Chapter 12: -How to Anger a Yami
No one in Gryffindor Tower slept that night. They knew the castle was being searched again, and the whole house stayed awake in the Common Room, waiting to hear whether Black had been caught. Professor McGonagall came back at dawn, to tell them that he had again escaped.
Everywhere they went the next day they saw signs of tighter security; Professor Flitwick could be seen teaching the doors to recognise a large picture of Sirius Black; Filch was suddenly bustling up and down the corridors, boarding up everything, from tiny cracks in the wall, to mouse holes. Sir Cadogan had been sacked, and his portrait returned to the lonely landing on the seventh floor, and the Fat Lady was back. She had been extremely nervous and had agreed to return to her post on condition that she was given extra protection. Professor Dumbledore had gone to Kisara's hatchlings, who had agreed immediately to guard the portrait, and two or more of them (one senior and one junior) were always to be found in the corridor, talking and watching people carefully.
Harry couldn't help noticing that the statue of the one-eyed witch on the third floor remained unguarded and unblocked. It seemed like Fred and George had been right in thinking that they, (and what had been the gang), were the only ones who knew about the secret passageway behind it.
"Do you reckon we should tell someone?" Harry asked Ron.
"We know he's not coming in through Honeydukes," Said Ron dismissively, "We'd've heard if the shop had been broken into."
Harry was glad Ron took this view. If the one-eyed witch was boarded up too, he would never be able to go to Hogsmead again.
Ron had become an instant celebrity. For the first time in his life, people were paying more attention to him, then to Harry, and it was clear that Ron was rather enjoying the experience. Though shaken by the nights 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 thought it was in my dream, you know? But then there was this draught… I woke up and one of the hangings on my bed had been pulled down… I rolled over… and I saw him standing over me… like a skeleton, with loads of filthy hair… holding this great long knife, must've been twelve inches… and he looked at me and I looked at him, and then I yelled and he scarpered…"
"Why though?" Ron added to Harry, as the group of second-years, who had been listening to his chilling tale departed. "Why did he scarper?"
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 didn't mind killing innocent people, and this time he had been facing seven almost unarmed boys, six of whom were asleep. And Black had just pushed Yugi out of the way when Yugi had tried to remain between Black and the portrait hole, why hadn't he dealt with him either? "He must've known that he'd have a job of getting back out of the castle once you'd yelled and woken people up," Said Harry thoughtfully, "He'd've had to have killed the entire house to get back through the portrait hole… then he would've met the teachers…"
Neville was in total disgrace. Professor McGonagall was so furious with him that she had banned him from all future Hogsmead trips, given him detention and forbidden anyone to give him the password into the Tower. Poor Neville was forced to wait outside the Common Room every night for someone to let him in, while the young dragons pretended he wasn't there. None of these punishments, however, came close to matching the one his grand-mother had in store for him. Two days after Black's break in, she sent him the very worst thing a Hogwarts student could receive over breakfast… a Howler.
The school owls swooped into the Great Hall, carrying the post as usual, and Neville choked as a huge barn owl landed in front of him, a scarlet letter clutched in his beak. Harry, Ron, Yugi and Joey, who were sat opposite him, recognised the letter as a Howler at once… Ron had gotten one from his mother the year before.
"Run, for it Neville." Ron advised.
Neville didn't 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 into laughter at the sight of him. They heard the Howler go off in the Entrance Hall… Neville's Grandmother's voice, magically magnified to a hundred times its usual volume, shrieking about how he had brought shame on the whole family.
Harry was too busy feeling sorry for Neville to notice he had a letter too. Hedwig got his attention by nipping him sharply on the wrist.
"Ouch… oh thanks Hedwig…"
Harry torn open the envelope while Hedwig helped herself to some of Neville's cornflakes. The note inside said;
Dear Harry, Ron, Joey and Yugi,
How about having tea with me this evening around six? I'll come and collect you from the castle. WAIT FOR ME IN THE ENTRANCE HALL, YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED OUT ON YOUR OWN.
Cheers,
Hagrid.
"He probably wants to hear all about Black." Said Ron.
So at six o'clock that evening, the four of them left the Gryffindor Tower, passed the dragons at a run, and headed down to the Entrance Hall, where Hagrid was already waiting for them.
"All right, Hagrid!" Said Ron, "S'pose you want to hear about Saturday night, do you?"
"I've already heard abou' it." Said Hagrid, opening the front doors and leading them outside.
"Oh." Said Ron, looking slightly put out.
The first thing they saw on entering Hagrid's cabin was a huge pile of books on Beast Care. "What're they for, Hagrid?" Harry asked.
"Bakura's second level test." Said Hagrid, "This Friday." Hagrid poured them tea and offered them cakes, but having had experience with Hagrid's cooking before, they declined.
"I got something to discuss with you four." Said Hagrid, sitting down opposite them and looking uncharacteristically serious.
"What?" Harry asked.
"You are making the girls very unhappy. I don't understand what's gotten into you boys lately."
"Hermione and Kari's cats ate Scabber!" Ron interjected angrily.
"Because their cats acted like all cats do," Hagrid continued doggedly, "Hermione's cried a fair few times, yeh know, Kari and Ombre help as much as they can, but she's bitten off more'n she can chew, if yer ask me, all the work she's tryin' ter do."
"Really upset, they were, when Black nearly stabbed yeh, Ron, and they were terrified of what Black could've done to yer, Yugi, on his way out. They've got their hearts in the right place, the girls have, an' you four not talking to 'em…"
"If they'd just get rid of those cats, I'd speak to them again!" Ron said angrily, "But they're still sticking up for them! They're maniacs, and they won't hear a word against them!"
"Well, people can be a bit stupid abou' their pets." Hagrid said wisely.
"But that's no excuse…"
"And then there's the way you've been freezing out Yami." Hagrid continued, and held up a hand to stop any interruptions, "Now I know he's made a few mistakes, but he didn't mean to hurt yer, Yugi. He's near enough killing 'imself with guilt."
"Yami said that?" Yugi asked.
"Not to me, but I got Seto teh get his side of the story out ter him. And he won' apologise 'cause he thinks he can't control his magic anymore, an' will harm you again."
"Yami talked to Kaiba before he talked to us?" Joey asked, shocked.
"Yami didn' know who he were talking the half the time, ter hear Seto tell it."
Their talk then turned to more mundane topics, such as Quidditch.
"I didn't think Yami was having that much trouble with the Shadow Magic, I thought when the headaches went away, so did the other problems…" Yugi started.
