Sherlock Holmes at Hogwarts.

Chapter 587 He's reached the age where he should be dating girls.

"Sherlock, Severus, thank you."

Dumbledore clasped his hands in front of him, his eyes behind his half-moon spectacles filled with sincerity.

His voice was even gentler than before, and even the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes seemed to soften with warmth:

"In this way, Voldemort will only have four Horcruxes left."

If we can destroy them again like we did today, then even if Voldemort returns, his greatest asset will be gone.

Snape's gaze lingered on Sherlock for two seconds, his dark pupils filled with complex emotions.

There was a hint of approval, but also a subtle, barely perceptible wariness.

In the end, he slowly lifted the left sleeve of his robe in front of Sherlock.

The dark green Death Eater mark on his pale arm was particularly striking.

“Over the past year, this mark has become increasingly obvious, and so has Karkarov.”

His voice was low and heavy, carrying a hint of solemnity:
"I think he's right, that person's power is constantly increasing."

Karkarov was so worried because he feared retaliation.

He betrayed many of his Death Eater comrades, and surely no one would welcome him back among them.

“So we need to be even faster,” Sherlock immediately chimed in. “Once he regains his power, we won’t be able to move around as undisturbed as we are now, and… he’ll likely realize that the Horcruxes have been destroyed.”

“I also have clues about the other Horcruxes.”

Dumbledore said seriously, "Don't worry, I will let you know as soon as the time comes."

"And I."

Snape said coldly, his eyes fixed on Dumbledore, his tone carrying a hint of warning:

"A brain is a good thing, but unfortunately you don't seem to have one."

Dumbledore: "..."

Dumbledore was once again left speechless.

However, he also knew very well that he had only himself to blame.

Having successfully destroyed Marvolo Gaunt's ring, Sherlock could be said to have officially acknowledged Snape's identity as his own.

One was a former Death Eater who reformed and became a double agent infiltrating Voldemort's inner circle.

The other, at the age of fifteen, became a key force in the fight against Voldemort thanks to his calm mind and keen observation.

In particular, Sherlock's timely intervention and saving of his life made it impossible for Snape to deliberately avoid Sherlock as he had before.

He knew in his heart that Sherlock most likely already knew about his past.

This student's observation and analytical abilities are practically indistinguishable from those of Legilimency.

No, it should be said to be even more terrifying than mind control and thought manipulation!
Even when he was infiltrating Voldemort's inner circle, he could use Occlumency to counter the Dark Lord's Legilimency.

However, when facing Sherlock, his Occlumency technique was completely useless.

He simply couldn't understand how such a freak could have been born in the Muggle world!

Just as he was pondering this, he heard Sherlock say:

"Don't worry, Professor Snape, there are some things I won't tell Harry."

Snape: "!"

He glared at Sherlock fiercely, then stormed out without another word.

“Sherlock, you really don’t need to test and provoke him anymore…”

"Isn't this the kind of thing you've always been doing?"

Sherlock turned to look at Dumbledore, a hint of mockery in his grey eyes, and with a single sentence, left Dumbledore speechless.

"...I'll take you home instead."

Dumbledore decided to stop talking and forcefully changed the subject. He looked at Sherlock and said apologetically, "As an apology for what happened today."

Sherlock, of course, would not refuse.

Once back on King's Road, Dumbledore smiled and looked at Sherlock:
"Happy holidays, Sherlock. Please give my regards to your parents and brothers."

After saying this, Dumbledore prepared to leave.

However, Sherlock called out to him, "Wait a minute, sir."

"Is there anything else?"

"Are you really not going to tell me why that happened today?"

Dumbledore was stunned.

He thought the matter was over.

"Feel sorry……"

"I remember you promised me and Harry last time that you wouldn't hide it anymore."

"Sherlock..."

Dumbledore looked at Sherlock and said gently, "This has nothing to do with Horcruxes or Voldemort. This... is my own business."

"Do you want to hear what you're saying?"

