Sherlock Holmes at Hogwarts.

Chapter 176 People Always Believe What They Want to Believe

Sherlock, Hermione and Ron followed Professor Lockhart towards the classroom.

Professor Lockhart's exaggerated turquoise robe was particularly eye-catching in the interweaving of light and shadow, like a proud peacock.

As for himself, he hugged Harry affectionately, leaned forward slightly, and kept saying something to Harry with his head down.

To the onlookers, his face was full of smiles, his eyes narrowed into crescents, and his carefully groomed hair shone with golden luster in the sun, looking very attractive.

Hermione walked beside Sherlock, staring at Harry and Professor Lockhart in front of her, her eyes full of curiosity.

Finally, she couldn't help but gently tugged at Sherlock's sleeve:

"Sherlock, can you deduce what Professor Lockhart is saying to Harry?"

Before Sherlock could answer, Ron said angrily:
"Do we need to infer this? Harry will tell us later - at least they won't be discussing the course."

Professor Lockhart certainly didn't discuss the course with Harry.

He was apologizing to Harry.

"Harry, I'm sorry—I have to say, this is all my fault.

Sometimes, I really want to kick myself.”

Harry looked at Professor Lockhart's white teeth shining in the sunlight in surprise, and wondered what was going on. Why was Professor Lockhart apologizing to him?
Could it be... that the other party has already guessed what I'm thinking!

Oh no, this Lockhart is unsportsmanlike and has used Legilimency on me!

Just as he was daydreaming, Lockhart said again:

"Actually, I know why you did this. Of course, it's absolutely obvious."

"what?"

Before Harry could react, Lockhart continued, "You and I were on the front page of the newspaper together, so I thought of sending you an autographed photo this time.

It's all my fault. I gave you a taste of fame and made you addicted."

Harry finally reacted.

He quickly shook his head and explained: "Oh - no, teacher, I -"

"Harry, Harry... Harry, Harry."

However, Lockhart didn't give Harry a chance to explain.

He reached out and grasped Harry's shoulders, and said to him in a fatherly tone:

"I understand that for a young person like you, it's natural to want to try it again after trying it once.

This is not your fault. If anyone is to blame, it's only me - even adults may not be able to resist such temptation, let alone a little boy like you.

So it's perfectly normal for you to be blinded by fame and fortune."

Harry shook his head desperately: "But... I'm not, I didn't..."

"No need to explain, I understand."

What do you understand? You don't understand anything at all!
Harry was extremely anxious, but Professor Lockhart put his hand on his shoulder and said earnestly:
"But I would say it's unwise for you to send out autographed photos at this stage.

To be honest, doing this can make you look a bit arrogant, especially if someone is deliberately trying to instigate you.

I just noticed that Mr. Malfoy from Slytherin College is trying to stir up trouble and cause others to be dissatisfied with you.

It was not until I showed up that he left reluctantly and gave up the plan, but I didn't always show up at the right time.

So you have to calm down and wait until you grow up, there will be plenty of time."

"I'm not, I didn't, it's a misunderstanding!"

Harry was afraid that Lockhart would interrupt him again, so he quickly told him what had just happened as quickly as possible:
"It was Creevey. Colin Creevey insisted on taking a picture of me and asked me if I could sign it. I didn't agree at all!"

"Is that right?"

Lockhart tilted his head and then smiled:

"No need to explain, Harry, whether this is what you meant or not is no longer important.

In fact, when I was twelve, I was even more ordinary than you are now.

I mean, some people already know you, right?

Because of the incident involving 'He Who Must Not Be Named', you've become a household name in the wizarding world since you were born!"

Having said that, his gaze lingered for a moment on the lightning-shaped scar on Harry's forehead.

"Professor, I've already said that I didn't mean that at all. In fact, I..."

"I know, I know, I know everything you want to say.

For you, that might not be as impressive as five Witch Weekly Best Smile Awards, but it's just the beginning.

As I said, I covered for you this time from young Creevey.

As long as he's taking pictures of the two of us, your classmates won't think you're too arrogant, and little Malfoy won't cause you any more trouble."

Harry: (￣△￣；)
After being interrupted several times by Lockhart, Harry had given up explaining.

Anyway, no matter what I say, no one listens.

At this moment, he suddenly felt that Professor Lockhart was very similar to Dobby, the elf from the Malfoy family.

