Sherlock Holmes at Hogwarts.

Chapter 252 Even a fool's thousand thoughts may contain one correct one.

Upon hearing Dumbledore's words, Sherlock immediately asked, "How is Professor Lockhart?"

"I didn't expect you to ask this first?" Dumbledore looked at Sherlock with some surprise.

"Life comes first."

Sherlock said seriously, "According to what you said earlier, Lockhart should be punished for arbitrarily erasing other people's memories, but his crime does not warrant death."

Harry nodded in agreement, Hermione looked at Sherlock with delight, while Ron looked indifferent.

Dumbledore gave Sherlock a deep look, and said with a touch of emotion:

"Gidero is in good health—"

Hearing this, Hermione felt a great sense of relief.

"It's just that his soul has been possessed by Tom for too long, so he will be in a coma for a long time before he wakes up."

Dumbledore continued, a hint of regret in his voice.

Hermione tensed up again, while Sherlock pressed, "How long will it take?"

"About one or two years."

"The impact is so great?" A hint of surprise flashed in Sherlock's eyes, then he fell into deep thought.

"In fact, Gilderoy was lucky."

Dumbledore patiently explained, "Although our Defense Against the Dark Arts professor is controlled by Voldemort, he has always maintained his own principles in certain aspects."

It was precisely because of this persistence that Tom was never able to completely control him.

"Sir, when you say 'staying true to oneself,' you don't mean he led everyone in role-playing games during his Defense Against the Dark Arts class, do you?"

"It may sound unbelievable, but it is true."

Dumbledore smiled slightly. "Speaking of which, if Gilderoy had chosen to give up earlier, you would indeed have been able to learn more in class."

However, that would allow Tom to gain control of him sooner and more thoroughly, leading to a higher frequency of attacks at the school, and even deaths similar to those of fifty years ago.

"So, we should thank him?"

"Objectively speaking, that is indeed the case."

"..."

After a brief silence, Dumbledore smiled again.

It's clear that his mood improved considerably after successfully resolving the locked-room mystery.

"Actually, this may not be a bad thing for Gilderoy. Since there is no danger to his life, let him rest for a few years."

Once he fully regains his senses, he will inevitably have a completely new understanding of his life.

However, this means we'll need a new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor next semester.

Are you interested?

"currently there is not."

"However... this might be an opportunity."

"what chance?"

"That curse—in a sense, Voldemort did indeed serve as the professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts this term."

"Sir, do you mean... the mysterious man's curse has been broken?"

Hermione, who had been listening to Sherlock and Dumbledore's conversation, couldn't help but ask in surprise:
"Does this mean that the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor next semester won't have to leave after just one year?"

"Miss Hermione, this is just my guess—let's wait and see!"

But before that, we'll have to trouble Severus with the Defense Against the Dark Arts course.

"What, Snape again?!" Ron looked reluctant.

“It’s Professor Snape, Mr. Weasley,” Dumbledore said with a smile, glancing at Ron with a hint of amusement in his eyes. “You seem to have some opinion about him?”

"No, I just..."

Ron felt that Dumbledore had seen right through him, so he simply stopped pretending:
"Yes, sir, as you know, Professor Snape has always been against Gryffindor and favored Slytherin."

He's already lost a lot of points for us in Potions alone, and if he were to also teach Defense Against the Dark Arts...

"If that's the case, then you don't need to worry."

Dumbledore was amused by Ron. "Since we're on the topic, I might as well give you a heads-up: no matter how many points Severus scores, Gryffindor will still be the College Cup champion this year."

"Really?" Ron's eyes widened like saucers. "I don't believe it!"

Harry and Hermione exchanged a glance, both realizing they had missed a crucial point in Dumbledore's words.

"It doesn't matter how many points are deducted."

Sherlock didn't care about the House grades at all; he was focused on other things:
“Mr. Dumbledore, this is the second time Professor Snape has substituted for the Defense Against the Dark Arts course.”

I suggest we appoint him as the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. Of all the current teachers at Hogwarts, besides yourself, he's the most suitable candidate.

Harry, Hermione, Ron: Σ(っ°Д°;)っ

Do you know what you are talking about?

Compared to the three surprised children, Dumbledore smiled even more broadly:

“Sherlock, I’m glad you think that way. I’m sure Severus will be happy to know that you trust him.”

Severus had always intended to become the professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts, and his abilities certainly warranted the position.

Unfortunately, there are very few potions masters as good as Severus.

We need to find at least one Potions professor who is just as good as him so that he can spare the time to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts.

In my opinion, this task is no less difficult than hiring a new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.

Dumbledore shook his head with some regret, then asked again:
"So... do you have any other questions?"

Sherlock, Harry, and Hermione all shook their heads.

"I have!"

Ron suddenly raised his hand, and then, under Dumbledore's encouraging gaze, said:

"Sir, now that Sherlock has obtained the sword, why does he insist on stabbing the basilisk first before destroying the diary?"

