Sherlock Holmes at Hogwarts.

Chapter 348 Sherlock: I've never been a normal person
The last day before the Christmas holidays in 1993.

The third-year students in Gryffindor only have one class on the protection of magical creatures today.

After this class, they were completely free and just waited for the holiday to start tomorrow so they could go home.

Gryffindor common room.

Harry, Ron, and Ginny were discussing their plans to go home tomorrow.

"Don't look so glum, come on, have a drink!"

As Ron spoke, he handed Harry a cup of butterbeer.

“I’ve already written home. Ginny and I will be coming home. You can go to the Muggles’ place without worry!”

"Thank you, Ron."

Harry has loved the drink ever since he had it once at Hogsmeade.

Compared to Sherlock's favorite brandy, it's not as spicy and suits Harry's taste better.

"Wait, did you go to Hogsmeade again?"

Harry took a breath before he realized what was happening.

"Haha, you didn't know that!"

Ron laughed and explained, "You can make this thing in the school kitchen elves too!"
Although it wasn't quite as good as the one made by Ms. Rostamer herself from Three Brooms, it was still pretty good for us who were still in school.

Remember when Neville was looking for Rafer a couple of days ago?

Harry nodded.

This has almost become a regular feature of Gryffindor.

Before every holiday, Neville would search the world for his pet toad, Rafe.

"In the past, Rafer only roamed around within Gryffindor's territory, but this time, for some reason, it ran into the Hufflepuff girls' dormitory!"

"what?"

Harry's eyes widened in surprise.

Ginny added with a grin, "Luckily, Hannah Abbott recognized it and sent Neville his pet over."

“I happened to be talking to Neville about butterbeer at the time, and guess what?”

Ron continued, offering his answer before Harry could reply, "Abbott ran to the school kitchen and brought us a few drinks; I've been waiting to share them with you!"

"Hannah Abbott?"

This little witch was the first among Harry's class of freshmen to wear the Sorting Hat.

They are also one of the Twenty-Eight Holy Pureblood Families, just like the Longbottom, Weasley, Malfoy, and Black families.

Harry never expected her to be so kind.

"Old Ha, have you forgotten that Sherlock did her father a huge favor when she was in first grade?"

Harry suddenly realized that before Christmas in their first year, Sherlock, based on the Ministry of Magic's investigation report, had exonerated Abbott's father.

"Hehe, we're best buddies of Lao Xia, this time we're just benefiting from his connections."

I already asked him, and he said he prefers brandy, so these are all ours!

"I see."

Seeing Harry frown again without realizing it, Ron patted him on the shoulder:

"Don't worry about it, Lao Ha. Didn't we already agree that we'd each go back to our own homes and find our own mothers?"

“Yeah, Harry, it’s true that spending two weeks with Percy was awful, but if you’re not at school, Ron and I don’t get much fun either.”

Even Ginny herself was a little surprised after she said those words.

When did she become so bold?

She quickly realized that it was probably because Harry and Cho Chang had become closer during this time.

Since Sherlock exposed Peter Pettigrew, Harry and Cho Chang have been meeting more frequently.

One reason is that Cho Chang, as a Ravenclaw, is very interested in Sherlock's process of solving cases.

Furthermore, as Harry's friend, it's perfectly normal for her to care about Harry's life.

Although the two weren't dating yet, Ginny felt threatened, and encouraged by her friend Luna, she took the initiative.

"But I clearly promised you I would stay at school..."

"Oh, what's there to worry about!"

Ron kept shaking his head. "If you were to go home alone and leave us at school, it would be understandable if you felt a little guilty."

But now that we can go home, it really doesn't matter at all!

"Ron is right!"

Ginny was initially quite disappointed that Harry couldn't stay at school, and secretly resented Ron for being a terrible teammate.

However, when she realized that Harry really wanted to go back to Privet Drive, she put aside her own little schemes and joined Ron in coaxing him:

"Harry, you're too kind. You just have to be more open-minded about some things..."

Ginny was agreeing when suddenly her eyes lit up. "What's that?"

Before she could react, a yellow shadow pounced on the three of them.

"Krug Hill!"

Harry was taken aback when he saw the large, menacing cat. "Scabbers... no, Peter has already been sent to Azkaban. Why are you here again?"