"But we know Yami, he doesn't like to talk when he's having trouble. I mean we have to drag a bad grade out of him, and that takes hours." Joey said, with a sigh.
"Yeah, and he didn't tell anyone about those headaches until he collapsed."
"We haven't really been good friends have we?" Ron asked. No one answered, and the question hung in the air. Though they talked about Quidditch and Gryffindor's improved chances, the question still hung over them, until at nine o'clock; Hagrid took them back to the castle.
A large group of people were bunched around the notice board, when they returned to the Common Room, "Hogsmead trip, next weekend." Ron said, craning his head over the people to read the notice, "What do you reckon?" He asked Harry quietly as they went to sit down. Yugi wasn't paying much attention, and instead was scanning the crowds for any sign of his dark half.
"Well, Filch hasn't done anything about the passage to Honeydukes…" Said Harry even more quietly.
"Harry!" Said a voice in his right ear. Harry started around and saw Hermione, who was sitting right behind them and clearing a space in the wall of books that had been hiding her. "Harry if you go to Hogsmead again, I'll tell Professor McGonagall about the map." Hermione said.
"And if Hermione doesn't then I will." Declared Kari, glaring at the two boys.
"Can you hear someone talking, guys?"
"Ron, how could you even consider letting him go with you?" Kari snapped, "After what Black nearly did to you, could've done to Yugi…"
"Ronald Weasley, are you or are you not Harry's friend?" Ombre demanded, "Because a friend does not put his friends in danger."
"It's my choice." Harry said staring at the girls.
"Yes, Harry, it's your choice. And believe it or not, we want you to make your own decisions, but this is a bad idea. It was bad before and now it's even worse."
"So what, you're going to stop me having any fun?" Harry demanded. Yugi and Joey looked at each other, wondering when they should try to break it up.
"We will tell, if you go on Saturday." Kari said, surprisingly calm, though Joey could see the anger in her eyes at the two younger boys stupidity, even he wasn't sure Harry should come to Hogsmead for the next trip.
"And how will you know?" Harry asked cockily.
"I'm staying here, in this Common Room, and if you aren't here, Harry, then I will tell." Kari said.
"So now you're trying to get Harry expelled!" Said Ron furiously, "Haven't you done enough damage this year?"
Hermione was about to say something when Crookshanks leapt up onto her lap and Ron's look silenced her, Joey had a feeling she would've fled if Kari and Ombre hadn't been backing her up.
"No," Ombre replied, "We're trying to make sure Harry stays safe, but obviously you don't care and we're wasting our time." The same fire that was in her hikari's eyes, was in Ombre's.
Bastet wound her way around the legs of Ron's chair and he tried to kick her, causing Kari to punch him, and a full out fight to develop, only ending when Ombre had grabbed Kari and Harry had grabbed Ron. Kari struggled to free herself from her yami's restraining hands, and Ron struggled against Harry's.
"Don't you dare kick my cat, Ron Weasley." Kari snarled, the Millennium Orb glinting against her robes, she froze, feeling something building she knew she couldn't let loose, "I need to get out of here." Ombre, sensing something was wrong, let go immediately and Kari fled to the dorm.
"Girls." Ron uttered in disgust, and stalked out. Harry shot an apologetic towards the girls and followed Ron out.
Five seconds later multiple loud crashes were heard from upstairs. Ombre and Hermione looked at each other and rushed up the stairs. Yugi looked the way they'd ran, his face pale.
"What's wrong?" Joey asked. Yugi just shook his head, indicating not good. "Should we go up there?" Joey asked, knowing the answer Yugi would give.
"They're our friends and they might be hurt. We have to check they're ok, even if it is against the rules Joey."
Joey nodded and they rushed towards the girl's staircase and attempted to go upstairs. There was a loud alarm noise and the stairs suddenly turned into a slide, which left Joey and Yugi deposited at the bottom in a heap, and left most of Gryffindor House in stitches.
"What just happened? Did Kari rig the stairs?" Joey asked.
One of the seventh year girls laughed even harder at that, but her friend shook her head and smiled at the two boys, "Why do I have a feeling we just triggered one of the castle's quirks?" Yugi asked.
"Boys aren't allowed in the Girls Dorms," The seventh year girl replied, "It's an old spell that has been here longer then most of the Professors. Supposedly boys aren't as trust worthy as girls."
The look on Yugi and Joey's faces caused her friend to laugh so hard she had to sit down. Yugi sighed, "Could please check on our friends, they're third years."
"The girls who just rushed up the stairs, right?" Yugi nodded and the seventh year went on up, after the stairs had reset themselves.
Ron and Harry had slipped off, probably headed to their dorm and Joey wondered if Harry was going to go on Saturday.
Five minutes later, the seventh year came back down with a troubled look on her face, "Their dorm's a mess, it looks like a miniature tornado hit it." She looked around, "Any idea who bunks with them? 'Cause they're going to need to clear up their stuff."
Yugi and Joey shook their heads and the seventh year frowned. "You don't know who the other girls in your year are? What have you been doing for the past three years?"
"Ummm…" Joey wasn't sure what to say, but was saved from having to answer by the arrival of two third year Gryffindor girls, Pavarti Patil and Lavender Brown, who quickly ran upstairs after the seventh year spoke to them. The seventh year gave them an odd look before she and her friend moved off.
"So what do we think?" Joey asked Yugi as they moved to a more quiet spot to talk.
"That we should know who's in our year outside our group?" Yugi asked.
"Errr, yes, so they're the girls, who's the other boys?"
"Neville and … ummmm." Yugi stopped, trying to think, "I'm not sure…"
"It can't be this hard! We've been sleeping in the same dorm as them for the past three years!"
"Dean and Seamus?" Yugi said in a small voice.
"And why didn't we know that?"
"Because we haven't really paid attention to them, what with saving the world multiple times."
"But that's no excuse. We can't really be that self absorbed can we?"
"We're getting distracted," Yugi said with a sigh, "The miniature tornado that just hit the third year girl's dorms, was another out of control burst of Shadow Magic."
"Then it's not just Yami, who's losing control."
"No, it's not. The question is; are we all losing control?"
"Yami's losing it, you lost it last year…"
Yugi nodded, "The Game against Draco Malfoy."
"Kari's losing it, Bakura lost it a long time ago…" Yugi laughed. "What about Ryou and Ombre?"
