Snape, the Sunshine of Hogwarts.

Chapter 24 The Great Detective and His Partner
Together with the employee left behind by the Ministry of Magic, they were entertained by the manor's butler after dinner.

Severus and Harry went to an empty balcony and began to check the intelligence they had gathered that afternoon.

“Severus is Patty’s half-brother. His mother and Patty had a bad relationship, but he and Patty had a good relationship.”

Harry looked guilty, glancing around furtively every now and then, and whispering about his discovery.

"He quietly told me something that no one else knew, that his sister had suddenly become a different person two weeks ago, much more cheerful than before, and smiling more often. At that time, although he didn't know why, he was still happy for Patty."

Severus tapped his fingers lightly on the surface of the wooden coffee table.

Two weeks ago?

“Yes,” Harry continued. “And a week ago, Patty and Mrs. Somerset had a huge argument. Severus told me the main reason was that his mother wanted to send Patty to a sanatorium, but Patty refused. She had never been so angry before, and everyone in the family was terrified.”

At this point, Harry's voice became hesitant, and he looked up at Severus.

"Teacher, isn't Patty Mr. Somerset's daughter? She clearly went through such a tragic ordeal, and has been confined to a wheelchair for the rest of her life. Why do they still treat her so cruelly?"

Severus met Harry's gaze and said calmly.

"Because everyone makes different choices when faced with a major setback, Harry."

"Some people will face their mistakes, completely change themselves, and create a better future."

"Some people will become so immersed in setbacks and failures that they cannot extricate themselves, wasting their lives and sinking into permanent depression."

“Some people will choose to escape, shifting the blame for failure onto innocent people and becoming hostile to those who bear the infamy they shouldn’t have, as if abusing and tormenting the other person would lessen their guilt.”

Harry blinked.

"So, Mr. Somerset is a third type of person?"

"Judging from the current situation, that should be the case."

“How could he do this?” Harry exclaimed indignantly. “How could there be such a vicious father in the world! Even a viper wouldn’t be this cold-blooded!”

"But when he initially thought Patty was dead, he still appeared very grief-stricken, and I heard that he locked himself in his room for a whole day without coming out."

Severus reminded him.

"If he were truly that cold-blooded, as you say, he wouldn't behave this way at all."

Harry was confused and looked at Severus with a puzzled expression.

"Teacher, does Mr. Somerset love his daughter?"

“Humans are never simple creatures, Harry,” Severus said softly. “You can say he loves, or you can say he doesn’t.”

"However, considering the damage he caused Patty, he is indeed a complete bastard and does not deserve to be a father."

Seeing the bewilderment on Harry's face, Severus realized that this kind of education was still too early for him.

Even if it's a bit early, saying it is better than saying nothing or teaching nothing at all.

Severus glanced at his watch and stood up from his chair.

"Alright, Harry, our break is almost over. We still have some things to do before it gets too late."

Harry hurriedly stood up and followed Severus.

"Where are we going?"

Severus, without anyone noticing, pulled a pipe out of his pocket.

He held it in his mouth and said lightly.

"Of course, I'm going to assist the police in their investigation."

Sheriff Gordon has been in a good mood lately.

During this period, Bristol's security was relatively peaceful. Of course, there were petty thefts, but these were commonplace crimes that were just part of the daily routine and did not cause much psychological stress for the police officers.

He had just finished dinner with his colleagues and was driving home, humming along to rock music played by Annie Lennox on the radio. The Bristol police officers were enjoying this leisurely time entirely because the Budmington Estate case had been transferred to another department.

This is a rare good thing, especially since cases involving nobles, particularly those involving intentional injury or even murder, are particularly troublesome.

Sheriff Gordon was eager for someone to take on this hot potato.

He had already made preparations in advance, handing over all the clues and physical evidence obtained by the Bristol Police Department to the unit handling the case.

Four days have passed, and still no one from any department has come to contact them.

This is certainly not unusual; it would be a huge surprise if British civil servants suddenly became more efficient!

Just as Sheriff Gordon was enjoying the rock music,

Under the car headlights, he suddenly saw two figures, one tall and one short, standing directly in front of him!
His brain reacted instantly, and he slammed his right foot on the brake pedal. The locked tires screeched against the rough ground.

"squeak--!"

When the car came to a complete stop, Sheriff Gordon's back was soaked with sweat.

He was breathing heavily with tension, looking at the two figures standing motionless less than a meter away from the front of his car, and angrily unbuckled his seatbelt.

"Fuck! What are you doing?! Are you trying to get yourself killed?!"

He grumbled as he pushed open the car door and got out, finally getting a clear look at the two people blocking the road.

It was a man with a child!
Both men were wearing robes that were completely out of place in modern times, but the tall man with a short ponytail was even smoking a pipe and holding a cane, as if he were cosplaying a famous detective.

The boy next to him was wearing a newsboy cap, his head down, trying to focus his attention on the tips of his shoes, as if he were embarrassed about something.

"Good evening, Sheriff Gordon."

The "great detective," with a pipe dangling from his mouth, greeted them.

Gordon, who was staring at them, sensed something was wrong. He felt that this strange man in front of him seemed to have been waiting for him here on purpose!

"Who are you?" he asked warily, while discreetly reaching his left hand behind his back. There was no gun there, only a can of tear gas.

The "Great Detective" shrugged, seemingly somewhat surprised.

"You still can't recognize us? Fine, then let's introduce ourselves. You can call me Sherlock Holmes!"

While loudly introducing himself, the "Great Detective" also secretly nudged the boy next to him with the cane he was holding, as if urging him to catch up with the pace.

The boy was extremely ashamed. He couldn't imagine how his teacher could have come up with such a childish and ridiculous role-playing plan!
But he finally took a deep breath and stammered.

“I am his partner, John, John Watson.”

Sheriff Gordon stared in shock at the two lunatics, one big and one small.

"Did you escape from a mental hospital?"

Watson seemed unable to bear it any longer, and he covered his face in extreme shame.

The "Great Detective," however, seemed truly immersed in his role, speaking earnestly.

“We’re here to help you solve the case, Sheriff Gordon.”

Gordon's face darkened completely, and he pulled out handcuffs from behind his waist.

"You two, put your hands behind your heads and squat down!"

Watson was clearly a good boy, and immediately obeyed the order, putting his hands behind his head and squatting down on the spot.

However, the "great detective" had somehow pointed his cane at Gordon.

"Confusion."

(End of this chapter)