0094 Permissions (Big-Chapter)

"After you brought the eyeshadow back to your dormitory, did you show it to anyone other than your roommates?"

"No, I only showed it to my roommates in the dorm."

"Do you remember the exact location where you placed the eyeshadow in your dormitory?"

"I put it in my makeup box, on the top shelf of the bedside cabinet."

"Was the cabinet locked?"

"No, we never do that sort of thing."

"Let me confirm once more—the last time you saw the eyeshadow was before that Potions class?"

When she heard this question, Cho Chang thought for a moment before answering:

"I... I'm not sure? Actually, I don't know if the eyeshadow was still there before class that day. It was only after Potions class ended and I returned to the dormitory that one of my roommates said she wanted a similar cosmetic as an Easter gift, and that's when I discovered it was missing."

"Who was the person who asked to see the gift?"

"It was Alicia. She's a witch from a Muggle family—"

At this point, Cho Chang suddenly looked surprised. "No, Mr. Holmes, she couldn't possibly have done this!"

"Is that so?"

Sherlock smiled faintly. "Why do you think that?"

"Since first year, we roommates have been very good friends. After my eyeshadow went missing, they were all very helpful. Originally planning to go home, they all stayed—"

"Did everyone stay?"

"No, Alicia and Marietta stayed behind, while Lucy went home—but that doesn't mean anything! She's just as good a friend to me as the other two!"

"Miss Chang, I must remind you that if your description contains too many subjective factors, it will be harmful rather than helpful for the subsequent investigation."

"Sorry—"

"It's alright, just continue answering the questions."

"Mr. Holmes, what else would you like to know?"

"Describe your three roommates objectively, as well as their family situations."

"Alright—"

This time, Cho Chang's explanation took considerably longer.

When she finished, Sherlock immediately looked toward Penelope Clearwater.

"I have obtained sufficient information—Prefect, I need your help next."

Penelope Clearwater didn't ask for reasons, but said directly: "Mr. Holmes, please go ahead."

"We need to enter the Ravenclaw common room, preferably Miss Chang's dormitory as well—if you truly want to get to the bottom of this matter."

As he spoke, Sherlock stared intently at Penelope Clearwater, as if trying to read something from her expression.

"Prefect Penelope—"

Cho Chang also looked toward Penelope Clearwater at this moment, her gaze showing a hint of pleading.

Allowing students from other houses to enter one's own house didn't conform to regulations—otherwise, the four house common rooms wouldn't have passwords.

However, Ravenclaw was an exception.

Its common room didn't require a password, but rather an answer.

The real difficulty lay in allowing Sherlock, a male, to enter the girls' dormitory.

In any house, when boys tried to enter the girls' dormitory, the dormitory stairs would magically transform, preventing boys from entering.

But girls could freely enter and exit the boys' dormitory.

It was said this was because the school's founders unanimously believed boys were less reliable than girls.

Sherlock was too lazy to debate this viewpoint, so he directly threw the difficulty to this female Ravenclaw prefect.

Since they had come to seek his help, they obviously should have already considered this aspect.

Otherwise, they wouldn't deserve to be called Ravenclaw.

"If Mr. Holmes confirms he accepts the commission, I will apply to Professor Flitwick." Penelope Clearwater said.

Her words startled both Hermione and Cho Chang.

"Is it necessary to go to such lengths?"

Hermione hesitated slightly. "Miss Chang has already decided not to pursue the matter—"

Cho Chang quickly said: "Yes, I think—"

"I think it's necessary!"

Penelope Clearwater looked at Cho Chang with piercing eyes:

"Cho, I understand your situation very well. Your father's gift has special meaning for you, and also—"

At this point, Penelope Clearwater's gaze became firm. "Ravenclaw's honor must not be tarnished!"

There was something they hadn't told Sherlock and Hermione.

Cho Chang had mentioned that her cabinet wasn't locked precisely because Ravenclaw dormitories were considered safe by default.

