Sherlock Holmes at Hogwarts.

Chapter 508 Iron Elbow
Rubeus Hagrid is the Hogwarts Game Ranger, the Key Keeper, and also the Professor of Conservation of Magical Creatures.

His everyday attire is always rustic, giving the impression that he has just come from the deep mountains and forests.

However, given his height of eleven and a half feet, combined with his profession, it doesn't seem out of place.

But his attire today surprised Harry, Hermione, and Ron.

He was wearing a fuzzy brown suit with a yellow and orange plaid tie.

All three knew that this was Hagrid's best outfit.

The problem is that it's also the ugliest outfit.

To make matters worse, Hagrid seemed to be trying to straighten his hair, using a lot of machine lubricant or something similar.

But now his hair is neatly combed into two tufts.

The three guessed that he might have originally planned to tie his hair into a ponytail like Bill's, but then found that he had too much hair, resulting in this strange and incongruous look.

The three friends looked at each other, completely baffled as to what had gotten into Hagrid to make him dress like that.

Ron had been staring at Hagrid's bizarre hairstyle and was about to open his mouth to comment when he received a elbow from Harry.

"hiss--"

Ron immediately gasped.

You're too ruthless, kid!

Harry gave Ron a wink and quickly asked:

"Uh—Hagrid, where's the Blasttail?"

"In the pumpkin patch outside."

The oblivious Hagrid noticed nothing amiss and, upon hearing Harry's question, cheerfully replied:

"Ha! They've grown enormous, each one is now at least three feet long—there's only one problem, they've started killing each other."

Harry: "..."

He won't respond this time either.

Hermione took a deep breath: "Oh, this is terrible, isn't it?"

“Yes,” Hagrid said sadly, “but it doesn’t matter. Now I’ve separated them and put them in a box. There are probably only about twenty left.”

"Ah, thank goodness."

Ron finally caught his breath and quickly said something.

However, Hagrid clearly didn't catch the sarcasm in Ron's words.

At this moment, Ron understood why Harry had elbowed him.

However, he suspected that Harry was retaliating against him, after all, he had elbowed Harry several times in a moment of panic when he saw Krum yesterday.

I want to remind myself that there's no need to exert so much effort.

After a few casual words, Hagrid started making tea, and they sat down at the table.

"Where's Sherlock? Why didn't he come?"

"Maybe he just didn't want to hear 'vomit' anymore—hey, what are you doing!"

Ron had just recovered from Harry's elbow when he was suddenly hit by Hermione's elbow.

He looked at Hermione with an innocent expression, feeling utterly wronged.

Anyone who sees a SPEW for the first time would probably think it's vomit, right?
Hermione elbowed Ron away, then spoke to Hagrid with great anticipation about house-elves.

In her view, someone like Hagrid who loves magical creatures would definitely support her.

But when Hermione showed him the badge, he resolutely refused to join SPEW.

“This is not a good thing for them, Hermione.”

He rarely showed a serious expression:
"It is in their nature to take care of humans, they like it, you understand?"

They would feel sad if we didn't let them work, and paying them wages would be an insult to them.

Harry and Ron exchanged a glance, their expressions saying, "Just as I expected."

Harry even had a malicious thought:

Perhaps Sherlock really did not want to hear about vomiting again, just as Ron said, which is why he did not come to Hagrid's cabin with them.

Sherlock didn't go to find Hagrid with his three friends for one reason: he really didn't want to hear Hermione talk about SPEW anymore.

As he had said to Hermione before, Sherlock could understand Hermione's actions, but he absolutely did not approve of them.

In human society, human rights are absolutely superior to other rights.

On the other hand, it's because he really has things to do.

Sherlock walked easily to the principal's office. As before, the dripping stone beast jumped aside as soon as it saw Sherlock.

Sherlock knew Dumbledore was in his office as soon as he saw this. He knocked on the door and heard a sound coming from inside:
"Please come in."

When Sherlock entered the room, he found Professor McGonagall there as well.

Judging from their posture, they had been there for quite a while.

Dumbledore wasn't surprised by Sherlock's arrival, but Professor McGonagall asked with a look of astonishment:

"Holmes, how did you get in?"

