"Hermione, how are you?"
Gryffindor and Hufflepuff had Herbology together that morning, so Jerry and Hermione had not been in the same class.
The moment he heard Hermione had been attacked, Jerry dropped what he was doing. Urgency surged through him as he raced out of the classroom and sprinted toward the Hospital Wing. His footsteps and ragged breathing echoed through the Corridor in time with his pounding heart.
Jerry knew Hermione had the Phoenix tear Necklace he had given her to protect her, but he was still frightened for her.
In the Hospital Wing, Jerry looked at the young witch before him, her usual sparkle gone and her face pale. His voice shook. He rushed to Hermione's bedside and took her cold hand. Sweat dampened his palm, and even his fingernails looked white with tension.
Hermione shook her head slightly and wrapped her arms around Jerry, resting her head against his chest. She tried to ease his worry with a smile. "I'm all right, Jerry. Don't worry. The Necklace you gave me saved my life."
"But it seems to have cracked." Hermione carefully took the Necklace from around her neck and handed it to Jerry. Tiny cracks covered its surface.
"All that matters is you're safe. Leave the Necklace to me. I'll find a way to fix it." Jerry held Hermione close and gently wiped a tear from the corner of her eye.
"What happened today? Weren't you at Herbology with Harry and the others?" Jerry asked as soon as Hermione had calmed down a little.
Fear filled Hermione's eyes. "It was a Basilisk. It had to be!" Her voice trembled; the attack had clearly terrified her.
"Take your time, Hermione." Jerry gently stroked her hair, trying to soothe her.
"Jerry, remember how Harry said he could speak Parseltongue