"Ryou doesn't really use Shadow Magic for anything, but Ombre… hmmm… I don't think she has. Not yet anyway." Yugi went silent for a minute, trying to think, "We need to get everyone together, all the Shadow Duellists, we have to work out what's happening."
"How?" Joey asked, "Yami's avoiding us, and can you see Bakura being in the room with the rest of you, for more then two seconds, without causing trouble?"
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"I'll work it out."
On Saturday Morning, Hermione, Ombre and Kari kept a close eye on Harry as they ate their breakfast. He wouldn't meet their gaze and Ombre didn't trust he wasn't going to try to sneak into Hogsmead somehow; she just hadn't worked out how without Kari knowing he was gone.
"We'll see you guys when you get back." Kari said with a smile and she and Harry, walked back up the stairs towards the Common Room. "Cheer up Harry, it could be worse." Kari said as she brought down a couple of bottles of Butterbeer she'd gotten from Fred and George, after the last party, "It could just be you and Neville." Harry still wouldn't look at her. "I get it, you're mad at me, in all honestly, I think I must be taking lessons from Se… Kaiba on being cold hearted, because I don't really care right now, your safety is more important." She opened two bottles and placed them on the table.
Harry felt slightly guilty about what he was about to do, but the twins had suggested it. Neville banged on the portrait to be let in and Kari got up to let him in. Once Kari's back was turned he slipped two drops from a small glass bottle, into her Butterbeer, just enough, but not enough to make her suspicious. She sat back down and looked at him across the table. "Are you going to just avoid looking at me all day?" She asked as she took a swig of her Butterbeer.
"I'm only here under duress." Harry replied.
Kari sighed and chugged her Butterbeer, finishing it quickly, "Fine, I'm going to get my homework, if you wanna stay mad at me fine, but I'm not going to sit here and be thought daggers at, just because you can't stand to look at me long enough to actually glare." She stood up and stretched, then stalked up the stairs. She came back down, staggered over to the sofa, gave Harry a filthy look, then fell onto one of the chairs, dropping all her books, parchments and quills as she did so.
Neville rushed over, "She passed out!" He called over to Harry who was too busy thinking, There's no possible way she could've known.
"Neville, are you OK to stay with her while I get Professor McGonagall?" Harry asked, Neville nodded and Harry rushed out the door. Professor McGonagall quickly followed him, and after trying to wake Kari up, and failing, decided to take her to the hospital wing. In all the fuss, Harry slipped away as the teacher spoke to Neville, the Marauder's Map, in his pocket and the invisibility cloak in his bag, arriving outside Honeydukes ten minutes later, in time to scare Ron half to death by prodding him in the back.
"It's me." Harry whispered.
"What happened with…?" Ron muttered back.
"She's going to kill me when she wakes up."
They set off down the high street.
"Where are you?" Ron kept muttering, "Are you still there? This feels weird…"
They visited the Post Office, and then Zonko's, where they both left with their moneybags much lighter then when they'd gone in. The day was fine and breezy and neither of them felt like staying inside, so they climbed the slope past the Three Broomsticks, to visit the Shrieking Shack, the most haunted dwelling in Britain. It stood a little way above the rest of the village, and even in the daylight was slightly creepy, with it's 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 Nick… he says he's heard a very rough crowd live here. No one can get in, Fred and George tried, obviously, but all the entrances are sealed shut."
Harry was just considering taking off his cloak when he heard voices nearby, it sounded like Draco, Bakura, and Ryou? Why was Ryou with them? Moments later the three had appeared, Crabbe and Goyle following at a distance, where they couldn't hear the conversation. Harry grabbed Ron and they hid under the cloak so they couldn't be seen by the five approaching. Harry held his breath as Ryou, Bakura and Draco came closer. They seemed to be quarrelling.
"This isn't funny Bakura, pay attention." Ryou hissed at him as Bakura's attention seemed to wander. For a moment Harry froze. Bakura had been looking straight at them.
"I'm very much aware of the seriousness of this Ryou. I just think you are worrying too much." Bakura shot back, turning his attention back to Ryou.
"What are we meant to do if…" Ryou started.
"If nothing, this isn't happening." Bakura interrupted.
Ryou fiddled with something around his neck for a moment, then seemed to become more decisive. "It is Bakura. Something's happened to the Shadow Realm and I'm starting to think it's the Pharaoh's fault."
"Well I'm all for blaming the idiot, but what are we're going to do about it? He might not be good for much but the fool does normally clean up after himself." Bakura declared, waving away the problem. "That isn't the only reason you wanted to talk to me, was it?"
Ryou wouldn't meet his eyes now, instead studying the surrounding area. "I don't think I can continue this…" His eyes seemed to settle on Harry and Ron, "What…?"
Bakura's eyes turned towards them as well. A flicker of recognition. Harry suppressed the desire to run away, they couldn't see him and Ron, they couldn't… could they?
"It's just a spell; don't tell me that this is the first time you've seen one. They don't normally hold still, but it's probably just a prank, and it doesn't want to move or go away so as long as we don't walk into it, it shouldn't affect us." Bakura explained in a condescending voice.
"So that's how…" Malfoy muttered, but he continued to be ignored by both Bakura and Ryou.
"It could be a listening spell or something, let's talk elsewhere." Ryou declared.
Once the three were out of sight Ron left the safety of the invisibility cloak, "Did they see us?" Ron asked, shocked. Then he looked at Harry, "If they tell anyone… You better run for it mate."
Harry nodded and ran towards Hogsmead, into Honeydukes, down the cellar steps, across the stone floor, through the trap door… At this point Harry tore off the cloak and tucked it under his arm, and ran flat out down the passage. He was certain Ryou and Bakura were to busy arguing to snitch on him, but if he was wrong… He left the cloak at the bottom of the stone slide and climbed quickly, jumping out from behind the statue of the one eyed witch…
In time to be seen by Severus Snape.
"Come with me, Potter."
Harry followed him downstairs, to Snape's office, "Sit."
Harry sat, Snape remained standing though.
"I was called to the Infirmary Wing by the nurse earlier, any idea why?"
Harry didn't say anything.
"Kari Ironhide passed out in the Common Room, did she not? After all, you were the one to report it."
Harry still didn't say anything.
"I was called by the nurse to provide an antidote to a potent sleeping potion that had been given to Ironhide, any idea how that happened?"
Harry tried to look surprised. "I don't know, Professor."
"As far as I'm aware there was only one other person in the Common Room other then Ironhide, and he swears that the two of you were drinking Butterbeer when he came in."
Neville! Harry thought with a mental growl.