"Walked in."

"Who asked you this!"

Professor McGonagall said irritably, "How did you know the password to the principal's office? Don't tell me you could even deduce that!"

“Dear Professor McGonagall, you may not believe it, but I don’t need a password to get here.”

“How is that possible?” Professor McGonagall blurted out.

“Alright, Minerva,” Dumbledore interrupted Professor McGonagall with a smile, “I was the one who gave him the password.”

Sherlock shrugged upon hearing this.

It seems that Dumbledore is not planning to tell Professor McGonagall about this for the time being.

Professor McGonagall gave Sherlock a curious look, then suddenly asked:
"Holmes, are you planning to participate in the Triwizard Tournament?"

Upon hearing McGonagall's words, Dumbledore also looked at Sherlock with curiosity.

His original plan was to ask Professor McGonagall to invite Sherlock here after he finished talking to her, but he didn't expect Sherlock to come to him on his own. This saved him a lot of trouble.

Coincidentally, the question Professor McGonagall asked was exactly the same one he had intended to ask Sherlock, so it was a good opportunity to hear his answer.

Sherlock did not give a direct answer, but instead asked a question in return:
"Professor McGonagall, please tell me first, what are the benefits of winning the Triwizard Tournament?"

Professor McGonagall was stunned by what she heard.

She hadn't expected Sherlock to ask her a question in return, but she still answered seriously:
"The champion will win eternal glory—this is the first Triwizard Tournament to be restarted after nearly two hundred years, and the champion's name will be forever remembered in the magical world."

In addition, they will receive a generous bonus of one thousand Galleons.

Of course, more importantly, winning this historic tournament as a representative of Hogwarts is an unparalleled honor in itself.

Professor McGonagall's tone carried an unquestionable authority and a passion for the school's honor.

Sherlock listened quietly, his face barely showing any emotion.

He completely ignored the part about Glory and Galleons, a smile flashing in his gray eyes:
"So, the competition is full of puzzles, dangerous challenges, and high-intensity adventures?"

"Of course!"

Professor McGonagall straightened her back, with a hint of pride: "Every event in the Triwizard Tournament has been carefully designed."

It tests the warriors' wisdom, courage, and magical skills, filled with unknown risks and exciting confrontations.

This reboot, changing the competition format from solo to team mode, better reflects teamwork and competition.

Sherlock's eyes gleamed, and he nodded thoughtfully:

"Hmm... an extreme challenge full of puzzle elements and high-intensity adventure? Sounds much more interesting than the classroom."

Although his tone seemed calm, both Dumbledore and McGonagall could tell that Sherlock was now very interested.

"So, Holmes," Professor McGonagall pressed, her voice tinged with anticipation, "what is your decision?"

Sherlock's gaze swept between Professor McGonagall and Dumbledore, who had been observing him with great interest, pausing for a moment as if weighing something.

"Professor, please allow me to think about it some more."

He did not express his opinion immediately, but the word itself speaks volumes about his attitude.

Professor McGonagall smiled upon seeing this.
"Of course, this is a very important decision, and I believe you will make the best choice for the school and for you personally."

Sherlock's answer softened her tone considerably.

She believed in Sherlock's wisdom.

If he is indeed chosen by the Goblet of Fire to participate in the Triwizard Tournament, it would definitely be a good thing for Hogwarts.

"Since you're the one who brought Holmes in, I'll take my leave now, Albus."

Professor McGonagall gave Sherlock an expectant look, then turned and left the principal's office.

After the door closed gently, only Sherlock and Dumbledore remained in the office.

Dumbledore's azure eyes, peering through his half-moon spectacles, seemed to deepen with a smile. He touched his fingertips together and said gently:

"Professor McGonagall seems to think that the likelihood of you changing your mind and participating has increased."

So, Sherlock, were you drawn in by the adventure?

He didn't press for a decision, but instead directly pointed out the possible motives.

Sherlock walked to Dumbledore's desk and sat down:

"To be frank, my personal wishes are actually not important."

"Why do you say that?"

“Because even if I don’t participate, you’ll find a way to make me Hogwarts’ representative—oh, and Harry too.”

The office fell silent instantly.

