Ever since Sirius Black successfully infiltrated Hogwarts secretly on Halloween eve, Harry's life had become troublesome.
Whenever he left the Gryffindor common room, professors would find various excuses to accompany him through the corridors.
"Harry, you're going to the library? What a coincidence, so am I. Shall we go together?"
"Going to the classroom? Oh my, I just left something behind!"
"Going to the Great Hall for dinner? I'm a bit hungry too. Let's go!"
If it were Professors Flitwick, Sprout, or Lupin, it would be fine—Harry's interactions with them went smoothly enough.
Professor McGonagall was a bit awkward, but not too bad for Harry.
But whenever he encountered Professor Snape, it was disastrous.
The man's mouth seemed infected. Harry felt every step with him was torture, yet he had no way to refuse his escort.
Under these circumstances, he tried as much as possible to stay close to Sherlock.
Because he discovered that as long as Sherlock was present, Professor Snape would restrain himself somewhat—though he didn't know why.
Besides the professors, Head Boy Percy practically followed him everywhere.
Though it wasn't a nice way to put it, Harry really felt like he was now living like a particularly proud police dog.
"It's Mrs. Weasley's request."
When Harry complained about Percy following him around all day, Sherlock stated his deduced answer. "She really cares about you."
"That may be true, but Sherlock, this feeling is just too awful. I really..."
Harry thought for a long time but didn't know how to describe his current feelings.
"Be patient, my friend."
Sherlock patted Harry's shoulder.
"The first Quidditch match is approaching. If you maintain this restless state of mind, you're unlikely to defeat Slytherin.
From what I know of you; you've always taken this very seriously."
"Of course I take it seriously! This is Wood's last chance to win the championship trophy. I don't want to disappoint him again!"
Harry said excitedly. "You know, Sherlock, just now, Professor McGonagall called me to her office."
"Let me guess—she first felt relieved that she agreed to let you go to Hogsmeade on Halloween eve, then suggested she didn't want you participating in evening Quidditch practice?"
"Exactly! She told me Black is coming after me.
I also told her about Mr. Weasley's warning—which also greatly relieved her, saying it was fortunate I went to Hogsmeade, so Black came up empty.
But she thinks when I'm training on the pitch, there are only team members around me. This is very exposed behavior."
"That may be so, but your expression tells me you've already convinced her."
Sherlock laughed. "Professor McGonagall's love for Quidditch is no less than that of your interesting captain.
Let me think—she must have arranged for a professor to supervise. Madam Hooch, right?"
"Exactly!"
Harry sighed. "I'm not at all surprised now that you know about this, but even so, I still hate this feeling.
Sherlock, do you have any solution?"
"Let's go!"
Under Harry's hopeful gaze, Sherlock stood up.
"Go? Where?"
"To see our esteemed Professor Dumbledore. It's time to get to the bottom of this matter. It will help you understand your current situation."
"Just the two of us?"
Harry was somewhat surprised.
Actually, he knew quite well he was powerless to change anything about his current situation, so he was just venting to Sherlock and releasing his pent-up frustration.
He didn't expect his friend to be so decisive.
"It's enough. If you're willing, you can share with the others after we return."
Harry naturally had no objection to this.
However, as soon as Sherlock and he walked out of the common room door, Percy immediately followed.
"Where are you going?" he asked alertly. "You don't have Astronomy class tonight."
Harry was at a loss for words. "Percy, how do you know what classes I have?"
"I got your schedule from Ron," Percy said proudly. "Caring for fellow students is the Head Boy's unavoidable responsibility."
Harry: "..."
"Hurry up and tell me, where are you going?"
"Head Boy Weasley, we're going to the Headmaster's office."
Hearing Sherlock address him this way, Percy instinctively puffed out his chest, and his Head Boy badge seemed to shine brighter at this moment.
However, he immediately asked. "The Headmaster's office? Sherlock, what are you going there for?"
"We don't know either," Sherlock said with a puzzled expression. "The Headmaster notified us to go find him. What, is Head Boy Weasley planning to come along too?"
"Wh-what?!"
Hearing Sherlock say this, Percy's eyes widened. He thought for a moment and finally made up his mind to continue following the two.
However, the three hadn't walked far when Professor Hagrid appeared.
