Chapter 46: "If You Think You Can, Then Do It Yourself"

After Sherlock's advice, Hermione began trying to change her situation in her own way.

In every class, she participated even more actively than before, doing everything she could to earn points for Gryffindor.

And it worked—at least, on paper.

In just one month, she racked up nearly thirty points singlehandedly—making her the top first-year in terms of House Points, second only to Professor Snape's refusals to award any.

But…

Despite Hermione's efforts, her status in Gryffindor hadn't changed.

And that, unfortunately, wasn't surprising.

Because from a student's perspective, all of Hermione Granger's efforts were—well—pointless.

Yes, she was a top student. But she also constantly nagged people when they made mistakes, stopped others from copying homework, and had an annoying tendency to report things to teachers...

How to put it?

Everyone knew she was right. They just didn't like her.

Sherlock had nothing more to say on the matter.

He'd already given his advice. Pity she didn't take it.

When someone decides, unilaterally, to "do something for your own good," it rarely wins them any thanks.

Especially when no one asked for that help to begin with.

To the Gryffindor lions, Hermione was just meddling in things that didn't concern her.

When you focus entirely on one thing, time passes quickly.

Without even realizing it, two full months had gone by since term started.

And the atmosphere at Hogwarts had begun to lighten.

First-years were about to celebrate their very first holiday at the castle:

Halloween.

Over the centuries, Halloween had gradually shed its original religious significance and become a festival of joy and celebration.

Technically, Halloween spans two days.

October 31st is Halloween Eve—the one everyone knows as Halloween.

November 1st is All Saints' Day—or All Hallows' Day.

In common usage, though, "Halloween" refers to October 31st, and that's when the first-year students would be enjoying their celebration feast.

According to tradition, children dress up as cute little monsters and go door-to-door demanding candy with the classic threat: trick or treat!

The legend says real ghosts and spirits hide among them that night—so adults dress up too, to blend in.

There are also traditions like carving jack-o'-lanterns, playing pranks, and bobbing for apples.

In the Muggle world, Halloween is a major holiday.

For instance, in Yorkshire—where Sherlock had originally planned to attend school—the Halloween festivities are some of the most famous in the UK.

Sherlock had assumed the magical world wouldn't celebrate it.

But clearly, that had been a narrow view.

The wizarding world celebrated four holidays: Halloween, Christmas, Valentine's Day, and Easter.

Valentine's Day was the odd one out—its presence felt more like someone had snuck it onto the list. At Hogwarts, only the older students really cared about it.

Christmas and Easter meant school holidays, which was… a bit ironic. Especially considering how many witches were historically persecuted by the Church.

On the morning of Halloween, Sherlock woke to the smell of roasted pumpkin wafting down the corridor.

From that moment, the festive atmosphere was in full swing.

The final class before the feast was Charms, and the first-years were about to learn a new spell—the Levitation Charm.

Everyone was excited.

Professor Flitwick used Neville's notoriously independent pet toad, Trevor, to demonstrate. Under the charm's influence, Trevor managed to float through the air without wings, gliding across the classroom ceiling.

However—

The excitement didn't last.

Compared to the spells they'd learned before, the Levitation Charm—Wingardium Leviosa—was significantly more difficult.

It had eight syllables, required perfect pronunciation, and demanded precise wand movements.

The difficulty had clearly gone up.

During the practical session, the students—as usual—were paired up.

Sherlock was partnered with Harry, much to Harry's relief.

Seamus Finnigan had been trying to team up with him.

But Harry would've preferred Neville any day.

Not because he looked down on Seamus—it was just… well, Seamus had a gift.

Any spell that came from Seamus's wand, no matter how harmless in others' hands, had a mysterious tendency to explode.

This had happened in both Transfiguration and Charms class already.

Sherlock, applying a scientific lens, suspected genetics were involved.

Seamus Finnigan had been one of the people Sherlock observed back at Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.

His deduction at the time: "First-year student. Wizard mother, Muggle father who works in demolition. Only learned about magic after marriage."

Later, that guess was proven correct.

So aside from the teachers, only someone like Sherlock could handle partnering with him.

Harry clearly wasn't that person.

Poor Neville, stuck with Seamus, could only pray for survival.

Some students were thrilled—others, less so.

Harry was happy to be paired with Sherlock. Hermione, on the other hand, was visibly disappointed that she didn't get to work with him.

Her partner was Ron.

Ron wasn't thrilled about it either.

He hadn't liked Hermione from the moment they met.

Although there was a brief uptick when she stood up for Sherlock and Harry that one time, her behavior afterward made his opinion of her plummet.

Especially after she scolded them for planning to duel Malfoy and then staked out the common room to catch them sneaking out.

Even after Sherlock tried to guide her, and Hermione put effort into changing things, it didn't help much.

Lately, aside from Sherlock and Neville, the only one who even talked to Hermione was Harry—and that was mostly out of respect for Sherlock.

Neville was naturally shy and introverted, so really, only Sherlock hadn't distanced himself from her.

And yet—she didn't get partnered with him.

Clearly, Professor Flitwick wasn't the most observant person.

"Wingardium Leviosa!"

Ron bellowed, swinging his wand like a windmill.

Part of it was frustration with Hermione. The other part? He hoped sheer volume would make the feather feel his determination.

He'd heard from Harry that broomsticks could "sense your fear."

So—confidence!

The problem was, he didn't look confident.

He looked like he was threatening the feather.

Naturally, it didn't work.

Feathers, light though they are, are immune to threats.

"It's Wing-GAR-dium Levi-OH-sa," Hermione interjected, unable to stop herself as Ron continued to fail. "You have to pronounce the 'g' clearly—and stretch it out."

"If you're so good at it, you do it then!"

Ron snapped, turning his frustration toward her.

Without a word, Hermione raised her wand and recited the incantation in crisp, proper London English:

"Wing-GAR-dium Levi-OH-sa!"

The feather floated up gracefully, hovering above the table.

"Brilliant!" Professor Flitwick clapped excitedly. "Everyone, look—Miss Granger's done it! One point to Gryffindor!"

He said "also" because Sherlock had successfully cast the charm earlier.

For him, it wasn't hard.

Even Harry, encouraged by Sherlock's presence, had managed to get it right after a few failed tries.

Both of them had already earned points.

When Sherlock was awarded his point, he received a round of applause.

When Harry got his, the cheers were even louder—unsurprising, given he was the Boy Who Lived.

But Hermione?

Not a single reaction.

Not even a whisper.

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