After that intense bout of haggling, Harley finally remembered why the shopkeeper had seemed familiar.
His eyes were exactly like Professor Dumbledore's, and their faces were very similar, too.
Harley remembered that the copy of Pure-Blood Wizard Genealogy she'd read mentioned that Professor Dumbledore had a younger brother named Aberforth. He was probably the owner of the Hog's Head right in front of her.
No wonder the Hog's Head dared to provide a place for shady dealings in Hogsmeade, the only all-wizard village in Britain, and even sell hard liquor to young witches and wizards.
Since he was the headmaster's younger brother... Sorry for the trouble. We'll be going now.
After leaving the Hog's Head, it was almost noon.
They didn't linger in Hogsmeade and went straight back to Hogwarts Castle.
Hermione wanted to finish her homework before the Christmas holidays officially began, while Harley needed to go back and prepare that little ball.
With the various kinds of Dark Magic granted by her Demoness specialization, the ball should be ready to use for locating its target by tomorrow—the first day of the holidays.
Harley was very curious. Once she'd tracked down that rat, what version of the "truth" would she uncover?
The next day, when Harley woke up, Hermione was the only one left in the dormitory.
"They've all left. I put your breakfast by your bed," Hermione said without looking up when she heard Harley get up.
"I'm starting to wonder if you sneak around the castle at night. Otherwise, why do you sleep in every weekend?"
Harley yawned. "I don't like sneaking around the castle at night."
"And I was doing something important last night. Something extremely important and meaningful."
"What?" Hermione asked casually.
"Getting ready to catch a traitor. That traitor was one of the