"Sherlock, Harry, why aren't you in your common room? What are you doing here so late?"
"Professor, Sherlock said Professor Dumbledore has business with them. Do you know about this?"
Percy answered first.
"Professor Dumbledore... I don't know about that."
Hagrid looked at Sherlock, who looked back at him with very sincere eyes.
"Ha, but I happen to be going to see Professor Dumbledore too. You can come with me!"
Hagrid said, slapping his hands on Sherlock and Harry's backs.
Sherlock stood steadily in place.
Harry, caught off guard, stumbled forward two steps before steadying himself.
"Ah, then I can relax!"
Percy said solemnly, as if he had personally handed Sherlock and Harry over to Hagrid.
After Percy left, Harry couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
Compared to Percy, he'd rather be with Hagrid.
Rubbing his shoulder, he asked. "Hagrid, what does Professor Dumbledore want you for?"
"Well, it's about the Black search. I was at the Whomping Willow... no, I can't tell you about this!"
Hagrid spoke halfway before suddenly realizing something and slapping himself.
"Why can't I control this mouth!"
Sherlock and Harry exchanged glances, both speechless.
Why couldn't he control his mouth? Didn't he know in his heart?
However, neither was interested in prying into Hagrid's secrets at this moment, so they didn't ask further and followed him along.
Under Hagrid's guidance, the two soon arrived at the gargoyle.
Hagrid recited the password, and the three rode the spiral staircase up.
Throughout the entire process, Hagrid didn't doubt for a moment the possibility that Sherlock might be lying.
This made Harry terribly nervous.
All along, Sherlock had said he wouldn't lie to people in most situations—unless necessary.
Obviously, this was now one of those necessary situations.
But the problem was, what if they were discovered later?
Just as Harry was overthinking, Hagrid knocked on the bronze knocker. "Headmaster, it's me!"
"Come in, Rubeus!"
Dumbledore's voice sounded, and Hagrid immediately pushed open the door and walked in first.
Seeing Sherlock follow without hesitation, Harry gritted his teeth and followed them in.
Based on previous experiences, even if he knew Sherlock was lying, if there was good reason, Headmaster Dumbledore shouldn't be angry.
After all, his personality was very good, not like the stern Professor McGonagall...
Thinking this, Harry saw Professor McGonagall sitting opposite Dumbledore.
Harry: Σ(°△°|||)︴
Oh my god!
What was this situation?
Why was Professor McGonagall here too!
This was it—we are done for!
"I ran into Sherlock and Harry on the way, so I brought them along!"
Hearing Hagrid's words, Professor McGonagall's gaze instantly became sharp.
"Harry, I already spoke to you today about Sirius Black. Why are you still wandering the corridors?
And you, Mr. Holmes, you should both be in your common room at this hour!"
Under Professor McGonagall's sharp gaze, Harry immediately became nervous.
Sherlock, however, remained calm. "Professor McGonagall, we want to know about Sirius Black."
"Don't you already know about this?"
Professor McGonagall frowned. "Potter told me that Mr. Arthur Weasley already explained the situation to you."
"That's correct, but I need more detailed information."
Sherlock turned to Dumbledore. "I want to know what relationship Black has with Harry, and how close his relationship with Harry's father James really was."
Dumbledore's deep gaze looked at Sherlock through his half-moon spectacles. After pondering for a moment, he asked.
"What do you know now?"
"Er... I don't know much information.
Currently, I only know that Sirius Black had a very good relationship with Harry's father.
But he played an unpleasant role in Voldemort's murder of Harry. Harry's parents' deaths have much to do with him.
Although everyone says Black would sit in the second chair if Voldemort rose again, in my view, his camp switch seems too abrupt.
There's too much missing information about what happened over a dozen years ago, just like the Chamber opened fifty years ago.
So, I need your help."
Sherlock looked intently at Dumbledore, who appeared somewhat curious.
"You want to know this information now?"
"Originally it wasn't this urgent but Black has already come to the school. I believe it's necessary to figure this out as soon as possible."
"You've decided to investigate this matter?"
"I can't just stand by and watch him hurt my friend."
"Very good."
Hearing Sherlock's words, Dumbledore showed a gratified smile. He turned to Professor McGonagall. "Minerva, you tell them."
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