Sherlock Holmes at Hogwarts.

Chapter 571 Let her taste my big frame
"Sherlock, I..."

Harry looked at Sherlock, a helpless smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

He never expected that his friend, after praising him for so long, would ultimately come to a completely wrong conclusion.

He couldn't help but mutter to himself: Could this guy be deliberately trying to mess with my mentality?
But on second thought, Sherlock had no reason to do that.

Because as long as he performs normally, he is already capable of achieving this effect.

Sure enough, Sherlock's next words confirmed his idea:
“My dear Harry, although your conclusions are all wrong, it is precisely because of this that when I point out your errors, I often lead me to the truth.”

Harry: "..."

He silently rolled his eyes, thinking to himself:
Thank you so much!
It's better not to say anything!

"Of course, your deduction is still correct. His offering of help to us was not because he was moved by our courage, as he claimed."

"But it's not for the reasons I mentioned."

"That's right. Actually, when you were having a friendly conversation with that Director of the Ministry of Magic, I had already made a deduction about his behavior."

The truth is, he owes the fairies over there a huge sum of money and is now on the verge of financial collapse.

Why would he owe the fairies money?

"Do you remember the Quidditch World Cup?"
I said at the time that he didn't consider his own risk tolerance at all when he set up the gambling operation.

This meant that after the Quidditch match ended, he was no longer able to pay out those who had placed bets with him.

In this situation, he could only rob Peter to pay Paul, barely managing to stay afloat by borrowing money from the fairies.

Now that the fairies have come knocking on his door demanding repayment, his gambler's nature has kicked in, and he's gambled away another big sum.

This three-way battle is his only hope of recouping his losses.

"Um... I still don't understand."

"It's very simple. He placed a huge bet on winning the Hogwarts championship, betting on the underdogs."

"What did you say?"

"It's a very simple principle, isn't it?"

Although Hogwarts is the host of this Triwizard Tournament, it naturally has an inherent disadvantage with two of the three participants being underage wizards.

The odds from outside the school best reflect this; among the three schools, Hogwarts has the highest odds of winning.

"So as long as we can win..."

“Our dear Director of the Ministry of Magic will not only break even, but will even make a fortune.”

Now Harry understood everything.

They really don't get up early for nothing!
“Although his motives are despicable, in terms of stance, he is indeed on our side,” Sherlock said with a light laugh. “However, we don’t need his help.”

While Sherlock and Harry were discussing this matter, the other children remained silent and listened quietly.

The main reason is that Sherlock had already explained his reasoning process in detail earlier.

At this point, everyone burst out laughing.

This is a point of consensus among everyone.

Everyone else thought that Sherlock and Harry's participation in the Triwizard Tournament was a regret for Hogwarts.

Little did they know that because of Sherlock and Harry, Hogwarts was practically cheating, so there was no need for Bagman to provide any extra help.
Aside from this minor incident, the trip to Hogsmeade went relatively smoothly overall.

There were no unpleasant encounters, no dramatic conflicts, and several major issues had been resolved. It was a harmonious and peaceful time.

Upon returning to Hogwarts, Harry immediately dragged Sherlock to Hagrid's hut.

He couldn't wait for Ron to return, nor did he want Hermione, who was more aligned with Professor Glapland, to go with them.

Hermione understood perfectly, and seeing that Harry didn't call her, she didn't go with Sherlock and Harry.

She simply had the two men convey her wish that Hagrid could return.

When the two arrived at Hagrid's hut, they happened to run into Dumbledore trying to persuade Hagrid.

Just as Sherlock had said to Harry at the Three Broomsticks pub.

The outcome of Hagrid's case will be revealed today.

Dumbledore had also made ample preparations for this, presenting facts, reasoning, analogies, evidence, and examples:

He showed Hagrid many of the letters written by parents.

These parents themselves attended Hogwarts and had a deep impression of Rubeus Hagrid, the tall gamekeeper.

Therefore, they insisted that Hagrid stay.

Some parents even stated firmly that they would not let it go if Dumbledore actually expelled Hagrid.

These letters deeply moved Hagrid, and tears streamed down his face, soaking into his tangled beard.

Even so, Hagrid still had doubts.

Because he felt that not everyone wanted him to stay.

Dumbledore, left with no other option, had to use himself as an example:

"Since I became the principal of this school, at least one owl has delivered a letter every week criticizing my management style."

So what do you think I should do?

"Do you intend to lock yourself in your study and refuse to speak to anyone?"

"But you're not a half-blood giant!" Hagrid still couldn't get out of his rut.

Dumbledore then began using his relatives as examples:
“You know, my own brother Aberforth was prosecuted for abusing magic on a goat.”

As the saying goes, what is said without intention may be taken to heart by the listener.

When Sherlock heard this, his eyes suddenly sharpened.

His gaze toward Dumbledore grew increasingly profound.

Dumbledore, however, remained oblivious to this and continued explaining earnestly to Hagrid:

"...This matter was widely reported in the newspapers, but did Aberforth go into hiding?"
No, absolutely not!
He held his head high and continued to do as he pleased!
Of course, I can't be sure he can read, so he might not actually be brave..."

At this point, he turned to Sherlock: "By the way, Sherlock, you said last time that you were confident you could keep Miss Skeeter quiet?"

“That’s right,” Sherlock nodded. “She won’t have the chance to publish those kinds of articles again.”

“Very good, Sherlock—then the last problem that might have troubled you has been resolved, Rubeus!”

Dumbledore did not ask him how he intended to do it.

He stood up, looked at Hagrid firmly, and said, "I do not accept your resignation, Rupert."

“Mr. Dumbledore, but I…”

"There are no 'buts,' I hope you'll come back to class next Monday."

