0101 Suspicion

In Ron's view, his best friend didn't want Quirrell to return because he wanted to learn more from the old bat—even if it meant losing points and getting scolded.

This wasn't a good sign.

After all, he had heard his parents mention in conversation that this kind of masochistic thing could be addictive—

However, Ron didn't think too much about it. After a few teasing remarks, he put the matter behind him.

But Hermione gradually sensed something was wrong.

One afternoon, in the library.

"I say—you two—"

Hermione's gaze moved rapidly across her textbook. Finding herself unable to concentrate, she finally couldn't help voicing her doubts:

"Why have you been reading Potions books lately?"

As exams approached, everyone was studying seriously.

As a subject that was both obscure and required combining theory with practice, Potions was naturally a difficult point.

So, it wasn't strange for young wizards to spend effort seriously tackling this subject.

The problem was that neither Sherlock nor Harry was weak in Potions.

Although both were regularly deducted points by Snape in Potions class, that was because Snape was nitpicking and making trouble from nothing.

If Slytherin students had this level of ability, points would have been added long ago.

In Hermione's view, Sherlock should focus on reviewing Jupiter's astronomical charts and memorizing the names of Jupiter's moons.

And figuring out that satellites orbit planets, not the other way around.

Harry should work hard memorizing Magical History, carefully remembering which strange old wizards invented the self-stirring cauldron.

Or spending more time on Defense Against the Dark Arts would be good too!

Professor Quirrell had limited ability, so students could only rely on themselves.

Wait, as Voldemort's minion, teaching students was just incidental anyway.

Precisely because of this, they should overcome difficulties and work even harder.

But what was the point of focusing solely on Potions?

Hermione waited for a long time without getting an answer. Looking up, she was immediately annoyed.

Both Sherlock and Harry were buried in their work, completely ignoring her.

Considering this was the library, where loud talking would get them chased out by Madam Pince wielding a feather duster, Hermione said as loudly as possible while keeping her voice down:

"You two! Are you listening to me?"

Sherlock still had no reaction.

Immersing himself in his own world and ignoring changes in the external environment was something he did frequently.

When school first started, he needed Hermione to wake him up every time they left the library.

As for Harry, he was purely pretending.

Because he didn't know how to respond either.

"Hmph!"

Seeing their behavior, Hermione immediately snatched away the book Sherlock was reading.

"Advanced Potion-Making by Libatius Borage? This is N.E.W.T. level exam material!"

Her gaze suddenly contracted, and she simply grabbed what Harry was reading too.

"Practical Potioneer?"

After seeing the name of this magazine, Hermione was both angry and amused:

"Do you think that because Professor Snape substituted for Quirrell, you want to steal his job as Potions professor?

Too bad it's too late—Quirrell has returned!"

"Hermione, don't be like this—"

Harry said somewhat helplessly, trying to snatch the magazine back from Hermione.

"I don't care. You must explain everything to me today!"

Hermione wouldn't give Harry the chance, holding the books far away and continuing in a low voice:

"I've felt something was wrong with you two for a while—ever since Easter holidays, you've been secretive like this. You must be hiding something from me!"

Harry said irritably, "Weren't you the same? You went to solve cases with Sherlock during Easter without calling me!"

"How is that the same?"

Faced with unreasonable Hermione, Harry was helpless.

He could only cast pleading eyes toward his big brother.

Hermione did the same.

She knew clearly that this matter was up to Sherlock to decide.

Although Harry Potter was the savior of the wizarding world, Sherlock was the Lion King of Gryffindor.

Sherlock didn't disappoint her. His opening words startled her:

"We're looking for ways to deal with trolls. Using potions is just one method."

"Sherlock, do we really need to say—"

Harry had just started speaking when Hermione glared him into silence.

He immediately turned his head away, pretending to look at the scenery.

But then he realized—what the hell, he wasn't Ron, he didn't need Hermione to check his homework. Why should he be afraid of her!

By this time, Hermione had already stood up: "Let's find somewhere else to talk."

A quarter-hour later, Sherlock, Hermione, and Harry sat in a corner of the Gryffindor common room, formally discussing matters concerning Voldemort, Quirrell, and the Philosopher's Stone.

Today was a weekend, so the common room actually had fewer people than the library.

"So, you actually fought Quirrell in the Forbidden Forest?"

Hermione's eyes widened as she covered her mouth with her hand.

Harry emphasized: "Sherlock fought him. I just shot off some fireworks."

