"Hey! Why did you bring that monster in here?" Ron's eyes widened as he stared at Crookshanks in Hermione's arms and protested loudly. He pointed at the large bulge on his chest, where Scabbers the rat was cowering in his pocket. "Poor Scabbers! Don't come out, or your life will be in danger!"
Hermione held Crookshanks tightly. Ever since entering the compartment, the cat had kept his eyes fixed on Scabbers in Ron's pocket, itching to pounce.
That was precisely why Jerry had asked Hermione to bring Crookshanks. With the little fellow around, Peter Pettigrew would not dare scurry freely around the compartment in his rat form. Jerry did not want Lupin noticing the rat too soon!
Jerry leaned against the compartment door, tilting back slightly, and gently patted Neville's shoulder to ask him to make some room. Once Neville had shifted aside, Jerry took Hermione's hand and sat down with her in the newly cleared space. It was rather cramped, but they did their best to get comfortable.
Holding Crookshanks, Hermione leaned gently against Jerry. Jerry pointed at Lupin, who was fast asleep beside the window, and asked a question he already knew the answer to. "Who is he? Do any of you know him?"
Harry and the others studied Lupin's lifeless-looking figure. After exchanging a few glances, they all shook their heads in bewilderment.
"Professor R. J. Lupin," Hermione said softly, pointing at the luggage rack above the man's head. A battered little case sat there, tightly bound with several lengths of rope tied in neat knots. Professor Lupin's name was stamped on one corner, though the letters had faded and begun to peel.
"I wonder what subject he'll be teaching us?" Ron asked.
"Do you even need to ask? There's only one position at Hogwarts that gets