HP: I AM SHERLOCK HOLMES

Sherlock differed from Harry in that he had witnessed too many cases. Because of this, he understood that even in the Muggle world, there were criminals as vicious as Sirius Black. During wartime, there were war criminals even more brutal than him.

The key point was that criminals like Black, who could instantly kill thirteen people with a single curse in ordinary street situations, were extremely rare.

Sherlock had already witnessed the Ministry of Magic’s capabilities, so he held little hope for Fudge’s claim to ”exert every effort to recapture Black.”

Just from the cases he had been involved in, two years had passed and former Ministry member Wright Black still hadn’t been captured. The main perpetrator of the Greek Translator case, John Smith, also remained at large despite pursuit by both the British and Greek Ministries of Magic.

These were only the cases he knew about. How many unsolved cases were there that he didn’t know about?

Scotland Yard was more capable than the Ministry of Magic, but unfortunately, they could only provide auxiliary support against a wizard.

Compared to two years ago, Sherlock had made great progress, but facing a vicious prisoner who could escape from Azkaban, he was still inadequate.

He paid attention to this case for two reasons. First was the name Sirius Black. The shared surname inevitably reminded him of Wright Black from the case where Hannah Abbott’s father was framed.

Although The Pure-Blood Directory didn’t contain Wright Black’s name, given that the Black family maintained their blood purity by directly removing mixed-blood or Squib members from their records, this Wright might actually be a collateral relative of the old Black family or an expelled member.

The second reason was Azkaban itself. As everyone knew, the wizarding world, like the Muggle world, had no death penalty. As early as 1969, Britain formally abolished the death penalty through parliamentary vote, with the maximum penalty for the most serious crimes being life imprisonment without possibility of parole. Even so, Britain was among the later Western European countries to abolish the death penalty. In judicial practice, Britain had long ceased actual executions before abolition.

The wizarding world’s maximum penalty was similarly life imprisonment, served in Azkaban. Due to the Dementors’ presence, this life sentence was far more terrible than in the Muggle world.

For the first successful escapee in several centuries, Sherlock naturally had some interest in Black as a person.

Over the following period, the Holmes couple took Sherlock and Harry out several more times, letting Harry fully experience family warmth. During leisure time, he also completed his homework.

Harry didn’t understand why Sherlock possessed wide knowledge about medieval witch burnings, but Sherlock’s help with his essay was indeed valuable.

One Saturday morning, Watson and Hedwig arrived one after another, bringing mail for Sherlock and Harry. The difference was that Sherlock received three letters while Harry received a package.

”Sherlock, it’s been days since we met, and I’ve missed you greatly. At a family dinner, I heard several uncles discussing Black. I’m sure you already know about his escape from Azkaban, so I won’t elaborate here. This man is the first criminal to successfully escape from Azkaban and a fanatical follower of You-Know-Who.

Once the Dark Mark rises again, he would take the second chair. Since Harry stopped You-Know-Who, he has lost everything. Please be sure to remind Harry to be careful—according to our family’s analysis, Black most likely believes that killing Harry would enable You-Know-Who’s return. This man lied dormant in Azkaban for twelve years, and now that he’s free, we must remain vigilant.”

”Through the frost flowers on the window, I see three Crumple-Horned Snorkacks screaming. They say a shadow in black robes is crawling toward your friend Harry. Sirius Black’s name echoes in my ears. His head probably houses several angry Wrackspurts, like the sound of butterfly wings beating against glass. Sherlock, don’t let Harry walk alone in moonlight. The escapee carries biting memories in his pocket, and Harry’s eyes are too bright for darkness.”

”Mr. Holmes, I presume to write this as a warning. According to Azkaban guards, Black’s mental state was unstable before his escape. He often spoke in dreams, saying ’He’s at Hogwarts—he’s at Hogwarts.’ Therefore, after Sirius Black’s escape, his target is clear—precisely Harry Potter, who is staying with you.

This man is extremely dangerous. Though the Ministry publicly maintains composure, internally there’s panic. Please strengthen security measures. I personally suggest Mr. Potter stay indoors as much as possible. Additionally, the Ministry is particularly concerned about your safety. Colleagues may visit soon. Please understand the urgency and handle this appropriately.”

Three people with different writing styles, but all saying the same thing. Beware of Black! Not for Sherlock to be careful, but for Harry.

Compared to the warnings Sherlock received, Harry’s mail was much more heartwarming.

