Sherlock Holmes at Hogwarts.

Chapter 193 Since you asked so sincerely

Hermione frowned, sensing that things weren't so simple:
"She's a sixth-year student, and a Slytherin prefect, why does she need to come to you for counseling?"

"My dear Hermione, don't think of the prefects as something too sacred."

In fact, she was just a fifteen-year-old girl.

"Hmph, but she's still three years older than you!"

Hermione deliberately emphasized the words "big" and "three," then asked curiously, "So what exactly did she come here for?"

"Father, like son."

Sherlock said quietly, "Miss Gemma is a nice person, and a true Slytherin."

Unfortunately, she valued Slytherin's honor too much, to the point that she shouldered responsibilities that were not originally hers.

Hearing Sherlock's assessment of Gemma, Hermione's brows furrowed even deeper, almost forming a deep frown.

"Wait a minute, what did you call her for, Gemma?"

"Yes, Hermione, you've found a blind spot once again."

"I didn't discover it this time!"

Hermione looked a little annoyed. "I wasn't even paying attention. Ron reminded me."

"Ron? I didn't expect his observation skills to have improved so much."

Sherlock pondered for a moment and then, under Hermione's surprised gaze, continued:
"As for the reason, it was her request in the first place, which she brought up during the summer vacation."

"Requirements? Summer vacation?"

Hermione's eyes widened in surprise, and a sense of crisis began to creep into her heart.

She took a deep breath and asked cautiously in a seemingly indifferent tone:

"Um... Sherlock, when did you two become so close? Were you in contact during the summer vacation?"

"That's right, it'll be this summer."

Sherlock didn't hide anything and directly recounted how he had been frequently communicating with Gemma during the summer vacation.

She even mentioned that she had met with him specifically on her first night at school.

Finally, amidst Hermione's surprised gaze, he said:
"To be honest, I was a little surprised that she didn't contact me again after that."

silence.

A long silence.

Sherlock remained silent, and so did Hermione.

Sherlock continued to eat his breakfast elegantly, while Hermione looked at him with a complex expression that was hard to describe.

Finally, Hermione couldn't help but ask:

"So, what brings Miss Farley to see you today?"

Her voice sounded somewhat downcast. So, without my knowledge, so much had already happened between you two?

Quidditch.

Sherlock succinctly stated, "Malfoy's father bought every member of the Slytherin Quidditch team a brand-new Nimbus 2001 flying broom."

"Nimbus 2001? One for each person? It seems Malfoy's father really went all out this time."

Hermione also recalled the time she and Sherlock were aggressively sold something by a shop assistant in Diagon Alley, and she looked at Sherlock with a puzzled expression:
"But... what does this have to do with Farley looking for you?"
She couldn't possibly expect you to persuade our Quidditch team to concede, could she?

"Of course not, my friend, why would you think that?"

Sherlock looked at Hermione with a puzzled expression.

“Didn’t you say that Miss Gemma Farley is a true Slytherin?”

Hermione said this with a rather sarcastic tone:
"Isn't this exactly what the real Slytherins excel at—subduing the enemy without fighting?"

"I remember I already mentioned that she came to me for psychological counseling."

Sherlock, however, did not notice anything different in Hermione's tone and continued calmly:
"She believed that what Malfoy and his father did was detrimental to Slytherin's development, because Malfoy originally possessed the qualities to be a competent Seeker..."

After recounting their conversation at breakneck speed, Sherlock summarized as follows:

"Actually, her worries are unnecessary. The Slytherin Quidditch team is the strongest, and with the help of Nimbus 2001, they are even more powerful."

However, the rules of Quidditch dictate that the Seeker is far more important than anyone else.

Unfortunately, Gryffindor happens to have the best Seeker in the entire school—and the title of the youngest Seeker in a century is well-deserved.

Even seven Nimbus 2001s wouldn't be enough to bridge the skill gap between Malfoy and Harry.

Sherlock paused at this point.

"So my final advice is that Miss Gemma should give up her fantasies and face reality."

"What reality?"

"Forget about the championship. Staying in second place in the Quidditch Cup standings is a victory for Slytherin."

"Pfft~"

Hearing Sherlock say this, Hermione finally couldn't help but laugh.

At that moment, all the previous negative emotions vanished with a smile.

"Sherlock, you really are..."

She looked at Sherlock, completely at a loss for words to describe him.

Therefore, Sherlock has never changed from beginning to end.

