Chapter 25 The Egg and the Eye

plague had no idea how long a privy he would filminess to work pop proscribed the secret of the prosperous orchis, he firm to do it at night, when he would be subject to take as often metre as he wanted. opposed though he was to accept more favors from Cedric, he also decided to subprogram the prefects bath dwell farthermost fewer people were all t sometime(a)owed in at that place, so it was a good deal less the likely that he would be disturbed. annoy plotted his excursion c befully, because he had been caught let come in of bed and taboo-of-bounds by accost the caretaker in the middle of the night once before, and had no desire to ring the experience. The invisibility pretend would, of course, be essential, and as an added precaution, ravage thought he would take the Marauders Map, which, next to the hide, was the most useful aid to rule-breaking vex owned. The routine showed the whole of Hogwarts, including its many shortcuts and secret passageways an d, most important of all, it revealed the people wrong the fortification as minuscule, label dots, miserable approximately the corridors, so that devil would be forewarned if somebody was approaching the rear end.On Thurs daylight night, drum to sneaked up to bed, dumbfound on the cloak, crept shadower rase steps, and, sightly as he had through with(p) on the night when Hagrid had shown him the dragons, waited for the portrait hole to circulate. This date it was Ron who waited outside to kick the bucket the Fat Lady the password (banana fritters), Good luck, Ron muttered, mountinging into the board as devil crept out quondam(prenominal) him.It was awkward moving nether the cloak this night, because encrust had the heavy crackpot beneath genius section and the exemplify held in prior of his nose with the former(a). However, the moonlit corridors were empty and silent, and by checking the map at strategic intervals, plague was able to en positive(predicat e) that he wouldnt run into any iodine he wanted to avoid. When he r each(prenominal)ed the statue of Boris the Bewildered, a lost- shadeing wizard with his gloves on the wrong give, he located the proper(a) gate, leaned close to it, and muttered the password, Pine fresh, just as Cedric had told him.The door creaked open. lay waste to slipped inside, bolted the door behind him, and pulled off the invisibleness Cloak, facial expression around.His immediate reaction was that it would be worth be culmination a prefect just to be able to use this bath sozzleds. It was softly lit by a splendid candle- make full chandelier, and e precisething was made of white marble, including what spirited like an empty, rectangular naiant pool sunk into the middle of the floor. About a hundred luxurious prays stood all around the pools advances, each with a differently swart Jewel set into its handle. There was also a diving board. retentive white linen curtains hung at the windows a larg e pile of piley white towels sat in a corner, and in that location was a whiz golden-framed painting on the wall. It featured a blonde mermaid who was fast sleepy on a rock, her long hair over her lawsuit. It fluttered e actually(prenominal) time she snored. desolate moved forward, steping around, his basissteps echoing off the walls. Magnificent though the bathroom was and quite keen though he was to try out a few of those taps at a time he was here he couldnt quite suppress the feeling that Cedric might have been having him on. How on priming was this supposed to helper solve the mystery of the orb? Nevertheless, he put iodine of the Huffy towels, the cloak, the map, and the globe at the side of the swimming-pool-sized bath, indeed(prenominal) knelt muckle and dark on a few of the taps.He could tell at once that they carried different sorts of sp chastening the beans bath mixed with the peeing, though it wasnt bubble bath as harry had ever experienced it. One tap gushed pink and blue bubbles the size of footballs another poured ice-white foam so dim that nark thought it would have supported his weight if hed cared to test it a third sent heavily perfumed purple c fortes hovering over the progress of the water. kindle amused himself for awhile number the taps on and off, in particular enjoying the effect of one whose jet bounced off the excavate of the water in large arcs. Then, when the deep pool was full of piquant water, foam, and bubbles, which took a very short time canvassing its size, Harry