But now that personal belongings had gone missing, it naturally caused an uproar within Ravenclaw House. In fact, after discovering the missing eyeshadow, Cho Chang hadn't made a fuss, worried that it would create a bad impression for the house.

But walls have ears, and the matter eventually spread.

Ravenclaw, known for its wisdom, could easily deduce that this was most likely an inside job.

Although voices claiming "Ravenclaw students would never steal" once dominated, it was useless.

Even though Cho Chang later changed her story, claiming she had left the eyeshadow somewhere else.

But some Ravenclaw students had already started locking their cabinets and casting protective charms on them.

Battle reports might lie, but battle lines don't deceive.

This behavior undoubtedly sent a signal—Ravenclaw was no longer safe.

Especially Cho Chang's roommates and the first-year students were particularly indignant about this.

Although Cho Chang was already in her second year, in the first-years' eyes, this pretty young girl who was beautiful *ahem* … spoke so nicely was clearly on their side.

So, for various considerations, Penelope Clearwater decided to get to the bottom of this matter.

"When conditions permit, visiting the actual scene is necessary."

Sherlock looked at Penelope Clearwater.

"However, I suggest that the prefect should restrain Ravenclaw students from visiting Miss Chang's dormitory during this time.

Otherwise, the already scarce clues could easily be completely destroyed—in fact, you should have come to find me much earlier."

Sherlock's words made Penelope Clearwater feel somewhat embarrassed.

Before seeking out Sherlock, she had already conducted her own investigation.

The results were unsatisfactory.

From her wise perspective, any of them could be the culprit.

It happened that Cho Chang had consulted Sherlock before Christmas.

With this connection, Penelope Clearwater made detailed inquiries about Sherlock's achievements before deciding to seek outside help.

So, at this moment, she avoided this question and instead explained:

"About half the people chose to go home for this Easter holiday."

"Is that so? That's good news for us!"

"I'll go apply to Professor Flitwick right away. Cho, let's go!"

After the two Ravenclaw girls left, Sherlock leaned back slightly. "Hermione, what do you think?"

"I also think this was done by someone from Ravenclaw itself, but judging by Cho Chang's appearance, she doesn't seem willing to continue the investigation."

"Understandable—for someone like her, when truth conflicts with friendship, choosing isn't easy."

"You already know who the culprit is?"

Hermione looked at Sherlock in surprise.

"Just a guess. Cho Chang's description has provided some information, just like this Easter egg in my hand."

As Sherlock spoke, he picked up an egg from the table, turning the side with the painted smiling face toward Hermione.

"Before it's broken, no one knows who the final victor will be.

Always remember, making deductions when evidence is insufficient is always a dangerous thing."

"So, you're going to the Ravenclaw common room?"

"It's 'we,'" Sherlock looked at Hermione, "if you're willing to accompany me."

"I'd be delighted to travel with the great detective!"

"Thank you, my friend—but before that, I need to leave for a while.

If our clients return, please ask them to wait a moment as well."

"You're leaving? Where to?"

"You'll know soon enough."

Clearwater moved quickly. In less than ten minutes, she and Cho Chang returned with Professor Flitwick's permission.

"Where is Mr. Holmes?"

The hurried Clearwater saw only Hermione remaining in the Great Hall and couldn't help showing surprise.

"He'll be back soon."

Hermione didn't know where Sherlock had gone, so she could only give this answer.

While waiting for Sherlock, Hermione chatted with the two and learned about Professor Flitwick's attitude toward this matter.

Firm support!

If he weren't worried about causing public opinion, he himself would have wanted to follow along to the Ravenclaw common room to see how Sherlock would handle things.

However, if Professor Flitwick truly wanted to get to the bottom of this matter, it wouldn't be difficult.

It's just that once a professor got involved, the nature of the matter would change.

As Sherlock had said before, wizards always liked compromise and moderation, and wouldn't go to extremes unless absolutely necessary.

Especially when the thief might be a Ravenclaw student.

Holmes didn't keep the three waiting long.

However, when he appeared before them carrying a cat, all three girls were stunned.

"That cat—"

"Could it be—"

"It's Mrs. Norris!"