"Ironhide was unaware of taking the potion, which means someone must have slipped it into, say, a drink."
"Could it have happened at breakfast?" Harry asked, trying to keep his voice guiltless.
"No, she would never have made it to the Common Room." Snape sneered, "Drugging another student is a serious offence, Potter."
"But why would I spike her drink? She was keeping me company since I couldn't go with everyone else…"
"Then why did you suddenly vanish when she collapsed? Why didn't you come to see if she was alright in the Infirmary?" Snape asked accusingly.
"Because the source of the Butterbeer was suspect." Harry tried to defend himself.
"The female 'Spellcaster' told me something that her partner was reluctant to, Potter." Snape continued, "That Ironhide had stayed behind to prevent you from sneaking off to Hogsmead…" Harry didn't say anything. Snape's mouth curved into a horrible smile, "So, everyone, from the Minister for Magic downwards, have been trying to keep famous Harry Potter safe from Sirius Black, but famous Harry Potter is a law unto himself, and even feels he can drug his friends to get what he wants… for example to clear the way to sneak out to Hogsmead…"
There was nothing Harry could say, Mana had ratted him out in revenge for drugging her partner.
"Of course if this is true, then both offences are punishable by expulsion… empty your pockets, Potter." Snape demanded.
Harry didn't move, there was a pounding in his ears.
"Turn out your pockets or we go to the Headmaster." Cold with dread, Harry pulled out the bag of Zonko's tricks and the Marauder's Map.
Snape picked up the Zonko's bag.
"Ron gave them to me ages ago." Harry said, hoping he'd have a chance to speak to Ron before Snape did.
"Indeed? And you've been carrying them around ever since? How very touching… and 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 shrugged.
Snape turned it over, his eyes on Harry. "Surely you don't need such an old piece of parchment?" He said, "Why don't I just throw it away?" His hand moved towards the fire.
"No!" Harry said quickly.
"So!" Said Snape, "Is this another treasured gift from Mr Weasley, or is it something else? A letter perhaps, written in invisible ink? Or instructions on how to get into Hogsmead without passing the Dementors?"
Harry blinked, Snape's eyes gleamed.
Snape tried to make the map reveal itself, until finally, he grew angry and hit the map with his wand, saying, "Professor Severus Snape, Master of this school, commands you to yield the information you conceal."
Like an invisible hand was writing upon it, words appeared on the smooth surface of the map.
Mr Moony presents his compliments to Professor Snape, and begs him to keep his abnormally large nose out of other people's businesses.
Snape froze, Harry stared, dumbstruck, at the message, but it wasn't done yet…
Mr Prongs agrees with Mr Moony, and would like to add that Professor Snape is an ugly git.
It would've been funny had the situation not 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 horror. When he'd opened them again the map had it's last words…
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, "We'll see about this…"
He strode across to the fire, seized a fistful of glittering powder from a jar on the mantle piece and thrown it into the fire. "Lupin!" Snape called into the fire, "I want a word!"
Utterly bewildered, Harry stared at the fire. A large shape had appeared in it, revolving very fast. Seconds later Lupin was climbing out of the fire.
"You called, Severus?" Said Lupin mildly.
"I certainly did," Said Snape, his face contorted with fury as he strode back to his desk, "I have just asked Potter to empty his pockets. He was carrying this." He pointed to the piece of parchment on which the words of Messers Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs was still shining. Lupin got an odd closed look.
"Well?"
Harry thought Lupin looked like he was thinking quickly.
"Well?" Snape asked again. "This is clearly full of dark magic, this is supposed to be your area of expertise, Lupin, where do you imagine Potter got such a thing?"
"Full of dark magic?" Lupin repeated mildly, "Do you really think so Severus? It looks to me like a bit of parchment that insults anyone who tries to read 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? Surely he would have gotten it from the manufacturers?"
Harry didn't understand what Snape was talking about. Apparently neither did Lupin.
"You mean from Mr Wormtail or one of these people?" He said, "Harry do you know these people?"
"No." Harry said quickly.
"You see, Severus," Said Lupin, turning back to Snape, "It looks like a Zonko's product to me…"
Right on cue, Ron came bursting into the office. He was completely out of breath, and stopped just short of Snape desk, clutching the stitch in his chest and trying to speak.
"I… gave… Harry… that… stuff…" He choked, "Bought… it… in…Zonko's… ages… ago…"
"Well," Said Lupin, clapping his hands together and looking around cheerfully. "That seems to clear that up! Severus, I'll 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 didn't dare look at Snape on their way out. He, Ron and Lupin walked all the way back to the Entrance Hall without speaking. Then Harry turned to Lupin.
"Professor, I…"
"I don't want to hear excuses." Said Lupin shortly, he glanced around the empty Entrance Hall and then lowered his voice, "I happen to know this map was confiscated by Mr Filch many years ago. Yes, I know it's a map," he said as Harry and Ron looked amazed, "I don't want to know, how it fell into your possession. I am, however, astounded that you didn't hand it in. Particularly after what happened the last time a student left information about the castle lying around. And I can't let you have it back, Harry."
Harry had expected that and was too keen for explanations to protest.
"Why did Snape think I got it from the manufacturers?"
"Because," Lupin hesitated, "Because these manufacturers would have wanted to lure you out of school. They'd think it extremely entertaining."
"Do you know them?" Harry asked, impressed.
"We've met," Lupin replied shortly, he was looking at Harry more seriously then ever. "Don't expect me to cover for you again, Harry. I cannot make you take Sirius Black seriously. But I would've thought what you heard when the Dementors draw near you would have more effect on you. Your parents gave their lives to keep you alive, Harry. A poor way to repay them… gambling their sacrifice for a bag of magic tricks."
He walked away, leaving Harry feeling worse by far then he had at any point in Snape's office. Slowly he and Ron mounted the marble staircase. As Harry passed the one eyed witch, he remembered the invisibility cloak was still down there, but he didn't dare go and get it.
"It's my fault," Said Ron abruptly, "I persuaded you to go. Lupin's right, it was stupid, we shouldn't have done it…"
He broke off, they had reached the corridor where the Purple Eyes Silver Dragons were on guard, and the dragons were glaring at them. Ombre was leant on the wall next to the portrait, and stalked over to them. She punched Harry in the face, "If you ever, ever do that to my hikari again," She threatened, as Ron glared at her, "That will seem like a love bite."
"I didn't…"
"I don't care what crap you fed the teachers, I know it was you." Ombre scowled, "And you will not do it again otherwise I will introduce you to Yami Marik."