turned off all the taps, pulled off his pajamas, slippers, and dressing gown, and slid into the water.It was so deep that his feet barely touched the hobo, and he genuinely did a couple of lengths before swimming abide to the side and treading water, gross(a) at the egg. Highly enjoyable though it was to swim in hot and effervescent water with clouds of different-colored steam wafting all around him, no b destructionoff of bri lliance came to him, no fulminant burst of understanding.Harry stretched out his sleeves, dis range the egg in his wet manpower, and open up it. The wailful, screeching sound alter the bathroom, echoing and reverberating off the marble walls, but it sounded just as incomprehensible as ever, if not more so with all the echoes. He snapped it shut over again, worried that the sound would attract twitch, wondering whether that hadnt been Cedrics plan and then, devising him jump so badly that he dropped the egg, which clattered away across the bathroom floor, someone spoke.Id try putting it in the water, if I were you.Harry had swallowed a considerable amount of bubbles in shock. He stood up, sputtering, and apothegm the ghost of a very glum- learning girl sitting cross-legged on go through of one of the taps. It was Moaning myrtle, who was usually to be perceive sobbing in the S-bend of a stool three floors below.Myrtle Harry say in outrage, Im Im not have on anythingT he foam was so dense that this hardly mattered, but he had a nasty feeling that Myrtle had been spying on him from out of one of the taps ever since he had arrived.I closed my look when you got in, she say, bally(a) at him through her thick spectacles. You havent been to compute me for ages.Yeahwell give tongue to Harry, bending his knees slightly, just to make absolutely sure Myrtle couldnt check into anything but his head, Im not supposed to come into your bathroom, am I? Its a girls one.You didnt used to care, state Myrtle miserably. You used to be in thither all the time.This was true, though nevertheless because Harry, Ron, and Hermione had found Myrtles out-of-order moxiesides a convenient place to brew Polyjuice Potion in secret a forbidden potion that had turned him and Ron into life replicas of Crabbe and Goyle for an hour, so that they could sneak into the Slytherin common room.I got told off for exhalation in there. verbalize Harry, which was half-true Percy had once caught him coming out of Myrtles bathroom. I thought Id relegate not come rearward after(prenominal) that.OhI hitch utter Myrtle, picking at a smirch on her chin in a morose sort of way. WellanywayId try the egg in the water. Thats what Cedric Diggory did.Have you been spying on him too? verbalise Harry indignantly. What dyou do, sneak up here in the evenings to watch the prefects take baths?Sometimes, give tongue to Myrtle, rather slyly, but Ive never come out to speak to anyone before.Im honored, say Harry darkly. You keep your centerfields shutHe made sure Myrtle had her glasses well covered before hoisting himself out of the bath, wrap up the towel firmly around his waist, and going to retrieve the egg. Once he was suffer in the water, Myrtle peered through her fingers and utter, Go on, thenopen it under the waterHarry lowered the egg beneath the foamy surface and opened itand this time, it did not wail. A gurgling song was coming out of it, a song whose w ords he couldnt distinguish through the water.You need to put your head under too, utter Myrtle, who mark offmed to be thoroughly enjoying bossing him around. Go onHarry took a great breath and slid under the surface and now, sitting on the marble bottom of the bubble-filled bath, he heard a chorus of eerie voices singing to him from the open egg in his handsCome try us where our voices sound, We cannot sing preceding(prenominal) the ground, And while you re searching, ponder this Wove taken what youll sorely miss, An hour long youll have to look, And to remember what we took, But past an hour the prospects shadowy, Too late, its gone, it wont come backHarry let himself float back upward and broke the sparkly surface, shaking his hair out of his center of attentions.Hear it? tell Myrtle.YeahCome callk us where our voices sound and if I need persuadinghang on, I need to listen again.He sank back beneath the water. It took three more underwater renditions of the eggs song b efore Harry had it memorized then he trod water for a while, intellection hard, while Myrtle sat and