Sherlock Holmes at Hogwarts.

Chapter 95: Compared to Miss Zhang, your name is a little hard to remember (1500+ additional chapters)

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

"No, I only showed it to my roommates."

"Do you remember exactly where you put the eyeshadow in your dorm?"

"I put it in a dressing-box and put it on the top shelf of the bedside table."

"Is the cabinet locked?"

"No, we never do such things."

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

When Qiu Zhang heard this question, he thought 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. It was only when I returned to the dormitory after Potions class that one of my roommates said she wanted a piece of makeup like this as an Easter gift that I realized it was missing."

"Who asked to see the gift?"

"It's Alicia, a witch from a Muggle family..."

At this point, Qiu Zhang suddenly showed a look of surprise, "No, Mr. Holmes, she couldn't have done this!"

"is it?"

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

“We who live in the same dormitory have been very good friends since freshman year.

After I lost my eyeshadow, they were very helpful and even though they had originally planned to go home, they didn’t leave…”

"Did everyone not go home?"

"No, Alicia and Marietta stayed, and Lucy went home...but that doesn't mean anything. She's a very good friend of mine, just like the other two!"

"Ms. Zhang, I have to remind you that if your description is mixed with too many subjective factors, it will be detrimental to the subsequent reconnaissance."

"Feel sorry……"

"That's okay, as long as you keep answering the questions."

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

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

"OK……"

This time, Qiu Zhang's statement was slightly longer.

When she finished, Sherlock then looked at Penelope Clearwater.

"I have received enough information - prefect, I will need your help next."

Penelope Clearwater didn't ask why, but said directly, "Mr. Holmes, please go ahead."

"We need to enter the Ravenclaw common room, and preferably Miss Zhang's dormitory - if you really want to get to the bottom of this matter."

Having said that, Sherlock stared at Penelope Clearwater, as if trying to read something from her expression.

"Prefect Penelope..."

Qiu Zhang also looked at Penelope Clearwater at this time, with a hint of pleading in his eyes.

It is against the rules to allow students from other colleges to enter one's own college, otherwise the common rooms of the four colleges would not have passwords.

Ravenclaw is an exception.

Its common room doesn't require a password; it requires an answer.

The real difficulty lies in allowing Sherlock, a man, to enter the girls' dormitory.

No matter which college, when boys want to enter the girls' dormitory, the stairs of the girls' dormitory will undergo magical changes to prevent boys from entering.

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

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

Sherlock was too lazy to argue with this view, so he simply threw the problem to the female headmaster of Ravenclaw.

Since they came to seek my help, they must have considered this aspect a long time ago.

Otherwise, don't be called Ravenclaw.

"If Mr. Holmes confirms his acceptance of the commission, I will submit my application to Professor Flitwick."

Penelope Clearwater said.

Her words startled both Hermione and Cho Chang.

"Is it necessary to do this?"

Hermione hesitated, "Ms. Zhang doesn't intend to pursue the matter anymore..."

Qiu Zhang said quickly: "Yes, I think..."

"I think it's necessary!"

Penelope Clearwater looked at Qiu Zhang with sharp eyes:

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

At this point, Penelope Clearwater's eyes became firm, "The reputation of Ravenclaw cannot be tarnished!"

There was one thing they hadn't told Sherlock and Hermione.

Qiu Zhang had just mentioned that her locker was not locked because the Ravenclaw dormitory was assumed to be safe.

But now that personal belongings have been lost, it naturally caused a commotion within Ravenclaw House.

In fact, Qiu Zhang did not make it public after discovering that the eye shadow was missing because he was worried that this incident would have a bad impact on the college.

But there is no impenetrable wall in the world, and the news eventually got out.

Ravenclaw, who is known for his wisdom, could easily deduce that this was most likely done by one of their own people.

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

Even though Qiu Zhang later changed his story and claimed that he had left his eye shadow somewhere.

Because some Ravenclaw students have started locking their lockers and putting protective charms on them.

Battle reports may lie, but the battle lines never do.

This action undoubtedly sends a signal - Ravenclaw is no longer safe.

Especially Qiu Zhang's roommates and first-year students were outraged by this.

Although Qiu Zhang is already in the second grade, in the eyes of the first-year students, this beautiful and sweet-talking girl is obviously on the same side as them.

So for various reasons, Penelope Clearwater decided to get to the bottom of this matter.

"If conditions permit, it is necessary to go to the site for inspection."

Sherlock looked at Penelope Clearwater.

"However, I suggest that the prefect should restrain the Ravenclaw students and refrain from visiting Ms. Zhang's dormitory during this period.

Otherwise, the few remaining clues could 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 done some research before looking for Sherlock.

The results were unsatisfactory.

In her wise eyes, each of them looked like a criminal.

It just so happened that Qiu Zhang 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 external help.

So at this moment she avoided this question and explained:
"About half of the people chose to go home for the Easter holiday."

"Really? That's good news for us!"

"I'll ask Professor Flitwick for permission right away. Cho, let's go!"

