Grindelwald

"Who did it?"

Dumbledore considered it for a moment before saying, "I suspect Jerry, but the victim happened to be Quirrell. I don't know whether that was a coincidence or whether he knows something."

After hearing Dumbledore's ambiguous answer, Snape turned and left the Headmaster's Office as well. He intended to question Jerry himself.

"Clap, clap, clap..."

Once everyone had left, applause rang out from a dark corner of the room.

An old man in a black, high-collared coat stepped out of the shadows, his white hair cropped neatly short.

Despite his apparent age, he looked remarkably vigorous.

"Albus, it seems entrusting Jerry to you was the right decision. Just look at how exceptional he is now. Neither of us was that powerful at his age!"

Dumbledore showed no surprise at the old man's appearance. He simply said evenly, "Gellert, don't forget our agreement. You cannot see Jerry without my permission!"

"Of course, Albus. I've always kept our agreement in mind."

Ignoring Grindelwald's words, Dumbledore continued, "Have you found any useful information?"

Grindelwald frowned. "Very little. I found an abandoned base belonging to the Apostles. Among the fragmentary records they left behind, I found runes referring to things like sacrifices."

"You mean Jerry is a sacrifice for the Apostles?"

Grindelwald shook his head. "No. According to our previous information, Jerry holds an extremely high position among the Apostles. He couldn't be a sacrifice. Besides, they've already found him, yet their search for sacrifices hasn't stopped. If anything, it's become more frequent."

"To be honest, Albus, I have a bad feeling about this. They may be searching for sacrifices for Jerry. You know what that would mean, don't you?"

Dumbledore's frown deepened at Grindelwald's words. "How certain are you of this theory?"

"I don't know how certain I can be. By the way, how is your research into the Apostles' mental defense magic coming along?"

Dumbledore sighed. "Still no progress. I've never seen anyone outside the Apostles use this magic. There isn't even any record of it in the library's Restricted Section."

After they had discussed it for a while, Dumbledore said, "It's getting late, Gellert. You should leave!"

"Albus, look outside. Can you really bear to send a hundred-year-old man traveling in the dead of night? Your place looks quite comfortable. Why not let me make do here for the night?"

Ignoring him, Dumbledore repeated, "Gellert, it's time for you to go!"

"All right, all right, Albus. As heartless as ever. Goodbye!"

With that, Grindelwald Disapparated.

Late that night, in Quirrell's office.

"Aah! Mercy, Master!"

Quirrell lay curled on the floor, clutching his head in agony, his face full of fear and helplessness.

Voldemort's raspy voice emerged from the back of Quirrell's head. "I really fucking deserve to die!"

The moment he finished speaking, a streak of gray light appeared and struck Quirrell directly. He let out another series of agonized screams, the sound enough to send chills down anyone's spine.

Early the next morning, before Jerry could enter Hogwarts' Great Hall, the Weasley Twins rushed over. "Hey, Jerry, we heard everything! Troll slayer! Well done!" Their commotion made everyone still eating breakfast turn to look at Jerry.

Jerry awkwardly rubbed his nose and gave an embarrassed smile, then hurried away, making a beeline for the long table and sitting down.

He had barely taken his seat when Harry said with a grin, "Jerry, thanks to the Weasley brothers spreading the word, you're a Hogwarts celebrity now!"

"I don't like being famous. I'd rather keep a low profile!"

Harry nodded in wholehearted agreement with Jerry's complaint. He knew that feeling all too well.

Not long afterward, Hermione arrived in the Great Hall. She sat beside Jerry and said, "Sorry, Jerry. Now everyone's talking about you because of me!"

"It's fine, Hermione. Being famous is a good thing!"

Harry: "???"

That's not what you just said!

Soon, the professors of the various subjects began arriving in the Great Hall for their meals. Jerry made a point of checking on Quirrell.

Quirrell looked utterly exhausted and listless, with obvious dark circles beneath his red, bloodshot eyes.

Tsk! Looks like Voldemort gave Quirrell plenty of "rewards" last night. Jerry was genuinely worried that Quirrell might suddenly drop dead at the staff table halfway through his meal!

That night, in the Gryffindor girls' dormitory.

Parvati Patil asked, "Hermione, what's been going on with you lately? You keep spacing out."

"It's nothing! I was just thinking about Transfiguration."

Clearly unconvinced by Hermione's evasive explanation, Parvati Patil said, "I don't think you're thinking about Transfiguration. I think you're thinking about Jerry Green!"

Hermione blushed at Parvati Patil's words. "Of course not! I really was thinking about my studies!"

At Parvati's words, Hermione's other two roommates came rushing over, strangely excited. "Really? Hermione, are you in love? Is it that Jerry Green from Slytherin? Oh my goodness! Tell us everything!"

The three girls surrounded Hermione.

"N-no, I don't think so?"

Her answer only made Parvati and the others more excited. They pressed her. "Have you started going on dates?"

Hermione answered shyly, "I—I don't know. We do go to the library to read together before and after classes every day."

Parvati shook her head. "Apart from the library, do you ever spend time alone together?"

Hermione thought for a moment. "I suppose so. Jerry and I often take walks by the Black Lake. Does that count?"

Her roommates nodded furiously in excitement, then pressed on. "Anything else? How far have you two gone?"

Hermione shook her head repeatedly. "There's nothing much. We only hold hands, that's all. You're all overreacting!"

Parvati said, "Hermione, don't let your guard down. If I didn't see you two together all day, I would've asked Jerry out myself ages ago. Those Slytherin b*tches won't go easy on you."

Another roommate beside her chimed in, "Parvati's right. I heard from an older girl in our house that her boyfriend..."

"Oh my goodness! This is so exciting! A Slytherin falls in love with a Gryffindor! Rival houses, professors standing in their way, friends misunderstanding them, agonizing choices—where will their love lead them in the end? Will he chase her as she runs, or will she find herself with no escape..."

Hermione: "..."