"Go ahead, we're listening," Hermione said, holding Crookshanks and glancing at Lupin, who was fast asleep by the window.
Harry no longer cared that there was a stranger present, and said eagerly, "Mr. Weasley came to find me just now to tell me about the things he mentioned last night."
Without needing the whole story spelled out, Silan already understood.
Hermione, however, looked a bit puzzled. "What things?"
"Mr. Weasley said that Sirius Black might break into Hogwarts to kill me and help Voldemort make a comeback."
Upon hearing the name "Voldemort," Hermione couldn't help starting in fright, her grip causing Crookshanks to let out a yowl.
"That's just insane."
"Actually, that's not what I'm most worried about," Harry said, looking at Hermione with a calm expression. "I'm not trying to act tough, but honestly, Sirius Black can't possibly be more terrifying than Voldemort, right?"
"So, you're worried that you won't be able to go to Hogsmeade?" Silan asked, hitting on the crucial point.
"Exactly." Harry nodded helplessly. "The Dursleys didn't sign my permission slip."
"I originally wanted to ask Professor McGonagall for approval, but if Black is coming after me, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to persuade her even if I talked myself hoarse."
Hermione agreed. "You're right, Professor McGonagall definitely won't agree. It's such a pity..."
"Hogsmeade is the only entirely non-Muggle place in all of England." Hermione instinctively recited what she had read in the book. "Magical Places of Interest says Hogsmeade has a little pub that was the headquarters for the goblin rebellion of 1912."
"And there's the Shrieking Shack, which is supposedly the most severely haunted building in England..."
Harry looked somewhat gloomy; every one of those places piqued his curiosity.
Finally, he looked at Silan full of hope and asked for help, "So