Sherlock Holmes at Hogwarts.

Chapter 561 The Muggle Disappearance Case

During the last few days of winter break, the atmosphere inside Hogwarts Castle subtly changed.

The corridors were no longer filled with the usual playful chasing, but the common room was now filled with young wizards engrossed in their writing.

Most people can't shake the habit of playing first and then finishing later, not to mention this year there's a Christmas ball tied to the Three Kingdoms Championship.

Almost everyone enjoys themselves to the fullest as soon as the holiday starts, only to frantically rush to finish their homework as the holiday draws to a close.

In this atmosphere, top students from each grade became the most sought-after talents.

Especially Hermione Granger from Gryffindor.

As the top student in her grade, the homework assigned by the teacher was no challenge for her.

If that were all, it would be fine.

The key is that her handwriting is as neat as if it were printed, and her solution steps are written in a clear and organized manner.

Whether you copy it to complete a task or borrow it to organize your thoughts, it is an excellent reference.

For a time, her popularity even surpassed that of Harry and Sherlock, who participated in the Triwizard Tournament, and long lines of people came to borrow her notes.

Hermione knew perfectly well that her classmates' enthusiasm was all for her homework.

Even so, she eventually softened her heart.

After all, some junior wizards genuinely want to learn the thought process, not just copy the answers.

Even if she stopped people from copying directly, those who had borrowed the homework would turn around and pass it on to others.

Ultimately, her assignment was leaked.

At the long table in the Gryffindor common room, Ron was drawing a star chart.

He was in a bad mood, and the nib of his pen scratched loudly on the parchment.

When he looked up and caught a glimpse of Sherlock's actions, he was immediately stunned.

He discovered that what his friend was holding wasn't a textbook, but a detective novel with unfamiliar writing on the cover.

"Sherlock, when did you finish your homework?"

Harry, who was also drawing a star chart, looked up when he heard Ron's words.

Now only the two of them are left doing their divination homework.

Hermione has completely given up on the course.

Sherlock may occasionally attend divination classes, but he never does his homework.

Fortunately, they had Parvati and Lavender to help them, otherwise the two of them really wouldn't know what to do.

Unlike Ron, Harry glanced at the book cover and immediately recognized that it was in Chinese.

Spending a lot of time with Qiu Zhang, he did learn some things.

That's why he immediately realized that this must be a Christmas present from Qiu Zhang.

From the year Harry spent Christmas at Sherlock's house, she gave Sherlock a detective book as a gift every year.

She sends this series every year.

"While you were holding a butterbeer and talking to Harry about Quidditch and Fleur Delacour."

Sherlock said without looking up.

Ron: "..."

That hurts, Lao Xia.

Harry and Hermione couldn't help but burst out laughing.

By asking Sherlock that question, isn't Ron just asking for trouble?

Seeing that Ron remained silent, Hermione turned to Sherlock and asked, "Sherlock, where's your Transfiguration thesis?"

Sherlock still didn't look up, but simply pointed to his schoolbag.

Hermione immediately grabbed Sherlock's schoolbag and pulled out his Transfiguration homework to look at.

Noticing Hermione casually put Sherlock's schoolbag aside, Ron's eyes lit up, and he secretly reached out and touched it.

His goal is to analyze potion recipes for the History of Magic report and Potions class.

Hermione never lets them copy homework, so Ron has no choice but to resort to Sherlock.

After all, Sherlock had always been very lenient with them in this matter.

However, just as Ron's fingertips were about to touch the backpack strap, Hermione suddenly turned around, grabbed the backpack and hugged it to her chest, moving as quickly as a lioness protecting her cubs.

"Hermione, what are you doing?" Ron's hand froze in mid-air as he said with a wronged expression.

"That's what I should be asking you," Hermione said, clutching her backpack tighter and furrowing her brow. "Trying to copy homework again?"

"Aren't you copying things yourself?"

Ron pointed at the Transfiguration paper in front of Hermione, his eyes gleaming as if he were eyeing a plate of freshly baked chicken legs.

"I'm just using this as a reference."

Hermione didn't back down, raising her voice a few decibels: "I've read Sherlock's homework and can understand the principles of Transfiguration completely. Can you do that?"

