Sirius's sharp eyes naturally picked up on the reluctance Ron and Ginny showed as they were leaving.
He couldn't care less about that brat Ron, but the key point was little Ginny.
From what he could see so far, Cho Chang, had a very good relationship with Harry, and there was a strong possibility they might become a couple.
Since Cho Chang had been sorted into Ravenclaw, it naturally indicated she was clever and intelligent, with no issues in the brains department.
At the same time, as a half-blood witch, she also possessed sufficient knowledge of the Muggle world.
This way, she would pair perfectly with Harry, who was technically a pure-blood wizard (both parents are wizards though not grandparents so ignore this ) but had become essentially Muggle-raised due to his living environment.
Furthermore, she and Harry shared a common interest—Quidditch. Both were official members of their respective house teams, playing the same position—Seeker.
Of course, most importantly, Cho Chang was very beautiful.
Sirius had long since figured out that his godson was absolutely appearance-conscious.
But so what?
Everyone appreciates beauty.
Besides, my godson Harry is quite good-looking himself, isn't he?
So, regarding Harry and Cho Chang's relationship, Sirius was happy to see it develop.
But then again.
Ginny's appearance was nothing to scoff at either!
His godson was Harry Potter, the Savior of the wizarding world, the Dark Lord's only nemesis, the Boy Who Lived!
For such an outstanding child, what did it matter if he had a few girlfriends?
As a father figure, he naturally had to create opportunities for the boy.
Sure enough, as soon as Sirius said this, Ginny immediately showed a delighted expression.
"What, I can?"
After coming to her senses, she realized her reaction had been a bit excessive.
But the words were already out, and there was no point in trying to cover it up now, so she simply kept quiet.
However, this time Ron surprisingly gave positive feedback for once.
"Actually, I think staying here would be pretty good too. After Bill and Charlie came back, home got a bit crowded. This place is so close to King's Cross Station, it'll be convenient when we go to school."
Ginny gave Ron a meaningful look, thinking to herself that her sixth brother had finally come through for once.
If both siblings lived here, she wouldn't stand out as much.
Harry naturally gave Ron and Ginny's decision to stay at Grimmauld Place an enthusiastic welcome.
His childhood environment had made him desperately want to be together with his friends.
Sirius walked to the fireplace with a smile on his face, and under everyone's curious gaze, grabbed a handful of glittering powder from a bottle on the mantelpiece and threw it into the flames.
The fire instantly shot up higher.
"Molly!" Sirius called into the fire. "I need to speak with you!"
In less than five seconds, Mrs. Weasley's head appeared floating in the middle of the flames.
Fire danced around her, flames licking at her ears, but she spoke without any hindrance.
"You called for me, Sirius?"
Her head turned slightly, and she saw her two children, then asked, "Ron, Ginny, why haven't you come home yet?"
"That's exactly what I wanted to talk about." Sirius put one arm around each of them, placing his hands on their shoulders. "Let them stay here until school starts!"
"No!" Mrs. Weasley immediately shook her head. "I can't trouble you any more—Fred and George complained to me as soon as they got home that I was managing them too strictly. I imagine those two must have nearly torn your ceiling off?"
"If the Black Manor's ceiling could be torn off that easily, it wouldn't deserve to exist. But that's not the point—Molly, when you talk like that, it makes us seem like strangers. Don't forget, you're technically my cousin and aunt!"
Mrs. Weasley couldn't help but be amused by Sirius's words.
But soon, she said again, "That's a different matter—Sirius, we really can't trouble you any more..."
"What trouble! These two little ones staying here makes Harry so happy! Isn't that right, Harry?"
Harry realized it was his turn to speak and quickly said, "Mrs. Weasley, please let them stay. With just Sirius and me living in such a big house, it's really quite lonely! Besides, I stayed at your place for a whole summer vacation before, so this really isn't anything."
"Harry's absolutely right, it's just returning the favor!" Sirius smiled as he picked up on Harry's thread and continued. "We're family, and I'm not afraid of making you angry, so I'll just say it straight. When Bill and Charlie came back, your place was already pretty crowded. Letting these two stay here will give you more space too, won't it?"
"You're certainly direct... Well, since you've put it that way..." Mrs. Weasley heard Sirius's words and shook her head somewhat helplessly, then turned her head toward Ron and Ginny again. "You two, don't cause any trouble for them, understand?"
"Great, Mum!"
"I love you most!"
"If you love me, come home!"
Mrs. Weasley complained symbolically, then disappeared from the flames.
Only then did Ron and Ginny breathe a long sigh of relief—they had truly been worried that Mrs. Weasley wouldn't let them stay.
"Actually, another reason I didn't want to go back was Percy," Ron said somewhat helplessly. "Ever since he started working, he always likes to put on this air of mystery at home. It's absolutely unbearable."
Ginny said nothing more. Just being able to stay here was enough to make her happy.
This was precisely her biggest advantage over Cho Chang.
Sometimes, falling one step behind meant falling behind at every step!
Sherlock and Hermione stayed a while longer, then left Grimmauld Place and returned to King's Road.
As they had agreed beforehand, Hermione would stay at the Holmes house for the last week of summer vacation.
Hermione was very satisfied with her week there.
Mr. and Mrs. Holmes were extremely kind to her, treating her practically like their own daughter.
During this time, she even met the elder Holmes—Sherlock's brother, Mycroft Holmes.
Hermione didn't know exactly what Mycroft did for work, only that he served Her Majesty's government and was usually very busy.
In that one week, she only saw him twice, and those were rushed visits.
But even so, Mycroft's attitude toward her was very friendly, treating her practically like a little sister.
