TBAY: How the Marauders Map works...explains problems

[barefootpuppets]

No: HPFGUIDX 39901

A thought on how the Marauder's map works...

Questions:  Why hadn't Peter/Scabbers been identified before?  Why 
weren't the "future" H/H seen running around in the pumpkin patch in 
PoA?

Perhaps you are only able to see people whom you have previously 
met/seen *or* interacted with.  I think to all the times that the map 
has been used and this all fits.  The only time that possibly 
conflicts with this is when Harry sees Barty Crouch, Jr. (aka Fake!
Moody)..but even then it could be that since *Harry* had his wand 
stolen by Crouch, Jr., that they had an *interaction* of sorts.  This 
explains why Lupin saw Peter, but nobody else (save, perhaps, Snape) 
did.

It could also be argued that, due to, uh, fluctuations in the space-
time continuum...or something, that Future!H/H weren't "seen" because 
they were not, in a sense, there yet.  It takes a bit of mindbending, 
but I really don't *personally* take issue with their presence (or 
lack thereof).

My two cents.
Heidi R.