Sherlock Holmes at Hogwarts.

Chapter 99 The truth has surfaced

Being looked down upon by Sherlock, Marietta Aikman's psychological defenses were almost broken.

After all, she was just a 13-year-old girl and could not withstand the questioning of Sherlock, an abnormal man.

But she soon began to scream hysterically:
"That expression, that look, that anxiety, it's all just your conjecture. You have no evidence at all!"

"Heh... your reaction isn't slow at all—of course, if I were to conclude it was you based solely on this, even I would despise myself."

Sherlock chuckled, “Miss Zhang, please close the door of the common room. If anyone wants to come in, please ask them to wait for a while.

Miss Penelope, please keep an eye on Miss Aikmo. If possible, it would be best to use magic to control her movements.

Ms. Case, please stay with Ms. Zhang and ensure we won't be disturbed for now. Don't worry, I'll be done with this soon."

After saying this, he returned to his seat, looked at the already furious Ekmo, and said slowly:

"Anyway, this is my first real case since coming to the magical world, and it has special meaning to me.

The Ministry of Magic was the one that really played a role in Miss Abbott's case last time - even if they didn't know it themselves.

Although this case is simple, it contains several lessons worth learning from.”

"Simple?"

Hermione couldn't help but cry out.

Several other girls, including Ikemo, also looked at Sherlock with confusion.

Obviously, they did not agree with Sherlock's opinion.

"Yes, it's very simple. It's hard to describe it in other words."

Noticing the surprised looks of several people, Sherlock couldn't help laughing.

"If you will but consider that, with the little help of my friend, and by no more than ordinary deductions, I was able to apprehend the criminal in a single day, it proves that the case is in substance very simple."

"If you understand it this way, it does make sense..."

Hermione said thoughtfully. She had originally thought that Sherlock would take several days or even a week to solve the case.

"Everyone, anything that looks or sounds unusual is generally not an obstacle. In my opinion, it is a clue.

When solving this type of problem, the most important thing is to be able to use reasoning methods and trace back the reasoning layer by layer.

This is a very useful skill and is also very easy to do.

Unfortunately, it is not often used in practice.

In everyday life, whether in the Muggle or wizarding world, forward reasoning is more useful, so we often ignore backward reasoning.

After coming to the magical world, I discovered that for wizards who are not good at logical reasoning, if there are fifty people who can make comprehensive inferences from all aspects of a matter, then there may be less than ten who can use analytical methods to reason."

"I'm not a criminal!"

As if he had had enough of Sherlock's boasting, Acme shouted again:
"You have no evidence at all!"

"You want evidence?"

Sherlock looked at Acme with disdain, "I'll give it to you now."

Looking at Acme who tried to struggle but was controlled by Penelope, Sherlock paced back and forth in the Ravenclaw common room and slowly began to explain:
"The second bed by the window in your dormitory has a light blue curtain embroidered with Chinese cloud patterns in silver thread.

There is no doubt that this bed belongs to Miss Zhang.

There is a magic potted plant on the bedside table. I opened the cabinet and saw that the lost sandalwood box was originally placed on the third layer of the cabinet.

Although the cabinet was not locked, a hint of sandalwood lingered in the keyhole, blending with the scent of the herbal sachets scattered inside the cabinet.

To Mrs. Norris, this was as obvious as a beacon in the dark night.

Next to Miss Zhang's bed, there was a dressing mirror inlaid with malachite on the top of the cabinet, with 'AE' engraved on the edge of the frame.

It was obvious that this was Miss Aikman's bed - for this was the abbreviation of the Aikman family.

I don't think Miss Edgecombe noticed that there was a tiny crack in the mirror, and the few glitters in the crack were silver Floo powder.

Of course, this doesn't mean anything, after all, your mother, Lady Edgecombe, works at the Floo Network Administration of the Department of Magical Transportation.

But it was precisely this that reminded me and made me aware of your motive for committing the crime."

At this point, Sherlock glanced at Aikmo, taking in her expression, and then continued:

"As for the other two beds, there's not much to say. They're tidy to the point of being almost rigid—the parchment scrolls are stacked by date, and the tips of the quills are always sharp.

It seemed to embody the typical Ravenclaw sense of order, but the crumpled corner of The Quibbler magazine sticking out from under one of the beds seemed a bit absurd.

"No wonder you didn't ask who owns our bed."

Qiu Zhang showed an expression of sudden enlightenment.

