Sherlock Holmes at Hogwarts.

Chapter 160 Women Can’t Say Whatever

As time entered the 20s, the economy of the former world hegemon, the British Empire, inevitably entered a period of recession.

A sluggish real estate market, rising unemployment, and high interest rates have further curbed economic growth.

Coupled with the continuous advancement of the EU integration process, the UK finally decided to formally join the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM) in 1990.

The so-called ERM refers to an economic and monetary mechanism established by many European countries to stabilize exchange rates and promote economic integration.

The main content is to require the currencies of each member country to be pegged to the German mark, strictly limit the range of exchange rate fluctuations, and the central banks of each country need to maintain exchange rate stability by intervening in the foreign exchange market or adjusting interest rates.

Whether it is the European Community or the UK policy, the original intention is good, hoping to attract investors through mandatory exchange rate pegs.

But the development of things was unexpected.

As Eastern Europe underwent tremendous changes, the Berlin Wall fell.

The reunification of East and West Germany led to a large amount of capital being injected into East Germany, triggering inflation in Germany.

At that time, the German central bank had to raise interest rates to curb inflation, which caused the national currency, the mark, to begin to appreciate.

In this case, the appreciation of the German mark also indirectly affected the British currency.

From a political perspective, if the UK wants to stimulate the economy, it theoretically needs to lower interest rates.

However, the ERM limited the flexibility of its monetary policy at this moment. As the German mark strengthened, the pound was forced to follow the interest rate hike to maintain the exchange rate, further dragging down the British economy.

In this scenario, the pound is overvalued in the ERM and UK exports become less competitive.

As a member of the high-income class in his country, Mr. Granger naturally has a certain sensitivity to finance.

Especially after he made a small profit last year by listening to Mr. Holmes' advice, Mr. Granger was very convinced of Mr. Holmes' foresight in this regard.

That is why he looked so shocked when Mr. Holmes asked him to exchange his pounds for dollars and gold.

Has the situation gotten this bad?
"Don't be afraid of 10,000, just be afraid of what happens."

Mr. Holmes naturally understood Mr. Granger's thoughts. He sighed deeply.

“Many things are beyond human control, and I really can’t have much hope for our government.

Brother, think carefully about their performance over the years!
The public has no idea how to squander public money; they are the experts.

How can we govern the country well if we are with such insects?"

After hearing what Mr. Holmes said, Mr. Granger recalled what the British government had done and nodded.

"You are right, but it's a pity... Alas, studying medicine will not save Britain."

"I can't help it. At times like this, I actually envy those wizards."

A wry smile appeared on Mr. Holmes's face.

"They have their own independent financial and monetary system, so they don't have to worry about being impacted."

"That being said, their financial system is not scientific enough."

"What's the point of talking about science in a world with magic..."

"That's right."

"By the way, speaking of magic, Ron's father also told you, right?
We can’t tell anyone else what we saw and heard at their home and in that village this time.

Otherwise they're going to use that...what on us?"

"It's Oblivion, Uncle Holmes!"

"Yes, that's right. It's all empty."

"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone.

Even if it was Jane, I would only selectively tell her about the matter after returning home, and would not mention any key details.”

"Well done! Believe me, bro, women never keep secrets.

In my experience, they always leak information casually."

"Haha, I feel the same way.

Once one woman knows about it, it’s only a matter of time before other women find out, and they don’t even realize when and where they did it.”

Hermione couldn't help but feel helpless when she heard her father and Sherlock's father talking behind her mother's back.

But she had to admit that her father was right.

Compared to my father, my mother is indeed not very good at keeping secrets.

Although it's not as bad as Hagrid, but... if you can keep it a secret, you should keep it a secret.

Hermione silently said sorry to her mother in her heart.

There were five of us when we came, and only four when we left.

Without Harry, Hermione, who was sitting in the back seat with Sherlock, seemed particularly excited. She pulled him aside to chat about her experience of wandering in Godric's Hollow.

After all, what she saw and heard this time was a brand new adventure experience for her, whether it was observing the daily life of the wizarding family in the cave, the Need for Speed ​​car, or the faint sadness of Godric's Hollow.

The positive momentum was so overwhelming that even Mr. Granger, who was sitting in the front row, couldn't stand it.

"My dear Hermione, are you planning to have little Holmes write a seven-inch version of 'Godric's Hollow'?"

"father!"

Faced with her father's teasing, Hermione couldn't help but blush.

