Harry had originally thought that Sherlock, like Professor Lupin, was worried he couldn't face a Boggart alone.
That's why he hadn't told him about seeing "the Grim" again at the Quidditch pitch.
To his surprise, Professor Lupin said it was because he was worried about Voldemort's appearance, not the reason Harry had imagined.
That ant Sherlock, who had also stopped him from facing the Boggart alone alongside Professor Lupin, had done so for the sa reason.
After this knot in his heart was untied, Harry had been wanting to tell Sherlock about it.
Now, when Hufflepuff was ntioned, Harry rembered this matter and brought it up.
"During the last match against Hufflepuff, I saw the Grim again!"
"The Grim, you an that big black dog?"
"Yes, the black dog I saw when I left the Dursleys'!"
"Can you be sure it's the sa one?"
"I can't be sure if it's the sa as the dog I saw on that book cover," Harry said with certainty, "but it was definitely the one I saw when I left the Dursleys', it was right there in the stands!"
"So, you're saying that after seeing that big dog, you fell off your broomstick?"
Harry bit his lip but finally nodded.
"Yes!"
Harry had expected Sherlock to scoff at this like Hermione had, and was already ntally prepared to accept it.
But to his surprise, Sherlock showed great interest in the matter.
He not only inquired in detail about when and where the big black dog appeared, but even had Harry carefully describe the surrounding environnt.
This caught Harry completely off guard.
Although Sherlock wasn't as obvious about it as Hermione, judging by his attitude toward Divination class, he shouldn't have reacted this way.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but ask in puzzlent, "Sherlock, don't you think this is just a coincidence?"
Sherlock said calmly, "I don't think so, Harry. You must understand that any coincidence exists within necessity. Thank you for telling this in ti, it will play a crucial role in helping solve this case."
Harry let out a long breath of relief.
Indeed, Sherlock was the one who understood him best!
The continuous rain persisted until December.
It wasn't until two weeks before the end of term that the long-gloomy sky finally turned into a bright, dazzling egg-white, and the muddy grounds were covered with a layer of glassy frost.
The entire castle was filled with the bustle and joy preceding the holidays.
At everyone's invitation, Professor Flitwick, the Charms teacher, showed off his skills by decorating the classroom with colorful lights.
Under the magical charm, they transford into real fairies that flew about the classroom.
Hagrid once again arranged tall, beautiful Christmas trees in the Great Hall.
When Professor McGonagall ca with the list to take registrations, Harry chose to stay at school, just as he had last year.
But this wasn't his true intention, as Professor McGonagall had specifically spoken to him about it.
Until Sirius Black was caught, the Ministry of Magic hoped Harry would remain at school.
Not just for Christmas, but for the Easter holidays as well, and if necessary, he might even receive special permission to stay at Hogwarts during the sumr vacation.
Seeing himself receive the treatnt that even Tom Riddle had once dread of, Harry felt no honor only endless regret.
Because this year he had actually wanted to return to Privet Drive for the holidays after his relationship with the Dursleys had improved.
Unfortunately, even this small wish couldn't be fulfilled.
Ron also decided to stay at Hogwarts.
This moved Harry deeply.
Although Ron claid it was because he couldn't stand being with Percy for two weeks, Harry saw through this, he knew his good mate was staying at school to keep him company.
What surprised Harry was that Ginny also chose to stay at school.
Her reason was the sa as Ron's, she didn't want to be with Percy either.
In Harry's view, Ginny's reason was probably genuine, she really didn't want to be with Percy.
Seeing Harry's expression of "sudden realization," Ginny felt sowhat disappointed.
However, when she learned that Cho Chang would be leaving school, she secretly felt happy again.
This way, she would have a full two weeks to spend with Harry.
The last weekend before winter break, the school arranged another trip to Hogsade village.
Everyone was excited except Harry.
It was Professor McGonagall again.
Not returning ho for Christmas and Easter was only one security asure; the other was that he couldn't go to Hogsade on weekends.
"I'm very sorry, Potter," Professor McGonagall said. "But for your safety, the Ministry of Magic has formally notified the school that even with a guardian's signature, you cannot leave school to go there."
Harry understood this. However, what was comforting was that Sherlock and Hermione also didn't plan to go to Hogsade this ti.
Sherlock had never been very interested in the place, and after visiting once before Halloween, he planned to wait until the spring or sumr term to go again.
