Sherlock Holmes at Hogwarts.

Chapter 412 Who is Whose Potential Rival?
As Gemma spoke, a flash of reminiscence crossed her eyes:
"When Salazar Slytherin founded the house, his original intention was to cultivate the most talented wizards."

Initially, the qualities he valued most included resourcefulness, strong will, and disregard for laws and regulations.

At that time, although he cared about bloodline, he did not insist on having only pure blood.

It was only as time went by, and due to the limitations of that era, that he gradually began to despise students from Muggle families.

As his disagreements with the other three founders grew, he became increasingly extreme.

In the end, he completely rejected Muggle-born wizards, believing them to be unreliable.

After reminiscing, Gemma suddenly changed the subject:
"Hermione, I think you know Professor Bassheda Bablin very well, don't you?"

Hermione nodded.

Bassheda Bablin is a witch who teaches the Ancient Rune Studies course at Hogwarts.

Gemma smiled faintly:
Professor Bablin graduated from Slytherin.

When I was in fifth grade, I got stuck on my essay for the ordinary wizard qualification exam, so I went to her for help. She patiently explained it to me for three hours.

As I was leaving, she slipped me an ancient book with her own annotations, saying, "Talent shouldn't be trapped by prejudice."

Hermione's lips unconsciously curled up slightly upon hearing this.

Gemma is right; this kind of behavior does fit the professor's persona.

Although her lectures may seem verbose and rambling, she treats all students equally, regardless of their level of understanding, and is undoubtedly an excellent teacher.

However… she remembered Professor Snape’s harsh words and the arrogant taunts of some Slytherin students.

Noticing Hermione's change in expression, Gemma's voice became even gentler:

"Just as Gryffindor has had impulsive and erroneous wizards, Ravenclaw also has bookworms who get stuck in their own narrow minds..."

Hermione, you can't judge an entire house based on a few bad apples, can you?

"But there are more and more people like Malfoy in Slytherin."

"Malfoy doesn't represent the whole of Slytherin, just like Peeves doesn't represent the whole of Hogwarts."

Gemma gently patted the back of her hand, her tone playful yet earnest:

"As I said before, someone as smart as you should know that it's wrong to label the whole group based on the mistakes of a few."

Doing so makes you no different from those who judge you by your lineage.

And haven't you noticed that even Malfoy has changed?

These words, like a small pebble, created ripples in Hermione's heart.

Before this, she had never really thought of this angle.

She hated being defined by her bloodline, but wasn't she also defining the entire Slytherin with arrogance and meanness?

Moreover, Malfoy has indeed changed since he apologized to Harry and Colin.

He had observed that Malfoy had been inseparable from Pansy Parkinson lately, seemingly unable to extricate himself from the relationship.

"Of course, I'm not asking you to like them right away."

Gemma noticed her wavering and softened her tone even more:

"I just hope that prejudice doesn't shrink your world too much—you love learning new things so much, why not leave more room to see people beyond those labels?"

The firelight flickered on Hermione's face, and her inner defenses began to melt away little by little, like a sugar cube soaked in warm water.

She admitted that Gemma had a point, but the grievances she had suffered were real.

Deep-rooted prejudices cannot be eliminated overnight.

After a moment's thought, she decided to avoid the topic for the time being:

“Gemma, I understand what you mean, but those people’s praise of me was actually a bit exaggerated, and there were many things... I can’t remember them all.”

As soon as she said it, she felt a little annoyed.

He had been trying to appear confident and at ease, but somehow he deflated under Gemma's gentle gaze.

"It's normal not to remember them all."

Gemma couldn't help but chuckle, and began to use her own experiences as examples again:
"Let's talk about the study of ancient runes."

When I first took this course in my third year, I slept only four hours a day for three consecutive days in order to finish a paper. And what was the result?

In Charms class, I copied the annotations for defensive spells as cooking incantations, and Professor Flitwick teased me about it!

Hermione couldn't help but smile, and the tension in her eyes eased a little.

Gemma is a well-known top student at Hogwarts, on par with Penelope, Percy, and others.