In just one short week, their feelings rapidly warmed—at least that's how Hermione saw it.
If nothing went wrong, when Gemma returned in three years, she would definitely be able to successfully take first place!
Since King's Road and Grimmauld Place were close to each other, they would occasionally visit Harry's place.
From there, they also got firsthand information about the wizarding world.
"This week Dad and Percy have rarely been home. Every morning, they leave before everyone else wakes up, and don't come back until long after dinner," Ron said through mouthfuls of chicken leg, speaking indistinctly.
"Would you please talk less and eat your chicken!" Ginny said irritably, then explained to Sherlock and Hermione.
"People have been sending Howlers to the Ministry like crazy, demanding compensation for their damaged property. And Rita Skeeter discovered Bertha's disappearance—she's just trying to stir up chaos. Mum says that since the day You-Know-Who lost power, Dad hasn't had to work weekends. But now they're working him to death..."
Sherlock nodded. "I've read the Daily Prophet. Her words are indeed sharp, and she's good at stirring up emotions. But it's also the Ministry's fault. Sometimes she doesn't need to do anything—the Ministry just hands her ammunition on a silver platter."
Hermione couldn't help but laugh. "Sherlock, your opinion of the Ministry seems to be getting worse and worse lately."
"What else should it be?" Sherlock countered. "Just look at what they did at this Quidditch World Cup! I can only say they should be thankful that the whole Barty Crouch Jr. affair hasn't been discovered yet, otherwise..."
"Otherwise, it would be front-page headlines for an entire week," Ron said with an unpleasant expression. "Dad keeps reminding us not to talk about it. I don't like that woman."
"Forget it, these things don't really concern you anyway," Sirius laughed. "This is adult business."
"But the adults aren't doing a good job!" Ron said dissatisfied.
"Yes, yes, with someone like Fudge as Minister for Magic, even if the Ministry wanted to try hard, it would be difficult. But at least you have us, my dear Ron, so don't worry about it!" Sirius said with a smile.
"Harry, why don't you all go upstairs and check if your luggage is ready? Ron, Ginny, Molly said that when she brings Fred and George to school tomorrow, she'll bring your luggage along as well."
"All right... I hope nothing happens at school this year..." Ron couldn't help but complain. "I've noticed that every year since we started school, something happens."
Sirius just smiled without saying anything.
After Sherlock and Hermione returned home, Mrs. Holmes likewise asked them to check their luggage.
Since the list from school specified that starting in fourth year, young wizards needed to prepare dress robes for formal occasions, Mrs. Holmes and Mrs. Granger had prepared early.
"Formal occasions?" Hermione looked at her dress robes made of light purple-blue fabric while examining the list the school had given them with confusion.
Unfortunately, nothing was written on it.
She could only turn her gaze to Sherlock. "Sherlock, you should know what they're for, right?"
"Mm," Sherlock said in a relaxed tone. "The Triwizard Tournament will be held at Hogwarts this year."
"The Triwizard Tournament?" Hearing Sherlock's words, Hermione couldn't help but exclaim. "Sherlock, are you sure?"
"I'm quite sure," Sherlock looked at Hermione, his gaze filled with confusion. "I thought you already knew."
"Ah, why would you think I'd know?" Hermione's gaze was equally confused. "No one ever told me!"
"There were so many hints..." Sherlock shook his head and began counting them off one by one. "At the Quidditch World Cup, Ludo Bagman mentioned it, though he was interrupted by Barty Crouch at the time. After that, Percy also said, 'Our Department of International Magical Cooperation has so much to do, and after the World Cup, we have to organize a major event.'"
Under Sherlock's reminder, Hermione recalled that Percy did indeed seem to have said something like that.
However, according to Ron and Ginny, ever since Percy started working at the Ministry, he'd been like this all the time, as if all his work was top secret.
But in Ron's view, it was quite likely just a bottom-of-the-cauldron exhibition.
It was precisely because Percy constantly put on such a serious expression when talking about these things that Hermione hadn't paid attention.
"But even so, that doesn't prove it's the Triwizard Tournament. This event hasn't been held for over a century. How could it suddenly..."
"That's precisely what puzzles me, my dear Hermione." Sherlock smiled and said, "Do you remember what Mycroft said to us yesterday?"
"Mycroft?" Hermione immediately recalled. "But he was talking about the situation in the Muggle world. What does that have to do with the Triwizard Tournament?"
"My dear friend, the idea that the magical world and the Muggle world are two completely separate worlds is static, one-sided, and isolated thinking. In fact, the reason the Triwizard Tournament can be successfully held this time is precisely because of the influence of the Muggle world's situation."
Sherlock paused and explained seriously. "It's precisely because of the formal establishment of the European Union that member states are communicating more frequently. The traditional magical nations led by Britain, France, and Germany have taken this opportunity to push for the revival of this event that's been stopped for over a century. I think Mycroft's hint was obvious enough, yet you didn't notice?"
Hermione: "..."
Obvious how? How was it obvious?!
Without anyone prompting her, who would connect the establishment of the EU with the Triwizard Tournament?!
Fortunately, with Sherlock's reminder, Hermione's thinking became clearer. "I understand. The dress robes are for the Yule Ball. It's a traditional part of the Triwizard Tournament, and also a great opportunity for us to socialize with foreign guests. Since the ball is only open to fourth-year students and above, that's why our list includes dress robes."
"Exactly!" Sherlock snapped his fingers and looked at Hermione's dress robes. "By the way, these robes suit you very well."
Hermione's face broke into a smile. "Thank you, Sherlock."
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