Sherlock Holmes at Hogwarts.

Chapter 434 Three-Year Agreement
Compared to Harry's complex attitude towards Professor Snape, Snape's attitude towards Harry was very simple and straightforward.

My aversion remains unchanged.

Finding fault and deducting points, making sarcastic remarks—these are all standard operating procedures.

It's no exaggeration to say that every time he sees Harry now, the muscle at the corner of his thin lips twitches unsightly.

Sometimes he would keep flexing and extending his fingers, as if he wished he could strangle Harry.

In the past, Harry might have felt confused.

But now his feelings are even more complicated.

All I can say is that everyone has their struggles.

The same goes for Severus Snape.

When Professor Lupin returned after his short break, he gave Sherlock and Harry extra lessons, pointing out that there was no longer any need for them to continue taking courses on resisting Dementors and learning Patronus Charms.

"Sherlock is now able to unleash his full Guardian Angel."

Professor Lupin, his face pale, looked at Sherlock with eyes full of admiration:
"Aside from Albus Dumbledore and Voldemort, I don't think there is anyone more talented than you."

After saying that, he turned to Harry, "You too, Harry."

"But my guardian spirit is still unclear to this day."

Harry thought Professor Lupin was trying to comfort him, and said somewhat dejectedly.

"No, Harry, your problem isn't with the Patronus Charm itself."

Professor Lupin gently patted Harry's head. "Your Patronus still doesn't have a clear image because you haven't seen your own heart clearly yet."

"See your own heart clearly?"

"right!

Each guardian is unique because everyone's personality and inner world are different, and the emotions they express are also different.

Most known wizards have patron deities that are ordinary animals, but a few wizards have patron deities that are magical creatures such as dragons, Thestrals, or phoenixes.

Even more remarkably, a very small number of wizards have guardian deities that are extinct creatures, such as mammoths.

Your understanding of the Patronus Charm is actually comparable to Sherlock's, but the problem is that you haven't truly understood your own heart.

Harry panicked immediately: "What... what are we going to do?"

What does it mean to see one's own heart clearly? This sounds like such a difficult thing to understand.

“Don’t worry, Harry, I think you’ll be able to conjure up a complete Patronus when the time comes.”

As Lupin spoke, he looked at Sherlock again, his smile deepening:

"Mr. Albus just came to see me and hopes that I can continue to be the teacher of Defense Against the Dark Arts next year."

It seems that Voldemort's curse has been lifted?

"Great!"

Harry shouted excitedly when he heard the news.

"Everyone will be happy, Professor, you are our best Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher!"

"Thank you, Harry. It's been a pleasure for me to teach you."

Just then, Sherlock, somewhat untimely, poured cold water on the situation:
"Anything is possible before the next school year officially begins—it's not good to pop champagne halfway through."

Harry and Lupin exchanged a glance and sighed in unison.

That's just Sherlock for you.

"Let's change the subject, uh... Sirius had an owl deliver a gift to me."

Professor Lupin hesitated for a moment, then took something out of the drawer and showed it to Sherlock and Harry:
"He thought this gift was perfect for me."

It was a formal dress, noble, elegant, and graceful.

Even a young boy like Harry, who doesn't know much, could tell from the quality and workmanship that the dress was very valuable.

Wearing it in public will definitely make its owner the most dazzling person in the room.

The only problem is that it's a women's version.

Harry tried hard to suppress a laugh: "He does seem very happy."

"Yes, as long as he's happy."

Lupin raised his head as he spoke, his gaze gradually becoming deep and distant: "As long as they're happy..."

Sherlock's eyes flickered upon seeing this.

Great, we've got a new lead.

And so, the last day of the semester, which was also the last day of the academic year, finally arrived.

The exam results were released as scheduled.

Hermione unsurprisingly took first place in her grade and once again won the scoring title for the season.

Sherlock also passed the exam with a very high score.

That year, the Lion King was terrifyingly strong, with no weaknesses.

Harry and Ron also passed all their exams.

This was something that greatly surprised Harry—he had actually passed Potions class?
He clearly felt that his performance in the Potions Exam was a complete disaster, and Snape's actions made it seem as if he had scored zero.

"It must have been Headmaster Dumbledore who intervened, which is why Snape couldn't fail you on purpose."

