Sherlock Holmes at Hogwarts.

Chapter 583 Spring

We've been waiting and waiting, and now the east wind is here, and spring is just around the corner.

Hogwarts Castle was bathed in warm sunlight, and everything seemed to have just woken up, happily opening its eyes.

The mountains became bright and moist, the water rose, and the sun blushed.

However, the atmosphere inside the castle was not as relaxed as it appeared.

Ever since Sherlock witnessed Karkaroff showing Snape the Dark Mark, confirming that Voldemort was indeed about to rise as prophesied, an invisible tension had been hanging over everyone.

Except for Sherlock.

According to his friends, he should immediately go to Dumbledore and tell him about it.

However, Sherlock knew in his heart that there was no need for it at all.

People still have a prejudice against the old bat.

Of course, he also has a lot of fault for it.

He did things that made people prejudiced against him.

But one thing at a time, when it comes to Harry's safety, the old Batman is absolutely clear.

Therefore, he would definitely take the initiative to tell Dumbledore about Karkaroff's abnormality and the changes in the Dark Mark.

Over the next few days, Sherlock became even more certain of this through observation—a fact that came easily to him.

The current situation is that the enemy is in the dark while we are in the light. Voldemort is hiding in the shadows, and they have no idea of ​​his exact location or his next plan.

Even knowing that Voldemort's power was slowly returning, there was no way to take targeted measures to stop him.

In Sherlock's view, the best course of action now is for each of us to fight our own battles, remaining steadfast in the face of any eventuality.

Continue systematically searching for Voldemort's Horcruxes and destroying them.

Only by destroying the Horcruxes can Voldemort's power be completely weakened.

This is the fundamental way to deal with this disgusting guy.

In the time that followed, Snape seemed to be affected by this incident and stopped causing trouble for Gryffindor and Harry.

However, Snape's shadow over Sherlock clearly deepened as well.

He felt as if he could sense Sherlock's observation, and he felt as if he were running naked in front of this kid.

He just wants to get away from this person, or have sex with him the moment they meet and forget everything.

Aside from Snape, the other teachers all showed great enthusiasm for Harry.

Even Professor Trelawney, the Divination teacher, hasn't predicted Harry's death in recent classes.

It's worth noting that predicting Harry's "imminent great misfortune" in every Divination class has almost become a standard practice.

This sudden change left Harry feeling incredibly flattered.

"I guess it's because you haven't been going to your divination classes lately, so she's starting to regret it."

Ron said it with absolute certainty.

He said this because during this period, when Harry had conflicting classes, he would often give up fortune telling and choose to attend Muggle studies instead.

Harry's success with scuba diving greatly increased his interest in the course.

"maybe."

Harry chuckled and said, "I'm starting to find Muggle research more and more interesting."

You know what? Before Sherlock exposed Rita Skeeter, I always thought she had planted listening devices on other people!

Otherwise, how could she know so much about other people's private lives?

“She’s not at that level yet,” Sherlock said dismissively. “My dear Harry, you overestimate her.”

Ron, looking puzzled, rubbed his nose and asked, "What are you talking about... did you put bedbugs on her?"

As a pure-blood wizard who grew up in the magical world, Ron had a limited understanding of Muggle vocabulary.

His understanding of "bug" was obviously limited to real-world insects; he had no idea it could also refer to a listening device.

Harry understood this, so he patiently explained it to him.

To explain it more clearly, he even quoted scenes from the James Bond films, vividly illustrating what a hidden microphone and recording device actually are.

Some are hidden inside pens, some are disguised as watches, and some can even be put into buttons.

Ron became increasingly engrossed, his eyes wide, occasionally exclaiming "bloody hell!" and constantly asking about the details of the movie.

Hermione had originally intended to add a few words to explain the principles of Muggle technology.
But when he heard Ron constantly asking Harry about the Bond girls' appearances, clothing, and fight scenes in the movies, he knew there was no need to say anything more.

Clearly, Ron's ambitions lie elsewhere.

Hermione ignored Harry and Ron's discussion and turned to Sherlock, asking curiously:
Easter is coming soon, what are your plans? Will you stay at school or go home?

