Then ink lines began appearing on the blank map, crisscrossing to outline a dense patchwork of areas large and small.
The areas were labeled with familiar place names around Hogwarts, along with markers for the entrances to several secret passages.
Places where people often gathered, such as the Great Hall and the dormitories, were packed with moving footprints, each bearing a name.
Today was a little different. Pairs of names had also appeared in secluded spots, their footprints pressed close together and constantly shifting within a small area. They were probably couples out on dates.
Shawn searched the map carefully. Neither the Room of Requirement nor the Chamber of Secrets appeared on it, which made sense when he thought about it.
Dumbledore was in the Headmaster's Office.
Fawkes and Purple Shadow's names were on the map too. The two birds' names kept flashing from place to place; they were probably causing trouble again.
Snape was motionless in the bedroom adjoining his office. Was he still asleep at this hour?
Shawn watched for a while, thoroughly satisfying his urge to snoop. This really was the ultimate tool for mischief. With it in hand, he began considering when to tell Dumbledore that he had found Peter Pettigrew.
He decided to wait a little longer, because he discovered that the alchemy behind the Marauder's Map was surprisingly sophisticated and well worth studying.
Clearly, all four of the Marauders had been quite talented back in the day. At the very least, their creativity had been unique.
While Shawn enjoyed his peaceful school life, Albania remained steeped in bloodshed.
"Protego!"
"Avada Kedavra!"
"Avada Kedavra!"
Bang!
Somewhere in the forest, two wizards fired green beams, one thick and one thin. They collided, erupting into streams of green plasma between them.
The thicker green beam swiftly overwhelmed