Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs

Calendar and Dates

The entire action of this chapter takes place later on the same evening (6th June) as that of the previous chapter.

• Time Line: The End of PA - essay by Hollydaze
• Chart showing the events of the evening of 6th June (NB the chart shows this date as 9th June in error):

Interesting facts and notes

This chapter is mostly exposition, as Remus Lupin fills in the background of the Marauders.

"Everyone thought Sirius killed Peter," said Lupin, nodding. "I believed it myself – until I saw the map tonight. Because the Marauder's Map never lies … Peter's alive. Ron's holding him, Harry."

The fact that the Marauder's Map never lies is interesting. This will become important in the next book when Harry tells Mad-Eye Moody he has seen the name "Bartemius Crouch" on the map (GF25).

"Because … because people would know if Peter Pettigrew had been an Animagus. We did Animagi in class with Professor McGonagall. And I looked them up when I did my homework – the Ministry keeps tabs on witches and wizards who can become animals; there's a register showing what animal they become, and their markings and things … and I went and looked Professor McGonagall up on the register, and there have only been seven Animagi this century, and Pettigrew’s name wasn’t on the list –"

Harry, and everyone else in the room, are probably stunned at the amount of dedication Hermione puts into her homework assignments.

Lupin broke off. There had been a loud creak behind him.

Severus Snape has just entered the room underneath Harry's Invisibility Cloak, which Harry dropped under the tree outside.

I am able to curl up in my office, a harmless wolf, and wait for the moon to wane again.

This statement, and Lupin's monthly absences from teaching during the days of the full moon, suggest that the werewolf state lasts during the entire full moon phase. However, this doesn't seem consistent with the fact that the day after Lupin's transformation - the day after the action of this chapter - Lupin is clearly in human form.

Exceptional character moments

Dumbledore, who encouraged rumours about the Shrieking Shack being haunted to deflect people from learning the truth.

The Marauders, three of whom went to the trouble of illegally becoming Animagi to keep the fourth, Lupin, company during his monthly transformations.

Sirius Black, who to this day doesn't seem to see anything wrong with the "practical joke" he played on Snape that very nearly got both James and Snape killed.

Lupin, who couldn't bear to admit to Dumbledore that he had betrayed Dumbledore's trust as a student by circumventing the safeguards installed to allow him to attend Hogwarts.

Snape, who kept his mouth shut about Lupin on Dumbledore's orders when a word could've blighted the rest of Lupin's school days.

Memorable lines

"They’ve – got – a – right – to – know – everything!" Lupin panted, still trying to restrain Black. "Ron's kept him as a pet! There are parts of it even I don't understand! And Harry – you owe Harry the truth, Sirius!"

"All right, then," Black said, without taking his eyes off the rat. "Tell them whatever you like. But make it quick, Remus. I want to commit the murder I was imprisoned for …"

"All this year, I have been battling with myself, wondering whether I should tell Dumbledore that Sirius was an Animagus. But I didn't do it. Why? Because I was too cowardly. It would have meant admitting that I had betrayed his trust while I was at school, admitting that I'd led others along with me... and Dumbledore's trust has meant everything to me. He let me into Hogwarts as a boy, and he gave me a job when I have been shunned all my adult life, unable to find paid work because of what I am." [Remus Lupin]

Words and phrases

• Mental
• Nutter

Characters Introduced

• Lupin family
• Hope Howell Lupin
• Lyall Lupin