"Jerry, the start-of-term notice was clear. Once aboard the train, Prefects have to go to the front carriage to meet the Head Boy, and we have to patrol the corridors from time to time." Hermione glanced at the time. "I'd better head up front."
"All right!" Jerry nodded. "I'll find a seat farther back and wait for you!"
"And I'll take this little fellow." With that, Jerry gently lifted Crookshanks from Hermione's arms.
"See you in a bit!" Hermione waved with a smile and walked away, her steps light.
Most of the compartments were already full. Jerry politely declined invitations from the students inside and, with Crookshanks in his arms, peered through one glass door after another in search of an empty compartment.
At the door of the last compartment, Jerry unexpectedly ran into someone he knew—Neville Longbottom. Neville was struggling to drag his suitcase while keeping one hand clamped around Trevor, his constantly squirming toad. Fine beads of sweat covered his round face.
"Neville, long time no see!" Jerry greeted him warmly.
"Yeah, Jerry, long time no see!" At the sight of Jerry, Neville, who had been hesitating outside the glass door, seemed to relax.
"What's wrong? Why are you standing out here? Is the compartment full?" Jerry looked inside curiously. The only person there was Luna Lovegood, Ravenclaw's "Loony."
"Jerry, have you found a seat?" Harry approached the last compartment with Ginny, his face dark. All the way down the train, students had stared at him. Some had even pointed and whispered behind his back.
Did they really believe what the Daily Prophet had written? Did they all think I was a liar who loved attention?
"There are seats in here." Jerry pointed inside and pushed the door open. "Come on in, Neville. Need a hand?"
"No, thanks,"