Sherlock Holmes at Hogwarts.

Chapter 280 Hermione, Stay at My House Tonight

Room 12, Broken Cauldron Bar.

Sherlock asked, under Percy Weasley's surprised gaze:
"Ron said that you were Blister's previous owner. Do you remember when it became your pet?"

"Banban..."

Upon hearing Sherlock's words, Percy paused in his work of wiping the badge, as if lost in a distant memory. After a moment, he spoke:
“I gave it to Ron three years ago, but it had been my pet since I was in first grade.”

"First year, which was seven years ago..."

Sherlock hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Where did you buy it? Was it also in Diagon Alley?"

"Buy? No, no, no!"

Percy shook his head repeatedly. "My parents rarely buy us pets. Most of our pets are inherited from our brothers. Hermes was only bought for me after I was elected prefect in fifth grade."

As he said this, Percy straightened his chest once again.

However, he soon realized that he was no longer the prefect, and the badge with "Perfect" on it had become "Head Boy," which was now in his own hands.

He coughed and continued:

"Banban was already living in our house before I even started school."

I was probably only four or five years old at the time. As for how it came to my house—sorry, it's been too long, I don't remember very well—but even if you ask my parents, they would probably give the same answer.

By the way, why did you suddenly think of asking that?

Percy asked curiously.

“Ron said that Banban has not been doing well since you came back from Egypt.”

"Yes, it has been looking listless all this time."

Although Percy had spent more time with Scabbers than Ron, he wasn't as nervous as Ron. Upon hearing this, he calmly replied:
"It's probably nearing the end of its life. For a mouse to live this long, it's incredibly resilient."

"That's what the people at the Fantastic Beasts Shop said too."

"If it really dies, then we'll consider getting a new pet."

Percy said earnestly, "Sherlock, you and Ron are good friends, so try to persuade him when you have time."

Tell him not to follow Fred and George. Even if he can't be the head of the boys' class, being a prefect would be good too—wait, you and Harry are in your year…

It seems there's no way it will be his turn, so let's just forget about it and not cause any trouble..."

Sherlock listened patiently to Percy's words and thanked him for providing him with information.

Before leaving, he kindly reminded me:
"I suggest you keep a close eye on your student council president badge; someone might try to take it from you in a little while."

"what?"

Upon hearing Sherlock's reminder, Percy's eyes narrowed sharply.

The dinner party that evening was very enjoyable.

The bar owner, Tom Cruise, was very accommodating and simply put three tables together in the lobby.

The Weasleys, a family of six, and Pisgood occupied two tables, while Sherlock, Harry, Hermione, and Ginny sat at another table.

During the meal, Sherlock took the opportunity to ask the Weasleys, and the answer he got was the same as Percy's: Scabbers had been at their house for a long time and had even come on his own.

"They probably can't find anything to eat outside, right?"

Mr. Weasley, his face flushed from the alcohol, wasn't particularly bothered by the matter, much like Percy.

"Ron bought rat poison, didn't he? If it really doesn't work out, then we can consider getting it a new pet—after all, this year's expenses haven't been small—but let's not talk about that anymore. Come on, Arnold, let's have a drink!"

"I'm sorry, Arthur."

Pisgood said seriously, "I'm driving later, so I can't drink."

"But you're a wizard!"

Mr. Weasley looked at him in surprise.

"Don't drink and drive."

Pisgood remained firm in his opinion, "Alcohol also works on wizards, and I'm not Gryffindor; I don't want to get into trouble."

"Alright alright."

Mr. Weasley shook his head helplessly and downed the wine in his glass in one gulp.

Sherlock watched this scene thoughtfully.

Very well, this has increased the number of stereotypes.

Gryffindor is a group of reckless troublemakers.

After dinner, Pisgood drove Sherlock, Harry, and Hermione back.

He first took Sherlock and Harry home.

"Hey, isn't that Hermione?"

When Mr. and Mrs. Holmes came out to help Sherlock and Harry with their luggage, they were surprised and delighted to see Hermione with them.

"Honey, why didn't you pay attention to sun protection?!"

Mrs. Holmes, holding Hermione's hand, said with a hint of reproach, "Girls don't look good when they get tanned!"

"It's alright, Aunt Holmes."

Hermione glanced at Sherlock subtly, then smiled and said:

"This is a sunbathing session I did specifically for this purpose. It will recover after a period of rest—my skin has a very good recovery ability, and this is not the first time."

"That's good."

