Sherlock Holmes at Hogwarts

"After you brought the eyeshadow back to the dormitory, besides your roommates, did you show it to any other classmates?"

"No, I only showed it to my roommates in the dormitory."

"Do you remember the specific location where you put the eyeshadow in the dormitory?"

"I put it in my vanity case and placed it on the top layer of the bedside cabinet."

"Was the cabinet locked?"

"No, we never do such things."

"Let me confirm again, the last time you saw the eyeshadow was before that Potions class, right?"

Hearing this question, Cho Chang pondered for a moment before answering:

"I... I'm not sure? Actually, I don't know if the eyeshadow was still there before class that day, but when I returned to the dormitory after Potions class, a roommate said she wanted such a cosmetic as an Easter gift, and that's when I discovered it was missing."

"Who was the one who suggested wanting to see the gift?"

"It was Alicia, she's a witch from a Muggle family—"

Speaking of this, Cho Chang suddenly revealed a surprised expression, "No, Mr. Holmes, she couldn't have done this!"

"Is that so?"

Sherlock smiled faintly, "Why do you think so?"

"Since the first year, we classmates living in the same dormitory have been very good friends.

After my eyeshadow went missing, they were all very enthusiastic; those who originally planned to go home didn't leave."

"Did everyone not go home?"

"No, Alicia and Marietta stayed, Lucy went home—but that doesn't mean anything, she's just like the other two, very good friends with me!"

"Miss Chang, I must remind you that if your description is mixed with too many subjective factors, it will be detrimental to the subsequent investigation."

"Sorry—"

"It's okay, just continue to answer the questions."

"Mr. Holmes, what else do you want to know?"

"Describe your three roommates and their family situations from an objective perspective."

"Okay—"

This time, Cho Chang's account was slightly longer.

When she finished, Sherlock immediately looked at Penelope Clearwater.

"I have obtained enough information—this prefect, I need your help next."

Penelope Clearwater did not ask why, but said directly: "Mr. Holmes, please feel free to speak."

"We need to enter the Ravenclaw common room, and preferably Miss Chang's dormitory—if you really want to thoroughly understand this matter."

Speaking of this, Sherlock stared at Penelope Clearwater, as if trying to see something from her expression.

"Prefect Penelope—"

Cho Chang also looked at Penelope Clearwater at this time, a hint of pleading in her eyes.

Letting students from other houses enter their own house is not in accordance with the rules; otherwise, the common rooms of the four houses would not have passwords.

But Ravenclaw is an exception.

Its common room does not require a password, but rather an answer.

The real difficulty lies in letting Sherlock, a male, enter the girls' dormitory.

No matter which house, when a boy wants to enter the girls' dormitory, the stairs in the girls' dormitory will undergo magical changes to prevent the boy from entering.

But girls can freely enter and exit the boys' dormitory.

It is said that this is because the founders of the school at that time unanimously believed that boys were not as reliable as girls.

Sherlock was too lazy to argue with this view, so he directly threw the difficulty to the female prefect of Ravenclaw.

Since they were able to seek his help, they should obviously have considered this aspect long ago.

Otherwise, don't call it Ravenclaw.

"If Mr. Holmes confirms that he accepts the commission, I will apply to Professor Flitwick."

Penelope Clearwater said.

Her words startled Hermione and Cho Chang.

"Is it necessary to go to this extent?"

Hermione hesitated, "Miss Chang doesn't plan to pursue it anymore—"

Cho Chang quickly said: "Yes, I think—."

"I think it's necessary!"

Penelope Clearwater looked at Cho Chang with bright eyes:

"Cho, I know your situation very well. Your father's gift has special meaning to you, and—"

Speaking of this, Penelope Clearwater's gaze became firm, "Ravenclaw's reputation must not be tarnished!"

There was something they didn't tell Sherlock and Hermione.

Cho Chang had just mentioned that her cabinet was not locked, because the Ravenclaw dormitory was assumed to be safe.

But now there was such a thing as the loss of personal items, which naturally caused a commotion within the Ravenclaw house. In fact, Cho Chang did not publicize it after discovering the loss of the eyeshadow, just because she was worried that this matter would have a bad impact on the house.

