Hogwarts: I will not become the Dark Lord

The next morning, as the bell for Herbology rang, Ron, looking utterly dejected, joined in the activity of shelling Bubble Pods.

“Jerry, I found Scabbers on the long table in the Great Hall this morning. He looked terrified, clearly traumatized by something yesterday,” Ron said, carefully plucking the plump, pink pods from the Bubble Branches, extracting the shiny beans inside, and gently placing them into a wooden bucket nearby.

He frowned, worriedly asking, “Should I take him to the hospital wing and have Madam Pomfrey check if Scabbers is injured?”

Ron’s mind was completely occupied by his pet rat, Scabbers, and unconsciously, the beans in his hand didn't accurately land in the bucket, but scattered all over the greenhouse floor.

“Careful, Weasley, careful!” Professor Sprout, seeing this, quickly called out to remind him.

“Of course, you can take him to Madam Pomfrey,” Hermione said, watching Ron’s distraught state, shaking her head helplessly, and interrupting before Jerry could speak: “Just as long as Madam Pomfrey doesn’t chase you out of the hospital wing with a broom!”

Upon hearing this, Ron immediately flew into a rage, indignantly retorting: “It’s all because of you, why did you have to get that stupid, bad cat!”

“Please, cats, dogs, or owls, etc., aren't these more conventional pet choices? Who would deliberately keep a dirty rat?”

Seeing the two’s argument growing louder and louder, Jerry, Harry, and Neville quickly stepped forward, joining forces to pull them apart, lest the situation escalate further.

Pulled aside, Hermione still looked indignant. She looked at Jerry and asked, “Am I wrong?”

Jerry smiled and shook his head, helplessly replying: “Right, right, right, don't be angry, you're right!” At this time, how could Jerry possibly refute her?

Next was Transfiguration class.

As the group stepped into the classroom doorway, an unexpected scene came into view—Lavender Brown seemed to be immersed in sorrow, tears welling up in her eyes.

Parvati gently put her arm around her, comforting her while explaining the situation to Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas, who stood aside with grave expressions.

Seeing this scene, the anxious look on Hermione's face became even more obvious, and Jerry couldn't help but step forward as well.

“What exactly happened, Lavender?” Hermione asked with concern.

Parvati whispered, “She received a letter from home this morning saying that her beloved rabbit, Binky, was bitten to death by a fox.”

“Oh, dear,” Hermione said softly, her face full of sympathy, “Lavender, I’m so sorry for you.”

Lavender seemed to be plunged into deep sorrow, and she choked out, “I should have known! Do you know what day it is today?”

Hermione and Jerry exchanged a glance, both showing confused expressions.

Lavender continued, “October 16th! The thing I feared most happened on October 16th! She was right, Professor Trelawney was right!”

At this time, all the students in the class gathered around, and Seamus also shook his head, his face full of solemnity.

Hermione hesitated slightly, her gaze turning to Jerry standing beside her.

Jerry noticed her unease and gently patted her shoulder, saying, “Are you scared too? Professor Trelawney not only predicted misfortune for Harry but also specifically reminded you that you would encounter big trouble.”

Hearing this, Hermione couldn't help but feel a ripple in her heart, but she still tried to remain calm. After thinking for a moment, she shook her head.

“I still think it’s just a coincidence.” Hermione paused, pulled Jerry into the classroom, found a seat near the front, and whispered, “We should analyze it rationally. Actually, Binky didn’t die today; Lavender only received the news today. So, we can’t easily link this to Professor Trelawney’s prediction.”

Jerry neither explicitly affirmed Hermione’s view nor directly refuted her, because he himself didn’t know what the correct answer was. In his opinion, divination was too illusory and elusive.

Of course, this was just an excuse Jerry made for himself. The real reason was… Jerry’s Divination grades weren’t very good…

As soon as Transfiguration class ended, the students got up to leave, when Professor McGonagall’s voice rang out: “Please wait a moment, everyone!”

She looked around at the crowd and said solemnly, “Gryffindor students, please submit your Hogsmeade permission forms to me before Halloween. Students who do not submit their forms will not be able to go, remember not to forget.”

Hearing this, Neville hurriedly rummaged through his bag, and soon revealed a disappointed expression, saying dejectedly: “I’m sorry, Professor, I… I seem to have lost my form.”

“Don’t worry, Professor McGonagall won’t agree to Harry going to Hogsmeade, trust me!” Jerry said firmly, pulling Hermione along the corridor, “Harry is determined to ask Professor McGonagall for permission to go to Hogsmeade, so even if you try to persuade him, I’m afraid it will be in vain. Moreover, in the end, Professor McGonagall certainly won’t allow it.”

“Stop!” A cold voice appeared in the corridor. Jerry didn’t even need to turn his head to know it was his dear Head of House, Snape, that old bat.

If there were two courses this semester that Jerry found most agonizing, it would undoubtedly be Divination and Potions.

In Divination, Jerry’s torment didn’t stem from Professor Trelawney. After all, she knew his mother and was considered kind to him. What truly tormented Jerry was the thick, almost suffocating smell of spices in the Divination classroom.

As for Potions, Jerry’s torment stemmed entirely from Snape. Since Professor Lupin joined the Hogwarts faculty, Snape’s mood had become increasingly worse. Especially whenever he heard someone mention Professor Lupin’s name, his sharp eyes would glare fiercely.

“Professor Snape, may I ask what you need me for?” Jerry turned around, forcing a fake smile on his face.

“Spare me that sickening grin,” Snape said, frowning. “Give me your Hogsmeade permission form.”

Jerry handed Snape the form clipped in his book, and the latter stared intently at Dumbledore’s signature on it, deep in thought.

Stop looking, it’s Dumbledore’s signature, Jerry thought inwardly. If I put Gellert Grindelwald’s signature on it, would you dare accept it?

“Frankly, I don’t advise you to go to Hogsmeade with Granger at the end of the month,” Snape said sternly, looking at Jerry and Hermione.

“Why, Professor?” Jerry and Hermione looked at each other, showing confused expressions.

“You were lucky to escape from the encirclement of more than a dozen Dementors on the hillside next to the Quidditch pitch. Before figuring out the reason for that incident, I strongly advise you two not to stray too far from the castle.”

Jerry touched his head. If Snape hadn’t mentioned it, he would have almost forgotten about it.

“Professor Snape, I believe we are capable of protecting ourselves!” Jerry argued.

Hearing Jerry’s words, Snape couldn’t help but sneer, “Oh, really? Do you think you are capable of protecting each other?”

“Jerry Green, this is merely a warning from me, you are free to heed it or not. Don’t forget, besides the threat of the Dementors, you yourself are carrying no small amount of trouble, I hope it doesn’t involve others around you by then!”