            The pair twisted and turned down Knockturn Alley, Padfoot lagging just a few paces behind. Hermione kept her eyes down, but no one seemed to pay them any mind. A few wizards sat hunched outside a dismal pub, playing wizarding poker and betting what looked like jars of black, sludgy blood. As they passed, Padfoot slid between her and the men, uttering a low growl.