Even she had such an experience, so it seems that my previous worries were indeed a bit excessive.

Seeing this, Gemma pressed her advantage, glancing in Sherlock's direction before continuing:

"Do you remember what he said? The human brain is like an attic filled with books."

Although we cannot build a memory loft like him, where we can always look up information.

However, if you try to cram more books into the attic than it can hold, the most precious ones will end up falling to the floor and collecting dust.

You're learning so much important knowledge now, shouldn't you leave some space for it to establish itself properly?

Hermione didn't say anything.

She recalled how, during the holiday, when she was memorizing the history of magic, she clearly remembered the dates perfectly, but then immediately confused them with the dates of another battle.

At the time, I just felt that I was too tired. Now, after Gemma's analogy, I suddenly realized that my state at the time was indeed like the panic of an attic being crammed full.

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but steal another glance at Sherlock.

"I think you should know very well that he speaks as if he's solving a problem."

Always precise, yet lacking in warmth.

Gemma suddenly leaned closer and lowered her voice.

This gave Hermione a strange feeling; Gemma and she were now like sisters sharing little secrets.

"But he said that just now because he was really worried that you would ruin yourself."

So, why do you think he specifically sought me out?

Hermione looked up abruptly, only to see Gemma give the answer before she could even speak:

"When faced with complex cases, he can be clear-headed and meticulous, peeling back the layers of mystery to expose the criminals."

But when faced with a proud and stubborn young girl, he still only knew how to use the most direct method.

But you happen to be just like him, the type who, once you've made up your mind about something, nothing can change it.

Hearing Gemma mention Sherlock, Hermione's cheeks flushed slightly, but a warm feeling welled up inside her.

She did know that Sherlock almost never lied, so his concerns were naturally genuine.

but……

"But I still don't want to give up."

She looked up at Gemma, her eyes filled with a final, defiant look:

“Those courses are all very important. I’ve already given up divination, and I can’t give it up again. I’m worried about falling behind him… and everyone else.”

"Are you worried about not being able to keep up with everyone else, or are you worried about not being able to keep up with 'him's' pace?"

Hermione stared at Hermione in astonishment.

She didn't expect Gemma to be so direct.

For a moment, she didn't know what to say.

However, since Gemma was able to say that, she must have already considered it. She did something Hermione never expected—she reached out and ruffled her hair.

Hermione was stunned once again.

Wait, are we really that close?

Gemma moved gently, as if handling a fragile feather:

"Dear Hermione, true excellence is not about never giving up, but about choosing the few paths that suit you best from among thousands of options, and then walking them steadily and surely."

The stars in the sky never dim because one less star shines; on the contrary, those stars that try their best to squeeze out all their light are more likely to run out of light prematurely.

Actually, there's something I've been keeping from him.

She glanced in Sherlock's direction, paused, then took a lemon hard candy from her pocket and handed it to Hermione.
"When I was in third grade, I felt the same way you did, that missing any class was a failure."

Although the course schedule at that time seemed more reasonable than yours, my abilities were far inferior to yours, so I was still exhausted.

Later, Professor McGonagall found me and told me that I shouldn't let fatigue hold me back.

Later, I tried turning down an interest group.

At this point, Gemma paused deliberately, and only when Hermione looked at her with a questioning gaze did she smile and continue:

"As a result, I found that after turning down the research related to Transfiguration, I was able to become more proficient in Transfiguration, and even my notes were more neat than before."

Hermione held the slightly cool hard candy in her hand, the wrapper rustling against her fingertips.

Gemma's words were like warm water, slowly soothing her tense heartstrings.

She had considered giving up, but the word "admit defeat" was too painful for her to bear.

But looking into Gemma's gentle yet firm eyes, she suddenly realized something.

This might not be admitting defeat, but rather a smarter form of persistence.

"What you lack is never time in the real sense, but the right state of mind."

Like a spring, if it is always taut, it will lose its elasticity; only by loosening it appropriately can it jump higher.

If you truly want to stand by him, doing this will only backfire and push you further away from him.

Hermione looked down at the candy in her palm; the refreshing scent of lemon wafted from the wrapper.