Ron analyzed the situation with feigned seriousness, looking at Sherlock, "Sherlock, what do you think?"

Sherlock was silent for a moment, then said, "You understood Snape."

Hermione, who was standing nearby, couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Ron glared at her angrily: "Hermione!"

"Sorry... haha... I... I thought of something happy... hahaha!"

It's probably because they got good grades in the final exam.

It's also possible that they've already made up their minds to give up on Muggle studies and divination.

Hermione was as happy as a child at that moment... well, she was a child after all.

She forced a smile to hide her laughter, leaned closer to Sherlock, and whispered:

“I’ve returned the Time-Turner to Professor McGonagall, so we’ll have a normal schedule next year—I think you’ll come to class with me, right?”

"If you insist."

"I insist."

"Ok."

Hermione was even happier to see Sherlock nod in agreement.

Even happier than Hermione were Ron's three older brothers.

Fred and George managed to get some points on their regular wizarding exams, so they wouldn't be without books to read in sixth grade.

Together they earned certificates in Charms and Defense Against the Dark Arts, but also stumbled in Potions.

However, even twins cannot guarantee that all courses will progress at the same pace.

Herbalism was the only subject that George Weasley passed, while Fred Weasley failed.

Metamorphosis is the only subject that Fred Weasley passed, while George Weasley failed.

As for Percy, the model student, he achieved his goal of getting a high score on the ultimate wizard exam.

Gemma and Penelope also performed well.

In the words of Vice Principal McGonagall, getting into the Ministry of Magic wouldn't be a problem.

Gryffindor, with Hermione as their top scorer and their outstanding performance in the Quidditch Cup, won their third consecutive House Cup title.

The end-of-term banquet was once again held amidst red and gold decorations, with the Gryffindor table being the most lively, as everyone celebrated.

Professor McGonagall's face broke into an unprecedented smile.

Under the leadership of the new Lion King and Savior, Gryffindor has won three consecutive Academy Cups.

She had a vague premonition that the Gryffindor dynasty seemed to have arrived.

Compared to Professor McGonagall, the old lion king, Snape, the old snake king, looked as if he had eaten dung.

Since Sherlock and Harry's class entered the school, Slytherin has lost its seven-year reign as champion.

This year, they didn't even manage to lift the Quidditch Cup.

Potter is so annoying!

Compared to Gryffindor and Slytherin, Ravenclaw is much more laid-back.

Needless to say, both Hufflepuff and the House were cheering and celebrating for Gryffindor. Penelope, who had a few drinks, went over to the Gryffindor table and kissed Percy in front of everyone, which drew cheers from the crowd.

Harry also temporarily forgot about Professor Snape, and he ate, drank, chatted, and laughed with everyone.

"Sherlock, tomorrow..."

Harry was about to share his feelings with his best friend when he suddenly realized that Sherlock, who had been sitting next to him, was gone.

"Sherlock, where is Sherlock?"

"Isn't he... wait, where is he?"

Ron then realized what was happening, and the two of them looked at Hermione.

"What are you looking at me doing?"

Hermione said irritably, "If Sherlock wants to leave without anyone knowing, who can stop him?"

“That’s true…” Harry nodded thoughtfully.

"Yes, this isn't the first time something like this has happened, there's no need to make a fuss about it."

Seeing Hermione still looking angry, Ron couldn't help but laugh, "Hermione, you yourself said you couldn't stop him, what's there to be angry about?"

I'm angry at myself!

Seeing Hermione's expression, Ron shrugged and whispered to Harry beside him:
"See, brother? This is what women are like!"

"You get angry for no reason, you'd better watch out in the future."

Harry: "..."

“Ronald de Rênal! I will tell my mother what you said.”

"No, Ginny, I was just kidding, really, just kidding!"

Ron and Ginny's words made Hermione increasingly irritated.

She truly didn't notice when Sherlock left.

As she told Ron, if Sherlock deliberately didn't want anyone to notice, she simply couldn't defend herself.

That's exactly why she got angry!
Because after Sherlock disappeared, she instinctively looked toward Slytherin's table.

As expected, Gemma Farley, who should have been the center of attention, was not among them.

She realized what had happened almost immediately.

Damn it, those two ran away again!