"It's just the most basic reasoning, not worth mentioning at all."

Sherlock waved his hand and held up three fingers: "There are three pieces of evidence that really allow me to identify the criminal."

Everyone pricked up their ears at this moment.

“First, the spell.

With the help of a magic magnifying glass, I discovered that there were faint traces of magic on the surface of Miss Zhang's dressing box and the wind chimes hanging on the head of the bed.

Normally, Miss Zhang, as the host, does not need to use any magic when opening her dressing box, or even the sandalwood box containing eye shadow.

As for the copper wind chimes, needless to say, as a magic prop translated into musical notes, I don't think anyone would use it to practice.

Then there is only one possibility - the magic was left by the person who took the eye shadow.

So why did he use magic on other people's belongings and wind chimes in the dormitory?

There are many possibilities I can think of, but the most likely one is undoubtedly to cover up the opening action and interfere with the sound of the wind chimes.

In this case, the most appropriate spell is obviously the Confusion Charm.

Although this is a very difficult spell, one must concentrate on a single target when casting it, otherwise the spell will fail if there is any mistake.

However, if the object being cursed is a stationary object, the difficulty will naturally be greatly reduced.

Even so, it is still very difficult for second grade students.

I'm afraid it took multiple casts of the spell to succeed, which is why it left traces of magic."

After saying this, Sherlock leaned forward slightly, clasped his hands together to support his chin, and looked at Penelope with interest:
"Miss Penelope, I think with your ability, you should be able to cast the flashback spell easily, right?"

Penelope nodded confidently.

"Then please give Miss Edgemore's wand a shot!"

Ikmo's face turned pale in an instant.

"Marietta, get out your wand."

"Prefect Penelope, would you rather trust an outsider than me?"

"Hand over your wand!"

Keith, who was standing by, couldn't stand it anymore, so he simply snatched Aikmo's wand and gave it to Penelope.

Penelope didn't hesitate and waved her wand at the target.

"Prior Incantato!"

As Penelope chanted the spell, a shimmering golden thread appeared between the two wands.

The next moment, the golden thread split, forming hundreds of arcs of light, which eventually intertwined into a dome-shaped golden net.

Watching Penelope skillfully perform magic, Hermione couldn't help but feel envious.

I wish I could become so skilled someday.

Soon, everything returned to calm. Penelope was silent for a moment and then said:
"The Confusion Charm was indeed cast, and... more than once."

"Marietta!"

Upon hearing this result, Qiu Zhang covered his mouth with his hands in surprise.

"Qiu, you have to believe me!" Ikemo glared at Sherlock, "I did use the Confusion Charm, but that's because I've been practicing spells alone a lot recently!

A spell as difficult as the Confusion Charm can help me improve my subtle control over magic, isn't that okay?"

"Don't worry, Miss Aikmo, this is just the first piece of evidence."

Sherlock choked Acme with a word and continued:

“Secondly, the smell.

The eyeshadow had been kept for a long time next to the scent of the herbal sachets scattered on the bedside table, and the sandalwood blended with its scent, making it easy for Mrs. Norris to notice it.

I have to say one more thing here, your spellcasting level is really too poor - even Madam Loris can detect the abnormality.

Why do you think it appeared at your feet just now? Do you think it likes you?

It easily discovered a small drop of liquid sparkling with tiny light on the corner of the walnut table.

According to Miss Zhang's description, that was the golden eye shadow among the seven colors of eye shadow.

Maybe it's excitement, maybe it's nervousness, after getting the eye shadow, you can't wait to start trying it out in your dormitory...

You know what? That cat thinks less of you than I do of you.”

Looking at Sherlock shaking his head, Aikmo was speechless.

"Of course, you can still argue that this has nothing to do with you.

Unfortunately, Mrs. Norris could have found the hiding place of the eyeshadow with just her claws—this is the third piece of evidence.”

Sherlock stood up and said, "Miss Zhang, you can open the door now."

Qiu Zhang nodded and opened the door to the common room. Many Ravenclaw students had already gathered outside.

But when Penelope glanced over, they all moved aside.

Only a tall boy was still standing there.

He was Robert Hilliard, another Ravenclaw prefect.

When he saw Penelope, a hint of joy appeared in his eyes: "Penelope..."

However, as soon as he opened his mouth, Penelope interrupted him rudely: "I don't want to talk to you now!"

After saying that, he gestured for Sherlock and the others to go first.

Sherlock shrugged and took the lead.

