The Marauder’s Map is an enchanted map that appears halfway through the novel. Created by Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs (Remus Lupin, Peter Pettigrew, Sirius Black, and James Potter), the map shows “every detail of the Hogwarts castle and grounds” and “tiny ink dots moving around it” (193) with the names of everyone in the castle. The original authors of the Marauder’s Map were notorious tricksters and mischief-makers, and Fred and George Weasley found the map in a drawer of confiscated items. The map grows to represent rebellion, mischief, and a legacy of rule-breaking at Hogwarts. However, the map also becomes an unexpected tool to reveal deception.

Harry first uses the Marauder’s Map to sneak into Hogsmeade, where he uses it to spend time with Ron and Hermione. However, during this fateful journey, Harry learns the truth that has been withheld from him: “Black was the Potters’ Secret-Keeper” (205), and “Black betrayed them” (206). Although Harry used the map to have some innocent fun and break the rules by visiting Hogsmeade without permission, using the map caused Harry to stumble into an uncomfortable amount of truth about his past, his deceased parents, and Sirius Black.

Harry again uses the map to sneak into Hogsmeade, where he throws mud at Malfoy and ends up in Snape’s office.