Sherlock was so angry at Dumbledore's words that he laughed out loud.

"You were affected by the Horcrux and almost lost your life, and then you're telling me it had nothing to do with the Horcrux?"

"It sounds a bit absurd, but I assure you, I'm telling the truth."

"fact?"

"fact."

Sherlock and Dumbledore stared at each other.

After a few seconds, Sherlock chuckled and looked away.

"alright, I got it."

"Thank you, Sherlock."

Dumbledore breathed a sigh of relief and said sincerely.

Sherlock waved his hand, said nothing more, and turned to walk towards his home.

His steps were steady as he gradually blended into the shadows of the houses lining the street.

Only after watching Sherlock's figure completely disappear around the street corner did Dumbledore's smile slowly fade, replaced by deep weariness and guilt.

He raised his head, gazing at the darkening sky, his lips moving slightly as he murmured in a voice only he could hear:
"I'm sorry, Ariana..."

The next moment, with a short crackling sound, a pale blue magical aura enveloped his figure, and he instantly disappeared into the deserted street, leaving only the faint sound of a breeze.

This was the first time Sherlock had gone home for spring break since he entered Hogwarts.

Especially since he stayed at school instead of going home during the winter break this year, he naturally received a warm welcome from his parents.

Mrs. Holmes, as always, took his hand and began to ask him about his life on campus.

Mr. Holmes appeared to be reading the newspaper, but his perked-up ears betrayed his true intentions.

"Do we really have to participate in that Triwizard Tournament?" Mrs. Holmes asked worriedly. "We read the newspapers, and it seems far too dangerous!"

"Those dangers are superficial, and as long as you are prepared, they are not difficult to deal with."

Mrs. Holmes was clearly not entirely convinced; she held Sherlock's hand tightly.
"But the newspapers say the competition was cancelled because too many people died..."

"But it's turned on again, hasn't it?"

Sherlock smiled slightly, "It is precisely because the safety has been assessed and guaranteed that it will be held again."

Mr. Holmes casually shifted the newspaper down, revealing his face:
"Ahem, Sherlock is right, he's always been very sensible, of course..."

He added seriously, "If you find anything amiss, back out immediately. Don't worry about honor or anything like that, understand?" Mrs. Holmes also looked at Sherlock.

"of course."

Sherlock smiled and nodded; he never engaged in pointless arguments at times like these.

Ultimately, the key is not what you say, but what you do.

"How is Harry?" Holmes reluctantly accepted the explanation. "That poor child is even younger than you. You must take good care of him."

"His courage and wisdom are more than enough to handle this competition," Sherlock affirmed directly. "I will take good care of him."

After showing concern for Harry, Mrs. Holmes finally felt a little relieved.

However, this quickly drew her attention to another topic that she considered more pressing.

"How's Hermione doing? How about we invite her over for the holidays?"

Mrs. Holmes' eyes lit up at this point.

Mr. Holmes finally put down a corner of the newspaper, revealing a concerned expression.

Sherlock: “…”

He suddenly felt that it would be better to continue discussing the topic of the three-way battle for supremacy.

"Ding-dong-"

Just then, the doorbell rang.

"It's probably Mycroft, he said he'd come over for dinner today."

Mr. Holmes got up and went to open the door.

Sure enough, standing outside the door was Sherlock's brother, Mycroft Holmes.

He was wearing a perfectly tailored three-piece suit, carrying a bottle of wine in one hand and the black umbrella in the other.

"I hope I haven't disturbed your warm family gathering?"

Mycroft strode in, his sharp eyes sweeping across the room before finally settling on Sherlock.

He smiled, but what he said left one with a sense of helplessness:

"It seems Hogwarts has fed you well, dear brother?"
Or rather, those thrilling adventures?

"It seems your work isn't busy enough, giving you time to worry about things in the magical world."

Sherlock said coldly, referring, of course, to the matter of Fleur Delacour.

"Mycroft!"

