Sherlock Holmes at Hogwarts.

Chapter 197 Let Me Tear You Apart
In the Gryffindor common room, Sherlock is calmly recounting his thoughts on Gilderoy Lockhart to Hermione:
"From the very first Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson, Professor Lockhart seemed to me like a walking contradiction."

The content that was least popular with students was precisely what he liked the most.

As for what his classmates liked, that was precisely what he disliked.

"how is this possible?"

Hermione's eyes widened in surprise. "You're right that he likes to publicize his adventures, but... but the process of teaching everyone skills—you're saying he doesn't like it?"

"Don't doubt my judgment, dear Hermione."

Judging from his performance since the start of the semester, Professor Lockhart is undoubtedly a competent Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.

However, he was far less interested in teaching itself than in promoting himself and his works.

I think you probably still remember what I said to Harry in Diagon Alley back then, right?
The reason he took a photo with Harry and gave him his entire collection of works was not out of charity, but to use Harry's fame to achieve greater success for himself.

His behavior at school further proves this point.

He exaggerates his adventures in every class, making everyone act out the stories from the book with him... If he didn't really like it, why would he do that?

I could sense that he was genuinely happy every time he did these things.

On the contrary, he felt an inexplicable resistance when using magic.

"But...but he clearly taught us some real skills in every class..."

"See, this is exactly what I wanted to say."

Sherlock looked at Hermione with a half-smile, "Even a fanatic like you knows which knowledge in class is actually useful to us."

You might want to think about it carefully: if it weren't for what's taught in class, would the other wizards still be playing along with him like this?

Hermione didn't say anything.

She agreed.

Therefore, there is only one truth!

Sherlock said slowly, "Gilderoy Lockhart came to the school not for teaching at all!"

Hermione was stunned.

It's not her fault.

Anyone would feel this way upon hearing that a professor comes to the school not to teach and nurture students.

"You don't need to be so surprised. It's an exchange of benefits, each getting what they want..."

Sherlock said quietly:
"This is the fundamental logic of how society operates."

Hermione was silent.

"By the way, there's more than one suspicious point about Professor Lockhart."

"Suspicious points?"

“Yes, he’s from Ravenclaw and happened to be Professor Flitwick’s former student, so I specifically asked him for his opinion of the professor. I think you’ll find that very interesting.”

"Say it!"

“Lohart was an exceptionally bright student during his school years. Other teachers, including Professor Flitwick, believed that he was more gifted than most students.”

If he is willing to study hard, he will definitely achieve great things in the future.

Unfortunately, he preferred to focus his energy on other things.

For example, the final exams every year.

He consistently received an 'O' in Charms class, while his other courses mostly received 'E's or 'A's.

Professor Flitwick believed this was because the Charms teacher was the headmaster of Ravenclaw, demonstrating his strong utilitarianism.

In fifth grade, he persuaded the then-prefect to willingly relinquish his position.

In seventh grade, he won the position of student council president for the second time, once again giving it to him.

Even at the start of this school year, Professor Flitwick still couldn't understand why Headmaster Dumbledore had appointed Lockhart as the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.

After hearing Sherlock's analysis, Hermione was stunned.

"Sherlock, you mean..."

“I told you, don’t look at me with that surprised look, dear Hermione.”

In fact, whatever secrets Lockhart may be hiding, as long as they don't harm us, I don't mind him keeping them.

Compared to Quirrell last year, Professor Lockhart was able to teach us something truly useful.

As Professor Flitwick said, everyone at Hogwarts has their own secrets.

This is also Professor Flitwick's idea.

Hermione left, looking dazed.

What Sherlock said today had a profound impact on her, and she needed to process it properly.

Watching Hermione's departing figure, Sherlock clasped his hands together, resting his chin on them, and fell into deep thought once again.

Time passed quietly and unconsciously.

When Harry, whose arms were too heavy to lift, trudged wearily back to the Gryffindor Tower from Lockhart's office and saw that Sherlock was the only one in the common room, he was almost moved to tears.

"Sherlock!"

Harry went to Sherlock's side and called out softly.

"You're back?"

Sherlock checked the time and then turned his attention to Harry:
"Judging from the range of motion of your right hand, Lockhart has more fans than I thought, but you've come back earlier than I expected."

Harry paid no attention to Sherlock's analysis; his voice was now choked with emotion.

"Sherlock, have you... have you been waiting for me here all this time?"

"No, it's just that I was lost in thought after Hermione left."

"..."

The worst thing is when the air suddenly goes silent.

Harry decided to put the matter aside for the time being.