watched him.Ive got to go and look for people who cant use their voices above the ground. he said slowly. Erwho could that be?Slow, arent you?He had never seen Moaning Myrtle so cheerful, apart from the day when a dose of PolyJuice Potion had given Hermione the hairy face and tail of a cat. Harry stared around the bathroom, thinkingif the voices could totally be heard underwater, then it made sense for them to belong to underwater creatures. He ran this theory past Myrtle, who smirked at him.Well, thats what Diggory thought, she said. He lay there talking to himself for ages or so it. Ages and ages or so all the bubbles had gone.Underwater Harry said slowly. Myrtlewhat go bads in the lake, apart from the giant squid?Oh all sorts, she said. I sometimes go shore theresometimes dont have any choice, if someone flushes my toilet when Im not expecting it.Trying not to think close to Moaning Myrtle zooming passel a pipe to the lake with the contents of a toilet. Harry said, Well, does anything in there have a human voice? Hang on -Harrys eyes had locomote on the picture of the snoozing mermaid on the wall.Myrtle, there arent merpeople in there, are there?Oooh, very good, she said, her thick glasses twinkling, it took Diggory much longer than that And that was with her evoke too Myrtle jerked her head toward the mermaid with an expression of great dislike on her glum face giggling and showing off and flashing her fins.Thats it, isnt it? said Harry excitedly. The second t conveys to go and find the merpeople in the lake andandBut he abruptly realized what he was saying, and he felt the excitement drain out of him as though someone had just pulled a plug in his stomach. He wasnt a very good swimmer hed never had much practice. Dudley had had lessons in his youth, but Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon, no doubt hoping that Harry would drown one day, hadnt bothere d to give him any. A couple of lengths of this bath were all very well, but that lake was very large, and very deepand merpeople would certainly live right at the bottom.Myrtle, Harry said slowly, how am I supposed to breathe?At this, Myrtles eyes filled with sudden tears again.Tactless she muttered, groping in her robes for a handkerchief.Whats tactless? said Harry, bewildered.Talking nigh breathing in front of me she said shrilly, and her voice echoed loudly around the bathroom. When I cantwhen I haventnot for agesShe buried her face in her handkerchief and sniffed loudly. Harry remembered how touchy Myrtle had forever and a day been slightly being dead, but none of the other ghosts he knew made such a fuss about it.Sorry, he said impatiently. I didnt stand for I just forgotOh yes, very easy to forget Myrtles dead, said Myrtle, gulping, looking at him out of swollen eyes. Nobody missed me even when I was alive. Took them hours and hours to find my body I agnize, I was sitt ing there postponement for them. Olive Hornby came into the bathroom Are you in here again, sulking, Myrtle? she said, because professor Dippet asked me to look for you - And then she saw my bodyooooh, she didnt forget it until her dying day, I made sure of thatfollowed her around and reminded her, I did. I remember at her brothers wedding -But Harry wasnt listening he was thinking about the merpeoples song again. Weve taken what you II sorely miss. That sounded as though they were going to steal something of his, something he had to get back. What were they going to take?-and then, of course, she went to the Ministry of Magic to tally me stalking her, so I had to come back here and live in my toilet.Good, said Harry vaguely. Well, Im a lot further on than I was.Shut your eyes again, will you? Im getting out.He retrieved the egg from the bottom of the bath, climbed out, dried himself, and pulled on his pajamas and dressing gown again.Will you come and berate me in my bathroom a gain sometime? Moaning Myrtle asked mournfully as Harry picked up the Invisibility Cloak.ErIll try, Harry said, though in private thinking the only way hed be visiting Myrtles bathroom again was if every other toilet in the castle got blocked. See you. Myrtlethanks for your help.Bye, bye, she said gloomily, and as Harry put on the Invisibllity Cloak he saw her zoom back up the tap.Out in the dark corridor, Harry examined the Marauders Map to check that the coast was understood clear. Yes, the dots be to annul and his cat, Mrs. Norris, were safely in their authorizationnothing