On the following Monday, Megan was glad to be able to think of other things, even if that meant having to endure Malfoy and the other Slytherins howling with glee at Gryffindor’s defeat, and of course, Megan’s second pathetic encounter with the Dementors. It ticked Ron off so much he almost threw a crocodile tongue in Malfoy’s face during Potions. But Megan held him back.

“Don’t, it’ll only give Snape an excuse to take points from Gryffindor.” She said.

At last, the bell rang. Megan and the others headed to their Defence Against the Dark Arts class. Ron was still fuming.

“If it’s Snape teaching again, I’m going off sick…” Ron said. “Who is it, Megan?”

She peeped in the room.

“It’s Lupin!” she said.

He did look a little tired and thinned, but he smiled at the class as they sat down. Soon, uproar burst out over the vampire essay.

“Did you tell him we hadn’t reached that part yet?” he asked, with a frown.

“Of course, but he wouldn’t listen!”

“Two rolls of parchment, he says…”

“He said we were really behind…”

“Two rolls of parchment!”

“Don’t worry, I’ll speak to him. You needn’t do the essay.”

Hermione of course, had already done it. Even Megan, not wanting to risk losing points, had done a good deal of it. It was a much more enjoyable lesson than Snape’s. Lupin had brought a Hinkypunk, a little ghostlike creature that looked pretty frail and harmless.

“These lure travellers into bogs. See the lantern its’ holding? People follow the light and get trapped.”’

The class ended and Megan made to leave along with the rest but-

“Megan? Can I have a word?”

“I’ll see you guys later.” She said to her friends.

They left. Megan turned to Lupin.

“Come with me. I need to head to the owlery and send a letter.”

They reached the grounds and he sent his letter. Hedwig followed them as they left.

“Hey, Hedwig.”

She stroked her feathers as Lupin attached his letter to a school owl.

“A nice owl you have,” he said.

“Thank you.”

Hedwig was a little restless, so Megan took her onto her arm to let her fly freely for a while. They paused by the lake. The sun was out now, even if it was a little chilly.

“… I heard about the match…” he said. “And I was sorry to hear about your broom, is it repairable at all?”

“No…” Megan said sadly. “The Willow smashed it to pieces…”

“I remember the year they planted it. It was my first year at Hogwarts… People used to play a game, trying to get close enough to touch it without being hit. When a student almost lost an eye, we were forbidden to go near it. A broom wouldn’t stand a chance…”

“… Did you hear about… the Dementors?” she asked with difficulty.

“I did, yes. I doubt anyone ever saw Professor Dumbledore that angry. They were getting restless… I suppose they caused you to fall?”

She was unable to say “yes”, so she just nodded. Then, she saw her chance to maybe get an answer.

“… Professor, why do they affect me so much? I mean… No one else passes out when they’re there, or hear screaming… Why I am so… I don’t know…”

“It has nothing to do with weakness, Megan,” he said immediately. “If anything, you’re one of the strongest people I’ve met. Facing Lord Voldemort twice before you’re even a teenager to protect the ones you love… that’s a sign of indubitable strength to me.”

“Then why…? Why do I pass out?”

“For the very same reason you grew strong,” he said. “You have experienced terrible things in your past that no one else has or will.”

They watched each other. The sun highlighted his grey hairs, despite his clearly young face.

“Dementors are among the foulest creatures on this earth,” he said. “They drain every good feeling, every hope they can find and replace it by despair and darkness. They can, if given time, suck out all the goodness in someone until they are like them: soulless, left with nothing but one’s worst experiences. And what you have endured, Megan, is enough for anyone to fall off their broom. You have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. Nothing, you hear?”

“… Yes, sir…” she said.

She looked at the lake and sighed.

“Why did they have to come to the match?”

“Hunger,” he answered. “They didn’t get much to feed on outside the school, and such a large crowd full of excitement and emotions… their idea of a feast.”

“Azkaban must be a living hell…” Megan muttered.

Lupin nodded.

“It’s on an island, not that they would need it… people get trapped inside their heads… most go mad in weeks.”

Megan shuddered. Then, something occurred to her.

“… Sirius Black managed to escape, though…” she said.

“Yes, but, er… well, he must have found a way. I wouldn’t have thought it possible…”

There was a silence.

“… Sir… I want to know how to fight them…” she said after a moment. “The Dementors. D’you think you could teach me? You made the Dementor on the train go away…”

“That was one Dementor.” He reminded her. “The more there are, the harder it is to repel them.”

“But you made it go away.”

“Oh, I don’t claim to be an expert…”

“Professor, if they come again, I need to be able to defend myself…” Megan said.

They considered each other a long moment. She didn’t know it, but more than ever, Lupin was reminded of her parents. He sighed.

“Well, seeing as they appear to have a particular interest in you, perhaps you’re right, and I should teach you. But after the holidays. I have much to do before then, and that leaves little time for you, I’m afraid.”

Megan raised her arm to let Hedwig take off and watched as she soared above them.