Ron certainly couldn't, but he was still unconvinced:

"You're being too nosy! I copied Sherlock's homework, not yours! Look, Sherlock didn't complain..."

"That's because he spoils you!"

Hermione interrupted him impatiently, her tone filled with exasperation:

"You're already in fourth grade, don't you understand? Homework and tests are just means; learning knowledge is the goal!"

Ron was about to retort when Sherlock suddenly closed the book, looked up, and spoke:

"It's not that I have no objections."

Harry, who had been silently observing the situation, suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with surprise.

He thought Sherlock hadn't heard their argument at all.

"I just didn't say it."

Sherlock's gaze swept over Ron and Harry, and he said calmly, "After all, learning is always a personal matter; no one can help you for a lifetime."

As soon as Sherlock spoke, Ron fell silent.

On the other hand, with Sherlock backing her up, Hermione stood even straighter.

She turned to Ron, then glared at Harry beside her:

"I can help you check your homework and point out your mistakes, but copying without thinking is absolutely unacceptable! And you, Harry!"

"what?"

Harry pointed to himself, looking completely innocent.

He didn't say a word the whole time, so how did the fire end up on him?
"Yes, it's you!"

Hermione stared at Harry's helpless expression and said shrewishly:

"Don't think I don't know, you've been copying Sherlock's work on your history of magic assignments all along!"

Harry opened his mouth, but couldn't refute it.

He did indeed copy the history of magic assignments for several years.

After all, this course doesn't require waving a magic wand; you can just memorize it before the exam.

However, unlike Ron, he at least organizes his own notes.

So Hermione didn't say anything more, but turned to look at the book in Sherlock's hand: "Is this book interesting?"

"It's not bad; the cases inside gave me a lot of new ideas."

Sherlock handed over the book, the six Chinese characters "初刻拍案惊奇" (First Collection of Amazing Stories) on the cover were neatly written.

Hermione took the book, her fingertips gently tracing the words on the pages: "But this is in Chinese, can you understand it?"

"Chinese-English bilingual version".

Sherlock smiled. "Ever since Miss Zhang first gave me a Chinese detective book, I've told her that if she gives me a book in the future, it would be best to include a Chinese-English bilingual edition."

Chinese is a very interesting language, especially works that tell strange and unusual stories; the original text is even more enjoyable to read.

"So, you're learning another new foreign language?"

Hermione's eyes widened, her voice filled with admiration. Seeing Sherlock nod, she couldn't help but exclaim, "Sherlock, you're a genius!"

Harry and Ron looked at Sherlock with awe.

They already knew Sherlock was fluent in several foreign languages, but they never expected him to keep learning new ones.

Sherlock shook his head: "It's nothing."

However, judging from the expression on Sherlock's face, he was also very happy to see his three friends looking surprised and admiring.

"Oh, by the way, I have something to tell you," Sherlock changed the subject, "I'm going out with Professor Dumbledore tomorrow."

"What did you say?"

The three of them froze, their faces showing unprecedented surprise.

Harry gasped, and the quill in his hand fell to the table with a thud.

Hermione stared blankly at Sherlock, her backpack almost slipping off her chest.

Ron choked on his saliva and coughed, saying, "You...you actually kept it a secret from us?"

"I just remembered I needed to tell you."

Sherlock recounted his earlier private meeting with Dumbledore.

However, at Dumbledore's request, the parts about Neville's parents were omitted.

The three men stared at each other for a long while before Ron finally spoke with a solemn expression:

"My God... you're actually going with Dumbledore to investigate a case in the Mystic's hometown!"
"As expected of you, Sherlock! Only you could do something like this!"

Harry and Hermione looked at Sherlock with anticipation.

Sherlock immediately saw through their thoughts and shook his head, saying, "You don't need to go over there."

Upon hearing Sherlock's words, both of them showed regret.

This wasn't the first time they had met Sherlock.

Once he gives a clear answer, it means there's no room for negotiation.

"Be careful, Sherlock," Hermione couldn't help but warn, her voice filled with worry, "Voldemort might have left some traps there..."

“Don’t mention that name!” Ron protested immediately, his whole body trembling and his face turning pale.

Harry nodded in agreement, adding, "That's right, maybe that missing person really is connected to Voldemort."

“Hey—!” Ron covered his ears, looking resistant.

