Pursuit

After hearing Jerry's question, Newt looked uneasy, as though turmoil raged inside him. He hastily made an excuse and left Hagrid's Hut in a fluster, as if fleeing from something.

"Jerry, did we say something wrong? Why did Mr. Scamander leave in such a hurry?"

Seeing Newt suddenly look so alarmed and hurry away, Hermione was puzzled. She couldn't help asking Jerry, "Did something happen, Jerry?"

Jerry shook his head helplessly, feeling a little disappointed. He had hoped to get more information out of Newt, then take a stroll through the Magical Menagerie inside his suitcase!

On their way back, Hermione asked, "Jerry, was the Grindelwald you mentioned at the end the Dark wizard Dumbledore defeated?"

Jerry nodded. "That's right. That's him!"

Hearing Jerry's answer, Hermione couldn't help exclaiming, "Dumbledore is so amazing!"

"Dumbledore really is impressive. He's recognized as the strongest wizard on the side of light in the wizarding world now."

"Jerry, do you think we'll become wizards that powerful someday?"

Seeing the longing in Hermione's eyes, Jerry said teasingly, "Of course, Hermione. Don't underestimate your talent. You're already Gryffindor's Miss Know-It-All and Professor McGonagall's future successor!"

"Oh, stop it, Jerry! Now you're making fun of me too!" Hermione gave his arm a hard slap and spoke with playful indignation.

The two laughed and bantered all the way to Hogwarts' Great Hall.

When they pushed open the doors, they saw Malfoy storm out of the Great Hall with a dark expression, while Harry and the others looked delighted in the distance.

"What happened? Why are you all so happy?"

Jerry and Hermione walked over and asked Harry and his two excited friends.

"Malfoy came over to stir up trouble again, so Ron told him Harry had already joined the Gryffindor Quidditch Team and would be playing for our house soon..."

Before Neville could finish, Ron eagerly cut in. "Jerry, you two should have seen how Malfoy's expression changed! It was hilarious!"

"I think you ought to lower your voice. What do you think, Mr. Weasley?"

At some point, Snape had once again appeared beside them without a sound. He placed one hand on Harry's shoulder and the other on Ron's, speaking grimly.

At the sound of Snape's voice, their laughter abruptly stopped.

Snape ignored the others and turned to Jerry. "Come to my office. I have something to discuss with you." With that, he turned and left.

Jerry had no choice but to follow Snape.

Once they reached the office, Snape fixed Jerry with an icy stare and asked, "Did you know Harry Potter would be playing in a Quidditch match?"

Jerry nodded in answer.

"Report to the Slytherin Quidditch Team tomorrow. Find Marcus Flint and tell him I sent you."

Snape's words left Jerry a little stunned. He couldn't quite follow his train of thought.

Once he recovered, he hurriedly protested, "Professor Snape, I don't like Quidditch. I don't think there's a sillier, more idiotic sport in existence!"

Rather than getting angry at Jerry's objection, Snape actually nodded. "To think that brain of yours, barely better than a troll's, could produce such a correct statement!"

Jerry: "..."

Judging by Snape's furrowed brow and dark expression, he clearly hadn't agreed to Jerry's request.

So Jerry came up with a terrible idea and ventured, "Professor Snape, I think Malfoy would be a good choice..."

"Shut up, you idiot!"

How rude, Jerry grumbled inwardly.

"Jerry Green, you do know about the House Cup, don't you? I have only one requirement: Slytherin must not lose to Gryffindor. Do you understand?"

"But Professor Snape, the House Cup isn't just my responsibility. I can't control the other Slytherin students!"

Snape paid no attention to Jerry's protests. "I don't care how you do it. I only want results. Besides, you're quite resourceful, aren't you? You've certainly brought the first-years firmly into line."

"If you fail, hmph! I'll send you off to reunite with your troll brothers!"

Hearing Snape's unreasonable demand, Jerry said, "Professor, if I break any school rules while doing this, you'll have to cover for me."

Snape gave a cold laugh and sneered, "So Mr. Green is afraid of school rules after all!"

Jerry: "..."

"Professor, if I'm doing something for you, shouldn't I get something in return?"

"Jerry Green, I think I need to remind you again that you are a Slytherin student, not a Gryffindor!"

Jerry shrugged. "So what? I earn plenty of points for our house in class!"

At Jerry's answer, Snape's expression grew even darker. He said coldly, "You idiot. Do you think you're in any position to bargain with me?"

"No, no, no, Professor. How is this bargaining? This is a Slytherin student asking for your help in securing the highest honor for his house. After all, Gryffindor has the Chosen One this year."

Faced with Jerry's sophistry and lofty rhetoric, Snape considered for a moment before asking, "Mr. Green, there is something I've wanted to ask you for a while. Would you think it over carefully before answering me?"

"Go ahead! I'll give it serious thought."

"Those who enter Slytherin are usually people who value honor and put victory above all else. Yet only today did I realize that you are not like that."

"So, Jerry, can you tell me what you seek?"

Snape's question left Jerry momentarily at a loss for words.

Of course Jerry knew what he sought. He was firmly committed to pursuing power!

The kind of power that would let him live as he pleased and do whatever he wanted.

Ever since receiving his Hogwarts acceptance letter, Jerry's mindset had changed. The appearance of the system had only fueled his growing ambition.

Now that he had come to a world of supernatural powers, who could settle for mediocrity without wanting to strive for more?

Until fulfilled, aspiration was merely ambition; once fulfilled, ambition became aspiration.

Watching Jerry sink into thought, Snape said, "I understand what you seek. You seek power. So it isn't that you don't care about glory. You only care about your own glory."

"Of course, there is nothing wrong with that. The fact that you entered Slytherin shows that you are ambitious. But Jerry, I hope you remember this: ambition is not a sin, but a form of power. You must learn to master it, rather than let it control you."