Seeing the big cat again, Ron's feelings were complicated.

Previously, he was because of Scabbers... well, now it should be called Peter Pettigrew.

He had several arguments with Hermione about this.

The two even ignored each other at one point.

Sherlock ignored this, while Harry was so anxious he was practically bubbling with worry.

As it turned out, Hermione and Crookshanks were right.

Banban is definitely no good!
Of course, Hermione eventually apologized to him, admitting that she had failed to put herself in his shoes.

But then again, the thought that the rat that had been with him for three years was actually a man in disguise, and that he had slept in the same bed with him every day for those three years, sometimes even getting the sheets dirty...

This fact was really...

How cruel!

"Hey, it's carrying a letter in its mouth!"

"What? Let me see!"

Hearing Ginny's words, Ron snapped out of his thoughts and bent down to grab Crookshan.

However, Crookshanks nimbly leaped and landed directly on Harry's knees, tilting his large head, still holding the letter in his mouth, towards Harry's direction.

Harry was somewhat surprised: "Crooked Hill, is this for me?"

"Meow-"

Crookshanks responded lazily and snuggled into Harry's arms.

Harry picked up the letter out of curiosity, but as soon as he tore open the envelope, he immediately stood up in surprise.

This action caused Crookshan to fall directly to the ground.

"Ouch——!"

Crookshan immediately cried out in dissatisfaction.

"I'm sorry, Crookshan, it's really..."

Harry held the letter in one hand and reached out with the other to hug Crookshanks.

"Let me do it."

Seeing that Harry was having some difficulty moving, Ginny stepped in and picked up Crookshanks in her arms.

"Meow meow meow?"

"I'll hold you, be a good girl~"

While petting the cat, Ginny asked curiously, "Harry, who wrote you the letter?"

Sirius Black.

"what?!"

Ron and Ginny both looked surprised. Ginny was so surprised she forgot to pet the cat: "Why would Crookshanks deliver a letter for him?"

"What did he say? Read it aloud!" Ron was even more eager to know the contents of the letter.

"Meow-"

Dear Harry,
By the time you read this letter, this cat has probably conveyed all my anxieties and expectations to you—it's the smartest cat I've ever met and has helped me a lot.

Although the Ministry of Magic's announcement cleared my name, the words that embellished the truth made me nauseous.

Harry, my biggest wish right now is to see you.

You can choose the location and bring along a teacher from school or someone else you trust.

If you agree, please send a message so that the cat can find me.

If you are unwilling to meet me, I can understand your wariness.

This responsibility, which should have been fulfilled twelve years ago, has been shattered by my stupidity and Peter's betrayal.

What happened to your parents is my lifelong regret, and the loneliness you endured torments me day and night.

Your eyes are as bright as Lily's, and your courage will make James proud.

Whatever you decide, I will always be your family.

—Your loyal Sirius Black.

"Sherlock's prediction has come true again!"

Ron sighed and said loudly, "Is there anything he can't guess?"

Ginny then looked at Harry and asked, "Harry, what do you think? Do you want to meet him?"

Harry remained silent.

"Let's be cautious."

Ron frowned, and said with some concern:
"Although Blake has now been proven innocent, no one knows what he went through in Azkaban..."

Dad said that people locked up inside become mentally unstable after a few weeks, let alone someone who has been locked up for a full twelve years.

Don't forget, he once tore the fat lady apart!

“But he was Harry’s godfather. If that hadn’t happened, Harry should have grown up with him.”

No, even without that incident, I wouldn't have grown up with him.

Harry thought to himself as he listened to Ginny's words.

When Hagrid pulled Harry, still a baby, from the ruins, Peter hadn't yet had a chance to falsely accuse Sirius, who had also asked Hagrid for Harry.

However, Dumbledore insisted that Harry grow up in a world isolated from magic, so Hagrid firmly rejected Sirius's offer.

Later, everyone believed that Sirius Black had asked Hagrid for Harry back then in order to kill the infant.

But now it seems that he genuinely wanted to take care of Harry.

If Hagrid had actually handed Harry over to Sirius that night, perhaps Harry's fate would have been different.

However, that matter is in the past, and Harry doesn't plan to tell Ginny about it.

