Sherlock Holmes at Hogwarts.

Chapter 589 There is more than one female lead

Gemma's crisp laughter, like a string of shattered silver, echoed in the warm living room with its soft wool carpet, dispelling the last trace of Sherlock's subtle aloofness stemming from his excessive rationality.

The fire in the fireplace was blazing, the orange flames greedily licking the firewood, making a soft crackling sound, and warming the room cozy.

She gazed at Sherlock, her eyes fixed on his clear, deep gray eyes, as clear as a cold pool.

The flickering fire was clearly reflected inside, like two small, quietly burning flames.

The affection I felt for him, born from his unique personality, grew even richer, like honey being baked in a fire.

"Okay, 'It doesn't feel bad'."

Gemma deliberately imitated his flat, emotionless tone, but her eyes and brows were full of laughter, and even her cheeks flushed slightly.

"This is probably the highest praise I can get from you regarding your feelings in social situations."

Sherlock tilted his head slightly, a serious glint in his gray eyes, as if he were seriously scrutinizing the accuracy of the assessment.

"Fact-based descriptions are usually the most reliable."

He stated calmly, his gaze naturally falling on Gemma's cheeks, slightly flushed with laughter, his tone completely even:

“Your parents care about you and seem to have a positive outlook on me.”

"Positive expectations?"

Gemma raised an eyebrow, her eyes slightly upturned, a barely perceptible ripple of emotion stirring within her. She decided to tease him on purpose:

"Mr. Sherlock Holmes, are you implying that my parents are very pleased with you, even a little impatient?"

“Observe Mrs. Farley’s body language. She frequently glances at us while speaking and unconsciously smooths her skirt with her fingers. These are typical signals of intimacy.”

Considering the direction she steered the conversation, this conclusion is easily reached.

Sherlock met her gaze calmly, as if analyzing a crucial case file:

"She tried to build a more personal connection by sharing funny stories from your childhood and repeatedly emphasized the similarities in our personalities, which is in line with a common strategy in social psychology to promote close relationships."

Gemma's cheeks flushed even more, but she couldn't help but smile.

(/▽＼)
"As for Mr. Farley..."

Sherlock completely ignored the charming expression on her face, paused, and continued:

"His scrutiny contained approval, and his handshake was firm and lasted slightly longer than usual, which conveyed a signal of acceptance."

Gemma's ears were burning slightly, and her eyes were filled with undisguised sweetness.

(*/ω＼*)
After a moment, Gemma finally couldn't help but laugh out loud.

But there was a hint of helplessness in that smile, along with a touch of sweet indulgence:
"Sherlock... how should I put this?"

You've analyzed a simple family visit like you're deciphering a complex magic contract, scrutinizing every single punctuation mark.

"You're overinterpreting it."

"...If you say so, then so be it, but..."

Gemma leaned forward slightly, a movement that caused the neckline of her loose, off-white sweater to open slightly, revealing a small patch of delicate, fair skin that shimmered softly in the firelight.

Her smile held a hint of slyness, like a little fox that had stolen a bite of honey: "You're right, they really do like you."

Sherlock's gaze swept calmly across her collar: "I can tell."

“Especially Mom, she’s been excited for days ever since she found out you were coming.”

"It's obvious."

"After I told her about your stories of solving cases through observation and reasoning, she praised you highly."

Even the neighbors next door complained that she hummed too loudly while mowing the lawn, preventing them from taking a nap at noon.

Upon hearing this, Sherlock's lips curled up in a barely perceptible smile, as if it had never happened before.

It was a very subtle expression, and it was fleeting.

But from the moment Sherlock stepped into the house, Gemma's attention was focused on him the entire time.

So even such fleeting, subtle expressions were captured precisely by her.

She knew in her heart that this was already a fairly obvious sign of pleasure for Sherlock, who was used to controlling his emotions.

“The neighbors’ complaints are understandable. If Mrs. Farley’s behavior is really bothering them, perhaps we can suggest that she make some adjustments.”

Sherlock commented seriously, then changed the subject, "However, Mrs. Farley's enthusiasm was very genuine, without any ulterior motives, which made people feel comfortable."