"You wouldn't…"
"Drug my hikari again, and I will send you to the Shadow Realm…"
Everywhere they went the next day they saw signs of tighter security; Professor Flitwick could be seen teaching the doors to recognise a large picture of Sirius Black; Filch was suddenly bustling up and down the corridors, boarding up everything, from tiny cracks in the wall, to mouse holes. Sir Cadogan had been sacked, and his portrait returned to the lonely landing on the seventh floor, and the Fat Lady was back. She had been extremely nervous and had agreed to return to her post on condition that she was given extra protection. Professor Dumbledore had gone to Kisara's hatchlings, who had agreed immediately to guard the portrait, and two or more of them (one senior and one junior) were always to be found in the corridor, talking and watching people carefully.
Harry couldn't help noticing that the statue of the one-eyed witch on the third floor remained unguarded and unblocked. It seemed like Fred and George had been right in thinking that they, (and what had been the gang), were the only ones who knew about the secret passageway behind it.
"Do you reckon we should tell someone?" Harry asked Ron.
"We know he's not coming in through Honeydukes," Said Ron dismissively, "We'd've heard if the shop had been broken into."
Harry was glad Ron took this view. If the one-eyed witch was boarded up too, he would never be able to go to Hogsmead again.
Ron had become an instant celebrity. For the first time in his life, people were paying more attention to him, then to Harry, and it was clear that Ron was rather enjoying the experience. Though shaken by the nights 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 thought it was in my dream, you know? But then there was this draught… I woke up and one of the hangings on my bed had been pulled down… I rolled over… and I saw him standing over me… like a skeleton, with loads of filthy hair… holding this great long knife, must've been twelve inches… and he looked at me and I looked at him, and then I yelled and he scarpered…"
"Why though?" Ron added to Harry, as the group of second-years, who had been listening to his chilling tale departed. "Why did he scarper?"
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 didn't mind killing innocent people, and this time he had been facing seven almost unarmed boys, six of whom were asleep. And Black had just pushed Yugi out of the way when Yugi had tried to remain between Black and the portrait hole, why hadn't he dealt with him either? "He must've known that he'd have a job of getting back out of the castle once you'd yelled and woken people up," Said Harry thoughtfully, "He'd've had to have killed the entire house to get back through the portrait hole… then he would've met the teachers…"
Neville was in total disgrace. Professor McGonagall was so furious with him that she had banned him from all future Hogsmead trips, given him detention and forbidden anyone to give him the password into the Tower. Poor Neville was forced to wait outside the Common Room every night for someone to let him in, while the young dragons pretended he wasn't there. None of these punishments, however, came close to matching the one his grand-mother had in store for him. Two days after Black's break in, she sent him the very worst thing a Hogwarts student could receive over breakfast… a Howler.
The school owls swooped into the Great Hall, carrying the post as usual, and Neville choked as a huge barn owl landed in front of him, a scarlet letter clutched in his beak. Harry, Ron, Yugi and Joey, who were sat opposite him, recognised the letter as a Howler at once… Ron had gotten one from his mother the year before.
"Run, for it Neville." Ron advised.
Neville didn't 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 into laughter at the sight of him. They heard the Howler go off in the Entrance Hall… Neville's Grandmother's voice, magically magnified to a hundred times its usual volume, shrieking about how he had brought shame on the whole family.
Harry was too busy feeling sorry for Neville to notice he had a letter too. Hedwig got his attention by nipping him sharply on the wrist.
"Ouch… oh thanks Hedwig…"
Harry torn open the envelope while Hedwig helped herself to some of Neville's cornflakes. The note inside said;
Dear Harry, Ron, Joey and Yugi,
How about having tea with me this evening around six? I'll come and collect you from the castle. WAIT FOR ME IN THE ENTRANCE HALL, YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED OUT ON YOUR OWN.
Cheers,
Hagrid.
"He probably wants to hear all about Black." Said Ron.
So at six o'clock that evening, the four of them left the Gryffindor Tower, passed the dragons at a run, and headed down to the Entrance Hall, where Hagrid was already waiting for them.
"All right, Hagrid!" Said Ron, "S'pose you want to hear about Saturday night, do you?"
"I've already heard abou' it." Said Hagrid, opening the front doors and leading them outside.
"Oh." Said Ron, looking slightly put out.
The first thing they saw on entering Hagrid's cabin was a huge pile of books on Beast Care. "What're they for, Hagrid?" Harry asked.
"Bakura's second level test." Said Hagrid, "This Friday." Hagrid poured them tea and offered them cakes, but having had experience with Hagrid's cooking before, they declined.
"I got something to discuss with you four." Said Hagrid, sitting down opposite them and looking uncharacteristically serious.
"What?" Harry asked.
"You are making the girls very unhappy. I don't understand what's gotten into you boys lately."
"Hermione and Kari's cats ate Scabber!" Ron interjected angrily.
"Because their cats acted like all cats do," Hagrid continued doggedly, "Hermione's cried a fair few times, yeh know, Kari and Ombre help as much as they can, but she's bitten off more'n she can chew, if yer ask me, all the work she's tryin' ter do."
"Really upset, they were, when Black nearly stabbed yeh, Ron, and they were terrified of what Black could've done to yer, Yugi, on his way out. They've got their hearts in the right place, the girls have, an' you four not talking to 'em…"
"If they'd just get rid of those cats, I'd speak to them again!" Ron said angrily, "But they're still sticking up for them! They're maniacs, and they won't hear a word against them!"
"Well, people can be a bit stupid abou' their pets." Hagrid said wisely.
"But that's no excuse…"
"And then there's the way you've been freezing out Yami." Hagrid continued, and held up a hand to stop any interruptions, "Now I know he's made a few mistakes, but he didn't mean to hurt yer, Yugi. He's near enough killing 'imself with guilt."
"Yami said that?" Yugi asked.
"Not to me, but I got Seto teh get his side of the story out ter him. And he won' apologise 'cause he thinks he can't control his magic anymore, an' will harm you again."
"Yami talked to Kaiba before he talked to us?" Joey asked, shocked.
"Yami didn' know who he were talking the half the time, ter hear Seto tell it."
Their talk then turned to more mundane topics, such as Quidditch.
"I didn't think Yami was having that much trouble with the Shadow Magic, I thought when the headaches went away, so did the other problems…" Yugi started.
"But we know Yami, he doesn't like to talk when he's having trouble. I mean we have to drag a bad grade out of him, and that takes hours." Joey said, with a sigh.
