I was just reading a third year fic when something occured to me.

Is there any official explanation for why, in two years, the twins never notice that another man spends his time sleeping with Ron in his dorm? After all, you'd think they'd glance over every now and then to see if ickle Ronniekins is behaving and not out prowling the castle. And that perhaps that extra person in the dorm shouldn't be there.

 

OH NOES, PLOT HOLE ALERT!!!!11!

It's one of those things that you explain away as a plot hole, or spend some time trying to think of a hidden reason that JK had to purposely not mention it.

Like, for instance, why the hell Moody got caught unawares and captured when his eye can see through anything.

 

this type of things happens some times

 

In GOF JKR avoids the 'Moody's eye' plothole by having Harry point out that Barty Crouch jr. had both eyes focused directly on Harry, with DD and crew attacking from behind.

For the Pettigrew plothole, just add it to the list of fucked up shit JKR has tossed around in the books. I hate to say it, but pointing out plotholes in the HP books is like shooting fish in a barrel.

 

Even stranger, why would F & G give something as valuable as the map to some snot-nosed 3rd year whom they barely know as their brother's little buddy? I smell another Dumbledore intervention here; he gave Harry the cloak so he wanted him to have the map as well.

(and yes, I'm aware that canon!Dumbledore isn't manipulative. So sue me.)

 

I suspcted myself that perhaps Dumbledore nudged the twins along in hading the map over to Harry--it had belonged to his father and Sirius so Harry had more right to have it anyway.

 

good question, i've never really thought of it, wish we could ask jkr these things.

 

I'm sure some has already, or they will. I will not be surprised if she said "whoops!"

 

Maybe the map doesn't show the locations of the Marauders except to one of the other Marauders.

If you remember, Remus confiscated the map from Harry, and knew where to show up because he saw Sirius and Peter's names under the Whomping Willow. He left his office and went there immediately.

Snape, however, comes in with the Wolfsbane, and sees the map. He looks, and sees Harry, Ron and Hermione under the Whomping Willow, and goes to yell at them because they're not supposed to be out of bed at night, what with the Dementors nearby.

Notice that Snape doesn't notice Wormtail's name on there, either, or he would have been more receptive to Sirius' demands.

 

The twins giving up the map is not all that unbelievable. In addition to the ZOMG!! It's Harry Potter!!!!! factor, they've also rescued him from his house and seen what kind of filthy muggle scum he is forced to live with. The sympathy card and perhaps a touch of wizarding solidarity (they are still purebloods after all) combined with the fact that Harry is a friend of the family... why wouldn't they share the map?

The map is useful, yes, but only in Hogwarts. After 5 years how much do the twins really need it? If they do need it, they know where it is. It's not like Harry would tell them to shove off.

 

Not quite. That was my first thought of a way to rationalize the map though.

Remus sees Peter's name with Harry & Co on their way back from Hagrids. Then he sees Sirius pull them under the willow.

Snape sees Remus's name moving along the tunnel under the willow and watches it go out of sight. He can't see whoever is in the shack already.