Hermione ignored Ron and continued speaking to Sherlock:

“Even though you’re with Dumbledore, if this really is related to Voldemort, you can’t be too careful.”

Ron: (;Д`)
At this moment, he felt only grievance.

On the last day of the Christmas holidays, Sherlock, who was having breakfast in the Great Hall, received a letter from Watson.

"Is it Dumbledore?"

After seeing Sherlock take the letter off Watson's lap, he couldn't help but ask.

"Ah."

Sherlock nodded, quickly scanned the envelope, then folded it and put it in his coat pocket.
He asked me to meet him at the school gate after breakfast.

"must be careful."

Hermione gave the instructions again, her worry undiminished.

Harry nodded repeatedly, even stopping the fork in his hand.

Only Ron, nonchalantly biting into his sausage, mumbled:
"I really don't know what you're worried about!"
Dumbledore is the only person Mysterio fears!
"Even if we just go to his hometown, or even confront him head-on, we shouldn't be afraid, right?"

"Dumbledore is naturally not afraid."

Hermione frowned and retorted, her tone carrying a hint of doubt about Dumbledore: "But he might not be able to protect Sherlock."

Looking at the few years they've been at Hogwarts alone, so much has happened.

Philosopher's Stone, Secret Chamber, Dementors...

Hermione's blind trust in Dumbledore had long since faded.

Now, she even began to worry whether Dumbledore could protect Sherlock in a dangerous situation.

"Don't worry, I'll be fine."

Sherlock stood up as he spoke.

Harry, Hermione, and Ron immediately put down their cutlery and followed him toward the school gate.

As they approached the door, the three of them spotted Dumbledore in the distance.

His signature long, silvery-white beard reached his chest, and his crescent-shaped glasses gleamed in the morning light. He stood with his hands behind his back on the steps in front of the castle, gazing at the Forbidden Forest in the distance.

"Shall we not go?" Ron tugged at Sherlock's sleeve, his voice low.

"Why?" Harry asked curiously.

"If Dumbledore knew you told us about this, he might say something like, 'Don't tell others your secrets in the future.'"

Ron curled his lips.

Harry was also taken aback, but then couldn't help but laugh.

He is now clearly someone who has been bitten by a snake once and is now overly cautious.

He still remembers everything Dumbledore reminded him of last time.

However, after discussing it for a few moments, the three of them stopped behind a stone pillar not far away and watched helplessly as Sherlock walked alone toward Dumbledore.

"It seems you've told your friends about this."

Hearing footsteps, Dumbledore turned around with a gentle smile on his face.

"Yes."

Sherlock walked up to him and said frankly, “I don’t think there’s any need to hide this—they are my friends.”

"You're right, friends should be honest with each other."

Dumbledore nodded, his eyes behind his glasses full of approval. "So... are you ready?"

"Apparition? Here?" Sherlock raised an eyebrow.

“No, Apparate is prohibited on the Hogwarts campus.” Dumbledore shook his head with a smile.

“You didn’t say that last time,” Sherlock looked at him suspiciously. “You said the headmaster had special privileges.”

“That’s right, but Durmstrang and Beauxbatons’ delegations are still in the castle, so we have to be careful about the implications.”

Dumbledore patted him on the shoulder. "Let's go, we're going to Hogsmeade."

Sherlock shrugged, seemingly unconcerned.

It doesn't matter where you start the investigation, as long as you can begin it as soon as possible.

The two walked along the path outside the castle. The morning dew dampened the grass, and the air was filled with the fresh scent of fir and earth.

It didn't take long to reach the entrance to Hogsmeade Village.

Dumbledore stopped and looked around.

The village shops were not yet open, the streets were quiet, and only a few owls circled above the rooftops.

"Sherlock, you've Apparated more than once already. I think it should be fine, right?"

Dumbledore withdrew his gaze and asked.

Seeing Sherlock nod, Dumbledore smiled, his eyes filled with satisfaction.

He stretched out his arm: "Come on, grab me."

Sherlock reached out and grabbed his arm, and the next second, the familiar dizzying sensation rushed over him.

The wind whistled past my ears, and the scene before my eyes instantly blurred.

My body felt like it was being pulled by a force, moving rapidly in a certain direction.

When Sherlock opened his eyes again, he found himself at his destination.

(End of this chapter)