Mrs. Holmes nodded repeatedly. “Come in quickly, Mr. Pisgood, you must be tired. Please come in and have a cup of hot tea!” “Thank you for your hospitality, but I have other matters to attend to.”

Pisgood shook his head. "My task is complete now that I've brought them here. You should all get some rest—Miss Granger, let's go!"

"Wait, doesn't Hermione live here?"

Seeing Hermione about to leave with Pisgood, Mrs. Holmes objected: "Where are you going so late? Just stay here!"

Mr. Holmes looked at his wife in surprise.

"Auntie, my parents are waiting at King's Cross Station."

Hermione was also taken aback. She hadn't expected Sherlock's mother to say that, and she blushed as she spoke.

However, because her skin had been tanned brown, it wasn't noticeable.

"That's it..."

Mrs. Holmes looked regretful, but Hermione was not Harry or Ron, and it was indeed inappropriate to let a little girl live in her house.

I was indeed a bit too hasty just now.

Sigh, it's all for his sons!

Being a mother is truly exhausting!

Finally, the group watched Pisgood and Hermione leave into the night.

Shortly after, Hermione called to inform her that she had successfully arrived at King's Cross Station.

After letting her know she was safe, Mrs. Granger sent her off to pack her luggage, while Mrs. Granger herself chatted on the phone with Mrs. Holmes.

"Sherlock, what is that?"

Sherlock and Harry were also packing their luggage.

When Harry saw Sherlock stuff a flat silver bottle into his suitcase, he looked puzzled: "Did he get some new potions?"

"No, that's my bottle, it contains brandy."

Sherlock chuckled and brandished the flat bottle in his hand: "As long as I carry this thing with me, it will remind me that I am a wizard from the Muggle world."

"Ah this..."

Harry was taken aback, not quite understanding why Sherlock would do such a thing.

After a moment, he said hesitantly, "Sherlock, do you also think I shouldn't go to Hogsmeade?"

"From a personal safety perspective, going there is not a good choice."

Harry felt a little dejected when he heard even his best friend say that, but Sherlock quickly changed the subject:
"However, looking at it from another perspective, this might also be an opportunity."

"An opportunity?" Harry's eyes widened suddenly.

"The Ministry of Magic still has no track of Black, and we all know that his target is you."

Think about it, my friend, if you were Black, when you learned that your goal was to leave the heavily guarded Hogwarts Castle—well, actually, based on what happened in the last two years, I have reservations about that.

What would you do if you learned that your target had arrived in a village with relatively lax security compared to Hogwarts?

"You mean, Blake will attack me there?"

“Black isn’t a fool, my dear Harry, he won’t act rashly, but he certainly won’t miss this opportunity to observe.”

Sherlock snapped his fingers. "So, if we make arrangements in advance, we might be able to catch him if he shows his face."

“That’s great ヾ(o)ヾ”

Harry became excited upon hearing Sherlock's words.

Although Harry was determined to deal with Sirius Black himself ever since he learned that Sirius Black was the one who betrayed his parents.

However, being able to catch the other party earlier might not be a bad thing.

At least he won't have to live in fear anymore.

Seeing Harry's expression, Sherlock looked at him with a half-smile. "It seems Hedwig has returned your Hogsmeade application form. Was it signed by Mrs. Dursley?"

Harry was surprised that he hadn't been able to fool Sherlock after all. He said somewhat embarrassedly, "It was Uncle Vernon. But Sherlock, how did you know that you weren't there when Hedwig left and when she came back..."

"Because it hasn't been eating cat food lately."

Sherlock said cheerfully, “You told me before that Mrs. Dursley’s cooking is excellent.”

"Cough cough..."

Harry hadn't expected things to be so simple.

He hesitated for a moment, wondering whether he should speak.

"Tell me everything else, my dear Harry."

How did you know I still had something to say?

“Brother, your hesitant expression tells you what you’re thinking,” Sherlock shook his head. “Given how well I know you, it would be quite unbelievable if I couldn’t see that.”

Harry was a little embarrassed because he found it difficult to talk about what he was about to say.

Just a moment ago, I thought it was okay to go to Hogsmeade under Black's threat, but now I'm starting to become suspicious again.

However, facing Sherlock's curious expression, he composed himself and said, "Sherlock, actually today I was at Flourish and Blotts..."

"Seeing an interesting book makes you think of some strange things, right?"

Harry was taken aback. "Sherlock, how did you know that...?"

How would I know you found something in the bookstore?

(End of this chapter)