In the Hospital Wing, Ron was still unconscious. Neville sat by his bed, eating the chocolate Madam Pomfrey had given him.
"Harry, did you go out just now?" Neville turned to Jerry, Hermione, and Harry, looking at them questioningly.
"I'll tell you in a bit!" Harry raised a hand, signaling for Neville to be patient. Jerry and Hermione found seats and settled down quietly. Before long, hurried, heavy footsteps sounded in the corridor.
The door flew open, and Professor Snape appeared. His sharp gaze swept over every face in the room.
Hermione and Harry lowered their heads slightly, as though they felt guilty, and tried to avoid his eyes. Neville looked frightened by Snape's anger. Jerry, on the other hand, remained calm, seemingly unbothered by his stern stare.
"Potter, I really did underestimate you!" Professor Snape's gaze settled on Harry, his voice low and menacing. "Do you have any idea how serious a crime it is to release a Ministry of Magic prisoner? Do you want to join that dog in Azkaban?"
"Pro... Professor Snape, I... I don't know what you mean. I've been here with Ron the whole time." Harry swallowed, trying to make his voice sound convincing.
"You're a poor liar, Potter!" Professor Snape sneered and shook his head contemptuously. Then he turned his searching gaze on Jerry. "You helped him, didn't you? We both know what Potter is capable of. He couldn't have managed it himself!"
Jerry gave a small shrug and said nothing, neither confirming nor denying it. Snape could guess all he liked. If asked, Jerry knew nothing. With Dumbledore there, Snape couldn't use Veritaserum or Legilimency on a student.
Dumbledore and Minister Fudge entered the room close behind Snape. Hearing the commotion, Madam Pomfrey hurried in from her office as well.
"What is going