During the usual Easter holiday, teachers would assign a lot of homework.

Quidditch players like Harry need to intensify their training during this period and after the start of the summer term to prepare for the final official match of the season.

However, this year, due to the Triwizard Tournament, not only was the Quidditch Cup canceled, but even the warriors who participated in the Triwizard Tournament didn't have to take their final exams.

So this Easter holiday, I had a rare moment of leisure.

"Gemma invited me to her home."

Under Hermione's surprised gaze, Sherlock said without any hesitation:

"She said she originally planned to invite me during the winter break, but she was too busy with the Christmas ball, so she had to give up for the time being. Now she wants to make up for it during the Easter holiday."

His tone was calm, as if he were just talking about something very ordinary.
"Then... do you agree?"

"accepted."

Hermione's feelings were somewhat complicated.

However, considering that Sherlock had visited his home more than once, and Gemma's magnanimity when she returned this year, he immediately felt relieved.

It was indeed time for him to go to her house.

"Well then, I wish you a happy holiday in advance."

Hermione smiled slightly. "Don't forget to bring me Easter eggs."

"As you wish, my friend."

Apart from Sherlock, almost no other Hogwarts student would choose to leave the school at this time.

As in previous years, the teachers assigned a large amount of homework.

Even though there are no classes during the holidays, students still spend a lot of time completing assignments.

As for Harry, who participated in the Triwizard Tournament, he, like Sherlock, did not have to take the final exams.

However, unlike Sherlock, he doesn't possess a photographic memory or exceptional learning ability, allowing him to complete his homework in a very short time.

To be honest, even without Quidditch training, he was already overwhelmed with homework and had to stay in the common room until late every day.

Needless to say, young wizards like Hermione and Ron, who have to take final exams, are even more affected.

I spent almost all my time reviewing and doing homework.

Hermione was so busy that she couldn't even continue to protect the rights of house-elves.

However, just the day before Sherlock had finished packing and was ready to leave school, a letter from Watson disrupted his plans.

"It seems that the trip to Gemma's house will have to be postponed."

After reading the letter, Sherlock's eyes lit up with anticipation, and he muttered to himself:
"But this is much more interesting than going to Gemma's house."

"What? You're saying Holmes can't come tomorrow?" At the Farley house, Mr. and Mrs. Farley looked surprised upon hearing their daughter's words.

"Have you two broken up?"

"What are you talking about!"

Gemma seemed somewhat helpless about her parents' statement.

"I've said it more than once, Sherlock is visiting us as a regular friend, not what you're thinking at all!"

"How could I not know my own daughter?"

Mrs. Farley placed her hand on her daughter's shoulder and said somewhat anxiously:

"You have quite a few friends, but how many of them have ever visited our home?"

Even those who have come before did so because of their connection to the Farri family, not because of you.

This is the first time you've ever invited a guy to your home!

"Is this your first time?" Gemma asked uncertainly.

“Your mother is right, it is the first time!” Mr. Farley said firmly.

"Okay, even if it's the first time, it doesn't mean anything..."

"The problem arises precisely because it doesn't represent anything!"

Mrs. Farley became even more anxious:

"Your father and I have both met that boy, Holmes. Although he has a somewhat eccentric personality, he is definitely a trustworthy person to whom you can entrust your life."

Furthermore, his parents are also good people. Despite being Muggles, they have no fear or prejudice towards magic whatsoever, which is truly rare.

Furthermore, his performance in this year's Triwizard Tournament was truly outstanding; he was the only underage wizard under seventeen years old among all the participants..."

"Not the only one, there's also Harry Potter..."

"Potter is the boy who survived, the only nemesis of the Dark Lord, but Holmes is just a Muggle-born wizard!"

"Mom, what exactly are you trying to say?"

"I mean, when are you going to settle things?"

“Sherlock is only in fourth grade, he still has three years to go before graduation, it’s too early to talk about these things now…” Gemma said softly, her cheeks slightly flushed.

"So what? Your dad and I are already dating at school right now!"

