Sherlock Holmes at Hogwarts.

Chapter 279 The Girl's Blushing

“How much did this cost?”

Ron took the rat tonic Sherlock tossed him and started rummaging through his wallet while asking questions.

"I didn't spend a single copper nut; the rat poison was a free gift with the cat purchase."

"..."

"Do you still think Hermione shouldn't have bought the cat?"

Ron felt the shivering freckles on his chest, then looked at the Crookshanks comfortably nestled in Hermione's arms, and ultimately felt a little wronged:
"Although...but...Banban..."

“Don’t worry, Crookshanks sleeps with Hermione in the girls’ dormitory most of the time,” Sherlock calmly analyzed. “Scabbers sleeps with you in our dormitory, so they rarely meet.”

"Okay, okay..."

Ron was eventually persuaded.

Hermione, however, stole a glance at Sherlock.

In her eyes, Sherlock was clearly speaking up for her, and she felt even sweeter inside, her face flushing slightly.

However, because of the tan, it wasn't noticeable.

Hermione received the birthday present she wanted, and Sherlock and his group of four's shopping trip in Diagon Alley today came to a complete end.

It was the height of July, and the weather was getting cooler. They had lost interest in continuing to wander around and went straight back to the Leaky Cauldron.

It turned out that Mr. Weasley was having a lively conversation with Pisgood.

Mr. Weasley was visibly pleased to see the group of four:
"Hi Sherlock, Harry, Hermione, how are you?"

Pisgood greeted them as well.

The four men sat down next to Mr. Weasley and Pisgood.

Sherlock noticed that the two men had resumed their serious expressions after greeting them, and immediately knew what they had just been talking about.

"It seems the Ministry of Magic still has no news of Black, right?"

"Correct."

Mr. Weasley said with a wry smile, "The department has now transferred us all from our original posts to focus all our efforts on capturing him, but so far there has been no progress."

“If Black were so easy to catch, he wouldn’t have escaped from Azkaban,” Sherlock shook his head. “Ron said you’re planning to stay here tonight?”

"Yes, we rented a house here, and we can go directly to King's Cross Station tomorrow."

I was just talking to Arnold about this, and he said he'd take you and Harry home. Actually, I think Harry could stay here tonight too…”

“That won’t do, Arthur.”

Pisgood shook his head repeatedly. "My task today is to take Holmes and Potter to Diagon Alley, wait for them to finish shopping, and then return them safely."

If you want to change your itinerary, you'll have to talk to Minister Fouché first.

"I only consulted you because I didn't want to look for him... Okay, okay, you can send them back then. Anyway, Sherlock's house isn't far from the station. But is it okay if they stay a little longer? Molly and the others will be back soon."

Harry looked at Sherlock, who nodded.

Upon witnessing this scene, Mr. Weasley and Mr. Pisgood exchanged a glance, and couldn't help but recall the topic they had discussed long ago—the Lion King of Gryffindor and his savior sidekick.

I initially thought it was just banter between students, but now it seems there might be some truth to it.

In fact, the bond between Sherlock and Harry was even deeper than they had imagined.

However, Mr. Weasley originally wanted Sherlock and Harry to stay there a little longer, so he naturally had no objection.

Pisgood, having finally managed to get a field assignment, was even more eager to stay a little longer.

After sitting for a while, Mrs. Weasley went into the bar.

She was carrying bags of her newly purchased items, followed by the Weasley twins, Percy, who had just been elected president of the boys' council, and Ginny, the youngest and only girl in the Weasley family.

After a summer break, Ginny had grown up a bit, which made her even more beautiful.

Almost everyone knows that she likes Harry.

During the summer Harry spent living in the cave, she would knock over something whenever she saw Harry.

When she officially started attending Hogwarts, she would get so nervous every time she met Harry that she was too nervous to speak, and at most she would just say hello.

Later, on Valentine's Day, he used Professor Lockhart's dwarf to send Harry a greeting card, for which he was targeted by Professor Snape for a long time.

As everyone knows, the only thing Snape didn't dislike about Harry was his green eyes, which were exactly the same as his mother Lily's. Yet, Ginny compared them to freshly pickled toads, which goes without saying.

However, thanks to Tocolin Crevy, her relationship with Harry became much more normal at the end of last year.

Because Colin, who had been freed from his petrified state, became extremely fanatical during that time and would harass Harry at the drop of a hat, Ginny took the opportunity to increase the time she spent alone with Harry while trying to stop him.

So now when she sees Harry, she can shake hands and greet him normally.