"It seems you've recognized her."

Sherlock smiled as he petted the cat. Under his skilled touch, Mrs. Norris in his arms quickly began purring contentedly.

This scene left the three girls dumbfounded.

"Who wouldn't recognize her!"

Hermione said with amazement, "Sherlock, you're incredible! You actually managed to steal her from Filch!"

"To be precise, it's borrowed."

"Borrowed?"

Clearwater's gaze showed a hint of confusion. "Filch would lend her to you?"

It wasn't that she didn't believe Sherlock.

It's just that Filch's love for Mrs. Norris was well-known, making it hard to imagine he would lend this cat to someone else.

"Well, I previously treated this cat's stomach problems, so he was willing to help."

After that night in the Forbidden Forest, Sherlock had written home asking for cat food and anti-bloating medication suitable for Mrs. Norris.

With the right treatment, the effects were naturally immediate.

Now that more than half a month had passed, Filch's favorability toward Sherlock had increased significantly.

To be precise, it was Mrs. Norris's favorability toward Sherlock that had increased significantly, which in turn boosted Filch's favorability toward Sherlock.

Under these circumstances, borrowing Mrs. Norris to help solve a case was a piece of cake.

"It seems the prefect has already obtained Professor Flitwick's permission?

I notice a manuscript sticking out an inch or two from the right pocket of your robes, with Professor Flitwick's personal signature on it.

Since everything is ready, let's set off!"

Clearwater was once again amazed by Sherlock's keen observation and deductive abilities.

However, noticing how Sherlock addressed her, she frowned: "It's not polite to address a lady this way, Mr. Holmes."

"Sorry, compared to Miss Chang, your name is rather difficult to remember."

Clearwater: (－_－)

Cho Chang: (o'_o)

"My name is Penelope Clearwater. I hope Mr. Holmes can call me by my name directly, not keep calling me 'this prefect'"

"Very well, Miss Penelope."

Penelope: ???

Shouldn't it normally be Clearwater?

Hermione moved close to Penelope and said in a lowered voice, "I think it should be because Penelope has fewer syllables than Clearwater, making it easier to remember..."

She briefly explained Sherlock's theory about the brain being like a hard drive.

After hearing Hermione's explanation, Penelope took a deep breath.

'Well, at least he didn't call me Penny because it's easy to remember—'

Having figured this out, Penelope stopped dwelling on it and began leading the way.

The Ravenclaw Tower was located on the west side of Hogwarts Castle. As they walked toward the tower, Cho Chang suddenly pointed at Mrs. Norris in Sherlock's arms and said in surprise:

"Oh, isn't she a bit fatter than before? I remember she used to be quite thin—"

"Not only fatter, but her dark gray coat has also become much brighter—"

Hermione also noticed this.

She originally wanted to reach out and pet her, but Mrs. Norris shrank into Sherlock's arms and bared her teeth at her.

Hermione: (－_－)

"Your observational skills have improved, Hermione."

Sherlock noticed Hermione's expression but didn't mind. "After her stomach problems were resolved, she's indeed healthier than before."

"No wonder Filch felt comfortable lending her to you."

Penelope, walking ahead, turned back and said, "I didn't expect you to keep cats, but how can she help us?"

"Even in the magical world, don't underestimate animals."

Sherlock continued petting the cat, quickly making Mrs. Norris purr again.

"Cats are experts at tracking. With their instincts and sense of smell, they might provide crucial clues for solving our case."

"But isn't it usually dogs that are used for solving cases?"

As a Muggle-born witch, Hermione knew more about this aspect.

"Their sense of smell is more sensitive, right? I heard Scotland Yard keeps many police dogs."

"Actually, that's a misconception."

Sherlock said calmly:

"Cats' sense of smell is no less sensitive than dogs', and may even be superior.

But compared to dogs who become obedient after training, cats are unwilling to easily submit to humans.

They only willingly use their full olfactory abilities when it's very beneficial to themselves."

The three girls had a moment of realization.

They had learned strange new knowledge again.

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