The Marauder's Map acquired! Hagrid's astonishing wealth!

Argus was walking toward the Slytherin Common Room.

The Weasley Twins sprang out of nowhere.

They flanked Argus, one on either side.

"What was Mrs. Weasley like when she got angry? Scary, wasn't she?"

"You two were smart enough to keep well away."

"You bet!" George patted his chest proudly.

"Percy went blundering up to say hello and got a proper telling-off."

"She blamed him for not keeping little Ronnie in line, then told him to tell us to keep an eye on him."

"Honestly, we're not mind readers!"

Fred was equally helpless when it came to their brainless little brother.

Though they often got into trouble themselves, they rarely got caught.

Especially not over something serious enough to lose dozens of points at once!

Otherwise, Gryffindor would have drowned them in angry spittle long ago!

"Isn't that simple? Just teach him your trick for sneaking around at night without getting caught!"

Argus had coveted their Marauder's Map for ages and deliberately steered the conversation toward it.

Fred slung an arm around Argus's shoulders and led him mysteriously into a deserted corner.

He pulled a crumpled piece of parchment from inside his clothes.

Argus feigned confusion. "What's this?"

The two exchanged grins. "Our trick for sneaking around at night without getting caught!"

"Come on, Fred. Let's open our sponsor's eyes!"

George and Fred drew their wands, their expressions solemn.

"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good!"

No sooner had they spoken than black ink lines appeared on the previously blank parchment.

They traced the layout of all of Hogwarts.

Including the Forbidden Forest!

Names moved slowly across the map.

Even Argus had to admire Harry's father's talent.

Though the group had scarcely done anything decent during their time at Hogwarts, their talent really was first-rate.

Decades had passed, yet the tracking charm on the map hadn't weakened in the slightest.

It could even see through Animagus and Polyjuice Potion disguises!

An ordinary person could never have managed it.

Let alone a bunch of little schoolkids, as they had been back then!

No wonder Snape had been bullied by them!

"Don't look so surprised. We didn't make it."

George grinned, thoroughly pleased with Argus's expression.

"That's right. We stole it... no, took it from Filch's office."

"It must have been a farewell gift left by some like-minded predecessor before they graduated. Hehe."

The two shoved the Marauder's Map into Argus's arms.

"Now it's yours!"

Argus hadn't expected to get it so easily, and confusion filled his eyes.

Fred explained with a smile, "We've already memorized everything in here."

"There's not much point keeping it anymore. We might as well give it to our sponsor."

"So you can get caught a few times less when you're out at night!"

"Exactly!" George chimed in.

"When you're done, just say 'Mischief Managed' to return it to its original state."

"I'll put it to good use!"

Argus tucked the Marauder's Map inside his clothes and nodded solemnly at them.

The two burst out laughing.

"Don't be so serious, just like Percy!"

"Come on, we'll show you the new product we've just developed. Guaranteed to surprise you!"

"I probably can't today." A hint of apology appeared in Argus's eyes.

"I haven't been in touch with home for a long time. I need to write back in a bit."

"No problem. There's plenty of time!"

They didn't mind at all, and Argus finally understood why they were so popular despite their constant pranks.

Good-tempered, playful, and aware of their limits.

Tolerant and warmhearted toward their friends.

They were almost the perfect pair of friends!

After saying goodbye to them, Argus returned to the Slytherin Common Room.

He wrote to Vinda in code, telling her to come pick him up in Hogsmeade within the next couple of days.

After handing the letter to an owl, he took a large sum of Galleons and went to Hagrid's Hut.

"Fang? Is Hagrid in?"

Before he even reached the door, Fang bounded over excitedly and wagged his tail beside Argus.

"Argus, you're here!"

Hagrid was always happy to see Argus.

As a half-giant, he had very few people willing to be his friends.

Naturally, he treasured every one of them.

"I came to check on the materials I asked you to prepare last time. If you've more or less finished sorting them, I'll take them today."

"They're ready. I've piled them all in the storeroom. Come with me."

With a wave of his large hand, Hagrid led Argus into a wooden shed nearby.

The moment he entered, Argus was stunned by the sight before him.

He had thought the materials in Hagrid's room were plentiful enough.

Now, it seemed they were just a drop in the bucket compared with the storeroom!

Bundles upon bundles of unicorn tail hair lay tossed to one side like bundles of hemp.

Unicorn horns were stacked higher than Argus.

In the corner were Nundu teeth, Augurey feathers, Erumpent horns, and a whole host of other materials Argus hadn't expected.

The sight of Hagrid's haphazard storage made Argus's heart bleed!

These were all gleaming Galleons!

Any single piece could sell for a dozen or even several dozen!

He was even beginning to wonder whether he'd brought enough Galleons...

"That's everything. I haven't counted exactly how much there is. Take a look!"

"No need to count these hairs one by one. Let's go by the pound!"

Pounds? What an unfamiliar term!

This was the first time Argus had ever heard of unicorn tail hair being measured by the pound!

"Did you sell this much to the other shops before?"

Hagrid had a deep grievance about that. "Of course not. Those bloodsuckers! I'd never give them the good stuff!"

"What I sold them was just some I'd picked up off the ground or grabbed here and there."

"Nowhere near as good as what's here!"

He stepped forward and patted Argus's shoulder, looking rather pleased with himself.

"Well? I'd never cheat a friend!"

You certainly wouldn't cheat anyone!

But you're way too bloody honest!

How many years have you spent stockpiling this lot? You're really going to bleed me dry in one go!

Argus's smile was very stiff. For the first time, he felt like a poor man.

That night.

Argus received Vinda's reply.

The letter told him that she would arrive in Hogsmeade this Saturday, the night after next, and hoped he would make preparations in advance.

After reading it, Argus waved his wand, and pale blue flames sprang up.

They burned the letter to ashes.

"Saturday... the day after tomorrow."

"I think Voldemort originally arranged to meet me on Saturday too."

"Looks like I'll have some thinking to do when the time comes."

Argus felt a headache coming on.

Going to Hogsmeade was easy enough. He lived alone in the Slytherin chief's private room, so even if he was out at night, few people would know.

Voldemort wouldn't be so easy to deal with.

Who knew how many more brain cells he'd have to kill trying to fool him.