Hermione followed closely behind.

Qiu Zhang and Keith stood on either side of Aikmo.

When Ikmo saw Robert Hilliard, his eyes rolled and he was about to speak.

Penelo was quick-witted and waved her wand: "Lock the tongue and throat."

Ikemo still opened his mouth to speak, but not a single word came out.

Robert Hilliard's expression immediately darkened. "Penelope, it's not a good idea to cast offensive spells on lower grade students."

"After this matter is over, you will naturally know the reason."

Although through the flashback spell and Aikman's performance just now, she has basically confirmed that Sherlock's inference is correct, Marietta Aikman is the culprit of this case.

But only when the lost eye shadow is found can it be considered as catching the culprit red-handed.

Before this, she really had no mood to deal with Robert Hilliard.

After saying this, she quickened her pace to catch up with Sherlock and the others.

Walking last is naturally to prevent accidents.

After all, Aikmo was just about to ask Robert Hilliard for help.

Robert Hilliard stretched out his right arm, spread his palm and fingers, and wanted to call Penelope.

But he eventually gave up.

When they arrived at the girls' dormitory for the second time, Sherlock, who was walking in front, asked casually, "It seems that Miss Penelope has gotten rid of your suitor?"

"Not bad...wait, what's wrong with you?"

After all, she was a Ravenclaw student, so Penelope reacted almost instantly.

She looked at Sherlock in shock. Even in Ravenclaw, few people knew about Robert Hilliard's pursuit of her, so why did Sherlock know?
"Just look at his robes."

Sherlock spoke quickly, "The collar is ironed so hard it could cut your fingers, and the cuffs are perfumed.

I don't recall a Ravenclaw prefect being required to dress for a wedding unless he was trying to attract a certain audience.

From the moment Ms. Zhang opened the door to the common room, he looked at you 27 times and at me 0 times - even though I was the key to solving the case.

His pupils dilate when you turn around, and the muscles at the corners of his mouth unconsciously rise, which is a typical biological instinct during the courtship period.

Also, your attitude towards him.

It was like avoiding a loba bug. I didn't even look him in the eye while I was talking to him."

After saying this, Sherlock couldn't help laughing: "You should be grateful for this case. It gives you a perfect excuse to avoid this infatuated prefect."

"I am now beginning to believe, Mr. Holmes, that you inferred from the first moment you laid eyes on her that she was the culprit."

Hearing Penelope's praise, Sherlock didn't say anything, but the curve of his mouth became more and more obvious.

Penelope took a deep breath and said, "Now, please show us the third piece of evidence."

Once again stepping into Qiu Zhang's bedroom, Sherlock let go of Mrs. Norris, and she immediately ran to Aikemo's bedside table, constantly slapping the cabinet door with her paws.

Except for Sherlock, everyone who saw this scene was slightly stunned.

"Mrs. Norris can find the hiding place of eye shadow even with just her claws," they couldn't help but recall what Sherlock had just said.

Could it be that Qiu Zhang's eye shadow is hidden here?

But Sherlock didn't go over immediately.

He first came to the walnut table and pointed the drop of solidified golden eyeshadow to several people.

"It's my golden eyeshadow!"

Qiu Zhang exclaimed.

Hermione couldn't help but glance at Edgecombe and found that she was in a daze at the moment, as if she didn't care at all.

Only then did Sherlock walk over to Marietta's locker.

As he had said before, on top of the bedside table stood a malachite-inlaid dressing mirror with the initials "AE" (Aikmer Family) engraved on the edge of the frame.

If you look closely, you can see a tiny crack on the mirror surface, and the unique silver light of the Floo powder is shining.

Sherlock flicked his wand and Mrs. Norris jumped aside quickly.

The cabinet door was opened, revealing a few clothes at the bottom and books, notebooks, and some simple cosmetics on the upper layers.

However, the sandalwood box that Qiu Zhang lost was not among them.

Everyone looked at each other. Penelope hesitated for a moment, then cast a spell, and Aikmo immediately regained the ability to speak.

"Where's the stuff?"

She looked into Ekmo's eyes. "Where did you hide it?"

"Haha, shouldn't we ask our great detective about this?"

Aikmo seemed to come back to life. She looked at Sherlock with a mocking expression and said:
"Sherlock Holmes, didn't Filch's cat find it with just its claws?

Please tell me now, where are the things that I stole?

Could it be that someone else has used the Confusion Spell to take him away again?"

(End of this chapter)