"Exactly, we've kissed countless times on the lips!"

"..."

Gemma took a deep breath and said with a hint of helplessness:

"Dad, Mom, I'm only eighteen years old this year. Can you please stop making it sound like I'll never get married?"

"Then hurry up and establish a relationship!" Mrs. Farley persisted, her tone urgent. "The Burst and Foley families have been trying to find out about you ever since they heard you came back!"

"If they want to find a pure-blood wizard, why don't they go find one of the Twenty-Eight Holy Races? Why are they keeping an eye on us every day?" Gemma said with some dissatisfaction.

"Because none of the witches of the twenty-eight holy pure-blood races are as outstanding as my daughter!"

Mr. Farley puffed out his chest and said proudly.

“Then go find a half-blood wizard, a Muggle-born wizard,” Gemma said casually, with a hint of sarcasm in her tone. “Those who cling to outdated pure-blood thinking and believe that Muggle-born wizards are inferior will eventually be eliminated by this era.”

"Alright, let's not talk about that now. Why don't you think Holmes came?"

“It’s not that he’s not coming, he just postponed it,” Gemma sighed. “He said something came up at the last minute.”

"Is it just a postponement?" Mrs. Farley looked at Gemma suspiciously.

Gemma said definitively, "Yes, it's just postponed!"

"Then let's quickly set a new date!"

Upon hearing her daughter's words, Mrs. Farley immediately made a decision: "We must prepare again!"

Under the strong pressure from her mother and the full support of her father, even Gemma had no choice but to pull herself together and return to her room.

She had her owl, Irene, write a new letter to Sherlock, asking when he would be free and wanting to reschedule her visit.

However, by the time the letter reached Sherlock, he was already preparing to depart with Dumbledore.

"If I'm not mistaken, this should be Miss Farley's owl, the former president of the girls' council, right?"

Dumbledore smiled as he looked at Irene, who was perched on Sherlock's shoulder and nuzzling his cheek affectionately, and asked a question.

"Yes, it's Eileen."

Sherlock gently stroked Irene's feathers, taking the letter from her leg as he spoke:
“I had promised to visit her today, but she now wants to reschedule.”

He quickly glanced at the contents of the letter and, without looking up, spoke to Dumbledore.

"Oh, it seems you two have a good relationship?"

"Just like Harry, they are my friends."

“Really? I thought you would say, ‘Just like Hermione.’”

There is no difference.

"..."

Dumbledore stared at Sherlock for a moment, then looked away and laughed.

At this time, Sherlock also finished writing his reply to Gemma and had Irene take it back.

After he had done all this, he looked up at Dumbledore and said, "Let's go."

Dumbledore nodded.

The starting point of Apparition is still Hogsmeade Village.

As for the destination...

When Sherlock regained consciousness from the apparition, he immediately recognized the valley that had appeared before him.

As for Little Hangleton, which is nestled between two steep hillsides, I visited during the winter break.

On the hillside opposite the valley, the dilapidated Riddell Palace still stands out.

However, Sherlock realized almost immediately that Riddle House was not their destination.

The reason is also very simple.

They had been here before, and if their goal was Riddle House, Dumbledore could easily Apparate there with him.

Sure enough, Dumbledore then led Sherlock along the country road that led from the signpost, turned right, rounded a bend, and came to a narrow dirt road.

The shrubs and hedges on both sides of this road were taller and denser than those they had just passed, their branches intertwined to form a natural green wall.

The dirt road itself is winding and bumpy, filled with stones of different sizes. The edges have been smoothed by time and rain, and you can clearly feel the texture of the stones when you step on it.

As for the slope, it's just as steep and straight down as that country road.

However, this time they did not walk a mile like last time.

Sherlock walked along, keeping an eye on his surroundings.

The path led down to a small, dark grove of trees. The trees were lush and their branches intertwined, completely blocking out the sky and leaving only scattered patches of light, making the whole grove seem somewhat eerie.

Not far along, the dirt road connected to the grove of low trees.

A house, half-hidden among the tangled roots of trees, appeared before the two.

(End of this chapter)