Just as in the original story, Harry noticed the "witch" beside the fireplace when he entered the pub and asked about her.
Hermione, who had done all sorts of preparatory work beforehand, gave Harry a reasonable explanation, covering everything from the rules and regulations to consulting the professors.
"We're only doing this to learn. Surely there shouldn't be any problem with that, right?" Ron chimed in. "It's just a study group."
"But why did you have to bring it along to Hogsmeade?"
"That doesn't seem to have anything to do with you, Prefect Weasley. Is there a school rule saying I can't bring a pet to Hogsmeade?" Hermione glared at him.
"No... there isn't..." Ron muttered, backing down.
"Hermione, who did you say was coming to meet us?" Harry hurriedly smoothed things over.
"Oh, just two or three people. Don't worry." Hermione took out her pocket watch and checked it. "I told them to arrive around this time. We just need to wait a little."
"What would you like?" Aberforth finally remembered to attend to his customers. He ambled over, his gaze seemingly straying casually to the badger in Hermione's arms, and gave him a discreet wink.
"Three bottles of Butterbeer," Hermione said, then thought for a moment. "And a clean bowl, please. Thank you."
"All right... a clean bowl..." Aberforth turned to get their order ready. Just then, the pub door opened.
Sunlight streamed through the doorway, illuminating the dim room for a moment before vanishing again, blocked by the crowd pouring in behind it.
Most were Gryffindor students, led by Ginny and Harry's personal photographers, the Creevey brothers, along with the Weasley Brothers, carrying bags from Zonko's Joke Shop, and their good friend-Lee Jordan.
There were quite a few Ravenclaw students too: Luna and several boys in Harry's