"Jerry, what did Headmaster Dumbledore want with you? Was it about dealing with the basilisk?" Hermione asked eagerly when she saw Jerry walk in with his head lowered.
Jerry frowned and nodded slightly, giving Hermione a distracted answer while he mulled over what Dumbledore had just told him.
He was certain Dumbledore was hiding something from him, but he still could not figure out what Grindelwald had discovered in Egypt that would make the usually steady, unflappable Dumbledore leave the mess at Hogwarts behind and rush off to Egypt.
"That's wonderful! Hogwarts will be safe now, and no one will have to worry about any more attacks!"
Ha! Safe? Hogwarts was safe, my ass. When did this damned place ever go a year without something happening?
"It's getting late, Hermione. You should get some rest, and I need to head back to my dormitory!" Jerry pointed at the clock on the wall. It was already a quarter past nine, well past the school's curfew.
"All right!" Looking at the clock, Hermione took Jerry's hand and whispered, "Jerry, could you talk to Madam Pomfrey for me? I'm fine now. I don't need to stay in the Hospital Wing. I've got classes tomorrow!"
"No. When you're in hospital, you listen to the doctor!" Jerry gave Hermione an exasperated look, gently tapped her forehead, and firmly refused her request. Everyone else pretends to be sick to skip class, but you just have to do the exact opposite!
"If you won't help, just say so. Why do you have to nag like my dad?" Hermione muttered. Then she slapped away Jerry's hand as it wandered over her face, her cheeks puffing up in annoyance.
Jerry gave her cheek one last pinch, then left the Hospital Wing with a smile under her gloomy, disgruntled gaze.