do it. Snape had no confirmation yet.How extraordinarily like your father you are, Potter, Snape said suddenly, his eyes glinting. He too was exceedingly arrogant. A small amount of talent on the Quidditch field do him intend he was a cut above the rest of us too. Strutting around the place with his friends and admirersThe resemblance between you is uncanny.My pop music didnt strut, said Harry, before he could stop himself. And neither do I.Your father didnt set much store by rules either, Snape went on, pressing his advantage, his thin face full of malice. Rules were for lesser mortals, not Quidditch Cup-winners. His head was so swollen SHUT UPHarry was suddenly on his feet. Rage much(prenominal) as he had not felt since his last night in Privet Drive was coursing through him. He didnt care that Snapes face had gone rigid, the black eyes flashing dangerously.What did you say to me, Potter?I told you to shut up about my dad Harry yelled. I know the truth, all right? He saved your life Dumbledore told me You wouldnt even be here if it wasnt for my dadSnapes sallow skin had gone the color of sour milk.And did the headmaster tell you the circumstances in which your father saved my life? he whispered. Or did he consider the details t oo unpleasant for precious Potters delicate ears?Harry bit his lip. He didnt know what had happened and didnt want to admit it but Snape seemed to have guessed the truth.I would hate for you to run away with a false idea of your father, Potter, he said, a terrible grin twisting his face. Have you been imagining some act of elysian heroism? Then let me correct you your saintly father and his friends played a highly amusing joke on me that would have resulted in my ending if your father hadnt got cold feet at the last moment. There was nothing brave about what he did. He was saving his own skin as much as mine. Had their joke succeeded, he would have been expelled from Hogwarts.Snapes uneven, yellowish teeth were bared.Turn out your pockets, Potter he spat suddenly.Harry didnt move. There was a cock in his ears.Turn out your pockets, or we go straight to the headmaster Pull them out, PotterCold with dread, Harry slowly pulled out the bag of Zonkos tricks and the Marauders Map.Sna p picked up the Zonkos bag.Ron gave them to me, said Harry, praying hed get a chance to tip Ron off before Snape saw him. He brought them back from Hogsmeade last time Indeed? And youve been carrying them around ever since? How very touchingand what is this?Snape had picked up the map. Harry tried with all his might to keep his face impassive.Spare bit of parchment, he said with a shrug.Snape turned it over, his eyes on Harry.Surely you dont need such a very old piece of parchment? he said. Why dont I just throw this away?His hand moved toward the fire.No Harry said quickly.So said Snape, his long nostrils quivering. Is this another treasured gift from Mr. Weasley? Or is it something else? A letter, perhaps, written in lightless ink? Or instructions to get into Hogsmeade without passing the Dementors?Harry blinked. Snapes eyes gleamed.Let me see, let me see he muttered, taking out his wand and smoothing the map out on his desk. Reveal your secret he said, touching the wand to th e parchment.Nothing happened. Harry clenched his hands to stop them from shaking.Show yourself Snape said, tapping the map sharply.It stayed blank. Harry was taking deep, calming breaths.Professor Severus Snape, master of this school, commands you to yield the information you conceal Snape said, hitting the map with his wand.As though an invisible hand were writing upon it, words appeared on the smooth surface of the map.Mooney presents his compliments to Professor Snape, and begs him to keep his abnormally large nose out of other peoples business.Snape froze. Harry stared, dumbstruck, at the message. But the map didnt stop there. More writing was appearing beneath the first.Mr. Prongs agrees with Mr. Mooney and would like to add that Professor Snape is an ugly git.It would have been very humorous if the situation hadnt been so serious. And there was more Mr. Padfoot would like to register his astonishment that an idiot like that ever became a professor.Harry closed his eyes in hor ror. When hed opened them, the map had had its last word.Mr. Wormtail bids Professor Snape good day, and advises him to wash his hair, the slimeball.Harry waited for the blow to fall.So said Snape softly. Well see about this He strode across to his fire, seized a fistful of glittering powder from a jar on the fireplace, and threw it into the flames.Lupin Snape called into the fire. I want a wordUtterly bewildered, Harry stared at the fire. A large shape had appeared in it, revolving very fast. Seconds later, Professor Lupin was clambering out of the fireplace, brushing ash off his shabby robes.You called, Severus? said Lupin mildly.I sure did, said Snape, his face contorted with fury as he strode back to his desk. I have just asked Potter to free 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. An odd, closed expression appeared on Lupins face.Well? said Snape.Lupin continued t o stare at the map. Harry had the impression that Lupin was doing some very quick thinking.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?Lupin looked up and, by the merest half-glance in Harrys 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 dont think it more likely that he got it directly from the manufacturers?Harry didnt understand what Snape was talking about. Nor, apparently, did Lupin.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, S everus? 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 Snapes desk, clutching the stitch in his chest and trying to speak.I gave Harry that stuff, he choked. Bought itin Zonkos ages agoWell said Lupin, clapping his hands together and looking around cheerfully. That seems to clear that up Severus, Ill 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 Harry didnt dare look at Snape as they left his office. He. Ron, and Lupin walked all the way back into the entrance hall before speaking. Then Harry turned to Lupin.Professor, I I dont want to hear explanations, said Lupin 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 its a map, he said as Harry and Ron looked amazed. I dont want to know how it fell into your possession. I am, however, astounded that you didnt hand it in. Particularly after what happened the last time a student left information about the castle lying around. And I cant let you have it back, Harry.Harry had expected that, and was too keen for explanations to protest.Why did Snape think Id got it from the manufacturers?Because Lupin hesitated, because these mapmakers would have wanted to lure you out of school. Theyd think it extremely entertaining.Do you know them? said Harry, impressed.Weve met, he said shortly. He was looking at Harry more seriously than ever before.Dont expect me to cover up for you again, Harry. I cannot make you take Sirius Black seriously. But I would have thought that what you have heard when the Dementors draw near you would have had more of an effect on you. Your parents gave their lives to keep you alive, Harry. A poor way to repay them gambling their cave in for a bag of magic tricks.He walked away, leaving Harry feeling worse by far than he had at any point in Snapes office. Slowly, he and Ron mounted the marble staircase. As Harry passed the one-eyed witch, he remembered the Invisibility Cloak it was still down there, but he didnt dare go and get it.Its my fault, said Ron abruptly. I persuaded you to go. Lupins right, it was stupid, we shouldntve done it He broke off they reached the corridor where the security trolls were pacing, and Hermione was walking toward them. One look at her face convinced Harry that she had heard what had happened. His heart plummeted had she told Professor McGonagall?Come to have a good gloat? said Ron savagely as she stopped in front of them. Or have you just been to tell on us?No, said Hermione. She was holding a letter in her hands and her lip was trembling. I just thought you ought to knowHagrid lost his case. Buckbeak is going to be executed.