A golden light flashed. Gold! The corners of Jerry's mouth lifted. He really was lucky.
"Free talent points: +1"
Jerry thought it over. He could no longer put points into his Dark Magic talent. He wanted to improve both Potions and Charms, and Transfiguration was an option too. Unable to choose, he decided to save the point for now. After a few days of classes at Hogwarts, he would know where he needed it most.
Divination wasn't under consideration. One point didn't seem as useful there, and Jerry had always felt Divination was unreliable.
Early the next morning, Jerry got up and packed. He declined Matron's offer to see him off and dragged his trunk to King's Cross Station in London alone.
"Is this the wall?" Jerry stood between Platform 9 and Platform 10, unsure. He decided to wait and see if any wizarding families passed through.
"Hurry up, Fred."
Six or seven people approached Jerry. They all had red hair and looked like a family. A plump woman led the way, holding a little girl's hand.
Jerry recognized them as the Weasley family. The black-haired boy beside them, wearing round glasses, had to be the famous Harry Potter.
"Hello, ma'am."
Jerry greeted them.
"Hello, dear. Are you starting school this year too?" The woman eyed Jerry's luggage and the bird she didn't recognize.
"Yes, ma'am. I can't find Platform 9¾."
"Don't worry, dear. It's this wall. Fred, you go first."
Fred pushed his luggage trolley straight at the wall and vanished with a whoosh.
"Thank you, ma'am. I understand now. Sorry for the trouble."
"What a polite boy. This is Ron, and this is Harry. They're starting this year too. You might even end up in the same house."
"Hello, Ron. Hello, Harry."
After greeting them, Jerry went on ahead to Platform 9¾.
A steam train stood beside the platform, with "Hogwarts Express 5972" written on it.
Jerry cast a Levitation Charm on his luggage, boarded the train, and found an empty compartment. He took a seat by the window.
There was still some time before they reached Hogwarts, and Jerry didn't want to waste it. He took out The Theory of Defense Against the Dark Arts and began to read.
"Hello. Is anyone sitting here? May I take this seat?"
Jerry was absorbed in the world of magic when a gentle voice sounded beside him.
It belonged to a little girl with thick, bushy brown hair.
"Of course. I'm the only one in this compartment. Sit wherever you like."
"Thank you. I'm Hermione Granger, a first-year student." After thanking him, Hermione sat opposite Jerry.
"Jerry Green. I'm a first-year too," Jerry said with a smile.
"That's the book for this year's Defence Against the Dark Arts class, isn't it? Do you come from a wizarding family?"
"No. My parents were probably Muggles, but I never met them, so I don't know if they were wizards. I grew up in an orphanage."
"I'm sorry, Jerry. I didn't know you were an orphan."
"It's all right, Hermione. We're friends, aren't we?" Jerry smiled. With his golden hair, he looked as warm as the winter sun.
"Yes, Jerry, we're friends. You have no idea how excited I was when I got my Hogwarts letter. My parents didn't believe magic existed. Then Professor McGonagall came to our house and explained it to them..."
Hermione suddenly brightened and began talking in a rush. Words poured out of her so quickly that even Jerry struggled to keep up.
"I've practically memorized all the first-year textbooks, Jerry. Coming from a Muggle family, I knew I'd be behind students from wizarding families. I was so worried at first. Memorizing the books made me feel a little better, but I still don't know if it's enough."
"I'm much the same, though I haven't done as much as you. I've only learned a few spells from the textbooks."
"Really? So have I! I practiced some over the summer..."
Perhaps it was because they both came from Muggle families, or because they both loved studying. Whatever the reason, Hermione opened up and talked nonstop, as though she wanted to share every thought and feeling with Jerry.
Jerry showed no impatience. He listened with a smile, asked a small question now and then, and, after Hermione answered, nodded in understanding or looked thoughtful.
They talked for a long time, until a kindly looking boy came in.
"Is there a seat free in here?"
"Yes, please sit down."
"Thank you. I'm Neville Longbottom. I'm starting my first year."
"We all are. This is Hermione, and I'm Jerry." Jerry introduced them both.
All three were new students, so they had plenty to talk about and soon grew familiar with one another.
Before long, the conversation turned to Sorting.
"Hogwarts is such a famous school. I'm sure they decide our houses with an entrance exam," Hermione said confidently.
"But my grandmother told me it depends on talent. I'm so hopeless, I feel like they'll expel me." Unlike Hermione, Neville had little confidence in himself, partly because of what he had been through as a child.
"Don't be so pessimistic, Neville. You got a Hogwarts acceptance letter, which means you're qualified to be a wizard. Hogwarts doesn't just expel students for no reason," Jerry and Hermione reassured him.
"Which house do you want to be in?"
"I'd most like Gryffindor. My grandmother says both my parents were in Gryffindor. Anywhere but Slytherin, really. I heard Slytherin is full of Dark Wizards."
"I want Gryffindor too. The Headmaster of Hogwarts was in Gryffindor," Hermione added.
"I don't mind. Every house has something going for it, and I'll be studying wherever I end up. But Hermione, I think Ravenclaw would suit you."
Hermione thought that made sense and nodded. Then she and Jerry went back to discussing spells.
Hermione demonstrated a few spells she had taught herself over the summer.
Jerry did the same.
Neville watched from the side, stunned. He had a feeling those two would become important people someday.