Things definitely improved over the next few weeks: at the end of November, and though Cedric was in the losing team, Ravenclaw beat Hufflepuff, hough not by a huge margin, meaning Gryffindor was still in the running for the Quidditch cup, even if they were now forced to win. Wood was back in his usual form and trained them as hard as ever no matter the weather. Also, no Dementors were anywhere near the grounds. Probably because of Dumbledore’s anger, they seemed to have decided to keep their positions by the entrances. Two weeks before the holidays, snow settled on the grounds and there was a buzz of Christmas in the air. Teachers decorated their classrooms with all kinds of things, like floating baubles and holly leaves, or glistening lights that turned to be real fairies. Everyone was discussing their holiday plans. Harry, Hermione and Ron were planning to stay, as well as Cedric, and though they all produced plausible explanations (Ron couldn’t stand Percy, Hermione needed the library, Harry’s parents hadn’t had a romantic Christmas in years, and Cedric’s house was full of visiting relatives), Megan knew they were staying to keep her company, and was truly grateful for it. Of course, her spirits were dampened slightly by the Hogsmeade visit on the weekend the holidays started.

“Perfect, we can do our Christmas shopping!” Hermione said happily.

Megan found it even harder to keep her smile up than the last time. Resigned to the idea of being alone again, she decided to borrow a copy of Which Broomstick to read up on all the different makes. The school broom she was using really wasn’t much good. But as she was heading to the library, Fred and George called her.

“Guys? Why aren’t you in Hogsmeade?”

“We wanted to give you an early Christmas present,” Fred smiled.

“Yeah, you looked so miserable, we said to ourselves: let’s be chivalrous…”

“What?”

“Come in here,” they said, leading her into an empty classroom.

They stood around a table. Fred pulled out a piece of parchment and handed it to Megan, who, suspecting one of their jokes, looked up at them.

“What’s this rubbish?” she asked.

“What’s this rubbish, she says…” Fred sighed, sounding mortally offended. “George, explain.”

“This, my dear Megan, is the secret to our success,” George said.

“A real wrench giving it to you, believe me,” Fred said. “But, we decided you need it more than us. We don’t really need it any more.”

“What, this old bit of parchment?”

“No ordinary bit of parchment,” Fred said. “George, if you will.”

He pulled out his wand and pointed it to the piece of parchment.

“I solemnly swear that I am up to no good.”

All at once, the parchment was covered in lines and lines of black ink. In the centre appeared a large set of green letters. Megan read:

“Messrs Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs are proud to present the Marauder’s Map….?”

“Great men. We owe them so much…”

Then, she opened it and looked at it.

“Hold on… it’s Hogwarts!”

Indeed, it was. The corridors, the floors, the classrooms. And even the people, with little name tags. Megan saw herself in the classroom with Fred and George. And even…

“No… it can’t be… is it?”

“Dumbledore.”

“In his study.”

“Pacing. Does that a lot.”

Megan looked from the map to them.

“So… it shows everyone?”

“Everyone,” Fred said. “Where they are…”

“What they’re doing…”

“…Every minute…

“Of every day.”

“As long as they’re in Hogwarts, of course.”

Megan stared at them amazed.

“Where on Earth did you get this?”

“Filch’s office, years ago. When we were young and innocent.” George said.

Megan laughed. It was hilarious to think of Fred and George as anything close to innocent.

“Well, more so than we are now, at least,” Fred grinned. “Now.There are seven passages out of the school. “Filch knows these four, and these two are blocked. We’d recommend this one:”

He pointed to a statue.

“The one eyed witch on the third floor, right outside here. You just tap it with your wand and say Dissendium. It’ll lead you straight into Honeydukes’ cellar.”

Megan stepped forwards and put her arms around them both.

“Thanks, guys.”

“Ah, we couldn’t leave you without seeing Hogsmeade.” George smiled. “A face like yours should smile, not look sad.”

“And don’t forget to wipe the map clean, or anyone can read it.” Fred said. “Just touch your wand to it and say “Mischief managed.”

“So, young Megan.” George went on. “Mind you behave yourself.”

“See you in Honeydukes.” Fred winked.

Megan smiled as they left. Then she looked down at the map again. If Filch really didn’t know… she wouldn’t need to pass the Dementors at all! But then, the memory of what had happened to Ginny came back to her. What had Mr Weasley said…? Never trust anything that thinks for itself if you don’t know where it keeps its brain…

But then, she didn’t want to hurt anyone with it… and the twins had been using it for ages without any trouble… She looked at the passage to Honeydukes, and made up her mind. She rolled up the parchment and headed to the door. No one around? Perfect. She slipped behind the one eyed witch, pulled out her wand and whispered:

“Dissendium!”

At once, the statue moved, revealing a hole just big enough for a slender person to go through. Checking no one was looking, Megan put the map back into her robes and slipped into the small hole. She fell down a long slide and landed hard on the floor. Rubbing her shoulder, she got to her feet, took out her wand again, and said:

“Lumos!”

