"Violence won't solve anything," Jerry said firmly, stepping between the groups. "We can calm down and discuss this like civilized wizards."
He fixed the three cowering boys with a steady gaze. "Taking snacks by force isn't the way. If you're hungry, you could simply ask politely. I'm certain these two would be willing to share if approached with respect." Jerry cleared his throat, feeling slightly winded from his quick intervention.
Turning toward Harry and Ron, he asked, "Don't you both agree?"
Harry and Ron exchanged startled glances before nodding vigorously, their heads bobbing like mechanical toys.
"You see?" Jerry turned back to the three boys huddled in the corner by the compartment door. His voice softened deliberately. "We're all first-years, likely to be sorted into the same houses. Why not start fresh?" He extended his hand with a warm smile. "Let's be friends instead of enemies. What do you say?"
The trio's expressions shifted from fear to uncertainty as they studied Jerry's outstretched hand and his penetrating gaze. After a moment's hesitation, they scrambled to their feet and placed their hands atop Jerry's.
Harry and Ron watched in amazement before Jerry caught their eyes, silently inviting them to join. After a brief hesitation, they stepped forward and added their hands to the growing stack.
"Hermione, Neville, join us too! The more the merrier," Jerry called out with his free hand, gesturing them over.
Hermione gently pulled a bewildered Neville forward. They approached slowly, Hermione wavering momentarily before placing her hand on top.
"Perfect," Jerry declared. "Together we stand, hearts united. Let's put this unpleasantness behind us and focus on learning, growing, and becoming the finest wizards." He caught himself just in time, having nearly slipped into his former corporate motivational speech.
After the handshake, Jerry allowed Malfoy and his friends to escape. Turning to Harry and Ron with a genuine smile, he introduced himself properly: "Hi there, I'm Jerry Carmen."
"Harry Potter," Harry replied automatically.
"Ron Weasley," Ron added, both boys still processing what had just happened.
A voice echoed throughout the train: "We will reach Hogwarts in five minutes. Please leave your luggage on the train; it will be taken to the school separately."
"It was a Pleasure meeting you both," Jerry said with a nod. But we should head back to our compartment and prepare. See you at the castle!" He ushered Hermione and Neville toward the door.
As they were leaving, Harry and Ron, finally regaining their composure, called out in unison, "Jerry, thanks for helping us!"
Jerry turned, offering them a playful wink. "No need for thanks, we're classmates now. I prefer to win people over with virtue!" With that, he guided Hermione and Neville out into the corridor.
"Win people over with virtue?" Harry and Ron exchanged puzzled looks.
Was that what they had just witnessed?
Back in their compartment, Hermione watched Jerry carefully place Crookshanks into his carrier. "Jerry," she asked with undisguised curiosity, "where did you learn to handle confrontations like that?"
Though Hermione typically adhered strictly to rules, her Gryffindor spirit meant she wasn't above breaking them to help friends. She'd secretly approved of Jerry's intervention, even if his methods were somewhat unorthodox. But his confidence in the face of potential conflict intrigued her.
Jerry considered his response carefully. Hermione would likely become his closest intellectual ally at Hogwarts, possibly the only one capable of matching his magical studies. He needed to maintain a positive image.
"Well, it's not something I'm proud of," he began, furrowing his brow and affecting a pensive expression. "I wasn't always good at handling conflict, but circumstances forced me to learn. Growing up in an orphanage..." He trailed off meaningfully, leaving the rest unsaid.
Hermione's bright eyes filled with understanding. The implication was enough, her mind constructed a narrative more convincing than any detailed fabrication Jerry could have offered: a childhood of abandonment, of learning to defend himself against bullies, of developing survival skills in a harsh environment.
"It's alright, Jerry," she said softly, stepping forward to embrace him. "Things will be different now."
"Y-yes, they will," Jerry replied, surprised but pleased by her reaction, though uncertain exactly what story her imagination had concocted.
"The train's stopped! We can get off now!" Neville announced, breaking the moment. Unlike Hermione, he hadn't mentally filled in Jerry's backstory and remained slightly confused by the exchange.
The previously empty corridor was now packed with students emerging from their compartments. Jerry, Hermione, and Neville squeezed into the throng, eventually managing to disembark onto the platform.
Hogsmeade Station was narrow and quickly became crowded as students poured from the train. The trio found themselves momentarily disoriented in the crush of bodies.
"First years! First years over here!" A booming voice cut through the commotion from the far end of the platform.
Turning toward the sound, they spotted an enormous figure, easily three or four meters tall—with a wild beard and a glowing lamp held aloft.
"That's Hagrid," Jerry murmured, recognizing the half-giant gamekeeper of Hogwarts.
They navigated through the crowd and, after some effort, joined the other first-years gathering around Hagrid. Harry, Ron, and Malfoy's group stood at a distance from Jerry, carefully avoiding eye contact.
After exchanging a few private words with Harry, Hagrid led the first-years along a steep, narrow path branching left from the station.
The uneven downhill track proved challenging, especially in the growing darkness. Noticing Hermione struggling with her footing, Jerry extended his arm toward her.
"Need some support?" he offered with a smile. "The path's treacherous, and we wouldn't want you to stumble."