But there is no wall that doesn't leak, and the matter eventually spread.

Ravenclaw, known for its wisdom, could naturally easily deduce that this matter was most likely done by their own people.

Although the voice of "Ravenclaw students will never steal" once occupied the mainstream, it was of no use.

Even if Cho Chang later changed her story, claiming that she had left the eyeshadow somewhere.

Because some Ravenclaw students had already begun to lock their cabinets and apply protective spells.

War reports can lie, but the battle line will not deceive people.

This move undoubtedly conveyed a signal—Ravenclaw was no longer safe.

Especially the partners in the same dormitory as Cho Chang and the first-year students, who were even more indignant about this.

Although Cho Chang was already a second-year student, in the eyes of the first-year students, this pretty and eloquent young lady was obviously on the same front as them.

So, for various reasons, Penelope Clearwater decided to investigate this matter.

"Under the conditions permitted, it is necessary to go to the site to check."

Sherlock looked at Penelope Clearwater.

"However, I suggest that this prefect lady should be able to restrain the Ravenclaw students, and do not visit Ms. Chang's dormitory during this period.

Otherwise, the few remaining clues can easily be completely destroyed—in fact, you should have come to me earlier."

Sherlock's words made Penelope Clearwater feel a little embarrassed.

She had investigated before looking for Sherlock.

The results were not satisfactory.

In her wise eyes, everyone seemed like a criminal.

It just so happened that Cho Chang had consulted Sherlock before Christmas.

With this relationship, Penelope Clearwater inquired about Sherlock's deeds in detail, and then made up her mind to ask for outside help.

So at this moment, she avoided this question and explained:

"About half of the people chose to go home for this Easter holiday."

"Is that so? That's good news for us!"

"I'll go apply to Professor Flitwick now, Cho, let's go!"

After the two Ravenclaw girls left, Sherlock leaned back slightly, "Hermione, what do you think?"

"I also think that this matter was done by a Ravenclaw insider, but looking at Cho Chang's appearance, she doesn't seem willing to continue the investigation."

"Understandable—for someone like her, when the truth is contrary to friendship, how to choose is not an easy thing."

"Do you already know who the culprit is?"

Hermione looked at Sherlock in surprise.

"It's just a guess, Cho Chang's description has already provided some information, just like this Easter egg in my hand."

Sherlock said, picking up an egg from the table and turning the smiling face towards Hermione.

"Before it is broken, no one knows who the final winner is.

Always remember that inferring with insufficient evidence is always a dangerous thing."

"So you're going to the Ravenclaw common room?"

"It's 'we'," Sherlock looked at Hermione, "If you're willing to accompany me."

"It's a pleasure to travel with the great detective!"

"Thank you, my friend—but before that, I need to leave for a while.

If our clients return, please ask them to wait for a while."

"You're leaving? Where to?"

"You'll know soon."

Clearwater was very fast. In less than ten minutes, she and Cho Chang returned with Professor Flitwick's permission.

"Where's Mr. Holmes?"

Clearwater, who was in a hurry, couldn't help but look surprised when she saw that only Hermione was left in the hall.

"He'll be back soon."

Hermione didn't know where Sherlock had gone, so she could only give such an answer.

While waiting for Sherlock, Hermione chatted with the two of them for a few words, and also learned about Professor Flitwick's attitude towards this matter.

Strong support!

Even if he wasn't worried about causing public opinion, he himself wanted to go to the Ravenclaw common room with them,

to see what Sherlock would do.

But then again, if Professor Flitwick really wanted to figure out the ins and outs of this matter, it wouldn't be a difficult thing.

It's just that once the professor comes forward, the nature of this matter will change.

Just as Sherlock said before, wizards always like to reconcile and compromise, and they don't want to do things to the extreme unless they have to.

Especially when the thief is likely to be a Ravenclaw student.

Holmes didn't keep the three waiting for too long.

But when he appeared in front of the three with a cat in his arms, the girls were stunned.

"This cat—."

"Could it be—"

"It's Mrs. Norris!"