But when her little hand touched Harry, her face still turned bright red in an instant.

A young girl's blush speaks louder than any sweet words.

Harry didn't think much of it, just taking it as a fan's worship of their idol—like Hermione's worship of Professor Lockhart.

Ginny greeted Harry and was about to say more when Percy appeared. He puffed out his chest so that Sherlock, Harry, and Hermione could clearly see his student council president badge:
"Sherlock, Harry, and Hermione, it's a pleasure to meet you all."

He stretched out his hand with great seriousness, as if he were meeting them for the first time.

“Hello, Percy.” Sherlock shook hands with him calmly, while Harry and Hermione tried their best to hold back their laughter.

"Are you all alright? Things haven't been peaceful lately, you must be careful..."

Ever since Percy met Harry in first grade, every time he had the chance to shake hands with Harry, he would hold onto his hand and refuse to let go—if Harry were a teenage girl, it would have been considered harassment.

This time, perhaps to show off his grandeur, Percy's handshake with Harry lasted an unusually long time.

He wouldn't let go, and Harry felt awkward letting go, creating an uneasy atmosphere.

If this continues, even if Harry were a boy, this duration could be classified as harassment.

Fortunately, the Weasley twins saved him at that moment.

"Hey, my old friend, it's so wonderful to see you again!"

Fred rushed forward, elbowed Percy aside, and then bowed deeply to Harry.

Percy cried out in pain and glared at Fred.

Fred ignored it, but Harry secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

"What a wonderful meeting."

George followed closely behind, elbowing Fred aside and grabbing Harry's hand, shaking it frantically, just like Percy had done. "I swear, next time he gets ahead of us, I'll kick his ass with these boots!"

Clearly, these two are subtly criticizing Percy.

"enough!"

Mrs. Weasley, who was standing nearby, couldn't stand it anymore. She rushed over, pulled George away, and then gave Harry, Sherlock, and Hermione a big hug each.

"Sherlock, Harry, you two look very energetic!"

Mrs. Weasley looked pleased and then said to Hermione, "Darling, you've gotten a tan. Remember to wear sunscreen next time."

After greeting the three of them one by one, Weslev immediately got to the point:
"Honey, I think you've all heard about our big news, right?"

She pointed to the brand-new silver badge on Percy's chest and said, "This is the second male student council president in our family!"

Sherlock, Harry, and Hermione all understood Mrs. Weasley's overflowing pride.

However, some people didn't understand, so Fred lowered his voice and said, "He's also the last one."

“I have no doubt about that,” Mrs. Weasley said immediately after hearing Fred’s words. “Also, I noticed that they didn’t elect you as prefects.”

Seeing Mrs. Weasley's furrowed brow, Sherlock chuckled softly:
“Auntie, if I were Headmaster Dumbledore, I wouldn’t choose them as prefects either.”

Only one person can serve as prefect. Fred and George are both excellent, so choosing between the two is too difficult. Therefore, we'll simply choose someone else.

Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Pisgood looked at Sherlock with surprise.

They could hardly believe that Sherlock had said such a conciliatory remark.

Hermione even wondered if Sherlock had read through the book "The Charismatic Speaker" during the summer vacation.

In fact, Sherlock knew very well what to say to whom.

If needed, he could be like Voldemort, or rather, Tom Riddle.

Even stronger than him, he could make people feel delighted and joyful with just words, without using magic.

However, in most cases, he simply doesn't want to do that.

Being realistic and straightforward makes things easier for him.

Mr. and Mrs. Weasley smiled with relief upon hearing Sherlock's words.

“My dear Sherlock, perhaps you are right, but they must set a good example for their sister!”

Ginny couldn't help but giggle upon hearing this.

“Ginny has other brothers to look after her, Mom,” Percy said haughtily. “I’m going upstairs to change and get ready for dinner…”

After he left, George breathed a sigh of relief and whispered to Harry:
“We originally wanted to lock him in a pyramid, but unfortunately, his mother found out.”

Harry finally couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Hermione, standing to the side, stared at Sherlock with curiosity.

Because he followed Percy upstairs.

"Sherlock!"

Percy had just entered room 12 when he was startled to find Sherlock following him.
"How come you walk without making a sound?"

“I’m used to it,” Sherlock said, his gaze sweeping over the surroundings. “It seems this is where you and Ron live.”

"You really can't forget to deduce anything."

Percy carefully removed his student council president badge, wiping it as he said to Sherlock, "Please sit down. What brings you here?"

(End of this chapter)