Marauder's Map revisited

[donna_immaculata]

No: HPFGUIDX 58871

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "maidne" <maidne at y...> wrote:
> Hope this hasn't already been discussed to death -- when Fred and 
> George give Harry the Marauder's Map they tell him "Don't bother with 
> the one behind the mirror on the fourth floor.  We used it until last 
> winter, but it's caved in -- completely blocked."  So does that 
> tunnel connect to the Chamber of Secrets tunnel?  And if so, where 
> else does it lead, because it seems pretty unlikely that F&G have 
> ever been into the Chamber.


Susan,

That's an intersting idea, however, the tunnel leading to the Chamber of Secrets caved in at the end of term, so why should have they abandoned it in winter already? But the tunnel network under the castle is probably quite comprehensive and more complicated than we know. I've always been amazed about there being only seven tunnels leading out of the castle. 

OTOH - the seven tunnels mentioned all lead to Hogsmeade. Maybe there are other ones that lead somewhere else, which have not been relevant yet? Which would go along with the theory you state below: 

> 
> I also noticed that when Harry looks at the map for the first time he 
> sees Dumbledore, Mrs. Norris, and Peeves.  Not himself, Fred, and 
> George.  After Fred and George leave he looks at it again and sees 
> that a figure labeled "Harry Potter" has *appeared* on it.  And that 
> little figure isn't just standing there, doing what Harry is doing, 
> it's actually showing him what to do next.  This seems to indicate 
> that the map is selective in who it shows, which is probably why Fred 
> and George never saw Peter Pettigrew on it, but Lupin did.  It also 
> seems to indicate that when someone does show up on the map, the 
> viewer should pay attention to who it is and what they're doing 
> (Bartemious Crouch).
> 
> Anyone have anything to add or subtract?
> 
> Susan


I'd go along with this idea. After all, depending on how many students there are in Hogwarts, the Map would have to show more than 1000 people at once if it was showing everybody in the castle. How confusing! Therefore, I believe it is indeed selective. It probably only shows people who are currently breaking rules (Barty Crouch in Snape's office, Harry before he descends through the one-eyed witch), people who are close and/or a danger to the one reading the Map (Neville, Filch, Snape...), and the manufacturers (Peter). 

OTOH, I just remembered it also shows Dumbledore in his office in GoF   when Harry looks at the Map after his visit to the Prefects' bathroom. Hm. Any suggestions as to that?

Donna
who hasn't thought her theory through thoroughly enough, it seems