"Comfort is all that matters."

Gemma breathed a sigh of relief and leaned back on the sofa. "I was really worried that you might feel too much pressure or bored."

She lowered her voice for the second half of her sentence, because she knew very well that Sherlock had no interest in pure social small talk.

“I’ve never been bored talking to you, Gemma.”

Sherlock's gaze fell on her, his tone as calm as stating a fact, yet it made Gemma's heart skip a beat.

"As for pressure," a very faint glint flashed in his gray eyes:
"I'm more used to viewing it as a parameter of a problem that needs to be solved."

Currently, the parameters are all within a controllable range, and the risk level is R1.

Gemma felt a warm glow in her heart from those words, as if she were holding a small heater.

This is Sherlock.

He always managed to say things that moved her heart without her even realizing it, using a rational way of speaking that best suited his behavior.

After a brief chat, Gemma suddenly remembered something.

The atmosphere is just right; it's the perfect time to bring this up.

“Our friends…”

Gemma's tone became natural, with a hint of casual conversation, as if she had just mentioned it unintentionally.

"I heard Hermione's been starting something like... a house-elf rights advocacy group?"

She carefully observed Sherlock's reaction, and seeing that he merely nodded calmly to indicate that he understood, she continued:

"She also made a lot of badges, the design of which is often misunderstood as a 'vomiting' pattern. Even though she was rejected many times, she still refused to give up."

There was not a trace of sarcasm in Gemma's tone; instead, there was a hint of understanding and appreciation.

She took out a gleaming silver badge from her pocket, with the word "SPEW" clearly engraved on it.

It was the badge of the House-Elf Rights Promotion Association that Hermione had been trying so hard to sell.

This surprised Sherlock somewhat.

Hermione has been behaving better lately.

Keep in mind that when she first started recruiting members, she spent every night in the Gryffindor common room.

She was shaking her piggy bank under people's noses, making a noise that would bother anyone.

Harry, Ron, Neville, and the others did indeed pay two silver sieges to purchase the SPEW badge.

But they never intended to join; they did it simply to avoid Hermione's endless harassment.

But to his surprise, Gemma would actually take the initiative to buy a badge.

You're surprised, aren't you?

Gemma chuckled softly, twirled the badge between her fingers, and then put it back into her pocket.

"She's always like this; once she sets her mind on something, she'll see it through to the end, even if others don't understand or even think she's foolish."

This perseverance and drive, especially the courage shown in confronting injustice, are rare and precious qualities.

She paused, looked at Sherlock, her gaze becoming more serious, and her tone more solemn:

"Of course, her approach is too idealistic and lacks practicality."

But this pure belief and determination to change the status quo deserve recognition.

It might offer a perspective and power that we easily overlook should we ever need to confront those more powerful dark forces.

Having another partner like her, so persistent and outspoken, is actually a good thing, isn't it?

Hearing this, Sherlock understood.

Gemma's words are still rooted in pragmatism—which is precisely the core quality of a true Slytherin.

In Gemma's view, Hermione's drive, unwavering conviction, and keen sensitivity to injustice are all valuable resources.

She hopes to maintain this bond and build up strength for potential future crises.

Gemma is indeed incredibly intelligent.

Although she still didn't know about Voldemort's impending return or the Horcruxes, she had still considered this possibility.

“She invited me to be the president, but I didn’t accept,” Sherlock said frankly, tapping his knee lightly with his fingertips.

"Of course, I can imagine you would refuse."

Gemma smiled. "Although I promised her I would join SPEW, there are only four people on the membership list."

At this point, Gemma couldn't help but shake her head and laugh out loud.

The four people were Hermione, Harry, Ron, and herself.

As for Harry, Hermione appointed him as secretary.

However, according to Harry, his role as secretary has been completely ineffective so far.

Sherlock thought carefully for a moment, then slowly nodded:
"Hermione's drive and her spirit of challenging established rules are indeed noteworthy."

But that's all.

If the path is wrong, no amount of effort will be in vain, and may even backfire.

