Harry Potter Marauders Map Views

General Goods

The map was created by the Marauders: Remus Lupin (Moony), Peter Pettigrew (Wormtail), Sirius Black (Padfoot) and James Potter (Prongs) during their years at Hogwarts, and was confiscated by Filch because he believed it to be a dark object, though he apparently never discovered its secret. The Weasley twins stole it from his files, and it became useful in their own mischief-making; they, in turn, passed it on to Harry when it appeared that he would otherwise be unable to visit Hogsmeade. Harry has used it extensively since.

One question that comes up is whether Professor Snape knows what the map is. He finds it in Harry's pocket in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, at which time it identifies its creators and insults Snape. Snape may know who Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs are or were, which is likely why he summons Professor Lupin to inspect it and makes such pointed comments about the map's manufacturers; Lupin is the only Marauder he can talk to immediately. Snape immediately recognizes the Marauder's Map in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire as being Harry's property. That, plus the Egg, causes Snape to be certain that Harry is hiding nearby under his Invisibility Cloak. Snape, by this time, knows the map's function, as he has seen it working on Lupin's desk.

Another question is how Harry gets the Map back; the fake Professor Moody borrows it, and, when he is transformed back as Barty Crouch, confesses that he used it, in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Though Professor Dumbledore expresses interest in it, we do not see it at that time, nor is Harry seen getting it back. However, he does put it to good use in later books. The author, in an interview, has stated that this was an oversight, and in the book's next edition, Harry collects it from Moody's desk while Barty is incapacitated.

Mokeskin pouches are a type of draw-string pouch that can be opened only by the owner; items inside it can only be withdrawn by the owner. Harry uses one he received as his 17th birthday present from Hagrid to store several items of personal significance, such as the Golden Snitch, his broken wand, the false locket, the shard of Sirius' mirror and the Marauders' map.