Chris looked at Sean with suspicion. After they stepped out of the classroom, she stopped and lowered her voice.
"Is it really Professor Snape who's looking for me?"
"If I didn't say that, how else was I supposed to get you out?" Sean leaned closer and added, "I need you to check the girls' bathroom on the third floor."
"Pervert." Chris shot him a disgusted look. She still vividly remembered what had happened in the girls' bathroom back in first year.
"What nonsense are you thinking?" Sean said helplessly. "I want you to see if Jerry is in there."
"How do you know he's there? Does he like sneaking into girls' bathrooms too?" Chris teased.
"Someone said they saw him around there last night. I'm guessing he's hiding. Cats like playing hide-and-seek, right?" Sean made up an excuse on the spot.
"Fine, I'll take a look," Chris said as she walked off.
The two of them descended from the fourth floor, passing the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom on the third floor. First-year Gryffindor and Slytherin students were inside having class.
Harry caught a glimpse of Sean and Chris passing by. His curiosity instantly pulled his attention out of the lesson. Even the engaging teaching of Professor Morlisse couldn't bring his focus back.
"Ron, what do you think Sean and Chris are going to do?" Harry whispered.
Ron, never one to stay quiet—especially during class—answered seriously, "I think they're going on a date."
This kind of topic always drew Hermione in. Sitting in the front row, she turned around with a helpless look.
"And what makes you think that?"
"Sean doesn't have to attend class, right? Going on a date while everyone else is in class—quiet and romantic. Percy likes sneaking off with Penelope at night too," Ron explained, using his brother as an example.
"Oh, please. Sean doesn't have classes, but Chris does. And besides, Sean doesn't seem like the type to spend time dating," Hermione said. In her mind, Sean was a genius who devoted himself entirely to studying—conveniently ignoring his terrible flying skills.
Draco, watching the trio whisper among themselves, felt an inexplicable irritation. He noticed their interest in Sean.
Sean was a Slytherin. Naturally, that meant he was closer to Draco. Combined with the Serpent Society and Kurt's instructions for Sean to look after him, Draco suddenly felt a sense of superiority.
The headmaster's prized student—Sean Grylls—belonged to Slytherin.
That alone made him feel like he had surpassed Harry Potter.
Meanwhile, Sean had no idea that simply passing by a classroom had sparked so much speculation.
He leaned against the wall, signaling for Chris to go inside the girls' bathroom. Fifteen minutes had passed since he saw Jerry's name on the Marauder's Map. He wasn't sure if Jerry was still there.
"Jerry, are you in here? If you are, come out. Sean's been looking for you all night—he's really worried," Chris called as she searched.
All girls' bathrooms in the academic building had the same layout—six stalls and four sinks along the right wall. At a glance, everything was visible, but Chris still checked each stall one by one.
The first—nothing.
The second—nothing.
When she opened the third stall, she heard a soft meow.
Sean, waiting outside, heard it too.
Chris quickly pushed the door open. Jerry was perched on the toilet tank, fur completely puffed up. The moment he saw her, he leapt straight into her arms.
"What's wrong, Jerry? You look terrified," she said gently, stroking his back.
"Chris, did you find him?" Sean whispered from outside.
"Got him."
She stepped out holding Jerry. Seeing his condition, Sean immediately knew—he had been badly frightened.
Jerry had narrowly escaped death the night before. With his heightened animal instincts, even though the basilisk hadn't emerged from the statue, the aura of a top predator alone had been enough to terrify him.
Even after a full night, Jerry was still on edge, every hair standing upright.
He had even seen the Golden Scepter—but being unable to speak, he couldn't tell Sean.
"I need to take him to Hagrid," Sean said.
Hagrid was an expert in magical creatures. If anyone could calm Jerry down, it was him.
"He looks really shaken. Keep a close eye on him," Chris said as she carefully handed Jerry over.
As soon as Sean held him, he felt the trembling.
"You should get back to class. I'll see you at lunch in the common room," Sean said.
After Chris left, Sean took Jerry to Hagrid's hut.
Hagrid took one look and said, "Looks like the little guy ran into something scary last night. Let me see if I can make a calming potion."
At that moment, Hoff walked over.
The instant Jerry saw a stranger, he bared his fangs, arched his back, and let out a fierce hiss.
"Easy there," Hoff said calmly, slowly approaching and reaching out to pet him.
"Hoff, you're going to get hurt," Sean warned.
He could feel Jerry's agitation—his claws were already extended, sharp as a predator's.
But Hoff didn't stop.
Jerry lashed out like lightning, his claws slashing across Hoff's hand.
Yet Hoff didn't pull back. Instead, he placed his hand on Jerry's head.
Something incredible happened.
Jerry, who even Sean and Chris couldn't calm, suddenly relaxed.
His claws retracted. His fangs disappeared. His fur settled.
Sean stared at Hoff in astonishment. This was their first meeting—and yet Hoff had soothed him instantly.
"How did you do that?" Sean asked.
Hoff smiled faintly. "Nothing special. Animals just seem to like me."
Yeah, right. Sean didn't believe a word.
Even Hagrid, the person most loved by magical creatures, looked puzzled.
"You sure you don't want to visit the infirmary?" Sean asked.
"I'm fine. He didn't actually hurt me," Hoff replied.
Sean frowned and looked down.
"Wait… what?"
He had clearly seen the claw marks and blood just moments ago—but now, there was nothing. Not even a scratch.
"In just a few seconds… what kind of magic did he use to heal that?"
Sean couldn't believe it.
Even without activating the Magic vision, his sensitivity to magic was sharp. In those few seconds, he hadn't sensed Hoff casting anything at all.
Something about Hoff was definitely not right.
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