After trying out his new spell, Jerry glanced at his remaining draws. Thirty. He decided to seize this lucky moment and use them all at once!
Draw!
"Better luck next time."
"Better luck next time."
"Chocolate Frog."
"Better luck next time."
"Aragog's Venom (1 pint)."
"Better luck next time."
"Better luck next time."
"Cockroach Clusters."
It's fine. That ten-pull was just a warm-up. The next one's bound to give me something great, Jerry reassured himself.
Draw!
"Better luck next time."
"Better luck next time."
"Chocolate Frog."
"Better luck next time."
"Abby's Golf Club."
"Better luck next time."
"Better luck next time."
"Wand: Ebony, 9 inches, Dragon Heartstring, springy."
Jerry held the Ebony Wand he had just drawn from the system and gave it a casual wave. It did not feel as natural as his usual Yew Wood Wand, but overall, it was quite good.
Most importantly, there was no record of this Wand being made or purchased.
Back in Diagon Alley, Jerry had tried to buy an extra Wand, but Ollivander had refused him.
Jerry had once considered stealing a Dark Wizard's Wand. Now he no longer needed to risk his life looking for one.
He planned to use the Ebony Wand for Can't Pick Up the Light's missions. Anything drawn from the system could be kept in its storage space, so he would put the Wand away as soon as he finished using it.
Aurors could inspect a Wand to find out which spells its owner had recently cast. If anyone wanted to examine his, he could simply hand over his Yew Wood Wand.
After putting away the Ebony Wand, Jerry took out the Golf Club. He had thought it was just an ordinary item, but the system had given him a surprise.
Abby's Golf Club: Creatures struck by this club enter an excessively compassionate state for the next ten hours.
Yikes. What a nasty club!
Jerry pulled the Stun Gun out of the system's storage space. With the Golf Club in his right hand, a bold idea suddenly struck him!
What would happen if he ambushed Quirrell with the Stun Gun, knocked him down, then smacked him on the back of the head with the Golf Club?
He could hardly imagine the sight!
He still had ten draws left. Without hesitation, Jerry used them!
"Better luck next time."
"Better luck next time."
"Better luck next time."
"Better luck next time."
"Better luck next time."
Jerry stared at the results of his final ten-pull, crushed. He had not even won a snack as a consolation prize.
He braced himself against the wall and kept telling himself, It's fine. It's fine. I got plenty tonight already...
Damn it! (╯°Д°)╯︵ ┻━┻
The next morning, in the Charms Class classroom.
"All right, everyone, pay attention! Don't forget that subtle wrist movement we've been practicing. Swish and flick—remember the rhythm." Standing atop his pile of books, Professor Flitwick spoke in his usual high-pitched voice. "Swish and flick. It looks simple, but it takes precise control and practice."
He picked up a Wand and demonstrated, swishing it with a gentle turn of his wrist. Then he flicked his wrist, and the Wand traced an arc through the air.
"Make sure you pronounce the incantation correctly, or the consequences may surprise you," he warned. "Remember, don't say 's' instead of 'f,' or you'll find yourselves lying on the floor with a bison standing on your chest! So be careful!"
Laughter filled the classroom, though a few students swallowed nervously.
After all, no one wanted to be trampled by a bison.
As usual, Professor Flitwick gave each student a feather to practice on.
Every young wizard in the classroom practiced with a waving Wand—except Jerry, who was leafing through a book of advanced spells.
Professor Flitwick already knew what Jerry was capable of. Making him practice the Levitation Charm alongside the others would be a waste of time.
So Professor Flitwick left Jerry alone to study as he pleased.
Flitwick glanced at Jerry, then at the students beside him who were still struggling with the Levitation Charm. He could not help thinking that the gap between one person and another could be even greater than the gap between a person and a Troll.
He also cursed the Sorting Hat for its foolishness. A student this gifted clearly belonged in Ravenclaw, not among those arrogant Slytherins.
He truly admired Jerry's talent and intelligence.
After class, Jerry packed up his things and went to find Hermione.
"Herm—"
Before Jerry could finish, Hermione hurried out of the classroom with her head down, clutching a stack of books.
Harry, Ron, and Neville ran over. "Jerry, hurry after Hermione! What we said earlier might have upset her. I just saw her wiping away tears when she thought no one was looking!"
Jerry hurried after Hermione.
He strode down the Corridor, looking everywhere for her.
Before long, he spotted her walking alone ahead of him. Her shoulders trembled slightly. She was clearly crying.
He quickened his pace, caught up to her, and gently tapped her shoulder.
Hermione looked up, her eyes red. Tear tracks remained on her cheeks, though she had stopped crying.
When she saw it was Jerry, Hermione quietly wiped her cheeks and managed a strained smile. "I'm fine, Jerry. You don't need to worry about me."
Her voice was a little hoarse, but she held herself together. Despite how low she felt, she did not want Jerry worrying too much.
"Hermione, do you remember what we said on the Hogwarts Express?"
Hermione nodded. "Of course. We're best friends."
"Don't worry, Jerry. I really am fine. I just need some time alone."
Jerry swallowed the comforting words he had been about to say and let her have her space. He knew how strong and proud Hermione was. She did not need him fussing over her.
After Hermione left, Jerry went to the Great Hall at Hogwarts. It had already been decorated for Halloween.
Jerry found the Weasley Twins at the Gryffindor table and borrowed the Marauder's Map from them. Then he began searching for Quirrell's location.
Tonight, Jerry intended to teach that master-and-servant pair a lesson in love.
Quirrell would let a troll loose tonight. Jerry planned to follow him, wait for a chance to ambush him with the stun gun, then give them both a hefty dose of compassion with the golf club! Heh heh!