She could feel that the taut defense in her heart had quietly cracked a little under Gemma's gentle yet powerful words.

The stubbornness remains.

But the pent-up frustration from exhaustion found an outlet at that moment.

Gemma's words hit Hermione's weak spot perfectly.

Instead of accusing Hermione of being stubborn, she portrayed giving up as a higher-level strategic choice and a manifestation of wisdom.

More importantly, she guided Hermione's attempt to prove herself.

Gemma is absolutely right. To be worthy of the lives he saved, one should never act like this.

During this time, I was so focused on my studies that I drifted further and further away from Sherlock.

While this cannot be said to be putting the cart before the horse, it is certainly not a win-win situation.

Her gaze lingered on Gemma's calm and resolute face for a long time before shifting to Sherlock, who was still reading.

As if sensing Hermione's gaze, Sherlock, who was not far away, suddenly looked up and met Hermione's eyes. A knowing glint flashed in his gray eyes.

Hermione's clenched fist slowly loosened, and the obsession in her eyes receded like the tide, replaced by a layer of understanding and deep weariness.

"I...I'll think about it."

She finally looked up, her eyes still showing some stubbornness, but with a softening warmth. "Thank you, Gemma."

Gemma smiled, the curve of her eyes as gentle as a crescent moon: "That's right, you've done enough. You don't have to force yourself to be a clock that never stops."

Hermione nodded, unwrapped the foil, and popped the lemon candy into her mouth.

then……

very sour!

Hermione looked at Gemma in surprise.

Gemma smiled.

I was just trying to comfort Hermione, but when I think about it, I realize I'm doing the same thing.
However, even Gemma herself did not expect that the person who finally made her confirm her feelings would be none other than Hermione.

Her willingness to grant Sherlock's late-night request to help this potential rival reveals a sentiment that transcends ordinary friendship.

Seeing Hermione's expression because of the sour lemon, Gemma's sea-blue eyes flashed with a sly glint:
“A very wise decision, Hermione.”

As she spoke, she took Hermione's hand and led her to the sofa.

The two sat down at the same time.

The firelight flickered warmly, illuminating the three young wizards in the room, each with their own thoughts, yet at this moment they had achieved a strange balance.

Hermione has finally relieved herself of some of the burden and found the right way to do things.

While comforting Hermione, Gemma clarified her own feelings, demonstrating care and understanding that transcended jealousy.

As for Sherlock...

He silently watched the two excellent witches before him, who were deeply worried about him but ultimately compromised. Their profound friendship seemed to have quietly extended into a deeper and more complex dimension.

The silent warmth at this moment has quietly laid the groundwork for an unpredictable future.

Since this exchange, one more person has come to know about the Room of Requirement.

The Easter holiday ended in this tense atmosphere.

The young wizards returned to their normal school life.

Strangely enough, everyone felt more relaxed after returning from the holiday.

Meanwhile, Harry and Ron were surprised to find that Hermione wasn't the busiest one anymore.

She became radiant.

"Is Sherlock really that useful?"

Ron found it unbelievable. He said to Harry, "Ernie Macmillan told me that Hermione has missed several Muggle Studies classes."

Harry didn't have time to investigate the secret of Hermione's incredible timeline back then.

Now it's even less so.

Because the Slytherin-Hufflepuff match ended shortly after Easter.

In order to gain the lead in the standings, Slytherin deliberately avoided catching the Golden Snitch despite having a large advantage in the score.

Malfoy had a standout performance in this match.

He successfully prevented Cedric from catching the Golden Snitch time and time again.

However, Cedric was no pushover either.

The Golden Snitch was finally caught before the score widened to four hundred points, ending the match.

Even with the 150 points awarded for catching the Golden Snitch, they still lost the game by a huge margin of nearly 300 points.

Nevertheless, no one criticized Cedric.

He really did his best.

If this drags on any longer, the score gap between the two sides will only widen.

However, this gives Slytherin a two-hundred-point lead in the league!
At times like this, even without Sherlock and Hermione's intervention, the lion cubs would already know how to score.

(End of this chapter)