She was in a long narrow earth passage. She pulled out the map and announced:

“Mischief managed.”

The map went blank. Megan tucked it away and marched forwards, her heart hammering.

After a long while, she reached a rise in the passage. She was cold and hot at the same time but the thought of almost being there helped. She found a worn staircase in front of her that disappeared upwards. Careful not to be too noisy, she crept up the stairs until she found a trapdoor. Listening carefully, she lifted the trapdoor slowly and peered through the crack. No one seemed to be there. As quickly and quietly as she could, she climbed out and put the door back in place. She could hear a female voice shout:

“And get some more Jelly Slugs, would you dear, we’re nearly out up here.”

Megan was just looking up the stairs when she heard steps coming down them. She quickly hid under the stairs and crouched behind a large crate. It was lucky she was so thin, she thought, though she had put on a little weight thanks to a decent diet. The steps went into a corner. She saw his back turned to her. She quietly stepped out and headed up the stairs. She glanced back. The shopkeeper was buried in a box and hadn’t noticed her. She quickly crept out from behind the counter and mingled with the crowd, which was so thick no one noticed her. Megan took delight in admiring the many colourful sweets of all shapes and sizes in jars and boxes. Creamy nougat, chocolate hearts with fluttering wings, Bertie Botts’ Every Flavor Beans, Chocolate Frogs, Pumpkin Pasties and all kinds of sweets each more intriguing than the next. Megan then spotted Harry, Ron, Hermione and Cedric around a load of very red lollipops.

“Ugh, no, they look like vampire candy…” Hermione said.

“I think she’s like those, though, wouldn’t she?” Harry suggested, indicating Cockroach cluster.

“Oh, no you don’t.”

They jumped.

“Megan?!” Hermione gasped.

“What are you doing here?!” Cedric asked, pulling her into a hug.” How did you do it, you’re far too young to Apparate…”

“No, I used…”

She lowered her voice and told them about the map.

“I’m their brother! How come they never gave it to me?!” Ron asked in outrage.

“She’s not going to keep it!” Hermione said. “Are you? You’ll hand it in?”

“No, I will not!” Megan said. “I’d get Fred and George in heaps of trouble!”

“But you can’t keep it!”

“Are you joking?” Ron said. “It’s brilliant! Cedric, you tell her!”

“I have to admit I’m not sure what to think…” he said frowning. “I mean, I’d never let you get in harm’s way, but, still… Even if Fred and George have been using it without any trouble, it would be helpful if we at least knew who these Padfoot, Moony, Prongs and Wormtail fellows were… ”

“And what about Sirius Black! Or even You-Know-Who?!” Hermione hissed. “That map in the wrong hands could lead them straight to you! Who says it’s not one of his other nicknames from his school days?”

“She does have a point.” Harry admitted.

“Hermione, if he had picked another name, it would not have been anything like these, believe me.” Megan said.”And the passage I went through is the only one that’s not blocked or that Filch doesn’t know about. Unless one knew-”

Then, she paused. What if Black had known? Voldemort certainly wouldn’t choose such names but Black…? Just then, Ron cleared his throat and pointed to a sign in the door.

BY ORDER OF THE MINISTRY OF MAGIC

Customers are reminded that Dementors will be patrolling the streets every evening at sundown, in order to ensure the safety of Hogsmeade village. We advise you therefore to complete your shopping before nightfall.

Happy Holidays.

“See? I’d like to see Black get past the Dementors,” Ron said. “Besides, the owners live above the shop, they’d hear if someone broke in.”

“Megan still shouldn’t be coming to Hogsmeade, she didn’t get a signed form!” Hermione protested. “She’d be in a lot of trouble if she was caught! And what if Black turned up here today?!”

“He’d never see her in this,” Harry said, indicating the crowd and the swirling snow outside.

“They’re right, Hermione,” Cedric said. “Don’t worry, it’ll be fine. And it’s Christmas, Megan deserves a break. And although I don’t quite approve your methods, Miss Potter, “he added with a smile, “I’m glad you were able to come.”

He touched her nose. Megan smiled before turning to Hermione.

“Honestly, Megan…”

“Hermione, do stop worrying. I’m fine. Okay?”

The boys showed her around the shop, explaining in detail all there was there. Fortunately, Megan had been carrying her cloak because she had thought of going to the Owlery after the library. Then, the five of them left the shop, pockets loaded with sweets. The others already had a load of bags in their hands. Megan enjoyed walking through the streets as much as she enjoyed exploring the shops (alone, as she had some Christmas shopping of her own to do). Hogsmeade was as beautiful as a Christmas card. All the houses and shops were covered in crisp white snow. The others showed her just about everything. She didn’t know when she’d be back so she tried to take in everything.

“Shall we have a Butterbeer?” Harry offered.

“Sounds great,” Ron agreed.

“Come on, you’ll love it, Megan.” Cedric said, leading her by the hand.