”First, happy birthday! I hope you like my gift. The scarf’s stitches may not be perfectly even, but it should wrap around Scotland’s bitter cold winds (laugh).

This holiday, Mother took me to visit the Mt.Fuji, where there are snow ravens dance. Given the chance, I’d like to show you the moment ice butterflies awaken from their cocoons—just like spells bursting from a wand tip.

Perhaps when the new term starts, we could chat about new understandings into the Fire-Resistance Charm in the library’s morning light? Or perhaps share a drink at the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade?

In the match between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw, I still hope you won’t hesitate to share your expertise.

Awaiting your reply.”

Ice crystal petals clung to the letter’s edges, creating a magical effect of miniature snow ravens circling the parchment when unfolded.

Probably because she was in Asia, Cho Chang’s birthday gift hadn’t arrived on time. But Harry didn’t mind. It’s the thought that counts, and besides, what Cho sent wasn’t just a token gift.

It was a hand-knitted scarf, bright red with golden H.P. initials embroidered on it. Harry held the scarf up to his neck. When the soft fringe brushed his chin, he caught a faint, elusive scent of mugwort.

Just as he prepared to share his joy with his friend, he turned to see Sherlock frowning and asked curiously, ”Sherlock, whose letters are those?”

”Several old acquaintances.” Sherlock’s gaze swept over the scarf in Harry’s hands. ”Miss Chang’s gift suits you well, Harry. Don’t look at me with such surprise—your expression tells me the answer, almost identical to the one before Halloween last year.

From the scarf itself, the embroidery thread spelling ’H.P.’ is slightly more disheveled than other parts, with particularly dense stitches. The H’s vertical line leans left, the P’s circle is crooked like a crescent moon—these are traces of unraveling and re-stitching halfway through. I believe this should be her first attempt.”

Hearing Sherlock’s words, Harry felt warm inside.

At this point, Sherlock suddenly changed topics. ”However, I think you won’t be able to go to Hogsmeade this term.”

”Wh-what?!” Harry was stunned by Sherlock’s words. He had just been fantasizing about drinking and discussing spells with Cho Chang at the Three Broomsticks, but now Sherlock said he couldn’t go?

”Why?” Harry asked urgently. The scarf inadvertently slipped from his shoulder, but he didn’t notice.

Before he finished speaking, urgent knocking sounded at the door.

”Excuse me, is this Sherlock Holmes’ home? I’m Arthur Weasley.”

”Mr. Weasley!” Hearing the familiar voice, Harry was directly shocked. ’Why would Ron’s father come here?’

”Sherlock, this—” Harry instinctively turned to Sherlock for help.

Sherlock also frowned. ’Since when was the Ministry of Magic this efficient?’

”If I were him, I’d open the door myself.” Sherlock’s words seemed prophetic. The next moment, they heard Mr. Weasley’s voice from outside. ”Alohomora!”

Sherlock’s door naturally had no counter-charms, so with one unlocking spell, the door opened directly.

When Harry saw Mr. Weasley’s familiar face clearly, he was shocked once again. ’Really?! You actually broke in!’

”Sorry, Harry, oh, and Sherlock!” Mr. Weasley seemed very happy to see them both, but then awkwardly rubbed his nose—a gesture identical to Ron’s.

”I know this is impolite, but please believe me, I do this for good reason—and I have the Ministry’s permission.”

Harry hadn’t yet recovered from Mr. Weasley’s surprising behavior, while Sherlock asked with a serious expression. ”So, our situation has deteriorated to this extent?”

”Sherlock, what are you talking about?”

”I’ll be direct—Mr. Weasley, your colleague from the Accidental Magic Reversal Squad, Mr. Peasegood, has already told me everything.”

”Impossible, absolutely impossible!” Mr. Weasley waved his hands in denial upon hearing Sherlock’s words. ”Sherlock, don’t try to trick me into talking this time. The Ministry has strict confidentiality procedures. Arnold couldn’t possibly—”

”Is that so?” Seeing Mr. Weasley still playing dumb, Sherlock simply asked back. ”Then may I ask, Mr. Weasley, why did Black keep saying ’He’s at Hogwarts’ in his dreams before leaving Azkaban?”

”Wh-what?!” As soon as Sherlock said this, Mr. Weasley immediately looked shocked. ”Shh—!” He looked around, quickly stepped into the house, and closed the door behind him.

This behavior made Harry even more confused. He looked at Sherlock, wanting to speak but stopping himself. His intuition told him that trouble had found him again.

This was simply too much!

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