0057 Simple

"This question is actually quite simple.

You were at the scene at the time. If you had paid just a little attention, you would have noticed that the letter 'A' was written somewhat in imitation of German script, while true Germans often use Latin script.

In contrast, the final 'E' was written in cursive, which is precisely an English writing habit.

Perhaps it was gilding the lily, perhaps an attempt to cover up the truth, or perhaps that was simply their skill level—in any case, their imitation techniques were not sophisticated.

Therefore, I can say with complete confidence that these letters were absolutely not written by a German."

Ron couldn't help but praise: "I knew it! That's exactly what I'd expect from you!"

Harry noticed that Sherlock seemed very pleased after hearing Ron's compliment.

In fact, he had observed this trait long ago.

Whenever someone praised Sherlock's achievements in detective work, his friend would become as sensitive as any girl hearing compliments about her beauty.

The prerequisite was that the person's praise had to be genuine.

Sure enough, after finishing his analysis of the bloody letters, Sherlock actually took the initiative to say to Ron: "I can tell you one more thing."

"What is it?"

"You must find it strange why I've always insisted that Professor Snape is a despicably kind good man?"

Now not only Ron, but Harry and Hermione were immediately interested.

"Yes, why is that?"

"Indeed, why is that?"

"Because Professor Snape and Harry's father were rivals in love."

Σ(っ°Д°;)っ

The topic was so explosive that all three young wizards opened their mouths wide and couldn't close them for a long time.

"Harry, Professor Snape's love for your mother was sincere and pure."

Sherlock looked at the shocked Harry and said calmly and composedly: "After your mother died, that love was transferred to you."

Σ(°△°|||)︴

Silence.

A long, drawn-out silence.

After a while, Hermione was the first to recover from the shock.

She took a deep breath and asked curiously: "Did... did Headmaster Dumbledore tell you this too?"

Even if Dumbledore had said it, it seemed too outrageous!

"It was too obvious," Sherlock shook his head. "It didn't even require special observation."

Hearing Sherlock say this, Hermione suddenly remembered the first Potions class.

"You mean... the Victorian flower language?"

Although she had been interrupted by Snape halfway through at the time, Hermione remembered every word of the conversation between Snape and Sherlock clearly.

Narcissus is a type of lily—Lily, which happened to be Harry's mother's name—and its flower language is "my regrets follow you to the grave."

Wormwood represents "absence" and "bitter sorrow."

The sleeping draught is a "Draught of Living Death," representing "a hellishly miserable life."

Snape's question at the time was—what would you get if you added powdered root of narcissus to an infusion of wormwood?

Sherlock had already given the answer—adding powdered narcissus root to a wormwood infusion could brew a sleeping draught, precisely a "Draught of Living Death."

So, if you translated Snape's question and answer according to Sherlock's interpretation, it became—lily falling into bitter sorrow, I deeply regret your mother's death, and have since lived a hellishly miserable life.

Once she understood this, Hermione's eyes widened even more.

"Dear Hermione, I'm glad you still remember this."

Sherlock smiled and said, "That's why I said this matter didn't require special observation at all."

Because Professor Snape had expressed his strongest feelings to Lily's son in the very first class.

Combined with his usual performance in Potions class, it was enough for Sherlock to make his deduction.

For the entire next day, the three of them remained immersed in the shock brought by this news.

This topic was simply too explosive!

That evening, Sherlock called Harry aside and handed him a box.

"What is this?"

Harry hadn't yet recovered from the shock, so he was already curious about Sherlock calling him out alone.

Now seeing Sherlock hand, him this, he couldn't help but speculate.

Could this box contain Professor Snape's secrets?

"This is a gift your father left for you."

Well, now with his mind full of thoughts about Snape, he had indeed been overthinking.

But upon hearing it was his father's relic, Harry's expression immediately changed.

As if holding a priceless treasure, he opened the box, and his gaze couldn't help but pause slightly.

A strange substance somewhere between solid and liquid lay quietly in the center of the box, its silver-gray luster gleaming.

Harry carefully reached out his hand, then discovered with surprise that this silvery, shimmering object was actually a piece of fabric, with an extremely odd texture, as if woven from water.

"This is an Invisibility Cloak. Dumbledore asked me to tell you to use it wisely."

Sherlock smiled and said, "Although he didn't say it outright, I could see he was hesitating. I think he was worried you might use it to do bad things."

Harry didn't seem to hear Sherlock's words, still gently stroking this Invisibility Cloak his father had left him.

After a long while, he finally looked up at Sherlock: "Why?"

"Why what?"

Sherlock noticed Harry's eyes were red and felt somewhat puzzled. What was wrong with Harry?

"Why give it to me... I mean..."

Harry suppressed his excited emotions and said in a low voice, "If it weren't for you, Professor Dumbledore definitely wouldn't have given it to me."

Hearing Harry say this, Sherlock couldn't help but smile.

"Dear friend, I'm glad you trust me so much.

But I must say, Dumbledore originally planned to give it to you—as a Christmas present.

When we discussed the inheritance your parents left you, he mentioned it. I suggested he give you this gift now, and I'm pleased he took my advice.

However, I think you'd better wait until after the Quidditch match to use it. It just so happens that's when I also plan to..."

"Sherlock!"

Before Sherlock could finish speaking, Harry suddenly stretched out his arms and gave him a hug.

"Harry?"

Sherlock looked puzzled at Harry, who had suddenly become so affectionate, not understanding what he was doing.

Harry released him and said sincerely: "Sherlock, you're truly amazing!

I... I don't know how to express it, but thank you!

For me, the luckiest thing about coming to school was meeting you."

Sherlock smiled.

"I'm honored to receive such high praise from the Boy Who Lived."

Hearing Sherlock say this, Harry looked very embarrassed: "I'm not really the Boy Who Lived... You're much more outstanding than me. I was just lucky..."

"Luck has always been part of one's strength," Sherlock said seriously. "For what you need to do next, you'll need plenty of luck."

"I'll listen to you."

Sherlock smiled once again.

Four simple words, yet they represented complete trust.

"By the way, what did you say you were going to do after the Quidditch match?"

Harry asked curiously.

Sherlock smiled for the third time: "Take you to level up!"

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