He said to Sherlock, “Sherlock, if you’re not too sleepy… I have something important to tell you.”

"explain."

Upon hearing Harry's words, Sherlock immediately looked at Harry with bright eyes.

He sensed danger. "I just heard strange noises in Lockhart's office."

Harry paused for a moment, seemingly considering how to describe it.

"It was a voice, a chilling, breathless, cold and vicious voice!"
I heard it say, 'Come...come here...let me tear you apart...rip you apart...kill you...'

However, Lockhart said he didn't hear anything!

Harry sounded a bit neurotic when he spoke:
“He said I was sleepy because I was there for four hours… but I know that’s not it! I swear, I heard that voice clearly!”

Sherlock didn't speak, he just watched Harry quietly.

"Really, Sherlock, you have to believe me!"

"Tell me everything that happened from the moment you entered Professor Lockhart's office, in as much detail as possible, without omitting anything!"

Harry perked up immediately upon hearing Sherlock's words.

"it is good!"

It's worth noting that the last time Sherlock said something like that was in the case of the Greek interpreter, the time before that was in the case of the stolen eyeshadow of Cho Chang, and the time before that was in the case of the false accusation against Hannah Abbott's father.

So when Sherlock says that, it means he's getting serious!

Harry composed himself and began by recounting how he and Hermione had come to Lockhart's office together, and how Lockhart had persuaded Hermione to leave.

He also mentioned that, following Sherlock's instructions, he consulted Lockhart on how to deal with fanatical fans like Colin Crevey.

Then he helped Lockhart write replies to his fans, writing hundreds or even a thousand letters in a row.

Just when he was exhausted and about to give up, he suddenly heard that voice.

At first, Harry did think it was his imagination.

But when he suddenly came to his senses, he heard the voice even more clearly.

But Lockhart not only didn't hear anything, but also said that Harry was hallucinating because he was too sleepy, and let him go.

After he finished speaking, Harry suddenly realized what he had said.

Oops!

I promised Hermione I wouldn't tell anyone about this...

Well, Sherlock isn't exactly "someone else" anyway, so let him say it.

"No wonder you came back earlier than I expected... So, apart from what you just said, I haven't heard that voice again?"

"Yes."

"What else did Professor Lockhart say?"

He told me to go back and rest quickly.

"Can you determine which direction the sound is coming from?"

"I can't hear it..."

Harry looked apologetic.

He could sense that Sherlock trusted him.

Unfortunately, I was unable to offer him any constructive advice.

"Come here, let me tear you apart, let me kill you."

Sherlock rested his chin on his hands and softly repeated the short sentences Harry had just uttered.

"No matter who it is, this sounds a bit stupid, like someone chasing a thief shouting 'Stop!' in the street."

Sherlock offered his assessment, then asked:
"Have you heard a similar sound before?"

"what?"

Harry was taken aback; he hadn't expected Sherlock to ask that question.

“My dear Harry, I’ve told you before that when you eliminate all the impossible, whatever remains, however unbelievable, is the truth.”

Given this, let's begin to deduce:
First, rule out that this is your hallucination.

Harry nodded repeatedly. "I'm sure this isn't a hallucination!"

"Secondly, let's assume that Professor Lockhart really didn't hear the sound."

“I don’t think he was lying; his surprised look didn’t seem fake.”

“Very good. If we rule out all the above assumptions, then it means that you can hear a sound that no one else can hear. This sound is likely made by a strange creature.”

"Right, that is it!"

Harry excitedly raised his fist: "Sherlock, as expected of you, you saw through the truth right away!"

"wrong."

"what?"

“Just because I say it’s not right doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the truth.”

Harry looked at Sherlock with a "Are you kidding me?" look: "Haven't we already ruled out all the hypotheses?"

"Have you really ruled it out?"

Hearing Harry's words, Sherlock suddenly laughed.

"What if I raise other assumptions? For example... what if you were lying to me about the whole thing?"

"Sherlock!"

Harry was furious.

"I would never lie to you, no matter who I lie to!"

Harry was not only angry, but also felt very wronged.

How could Sherlock do this?

After getting to know him, I considered him my best friend in the world.

We've been through so much together last year, how can he not trust me!
For a moment, Harry even felt like crying.

Sherlock seemed oblivious to Harry's emotions:
“Dear Harry, of course I believe you wouldn’t lie to me, but what if this wasn’t your intentional act?”

"W-what?!"

Harry could understand every single word Sherlock said, but when they were put together, he found himself unable to understand them.

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(End of this chapter)