The Patronus Charm? Anyone Could Cast It

Jerry ignored Malfoy's shouting and left the carriage with Hermione.

The two of them moved from carriage to carriage, checking whether any other students had been hurt.

Fortunately, no students had died in the disaster.

A few unlucky students, though, had been attacked by the Dementors, just like Goyle. Jerry examined them carefully. Their injuries were minor, but most had suffered a terrible fright.

Their faces were full of fear. Some could not even stop crying. Panic hung over the carriage. Everyone tried to stay calm, but unease still gripped them.

Faced with the chaos, Jerry could only ask Hermione to help soothe the frightened students.

He was no good at this sort of thing. Comforting people was not his strength, and Hermione was clearly much better at it.

Hermione spoke to the students gently and calmly, reassuring them in an even voice and helping them move past their fear.

Watching her keep her composure, Jerry could not help thinking she was worthy of becoming the future Minister for Magic.

With Hermione's help, the students gradually calmed down. Their emotions settled, and the atmosphere in the carriage grew peaceful again.

Jerry stood by the carriage door, frowning as he thought over what had happened that day.

Why had Dementors appeared on the Hogwarts train? Had Sirius Black escaped?

But on second thought, that did not seem right. If someone had escaped from Azkaban, there was no way the Ministry of Magic and the Daily Prophet would have said nothing.

More importantly, the Dementors had behaved strangely today.

Ordinarily, the appearance of Dementors caused widespread panic and chaos because they could do terrible harm.

Yet Jerry had just examined every student they had attacked. Each had suffered only the briefest touch; some had felt no more than mild discomfort.

Jerry could not help suspecting they had another purpose.

"Jerry, we need to get back to our own carriage!"

Hermione's voice broke into Jerry's thoughts. He looked at the now-peaceful carriage, nodded slowly, and turned to leave.

Just as Jerry and Hermione were about to head back to their carriage, Malfoy came running over.

"Jerry, the Aurors from the Ministry of Magic and Headmaster Dumbledore are here! They sent me to find you. They have some questions for you!"

Jerry and Hermione exchanged a glance, then agreed and followed Malfoy to his carriage.

Quite a few people were already inside. Besides Dumbledore, whom Jerry knew, there was a middle-aged man with the same hair color as Malfoy. He was probably Lucius Malfoy.

"Good evening, Headmaster Dumbledore!"

Jerry and Hermione greeted Dumbledore, then stood beside him.

Dumbledore smiled and introduced them. "This is Jerry Green and Hermione Granger. They're both first-year students at Hogwarts!"

At his words, everyone's attention turned to Jerry and Hermione.

A sharp-looking Ministry official in a pinstripe suit and bright red tie spoke up. "Dumbledore, are you sure it was them?"

"Forgive me, you two. I'm Cornelius Fudge, the Minister for Magic. It isn't that I don't trust you. You're simply so young."

"Cornelius, it may be hard to believe that a first-year can cast the Patronus Charm, but exceptionally gifted people do exist, don't they?"

Dumbledore turned to Jerry. "Jerry, give your wand to the Auror beside you so he can examine it."

Jerry handed his Yew Wood wand to the older Black Auror beside him.

A moment later, the Auror who had examined the wand looked as though he had seen a ghost. He nodded to Cornelius Fudge.

Everyone except Dumbledore and Hermione, who already knew, drew a sharp breath.

The boy was terrifyingly gifted!

Cornelius Fudge stared at Jerry in shock. "Oh my God! Mr. Green, I'm deeply sorry. My attitude just now was discourteous. Please accept my sincere apology and my heartfelt gratitude."

"Your fearless courage and formidable ability saved an entire carriage of students. Your heroism is more than enough to warrant a nomination for the Third-Class Order of Merlin Medal!"

Jerry gave Dumbledore a puzzled look, seeking his help.

Jerry knew little about the Order of Merlin. All he remembered from the original story was that, besides Dumbledore, even a fraud like Lockhart had received one.

Dumbledore caught Jerry's look, smiled, and gave a small nod.

Seeing that, Jerry turned to Cornelius Fudge. "Thank you very much, Minister Fudge!"

"All right, Jerry. You and Hermione go with Kingsley to the next carriage. The Aurors have a few questions for you."

Jerry nodded and followed the older Black Auror named Kingsley to another carriage.

As soon as they stepped out, Hermione said excitedly, "Oh my goodness, Jerry! You're going to receive the Order of Merlin! That's incredible! You must be the youngest person ever to receive one!"

Jerry was not especially bothered. It was only a third-class medal. He was more interested in Kingsley, who stood before him.

Jerry remembered that Kingsley was not only an Auror but also a member of the Order of the Phoenix. Most importantly, his surname was Shacklebolt.

"Sir, are you a member of the Shacklebolt family?"

Kingsley Shacklebolt looked surprised. "How did you know? Did Headmaster Dumbledore tell you?"

Jerry shook his head. "I'm in Slytherin, and I know Trevor Shackle. We're not in the same year, but strangely enough, he often comes looking for me. Trevor seems rather mysterious. Do you know much about him, sir?"

"We're from the same family, but we don't know each other well. The Shacklebolt family isn't as extreme as other Pure-blood families, but there's still a divide between half-bloods and pure-bloods. Most of us are acquainted, but not close."

Jerry nodded at Kingsley Shacklebolt's answer and asked no more questions.

He had achieved what he wanted. Kingsley Shacklebolt belonged to the Order of the Phoenix, and Dumbledore had plans of his own for Jerry. Dumbledore would surely ask about this conversation with Kingsley.

Would those two groups, both scheming over me, end up fighting each other? I can't wait to see!