In this, our first attempt at documenting the adventures of Moony, Padfoot, Prongs, and Wormtail, we shall acquaint the reader with the nefarious nature of our enemies, and the daring feats of the marauders. May this story serve as a guide for future seekers that wish to unlock the secrets of the map.
Before we begin, we must ask that you repeat the spell – “I solemnly swear I am up to no good” to reveal the map and its secrets.
Our story starts one dull rainy Saturday in which our four heroes were attempting to assuage their boredom by exploring the vast grounds of Hogwarts. The foursome was in the Arithmancy classroom trying to ferret out trap doors or otherwise hidden passages. Moony happened to look out the window and see the group’s arch nemesis, Severus Snape headed, in skulking manner, toward the Whomping Willow. Knowing that they were the only ones with the secret to that baneful tree, naturally, their curiosity was piqued.
The most expedient route to the spot was through the Courtyard. They ran as fast as stealth would allow to the nefarious tree (or as near it as they dared) to find, not Snape, but a dirty old sock. Of course Padfoot laughed exclaiming that Snivilus probably had so many of them that he simply leaves a trail, but the rest of them thought Snape was up to something. It was Wormtail who came up with idea that perhaps it had to do with the house elves. Being the keen adventure seekers they were, they knew of the Undercover Route to the Kitchens so they made haste to that secret corridor.
Once the four friends had located the house elves they began asking them if any elves were missing, if they had seen a greasy, smelly, black haired boy anywhere, and so on. One elf told them there was another elf who always kept to himself and that he liked to talk to Snape in secret places around the castle.
Knowing that someone who thought so much of himself would never form a friendship with a lowly house elf, they quickly determined old Snivilus was certainly planning something despicable. They decided to split up. Padfoot and Wormtail headed to the Divination Stairwell while Moony and Prongs found their way to the Lost Wands Room.
Upon arrival Padfoot and Wormtail found a detention slip written out by professor Flitwick for that very night for Snape! They summoned the others and ran together to the Charms Classroom. Much to their dismay, they found a note on the door explaining Flitwick had fallen ill and directed the detention participants to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom instead. Away they ran, only to see a similar note on that classroom door leading them to the History of Magic classroom. The friends knew a sinister plot was at work, but what could they do? They had to get to the bottom of this once and for all! The final location of their wild goose chase was to none other than the dreaded Dark Forest.
To be continued…………..