"He's quite dedicated to his job."
Watching the nervous student queue slowly inch forward under caretaker Filch's pressure, Ron, standing at the back, said irritably.
Hermione glanced at him, opened her mouth, but ultimately said nothing.
She knew very well that if she spoke now, they would start arguing.
She might as well say nothing at all.
She had already decided that once they reached Hogsmeade, she would part ways with Harry and Ron.
She had many things she wanted to discuss privately with Sherlock.
Seeing this, Harry couldn't help but sigh. He wondered when these two good friends of his would finally make up.
Harry firmly believed that as long as Sherlock would intervene, everything would work out.
Unfortunately, Sherlock was completely indifferent to the cold war between Hermione and Ron, leaving Harry helpless.
When it was Sherlock's turn, Filch rarely showed a smile.
"Mrs. Norris has been in great condition lately, Mr. Holmes. The method you taught really works."
"Keep it up."
Thanks to Sherlock's influence, the student queue behind him also moved faster.
The journey passed without incident.
Arriving at Hogsmeade village, the four immediately split into two groups.
Watching Hermione directly pull Sherlock away, Ron snorted coldly.
"She's treating Sherlock like he's hers, but Sherlock still has to sleep in the same room as us at night! If she's so capable, she should sleep next to Sherlock too!"
"Ron, what are you talking about..." (╬ ̄皿 ̄)
"Never mind that. Let's go to Dervish and Banges first, Harry."
"What for?"
"Didn't I tell you to bring your Sneakoscope today? They can repair that thing there. If it can't be fixed, I'll buy you a new one."
"You don't need to spend so much money..."
"Stop talking nonsense—that was my birthday present to you!"
"Don't pull me, I'm going, I'm going, honestly..."
Meanwhile, things were quite different for Hermione.
She had pulled Sherlock along for quite a while. When she noticed many young wizards staring at Sherlock and her, she realized something was wrong and quickly released Sherlock's hand.
"Um... ahem, Sherlock, is there anywhere you'd like to go?"
"No particular place I want to visit."
For Sherlock, this was already his third visit to Hogsmeade.
Compared to the previous two visits, there were noticeably more people in the village this time.
"Then... shall we go to Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop first? I'd like to get some new quills."
Hermione knew her own situation well.
Although Sherlock and Harry had also enrolled in all courses like her, the two of them didn't attend all their classes.
Under these circumstances, her supplies naturally wore out faster.
"Why not go to Zonko's Joke Shop?"
Just then, the Patil twins, holding hands, passed by.
They happened to hear Hermione's words, and Parvati Patil, who shared a dormitory with Hermione, couldn't help but offer a suggestion:
"Padma is planning to buy quills too. We were just planning to go there, I heard their quills have special functions besides writing!"
"Thank you, Parvati, but I just need quills that can write homework normally. You go ahead."
"Oh, I see, planning a romantic outing for two!"
"What are you talking about!"
Teased by her roommate, Hermione's face instantly turned red.
Her tanned skin had recovered faster than expected—in just two months, she had already returned to her usual complexion.
She had originally resolved not to blush so easily, but she hadn't expected her roommate to say something so direct.
One moment of carelessness, and she was caught off guard.
Seeing Hermione's embarrassed state, the Patil twins simultaneously let out a string of clear laughter. After greeting Sherlock and Hermione, they left contentedly.
"That... that, Sherlock, they... they were just joking..." Hermione stammered her explanation. "I really do want to buy some quills for normal homework writing. I definitely don't want to have any romantic outing with you!"
Hermione seemed to use all her strength to say this sentence.
After finishing, she couldn't help but steal a glance at Sherlock to see his reaction.
Then Sherlock simply said "oh" as if nothing had happened.
Sherlock's calm reaction also brought Hermione back to her senses—she realized there had been no need to explain at all.
But having gone this far, she could only pretend nothing had happened and take Sherlock to Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop to buy supplies.
"Um... we need to ask for directions first. I only know it's in the northwest part of the village..."
"Go straight down this street, turn left at the second intersection, and you'll find it."
"How do you know? Didn't you say you only went to the Three Broomsticks when you came here before?"
"When arriving at any new place, one must quickly familiarize oneself with the surrounding environment, even though I only visited the Three Broomsticks, coming here twice was sufficient for me to understand the layout of the important buildings here."
"How is that possible..."
"It's common sense, my friend."
Hermione: (ーー;)
After buying quills, Hermione had nothing urgent to do.
Sherlock hadn't particularly wanted to go anywhere to begin with, so the two began wandering around the village.
Dervish and Banges was a shop that sold and repaired magical equipment.
When Sherlock and Hermione arrived, they found the same model of Sneakoscope that Ron had given Harry as a birthday present—still made in Egypt, and reasonably priced.
