When Ron heard Professor Sinistra asking Sherlock to answer the question, he immediately panicked.
"Hermione, why don't you tell Sherlock the answer? Otherwise, he'll say this knowledge is useless again!"
Harry and Hermione exchanged glances, both showing helpless expressions.
What do you think this is, children playing house?
If it had been before the question was asked, it might have been possible, but now with the teacher and the entire class watching, how could such a thing be done?
Moreover...
A glimmer of anticipation appeared in Hermione's eyes.
Recalling the gift she had brought Sherlock during the summer holidays, she didn't think this question could stump him.
Under the gaze of Professor Sinistra and the entire class, Sherlock slowly stood up.
"The planet closest to the sun among the nine planets is Mercury, followed by Venus, then—the farthest is Pluto." Following Professor Sinistra's requirements, Sherlock recited the names of the nine planets in the solar system in order from nearest to farthest from the sun.
After he finished, the entire class was stunned.
Professor Sinistra was also stunned.
She had never expected that Sherlock would answer this question so fluently.
After being dazed for a moment, she took a deep breath and decided to continue asking.
"Which is the largest planet in the solar system?"
"Jupiter."
"What about the second largest?"
"Saturn."
"The third?"
"Neptune."
"The ninth?"
"Pluto."
Before she knew it, Professor Sinistra had asked about all nine planets.
Watching Sherlock once again easily give the correct answer, the young wizards in the class were even more surprised.
Professor Sinistra needn't be mentioned.
She looked at Sherlock in amazement, suddenly realizing that this young wizard seemed truly different from last year.
After thinking for a moment, she simply asked a genuinely difficult question.
"What do Mars, Jupiter, and Venus represent in astrology?"
Hearing this question, Hermione couldn't help but frown.
Strictly speaking, this question could no longer be considered within the scope of astronomy.
It was closer to an elective course that would be offered later—astrology.
Professor Sinistra's unusual questioning of Sherlock was already strange enough, and now she was suddenly bringing up these off-curriculum contents, which really left her puzzled.
What was this, looking for trouble?
But there was no reason!
She couldn't help but look at Sherlock with some concern.
Although Sherlock no longer considered astronomy a useless subject, he might not be able to answer this question.
Even if she were asked to answer this question right now, she would need to recall for a while before being able to respond.
Sure enough, Sherlock, who had been answering fluently just moments ago, fell silent.
Seeing this scene, Professor Sinistra immediately came to her senses and felt somewhat regretful.
What was she doing?
Sherlock had already done very well—why was she still asking him these things?
As a professor, how could she be so petty with a child?
Sigh, it couldn't be entirely her fault; it was mainly because Sherlock's behavior had been too infuriating... She secretly resolved that even if Sherlock couldn't answer, she would still award points to Gryffindor.
Unexpectedly, Sherlock was silent for only a few seconds before directly giving the answer.
"Mars represents violence, conflict, and war, ruling Aries.
Venus represents friendship, love, and harmony, ruling Taurus and Libra.
Jupiter represents wisdom, protection, and luck, ruling Sagittarius."
Everyone in the class was stunned, looking at Sherlock as if he were an alien.
After a brief silence, Professor Sinistra loudly declared.
"Completely correct! Thirty points to Gryffindor!"
To make up for her earlier picking on Sherlock, she generously awarded him thirty points.
After Sherlock sat down, Professor Sinistra's gaze swept over all the students in the class, then she slowly said.
"Today is your first astronomy class as second-year students, so I think there are some things I should tell you in advance. Although astronomy is a subject that doesn't require the use of any magic, Hogwarts has made it a required course because it has extraordinary significance.
I mentioned this point in the first class last year, and Mr. Holmes's answer just now perfectly illustrates this point."
At this point, she glanced at Sherlock again, her eyes full of kindness.
"It can not only cultivate your thinking abilities but also assist other magical subjects such as divination.
I think you should all know by now that in fifth year, everyone must take the O.W.L. exams. What I want to say is that only students who achieve 'E' (Exceeds Expectations) or above in the exams will be able to continue studying this subject in sixth and seventh years."
After saying this, she glanced at Sherlock once more before beginning the formal lesson content for the day.
"Sherlock, why are you suddenly interested in astronomy? Didn't you think this subject was useless?" Ron quietly asked during a break in the professor's lecture.
"Now it's useful."
"Why?"