Every time he heard others talk about him and Sherlock fighting Quirrell, Harry felt like he was in a "Wilt and I combined for 100 points" situation.

"That's not important!"

Hermione waved her hand, stopping Harry from continuing his explanation. "The important thing is—you kept this from me!"

Looking at Hermione's aggrieved expression, Harry didn't know what to do for a moment.

After all, hiding the truth from friends was indeed a fact.

Even if the purpose was to spare friends from worry and fear.

However, Sherlock indicated he wouldn't take the blame for this.

"Dear Hermione, if you remember what I said to you last time, you'd understand you shouldn't blame us like this."

"Huh?" Hermione was stunned. "Last time? Which time?"

"I once said that Quirrell would soon return to teach us."

"That was—"

Hermione suddenly remembered. Before Easter, she had asked Sherlock why he thought Quirrell would return soon.

Sherlock had said it was because he stabbed Quirrell with a sword.

"You really weren't joking!"

Sherlock sighed: "I've said that in most cases, I don't lie."

Hermione's face immediately turned red, and her voice became smaller: "I, I didn't expect—"

Harry couldn't help but mentally applaud Sherlock.

Indeed, only Sherlock could handle Hermione.

"It's fine. I never expected you to believe me anyway."

Hermione: (-_-)

With that comment, Hermione immediately stopped feeling guilty.

"Alright, so what do you plan to do now? Tell Dumbledore about this?"

"Dumbledore? He already knows and wants Harry to face Voldemort again."

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

Hermione gasped: "Harry is just a first-year student. Having him face Voldemort would be—would be—"

She hesitated for a long time but ultimately couldn't bring herself to say "suicidal."

"Don't worry, Hermione. This is Dumbledore's guarantee!"

Noticing Hermione's expression, Harry smiled and pointed to the scar on his forehead.

"I luckily escaped once before, remember?

This time I might be fortunate again, and besides, I have Sherlock—"

"No!"

Hermione shook her head repeatedly: "That's Voldemort! The most powerful dark wizard! How can he let you two directly face him?"

"Stay calm, my friend," Sherlock said, seeing Hermione's state. "Impulse will make you lose your reason."

"If I weren't calm enough, I would have already run to find—right!"

At this point, Hermione suddenly realized: "I'll go find the headmaster right now!"

After saying this, she disappeared in a flash without waiting for Sherlock and Harry to respond.

"Sherlock, Hermione she—"

"She won't see Dumbledore," Sherlock shook his head. "Let's continue reading."

After all, they had already borrowed the books, so reading in the library or common room made no difference.

About half an hour later, Hermione returned dejectedly, having been told that Dumbledore wasn't at school.

The matter had to be dropped.

However, Hermione wasn't planning to give up.

For the next several days, whenever she had time, she went looking for Dumbledore.

But Dumbledore was either in meetings or conducting research, and she couldn't find him at all.

Even if she weren't one of the academic stars among the new students, an outstanding student representative, it wouldn't be easy to meet McGonagall, the deputy headmaster, every time she wanted to.

When Hermione once again told McGonagall she wanted to find Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall finally asked:

"Miss Granger, you must understand that Professor Dumbledore is a very great wizard.

He's extremely busy (*sighs* in her heart) with numerous responsibilities that require his personal arrangement and deployment. So, what exactly do you need to tell him in person?"

Hermione was speechless.

She wasn't sure whether she should tell McGonagall about the agreement between Dumbledore, Sherlock, and Harry.

Seeing Hermione's hesitation, Professor McGonagall sighed:

"Miss Granger, although you're close to Holmes and Potter, I know in my heart that you're different from them."

Hermione looked up in surprise.

"I admit that both Holmes and Potter are excellent, especially Mr. Holmes, who has remarkably keen observation skills."

At this point, Professor McGonagall's expression became somewhat unpleasant.

The incidents on Halloween, Christmas, and Easter had demonstrated Holmes's talents, but also made her gradually realize something.

During that first Transfiguration class, this little rascal had very likely already seen through her disguise!

Under those circumstances, he actually picked her up and petted her.

That was really too much!

But now that so much time had passed, it was too late to punish him—besides, she had no evidence.

Professor McGonagall wasn't like Snape; she wouldn't do such vindictive things.

With this in mind, she spoke earnestly to Hermione:

"You're a studious, rule-abiding, and hardworking good child, a true Gryffindor. With final exams approaching, you must focus on your studies and not waste time on meaningless matters."

Hermione (-_-)

Of course, studies should come first. Hermione hugged her books and nodded—but today she still needed to go to the library to research information about trolls.

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