He then realized that he was a little too enthusiastic and finally quieted down for a while.

Next, the group went to Privet Drive and successfully got Harry's luggage from the Dursleys.

His Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia were a little surprised that Harry would not be returning to Privet Drive for the rest of the summer vacation, and then they looked disgusted:
"Humph, I hope you never come back!"

"Great, I finally don't have to take care of that damn owl!"

Although they were complaining, both Sherlock and Hermione could see that they were not being sincere.

Instead, the little fat boy Dudley said with regret, "Oh, my cousin is not coming. What a pity!" Hermione couldn't help but feel moved when she saw this.

While at the Burrow, Mrs. Weasley not only gave Sherlock a gift, but also gave her a jar of homemade Honeydukes candy.

The taste is really good and the style is novel enough.

But this thing has too much sugar content, and Hermione was worried about gaining weight, so she originally planned to take it slowly and slowly over a long period of time.

Now it comes in handy.

"Harry asked me to bring this to you."

"What? That's great, thank you!"

Dudley took it excitedly and began to express his gratitude.

On the other hand, seeing that although Harry did not come back, he was still thinking about his son, Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia could not help showing some regret on their faces.

I shouldn't have said that just now...

Hermione saw the expressions of the two people and laughed to herself.

This is the effect she wants.

When they left Surrey with Harry's luggage and returned to Greater London, Hermione couldn't help laughing:

"Harry's cousin is somewhat similar to Ron... Sherlock?"

When Hermione realized that Sherlock was not listening to her but was just standing there in a daze, she couldn't help but pat him:
"I'm talking to you!"

"That kind of thing is fine!"

Sherlock said impatiently.

Mr. Granger in the front row heard Sherlock's somewhat rude response, and his eyes suddenly became dangerous.

This kid seems to be a little ungrateful!

But the next moment, Sherlock took the initiative to apologize to Hermione:
"Forgive my rudeness, my dear friend, for interrupting my train of thought, but it doesn't matter - so, what do you think are the similarities between Dudley and Ron?"

Mr. Granger nodded secretly after seeing this scene. This attitude was pretty good.

Little did he know that Hermione was already used to Sherlock's behavior.

In fact, she would have felt strange if Sherlock hadn't been like this.

For example, now, after hearing Sherlock's words, Hermione did not answer his question directly, but asked curiously:

"You said I interrupted your train of thought. What were you thinking about just now?"

"Harry's Uncle Vernon has become suspicious of his wife."

"Suspicion, what suspicion?"

"He's suspicious of the relationship between Harry's Aunt Petunia and Professor Snape."

"Pfft~!"

Mr. Holmes had just taken a sip of his tea when he spat it out upon hearing this.

Hermione and her father were also stunned after hearing this.

After a long pause, Hermione stammered, "Sherlock, this is not nonsense!

Didn't Professor Snape like Harry's mother?

How could he possibly be with Harry's aunt..."

She couldn't speak anymore.

Because no matter how she thought about it, she really couldn't connect the two people together.

"Of course they are not related."

Sherlock said calmly, "But my inference is not groundless."

"Say it quickly!"

Hermione urged repeatedly, and Mr. Holmes and Mr. Granger also pricked up their ears.

This kind of thing sounds so interesting!

"Remember the last time we left Privet Drive?"

"The one with Harry?"

"No, it was even earlier, when Professor Snape came."

"Oh, I still remember it."

"When he saw us off, Mr. Dursley looked at his wife in a very strange way.

As you happened to tell me before, Professor Snape said hello to Harry's Aunt Petunia when he came here."

"Yes, that's what happened. Then what?"

"After Harry's mother received the admission notice to Hogwarts, Aunt Petunia wrote a letter to Professor Dumbledore, hoping that she could also go to Hogwarts to study.

Unfortunately, Mr. Dumbledore at that time declined her offer.

Professor Snape, on the other hand, and Harry's mother knew each other before they even started Hogwarts - they were neighbors.

Combining the above information, it is not difficult to infer Aunt Petunia's thoughts.

When she saw Professor Snape again after many years, she couldn't help but think of the letter she sent with hope when she was young.

Dumbledore's seemingly gentle reply contained a cold rejection, which shattered her fantasy and was like a sharp knife stabbing into her chest.

Ever since you told me this, I've been keeping an eye on Mr. Dursley.

Judging from Mr. Dursley's expression in recent times, he has obviously noticed his wife's abnormal behavior when she sees Professor Snape."

(End of this chapter)