"Yeah, and he didn't tell anyone about those headaches until he collapsed."
"We haven't really been good friends have we?" Ron asked. No one answered, and the question hung in the air. Though they talked about Quidditch and Gryffindor's improved chances, the question still hung over them, until at nine o'clock; Hagrid took them back to the castle.
A large group of people were bunched around the notice board, when they returned to the Common Room, "Hogsmead trip, next weekend." Ron said, craning his head over the people to read the notice, "What do you reckon?" He asked Harry quietly as they went to sit down. Yugi wasn't paying much attention, and instead was scanning the crowds for any sign of his dark half.
"Well, Filch hasn't done anything about the passage to Honeydukes…" Said Harry even more quietly.
"Harry!" Said a voice in his right ear. Harry started around and saw Hermione, who was sitting right behind them and clearing a space in the wall of books that had been hiding her. "Harry if you go to Hogsmead again, I'll tell Professor McGonagall about the map." Hermione said.
"And if Hermione doesn't then I will." Declared Kari, glaring at the two boys.
"Can you hear someone talking, guys?"
"Ron, how could you even consider letting him go with you?" Kari snapped, "After what Black nearly did to you, could've done to Yugi…"
"Ronald Weasley, are you or are you not Harry's friend?" Ombre demanded, "Because a friend does not put his friends in danger."
"It's my choice." Harry said staring at the girls.
"Yes, Harry, it's your choice. And believe it or not, we want you to make your own decisions, but this is a bad idea. It was bad before and now it's even worse."
"So what, you're going to stop me having any fun?" Harry demanded. Yugi and Joey looked at each other, wondering when they should try to break it up.
"We will tell, if you go on Saturday." Kari said, surprisingly calm, though Joey could see the anger in her eyes at the two younger boys stupidity, even he wasn't sure Harry should come to Hogsmead for the next trip.
"And how will you know?" Harry asked cockily.
"I'm staying here, in this Common Room, and if you aren't here, Harry, then I will tell." Kari said.
"So now you're trying to get Harry expelled!" Said Ron furiously, "Haven't you done enough damage this year?"
Hermione was about to say something when Crookshanks leapt up onto her lap and Ron's look silenced her, Joey had a feeling she would've fled if Kari and Ombre hadn't been backing her up.
"No," Ombre replied, "We're trying to make sure Harry stays safe, but obviously you don't care and we're wasting our time." The same fire that was in her hikari's eyes, was in Ombre's.
Bastet wound her way around the legs of Ron's chair and he tried to kick her, causing Kari to punch him, and a full out fight to develop, only ending when Ombre had grabbed Kari and Harry had grabbed Ron. Kari struggled to free herself from her yami's restraining hands, and Ron struggled against Harry's.
"Don't you dare kick my cat, Ron Weasley." Kari snarled, the Millennium Orb glinting against her robes, she froze, feeling something building she knew she couldn't let loose, "I need to get out of here." Ombre, sensing something was wrong, let go immediately and Kari fled to the dorm.
"Girls." Ron uttered in disgust, and stalked out. Harry shot an apologetic towards the girls and followed Ron out.
Five seconds later multiple loud crashes were heard from upstairs. Ombre and Hermione looked at each other and rushed up the stairs. Yugi looked the way they'd ran, his face pale.
"What's wrong?" Joey asked. Yugi just shook his head, indicating not good. "Should we go up there?" Joey asked, knowing the answer Yugi would give.
"They're our friends and they might be hurt. We have to check they're ok, even if it is against the rules Joey."
Joey nodded and they rushed towards the girl's staircase and attempted to go upstairs. There was a loud alarm noise and the stairs suddenly turned into a slide, which left Joey and Yugi deposited at the bottom in a heap, and left most of Gryffindor House in stitches.
"What just happened? Did Kari rig the stairs?" Joey asked.
One of the seventh year girls laughed even harder at that, but her friend shook her head and smiled at the two boys, "Why do I have a feeling we just triggered one of the castle's quirks?" Yugi asked.
"Boys aren't allowed in the Girls Dorms," The seventh year girl replied, "It's an old spell that has been here longer then most of the Professors. Supposedly boys aren't as trust worthy as girls."
The look on Yugi and Joey's faces caused her friend to laugh so hard she had to sit down. Yugi sighed, "Could please check on our friends, they're third years."
"The girls who just rushed up the stairs, right?" Yugi nodded and the seventh year went on up, after the stairs had reset themselves.
Ron and Harry had slipped off, probably headed to their dorm and Joey wondered if Harry was going to go on Saturday.
Five minutes later, the seventh year came back down with a troubled look on her face, "Their dorm's a mess, it looks like a miniature tornado hit it." She looked around, "Any idea who bunks with them? 'Cause they're going to need to clear up their stuff."
Yugi and Joey shook their heads and the seventh year frowned. "You don't know who the other girls in your year are? What have you been doing for the past three years?"
"Ummm…" Joey wasn't sure what to say, but was saved from having to answer by the arrival of two third year Gryffindor girls, Pavarti Patil and Lavender Brown, who quickly ran upstairs after the seventh year spoke to them. The seventh year gave them an odd look before she and her friend moved off.
"So what do we think?" Joey asked Yugi as they moved to a more quiet spot to talk.
"That we should know who's in our year outside our group?" Yugi asked.
"Errr, yes, so they're the girls, who's the other boys?"
"Neville and … ummmm." Yugi stopped, trying to think, "I'm not sure…"
"It can't be this hard! We've been sleeping in the same dorm as them for the past three years!"
"Dean and Seamus?" Yugi said in a small voice.
"And why didn't we know that?"
"Because we haven't really paid attention to them, what with saving the world multiple times."
"But that's no excuse. We can't really be that self absorbed can we?"
"We're getting distracted," Yugi said with a sigh, "The miniature tornado that just hit the third year girl's dorms, was another out of control burst of Shadow Magic."
"Then it's not just Yami, who's losing control."
"No, it's not. The question is; are we all losing control?"
"Yami's losing it, you lost it last year…"
Yugi nodded, "The Game against Draco Malfoy."
"Kari's losing it, Bakura lost it a long time ago…" Yugi laughed. "What about Ryou and Ombre?"
"Ryou doesn't really use Shadow Magic for anything, but Ombre… hmmm… I don't think she has. Not yet anyway." Yugi went silent for a minute, trying to think, "We need to get everyone together, all the Shadow Duellists, we have to work out what's happening."