Gladrags Wizardwear was a large chain clothing store selling various wizard clothing and socks.
However, Sherlock and Hermione had already bought well-fitting clothes at Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions in Diagon Alley before the start of term, so they had no other needs.
After chatting with the shop manager for a few moments, Hermione was surprised to discover that this store actually had branches in both London and Paris.
Under the manager's sales pitch, she still bought a pair of new socks for both herself and Sherlock.
Honeydukes sweetshop sold chocolate and various other magical sweets, beloved by Hogwarts faculty and students. The trolley on the Hogwarts Express was supplied by this candy shop.
This was the most crowded place Sherlock and Hermione had visited today, mainly because they had launched a new type of milk soft candy with free tasting.
After trying the flavors, both Sherlock and Hermione made some purchases.
Hermione had originally planned to visit the area near the Shrieking Shack.
According to legend, it was the most haunted place in all of Britain—no one could enter, not even Hogwarts ghosts.
However, this house was located on the outskirts of Hogsmeade village. Unless they went early, there definitely wouldn't be enough time, so they abandoned this plan.
In the afternoon, Hermione was somewhat troubled about whether to go to Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop or the Three Broomsticks.
However, after seeing Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop's steamy, cramped, and cluttered setup, Hermione decisively gave up on it.
Because it reminded her of the terrible environment in Divination class.
The two ultimately went to the Three Broomsticks.
The spacious, bright, clean, and warm bar gave Hermione a much better impression than Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop.
Madam Rosmerta was also more beautiful than Madam Puddifoot.
Beautiful things are always pleasing to the eye.
Not only do men like beautiful women, women are the same way.
According to scientific research, even just looking at beautiful things, without doing anything else, can make people happy and extend their lives.
After two years, Madam Rosmerta could still recognize Sherlock.
"Mr. Holmes, you're finally old enough to visit Hogsmeade on your own?"
After saying this, she looked at Hermione and laughed softly, covering her mouth, "Oh, not entirely alone—with your little girlfriend!"
"I'm not his girlfriend!"
As soon as Hermione tried to explain, Madam Rosmerta laughingly interrupted her. "I understand, I totally understand—no need to say more. How about two butterbeers to start?"
Seeing that neither had any objections, Madam Rosmerta immediately brought them two steaming butterbeers.
"Hey, beautiful lady, what's the background of those young wizards over there? Why do they warrant your personal service?"
The wizards near the bar couldn't help but feel curious after witnessing this scene.
After all, when they wanted butterbeer, they had to go to the bar themselves to order.
"Them..."
Madam Rosmerta smiled slightly. "They're students valued by several Hogwarts professors!"
This was exactly why she could remember Sherlock.
As a Hogwarts student, to break convention and visit twice during his first year, both times brought by professors: Sherlock was worth remembering.
Hearing Madam Rosmerta say this, everyone immediately showed respect.
Their gazes toward Sherlock became thoughtful.
It must be said that the Three Broomsticks' butterbeer lived up to its reputation.
After just one sip, Hermione fell in love with the feeling and quickened her pace.
Compared to Hermione, Sherlock sipped slowly, savoring it carefully.
How to put it—it had its own merits compared to his preferred brandy!
Although the alcohol content wasn't high, after drinking two and a half cups, Hermione's gaze toward Sherlock became hazy, and her restored complexion became rosy under the influence of the steaming alcohol.
However, when Hermione was about to lift her glass again, Sherlock stopped her.
"Don't drink anymore. Your expression tells me you have something you want to say to me. Just say it directly."
"I'm sorry, Sherlock."
Under the influence of alcohol, Hermione's courage had grown considerably. She stared intently at Sherlock.
"I do have something I've been wanting to tell you, but... but I can't say it."
When she said this, her gaze carried a hint of grievance.
Sherlock shook his head slightly. "Hermione, if you're referring to the matter of simultaneously appearing in different classrooms for classes, there's indeed no need to discuss it further."
"Ha, you really knew!"
Hearing Sherlock's words, Hermione was first shocked, then showed a look of relief.
"I knew it—this matter definitely couldn't be hidden from you."
"Hermione, please don't insult my intelligence."
Sherlock sighed, picked up his butterbeer, and looked at Hermione with a rather helpless expression.
"When you and I were in Ancient Runes class together, Harry told me that at the same time, you were with him and Ron in Professor Hagrid's Care of Magical Creatures class.
Hannah also told me that when you and I were in Arithmancy class, not only were you simultaneously with Harry and Ron in Divination, but you were also simultaneously with other students in Ancient Runes.
From the start of term until now, over these two months, you haven't missed a single one of the five elective courses, and you've appeared in three classrooms simultaneously more than once.
I've said more than once: when you eliminate all impossibilities, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.
So... there is only one truth!"
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