Sherlock Holmes at Hogwarts.

Chapter 342 Why should good people be pointed at with magic wands?
Before they knew it, Harry and Sherlock had known each other for three years.

It was during these three years that he formed a belief—no matter what the problem was, even if others were helpless, Sherlock would always be able to solve it.

So when Sherlock said "we must use magic to defeat magic," Harry, though not understanding what it meant, instinctively looked at Sherlock with hope, waiting for his answer.

Just then, the two of them returned to the auditorium.

That's why, before Sherlock could answer Harry's question, his friends swarmed around him.

They have their reasons for doing this.

You know, there are only three days left until the holiday.

Despite having only a few classes a day, Professor McGonagall, who was known for her seriousness, suddenly called Sherlock and Harry away after breakfast.

This inevitably causes concern.

Hermione and Ron, who had gone to the headmaster's office with Sherlock and Harry yesterday, knew the inside story.

As the saying goes, the authorities are confused, but those who watch are clear.

Harry had just thought McGonagall would bring him good news, but Hermione and Ron could tell from Professor McGonagall's expression that something was wrong.

Now that the two of them are back, Harry recounts what happened, and it turns out that everything was exactly as he expected.

"That's unreasonable!"

Whenever something like this happens, Ron is always the first to lose his composure.

“This is really outrageous!
Do these guys even know how to do anything right?

A living person is right in front of you, yet you still refuse to accept the facts?

They're not even as good as me!

His statement drew the attention of many.

Ron then realized that his words contained a grammatical error and quickly began to correct them:
“What I mean is… if people like me, who have been deceived by Banban… uh… like me, who have been fooled by Peter for so long, can accept this fact, they should be able to accept it more easily.”

"Stop shouting," Ginny said irritably, elbowing her sixth brother. "Do you want everyone to know about this?"

"Actually... it's not impossible."

Suddenly, Qiu Zhang spoke, slowly saying to everyone's surprise:
"If enough people believe this, we can mobilize public opinion to monitor the Ministry of Magic and force them to admit the truth."

As far as I know, some journalists would love to find such an opportunity to create a big news story.

Everyone's eyes lit up upon hearing this.

As expected of Ravenclaw, who is known for his wisdom, Cho Chang is right!

However, Hermione shook her head and questioned this:

The problem is that not many people have actually seen Peter Pettigrew.

Even if he were standing right in front of us now, we wouldn't recognize him.

Moreover, compared to the official statement that was already established twelve years ago, people may not necessarily believe the truth.

On the contrary, everyone saw Sirius Black break into the Gryffindor Tower.

So apart from us, it's hard to believe that he was wronged.

Professor McGonagall said that even the headmaster can't control the Ministry of Magic.

Upon hearing this, Ginny said with concern, "Are we really just going to have to wait for Sirius to show up?"

"Not necessarily."

Luna suddenly spoke, her eyes darting around as if she had taken truth serum, even though she was looking at Sherlock.

However, she herself clearly didn't care, and said in that ethereal voice:
"Sherlock already has a plan, doesn't he? Just follow his instructions."

Luna's words immediately silenced everyone, and they all stared at her in surprise.

Hermione, in particular, looked at Luna and then at Sherlock.

what happened?

I didn't even notice that!
Sherlock smiled slightly: "Luna, you've discovered the blind spot."

Upon hearing this, Harry, Hermione, and Ron exchanged bewildered glances.

Because they were so familiar with that phrase!
Harry and Hermione, in particular, both had the same thought.

It was me, it was me first, I was clearly here first!

The subject of this sentence should be me!

From a distance, Gemma Farley watched Sherlock and Harry surrounded by the crowd, shook her head helplessly, and didn't join them.

Penelope Clearwater, standing beside her, couldn't help but tease her:
"We've waited so long, and now that they've arrived, they're not leaving. Are you... worried about those young girls?"

“It seems love really can change a person,” Gemma glanced at Penelope, gently smoothing her hair with her hand, her every move exuding elegance. “Since you started dating Weasley, you’ve been like a completely different person.”

"I think you should take care of yourself first. You're graduating next year, but he'll be staying here for another four years..."

Penelope looked at the tallest boy in the crowd, who stood out the most, and said while shaking her head:
"So you really don't plan to apply for a teaching internship?"

Percy said Professor McGonagall asked about it last week, and she thinks highly of both of you student council presidents.

“I told you last time that my father wants me to go to Greece to get involved in the trade of magical minerals there.”

Gemma said softly, as if she were talking about something that had nothing to do with her.

"But you chose to go to the fire dragon reserve in Romania."

Penelope frowned upon hearing this, somewhat unable to understand Gemma's choice:

"Since you have already gone against your father's wishes, why don't you just stay?"
I don't think Romania is a better choice than Hogwarts; it's not even as good as the Ministry of Magic, at least the latter is still in Britain.

“I have my reasons, Penelope. I’m so sorry, I can’t tell you right now.” Gemma said apologetically, feeling somewhat guilty for not being able to confide in her friend.

“Of course I don’t care,” Penelope said, glancing again at Sherlock in the crowd. “I’m just worried that he might not be able to keep his virginity after you leave.”

Gemma was immediately amused and annoyed by Penelope's words: "My dear Penelope, please don't judge others by your own standards."

"I'm the one who's being superficial!" Penelope said irritably. "I meant well, and you still tease me."

"Don't do that, Penelope, you know that's not what I meant."

Gemma affectionately put her arm around Penelope's shoulder and whispered something to her.

Penelope blushed, glared at Gemma, and then whispered something in her ear.

The two former prefectural leaders, both considered school beauties, were whispering to each other in the auditorium, creating a beautiful scene that drew the attention of passersby.