Fox gently shook his feathers on the perch.

The light that drifted in from the window danced and shimmered on the exquisite silverware.

Dumbledore's smile didn't completely disappear, but his azure eyes became unusually sharp, piercing through the half-moon lenses as if they could penetrate the hidden corners of one's heart.

He did not immediately deny it, nor did he maintain an ambiguous attitude. Instead, he calmly looked at Sherlock, his fingertips habitually touching each other lightly.

"A very bold inference, Sherlock."

After a moment of silence, Dumbledore finally spoke. His voice remained gentle, but beneath that gentle surface lay a hint of composure:
"And you're right."

"Oh?" Sherlock raised an eyebrow slightly. "I thought you were going to deny it!"

"Lying to you is not an easy thing, Sherlock."

Dumbledore paused, seemingly considering how to express his thoughts accurately.

"However, there is one thing you may have misunderstood: "
The magical contract of the Goblet of Fire is ancient and powerful, and its selection process is based on its own rules that cannot be distorted by external will.

All I want to do is make sure your names match the delivery process.

As for whether it will ultimately choose the two of you as warriors from among all the qualified candidates—that's the decision of the Goblet of Fire, the fairest referee.

Once the contract takes effect, the Goblet of Fire will select the warrior it deems most suitable.

"So, you'll throw the parchment with both of our names on it into the Goblet of Fire, but you won't use magic to interfere with its choice?"

"exactly."

Sherlock clasped his hands together, resting his chin on them, and leaned back.
"Then how can you be so sure that Harry and I will be chosen by the Goblet of Fire?"

Dumbledore leaned forward slightly, his gaze becoming serious and earnest:
“When you were in your first year, we discussed Harry’s unique situation and his potential.”

We had a very important conversation.

I hope—and I ask—that you, as Harry's friend, guide him, help him, and nurture him step by step during his time at Hogwarts.

You promised me, and you've always done so.

Over the past three years, your and Harry's performance has far exceeded my expectations, even surpassing my most optimistic predictions.

Dumbledore's tone was filled with undisguised approval, and his gaze toward Sherlock grew increasingly admiring:

"The courage, wisdom, and speed of growth you have shown are truly amazing."

If the Goblet of Fire chooses you, this will be another important test.

This is an excellent opportunity for you to further hone and prove yourselves on a higher stage under greater pressure.

Second, let's not forget our agreement from last year.

Sherlock's gaze turned serious. "You mean Horcruxes?"

"That's right, finding Horcruxes is an extremely dangerous task."

I promised you that I would face it with you.

Participating in the Triwizard Tournament, facing those challenging and even dangerous events, can be seen as an extremely important rehearsal for real combat.

If the Goblet of Fire, the oldest and most demanding referee, deems you worthy to represent Hogwarts and determines you are capable of completing those challenging tasks, then…

Dumbledore spread his hands, his face showing a kind of resigned acceptance:
"What reason do I have not to trust that you have the strength and mindset to hunt for Soul Weapons with me?"

You will fully prove to me that you are warriors ready to face the real storm.

After Dumbledore finished speaking, Sherlock laughed:

"In other words, if our names aren't chosen by the Goblet of Fire, it means we're not qualified to participate in the Triwizard Tournament yet, let alone go with you to find the Horcruxes, right?"

"You could say that—I think you should remember that your request was that I inform you before I search for the Horcruxes."

Then I thought, instead of destroying it, I could take you to retrieve the Horcrux…

"I understand. After that, you regretted it and felt that you shouldn't have brought us along."

Unexpectedly, this year's Three Kingdoms Tournament, which had been suspended for nearly two hundred years, has started again, which conveniently gives you an excuse.

'If you can't even get past the Goblet of Fire, what right do you have to come with me to find the Horcruxes!'

Right? "

"Sherlock, you..."

Dumbledore couldn't help but give a wry smile.

The words may be rough, but the principle is sound.

“I understand—in that case, you can save yourself the trouble; I’ll convince Harry to put his name in the Goblet of Fire himself.”

Dumbledore's wry smile turned into a genuine smile: "If that's the case, then it would be better."

"By the way, is there any news about Crouch?" Sherlock asked again.

(End of this chapter)