Hermione had originally wanted to buy all her Christmas gifts ther, —her parents loved the Toothflossing Stringmints from Honeydukes.
But when she learned that Sherlock had declined Gemma's invitation to have a drink together at the Three Broomsticks, she imdiately changed her mind with delight and decided to stay at school as well.
"You're really not going?"
Ron was very surprised when he heard the three's decision. "Then you'll be the only three third-years staying behind."
"What do you an 'staying behind'? Why put it so strangely?" Hermione handed money to Ron. "Bring back more Toothflossing Stringmints when you return."
Ron agreed, then looked at his two other good mates. "Sherlock, Harry, what about you? Is there anything you need to bring back?"
Sherlock had no requests, while Harry hesitated for a mont before saying, "Bring so distinctive magical sweets, I think Dudley would like them."
"No problem, leave it to !"
The first snow of 1993 ca earlier than usual.
Relying on Hogwarts' Thestral-drawn carriages, it carried away the last falling yellow leaves.
On Saturday morning, almost all students in third year and above went to Hogsade village.
After saying goodbye to everyone, Harry asked curiously, "Sherlock, what have you been busy with lately?"
Ever since the Quidditch match against Hufflepuff, Sherlock had been very busy, he hadn't even been able to visit Harry in the hospital wing.
As Ron had said so ti ago, apart from morning training with Neville and regular classes, he was almost nowhere to be found.
Harry didn't mind much, but he was sowhat curious about Sherlock's whereabouts.
Especially after he told Sherlock about seeing the Grim during the match against Hufflepuff, Sherlock had beco even busier.
So now, taking advantage of this opportunity, he asked directly.
Sherlock had no intention of hiding it and said straightforwardly:
"Investigating Sirius Black's case."
Hearing Sherlock's words, Harry and Hermione imdiately perked up their ears, and Hermione couldn't help but ask, "How's the progress?"
"Barely satisfactory."
Sherlock didn't conceal anything. "During this ti, I've consulted quite a bit of material and visited several people in the know. I now have a frawork for understanding Black's infiltration thod. Unfortunately, I still lack so key clues that would help solve the mystery."
Under the surprised gazes of his two friends, Sherlock said slowly, "I think... at the latest by next term, I'll be able to find Black."
"Oh, my goodness—!"
"That's wonderful, Sherlock!"
Hearing Sherlock's words, Hermione couldn't help but cover her mouth with her hand.
Next term ant before the Easter holidays.
Should one say "as expected of Sherlock"?
Even a vicious criminal who had the entire British Ministry of Magic and Hogwarts at a loss would still be caught when encountering Sherlock!
Harry and Hermione didn't doubt Sherlock's abilities in the slightest.
In their minds, if Sherlock said he could do it, then he could do it.
As for exactly how he would do it that was beyond their comprehension.
Thinking that this bastard who had betrayed his parents was about to be caught, Harry was fired up.
"Thank you, Sherlock!"
"Celebrating at halfti is a bit premature," Sherlock said, making a cold joke, then pulled out a magazine. "I think this is more suitable for you right now."
Harry curiously took it and looked: "Broomstick Collection?"
"After Cedric's reminder last ti, I noticed you don't seem very suited to the broomstick you use during training."
Not very suited was an understatent!
He and that broomstick were sotis completely at odds!
Ever since his beloved Nimbus 2000 was smashed to pieces by the Whomping Willow, the broomstick Harry used during training was one the school used for flying lessons.
This broomstick, called a Shooting Star, was a very old brand.
Not to ntion compared to Harry's forr Nimbus 2000—it was far inferior even to old models in the Cleansweep and Cot series.
Not only was it slow, but it was also sowhat wobbly.
Only Harry, a Seeker who combined natural talent with hard work, the youngest in a century could handle it; otherwise, even normal training would be impossible.
Yet this was already the best broomstick from the flying lessons.
Harry had only gotten it because Wood had pulled strings with Madam Hooch.
Because of this, a distressed Wood had suggested to Harry more than once that he should quickly buy a brand-new broomstick.
A broomstick to a Quidditch player was as important as a wand to a wizard.
Even if Harry got a new broomstick, he would still need so ti to adjust before he could perform at his best.
This view coincided with Cedric's.
Harry just hadn't expected that Sherlock, who had been absent investigating the case, was still paying attention to him.
He was truly moved!
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