Morning.
The Great Hall at Hogwarts.
"Hermione, is something bothering you?"
Jerry asked Hermione, who had been acting a little strangely over the past few days.
"No, I was just thinking about the homework Professor McGonagall set yesterday!"
At the mention of homework, Ron and Neville said, "That reminds us! Jerry, Hermione, let us copy your History of Magic homework. That class is so boring we fell asleep during the lesson!"
Hermione had intended to refuse, but since it was History of Magic homework, she agreed. After all, it wasn't just Ron and Neville—even Jerry sometimes fell asleep in that class.
Ron and Neville took Hermione's homework and swiftly pulled out their pens, ready to launch their last-minute homework offensive.
Then they glanced at Harry, who hadn't moved at all, and were filled with confusion.
Don't all three of us fall asleep as soon as History of Magic starts? How did you, Harry Potter, finish your homework ahead of time?
The two scratched their heads, unable to help wondering whether Harry had secretly been studying behind their backs.
Neville patted Harry on the back and asked, "Harry, have you finished your History of Magic homework?"
Only then did Harry snap out of his thoughts. He glanced at Ron and Neville, then pulled out his own pen and joined the battle to finish their homework.
As Ron copied, he asked, "Harry, how's your preparation for the Quidditch match going? Tomorrow's Saturday—the match between Gryffindor and Slytherin!"
At Ron's words, Harry put down his pen and said worriedly, "I'm a little nervous. Wood said Quidditch can be pretty dangerous. Players get injured every year."
"Don't worry, Harry! This is Hogwarts. Nothing will happen to you!"
Hearing Jerry's words, Harry thought that made sense. So many professors would be there, along with Dumbledore. Surely they wouldn't let anything happen to a student!
"Thanks for reassuring me, Jerry!"
Seeing that Harry had misunderstood him, Jerry said with a mischievous grin, "No, I meant you should have faith in Madam Pomfrey's abilities. At worst, you'll spend a few months lying in the Hospital Wing!"
Harry: ???
What kind of reassurance was that?
After hearing Jerry's explanation, Harry was even more worried. He no longer felt like copying homework.
Hermione pinched Jerry's arm and said, "Jerry, stop scaring Harry!"
After the day's lessons ended, Jerry and Hermione had just sat down at a long table to enjoy dinner when someone greeted him.
"Hi, Jerry! I'm Hermione's roommate, Parvati Patil."
Jerry turned to look and saw that the student greeting him was of Indian descent.
"Hello, I'm Jerry Green. Nice to meet you, Miss Patil."
"Just call me Parvati. I won't disturb you two. Bye!" With that, she turned away and sat down a short distance from them, occasionally glancing over at him and Hermione.
"Hermione, what's going on with your roommates? She's the third one to come over and say hello to me!"
Hermione flushed slightly at his words. She used her fork to put a chicken leg on Jerry's plate, then said, "Never mind them, Jerry. Hurry up and eat! We still have to go to the Library afterward!"
"All right..."
Seeing that Hermione didn't want to elaborate, Jerry didn't ask any more questions.
"Hey! Jerry, Hermione, guess what we discovered today?"
Before long, Harry and the other two arrived at the long table, all talking over one another about what they had discovered.
"Snape hurt his leg?"
Harry said excitedly, "On Halloween eve, we saw Snape hurrying toward Fluffy. He must have been trying to steal whatever Fluffy is guarding! Maybe he let the troll loose to distract everyone!"
Hearing Harry's words, Hermione said, "Harry, Jerry's right here! This is too dangerous. I don't want to drag him into it!"
"Besides, Snape is Jerry's Head of House. Saying things like that puts Jerry in a difficult position."
Harry looked at Hermione in disbelief. "Are you... sure Jerry's the one who would be in danger?"
Jerry gently patted Hermione's hand and reassured her, "It's all right. Besides, you've already seen what I can do!"
"Harry, are you sure Snape wants to steal whatever Fluffy is guarding? Snape isn't as bad as you think. He definitely wouldn't do something like that!"
Hermione nodded at this. "I agree with Jerry. Snape may always give us trouble, but I still don't believe he would steal something Dumbledore deliberately hid away and placed under such tight protection."
Although Jerry and Hermione did their best to defend Snape, they still failed to dispel Harry and the others' suspicions.
Jerry said, "Harry, I think you should first find out what Fluffy is guarding. Here's a hint: go ask Hagrid. If a fantastic beast like Fluffy is being kept inside the castle, Hagrid must know about it!"
Harry and the others' eyes lit up at Jerry's words. "Jerry, you're brilliant!"
Hermione shook her head instead. "Harry, you should focus on getting ready for tomorrow's match first!"
The next morning was clear and cold.
The enticing aroma of grilled sausages filled the Great Hall. Students and professors alike eagerly discussed the upcoming Quidditch match, creating a lively, cheerful atmosphere.
Except for Jerry!
"Harry, you need to eat some breakfast. You've got a match soon!"
Harry said nervously, "No, Ron, I really don't have an appetite."
"Harry, you need to keep your strength up," Seamus Finnigan said. "Seekers are usually the key players the other side watches most closely."
At Seamus's words, Harry forced himself to eat a little toast.
As time passed, eleven o'clock quietly arrived.
By then, almost all the students and professors had already gathered in the stands around the Quidditch Pitch.
The Gryffindor and Slytherin students, in particular, had scrambled to get there to watch.
"Neville, have you seen Jerry?"
Hermione had searched the Slytherin and Gryffindor stands several times, but there was no sign of Jerry.
Neville said, "Jerry? I haven't seen him. Isn't he with you?"
Hermione shook her head. "Save seats for Jerry and me. I'm going to find him!"
With that, she turned and hurried down from the Gryffindor stands, running toward the castle.
As soon as she entered the castle's Great Hall, she saw Jerry sitting alone at a long table, leafing through a book.
"Jerry, why are you still here reading? The Quidditch match is about to start. Come with me!"
Hermione took Jerry's hand, eager to pull him outside.
Looking at Hermione, who was panting from her run, Jerry said, "Hermione, sit down and rest for a moment. Besides, you know I'm not interested in Quidditch."
Hearing Jerry's words, Hermione felt a little disappointed.
She had wanted to try persuading Jerry again, hoping he would come and watch the Quidditch match with her.
Just then, a gloomy voice suddenly came from behind them, startling both Hermione and Jerry.