Before Mycroft could answer, Mrs. Holmes had already stood up and embraced him:

"Can't you speak properly? Sherlock has finally come back once in a while."

Mycroft gracefully accepted the hug:

"Dear Mom, this is also a way of expressing care."

After all—reading news in the newspaper was far more thrilling than writing letters.

He glanced meaningfully at the newspaper that Mr. Holmes had just placed on the table.

Starting last year, their family also began subscribing to The Daily Prophet.

Besides the owls that return to Hogwarts and their home, this is also a way for them to learn about Sherlock's activities.

Especially after Sherlock participated in the Triwizard Tournament as a warrior this year.

"We already agreed not to talk about this!"

Mrs. Holmes immediately said, "We're talking about Hermione right now... Anyway, dinner is ready, let's eat and talk."

Because of the topic of conversation, the atmosphere at the dinner table became somewhat subtle.

Mrs. Holmes cut to the chase, “Sherlock, you’re fifteen now. It’s time for you to start dating girls.”

Mr. Holmes followed up, “I think Hermione is very nice—you two knew each other before school started, and the Grangers are very nice people.”

"Actually, Gemma is also a very outstanding child. She is generous and well-mannered, and very beautiful." Mrs. Holmes seemed to favor Gemma.

“Gemma is nice, but hasn’t she already graduated and gone to another country?” As a friend of Mr. Granger, Mr. Holmes stood up for Hermione.

“That’s right, Sherlock. I think you should date her—she’ll definitely say yes.” Mrs. Holmes readily agreed.

"Mom, actually Gemma is already back..."

Just then, Mycroft, who had been silent until now, gently swirled a glass of red wine in his hand and joined the conversation:
"She went to Romania after graduation, and this time she returned to Hogwarts because of the Triwizard Tournament."

Sherlock gave Mycroft a cold look.

He was not at all surprised that Mycroft knew about this.

For someone who can turn even Beauxbatons' students into watchers, finding out this is as easy as eating and drinking.

"What did you say?" Mrs. Holmes became agitated upon hearing Mycroft's words, and immediately turned to Sherlock. "Is it true?"

“That’s right,” Sherlock said calmly.

"She must have come back because of you!"

Sherlock shook his head. "No, because the first project involved a dragon, and she happened to be a dragon trainer in Romania, so..."

"So what?!"

Mrs. Holmes interrupted Sherlock, "Even so, she could have chosen not to come. I think she came because of you!"

Sherlock: “…”

Sherlock was completely helpless against his mother's unreasonable behavior.

"Let's put that aside—you just said Hermione is busy at school, but Gemma, who has already graduated, can't possibly be busy too, can she?"

"Yes, she went home."

"Then quickly invite her to our home!"

I think that's unnecessary.

"Why not?" Mrs. Holmes became unusually assertive at this moment. "We must invite her!"

“Because she invited me to her house for the Easter holidays,” Sherlock said calmly.

After a brief silence, Mrs. Holmes gasped in delight.

Mr. Holmes could no longer hide the smile on his face.

Mycroft, still holding his glass of red wine, watched Sherlock with great interest.

"That's wonderful! It means her parents also want to meet you! Has the visit been scheduled? And where?"

At this moment, Mrs. Holmes's voice was filled with relief and anticipation.

"It was originally scheduled for today, but unfortunately it was postponed due to some issues."

"What? It's postponed!"

Upon hearing Sherlock's words, Mrs. Holmes immediately became anxious, "Why postpone it?"

Compared to Mrs. Holmes, Mr. Holmes went straight to the point: "Until when?"

“That’s right, the reason doesn’t matter, but when was the deadline postponed?” Mrs. Holmes immediately pressed.

“Three days later,” Sherlock said calmly.

Three days later?

Mrs. Holmes's mind raced, her gaze shifting between her husband and two sons:
"My dear Sherlock, this is no small matter—the first formal visit to the bride's family!"

You really need to prepare well!

(End of this chapter)