"How?" Joey asked, "Yami's avoiding us, and can you see Bakura being in the room with the rest of you, for more then two seconds, without causing trouble?"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I'll work it out."
On Saturday Morning, Hermione, Ombre and Kari kept a close eye on Harry as they ate their breakfast. He wouldn't meet their gaze and Ombre didn't trust he wasn't going to try to sneak into Hogsmead somehow; she just hadn't worked out how without Kari knowing he was gone.
"We'll see you guys when you get back." Kari said with a smile and she and Harry, walked back up the stairs towards the Common Room. "Cheer up Harry, it could be worse." Kari said as she brought down a couple of bottles of Butterbeer she'd gotten from Fred and George, after the last party, "It could just be you and Neville." Harry still wouldn't look at her. "I get it, you're mad at me, in all honestly, I think I must be taking lessons from Se… Kaiba on being cold hearted, because I don't really care right now, your safety is more important." She opened two bottles and placed them on the table.
Harry felt slightly guilty about what he was about to do, but the twins had suggested it. Neville banged on the portrait to be let in and Kari got up to let him in. Once Kari's back was turned he slipped two drops from a small glass bottle, into her Butterbeer, just enough, but not enough to make her suspicious. She sat back down and looked at him across the table. "Are you going to just avoid looking at me all day?" She asked as she took a swig of her Butterbeer.
"I'm only here under duress." Harry replied.
Kari sighed and chugged her Butterbeer, finishing it quickly, "Fine, I'm going to get my homework, if you wanna stay mad at me fine, but I'm not going to sit here and be thought daggers at, just because you can't stand to look at me long enough to actually glare." She stood up and stretched, then stalked up the stairs. She came back down, staggered over to the sofa, gave Harry a filthy look, then fell onto one of the chairs, dropping all her books, parchments and quills as she did so.
Neville rushed over, "She passed out!" He called over to Harry who was too busy thinking, There's no possible way she could've known.
"Neville, are you OK to stay with her while I get Professor McGonagall?" Harry asked, Neville nodded and Harry rushed out the door. Professor McGonagall quickly followed him, and after trying to wake Kari up, and failing, decided to take her to the hospital wing. In all the fuss, Harry slipped away as the teacher spoke to Neville, the Marauder's Map, in his pocket and the invisibility cloak in his bag, arriving outside Honeydukes ten minutes later, in time to scare Ron half to death by prodding him in the back.
"It's me." Harry whispered.
"What happened with…?" Ron muttered back.
"She's going to kill me when she wakes up."
They set off down the high street.
"Where are you?" Ron kept muttering, "Are you still there? This feels weird…"
They visited the Post Office, and then Zonko's, where they both left with their moneybags much lighter then when they'd gone in. The day was fine and breezy and neither of them felt like staying inside, so they climbed the slope past the Three Broomsticks, to visit the Shrieking Shack, the most haunted dwelling in Britain. It stood a little way above the rest of the village, and even in the daylight was slightly creepy, with it's 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 Nick… he says he's heard a very rough crowd live here. No one can get in, Fred and George tried, obviously, but all the entrances are sealed shut."
Harry was just considering taking off his cloak when he heard voices nearby, it sounded like Draco, Bakura, and Ryou? Why was Ryou with them? Moments later the three had appeared, Crabbe and Goyle following at a distance, where they couldn't hear the conversation. Harry grabbed Ron and they hid under the cloak so they couldn't be seen by the five approaching. Harry held his breath as Ryou, Bakura and Draco came closer. They seemed to be quarrelling.
"This isn't funny Bakura, pay attention." Ryou hissed at him as Bakura's attention seemed to wander. For a moment Harry froze. Bakura had been looking straight at them.
"I'm very much aware of the seriousness of this Ryou. I just think you are worrying too much." Bakura shot back, turning his attention back to Ryou.
"What are we meant to do if…" Ryou started.
"If nothing, this isn't happening." Bakura interrupted.
Ryou fiddled with something around his neck for a moment, then seemed to become more decisive. "It is Bakura. Something's happened to the Shadow Realm and I'm starting to think it's the Pharaoh's fault."
"Well I'm all for blaming the idiot, but what are we're going to do about it? He might not be good for much but the fool does normally clean up after himself." Bakura declared, waving away the problem. "That isn't the only reason you wanted to talk to me, was it?"
Ryou wouldn't meet his eyes now, instead studying the surrounding area. "I don't think I can continue this…" His eyes seemed to settle on Harry and Ron, "What…?"
Bakura's eyes turned towards them as well. A flicker of recognition. Harry suppressed the desire to run away, they couldn't see him and Ron, they couldn't… could they?
"It's just a spell; don't tell me that this is the first time you've seen one. They don't normally hold still, but it's probably just a prank, and it doesn't want to move or go away so as long as we don't walk into it, it shouldn't affect us." Bakura explained in a condescending voice.
"So that's how…" Malfoy muttered, but he continued to be ignored by both Bakura and Ryou.
"It could be a listening spell or something, let's talk elsewhere." Ryou declared.
Once the three were out of sight Ron left the safety of the invisibility cloak, "Did they see us?" Ron asked, shocked. Then he looked at Harry, "If they tell anyone… You better run for it mate."
Harry nodded and ran towards Hogsmead, into Honeydukes, down the cellar steps, across the stone floor, through the trap door… At this point Harry tore off the cloak and tucked it under his arm, and ran flat out down the passage. He was certain Ryou and Bakura were to busy arguing to snitch on him, but if he was wrong… He left the cloak at the bottom of the stone slide and climbed quickly, jumping out from behind the statue of the one eyed witch…
In time to be seen by Severus Snape.
"Come with me, Potter."
Harry followed him downstairs, to Snape's office, "Sit."
Harry sat, Snape remained standing though.
"I was called to the Infirmary Wing by the nurse earlier, any idea why?"
Harry didn't say anything.
"Kari Ironhide passed out in the Common Room, did she not? After all, you were the one to report it."
Harry still didn't say anything.
"I was called by the nurse to provide an antidote to a potent sleeping potion that had been given to Ironhide, any idea how that happened?"
Harry tried to look surprised. "I don't know, Professor."
"As far as I'm aware there was only one other person in the Common Room other then Ironhide, and he swears that the two of you were drinking Butterbeer when he came in."
Neville! Harry thought with a mental growl.
"Ironhide was unaware of taking the potion, which means someone must have slipped it into, say, a drink."
"Could it have happened at breakfast?" Harry asked, trying to keep his voice guiltless.