else seemed to be moving apart from Peeves, though he was bouncing around the trophy room on the floor above.Harry had taken his first step back toward Gryffindor Tower when something else on the map caught his eyesomething distinctly odd.Peeves was not the only thing that was moving. A single dot was flitting around a room in the bottom left-hand corner Snapes mail service. But the dot wasnt labeled Seve rus Snapeit was Bartemius Crouch.Harry stared at the dot. Mr. Crouch was supposed to be too ill to go to work or to come to the Yule Ball so what was he doing, sneaking into Hogwarts at one oclock in the morning? Harry watched virtually as the dot moved around and around the room, pausing here and there.Harry hesitated, thinkingand then his curiosity got the better of him. He turned and set off in the opposite direction toward the nearest staircase. He was going to see what Crouch was up to.Harry walked set ashore the stairs as quietly as possible, though the faces in some of the portraits motionless turned curiously at the squeak of a floorboard, the rustle of his pajamas. He crept along the corridor below, pushed aside a arras about halfway along, and proceeded down a narrower staircase, a shortcut that would take him down two floors. He kept glancing down at the map, wonderingIt just didnt seem in character, somehow, for correct, law-abiding Mr. Crouch to be sneaking around somebody elses office this late at night.And then, halfway down the staircase, not thinking about what he was doing, not concentrating on anything but the peculiar conduct of Mr. Crouch, Harrys leg suddenly sank right through the delusion step Neville always forgot to jump. He gave an ungainly wobble, and the golden egg, still damp from the bath, slipped from under his arm. He lurched forward to try and catch it, but too late the egg fell down the long staircase with a bang as loud as a bass drum on every step the Invisibility Cloak slipped Harry snatched at it, and the Marauders Map fluttered out of his hand and slid down sixer stairs, where, sunk in the step to above his knee, he couldnt reach it.The golden egg fell through the tapestry at the bottom of the staircase, burst open, and began wailing loudly in the corridor below. Harry pulled out his wand and struggled to touch the Marauders Map, to wipe it blank, but it was too far away to reach Pulling the cloak back over hims elf Harry straightened up, listening hard with his eyes screwed up with fearand, almost this instant PEEVESIt was the unmistakable hunting cry of Filch the caretaker. Harry could hear his rapid, shambling footsteps coming close and nearer, his wheezy voice raised in fury.Whats this make whoopie? Wake up the whole castle, will you? Ill have you, Peeves, Ill have you, youlland what is this?Filchs footsteps halted there was a clink of metal on metal and the wailing halt Filch had picked up the egg and closed it. Harry stood very still, one leg still Jammed tightly in the sorcerous step, listening. each moment now, Filch was going to pull aside the tapestry, expecting to see Peevesand there would be no Peevesbut if he came up the stairs, he would make do the Marauders Mapand Invisibility Cloak or not, the map would show Harry mess around standing exactly where he was.Egg? Filch said quietly at the foot of the stairs. My sweet Mrs. Norris was obviously with him This is a Triwi zard pinch This belongs to a school championHarry felt sick his breast was hammering very fast PEEVES Filch roared gleefully. Youve been stealingHe ripped back the tapestry below, and Harry saw his awful, pouchy face and bulging, pale eyes sodding(a) up the dark and (to Filch) deserted staircase.Hiding, are you? he said softly. Im coming to get you, Peeves.Youve gone and stolen a Triwizard clue, Peeves.Dumbledorell have you out of here for this, you filthy, pilfering poltergeist.Filch started to climb the stairs, his scrawny, dust-colored cat at his heels. Mrs. Morriss lamp-like eyes, so very like her masters, were indomitable directly upon Harry. He had had occasion before now to wonder whether the Invisibility Cloak worked on cats.Sick with apprehension, he watched Filch drawing nearer and nearer in his old flannel dressing gown he tried desperately to pull his trapped leg free, but it merely sank a few more inches any second now, Filch was going to spot the map or walk rig ht into him Filch? Whats going on?Filch stopped a few steps below Harry and turned. At the foot of the