Chapter 7: Hermione Granger
Chapter 7: Hermione Granger
The scholarship from Hogwarts is one hundred gold galleons per year, and there’s no need to go to Gringotts to collect it. Professor Mcgonagall had already brought it during her home visit.
The wizarding world uses three main types of currency: gold galleons, silver sickles, and bronze knuts.
One gold galleon is equal to seventeen silver sickles, and one silver sickle is equal to twenty-nine bronze knuts (a headache for those who aren’t good at math).
"Mr. Carmen, we have a lot to buy. We might need to get a large trunk and a trolley first!"
Professor Mcgonagall led Jerry, who was looking around curiously, through the crowded streets, and they soon arrived at a shop selling various items.
In this shop, Jerry bought a super-large trunk, a trolley, a set of glass or crystal vials, a telescope, and a brass scale.
Then they went to a cauldron shop with a shiny sign that read "Potage" and bought a pewter cauldron (standard size 2).
"What kind of pet would you like—an owl, a cat, or a toad?"
After leaving the cauldron shop, Professor Mcgonagall looked at the nearby owl emporium and asked Jerry.
"Pet?"
Jerry's face showed a thoughtful expression.
In truth, Jerry didn’t have much of an idea about pets, as he hadn’t had the habit of keeping them in his previous life.
"Most young wizards these days prefer owls because they can help deliver letters and gifts, which makes them more practical!"
Professor Mcgonagall thought Jerry might not be familiar with pets, so she recommended the most popular choice at Hogwarts.
"An owl? No, I think I’ll go with a cat. I like cats more!"
While owls are indeed very useful for young wizards, helping with deliveries and gifts, cats and toads seem to have little practical use beyond eating.
However, Jerry knew that in Diagon Alley, there was a pet treatment shop that had a cat with Kneazle blood, named Crookshanks.
Sirius Black had once described Crookshanks as the smartest cat, capable of quickly detecting people of dubious character or Animagi in animal form. Additionally, it could solve problems on its own without any help or guidance.
As someone with secrets, Jerry felt that if he had to have a pet, a cat like Crookshanks would be a good choice.
More importantly, with Crookshanks around, Ron’s rat, Scabbers—Peter Pettigrew in animagus form—wouldn’t dare to come near him.
As for owls, the school has public owls that can be used for free, so there’s no need to keep one personally. Plus, there are owl post offices available.
"A cat? Few young wizards buy cats as pets these days!"
When Professor Mcgonagall heard Jerry’s answer, she sounded a bit surprised but smiled.
As an Animagus who could transform into a tabby cat, Professor Mcgonagall naturally had a great fondness for cats.
However, young wizards nowadays preferred owls because they were more helpful. That’s why she had recommended an owl to Jerry.
But she was still very pleased that Jerry had chosen a cat as his pet.
"I prefer cats!"
Jerry shrugged with a smile.
"Alright, then we'll need to visit the Magical Menagerie later. This store only has owls, no other pets!"
Professor Mcgonagall, who rarely smiled, gave a small laugh and then led Jerry to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, right across from the owl shop.
"Go in and try on your robes. I'll go next door to buy your books, and then we'll head to the Magical Menagerie for a pet!"
"Sounds good!"
Jerry nodded and walked straight into Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions.
"Such a brave little boy!"
Mcgonagall couldn't help but admire Jerry as she watched him show no signs of fear in this unfamiliar environment, even when he had to try on clothes by himself.
"Are you buying Hogwarts school uniforms, dear?"
As soon as Jerry pushed open the door, a short and plump witch greeted him with a warm smile.
"Yes, I need three plain robes, a plain pointed hat for daytime wear, a pair of dragon hide gloves, and a winter black cloak with silver clasps, please. Thank you!"
In response to the plump witch's inquiry, Jerry politely listed his requirements, following the items he had seen on the parchment.
"Oh, don't worry, we have plenty of those. Actually, there's a young girl trying on clothes right now!"
The plump witch smiled and pointed to the back of the shop.
Following her finger, Jerry saw a young girl with thick, bushy brown curls and large front teeth standing on a stool.
A witch beside her was pinning up her black robe and measuring her with a tape measure.
"Hey, are you going to Hogwarts too?"
As Jerry stood on the adjacent stool and the witch began measuring him, the girl asked in a somewhat imperious tone.
"Yes, I'm a first-year student this year!"
Jerry smiled.
If Jerry were an eleven-year-old boy, he might have been annoyed by a girl of the same age speaking to him in such a domineering way. However, in his past life and the eleven years since he had crossed over, Jerry was in his early forties by age.
So when he saw a young girl speaking to him in such a domineering manner, he only found her rather endearing.
"Me too! My family doesn't have a single witch or wizard, so when I received my acceptance letter, I was both shocked and thrilled. You see, as far as I know, it's the best magic school!"
The girl seemed quite talkative and, unable to move while standing on the stool, she chatted away with Jerry.
"You seem to know a lot!"
Jerry complimented her, playing along.
The girl immediately lifted her chin proudly.
"Of course! When Professor Mcgonagall came to my house yesterday, I asked her so many questions. And I've already decided to memorize all the textbooks before the start of the term. I'm going to be the best student in class, for sure!"
"Oh, I'm sure you will be. I can tell you're not just anyone. You're bound to become an excellent witch, keep it up!"
Jerry reached out from under his black robe and gave the girl a thumbs-up, amused by her enthusiasm.
"What a delightful little girl!"
"Hermione, are you done here? We've bought everything else except the textbooks!"
At that moment, the shop door opened, and a middle-aged couple pushed a cart into the room, calling out to the girl who was chatting with Jerry.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