"It seems you have already recognized it."

Sherlock smiled and petted the cat. Mrs. Norris in his arms quickly Duang~Duang~Duang~ under his skilled touch.

This scene made the three of them dumbfounded.

"Who wouldn't recognize it!"

Hermione said with a surprised expression, "Sherlock, you're so amazing, you were able to steal it from Filch!"

"To be precise, it's borrowed."

"Borrowed?"

A hint of doubt appeared in Clearwater's eyes, "Filch would lend it to you?"

It wasn't that she didn't believe Sherlock.

It's just that Filch's love for Mrs. Norris is obvious to all, and it's really hard to imagine that he would lend this cat to someone else.

"Well, I solved this cat's stomach problem before, so he was willing to help."

After that night in the Forbidden Forest, Sherlock wrote a letter asking his family to send cat food and anti-flatulence medicine suitable for Mrs. Norris.

Treating the symptoms, the effect is naturally immediate.

Now that more than half a month has passed, Filch's favorability towards Sherlock has greatly increased.

To be precise, Mrs. Norris's favorability towards Sherlock has greatly increased, which in turn drove Filch's favorability towards Sherlock.

In this case, borrowing Mrs. Norris to help solve the case is just a piece of cake.

"It seems that this prefect lady has already obtained Professor Flitwick's permission?

I noticed that a manuscript in the right pocket of your robe is showing an inch or two, with Professor Flitwick's autograph on it.

Now that we're ready, let's go!"

Clearwater was once again amazed by Sherlock's keen observation and reasoning ability.

But noticing Sherlock's address to her, she frowned and said:

"It's not polite to call a lady that, Mr. Holmes."

"Sorry, compared to Miss Chang, your name is really a bit difficult to remember."

Clearwater: (一一)

Cho Chang: (o'·工·o)

"My name is Penelope Clearwater, I hope Mr. Holmes can call me by my name directly, and stop calling me 'this prefect lady'."

"Okay, Miss Penelope."

Penelope: ???

Shouldn't it be called Clearwater?

Hermione leaned close to Penelope and whispered to her, "I think it should be that Penelope has fewer syllables and is easier to remember than Clearwater.—..."

Saying this, she briefly explained Sherlock's theory that the brain is a hard drive.

Hearing Hermione's explanation, Penelope took a deep breath.

Okay, at least he didn't call me Penny because it was easier to remember——

Having figured this out, Penelope stopped struggling and began to lead the way.

The Ravenclaw Tower is located on the west side of Hogwarts Castle. On the way to the tower, Cho Chang suddenly pointed at Mrs. Norris in Sherlock's arms and said in surprise:

"Huh, is she a little fatter than before? I remember she used to be very thin—"

"Not only is she fatter, but even her dark gray fur has become brighter—"

Hermione also noticed this.

She originally wanted to reach out and touch her, but Mrs. Norris shrank into Sherlock's arms and bared her teeth at her.

Hermione: (一一)

"Your observation skills have improved, Hermione."

Sherlock noticed Hermione's expression, but he didn't care, "After the stomach problem was solved, she is indeed healthier than before."

"No wonder Filch was willing to lend her to you."

Penelope, who was walking in front, turned her head and said, "I didn't expect you to raise cats, but how can it help us?"

"Even in the magical world, don't underestimate animals."

Sherlock continued to pet the cat, quickly causing Mrs. Norris to Duang~Duang~Duang again.

Cats are experts in tracking, and with their instincts and sense of smell, they might provide us with crucial clues for solving the case.

“But, isn't solving cases usually done with dogs?”

As a witch of Muggle origin, Hermione knew more about this aspect.

“Their sense of smell is more sensitive, right? I heard Scotland Yard keeps quite a few police dogs.”

“Actually, that's a misconception.”

Sherlock said calmly:

“A cat's sense of smell isn't lower than a dog's, it might even be higher.

But compared to dogs, who are trained to be obedient and manipulated, cats are unwilling to easily obey humans.

They are only willing to fully use their sense of smell when it is very beneficial to themselves.”

The three girls suddenly understood.

They learned some strange new knowledge again.