Sherlock Holmes at Hogwarts.

Chapter 334 The Last Piece of the Puzzle

Hearing Sherlock and Ron's words, Harry became even more confused.

He admitted that, with the holiday approaching, he did chat with Qiu Zhang a little longer today.

But that's not the point!
It's not surprising that he went to the principal's office; for Sherlock, it was practically his home.

It was only natural for him to wait for him. Ever since he faced Quirrell and Voldemort in the Philosopher's Stone room in his first year, he had proven that the magic of love left to him by his mother was a powerful weapon to subdue Voldemort.

Harry is now fully aware of Dumbledore's plan to cultivate a savior.

Even calling on Ron, though unexpected, was also reasonable, and the reasons are self-evident.

However, Harry was a little confused when he saw Ron excitedly grabbing Scabbers and stuffing them into his pocket.

Surely you're not suggesting that Dumbledore should treat Scabbers, are you?

"So... what exactly are we supposed to do?"

To his utter surprise, Ron, seeing Harry's puzzled look, said earnestly, "Sherlock said he has found a way to completely solve the Scabbers problem."

"Huh? Completely...resolved?"

Harry was even more confused. Was the headmaster really going to treat Ron's pet?

He glanced at Sherlock instinctively, only to see the latter nod. "Yes, get rid of Scabbers completely."

Why does this sentence sound a little strange?

Before Harry could even ponder the difference between "completely resolving Scabbers" and "completely resolving Scabbers' problem," Sherlock turned to Ron again: "Can I have him first?"

"Of course!"

Ron handed Scabbers to Sherlock without hesitation.

Sherlock carefully examined the mouse he had seen for three years and found that its current condition was absolutely terrible:

It is no longer as chubby as before, and most of its fur has fallen out.

It was one thing that it was missing a claw when we first met, but when combined with its current appearance, it looks particularly pitiful.

Seeing Sherlock scrutinizing Scabbers, Ron first sighed, then said happily:

"Thank you, Sherlock, I can finally breathe a sigh of relief."

Sherlock gave Ron a meaningful look but said nothing.

The three of them walked out of the dormitory together and went to the common lounge.

Hermione was already there waiting for them.

Ron frowned immediately when he saw Crookshank lying on her lap.

The Scabbers in Sherlock's hand began to tremble violently.

"Does it have to be this way?"

Ron turned slightly and whispered to Sherlock, "I wasn't talking about her... I mean, do we really have to bring that beast along too?"

"Please believe me, dear Ron, the truth is about to come to light."

Although the sentence sounded a little strange, Ron didn't think much of it.

Trusting Sherlock, he no longer offered his opinion on Hermione when she was with Kruskran.

However, he still did not intend to speak to Hermione.

When Hermione, carrying Crookshanks, came to Sherlock's side, Scabbers immediately began to tremble violently.

It was as if they were about to escape from Sherlock's clutches and get away from that wretched big cat at any moment.

However, Sherlock was prepared and naturally wouldn't let him succeed.

Despite swaying violently, Scabbers was still unable to escape Sherlock's strong and powerful hand.

Seeing this, Ron felt increasingly uncomfortable. He opened his mouth, but ultimately forced himself to turn away and avoid looking at it.

Although Harry was still completely confused, seeing the situation, he still comforted his good friend:
"Don't worry, Ron, Sherlock has never let us down."

Ron nodded reluctantly upon hearing this.

This is also the source of his confidence.

Sherlock never disappoints.

At Hogwarts, most people are forgetful.

Nearly two months have passed, and Black has not reappeared. The teachers and students of Hogwarts seem to have forgotten what happened on Halloween Eve.

Now that the holidays are approaching, the teachers no longer make excuses to accompany Harry through the corridors, and even Percy no longer follows Harry around all the time as he used to.

This allowed the group to easily reach the spiral staircase leading to the principal's office, only to be blocked by a uniquely shaped stone statue.

"Sherlock, do you know the password?"

Hermione asked curiously.

Sherlock shook his head: "There is no password."

As soon as he finished speaking, the huge gargoyle stone beast immediately jumped aside, making way for the spiral staircase behind it.

The three friends were stunned when they saw this.

Is it that impressive?
Once all three were standing on the spiral staircase, Ron suddenly slapped his forehead:
"I understand!"

All three looked at him.

"The password for the principal's office is 'No password'!"
Mr. Dumbledore is truly wise! Who could have imagined setting up such a password?

"..."

After a brief silence, Sherlock smiled and said, "My dear Ron, you are the wise one."

"Haha, what's this called again, a sudden inspiration, right?"

Seeing Ron's smug look, Harry's lips twitched, and Hermione opened her mouth as if to say something, but in the end, she said nothing.

Forget it, just be happy.

Ron's excitement subsided when he arrived at the principal's office.

As Sherlock knocked on the door, Dumbledore's voice immediately rang out from inside the room:

"Please come in!"

Sherlock didn't delay and pushed open the door first, going inside.

Hermione, carrying Crookshanks, followed closely behind.

Harry and Ron exchanged a glance and followed.

The three of them were taken aback by the scene before them as soon as they entered the principal's office.

Before coming here, Sherlock told the three that he had found a way to solve the Scabbers problem.

Furthermore, since their destination was the headmaster's office, the three of them naturally assumed that Dumbledore was the only person there.

To my utter surprise, there were other people here besides Dumbledore.

And there's more than one!
They are—Minerva McGonagall, Vice-Headmaster of Hogwarts, Head of Gryffindor, and Professor of Transfiguration.

Severus Snape, Head of Slytherin, Potions Professor, and designated interim Professor of Defence Against the Dark Arts. The actual Professor of Defence Against the Dark Arts, Remus Lupin, is a newcomer to Hogwarts this year.

