The Hogwarts scholarship fund provided Jerry with 100 Galleons for the academic year, a sum Professor McGonagall had brought with her for their shopping expedition, eliminating any need to visit Gringotts Bank. As they walked, she briefly explained the wizarding currency system to Jerry.
"The wizarding world uses three denominations of coins," she said, showing him examples of each. "The gold Galleon is the highest value, followed by silver Sickles, and bronze Knuts. One Galleon equals seventeen Sickles, and one Sickle equals twenty-nine Knuts."
Jerry nodded, mentally noting the unusual conversion rates. The wizarding world seemed to favor prime numbers in their currency system, making calculations somewhat more challenging than the decimal system he was accustomed to.
"There are quite a few items on your list, Mr. Carmen," Professor McGonagall observed, steering Jerry through the bustling crowd. "We should perhaps purchase a trunk and cart first to store your acquisitions."
She guided him to a shop specializing in everyday wizarding accessories. Inside, Jerry selected a spacious trunk with multiple compartments, a collapsible cart for transporting it, along with the required set of glass phials, a brass telescope that folded into a compact cylinder, and a set of brass scales for potion ingredients.
Their next stop was Potage's Cauldron Shop with its gleaming display in the window. Jerry purchased a standard-size 2-pewter cauldron, which the shopkeeper assured him was "perfect for first-year potions, not too thin at the bottom like those cheap imports!"
As they emerged from the cauldron shop, Professor McGonagall gestured toward Eeylops Owl Emporium next door, where dozens of glowing eyes peered out from the shadowy interior.
"What pet would you prefer, Mr. Carmen? An owl, cat, or toad?" she inquired.
"Pet?" Jerry paused thoughtfully.
He'd never kept pets in his previous life, and the decision now required some consideration. He carefully weighed the practical aspects of each option.
Noticing his hesitation, Professor McGonagall offered, "Many young wizards nowadays prefer owls. They're not merely companions but also deliver letters and packages, quite practical for students away from home."
Jerry considered this information. Owls were indeed useful for communication, but he had another consideration in mind. He remembered Crookshanks, the exceptionally intelligent half-Kneazle cat that Hermione would eventually own. That particular feline had proven remarkably perceptive at detecting untrustworthy individuals and even identifying Animagi in their animal forms.
For someone harbouring secrets like Jerry, having a perceptive animal companion seemed advantageous. Besides, Hogwarts provided school owls for student use, and Diagon Alley maintained a postal service for those without personal messenger birds.
"I think I'd prefer a cat, actually," Jerry replied with a smile. "Owls are practical, but I've always felt drawn to cats."
Professor McGonagall's eyebrows rose slightly. "A cat? That's somewhat uncommon these days among students. Most choose owls for their utility."
Despite her words, Jerry detected a hint of pleasure in her expression. As an Animagus who transformed into a tabby cat, McGonagall undoubtedly harboured a special affection for felines, even if she maintained her professional demeanour.
"Nevertheless," she continued with the ghost of a smile, "cats make excellent companions. We'll need to visit the Magical Menagerie further along the street. Eeylops specializes exclusively in owls."
She consulted her pocket watch briefly. "First, however, let's get your uniform fitted. Madam Malkin's is just across the way," she said, gesturing toward a shop with mannequins in the window displaying various robes. "You can be measured while I purchase your textbooks next door. Afterward, we'll visit the Menagerie for your cat."
"That sounds perfect," Jerry agreed readily.
"You're quite brave, aren't you?" McGonagall observed as Jerry prepared to enter the shop alone. "Most Muggle-raised children cling to their escort in these unfamiliar surroundings."
Jerry merely smiled in response. The truth was that his mental age far exceeded his physical appearance, making this independence less remarkable than it seemed.
As he pushed open the door to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, a short, plump witch dressed entirely in mauve greeted him warmly.
"Hogwarts, dear?" she asked with a practiced smile.
"Yes, please," Jerry replied politely. "I'll need three plain work robes, a pointed hat for daytime wear, dragon-hide protective gloves, and a winter cloak with silver fastenings."
"My, aren't you organized!" Madam Malkin said approvingly. "Don't worry, we have everything you need. There's another young lady being fitted for Hogwarts just now."
She gestured toward the rear of the shop, where Jerry spotted a girl approximately his age standing on a footstool. She had bushy brown hair that seemed to resist any attempt at taming, and slightly prominent front teeth. Another witch was pinning up her black robes and taking measurements with an enchanted tape measure that moved independently.
Madam Malkin directed Jerry to a second footstool beside the girl. As he climbed up, she slipped a long robe over his head and began pinning it to the correct length.
"Hello! Are you going to Hogwarts too?" the girl asked, her tone confident and slightly authoritative despite her youth.
"Yes, I'm starting this year," Jerry replied with a friendly smile.
Had he truly been an eleven-year-old boy, her somewhat bossy manner might have irritated him. However, with his adult perspective from his previous life plus his current eleven years, he found her precocious nature rather endearing.
"Me too!" she exclaimed excitedly. "No one in my family is magical at all. It was quite a shock when I received my letter, but I was thrilled, of course. From what I've gathered, Hogwarts is the very best school of magic there is!"
"You seem very knowledgeable already," Jerry commented, genuinely impressed by her enthusiasm.
The girl lifted her chin proudly. "I've been studying since Professor McGonagall visited yesterday. I've asked dozens of questions, and I plan to memorize all our textbooks before term begins." She declared this with absolute conviction. "I intend to be the best witch in our year!"
"I have no doubt you will be," Jerry replied sincerely, giving her a thumbs-up from beneath his half-pinned robe. "I can tell you're going to be an exceptional witch."
Privately, he thought, What a delightful child. He knew, of course, exactly who this was, Hermione Granger, future brightest witch of their age and one-third of the Golden Trio that would eventually defeat Voldemort.
"Hermione, dear! Are you still being fitted?" The shop door opened as a middle-aged couple entered, pulling a cart laden with packages. "We've purchased everything except your books now."
So these are Hermione's parents, Jerry thought, observing the dentists who had raised such a remarkable daughter. The Muggle world's loss was definitely the wizarding world's gain.