"Jerry, what are you spacing out for? You're just like Neville!" Hermione shook Jerry by the shoulders. "Could you please pay attention when I'm talking to you?"
"Huh? Oh, sorry. I'll pay attention next time!" Jerry patted the hand on his shoulder. "But Neville still hasn't recovered?"
After the strange change in Jerry's eyes had faded, Hermione, Harry, and Ron had quickly returned to normal. Only Neville seemed to be suffering lingering effects, spending his days distracted and forgetting things.
"He's much better than he was a few days ago! But Jerry, should we tell Harry and the other two about the basilisk? I'm worried they might be in danger!"
"Don't worry! Whatever you've thought of, Hermione, Headmaster Dumbledore will have thought of too. He'll arrange everything!"
As they spoke, Harry and the other two came in through the side entrance beside the Great Hall, yawning.
"Good morning!"
"Good morning, Jerry!" Harry sat down and spoke listlessly. "Jerry, what should we do?"
"The Ministry of Magic won't believe an acromantula. Hagrid will still be locked up in Azkaban!"
"As long as Professor Dumbledore knows Hagrid was framed, that's enough. Harry, you need to trust Dumbledore!" Jerry reassured him.
"I shouldn't have hidden the fact that I'm a Parselmouth from Professor Dumbledore. I should have told him I heard strange voices at the scenes of the attacks!"
Sitting beside them, Hermione watched the regret and anxiety on Harry's face, utterly speechless. She wanted to throw the information about the basilisk straight in his face.
Couldn't you go look things up in the Library? The answer's already this obvious!
That night, Jerry tried the names of several snacks and sweets before successfully slipping into the Hogwarts Headmaster's Office.
The portraits of past headmasters hanging on the walls were all asleep in