He's always been that great detective who can drive people crazy with just a few words. But when the person who gets angry isn't him, it actually feels pretty good.

Hermione pursed her lips: "Um... how about we go to the library instead?"

Sherlock did not refuse.

The two of them went to the library just like last semester.

As lunchtime approached, Hermione suddenly made a request that Sherlock hadn't expected.

"Will you continue teaching me to fly this semester?"

Although Hermione was describing it in a nonchalant tone, her face was still slightly flushed:
"Flying lessons have been canceled this semester, but I don't want to end up like I did when I came back from Godric's Valley last time."

"no problem."

Sherlock, without looking up, said, “For you, the best way to overcome fear is to face it.”

Once you get used to being at high altitudes, you'll definitely be able to overcome your fear of heights.

Upon hearing Sherlock's words, Hermione's lips curled into a distinct smile.

However, before they went to the Quidditch pitch to practice flying that afternoon, they ran into a dejected Harry and Ron, who was comforting him.

"What happened?"

Seeing the two of them like this, Hermione asked in surprise.

"Harry got points deducted again and will be put in solitary confinement."

Seeing that Harry was still looking down, Ron answered for him with a hint of helplessness:

"You'd never guess what happened on the Quidditch pitch..."

At this point, he couldn't help but look at Sherlock.

Based on past experience, Sherlock would usually give the correct answer directly in such situations.

Sherlock did not disappoint Ron.

When his gaze fell on Sherlock, Sherlock also looked away from Harry, and said in a light tone:
Harry arrived at the Quidditch pitch early, but was unable to train normally today.

Not long ago, he got into a fight, which is why you mentioned he was penalized with points and put in solitary confinement.

However, Harry shouldn't be so resistant to the point deductions and being locked up.

So… let me guess, this time it's not Hagrid in jail, could it be Filch? Are you going to polish his trophies?

"No, it's worse than that, it's Professor Lockhart..."

Harry said with a pained expression, "Professor McGonagall just told me that Professor Lockhart specifically asked me to help him."

Hearing Harry say that, Sherlock immediately became interested.

"Professor Lockhart, what favor does he want from you?"

"Wait, wait a minute!"

Ron looked at Sherlock with a surprised expression:
"How do you know Harry didn't practice today, and that he got points deducted because he got into a fight?"

“My dear Ron, are you sure you want me to explain these obvious facts?”

Sherlock's lips curled slightly, indicating that he was in a good mood.

"I'm sure! Even if it makes you think I'm an idiot!"

Ron said firmly.

"Alright, since you've asked so sincerely..."

Sherlock suddenly quickened his pace:
"Based on Harry's past training experience, a normal training process would leave a crescent-shaped indentation on the inside of his cloak from the friction of a broom handle, but there is nothing here now."

In addition, Harry's uniform was free of the sweat stains that should be present during training, and his winter cloak was free of wrinkles and dust from being blown by the wind and rubbing against it, which was enough to show that Harry did not train today.

As for the fight, it can also be seen from the team uniforms and capes. Here, here, and here, these places have been torn, with irregular tears and deformed fabric.

In Quidditch, if damage is caused by a collision during flight, the marks wouldn't look like this; they would be more dispersed, and the direction would be related to the force of the flight.

However, these tear marks are concentrated on the collar, cuffs, and chest, which are obviously caused by being pulled during a close-quarters struggle.

Don't forget, when we first met, you already said that Harry got points deducted and would be put in solitary confinement.

That makes it clear: Harry got into a fight on the Quidditch field today.

"Fine... you win, I'm an idiot."

After listening to Sherlock's analysis, Ron reluctantly admitted a fact.

“It’s always like this. It’s so obvious when you say it, but I just can’t see anything until you say it.”

"Ron, don't look at Sherlock like that."

Hermione couldn't help but explain at this point:
"You might think Sherlock is showing off, but for him, saying these things is as simple as us saying the color of Harry's jersey."

Ron shook his head with a wry smile and said nothing.

Sherlock also turned back to Harry at this point:
"Alright, my dear Harry, can you now tell me why Professor Lockhart is looking for you?"

“Of course… Professor McGonagall said she specifically asked for me because it was to reply to a letter from one of her admirers.”

"what?"

Upon hearing Harry's words, Hermione was immediately stunned, her eyes turning into stars:
"Oh my god—such a good thing? I really want to trade with you!"

"Give up, Hermione. You're not the savior of the wizarding world. Lockhart doesn't want you."

(End of this chapter)