Herman casually replied to Draco's question, "It's the first time I've seen Gringotts robbed; I'm a little curious."
He added, "But I doubt anyone suspects Mr. Black did it, otherwise the Daily Prophet would have just written 'Wanted Wizard Killer Black Suspected of Appearing in Gringotts,' which might have even boosted sales."
Draco suddenly remembered something and chimed in, "That's right! I also believe it wasn't Harry, and I believe you too."
As she spoke, she looked at Harry, her tone shifting to that of a powerful older sister recruiting a follower. " Harry, you can be my second follower. I can protect you in Slytherin, just like I did with Professor Snape last night. By the way, my family also owns shares in the Daily Prophet; I can get them to write less about your godfather."
Hearing Draco's words, Herman almost choked on the half-mouthful of Pumpkin Juice he had just drunk. He managed to swallow it with great difficulty, then looked up at Harry to see how she would respond.
Harry was speechless, but somewhat touched. Herman insisted on believing her, Draco had at least expressed her opinion, so she now had a friend, which was a first in the past ten years or so, since she hadn't had the opportunity to make friends under Black's tutelage.
Seeing that Harry didn't answer, Draco continued earnestly, "I'm very strict about taking on followers. If you become my second follower, I'll cover all your snacks. Or how about this, you can be the second-in-command, and Herman can be the third."
Hearing this, Harry hesitated, but didn't agree. Instead, she vaguely said, "It doesn't seem like something I can't consider."
Herman's head was spinning as he listened. "Big sister, please stop messing around."
Draco smiled smugly at Herman's bewildered expression.
I've recently felt that Herman, this little brother, is getting a bit arrogant, so I have to suppress him. I'll also recruit Harry to compete with him, making things more competitive. I'm really clever.
Harry seemed to suddenly remember something, put down the Pumpkin Juice, turned to look at Herman, and lingered on his face for a moment.
Before Herman could figure out the meaning behind that look, Harry gave him a chilling, wicked smile, her voice neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for all three of them to hear. "There's one more thing, Herman, are you sure it really wasn't Black who did it?"
Herman actually sprayed out Pumpkin Juice this time, coughed a few times, and then took a deep breath. "You again?"
Harry, seemingly oblivious to the tearful look on his face, continued slowly, "I'm just confirming your judgment. After all, you were so certain just now. What if I'm wrong? What if it was Black who did it? Should I write him a letter beforehand to tell him the plan has been exposed? There's someone in the know, named Herman."
Herman felt a throbbing in his temple. " Harry, stop it, it's already messy enough."
Harry didn't press the matter further, but simply picked up the Pumpkin Juice and took another sip, the smile on her lips never fading.
Herman looked at her expression and became increasingly unsure. Who exactly stole Gringotts? Wait, if it really was Black and Harry stole it, then I seem to have become an accomplice in the stakeout.
He glanced down at the newspaper spread out on the table; the Gringotts photograph on the front page was still there, with several Goblin standing expressionlessly in the doorway.
The robbery, Hagrid, the Philosopher's Stone, Voldemort, and now Black— these clues had completely tangled up in his mind.
If the robbers were indeed Voldemort's men, then the original plot would most likely remain unchanged. Dumbledore had arranged for Hagrid to take the Philosopher's Stone beforehand and hide it in the castle, behind the door in the third-floor corridor.
I hope so. Black, you can go kill Pure-blood for fun, don't get involved. You won't have a role until the third movie.
Herman glanced at Harry again; she was eating a piece of toast, relaxed, as if the conversation had never happened.
You've eaten your fill, but I'm completely out of food. Herman looked away, his attitude towards tonight's plans changing. He was determined to see what was behind that door tonight.
If it really is the Philosopher's Stone, then the main plot remains unchanged. If it's not the Philosopher's Stone, then it will allow him to figure out what Dumbledore is hiding in the school and how the plot has changed.
Just as Harry was teasing Herman with her mischievous whims, Neville strode over from the Gryffindor table.
Neville was followed by Hugo and Ron. Hugo was holding an open notebook in her hand, with a quill pen between her fingers, as if she was taking notes as she walked.
Ron followed at the back, clutching half a piece of unfinished toast in her hand, with jam still lingering on the edge of the half-eaten piece.
Neville stopped beside Herman, bent down, and lowered his voice, his tone filled with barely concealed urgency. " Herman, last night... did you also pass by the area near the third floor?"
Herman immediately shook his head, his expression so upright it was as if he were making a vow, and asked in return, "No, aren't we not allowed to go to the third floor?"
Looking at Herman's righteous and indignant expression, as if he were utterly opposed to any violation of rules and regulations, Neville sighed helplessly, "I wanted to ask, did you see Professor Quirrell? Last night, he was standing alone in front of a door on the right side of the third-floor corridor, the very spot the principal said we couldn't go near at the opening banquet."
He paused, as if recalling the scene. "He stood there for a long time, as if checking the lock on the door, or as if waiting for someone. We hid behind a pillar and didn't dare to come out. We only quietly took a detour and left after he was gone."
Herman put down his cup and glanced at Harry.
Her expression remained unchanged as she continued to eat her bread slowly, as if what Neville was saying had nothing to do with her.
Herman withdrew his gaze and looked at Neville again. "You saw Professor Quirrell and immediately suspected him? Didn't you see anyone else suspicious?"
Neville recalled, "I also saw Professor Snape."
His tone was calm, showing no sign of doubt towards Snape, and he explained, "But wasn't that just a normal patrol? Isn't it normal for the Headmaster to do night patrols? And—"
He hesitated for a moment, as if the next words were difficult to say, "Last night he didn't deduct points from our license and even told us to go back early. He was very understanding that we were lost."
I think he's actually a pretty good person, not as terrible as George and Fred described. I guess it's because the brothers were so mischievous and often got points deducted that they developed a stereotype about Professor Snape.
Upon hearing this, Herman realized that someone between him and Neville must be the problem, and it certainly wasn't him.
He glanced at Draco, hoping she would speak up and say something fair, but Draco was sitting next to him nodding repeatedly, clearly very satisfied with the conclusion that " Professor Snape is not a bad person."