"Thank heavens-well, I mean, thank Merlin. At least Umbridge hasn't stopped us from going to Hogsmeade," Harry said with heartfelt feeling, holding Qiu's soft little hand.
On the last weekend of September, Hogwarts allowed visits to Hogsmeade.
Harry and Qiu, Ron and Lavender, and Hermione and Neville headed to Hogsmeade together.
The first two pairs held hands, with two Single Dogs trailing behind them.
"Harry, although this might not be the best time, I still have to remind you that we aren't here to have fun today," Hermione the Single Dog said ominously from behind.
"Yes, yes, I know, I know." Harry nodded repeatedly. He was already tormenting the singles with his actions; he couldn't go too far with his words as well.
They were on their way to the Hog's Head.
Hermione had said that she had quietly spread the word at school-only to people she considered reasonably trustworthy, of course-telling them that Harry and Ron were planning to teach everyone Defense Against the Dark Arts.
And she had chosen the Hog's Head as the location for their first meeting.
The Hog's Head was a pub in Hogsmeade. Unlike the Three Broomsticks, which was almost packed whenever Hogwarts allowed students to visit, the Hog's Head always had very few customers.
This made sense. First of all, the Hog's Head mainly served actual alcohol, and Hogwarts did not allow students to drink. Even if they drank in Hogsmeade, they would still be punished if they were caught after returning to the castle, and severely at that.
Secondly, compared with the prettily furnished Three Broomsticks, the Hog's Head's decor was really rather ugly, and the place felt filthy inside. The waiter was a slovenly middle-aged man, and the owner was an even more slovenly old man.
Under those circumstances, it was