Harry, Ron, and Hermione quickly decided which secret passage they should use to enter Hogwarts.
To some extent, the passage from the Shrieking Shack to the Whomping Willow had little chance of running into anyone, but after entering Hogwarts, they would still have to cross more than half the grounds to reach the castle.
By comparison, the one in the Honeydukes cellar was much more suitable.
Crash!
After the crisp sound of shattering glass, the biting late-December wind immediately poured into the warm sweetshop, making several oil lamps hanging from the beams creak and sway.
"Don't let me catch you!"
The shop owner, who had been tallying the day's sales, hurriedly rushed out from behind the counter and into the street, looking for the bastard who had smashed his window.
A light breeze swept in, making the door swing several more times on its hinges.
Several eerie footprints appeared on the polished, mirror-like floor.
They led from the entrance toward the back of the shop. As they passed a shelf marked 'Today's New Arrivals,' the footsteps paused for a few seconds. Then, a hand suddenly reached out from empty space, swiftly grabbed a handful of 'Coconut Ice' and 'Licorice Wands,' and disappeared back into the void.
That brief hesitation allowed the concealed thieves to notice the flaw they had left behind. A wand abruptly emerged, its tip flicked, and the footprints on the floor silently vanished.
The three of them cautiously entered the dim cellar and used magic to move several crates of sweets aside. Once they opened the trapdoor and filed into the passage, Harry threw off the Invisibility Cloak draped over him.
"Oh, no, Harry!"
Hermione was so startled by his bold move that she nearly screamed.
"Calm down, Hermione—"
Harry frowned at Hermione in annoyance.
"There won't