Apart from the two heads of Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff, it can be said that all of the school's top combat forces have arrived.

"what's the situation?"

Ron was stunned by what he saw and couldn't help but whisper to Sherlock, "Why are the other teachers here too?"

Despite his best efforts to lower his voice, the four professors in the office still heard him.

Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Lupin didn't say anything.

Professor Snape, however, spoke with a cold laugh.

Surprisingly, he actually praised Ron.

“That’s a good question, Weasley.”

Snape's eyes were incredibly cold at this moment, his gaze fixed on Sherlock as if he were about to transform into a venomous snake and bite him.
"I'd also like to know, Sherlock Holmes, why did you have the principal call us all here?"

"Calm down, Severus."

Just then, Headmaster Dumbledore spoke up.

He looked at Snape and said in a reassuring tone, "I trust Sherlock. Since he was able to bring everyone here, he can surely give us an answer."

He waved his wand, and four chairs slid up behind the four young wizards: "Please, have a seat, gentlemen."

"is it?"

Snape gave a cold laugh and continued in that unpleasant tone, "I remain skeptical."

“Severus, Holmes has demonstrated his abilities to the fullest in the past two years.”

At this critical moment, as the head of Gryffindor House, Professor McGonagall naturally supported her house's key students.

"I also think Sherlock wouldn't make baseless accusations." Professor Lupin smiled slightly, expressing his support for Sherlock.

"Is that so? Then let's wait and see."

Snape said dismissively.

He emphasized "wait and see" when he spoke, and everyone present could tell that he was being sarcastic.

As for Sherlock's three companions, they were completely dumbfounded at this point.

So these professors were specially recruited by Sherlock Holmes?
Didn't we agree to solve the freckle problem? What's going on here?
Even if it's just to save a pet, does it really warrant such a huge fuss?
As everyone's eyes were fixed on Sherlock, he slowly took something out of his pocket.

When Hermione saw that thing, she was shocked and looked incredulous before quickly looking away.

But her face was already red to the roots of her ears.

Because what Sherlock took out was the wool sock she had bought for him in Hogsmeade.

At this moment, she was completely confused, with all sorts of chaotic thoughts rushing out of her mind.

What was Sherlock's purpose in bringing this up? What was his motive? Why bring it up in this particular situation? Was he trying to express something through it?
"First, I'd like to show you something."

Ah, Sherlock, stop talking!
Hermione was so embarrassed she wanted to disappear into the ground.

Even though I can't see my own face, I can imagine what I look like just by looking at my feverish cheeks.

Strangely enough, even though I was incredibly embarrassed, there seemed to be a hint of joy hidden deep inside me.

It's so contradictory!

Just then, Sherlock reached into his sock.

Hermione: “???”

The next moment, Sherlock took out a... spyglass?
Hermione recognized the little gadget at a glance.

It was the miniature spyglass that Ron gave to Harry as a birthday present.

Sherlock had specifically asked Harry for it a while ago, and Hermione knew about it too.

At that moment, the initial feeling of shame vanished, replaced by relief and confusion.

What's the deal with hiding a spyglass in a sock?

What do you want to do with it now?
Before she could figure out the connection, the spyglass that Sherlock had taken out emitted a sharp whistling sound, instantly drawing everyone's attention.

Sherlock put away the wool socks but placed the spyglass directly on the desk.

At this moment, the viewing mirror was flashing and rotating while continuously emitting a warning beep.

"This is a miniature endoscope, and I think everyone knows what it's for."

Sherlock tapped the table with his long, slender fingers and said softly.

"These are magical devices originally from Egypt. Merchants on the other side of the pyramids like to sell them to tourists. A magical device shop in Hogsmeade also sells them."

Whenever there's someone you don't trust nearby, it spins and lights up, and it sounds an alarm, just like it is now.

As a professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts, Lupin was quite knowledgeable and immediately explained its origin.

However, as he spoke, Snape's face grew increasingly dark.

"enough!"

He looked at Dumbledore. "Headmaster, I don't think we can let him continue this nonsense!"

After saying this, he turned to Sherlock and said menacingly:
Are you going to tell us that there are people in this classroom who are not trustworthy?
To believe in such a cheap toy is utterly absurd!

Snape's overreaction surprised Sherlock.

But he quickly understood where the other person's agitation came from.

Even Dumbledore spoke up: "Sherlock, I trust everyone in this office, so..."

"Sir, I also trust everyone in this office."

Sherlock said calmly.

Upon hearing Sherlock's words, Dumbledore looked puzzled and exchanged a glance with Professor McGonagall.

Professor McGonagall couldn't help but ask, "If that's the case, what do you mean by taking it out? Are you trying to prove that it's broken?"

The three friends watched Sherlock nervously.

This was the second time Professor Snape had questioned Sherlock. Even Professor McGonagall, who had just supported Sherlock, had doubts. If he couldn't convince the other side, things would certainly not go well for him.

"To be honest, that's what I originally thought too."

Sherlock remained remarkably calm in the face of questions from his teachers and classmates.

"However, it was precisely this inexpensive item that Professor Snape described as insignificant that recently successfully verified my deduction and also completed the final piece of my series of reasoning."

Regarding that case from twelve years ago, I now have some perspectives that differ from the general public's understanding, and I'd like to share them with you.

At this point, Sherlock's gaze swept over everyone in the office, and he said, word by word:

"This is also why I invited all the teachers and students to come here today, because this matter is related to everyone present."

As Sherlock uttered those words, the office fell silent for a moment, with only the tiny peephole spinning on the desk emitting a continuous, piercing alarm.

Even the light it emitted seemed to become incredibly dazzling at this moment.

(End of this chapter)