"No, she would never have made it to the Common Room." Snape sneered, "Drugging another student is a serious offence, Potter."
"But why would I spike her drink? She was keeping me company since I couldn't go with everyone else…"
"Then why did you suddenly vanish when she collapsed? Why didn't you come to see if she was alright in the Infirmary?" Snape asked accusingly.
"Because the source of the Butterbeer was suspect." Harry tried to defend himself.
"The female 'Spellcaster' told me something that her partner was reluctant to, Potter." Snape continued, "That Ironhide had stayed behind to prevent you from sneaking off to Hogsmead…" Harry didn't say anything. Snape's mouth curved into a horrible smile, "So, everyone, from the Minister for Magic downwards, have been trying to keep famous Harry Potter safe from Sirius Black, but famous Harry Potter is a law unto himself, and even feels he can drug his friends to get what he wants… for example to clear the way to sneak out to Hogsmead…"
There was nothing Harry could say, Mana had ratted him out in revenge for drugging her partner.
"Of course if this is true, then both offences are punishable by expulsion… empty your pockets, Potter." Snape demanded.
Harry didn't move, there was a pounding in his ears.
"Turn out your pockets or we go to the Headmaster." Cold with dread, Harry pulled out the bag of Zonko's tricks and the Marauder's Map.
Snape picked up the Zonko's bag.
"Ron gave them to me ages ago." Harry said, hoping he'd have a chance to speak to Ron before Snape did.
"Indeed? And you've been carrying them around ever since? How very touching… and 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 shrugged.
Snape turned it over, his eyes on Harry. "Surely you don't need such an old piece of parchment?" He said, "Why don't I just throw it away?" His hand moved towards the fire.
"No!" Harry said quickly.
"So!" Said Snape, "Is this another treasured gift from Mr Weasley, or is it something else? A letter perhaps, written in invisible ink? Or instructions on how to get into Hogsmead without passing the Dementors?"
Harry blinked, Snape's eyes gleamed.
Snape tried to make the map reveal itself, until finally, he grew angry and hit the map with his wand, saying, "Professor Severus Snape, Master of this school, commands you to yield the information you conceal."
Like an invisible hand was writing upon it, words appeared on the smooth surface of the map.
Mr Moony presents his compliments to Professor Snape, and begs him to keep his abnormally large nose out of other people's businesses.
Snape froze, Harry stared, dumbstruck, at the message, but it wasn't done yet…
Mr Prongs agrees with Mr Moony, and would like to add that Professor Snape is an ugly git.
It would've been funny had the situation not 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 horror. When he'd opened them again the map had it's last words…
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, "We'll see about this…"
He strode across to the fire, seized a fistful of glittering powder from a jar on the mantle piece and thrown it into the fire. "Lupin!" Snape called into the fire, "I want a word!"
Utterly bewildered, Harry stared at the fire. A large shape had appeared in it, revolving very fast. Seconds later Lupin was climbing out of the fire.
"You called, Severus?" Said Lupin mildly.
"I certainly did," Said Snape, his face contorted with fury as he strode back to his desk, "I have just asked Potter to empty his pockets. He was carrying this." He pointed to the piece of parchment on which the words of Messers Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs was still shining. Lupin got an odd closed look.
"Well?"
Harry thought Lupin looked like he was thinking quickly.
"Well?" Snape asked again. "This is clearly full of dark magic, this is supposed to be your area of expertise, Lupin, where do you imagine Potter got such a thing?"
"Full of dark magic?" Lupin repeated mildly, "Do you really think so Severus? It looks to me like a bit of parchment that insults anyone who tries to read 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? Surely he would have gotten it from the manufacturers?"
Harry didn't understand what Snape was talking about. Apparently neither did Lupin.
"You mean from Mr Wormtail or one of these people?" He said, "Harry do you know these people?"
"No." Harry said quickly.
"You see, Severus," Said Lupin, turning back to Snape, "It looks like a Zonko's product to me…"
Right on cue, Ron came bursting into the office. He was completely out of breath, and stopped just short of Snape desk, clutching the stitch in his chest and trying to speak.
"I… gave… Harry… that… stuff…" He choked, "Bought… it… in…Zonko's… ages… ago…"
"Well," Said Lupin, clapping his hands together and looking around cheerfully. "That seems to clear that up! Severus, I'll 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 didn't dare look at Snape on their way out. He, Ron and Lupin walked all the way back to the Entrance Hall without speaking. Then Harry turned to Lupin.
"Professor, I…"
"I don't want to hear excuses." Said Lupin shortly, he glanced around the empty Entrance Hall and then lowered his voice, "I happen to know this map was confiscated by Mr Filch many years ago. Yes, I know it's a map," he said as Harry and Ron looked amazed, "I don't want to know, how it fell into your possession. I am, however, astounded that you didn't hand it in. Particularly after what happened the last time a student left information about the castle lying around. And I can't let you have it back, Harry."
Harry had expected that and was too keen for explanations to protest.
"Why did Snape think I got it from the manufacturers?"
"Because," Lupin hesitated, "Because these manufacturers would have wanted to lure you out of school. They'd think it extremely entertaining."
"Do you know them?" Harry asked, impressed.
"We've met," Lupin replied shortly, he was looking at Harry more seriously then ever. "Don't expect me to cover for you again, Harry. I cannot make you take Sirius Black seriously. But I would've thought what you heard when the Dementors draw near you would have more effect on you. Your parents gave their lives to keep you alive, Harry. A poor way to repay them… gambling their sacrifice for a bag of magic tricks."
He walked away, leaving Harry feeling worse by far then he had at any point in Snape's office. Slowly he and Ron mounted the marble staircase. As Harry passed the one eyed witch, he remembered the invisibility cloak was still down there, but he didn't dare go and get it.
"It's my fault," Said Ron abruptly, "I persuaded you to go. Lupin's right, it was stupid, we shouldn't have done it…"
He broke off, they had reached the corridor where the Purple Eyes Silver Dragons were on guard, and the dragons were glaring at them. Ombre was leant on the wall next to the portrait, and stalked over to them. She punched Harry in the face, "If you ever, ever do that to my hikari again," She threatened, as Ron glared at her, "That will seem like a love bite."
"I didn't…"
"I don't care what crap you fed the teachers, I know it was you." Ombre scowled, "And you will not do it again otherwise I will introduce you to Yami Marik."
"You wouldn't…"
"Drug my hikari again, and I will send you to the Shadow Realm…"