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

"I also think this was done by one of Ravenclaw's own people, but judging from Qiu Zhang's expression, he doesn't seem willing to continue the investigation."

"It's understandable. For someone like her, it's not an easy decision when truth conflicts with friendship."

"You already know who the criminal is?"

Hermione looked at Sherlock in surprise. "It's just a guess. Qiu Zhang's description already provides some information, just like this Easter egg in my hand."

Sherlock said as he picked up an egg from the table and turned the smiling side towards Hermione.

“Until it is broken, no one knows who the final winner will be.

It is always dangerous to make inferences without sufficient evidence.”

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

"It's 'we'," Sherlock looked at Hermione, "if you'd like to come with me."

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

"Thank you, my friend—but before that, I must go away for a moment.

If our client returns, please ask them to wait for a while."

"You're leaving? Where are you going?"

"You'll find out soon enough."

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

"Where is Mr. Holmes?"

Clearwater was in a hurry and looked surprised when he saw that Hermione was the only one left in the hall.

"He'll be back soon."

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

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

Firmly support!

If he wasn't worried about causing public opinion, he would even want to go to the Ravenclaw common room 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 task.

But once the professor steps in, the nature of the matter changes.

As Sherlock said before, wizards always like to compromise and don't want to do things to the extreme unless it is absolutely necessary.

Especially if the thief could be a Ravenclaw.

Holmes did not keep the three waiting for long.

But when he appeared in front of the three of them holding a cat, the girls were stunned.

"This cat..."

"Could it be..."

"It's Mrs. Norris!"

"It seems you have recognized it."

Sherlock smiled and stroked the cat, and Mrs. Norris in his arms quickly became Duang~Duang~Duang under his skillful touch.

This scene left the three of them stunned.

“Who wouldn’t recognize it?”

Hermione said in surprise, "Sherlock, you are so amazing that you can steal it from Filch!"

"To be exact, it's borrowed."

"borrow?"

Clearwater's eyes showed a hint of doubt. "Filch will lend it to you?"

It wasn't that she refused to believe Sherlock.

But Filch's love for Mrs. Norris was obvious to everyone, and it was hard to imagine him lending the cat to anyone else.

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

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

If you prescribe the right medicine for the right disease, the effect will naturally be immediate.

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

To be precise, Mrs. Norris's favorability towards Sherlock increased significantly, which in turn boosted Filch's favorability towards Sherlock.

In this case, solving the case with the help of Mrs. Norris is a piece of cake.

"It seems that this prefect has obtained Professor Flitwick's permission?
I noticed an inch or two of manuscript protruding from the right pocket of your robes, signed by Professor Flitwick.

Now that we are ready, let’s go!”

Clearwater was once again amazed by Sherlock's keen observation and deduction abilities.

But noticing Sherlock's address to her, she frowned and said:
"It's not polite to address a lady like that, Mr. Holmes."

"I'm sorry, your name is a little hard to remember compared to Miss Zhang."

Clearwater: (ー`ー)
Qiu Zhang: (oェ｀o)

"My name is Penelope Clearwater. I hope Mr. Holmes will call me by my first name instead of 'Miss Prefect'."

"Yes, Miss Penelope."

Penelope: ???

Shouldn't it be called Clearwater?

Hermione leaned over to Penelope and said to her in a low voice, "I think Penelope is shorter than Clearwater, so it's easier to remember..."

As he spoke, he briefly recounted Sherlock's theory that the brain is a hard drive.

Penelope took a deep breath after hearing Hermione's explanation.

Well, at least he didn't call me Penny just because it was easier to remember...

After figuring this out, Penelope stopped worrying and started to lead the way.

Ravenclaw Tower is located to the west of Hogwarts Castle. As they walked towards the tower, Qiu Zhang suddenly pointed at Mrs. Norris in Sherlock's arms and said in surprise:

"Hey, is it a little fatter than before? I remember it seemed very thin before..."

"Not only has it gained weight, but its dark grey fur has also become much lighter..."

Hermione discovered this, too.

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

Hermione: (ー`ー)
"Your observation skills have improved, Hermione."

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

"No wonder Filch felt comfortable lending it to you."

Penelope, who was walking in front, turned around and said, "I didn't expect you would have a cat, but how can it be of any help to us?"

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

Sherlock continued to stroke the cat, and soon made Mrs. Norris Duang~Duang~Duang again.

"Cats are experts at tracking. Using their instinct and sense of smell, they may provide us with key clues to solve cases."

"But don't we usually rely on dogs to solve crimes?"

As a Muggle-born wizard, Hermione knows more about this.

"They have a better sense of smell, don't they? I heard Scotland Yard has quite a few police dogs."

"In fact, this is a misunderstanding."

Sherlock said calmly:

"Cats' sense of smell is no less sensitive than dogs', and may even be higher.

But compared to dogs who are obedient and willing to be controlled after training, cats are reluctant to obey humans easily.

I am only willing to use my sense of smell when it is extremely beneficial to me.”

The three girls suddenly understood.

Learned some strange new knowledge.

(End of this chapter)