The encounter with Malfoy hadn't dampened their spirits. They kept chatting happily.
"Those two spells you cast were brilliant, Jerry. I can't make them look nearly as smooth. Could you teach me?"
"Of course. Which one do you want to learn?"
"Levicorpus. Next time I see Malfoy bullying someone, I'll give him a reminder."
"Tom, dinner!" Jerry laughed and called out the train window.
A moment later, a plump bird with jet-black feathers flew in and landed on the table. It fixed Jerry with an oddly knowing stare, glanced at Hermione, then cawed as if demanding to know where its food was. Had the two-legged creature opposite Jerry eaten it?
"Is that your pet?" Hermione asked. The bird was about the size of an owl, and she reached out to stroke it.
"Caw!" Tom pecked her hand, making her jump. Then he flew onto Jerry's shoulder and sat there looking aloof.
"Are you all right, Hermione?" Jerry asked with concern. He gave Tom a light tap on the head.
"I'm fine. He just startled me. What kind of bird is he, Jerry? A crow?"
"I'm not sure," Jerry explained. "Someone gave him to me. He looks a bit like a crow, but I don't think he is one. I call him Tom. He's probably a magical creature, too. He can understand simple things I say."
Tom nuzzled Jerry's ear. "Stop that. Help me out first, and I'll give you an extra helping later."
Jerry picked Tom up and set him on the table between them.
"Come on, Hermione. You wanted to practice spells, didn't you? Use Tom."
Hermione hesitated. She was afraid she might hurt him.
"Don't worry. Tom's highly resistant to magic. Ordinary spells can't hurt him. I practiced on him all through the summer."
"But I..." Hermione still looked uncertain.
"Levicorpus!" Jerry didn't argue. With a flick of his wand, he hoisted Tom into the air. Tom neither squawked nor struggled, as though he were used to it.
"If you feel bad about it, feed him a little more afterward. He might even come looking for you next time you want to practice."
Hermione: "..."
Now Hermione knew why Jerry's bird was so fat.
Time slipped by. After they finished practicing, Hermione took out some fruit to feed Tom as a reward.
Tom looked back at Jerry. Once Jerry nodded, he began eating Hermione's fruit. Hermione finally got her chance to stroke him.
"His feathers are beautiful! They look black, but they shine dark blue or purple in the sunlight. They're gorgeous," Hermione said.
After eating, Tom didn't fly off again. He stayed perched on the table. Perhaps because Hermione had fed him, he was much friendlier toward her. He didn't even struggle when she picked him up.
"Woo, woo, woo!"
The train whistle sounded, and Jerry felt the train slow. He glanced out the window. Night had fallen. "We'd better put on our robes," he told Hermione. "We're nearly at Hogwarts."
After they gathered their things, an announcement came over the train.
"We will arrive at our final stop, Hogwarts, in five minutes. Please leave your luggage on the train. House-elves will deliver it to your dormitories."
At the announcement, Jerry opened the window and let Tom out. Then he stayed close to Hermione as they followed the crowd off the train.
As soon as they stepped onto the platform, Hermione tapped Jerry's arm and pointed into the distance. "Look, that's Harry Potter!"
Jerry looked where she was pointing and spotted Neville, too.
"Let's go over."
"Hi, Jerry! Good to see you again." Harry greeted Jerry and Hermione warmly as they approached.
"Jerry, you know them?" Hermione asked, puzzled.
"I couldn't find Platform 9¾ at the station. Luckily, Ron's mother helped me."
He turned to Harry and Ron. "No introductions needed, then. We all know each other."
They chatted briefly before a booming voice called out, "First years! First years, over here!"
They turned to see a huge man, well over three meters tall. He had broad shoulders, a straight back, a rough, tangled beard, and hair like a wild thicket. He looked as solid as an oak tree.
Hagrid spotted Harry and waved. "Hi, Harry! Long time no see. How've you been?"
Harry brightened. "Hi, Hagrid! It's good to see you. I've been well. Everyone, this is Hagrid."
"Hagrid, these are my friends. That's Ron and Neville, and this is Jerry and Hermione."
"Hello, you lot. Hey, you with the red hair—you must be a Weasley. Hope you don't take after your two brothers and their pranks."
After exchanging greetings, everyone followed Hagrid, stumbling along the mountain path until they reached the lake.
The lakeshore was dark. Hagrid's oil lamp was the only light, and they could barely see around them.
"Lumos." Hermione drew her wand and lit up the space around her and Jerry.
"Beautiful spell!" At Jerry's praise, Hermione smiled proudly. Then...
"Lumos!" Jerry drew his wand, and his spell flooded the entire lakeside dock with light.
Everyone nearby stared at him, open-mouthed.
"How did you do that, Jerry? I think you're even better than my two awful brothers," Ron said in shock.
"Thanks, Jerry!" Hagrid waved to him. "While we've got light, hurry up and get into the boats. No more than four to a boat, remember! We'll set off once everyone's aboard!"
"How on earth did you do it, Jerry?" Hermione asked once they were in a boat, still amazed.
"Just practice!"
Hagrid took a boat by himself and led the way, with the other boats following behind him.
Before long, they saw the brightly lit castle on the cliff across the lake. Solemn and mysterious, it looked even grander in the moonlight.
The magnificent castle left everyone speechless. Even Jerry, who had thought he was prepared, was stunned.
When they reached the shore, they got out and followed Hagrid briskly up the steps to the castle's main doors.
A tall witch in square glasses and dark green robes stood waiting at the doors, her expression stern.