CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Harry decides to test Cedric’s bath clue at night, bringing the Invisibility Cloak, the Marauder’s Map, and the golden egg to the prefects’ bathroom. There, Moaning Myrtle advises him to open the egg underwater. Submerged, Harry hears a merpeople song instructing him to recover what he will “sorely miss” within an hour, implying an underwater second task in the lake.

Worried about breathing and his weak swimming, Harry leaves, thanks Myrtle, and checks the Map. He notices an anomalous label—Bartemius Crouch—moving inside Snape’s office despite claims of Crouch’s illness. Curiosity draws Harry toward the office.

On a shortcut stair, Harry falls into a trick step; the egg tumbles, wails loudly, and the Map slips out of reach. Filch and Mrs. Norris arrive, then Snape. As Snape suspects an intruder, Moody appears, sees Harry through the cloak with his magical eye, and maneuvers the situation. When Snape nears the hidden Harry, Moody summons the Map away from Snape, claims it, and pressures Snape, who briefly clutches his forearm before withdrawing.

Filch surrenders the egg to Moody, and the staff disperse. Moody frees Harry and examines the Map, alarmed that Crouch had been in Snape’s office. He hints at Crouch’s extreme zeal against Dark wizards and his own hatred of Death Eaters who escaped justice. Moody borrows the Map, suggests Harry consider becoming an Auror, and parts ways.

Back in the dormitory, Harry secures the egg and cloak, mulling over Crouch’s suspicious “illness,” what he sought in Snape’s office, and Moody’s protection and interest in him. The underwater task and questions about Crouch and Snape now loom.