"My dear Ron, I think you've probably forgotten something. In the case of the Greek Translator, it was precisely by relying on astronomical knowledge that I was able to quickly find the criminal's hiding place in Knockturn Alley."
Ron had indeed forgotten, but with Sherlock's reminder, he recalled it.
"I see!" He showed an expression of sudden understanding, then his body shook with excitement as he said.
"Great! Now I can copy your homework for this subject too!"
Ron had long suffered under Hermione's rule.
Because Hermione never let him and Harry copy homework.
Although every time she checked their work, they would always get the correct answers, they inevitably had to endure lectures in the process.
Under these circumstances, it was naturally more straightforward to copy Sherlock's homework directly.
But last year, Sherlock's attitude toward astronomy class meant that Ron had no way to copy from him.
So, in the end, he had to humble himself and beg Hermione.
Now that Sherlock indicated he would study astronomy properly, didn't that mean he could also perk up?
Thinking of this, Ron straightened his chest, and his red hair seemed even more vibrant.
Sherlock. (¬_¬)
After astronomy class ended, the young wizards were all exhausted, each yawning as they headed straight for their common rooms.
Sherlock was no exception.
This scene surprised his dormitory roommates greatly.
"Sherlock, I thought you would always be in that energetic state!"
"I'm not Superman, Ron. I've told you before that human energy is limited. Only when I need to stay alert do I maintain that state."
"Alright, alright, whatever you say is right anyway—I'm going to sleep first, I'm dead tired."
When the others weren't paying attention, Harry found an opportunity to ask Sherlock in a low voice. "Are we going to the Forbidden Forest again tonight?"
Sherlock shook his head.
The new term had officially begun, and just like the previous school year, he still needed to allocate his time reasonably.
From today's classes, going to the Forbidden Forest every night wouldn't be beneficial in the long run.
Besides regular coursework, he also needed time to continue learning about the magical world.
After all, he didn't have the convenience of the Hogwarts library at home.
To maintain sufficient physical strength, he needed to proceed step by step.
In any case, the first day of the new year was perfect for Sherlock in every respect.
So, the latest directive was—sleep well!
Nothing happened that night.
The next morning, Harry, following the principle of being a good friend and showing loyalty, once again began calling Ron.
"Ron, wake up!"
"Ow, what are you doing?"
"Get up, let's go for morning exercise!"
"We had astronomy class so late last night, I slept so late, just let me sleep well—anyway, we don't have class until ten o'clock today—"
"But didn't you say yesterday that you'd come do morning exercises with us?"
"Did I?"
"Of course you did!"
"Well, forget about today, next time—next time for sure!"
Harry looked at Ron, who had pulled the blanket over his head, and couldn't help but sigh deeply.
He should never have believed his nonsense!
Turning to look at Sherlock, who was already prepared, Harry awkwardly called him, "Let's go!"
The second day's morning exercise content was much the same as usual. basic training, boxing, and sword practice.
However, Sherlock compressed the time for basic training and allocated more time to boxing and sword practice.
"Watch my movements, Harry."
Sherlock held the natural straight wooden stick he had found yesterday, starting the teaching from the most basic sword-holding posture.
"The correct posture allows you to attack more efficiently while also reducing energy consumption.
When beginners practice swordplay, they often unconsciously grip the sword handle tightly, which is actually wasteful.
Look, you're doing the same thing—your knuckles are all white."
Harry nodded repeatedly, quickly relaxing according to what Sherlock had said.
What pleased Sherlock was that, just as he had observed last year, Harry indeed had talent for swordplay.
After following him through the movements a few times, he quickly grasped the essentials.
He believed that it wouldn't be long before Harry would be able to get started.
After breakfast, the Gryffindor students once again joined the Hufflepuff students for Herbology class.
The course content was still repotting Mandrakes.
According to Professor Sprout, for quite a long time ahead, the main content of Herbology classes would be this work.
After all, there were quite a few Mandrakes, and they shouldn't expect to finish this big job without a month or two.
The young wizards still worked in groups of four, getting hands-on experience.
With the experience from last time, most of the young wizards successfully completed this task by the end of class.
This was much better than the previous class, which made Professor Sprout very happy.
She even awarded points to Neville and Hannah, who had performed excellently in the practical work.
The afternoon's Transfiguration class was still beetle to button, nothing new.
However, this time, besides Sherlock and Hermione, other young wizards finally successfully completed the transformation.
Professor McGonagall's face also bloomed with a rare smile.
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