Dumbledore said firmly:
"At 8:30, I must see you having breakfast with me in the auditorium—remember, no excuses allowed."

Although Dumbledore's actions at this moment were contrary to his usual gentle demeanor, Harry still gave him a mental thumbs up.

This is exactly how you should deal with Hagrid!
"Also, by the way, good afternoon to you all."

After saying this to Sherlock, Dumbledore bent down and scratched Tooth's ear, and Tooth rubbed against his hand comfortably.

Having done this, Dumbledore turned and left, the wooden door closing gently behind him. The moment the door closed, Hagrid could no longer contain himself.

He buried his face in his hands, which were as big as a trash can lid, his shoulders trembling violently, and heartbroken sobs leaked out from between his fingers.

Harry quickly went over and gently patted his thick arm, trying to comfort him.

After a long while, Hagrid finally raised his head.

His eyes were bloodshot, tears still clung to his eyelashes, and he said in a hoarse voice:
“What a remarkable man, Dumbledore… a truly remarkable man…”

"Yes, he is really amazing."

Harry nodded earnestly and said it from the bottom of his heart.

At the same time, he silently apologized for his previous criticism of Dumbledore.

He knew very well that Dumbledore was able to keep Hagrid only because he withstood enormous pressure.

Despite showing Hagrid some letters from parents who supported him, Hagrid could easily deduce that the number of people who refused to let Hagrid stay far exceeded the number who were willing to let him stay.

"Yes, you're right, and what he said is absolutely correct..."

I was so stupid... really..."

Hagrid wiped away his tears, his voice filled with remorse, "My old man will be so ashamed of me for doing this..."

As he spoke, tears welled up in his eyes again.

Hagrid wiped them away forcefully and said, “Shortly after I entered Hogwarts, my father was overjoyed… He thought I would never become a wizard.”

You know, because of my mother... sigh, let's not talk about it.

Of course, I've never been very good at magic...

But at least he didn't see me get expelled—because he died, you know, when I was in second grade…”

Hearing Hagrid recount the past, Sherlock and Harry exchanged a glance.

Sherlock saw a hint of sympathy in Harry's eyes, while Harry saw a hint of understanding in Sherlock's eyes.

Hagrid continued his rambling, tireless narration:

"After my father died, it was Dumbledore who protected me and found me a job as a gamekeeper..."

As you know, he trusts people a lot and is always willing to give them a second chance...

This is what sets him apart from other principals. Karkarov, Ma, Maxim—they're nowhere near as good as him!

Do you understand?

If someone has talent, Dumbledore will accept them to come to Hogwarts.

He knew that even someone from a poor background could achieve great things... Sigh... This kind of approach is very respectable.

But some people just don't understand this.

Some people always discriminate against you because of your background...

Some people even pretend to have a large frame, but dare not speak the truth!

At this point, Hagrid took a deep breath and said decisively:

"I am who I am, and there is nothing to be ashamed of."

Yes, Dumbledore was right.

I was so stupid... really..."

After resolving his inner conflict, Hagrid opened up completely.

He was completely unaware that he had unknowingly revealed some secrets that he shouldn't have said.

Neither Sherlock nor Harry tried to stop them.

"I will never be bothered by that woman again, I promise you!"
"Big frame... Humph, I'll make her taste my big frame!"

Sherlock and Harry exchanged another glance.

This topic is already a bit inappropriate for children.

Fortunately, Hagrid then changed the subject and began to praise Sherlock and Harry highly:

"You know what I hope for, don't you?"
I hope you can win, I really hope so!

This will make them all see... that it's not only pure-blood wizards who can do this, and that they don't need to be ashamed of their origins.

This will make them all see that Dumbledore's view is correct.

Anyone with magical talent should be allowed to attend the school.

“But Harry is a pure-blood wizard,” Sherlock said somewhat coldly. “Both his parents are wizards.”

"Uh……"

Hagrid was immediately speechless at Sherlock's words.

He coughed several times before continuing, "Um... how's your research on that golden egg going?"

“Great, we’re getting somewhere,” Harry said quickly, afraid that Sherlock would say something to undermine us. “With Sherlock around, it’s no problem at all.”

A bright, wet smile bloomed on Hagrid's sorrowful face:
"I knew it!
My good child...

Let them see, Sherlock, Harry!
Let them see for themselves—you will defeat them all!

As the two left Hagrid's hut, Harry couldn't help but complain:

"Sherlock, you really shouldn't have said that."

"If you're referring to my emphasis on you being a pure-blood wizard, then it's true that my statement was inappropriate."

Hearing Sherlock say that, Harry looked at him in surprise.

He had only said it casually and had no expectation that Sherlock would realize it.

After all, that's always been the kind of person he is.

To everyone's surprise, Sherlock would actually admit that he had been reckless.

It seems that Sherlock has finally changed after spending four years with his friends.

"You can only be considered a pure-blood wizard in a broad sense."

Because your mother is a Muggle-born wizard, in a narrow sense, you are still a half-blood wizard.

Families like the Black and Malfoys would never accept you as a pure-blood wizard.

Harry: "..."

Is this the issue I'm referring to?
Harry had originally intended to make a few sarcastic remarks, but seeing the way Sherlock was looking at him, he sighed inwardly.

Well, Sherlock is Sherlock, he never disappoints.

I was so naive to think that he had changed!

Some things are better left unsaid.

However, the thought of Hagrid returning to teach them next week brightened Harry's mood, and he even walked with a lighter step.

However, Sherlock's next words made his heart leap into his throat:
“You’d better be prepared, Harry, things won’t be this easy starting tomorrow.”

(End of this chapter)