Jerry and the others carried their heavy water jugs at a noticeably slower pace, but the people they met along the way lifted their spirits. Every few steps, they spotted a familiar face: a Hogwarts classmate or one of their family members.
They also ran into Wood, who had just graduated from Hogwarts that year. He hurried over, beaming, and told Jerry and Harry that he had signed with Puddlemere United, though only as a reserve player.
Farther on, Cho Chang came into view. She smiled and waved at Harry. He waved back so eagerly that he spilled water down the front of his shirt, leaving him flustered. Scrambling to hide his embarrassment, he pointed toward a group of unfamiliar teenagers nearby.
"Do you know who they are?" Harry asked. "They're not Hogwarts students, are they?"
"They might be from a foreign wizarding school," Ginny said, following his gaze. A flicker of displeasure crossed her eyes as she glanced at Cho Chang. "I know there are other wizarding schools besides Hogwarts, but I couldn't tell you which one they're from. Bill used to have a pen pal who went to a wizarding school in Brazil."
"You're finally back!" George complained half-jokingly when they reached the Weasley family's tent.
"We ran into a few old friends and stopped to chat," Jerry replied with a smile, setting the jug down gently. "Looks like the fire still isn't lit?"
"Dad's lost in the world of matches," Fred teased. He glanced at the matches scattered around Mr. Weasley, looking thoroughly relaxed and not the least bit impatient.
"Ow!" Mr. Weasley finally managed to light a match, then flung it away as though it had burned him, drawing a round of chuckles.
"Let me help you, Mr. Weasley." Hermione gently took the matchbox and patiently