Ginny continued:

"Besides, didn't he also say in his letter that Harry could go with his teacher or anyone else he trusted—as long as Dumbledore is there, Harry will be safe."

"That's not necessarily true—have you forgotten? Back in first grade, the mysterious man sneaked in by attaching himself to the back of Quirrell's head."

In second grade, he sneaked in again by hiding in his diary.

In third grade, the mysterious man didn't show up, but his henchmen had already been hiding among us for a long time.

Dumbledore knew nothing of these things. If Sherlock didn't exist, we might all be in serious trouble!

"But Harry remained safe and sound because Dumbledore was always protecting him!"

"Having to go to the school hospital once every academic year doesn't mean you're perfectly healthy!"

"You yelled at me! You actually yelled at me!"

"..."

Harry remained silent as he listened to the differing opinions of his two siblings, still staring blankly at the letter.

He could indeed feel Sirius's sincerity from this letter.

The question is, should I meet him or not?

Ron is right.

Ginny has a point.

Just then, he suddenly thought of something.

Harry looked up abruptly, just as Ron and Ginny finished arguing. Their eyes met in the air, and they said in unison:
"When in doubt, ask Sherlock!"

"When you encounter a difficult decision, go to Sherlock Holmes."

In the library, Hermione looked at Sherlock with a grin, "Now the whole school knows about this—Sherlock, your reputation as the campus detective is growing louder and louder!"

"It's not just on campus, but in some ways, it's not a good thing."

"why?"

The one asking the question was Luna Lovegood, who was sitting on the other side of Sherlock.

"Because I have never been a normal person."

Sherlock pressed his fingers together, rested his chin on his elbows on the table, and slowly explained under the gaze of the two girls:
"I am restless and can't stand still. When I have nothing to do, I feel uneasy and have nothing to do."

I only feel comfortable when I am given challenging problems, tasks, and the most profound puzzles; I don't need to artificially seek excitement.

You know, I used to think London was a very boring city—they've been so unenthusiastic in recent years, cracking down on local crime in their efforts to promote the EU.

"Sherlock!"

Hermione said somewhat angrily, "I don't think any normal citizen would agree with your view."

"Yes, yes, I shouldn't be selfish."

Sherlock chuckled and said, “The disappearance of criminals is naturally good for social stability. Apart from the poor consulting detectives having nothing to do, no one loses anything—fortunately, at this time, an owl brought us Hogwarts’ acceptance letter.”

The emergence of the magical world opened the door to a new world for me, finally freeing me from the need for artificial self-stimulation.

Based on the past three years, I'm quite satisfied with my life as a wizard.

Unfortunately, by the time I reached the third year, I had already grasped the general outline of the magical world, and all that was left was to study step by step.

I originally thought Voldemort could at least provide some entertainment, but he turned out to be just as brain-dead as I thought.

On the contrary, Tom Riddle from fifty years ago was a decent opponent.

Now they've all faded away, the Azkaban prisoner case has been resolved, and now only the school cases remain to amuse me.

As you said, more and more people know that Mr. Holmes can solve cases without using magic, which has led to a decrease in the number of cases that might otherwise occur.

Recently, even cases of eyeshadow theft have stopped.

"Sherlock, you really are..."

Hermione was stunned, shook her head, and didn't know what to say.

Luna, on the other hand, had her eyes sparkling, and it was unclear what she was thinking.

"what!"

Just then, Sherlock suddenly sat up straight.

"Indeed, choosing to befriend the savior was a wise decision; new material has arrived!"

Following Sherlock's gaze, Hermione and Luna saw Harry, Ron, and Ginny hurrying towards them, with Harry carrying Crookshanks in his arms.

When they saw Hermione and Luna sitting on either side of Sherlock, Harry, Ron, and Ginny were already used to it.

On one hand, Ginny and Luna have a very good relationship and are always inseparable.

On the other hand, after learning that it was Sherlock, not the Ministry of Magic, who exposed Peter Pettigrew, Luna liked to gravitate towards Sherlock even when Ginny didn't call her.

They also often say things that they don't understand.

This gave Hermione a bit of a headache.

At times like these, she feels like an outsider.

Harry had already recounted how Crookshanks delivered the letter for Sirius, and then handed the letter to Sherlock.

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(End of this chapter)