Harry and his friends stepped into the Entrance Hall to find it packed with people. Amid the noise, one corner of the Second Floor stood strangely quiet. Jerry stood there alone, his gaze shifting between Harry's group and Malfoy's, as though secretly watching for something.
Before long, a figure silently approached Jerry. It was Barty Crouch Jr., disguised as Professor Moody.
Jerry's eyes instantly turned cold. He cast the impostor a sidelong glance, his voice edged with wariness and displeasure. "You're coming straight up to me like this? Aren't you afraid of attracting attention?"
Moody—actually Barty Crouch Jr.—frowned in feigned confusion, as though everything was going exactly as he had expected. "Oh? What's wrong with that? As Hogwarts' new Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor, surely checking on a student's progress is part of my job?"
Jerry gave a soft, contemptuous snort. Moody merely smiled, something knowing hidden in his expression. His gaze shifted to Malfoy nearby, and his tone turned amused. "That's Lucius's son? Will he do?"
"Don't worry. There's no better choice than Draco Malfoy!" Jerry nodded in confirmation. "Of course, if you think Snape would be more suitable, you can choose him instead!"
"I seem to remember you and Potter are friends!" Moody looked at Jerry. "And you're plotting against him like this? Tut, tut. Being your friend really is dangerous!"
"Fortunately, we're not your friends. What a relief! Ha!" There was a mocking note in Moody's laughter.
"Hmph. You think you're worthy of being my friend?" A cold smile curled Jerry's lips, his gaze sharp as a blade. With that, he turned and strode away.
Rather than taking offence, Moody's smile deepened. His gaze settled on Draco Malfoy once more.
Hermione, Harry, Ron, and Neville stood in the Entrance Hall, just about to enter the Great