The Marauder’s Map

           MadamPomfreyinsistedonkeepingHarryinthehospitalwingfortherestoftheweekend.Hedidn’targueorcomplain,buthewouldn’tletherthrowawaytheshatteredremnantsofhisNimbusTwoThousand.Heknewhewasbeingstupid,knewthattheNimbuswasbeyondrepair,butHarrycouldn’thelpit;hefeltasthoughhe’dlostoneofhisbestfriends.

           Hehadastreamofvisitors,allintentoncheeringhimup.Hagridsenthimabunchofearwiggyflowersthatlookedlikeyellowcabbages,andGinnyWeasley,blushingfuriously,turnedupwithaget-wellcardshehadmadeherself,whichsangshrillyunlessHarrykeptitshutunderhisbowloffruit.TheGryffindorteamvisitedagainonSundaymorning,thistimeaccompaniedbyWood,whotoldHarry(inahollow,deadsortofvoice)thathedidn’tblamehimintheslightest.RonandHermioneleftHarry’sbedsideonlyatnight.ButnothinganyonesaidordidcouldmakeHarryfeelanybetter,becausetheyknewonlyhalfofwhatwastroublinghim.

           Hehadn’ttoldanyoneabouttheGrim,notevenRonandHermione,becauseheknewRonwouldpanicandHermionewouldscoff.Thefactremained,however,thatithadnowappearedtwice,andbothappearanceshadbeenfollowedbynear-fatalaccidents;thefirsttime,hehadnearlybeenrunoverbytheKnightBus;thesecond,fallenfiftyfeetfromhisbroomstick.WastheGrimgoingtohaunthimuntilheactuallydied?Washegoingtospendtherestofhislifelookingoverhisshoulderforthebeast?

           AndthenthereweretheDementors.