The reason I say "again" is because the two of them had already sneaked away once during the Halloween party in their second year.

However, I was not present at the ghost memorial service that time because I went to attend it myself.

To my utter surprise, the two of them actually had a second chance right in front of me.

Unfortunately, I was always so slow to realize it.

Hermione knew perfectly well that the two of them had probably gone to the Room of Requirement.

If I run up to the eighth floor at this point, there's a high chance I can catch them when they come out.

But what's the point of doing that?

Since Sherlock deliberately left without letting me notice, wouldn't it be pointless for me to do this and only annoy people?

Oh well, Gemma's graduating tonight anyway.

She also mentioned that she would be going to Romania for further studies, so we won't be seeing her for at least the next four years on campus.

Tonight, just tonight, I'll give Sherlock to her.

Given Sherlock's personality, nothing will definitely happen between them.

Hermione thought very generously.

Just as Hermione deduced, Sherlock and Gemma were alone in the Room of Requirement at this time.

Sherlock leaned against the bookshelf, a glass of butterbeer in his hand.

Gemma stood a short distance away from him, holding a wine glass in her hand.

This was something the two of them had agreed upon.

Before tonight's dinner, Gemma had Watson deliver her invitation to Sherlock.

In the past, Sherlock would never have agreed.

However, things are different now. Gemma is no longer just a Slytherin prefect, student council president, or a caring older sister to Sherlock.

She is still my friend.

Sherlock naturally accepted the invitation from his friend.

"Do you think it's possible that Miss Hermione is waiting for us at the door when we come out?"

"will not."

Hearing Sherlock's words, Gemma swirled the wine glass in her hand and chuckled softly, "So sure?"

“I know Hermione very well; she wouldn’t, and has no reason to, do such a thing.”

"Your feelings for Miss Hermione... are indeed different from others."

“Nothing’s different,” Sherlock said, looking at Gemma. “But you seem a little different today.”

"Oh, then tell me, what's different?"

Gemma tilted her head and looked at Sherlock.

“You’re wearing lipstick,” Sherlock said bluntly. “You never wear lipstick before.”

Gemma smiled.

She was already beautiful, and that smile seemed to light up the whole room.

"I wanted to change my image, and it seems you've noticed."

"It's obvious."

"So... what do you think?"

"It works very well, otherwise your mouth would look too small."

Gemma laughed for the second time.

"No, no, no, it's not small at all."

"is it?"

Sherlock pondered for three seconds. “Big and small are relative concepts. I’m just observing from my perspective. Perhaps it does seem quite large to you.”

"We can talk about the mouth thing later. Let's talk about something else first—after this summer vacation, I'll be heading to the fire dragon reserve in Romania."

Gemma said softly, her fingertips unconsciously twirling the chestnut hair that fell over her shoulder.

Her voice sounded exceptionally clear in the empty Room of Requirement.

The lights danced on her delicate features, casting a gentle halo around her.

Sherlock didn't respond immediately, but just looked at her, as if waiting for her to continue, or perhaps it was just a habitual observation.

Just then, Gemma suddenly stood up and walked lightly to Sherlock.

Sherlock smelled a faint, fresh fragrance emanating from her.

Gemma's gaze was focused, her azure eyes holding complex emotions that Sherlock could not yet fully decipher.

There was a faint melancholy of impending parting, and even more so, a tenderness bordering on resolute.

"Do you remember the three-year promise I made before?"

Sherlock nodded without hesitation.

"After obtaining the highest qualification as a dragon tamer, I will return to the British Ministry of Magic, but... three years is neither a long nor a short time."

So before I leave, I want to leave behind something special as a memento.

Gemma spoke softly, with a hint of barely perceptible nervousness, but then she quickly changed the subject, speaking in an unquestionable tone:
"Sherlock, turn around and close your eyes."

Sherlock's brow twitched almost imperceptibly.

This wasn't the first time Gemma had made a similar request.

But the atmosphere at this moment is subtly different from usual.

However, based on his long-term observation of her behavior and his recognition of her as a friend, Sherlock neither questioned nor refused.

He turned around as instructed, closing his sharp gray eyes at the same time.

The next moment, Gemma pulled out a sharp pair of scissors from her body!

(End of this chapter)