These two guys like to talk to themselves and do their own thing, and it is futile to explain to them.

What made him most angry was that they all thought they were doing this for their own good.

At this moment, Sherlock's words once again came to his mind:
"To be nice to others out of wishful thinking and self-righteousness is really disgusting."

You are absolutely right!
Sherlock never lied to me!
At this time, Professor Lockhart had already carried Harry through a corridor full of students and climbed the stairs.

Seeing the two of them like this, all the students nearby stared at them in surprise.

Being stared at like that, Harry was so embarrassed that he wanted to dig out two bedrooms and a living room on the ground with his toes.

Lockhart, however, seemed to enjoy the feeling.

In full view of everyone, he bent down in Harry's direction again and said to him in an intimate manner:
“One day in the future, you will be like me and need to carry a stack of photos with you wherever you go.

But I don't think you've reached that point yet, so you have to listen to me now. Being low-key is the highest form of showing off."

After finally reaching the classroom, Professor Lockhart chuckled and finally let Harry go.

Harry breathed a sigh of relief, quickly straightened his clothes, ran to a seat in the last row as fast as he could, and sat down.

Just to distance himself from Lockhart.

Noticing that Lockhart's eyes were still glancing in his direction from time to time, he quickly piled the set of seven books in front of him.

This way you don't have to see each other.

At this time, the other students following Lockhart also walked into the classroom one after another.

By the second grade, the little wizards no longer had fixed seats.

Sherlock no longer had to go to the window seat in the second-to-last row.

Seeing Harry in the last row, Sherlock, Hermione and Ron naturally walked over.

As usual, Sherlock and Harry sat in the middle, with Hermione and Ron sitting beside Sherlock and Harry respectively.

"Hi Man~!"

Seeing Harry's expression, Ron couldn't help but elbow him:
"Your face is redder than my hair right now."

(/ω＼`)
Harry felt ashamed to face people.

"You'd better pray that kid doesn't meet Ginny, otherwise there's a high probability that the two of them will start a 'HP Fan Club'."

At this point, Ron couldn't help laughing.

Hermione couldn't help but cover her mouth with her hand.

Even Sherlock raised an eyebrow.

Ron, you do have a talent for complaining.

Harry got anxious when he heard this: "Don't, don't talk nonsense, if you say that again I will..."

He got stuck at this point because he didn't know what he should use to threaten Ron.

Seeing him like this, Ron happier.

"Although you don't like Professor Lockhart, what he said to you is actually not wrong."

"Sherlock?"

Harry looked at his best friend in surprise, as if he didn't expect him to say that.

"Dear Harry, I think Professor Lockhart must have been using his own experience to warn you that you shouldn't do something as ostentatious as handing out autographed photos now, right?"

"You're right again—but I didn't do that at all!"

Harry said angrily, "I don't need his advice either!"

"It's obvious that he's directly projecting his own behavior onto you."

Looking at the annoyed Harry, Sherlock said calmly, "But objectively speaking, his appearance just now did save you from embarrassment.

When this matter gets out, people will only think that Professor Lockhart forced you to take the photo, and will not think that it was your own wish. "

"But I didn't do that at all!"

Harry emphasized again.

"It doesn't matter what you think."

Sherlock's gaze lingered on Lockhart's turquoise robe for two seconds, then he retracted his gaze and continued:

“People tend to believe what they want to believe—even when the truth is staring them in the face.

For others, the idea of the 'savior of the wizarding world' handing out autographed photos sounded far more in line with their expectations than "it was a misunderstanding."

If one day, news spreads in the wizarding world that the savior wants to maintain his popularity, so he deliberately fabricated a lie that Voldemort has returned, I will not be surprised at all. "

"..."

Harry heard Sherlock's words and fell silent after a moment of surprise.

Hermione, however, looked at Sherlock with eyes full of joy: "So you also think Professor Lockhart is amazing, right, Sherlock?"

Sure enough, Sherlock thought the same as I did!
Ron looked confused.

Could it be that I really misunderstood Professor Lockhart?
Is he actually another Professor Snape?

How does that phrase go—a mean-spirited but kindhearted person?

"So, do I have to thank him?"

Harry came back to his senses at this time and asked hesitantly.

"That's not necessary."

Sherlock smiled and said, "As I said earlier, Professor Lockhart's actions only helped you objectively.

Subjectively speaking, he is still using your name to promote himself.

My advice is, take what you need.”