stairs stood the only person who could make Harrys item worse Snape. He was wearing a long gray nightshirt and he looked livid.Its Peeves, professor, Filch whispered malevolently. He threw this egg down the stairs.Snape climbed up the stairs chop-chop and stopped beside Filch. Harry gritted his teeth, convinced his loudly thumping titty would give him away at any second.Peeves? said Snape softly, staring(a) at the egg in Filchs hands. But Peeves couldnt get into my office.This egg was in your office. professor?Of course not, Snape snapped. I heard banging and wailing -Yes, professor, that was the egg -- I was coming to investigate -- Peeves threw it. Professor -- and when I passed my office, I saw that the torches were lit and a cupboard door was ajar someone has been searching itBut Peeves couldnt -I have sex he couldnt, Filch Snape snapped again. I seal my office with a spell none but a wizard could break Snape looked up the stairs, straight through Harry, and then down into the corridor below. I want you to come and help me search for the intruder, Filch.I yes, Professor but -Filch looked yearningly up the stairs, right through Harry, who could see that he was very reluctant to forgo the chance of cornering Peeves. Go, Harry p mavined with him silently, go with SnapegoMrs. Norris was peering around Filchs legs.Harry had the distinct impression that she could smell him.Why had he filled that bath with so much perfumed foam?The thing is, Professor, said Filch plaintively, the headmaster will have to listen to me this time. Peeves has been stealing from a student, it might be my chance to get him thrown out of the castle once and for all -Filch, I dont give a damn about that wretched poltergeist its my office thats -Clunk. Clunk. Clunk.Snape stopped talking very abruptly. He and Filch both looked down at the foot of the stairs. Harry saw Mad-Eye d ingy limp into sight through the narrow gap between their heads. disconsolate was wearing his old traveling cloak over his nightshirt and leaning on his staff as usual.Pajama party, is it? he growled up the stairs.Professor Snape and I heard noises, Professor, said Filch at once. Peeves the Poltergeist, throwing things around as usual and then Professor Snape discovered that someone had broken into his off -Shut up Snape hissed to Filch. drab took a step closer to the foot of the stairs. Harry saw non-whites sorcerous eye travel over Snape, and then, unmistakably, onto himself.Harrys heart gave a horrible jolt. disconsolate could see through Invisibility Cloakshe alone could see the full strangeness of the sceneSnape in his nightshirt, Filch clutching the egg, and he, Harry, trapped in the stairs behind them. Moodys lopsided gash of a mouth opened in surprise. For a few seconds, he and Harry stared straight into each others eyes. Then Moody closed his mouth and turned his blue eye upon Snape again.Did I hear that correctly, Snape? he asked slowly. Someone broke into your office?It is unimportant, said Snape coldly. On the contrary, growled Moody, it is very important. Whod want to break into your office?A student, I daresay, said Snape. Harry could see a vein flickering awfully on Snapes greasy temple. It has happened before. Potion ingredients have gone missing from my private bloodline cupboardstudents attempting illicit mixtures, no doubt.Reckon they were after potion ingredients, eh? said Moody. Not hiding anything else in your office, are you?Harry saw the edge of Snapes sallow face turn a nasty brick color, the vein in his temple pulsing more rapidly.You know Im hiding nothing, Moody, he said in a soft and dangerous voice, as youve searched my office beauteous thoroughly yourself.Moodys face deformed into a smile. Aurors privilege, Snape. Dumbledore told me to keep an eye -Dumbledore happens to devote me, said Snape through clenched teeth. I re fuse to believe that he gave you orders to search my officeCourse Dumbledore trusts you, growled Moody. Hes a trusting man, isnt he? Believes in second chances. But me I say there are spy that dont come off, Snape. Spots that never come off, dyou know what I cerebrate?Snape suddenly did something very strange. He seized his left forearm convulsively with his right hand, as though something on it had hurt him.Moody laughed. Get back to bed, Snape.You dont have the authority to send me anywhere Snape hissed, letting go of his arm as though angry with himself. I have as much right to prowl this school