If I have the chance, I should find some time to have a proper talk with Hermione about this.

Gemma was pleased with Sherlock's reaction—it was exactly what she wanted.

Having ended the conversation about Hermione, she added, seemingly casually:
"Oh, and Lunalovgood too. Although her ideas are sometimes... well, quite unique."

Gemma carefully considered her words, her smile widening and her eyes softening.

"I think her perspective on the world is very unique."

Sometimes, stepping outside the framework of conventional thinking allows us to see things that others overlook.

Especially when faced with unusual magical phenomena, her intuition and theories about the Curved-Horned Snoring Beast and the Disturbance Fly might provide unexpected clues.

Gemma spoke casually, but her eyes held an undeniable seriousness.

She understood Luna's value not in her traditional usefulness, but in her unique perspective that could not be replicated.

Especially since Sherlock himself is a consulting detective, this unconventional perspective becomes even more crucial.

Her magnanimity allowed her to accept and appreciate these differences, and she firmly believed that Sherlock needed such diversity around him.

share?

No, in her view, if these connections could better protect and support Sherlock, then she was willing to accept this arrangement and even actively promote it.

Sherlock nodded, a hint of approval flashing in his gray eyes:
“I’ve noticed this since the day I met Luna.”

Her cognitive patterns do indeed differ significantly from those of ordinary people, and her views may be of reference value in certain fields that require divergent thinking or involve non-mainstream magical theories.

Maintaining diversity in information channels is a reasonable strategy that can effectively increase the probability of solving cases.

Often, a few casual words can dispel my doubts.

besides……"

He slightly curled the corners of his lips, revealing a very faint but genuine smile. "I have never considered myself a normal person."

Upon hearing Sherlock's words, Gemma smiled, her eyes crinkling like they were filled with starlight.

Sherlock had fully grasped the pragmatism behind her advice and had considered it more thoroughly than she had.

And this is precisely how she, as a Slytherin, conducts herself.

Putting emotional factors below practical interests, paving the way for the people you care about.

Her hints were subtle enough, and Sherlock received only what he could best understand—value and efficiency.

As for the deeper level of tolerance and acceptance regarding sharing, she cleverly wrapped it under the guise of rational analysis.

That was a decision deep in her heart, needing no explanation.

Moreover, given Sherlock's obliviousness to emotions, he wouldn't even realize it.

But it doesn't matter, for them now, the one thing they have in abundance is time.

"It seems we have reached a consensus."

Gemma said casually, her fingertips lightly brushing the stray hairs by her ear.

There's a saying that behind every outstanding man stands an outstanding woman.

But who says there can only be one female lead?
Since the male lead isn't taking the initiative, then he should take the initiative himself!

Just as Gemma had suspected, Sherlock remained oblivious to emotional cues beyond his comprehension, a flicker of doubt crossing his grey eyes.
"What consensus?"

Just then, from the direction of the kitchen came the faint sound of Mrs. Farley's deliberately raised, amused voice, accompanied by the clinking of cutlery:
"Darling, could you please bring out that plate of freshly baked Yorkshire pudding? Sherlock must be starving!"

"Coming, Mom!"

"Coming, Mom!"

Gemma responded loudly and quickly stood up.

She straightened the hem of her sweater, then winked at Sherlock, her eyes full of playful amusement:
"It seems that one of the parameters you just mentioned—lunch—is ready."

Come on, dear Sherlock, let's go and taste my mother's proud cooking.

Hopefully, this will also be within your comfort and control.

Sherlock also stood up, his movements as steady and elegant as ever.

"I have high expectations for Mrs. Farley's cooking."

He said calmly. Then he followed her toward the restaurant, which was filled with the rich aroma of meat and desserts.

The firelight from the fireplace danced and flickered behind them, casting long, long shadows of the two men on the floor, briefly overlapping before slowly moving with their steps.

It seems to foreshadow that this Easter holiday visit is heading in a warm and clear direction.

In Gemma's mind, the vision of the future has also quietly gained some elements that she considers necessary and beneficial.

It's like adding a few warm, bright strokes to an already simple painting.

(End of this chapter)