Hearing Ron's words, Sherlock raised an eyebrow, and Harry and Hermione both looked at him in surprise. "What, is there something wrong with what I said?"

Harry was a little embarrassed and didn't say anything.

Hermione was blunt: "I didn't expect it would be you who found the blind spot this time."

Sherlock was even more blunt, taking Hermione's statement a notch higher: "Even a fool can have a moment of wisdom."

"Hello--!"

Ron glared angrily at Sherlock and Hermione, who were working together in perfect harmony. These two were really going too far!
My brother Harry is still the best!
Seeing this, Dumbledore looked on with envy.

It’s great to be young…

"I think Sherlock already knows the reason, but since Mr. Weasley asked, let this old man on his deathbed tell you a story."

As soon as Dumbledore said he was going to tell a story, everyone perked up their ears.

Sherlock looked at Dumbledore with a meaningful gaze.

It has to be said that since he and Harry spoke with Dumbledore last time, this old man has indeed become much more endearing.

"I have said more than once that Voldemort's strength is beyond question, and he possesses magical powers that I will never have."

Therefore, even items he created at the age of 16 are protected by powerful dark magic and cannot be easily destroyed.

At this point, Dumbledore's gaze deepened, as if he were lost in distant memories:

"Like the hat that sorted you into Gryffindor, this sword is also a relic of Godric Gryffindor and has been kept at Hogwarts."

A thousand years ago, a goblin named Legnac I made this weapon specifically for Godric Gryffindor.

Fairies are the most skilled craftsmen in the magical world, and Legnark I was the most skilled silversmith among the fairies, thus also being the king of the fairies.

In fairy culture, rulers work more and are more skilled than others.

This sword is Legnack's masterpiece. It is made of pure silver, inlaid with rubies, and enchanted. Godric Gryffindor's name is engraved below the hilt.

But precisely because it was so successfully made, even the creator himself, Legnack, coveted it.

So he lied and claimed that Gryffindor had stolen the sword from him, and sent his servant to steal it back.

"mean!"

As Harry listened, he began to imagine himself in Gryffindor's shoes, and at that moment he couldn't help but say something, then added embarrassedly, "I'm sorry, sir, I just..."

“It’s alright, Harry. I don’t think anyone would approve of the goblins’ actions.”

When confronted by the attackers, Gryffindor defended himself with his wand, but instead of killing them, he sent them back to the bewitched king.

He warned the king that if they tried to steal the sword again, Gryffindor would declare war on them.

This time, the Fairy King took the warning seriously and allowed Gryffindor to keep the sword as legitimate property, but he harbored resentment until his death.

So even now, rumors of Gryffindor's theft still circulate among some fairy tribes.

"If one day you encounter goblins who believe the sword of Gryffindor belongs to them, not us, don't be surprised."

"Sir, may I ask one more question?"

Ron raised his hand again.

“Of course, Mr. Weasley. As I just said, I will not refuse any answer.”

Encouraged by Dumbledore, Ron continued to ask:

"Why does a wizard need a sword? Shouldn't we all use wands?"

As he said this, he secretly glanced at Sherlock.

"This question is often asked, but the answer is actually very simple."

Before the enactment of the International Law on Secrecy, wizards and Muggles could freely associate with each other.

In those days, it was considered ungentlemanly to use a wand against a Muggle—of course, that doesn't mean it never happened.

Therefore, in that situation, the wizard would also need to use a sword to protect himself.

Many gifted wizards are also excellent duelists in the traditional sense, and Gryffindor is one of them.

At this point, Dumbledore also glanced at Sherlock.

Although no words were spoken, what they wanted to say was self-evident.

Using swords is a Gryffindor tradition!

"Now that the story is over, it's time to answer Harry's questions."

Although the Gryffindor sword was powerful, it was still not enough to destroy the dark magic artifacts created by Voldemort himself.

However, the blades forged by fairies possess a unique characteristic—they can repel dust while absorbing things that strengthen them.

That's why Sherlock killed the basilisk first, and then the diary. Do you understand now?

"I don't know."

Ron said honestly.

Dumbledore: "..."

Hermione was about to speak when Dumbledore looked at her and asked, "Harry, what do you think?"

"Professor, I think it's like this..."

Harry said slowly, "The basilisk's venom has a powerful destructive force, capable of destroying dark magical artifacts."

The Gryffindor sword was not originally intended to destroy Voldemort's diary, but because it was a weapon forged by fairies, it absorbed the basilisk's venom when Sherlock used it to pierce it.

After absorbing the deadly poison, the sword would possess the properties of basilisk venom, thus enabling it to destroy Tom Riddle's diary.

As Harry slowly explained, he pondered the characteristics of the basilisk that Hermione had described.

At first she hesitated, but the more she spoke, the more fluent she became. After she finished speaking, she couldn't help but look at Sherlock.

He desired Sherlock's approval more than Dumbledore's.

After all, he had rarely thought independently since he met Sherlock.

Sherlock did not let Harry down.

"Harry, you've discovered the blind spot."

(End of this chapter)