In the old newspapers Herman had bought, almost every issue carried Sirius's wanted notice wherever there was a little spare space, and every so often they updated his staggering "achievements" as though reporting on a sporting event.
Herman clearly remembered that, not long ago, a newspaper had even devoted an entire page to extensive coverage of a crime Sirius had committed in Paris, France.
And the wizard he had killed was a distant relative of the Malfoy family.
The report had also mentioned in passing that the wizard killer Sirius had an accomplice who had been arrested. Yet the accomplice's specific identity had been glossed over, without any detailed explanation.
Herman privately guessed that either Dumbledore had exerted his influence behind the scenes or Snape had spent a fortune pulling strings to have this crucial information downplayed.
"All right, Harry, did you need something?" Though Herman's mind was boiling over with frantic complaints, he did not dare voice them casually. After all, this was a murderer's little accomplice.
Besides, Herman knew full well that his current strength might amount to nothing in front of Harry.
After all, Harry was exceptionally talented, already blessed with outstanding magical aptitude. Now that he had been following Sirius, a man regarded as a "terrorist," he must have learned plenty of mysterious, powerful magic, and might have considerable combat experience as well. Herman really had no confidence that he could hold his own against her.
"Nothing much. Help me out in a bit and come shopping with me?" Harry said expressionlessly. Her tone was cold and stiff, leaving no room for discussion, as though she were issuing an order.
"Why me?" Herman looked utterly bewildered, privately wondering whether he was getting the protagonist treatment too, with inexplicable things like this suddenly landing in his lap.
"I need someone to carry my bags." Harry stated her reason bluntly. Though it barely qualified as an explanation, something about it sounded awkward no matter how he looked at it. It made sense, but not much.
Herman shook his head without hesitation. "Sorry, Harry, I have other things to do. I'm afraid I can't go shopping in Diagon Alley with you."
Though Harry was pretty and exceptionally good-looking, Herman found her blunt, icy personality rather hard to handle. In his opinion, Harry was nowhere near as interesting as Draco.
Herman was no masochist, so naturally he had to refuse firmly and decisively.
"There's a tip." Harry's words were as brief and cold as ever, but to Herman's ears, they instantly sounded like a beautiful piece of music. Everything felt different now.
Herman hesitated, frowning slightly as he put on an act. "I still have something to take care of. I can't spare the time right now."
"I'll pay extra. Do you have time?" Harry's voice remained utterly flat, yet it seemed to possess a deadly allure.
"Of course, young lady. Shall we leave now?" At those words, Herman immediately sprang to his feet as though launched by a spring. How could I stay seated just like my patron? Of course I have to hurry up and wait on her hand and foot.
"Wait a little longer." Harry casually scanned the pub, pretending nothing was wrong, then sat down quietly to wait patiently.
Seeing this, Herman also began looking around. Suddenly, he noticed something unusual.
Herman had spent all day, every day in the Leaky Cauldron lately, and had gained a basic understanding of most of its visitors. These customers could roughly be divided into a few categories:
One consisted of newcomers to Britain's Wizarding World, drawn by the landmark's reputation, who came simply to look around and mark their visit; the other consisted of people meeting friends at the Leaky Cauldron for a small gathering, chatting while enjoying a drink.
Most of the other customers were variations on those two types.
But today was somewhat different. There were a few extra people. These seemingly casually dressed wizards were all sitting alone at separate tables, without exception. They did not seem to be waiting for anyone, nor had they ordered any drinks. They merely held newspapers, reading with rapt attention.
Moreover, Herman remembered the newspaper one of them held. If he recalled correctly, the second page the man was currently reading should have featured an enormous picture of Lockhart. A male wizard staring at a huge picture of Lockhart for so long seemed rather abnormal however he looked at it.
Unable to contain his curiosity, Herman asked, "Is someone watching you? Who are those people?"
Harry gave Herman a surprised look. She had not expected the temporary lackey she had picked at random to be so perceptive and clever.
"Aurors from the Ministry of Magic. They want to see whether following me will lead them to Sirius."
Harry did not hide anything, simply telling him the truth.
"Uh, then why did you ask me to come with you?" A bad feeling rose in Herman's heart. He vaguely sensed that things were not so simple.
Harry was quite blunt. "To cause them a little trouble. They've probably already sent word to the Ministry and had someone investigate your background. They might even question you directly in a bit. But don't worry. They probably won't get physical. After all, we're still Hogwarts students. They wouldn't dare go too far."
Sure enough, these days money is hard to earn and shit is hard to swallow. Didn't I just want to carry some bags and earn a tip? Herman suddenly felt like crying but had no tears, filled with regret over accepting this "troublesome job."
At the same time, Herman's mind raced as he recalled his trip home a few days earlier, checking painstakingly that he had left no loose ends. He confirmed that, provided they did not investigate deeply or employ supernatural, unscientific methods such as prophecy, his hidden "dark history" would not be exposed.
Besides, judging by what the films had shown, although wizards possessed miraculous magic, they did not seem to have such methods either.
Once he was certain there was nothing wrong on his end, Herman said to Harry with a serious expression, "Harry, I think you'll have to pay extra again. Without enough money, this will be a little difficult."
Harry thought she had misheard. After a moment's bewilderment, she asked, "What have I even asked you to do that's difficult?"
Herman said with complete conviction, "You've made me give up my privacy. The secrets of my identity are being exposed to the Ministry's Aurors. If I've done anything illegal, won't the Ministry arrest me?"
Harry asked, "Have you done anything illegal?"
Without the slightest blush or change in expression, Herman said, "No. Don't go making claims without evidence."
Harry suddenly remembered the remark Herman had interjected when Dumbledore was talking to her during their first meeting. Seeming to realize something at once, she smiled and said, "There are things you don't want the Aurors to know, aren't there?"
"No. I live honestly and stand upright. How could there be?" Herman said with supreme confidence, as though he truly were a man without a single flaw.
Harry did not press him further. Her mind turned, and something occurred to her. "That had better be true. Fine, I can pay extra. But after we finish shopping, you'll have to come somewhere else with me."
Herman no longer minded either. Might as well earn whatever extra I can. I still haven't thought of a safe way to visit Knockturn Alley, anyway. I can't really go to Hogwarts without a penny to my name.
"No problem, young lady." The two sat in the Leaky Cauldron a little longer. When Harry saw two hooded customers at a corner table finish their conversation, she stood as well and called to Herman, "Let's go. It's time we headed out too."
Herman fully displayed his talent as a "bootlicker." Drawing on his previous shopping experience, he borrowed a small trolley from Hannah before leaving the Leaky Cauldron.
Pushing the trolley, Herman asked enthusiastically, "Where are we going first? To buy books?"
Harry looked at Herman's little trolley and hesitated before saying, "Leave the trolley outside the door when we get there. I'm afraid it might cause a misunderstanding where we're going."
"A misunderstanding? What are we buying? A trolley is really convenient. Aren't we getting school supplies? I can't carry all that by myself." Herman looked thoroughly puzzled as he asked.
Harry explained, "We're going to Gringotts first. We won't need a trolley, and I'm worried the goblins will see you looking ready for a massive shopping spree and detain you on the spot."
Harry had still tried to phrase it tactfully. In truth, she was afraid the goblins would mistake them for robbers and feed them straight to a dragon. That would be serious trouble.