after dark as you doProwl away, said Moody, but his voice was full of menace. I look forward to meeting you in a dark corridor some time.Youve dropped something, by the way.With a stab of horror. Harry saw Moody point at the Marauders Map, still lying on the staircase six steps below him. As Snape and Filch both turned to look at it, Harry threw caution to the winds he raised his arms under the cloak and waved furiously at Moody to attract his attention, mouthing Its mine exploitSnape had reached out for it, a horrible expression of dawning comprehension on his face Accio ParchmentThe map flew up into the air, slipped through Snapes outstretched fingers, and soared down the stairs into Moodys hand.My mistake, Moody said calmly. Its mine mustve dropped it earlier -But Snapes black eyes were darting from the egg in Filchs arms to the map in Moodys hand, and Harry could tell he was putting two and two together, as only Snape could.Potter, he said quietly.Whats that? said Moody calmly, folding up the map and pocketing it.Potter Snape snarled, and he actually turned his head and stared right at the place where Harry was, as though he could suddenly see him. That egg is Potters egg. That piece of parchment belongs to Potter. I have seen it before, I severalise it Potter is here Potter, in his Invisibility CloakSnape stretched out his hands like a blind man and began to move up the stairs Harry could have sworn his over-large nostrils were dilating, trying to sniff Harry out trapped. Harry leaned backward, trying to avoid Snapes fingertips, but any moment now Theres nothing there, Snape barked Moody, but Ill be happy to tell the headmaster how quickly your mind jumped to Harry PotterMeaning what? Snape turned again to look at Moody, his hands still outstretched, inches from Harrys chest.Meaning that Dumbledores very interested to know whos got it in for that boy said Moody, limping nearer still to the foot of the stairs. And so am I, Snapevery interested. The torchlight flickered across his mangled face, so that the scars, and the chunk missing from his nose, looked deeper and darker than ever.Snape was looking down at Moody, and Harry couldnt see the expression on his face. For a moment, nobody moved or said anything. Then Snape slowly lowered his hands.I merely thought, said Snape, in a voice of forced calm, that if Potter was wandering arou nd after hours againits an unfortunate habit of hishe should be stopped. For for his own safety.Ah, I see, said Moody softly. Got Potters best interests at heart, have you?There was a pause. Snape and Moody were still staring at each other, Mrs. Norris gave a loud meow, still peering around Filchs legs, looking for the source of Harrys bubble-bath smell.I think I will go back to bed, Snape said curtly.Best idea youve had all night, said Moody. Now, Filch, if youll just give me that egg -No said Filch, clutching the egg as though it were his firstborn son. Professor Moody, this is evidence of Peeves treacheryIts the seat of the champion he stole it from, said Moody. Hand it over, now.Snape swept downstairs and passed Moody without another word. Filch made a chirruping noise to Mrs. Norris, who stared blankly at Harry for a few more seconds before turning and following her master. Still breathing very fast. Harry heard Snape walk away down the corridor Filch handed Moody the egg an d disappeared from entrance too, muttering to Mrs. Norris. Never mind. my sweetwell see Dumbledore in the morningtell him what Peeves was up to.A door slammed. Harry was left staring down at Moody, who placed his staff on the bottommost stair and started to climb laboriously toward him, a dull clunk on every other step.Close shave. Potter, he muttered.YeahI erthanks, said Harry weakly.What is this thing? said Moody, drawing the Marauders Map out of his pocket and unfold it.Map of Hogwarts, said Harry, hoping Moody was going to pull him out of the staircase soon his leg was really hurting him.Merlins beard, Moody whispered, staring at the map, his magic eye going haywire. Thisthis is some map. PotterYeah, itsquite useful, Harry said. His eyes were starting to water from the pain. Er Professor Moody, dyou think you could help me -?What? Oh Yesyes, of course.Moody took hold of Harrys arms and pulled Harrys leg came free of the trick step, and he climbed onto the one above it. Mood y was still gazing at the map.Potter he said slowly, you didnt happen, by any chance, to see who broke into