Meanwhile, Sherlock was explaining to his friends:
"My dear friends, you and Professor McGonagall have actually fallen into a misconception." "Fall into a misconception with Professor McGonagall?"

Hermione repeated Sherlock's words, a look of confusion in her eyes.

"Yes, this matter is not as complicated as you think. As long as we see through the essence of the problem, we can solve it in the simplest way."

Ron looked at Sherlock with those clear yet foolish eyes, clearly waiting for him to explain.

Sherlock did not disappoint him; amidst the expectant gazes of the crowd, he spoke at double speed:
"The Ministry of Magic has always prided itself on fairness and justice, but it has shown such cowardice when faced with the truth."

This is essentially a survival strategy for the bureaucratic system to protect itself, ultimately turning the judiciary, which should represent impartiality, into a tool to protect vested interests rather than a means to achieve justice.

"Uh……"

Harry and Ron exchanged a glance, hesitant to speak.

Although I don't quite understand what it means, it sounds pretty impressive.

The expressions of the others were similar, except for Hermione and Cho Chang, who looked thoughtful.

Fortunately, Sherlock then went on to explain further:
"As I told Professor McGonagall, it is pointless to negotiate within the rules set by the other party."

Why didn't they do this when Voldemort ruled the wizarding world?

I bet you a galleon that if Voldemort were to ever return and storm the Ministry of Magic, none of these people who claim to uphold procedural justice would dare breathe a word!

Everyone nodded.

However, upon hearing Voldemort's name, Ron, Luna, Ginny, and Cho Chang couldn't help but shrink back.

Sherlock ignored this and continued:

"Ultimately, it's because Dumbledore's concessions over the years have given the Ministry of Magic, led by Fudge, the illusion that Dumbledore only talks to them about facts and reason."

In fact, given Dumbledore's power, there was no need for him to present evidence and wait for their approval as he was doing now.

But he trapped himself in this school because of his past, and even became his own jailer.

Fear of power, distancing oneself from strength, adhering to rules, overcorrection…

At this point, Sherlock shook his head, clearly disapproving of Dumbledore's choice.

Ultimately, the reason the Ministry of Magic dares to act so recklessly is because Dumbledore is a good man.

"Yes, Mr. Dumbledore is indeed a good man."

This time, Harry nodded.

Not only him, but all of Sherlock's friends who listened to him speak could relate to this.

At Hogwarts, the vast majority of students, both new and returning, are afraid of Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape.

On the contrary, he was not particularly afraid of the real headmaster, Dumbledore.

If Harry hadn't seen Dumbledore's angry expression when Peter tried to attack him, he probably would have really thought Dumbledore was an old man who would never get angry.

"Dumbledore is a good man, but..."

Why should good people be the ones pointed at with magic wands? What kind of logic is that?

Sherlock was unwilling to discuss the matter further. "Since they're not going to reason with us, let's defeat them where they excel!"

Ron was still the most impatient one, and he wasn't afraid of being laughed at by others. "To be honest, I don't quite understand what you mean."

"I didn't expect you to be able to figure it out."

Ron: _

Do we really have to be this honest?
"Okay, let me try to be more specific—December 25, 1991."

Sherlock then turned to Harry, “That day you received a phone call, and when you asked me who he was, I told you he was the most dangerous person you know.”

Harry thought for a moment, then his eyes lit up: "You mean... Mycroft, your brother!"

Reminded by Sherlock, he immediately recalled the time before school started when Sherlock and he went to Diagon Alley with Mycroft's help.

Even now, he still can't understand how a government employee in the Muggle world could influence the Ministry of Magic and get them to send people and cars to pick them up.

"Indeed, when the bureaucratic system finds that the cost of maintaining errors outweighs the cost of correcting them, they suddenly become very righteous."

Under everyone's gaze, Sherlock smiled: "I think it won't be long before we see the results—it's only interesting to defeat these people using the methods they are best at."

This time, all the friends looked at each other in bewilderment.

Even though they already knew that Sherlock was asking his brother, Mycroft Holmes, for help, they were still completely baffled and impressed, including the most intelligent Hermione and Cho Chang.

Sherlock simply asked Hermione for paper and pen, and wrote down the following in front of his friends:
Mycroft: The goldfish at the Ministry of Magic refuse to acknowledge Sirius's innocence and insist that he confront Pettigrew face-to-face.

Clearly, they enjoy the spectacle of treating heroes like prisoners.

The children were stunned to see Sherlock write only those two sentences and then tie the parchment to Watson's leg.

"Is this okay?"

Hermione looked at Sherlock in surprise. "Why don't you write it in more detail? And you didn't even say exactly what he needs to do!"

“If he still needs me to tell him what to do…” Sherlock shook his head, “then there’s no need for me to tell him this.”

Luna tilted her head: "It's obvious, self-evident?"

"Obviously, my friend."

All night long, Harry imagined how Mycroft Holmes would help them solve this problem.

He hadn't forgotten that Sherlock's brother's observation and reasoning abilities were even superior to his own.

Having learned from his previous experience, he now personally witnessed the methods of this great Sherlock Holmes.

Since Sherlock was so confident, Harry was also convinced that this matter could be resolved.

Harry had already exaggerated Mycroft's abilities to the extreme, but he still never expected that the solution to this problem would be so simple, crude, direct, and effective.

The next morning, when Sherlock, Harry, and Neville finished fencing and returned to their dormitory, Ron, who should have been asleep at that time, was already awake.

Not only that, he was also holding a newspaper in his hand and reading it with great interest.

"Sherlock, Harry, Neville—you've come at the perfect time! Come and see this!"

When he saw Sherlock and his two companions return, he jumped up like Crookshanks whose tail had been stepped on.

As he spoke, he handed me the newspaper he was holding.

"Come here, look at this!"

(End of this chapter)