Sherlock Holmes at Hogwarts.

Chapter 329 Blake is about to be caught

Harry initially thought that Sherlock, like Professor Lupin, was worried that he wouldn't be able to deal with the Boggart alone.

That's why I didn't tell my best friend, with whom I share everything, about seeing something "ominous" again on the Quidditch pitch.

Unexpectedly, Professor Lupin said it was because he was worried about Voldemort's appearance, not for the reason he had imagined.

So Sherlock, who joined Professor Lupin in preventing him from facing Boggart alone, did so for the same reason.

After resolving his inner conflict, Harry kept thinking about telling Sherlock about it.

Now, when Hufflepuff is mentioned, Harry remembers this incident and brings it up.

"I saw something ominous again during the last match against Hufflepuff!"

"Ominous, you mean that big black dog?"

"Yes, it's the big black dog I saw when I left the Dursleys' house!"

Are you sure it's the same one?

“I can’t be sure if it’s the same dog I saw on the cover of that book,” Harry said with certainty, “but it was definitely the one I saw when I left the Dursleys’ house; it was in the stands!”

"You mean, after seeing that big dog, you fell off the flying broomstick, right?"

Harry gritted his teeth and finally nodded, saying:
"Yes!"

Harry had assumed Sherlock would be like Hermione, dismissing the idea and even preparing himself to accept it.

But to his surprise, Sherlock showed great interest in the matter.

He not only asked Harry in detail about the time and place the big black dog appeared, but also asked Harry to describe the surrounding environment in detail.

This has stumped Harry.

Although Sherlock wasn't as obvious as Hermione, his attitude towards divination shouldn't have been like that.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but ask in bewilderment, "Sherlock, don't you think this is a coincidence?"

Sherlock said calmly, "I don't think so, Harry. You should know that every coincidence exists within a certainty."

Thank you for letting me know this in time; it will be crucial in solving this case.

Harry couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Indeed, Sherlock is the one who understands me best!

The continuous rain lasted until December.

Two weeks before the end of the semester, the long-sunny sky finally turned into a bright and dazzling eggshell color, and the muddy field was covered with a layer of crystal-clear white frost.

The entire castle was filled with the busy and joyful atmosphere of the upcoming festival.

At everyone's invitation, Charms professor Flitwick displayed his prowess by decorating the classroom with a series of colorful lights.

Under the influence of a magical spell, they will transform into real fairies and flutter around the classroom.

Hagrid once again decorated the auditorium with a tall and beautiful Christmas tree.

When Professor McGonagall came with the form to register, Harry chose to stay at the school, just like last year.

But this was not his intention, because Professor McGonagall had specifically spoken to him about this matter.

Before Sirius Black was captured, the Ministry of Magic hoped that Harry could stay at school.

Not only Christmas, but also the Easter holidays, and if necessary, he might even be allowed to stay at Hogwarts during the summer vacation.

Seeing the treatment that Tom Riddle had once dreamed of fall into his lap, Harry felt no honor, only endless regret.

Because this year he really wanted to go back to Privet Road for the New Year—after his relationship with the Dursleys had improved.

Unfortunately, even such a small wish could not be fulfilled.

Ron also decided to stay at Hogwarts.

This touched Harry deeply.

Although Ron said it was because he couldn't stand being with Percy for two weeks, Harry knew that his best friend stayed at school to be with him.

To Harry's surprise, Ginny also chose to stay at school.

The reason is the same as Ron's: he doesn't want to be with Percy.

Harry thought Ginny was telling the truth; she genuinely didn't want to be with Percy.

Seeing Harry's "sudden realization" expression, Ginny couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.

However, when she learned that Qiu Zhang would be leaving the school, she was secretly happy.

This way, she would have a full two weeks to spend with Harry.

On the last weekend before winter break, the school arranged another trip to Hogsmeade Village.

Everyone was overjoyed, except for Harry.

It's still Professor McGonagall.

Not going home for Christmas and Easter is just one of the safety measures; another is not being able to go to Hogsmeade on weekends.

"I'm very sorry, Potter."

Professor McGonagall said, "But for your safety, the Ministry of Magic has officially notified the school that you cannot leave the school to go there, even with your guardian's signature."

Harry understood.

Fortunately, Sherlock and Hermione are not planning to go to Hogsmeade this time either.

