0068 Return

The book Hermione planned to give Sherlock was "Magical Crime Case Collection."

This book compiled various criminal cases from the magical world, including dark magic crimes and magical artifact smuggling, written by magical legal scholars based on research and practical experience.

Hermione felt this would be a very suitable reference book for Sherlock, allowing him to understand the characteristics of magical crimes and learn investigative techniques from past cases.

After settling this matter, the three pretended nothing had happened and returned, only to see Sherlock still with that Ravenclaw girl.

Having been in a hurry to leave earlier, Hermione suddenly noticed that the girl with Sherlock was surprisingly beautiful.

She had black hair and cute face—the kind of girl who would leave a deep impression at first sight.

When she saw the three approaching, she politely smiled at them, then waved goodbye to Sherlock.

For some reason, Harry's heart skipped a beat.

"Quite a nice girl, don't you think, mate?"

After the girl left, Ron whistled and nudged Harry with his elbow.

"Uh... yes... I suppose."

Hermione glanced at both boys and snorted.

She had a vague understanding of why Harry had blushed earlier.

"Sherlock, was she also consulting you about a problem?"

"Just some trivial little trouble."

Sherlock said calmly.

On the morning of departure, the Hogwarts Express arrived as scheduled.

Sherlock, Harry, Hermione, and Ron happened to occupy one compartment.

This scene made Sherlock feel slightly dazed.

Four months ago, he had taken the Hogwarts Express and entered the magical world.

Four months later, he was taking the same train with friends from the magical world, returning to the scientific world.

Coming and going, it felt like a lifetime had passed.

The journey was uneventful—after all, at this point everyone was eager to get home for the holidays.

As for the Malfoy trio, although they were on the same train, they didn't come to provoke them like they had at the start of term.

This left Ron somewhat disappointed.

He had originally wanted to prove to his three companions that he wouldn't lose to Malfoy in a one-on-one fight.

That afternoon, the train stopped at Platform Nine and Three-Quarters at King's Cross Station.

A wrinkly old guard stood at the ticket barrier.

His job was to let only two or three people through at a time.

Obviously, this prevented a large group of people from emerging from the wall simultaneously and attracting Muggle attention.

During this process, people kept greeting Sherlock and Harry.

"Bye, Holmes!"

"See you, Potter!"

"You're both celebrities!" Ron couldn't help laughing.

Harry shook his head. "Not where I'm going, I can assure you."

Sherlock offered no comment on this. He and Hermione went first, with Harry and Ron following, the four passing through the exit in batches.

Since Harry hadn't informed the Dursleys that he was returning to London, only Sherlock's and Hermione's parents had come to pick them up.

Reaching the exit, Sherlock immediately spotted his targets.

His mother and Mrs. Granger were anxiously scanning the crowd.

The two fathers stood slightly behind, discussing something.

Soon, both sets of parents reunited with their children.

"These must be Harry and Ron!"

Mrs. Holmes was very enthusiastic. After giving Sherlock a tight hug, she turned her attention to Harry and Ron.

This left both boys feeling rather flattered.

Hermione's parents were the same—even though they learned the two boys would be staying at Sherlock's house, they still warmly invited them to visit their home.

"Jane, let the children come to my place first. In a few days, Tarquin and I will bring them to visit you."

Hearing Mrs. Holmes say this; Mrs. Granger thought it over and agreed.

She pulled Sherlock aside to ask him some detailed questions before finally parting with Sherlock's family.

Before leaving, Hermione made a phone gesture to Sherlock.

Seeing this, both Mrs. Holmes and Mrs. Granger smiled knowingly.

Mr. Granger frowned slightly.

"Hey, this—isn't this a car?"

Just then, Ron pointed in surprise at a car behind Mr. Holmes.

He noticed that this car had smooth, elegant lines and a sleek body with simple, flowing side lines.

The rear design was clean, with uniquely shaped taillights that complemented the overall style, giving off a sense of stability without losing fashionability.

At the front center was a car emblem featuring a ship's bow and sail, with "ROVER" written in gold above the sail, appearing quite elegant.

When Ron saw the exquisite dashboard and soft seats in the driver's seat, he couldn't help exclaiming, "This is so much cooler than our old car!"

Mr. Holmes was quite curious seeing Ron's surprised reaction.

After chatting with Ron, he became even more curious.

Because Ron said his father, Mr. Weasley, also had a car.

Although that car wasn't as refined and beautiful as their family's, it could fly!

A flying car—wouldn't that be like KITT from Knight Rider?

No wait, according to Ron, his father's car could actually make long-distance flights like an airplane.

That would be even more amazing than KITT!

Due to their shared love of cars, Ron sat in the passenger seat on the way home.

He and Mr. Holmes got along exceptionally well.

The two had even agreed that when the Weasley family returned from Romania during summer vacation, Mr. Holmes would visit Ron's house.

Mainly to see that amazing flying car.

Mrs. Holmes, sitting in the back, watched her excited husband with a knowing smile.

She turned to Harry, who was sitting somewhat stiffly next to Sherlock, and said:

"Harry, you don't need to be so formal. Just think of it as going to your own home."

Harry: (°ー°〃)

What! Does that mean I'll have to live in a cupboard?

But he quickly realized that wasn't what Mrs. Holmes meant.

Mrs. Holmes was a very gentle English woman, and in her, Harry seemed to see the shadow of his own mother.

After chatting a bit more, Harry finally wasn't as formal as when they first met.

This made Mrs. Holmes very happy.

A mother knows her child best.

She had originally worried that Sherlock would be the same at Hogwarts as he had been at his previous schools.

Solitary, antisocial, even bullied.

Although the bullies were always the ones who ended up worse off.

But that ultimately wasn't what she wanted to see.

This was also why she had initially been reluctant to let Sherlock go to school in Scotland.

She understood that feeling all too well.

Far from home, full of sighs, transformed into autumn leaves.

She never expected Sherlock to be so happy at Hogwarts.

Besides the Granger girl he'd known before school started, he had actually made other friends.

This was truly an unexpected joy.

For this reason, when she learned that Harry and Ron were planning to stay at school, she immediately had Sherlock invite them to spend the holidays at their house.

Through observing Harry and Ron during the journey, she discovered that these two young wizards deeply trusted and even admired Sherlock.

For Mrs. Holmes, this was what made her happiest.

Whether Sherlock would become a great wizard in the future didn't matter.

Returning to King's Road, Mrs. Holmes went to prepare dinner while Sherlock led Harry and Ron upstairs.

"Both rooms are empty—choose whichever you prefer."

"You mean... one room each?"

Harry and Ron stared in amazement.

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