At the Hog's Head Inn

The Hog's Head Inn was unusually closed today. It was much quieter than usual inside, but somehow even more sinister.

Aberforth heard the rustle of hurried footsteps passing close by. He pulled the curtains tight, making sure there was not the slightest gap, then locked the inn's door.

"Don't take off the Invisibility Cloak. Follow me."

Harry and the other two hesitated for a moment, but ultimately chose to trust him.

They followed him through the battered, filthy bar scattered with sawdust, then through a door, where they saw a rickety wooden staircase at the back.

Seeing the innkeeper head upstairs, the three hurried after him.

At the top was a sitting room, with a worn carpet and a small fireplace. Above the fireplace hung a large oil painting, in which a blonde girl looked gently into the room.

Harry stopped instinctively.

Ron, who was in front, did not notice and took another two steps, pulling the Invisibility Cloak off Harry as it slipped down.

"Ah!"

Hermione cried out and reached for Harry, trying to pull him back beneath the cloak.

"No need. They won't follow you here," Aberforth said as he turned around, his blue eyes moving over the three of them one by one.

"What were you stupid fools thinking, coming here?"

"Thank you." Harry came back to himself and tore his gaze away from the painting, looking at the furious innkeeper before him.

"I don't know how to thank you. You saved our lives."

The innkeeper muttered a few angry words under his breath.

"Sorry. We'll leave right away," Hermione said.

"If I were you, I wouldn't do that." Aberforth gave a cold laugh.

"Why?" Hermione immediately tensed, one hand quietly slipping into her pocket to grip her wand.

Aberforth's eyes flickered, but he pretended not to