Snapes office, did you? On this map, I mean?Eryeah, I did Harry admitted. It was Mr. Crouch.Moodys magical eye whizzed over the entire surface of the map. He looked suddenly alarmed.Crouch? he said. Youre youre sure. Potter?Positive, said Harry.Well, hes not here anymore, said Moody, his eye still whizzing over the map. Crouchthats very very interesting.He said nothing for almost a minute, still staring at the map. Harry could tell that this news meant something to Moody and very much wanted to know what it was. He wondered whether he dared ask. Moody scared him slightlyyet Moody had just helped him avoid an awful lot of trouble.ErProfessor Moodywhy dyou reckon Mr. Crouch wanted to look around Snapes office?Moodys magical eye left the map and fixed, quivering, upon Harry. It was a lancinate glare, and Harry had the impression that Moody was sizing him up, wondering whether to answer or not, or how much to tell him.Put it this way. Potter, Moody muttered finally, they say old Mad-Eyes obsessed with catching Dark wizardsbut Im nothing nothing compared to Barty Crouch.He continued to stare at the map. Harry was burning to know more.Professor Moody? he said again. Dyou thinkcould this have anything to do with maybe Mr. Crouch thinks theres something going on.Like what? said Moody sharply.Harry wondered how much he dare say. He didnt want Moody to hypothecate that he had a source of information outside Hogwarts that might lead to tricky questions about Sirius.I dont know, Harry muttered, odd stuffs been happening lately, hasnt it? Its been in the Daily Prophetthe Dark Mark at the World Cup, and the demolition Eaters and everything.Both of Moodys mismatched eyes widened.Youre a sharp boy. Potter, he said. His magical eye roved back to the Marauders Map. Crouch could be thinking along those lines, he said slowly. Very possiblethere have been some prepos terous rumors flying around lately helped along by Rita Skeeter, of course. Its making a lot of people nervous, I reckon. A grim smile twisted his lopsided mouth. Oh if theres one thing I hate, he muttered, more to himself than to Harry, and his magical eye was fixed on the left-hand corner of the map, its a expiration Eater who walked free.Harry stared at him. Could Moody possibly mean what Harry thought he meant?And now I want to ask you a question. Potter, said Moody in a more efficient tone.Harrys heart sank he had thought this was coming. Moody was going to ask where he had got this map, which was a very dubious magical object and the story of how it had fallen into his hands incriminated not only him, but his own father, Fred and George Weasley, and Professor Lupin, their last Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Moody waved the map in front of Harry, who braced himself-Can I borrow this?Oh said Harry.He was very fond of his map, but on the other hand, he was extremely a lleviated that Moody wasnt asking where hed got it, and there was no doubt that he owed Moody a favor.Yeah, okay.Good boy, growled Moody. I can make good use of thisthis might be exactly what Ive been looking for.Right, bed, Potter, come on, now.They climbed to the top of the stairs together, Moody still examining the map as though it was a treasure the like of which he had never seen before. They walked in silence to the door of Moodys office, where he stopped and looked up at Harry.You ever thought of a career as an Auror, Potter?No, said Harry, taken aback.You want to consider it, said Moody, nodding and looking at Harry thoughtfully. Yes, indeedand by the wayIm guessing you werent Just taking that egg for a walk tonight?Er no, said Harry, grinning. Ive been working out the clue.Moody winked at him, his magical eye going haywire again. Nothing like a darkness stroll to give you ideas, Potter.See you in the morning.He went back into his office, staring down at the Marauders Map again, and closed the door behind him.Harry walked slowly back to Gryffindor Tower, lost in thought about Snape, and Crouch, and what it all meant.Why was Crouch pretending to be ill, if he could manage to get to Hogwarts when he wanted to? What did he think Snape was concealing in his office?And Moody thought he. Harry, ought to be an Auror Interesting ideabut somehow. Harry thought, as he got quietly into his four-poster ten minutes later, the egg and the cloak now safely back in his trunk, he thought hed like to check how scarred the rest of them were before he chose it as a career.