CHAPTER FOURTEEN

In the wake of Sirius Black’s second break-in, Gryffindor spends a sleepless night as the castle is searched in vain. Hogwarts imposes stricter security: the Fat Lady returns, guarded by trolls, and Sir Cadogan is sacked. Neville is punished for compromising passwords and receives a humiliating Howler. Hagrid invites Harry and Ron for tea, reminds them of Buckbeak’s imminent hearing, and urges them to reconcile with an overworked, isolated Hermione.

With another Hogsmeade weekend announced, Hermione threatens to tell McGonagall if Harry sneaks out again. Ignoring her, Harry uses the Marauder’s Map and Invisibility Cloak to reach Hogsmeade and tours shops with Ron. At the Shrieking Shack, Harry invisibly pelts Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle, but is momentarily exposed, prompting him to race back to Hogwarts.

Snape intercepts Harry at the one-eyed witch, escorts him to the dungeons, and interrogates him about Hogsmeade. Provoking Harry with insults about James Potter, Snape forces him to empty his pockets, revealing Zonko’s merchandise and the Marauder’s Map. When Snape attempts to unlock the parchment, it insults him with messages from Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs, enraging him.

Snape summons Lupin via Floo. Lupin downplays the map’s danger, claims it’s a joke product, and, aided by Ron’s timely entrance, removes the map from Snape’s custody. Outside, Lupin sternly rebukes Harry for recklessness, refuses to return the map, and warns him about dishonoring his parents’ sacrifice. Harry and Ron, chastened, avoid retrieving the Cloak from the passage.

Finally, Hermione approaches, clearly shaken, not to gloat or report them, but to deliver devastating news: Hagrid has lost the case, and Buckbeak has been sentenced to execution, heightening the emotional and moral stakes for the friends.