Sherlock wasn't particularly interested in the place to begin with, and after going once before Halloween, he planned to go again in the spring or summer term. Hermione, on the other hand, originally intended to buy all the Christmas items there; her parents really liked Honeydukes's Fluffy Tooth Mints.

But when she learned that Sherlock had declined Gemma's offer to go to the Three Broomsticks for a drink, she was overjoyed and changed her mind, deciding to stay at school as well.

"Are you really not going?"

Ron was very surprised when he heard the three's decision. "Then you are the only three left-behind children among the third-year students."

“What do you mean by ‘left-behind children’? Why are you saying it in such a strange way?” Hermione handed the money to Ron. “Bring me some extra fuzzy tooth mints when you come back.”

Ron agreed, then looked at his two other good brothers: "Old Xia, Old Ha, do you need me to bring anything?"

Sherlock had no requests, but Harry hesitated for a moment before saying, "Bring me some unique magical snacks, I think Dudley would like them."

"No problem, I'll cover it!"

The first snow of 1993 came earlier than usual.

Leaning against the Thestrals carriage at Hogwarts, it carried away the last fallen yellow leaf.

On Saturday morning, almost all the students in the third grade and above went to Hogsmeade Village.

After saying goodbye to everyone, Harry asked curiously, "Sherlock, what have you been busy with all this time?"

Since the Quidditch match with Hufflepuff, Sherlock has been so busy that he hasn't even been able to visit Harry in the hospital.

Just like Ron said a while ago, apart from taking Neville to morning exercise and attending regular classes, he could hardly find anyone around.

Harry wasn't too concerned about that, but he was somewhat curious about Sherlock's whereabouts.

He became even busier after he told Sherlock about the ominous things he had seen during his match with Hufflepuff.

So, taking advantage of the opportunity, he decisively asked the question.

Sherlock had no intention of hiding anything and stated frankly:
"Investigate the case of Sirius Black."

Upon hearing Sherlock's words, Harry and Hermione immediately perked up their ears, and Hermione couldn't help but ask, "How's it going?"

“Not bad.”

Sherlock didn't hide anything, "I've consulted a lot of information and visited several people in the know during this time, and I already have a framework for understanding Black's infiltration."

Unfortunately, I still lack some crucial clues that can help me solve the puzzle.

Under the surprised gazes of his two friends, Sherlock slowly said, "I think... I'll be able to find Black by next semester at the latest."

“Oh my god—!”

"That's fantastic, Sherlock!"

Upon hearing Sherlock's words, Hermione couldn't help but cover her mouth with her hand.

The next semester, before the Easter break.

I should say, as expected of Sherlock Holmes.

Even the most vicious criminals, who baffled the entire British Ministry of Magic and Hogwarts, still had to be caught when they encountered Sherlock!
Harry and Hermione had no doubt about Sherlock's abilities.

In their minds, if Sherlock said he could do it, then he could do it.

As for how they did it, that's beyond their comprehension.

The thought of this bastard who betrayed his parents being caught ignited a fire within Harry.

"Thank you, Sherlock!"

“Opening champagne at halftime is a bit too early,” Sherlock joked, then pulled out a magazine. “I think this is more suitable for you now.”

Harry curiously took it and looked at it: "The Complete Book of Flying Broomsticks?"

“After Cedric reminded me last time, I noticed that you didn’t seem to be very comfortable with the flying broomstick you ride during training.”

It's more than just not quite used to it.

He and that flying broomstick were sometimes completely at odds!

Ever since his beloved Nimbus 2000 was smashed to pieces by the Whomping Willow, Harry has been riding a flying broomstick used by the school for flying lessons during training.

This flying broom, named "Meteor," is from a very old brand.

It's not even comparable to Harry's previous Nimbus 2000, let alone the older models in the Sweep and Comet series.

Not only was it slow, but it also stumbled and bumped along.

Only Harry, with his talent and hard work, the youngest Seeker in a century, could master it; otherwise, he probably wouldn't even be able to guarantee normal training.

However, this was already the best flying broom for the flight course.

Harry was able to get it because Wood got in through Mrs. Hodge's connections.

With a pained expression, Wood suggested to Harry more than once that they should quickly buy a brand new flying broom.

A flying broom is as important to a Quidditch player as a magic wand is to a wizard.

Even though Harry got a new flying broom, it will take some time to get used to it before it can perform at its best.

This statement coincides with Cedric's.

Harry had no idea that Sherlock, who had been mostly out of the public eye and busy investigating cases, was still paying attention to him.

He was so touched!

(End of this chapter)