When speaking of his bold idea, the Greek translator's face couldn't help but show a hint of pride:
"Each ti I asked a question, I added a question of my own.
At first, I only asked trivial matters, mainly worried that the fellow would see through .
When I discovered he had no reaction, I boldly began to probe further.
I won't ntion those earlier probing questions—I'll only share the useful information:
'Your stubbornness will do you no good—who are you?'
'I don't care—I ca to England to expand my business, and I'm a stranger in a strange land here.'
'Your fate is entirely in your own hands—how long have you been here?'
'Whatever will be, will be—three weeks.'
'This industry will never belong to you—how are they tornting you?'
'I will never let it fall into the hands of a scoundrel like you—they don't give food, they cast curses on my body, trying to make submit.'
'If you sign, you'll gain your freedom—where is this mansion?'
'I will never sign—I don't know.'
'Don't you think of your family at all—what is your na?'
'My family would never let yield to you—Musgrave.'
'As long as you sign, I promise to let you leave safely—where do you co from?'
'Do you think I would still trust you—Athens.'
Mr. Hols, this was the course of our second conversation.
Like the last ti, Smith called a halt to everything, gave another five Galleons, and sent back to my own ho using a Portkey.
It was after that ti that I felt I could no longer be an accomplice to such evil.
Even so, I didn't trust the Ministry of Magic—I heard from Hagrid about the case you handled before Christmas, and their performance was truly disappointing.
Since Mr. Hagrid said he was Professor Dumbledore's most trusted person, I thought to seek his help.
When I told him about this matter, he shared so of your deeds with , and I learned that besides the Halloween and Christmas cases, you had also solved another case at Easter."
Hearing Baskerville's words, Sherlock wasn't surprised at all.
Because that's just how Hagrid was.
It was fortunate that Hagrid hadn't been able to et with Baskerville recently and hadn't had ti to fully express himself.
Otherwise, not just Halloween, Christmas, and Easter—even the matters of the Philosopher's Stone and Quirrell would surely have been revealed as well.
This also showed from the side that when Dumbledore involved Hagrid, he never intended to keep it secret.
Baskerville took another hearty gulp of butterbeer as usual, then began to tell of his third summons to translate two days ago.
The course of events was much the sa as the previous two tis.
He was still brought to John Smith's house via Portkey to communicate with the young Athenian who called himself Musgrave.
This ti, Musgrave's complexion was even worse, and he bore multiple wounds on his body.
Clearly, his situation was getting worse and worse.
Fortunately, this ti Baskerville managed to extract more information through his previous thod.
Simply put, it was the tragic story of a newly wealthy Athenian.
Though the Musgrave family had little fa in Britain, in the Greek magical world they could be considered a renowned ancient family, with a history traceable back to the Middle Ages.
The family mbers were naturally gifted and had outstanding achievents in multiple fields, particularly excelling in ancient magical research and application.
They possessed unique magical inheritances, and the family had many precious magical texts and mysterious magical rituals passed down through generations.
These inheritances were not only accumulations of knowledge but symbols of power.
It could be said that these very things allowed the Musgrave family to always occupy an important position in the Greek magical world.
Most mbers of this family were upright people, maintaining reverence for magic and steadfast devotion to justice.
Young Musgrave, as a representative of the family's younger generation, had originally co to Britain to expand their magical business territory.
Who would have known that due to language barriers, he would encounter such treatnt.
However, it was precisely because of his attitude of refusing to compromise with his captors despite suffering endless tornt that deeply moved Baskerville and made him decide to help.
On the other hand, he was also worried that Smith would cross the bridge and burn it behind him.
Of course, everything about Musgrave and his family ca entirely from Musgrave's own descriptions, and whether the content was true could not be verified.
After listening to Baskerville's account, Sherlock nodded, then took out his notebook from his pocket and began to inquire:
"You just ntioned that all three tis they called you to translate were in the afternoon. Do you rember the exact tis?"
"I do. The first ti was at half past three in the afternoon, the second ti was at four o'clock, and the third ti was also at four o'clock."
"Are you certain? Why do you rember the tis so clearly?"
"Because the first ti, I originally had another appointnt at four o'clock, but since he was paying so much, I canceled it.
As for the second and third tis, I deliberately paid attention to the ti—I thought it might be useful."
"Well done, translator sir!"
Sherlock praised him, then continued asking, "After you arrived at his house, you found all the curtains were drawn, correct?"
