Chapter 374: Losing the Marauder's Map (Edited)

"Now we still have some time, would you like to go to Hogsmeade? We can talk quietly about what just happened on the way..." Tom wanted to go to Hogsmeade again with Hermione while there was still time.

"Cough..." At that moment, Harry struggled to sit up in bed. "Actually, I'd also like to go back to Hogsmeade... What if you two take me?"

Hermione: ...

She wanted to refuse, but she couldn't say it. She really wanted to stroll around Hogsmeade with Tom without being bothered! The last time was the Dementor, this time it was Sirius Black, what's next? It seems like all their plans are futile. Now she'd have to go to Hogsmeade with Harry, is it the same going with two people as with three?

Harry sensed the uncomfortable atmosphere in the air but pretended not to notice and insisted on being a nuisance.

First of all, he was genuinely interested in visiting Hogsmeade, and secondly, he vaguely overheard something about a "fugitive," so he wanted to find out what was going on and uncover what Tom and Hermione had been up to while he was unconscious.

"No, kiddo—" Hermione wanted to use Sirius as a reason to stop Harry, but she realized that reason wasn't very convincing, so she changed her mind: "Madam Pomfrey wouldn't approve."

"I have the Invisibility Cloak." Harry, however, remained stubborn and wrapped the invisibility cloak around himself.

Hermione and Tom exchanged frustrated looks but ultimately accepted this odd combination.

"I'll lead you through a shortcut." To show his goodwill, Harry led the way, leading Tom and Hermione to the humpbacked witch statue and opening the entrance to the secret passage.

Looking at the opening statue, Hermione said, "Is this how you got to Hogsmeade before? I suppose you share this passage with Professor McGonagall and the others, right? This hidden passage is a great security risk for the school. Sirius Black could have entered through here last time, and I'm also intrigued about how you found this passage..."

"A magical map..." As the three of them progressed through the passage, Harry reached into his pocket to pull out the Marauder's Map to show Tom and Hermione, but all he found was emptiness.

"Where's my map?" Harry hastily searched his clothing, looking worried. But after searching his entire body, he couldn't find his Marauder's Map.

"Tom, did you see a yellowing parchment outside the Shrieking Shack?"

Tom shook his head.

"I probably dropped it there," Harry lamented as he slapped his forehead. "I'll have to go back to the Shrieking Shack later."

Harry had to accept a reality: he had lost the Marauder's Map he had just acquired. He could only hope that no one would find it in the meantime, as the Shrieking Shack was rarely visited by anyone.

Recalling for a moment, making sure he had erased the tracks on the map, Harry consoled himself, thinking it was just a piece of ordinary parchment that no one would take.

"So, what is the Marauder's Map?" Hermione was always sensitive to unfamiliar terms.

There was still some distance to their final destination, so Harry told Tom and Hermione about the Marauder's Map and Fred and George.

"I'm sure Ron will be upset, after all, he's their younger brother," Tom commented. However, the Weasley twins were willing to share the Marauder's Map mainly because Harry couldn't go to Hogsmeade, and they already knew all the passages on the map.

"I'll definitely share it with Ron." Harry replied. At that moment, after walking for a while, the three of them arrived in the Honeydukes basement. Hermione looked at the hidden passage door behind them and pondered.

"Harry, you won't keep it, will you? If someone bad like Sirius Black were to use these passages..."

Shh! Fortunately, the sound of footsteps from above allowed Harry to interrupt Hermione's sermon openly. He had already decided in his mind that if he found the Marauder's Map again, he would hide it and not hand over that treasure.

They waited for the candy store owner to leave before leaving Honeydukes together. The snowstorm in Hogsmeade was not diminishing at all but seemed to be intensifying. After walking a few steps, they felt the cold wind creeping down their necks.

"I'll go to the Shrieking Shack... see you later..." Harry wrapped himself in the Invisibility Cloak and staggered off in the direction of the Shrieking Shack.

Hermione watched the direction he was heading, stopped for a few seconds, sighed, and sent them an apologetic look before catching up with him.

"I'll help you search!"

Naturally, the three of them found nothing. Hermione attempted a Summoning Charm, but it had no effect. This map couldn't be summoned with that spell.

After some effort, Harry could only opt to give up: today's weather wasn't suitable. A worrying thought crossed his mind: Could it be that Malfoy and his friends woke up and took the map? How could he retrieve it?

Harry's mind was clouded.

When they left the Shrieking Shack, all three were freezing.

"How about we go to the Three Broomsticks and have some cups of hot butterbeer?" Tom's suggestion garnered everyone's approval. So, they quickened their pace and entered the lively and bustling pub.

The pub was still bustling with people, smoke swirling around; it was a cozy place in the cold weather. It was upon entering the pub that they realized it was already past lunchtime, and they hadn't eaten anything.

Then their stomachs responded with growls.

"At least we don't have to worry about getting fat," Hermione muttered.

Tom acted swiftly and secured a small empty table. The table's location was quite good, not far from the bar, next to a Christmas tree and a window, and there was a fireplace nearby.

"I'll go get the drinks..." But before he could finish speaking, Hermione stopped him.

"I'll do it." Hermione looked at the attractive, curvaceous Madam Rosmerta, feeling that Tom shouldn't have to deal with that. So, she volunteered and headed to the bar.

A few minutes later, Hermione returned to the table, with one hand holding steaming, thick-foamed butterbeer, and the other carrying a small basket. She had navigated through the crowd.

"Butterbeer." She placed the three large mugs, covered in thick foam, filled with hot butterbeer, on the table. As for what was in the small basket, it naturally contained some snacks: "Ham sandwiches, croissants, and muffins."