The footprints on the Marauder's Map were connected to the shoes a person wore.
Or rather, animal paw prints—the shape left on the floor was whatever shape they were.
As Pomona watched those Egyptian sandals walk on their own, she somehow thought of the Marauder's Map, then Sirius, Remus, and James.
She felt that this "messenger" walking ahead and leading them was neither dangerous nor terrifying. It felt more like an old friend.
As she walked, the Sistrum in her hand chimed. Combined with the empty exhibition hall, it made her feel as though she were walking through a passageway, lacking only torchlight.
"According to Egyptian tradition, the pharaoh and his queen ruled the country together. Ramses II had eight queens, but whether in carvings or paintings, Nefertari appeared most often. She was his sweet beloved, with a beautiful face and a singer's voice..."
"Ramses II had over a hundred children," Pomona coldly cut off Gong Saiyi's fanciful musings. "He must have had quite a few concubines too."
"What did you see in the pharaoh's harem just now?" Severus asked.
"Nothing." Pomona answered alertly. "The pharaoh's family was enjoying domestic bliss, all living in perfect harmony."
"You learned Egyptian in such a short time?" Severus asked again. "What did he say to you? My peerless beauty?"
"I swear, next time I absolutely won't repeat words whose meaning I don't know." Pomona said regretfully. "And he wasn't saying it to me! For God's sake, I can't accept polygamy. I have no desire to become the pharaoh's favored consort."
Severus stopped questioning her.
Yet he continued to look at her suspiciously, as if she were a thief.
"Was Nefertari a priestess of Amun?" Pomona asked Gong Saiyi.
"No, she worshipped Hathor, the goddess of love. Champollion's translations of the hieroglyphs contain records