"Yes."
"Was it like this every ti?"
"Every ti—but I noticed sothing strange about the sunlight traces in the curtain gaps. They ford evenly spaced light spots."
"Can you draw it? This could be very important for the case."
"I can. I deliberately observed it starting from the second ti. You know, as a translator fluent in various languages, a good mory is the most basic requirent."
"Thank you very much. About that fellow who calls himself John Smith, besides what you've just described, are there any other characteristics?"
"Uh... I only rember he wore dragon hide gloves on his right hand."
"Very good. About Musgrave, is there anything else you want to say?"
"I think he's a very upright person. Faced with that scoundrel's coercion, he never yielded to him.
I can guarantee that if it were , I definitely wouldn't have lasted that long."
"One last question: what was the Portkey he used?"
"Uh... it was a bronze Romanian dragon sculpture."
After hearing this strange and twisted story, Sherlock sat quietly for a while without saying a word.
After a mont, he looked at Baskerville again: "Have you asked the Greek side?"
"Just this morning I asked my friends, and the current news is that they know nothing at all."
"Then I suggest contacting Athens directly, and also... Hagrid, this matter is very unusual. I need your help."
"No problem!"
Hagrid patted his chest. "Just give orders."
"I'm very interested in this case and will definitely investigate it thoroughly by any ans necessary. However," Sherlock stared intently at this kind-hearted Greek man, "Mr. Baskerville, if I were you, I would be especially vigilant during this ti."
"Why?"
Baskerville asked instinctively.
"From the series of behaviors—using Portkeys as transportation, sealing the windows, threatening and intimidating—this is definitely a cautious and vicious person.
Your inquiries about Mr. Musgrave's whereabouts through Greek contacts, and your coming to find us, can't be hidden from him for long. He will definitely know it was you who betrayed him."
"Don't worry, mate!"
Hagrid slapped Baskerville's shoulder with such force that his whole body swayed. "I can introduce you to so capable fellows."
"Hagrid, thank you for your kindness, but while my friends may not have minds as sharp as Mr. Hols's, if it's just protecting , there should be no problem."
Seeing his confident appearance, Sherlock said no more, only asking him to leave behind so of the yew wood fragnts and copper rust.
After once more reminding him to pay attention to his personal safety, both parties bid farewell.
According to Baskerville, having spoken of all this made him feel much better in his heart.
He had to hurry ho—tonight he could finally get a good night's sleep.
"How about it, Sherlock?"
On the way back to Hogwarts from Hogsade, Hagrid couldn't help but ask.
"I need to look up so materials. If all goes well, I should have an answer by tomorrow."
Hearing this, Hagrid couldn't help but be startled: "You already have hope of solving this so quickly?"
"Hagrid, I don't know how to describe this to you."
Sherlock said thoughtfully, "But to tell the truth, now that we know so much about the situation, if we still can't investigate the remaining problems clearly, that would actually be the strange thing."
Hearing Sherlock's words, Hagrid beca even more puzzled.
However, he had one advantage.
That is, he wouldn't rack his brains over things he couldn't understand—he just needed to listen to what the brainy people had to say.
When Sherlock returned to Hogwarts Castle, Hermione and Ron imdiately surrounded him.
"You're finally back! Quick, tell us what you did today?"
"Soone said they saw you and Hagrid in Hogsade. Is this true?"
"Yes."
Sherlock nodded, then briefly and concisely told the two about what had happened today.
There was no need for secrecy—even if he didn't tell them, as long as the two went to ask Hagrid, they could find out everything clearly.
"What? Professor Dumbledore actually gave that dragon egg to Mr. Scamander?
Bloody Hell! He's indeed the most suitable person to take care of it!"
"What? You actually went to Hogsade with Hagrid?
Bloody Hell! That's a place we can't go until our third year!"
"What? An outsider actually asked you to investigate a case?
Bloody Hell! You must take along this ti!"
"Ron, shut up!"
Hermione was annoyed by Ron's triple "Bloody Hell" and turned to Sherlock to inquire: "This matter won't be dangerous, will it? Should we tell Professor Dumbledore? Or Professor McGonagall?"
Sherlock shook his head: "Don't worry, Hagrid will protect ."
"But... but..."
Hermione recalled Hagrid's behavior and always felt this person seed not very intelligent.
Sherlock said seriously: "Although he seems as if he was born under the influence of Veritaserum, his fighting ability is unquestionable."
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