"Of course I remember."
Although she didn't understand why Sherlock suddenly brought this up, Hermione nodded.
"Good. In a short essay, Poe described how the protagonist deduced his companion's unspoken thoughts from observing him trip over a stone and look up at the stars.
This is exactly the same approach I used to deduce that Professor Snape hadn't informed the Slytherin students of the questions in advance.
I noticed the subtle expressions and hesitations of the Slytherin students when answering questions, just like the character in the story who caught the traces of his companion's behavior."
Hermione was stunned for a moment, then slowly nodded. "Indeed, the logic is very similar.
Both start with seemingly insignificant details, analyzing the thought processes behind observed behavior."
At this point, she couldn't help but recall Sherlock's disdain and contempt when she had first mentioned Edgar Allan Poe.
After a year of interaction, she had discovered that Sherlock hadn't been boasting at all.
Compared to characters from Edgar Allan Poe or Agatha Christie's works, Sherlock truly seemed like a detective who had stepped out of a novel.
More importantly, he was only twelve years old.
A young famous detective with plenty of room for growth.
The conversation between the two left the young wizards looking bewildered.
Those with broad knowledge like Hermione were ultimately few.
Even among those from Muggle families, few at this age knew about detective novels and the name Edgar Allan Poe, let alone those from wizarding families with almost no Muggle knowledge.
Ron frowned and said.
"Although I don't know who you're talking about, it sounds like that's just something the author made up.
Just like Lockhart, all for attracting attention."
"Ron, I actually didn't plan to say this, but since you've brought it up, let me explain my deduction process."
Under the intense observation of the young Gryffindors, Sherlock directly explained his reasoning.
"Whether Malfoy or other Slytherin students, when they heard the questions, most showed brief surprised expressions before falling into thought.
For example, Malfoy's eyebrows rose slightly, and his eyes showed a hint of surprise, indicating he didn't know he would be asked this question in advance.
If they had known the questions beforehand, they should have shown more confident, composed expressions, not this surprise and momentary confusion.
Additionally, when answering questions, they weren't very fluent but had pauses and hesitations.
For instance, that young lady paused for several seconds before slowly giving her answer about potion ingredients, with some slight stammering during her response.
If they had known the questions in advance and prepared answers, they should have been able to answer more fluently and quickly.
Furthermore, I noticed that before answering, the Slytherin students exchanged glances with each other.
This suggests they weren't very certain about their answers and needed hints or support from their peers. Based on all these facts, it's not difficult to deduce the conclusion I stated earlier.
As for your point, actually achieving this isn't difficult—you just need to read through the book in advance."
The young wizards looked at each other—some believing, some doubtful, others simply not understanding.
Harry naturally had complete faith in Sherlock, while Ron frowned.
"'Just read through the book in advance'—easier said than done. How many people can actually do that?"
"Is it so hard to admit others are excellent?"
Hermione firmly sided with Sherlock. "Ronald, just because you can't do it doesn't mean others can't either."
"But—but you raised your hand too, yet the old bat just wouldn't call on you to answer."
"Ron, choosing which student answers questions in class is originally the teacher's right."
With just Sherlock alone, Ron couldn't win the argument, let alone with Hermione supporting him.
Although he still didn't believe Sherlock's explanation, he couldn't say anything more and could only change the subject.
He patted Seamus on the shoulder, consoling him.
"Hey! Don't worry, buddy. Hermione will earn back the points we lost in other classes!"
Sherlock raised an eyebrow at this.
Ron's thoughts couldn't escape him.
Seeing that Ron wouldn't say it but remained unconvinced, Sherlock secretly decided to find an opportunity to teach him a proper lesson.
Meanwhile, Seamus, who had heard Sherlock's consolation, said with a dejected expression.
"That's right, but it's meaningless.
Professor Snape will just deduct the points from Harry again!"
Everyone looked at each other helplessly.
What you say makes perfect sense—I'm speechless.
"Actually, I think we don't need to worry too much about points."
At this moment, Neville, who had finally successfully caught Trevor, also came over.
He had been quietly listening to everyone's discussion, and only when everyone had stopped talking did he weakly raise his hand and say.
"Last term we were so far behind, but didn't we get all those points back in the end?"
After a brief silence, everyone burst out laughing.
"Hahahaha!"
"Well said, Neville!"
"So, you want to entrust this difficult task to the Lion King and the Savior again?"
"I didn't—I wasn't—don't talk nonsense—"
Neville waved his hands frantically, as if afraid of being misunderstood.
"Come on, Neville!"
Ron affectionately put his arm around Neville's shoulders. "You should know that last term Headmaster Dumbledore gave us all those points because we protected the Philosopher's Stone!
You don't really think this term will be like last term, with another dangerous situation we'll need to handle, do you?"
Even Seamus, who had been feeling guilty about losing points, laughed.
"That's right, Neville. If that were the case, Hogwarts would become Azkaban!"
"But—"
"Don't worry. If something like that happens this term, I'll be twen—fifteen years old before I get a girlfriend!"
Ron had originally been about to blurt out twenty, but suddenly remembered Sherlock stabbing Quirrell in the back last term.
Although he felt it was unlikely something similar would happen this term, just to be safe, he lowered the age somewhat.
Highlighting his prudence!
The afternoon History of Magic class was no different from last term.
A ghost teaching ghostly nonsense.
Professor Binns was a teacher who left even the point-earning champion Hermione somewhat helpless, as he never asked questions actively.
His lectures were dull and boring, and his ghostly tone made people drowsy.
So most young wizards treated History of Magic as a sleep-inducing class.
Only Sherlock in the entire class listened with great interest.
"Sherlock, I really admire you!"
Harry turned around, looking at Sherlock with genuine admiration. "Such a boring class, yet you can listen so attentively?"
He glanced at Hermione inconspicuously.
Being able to stay awake and not fall asleep was already her greatest show of academic stubbornness.
Hearing Harry's heartfelt praise, Sherlock smiled happily.
"Harry, I've solved countless mysteries based on subtle clues, relying on familiarity with past cases.
History serves the same purpose for the wizarding world—it's like a silent but powerful teacher, showing us the development patterns of the magical world.
This is especially true for wizards like us from Muggle families who have never been exposed to magic before."
Harry nodded thoughtfully.
Hearing Sherlock and Harry's conversation, Ron immediately became less sleepy.
He looked at Sherlock curiously. "Sherlock, you only got an A in History of Magic last year's exam, same as me. Are you planning to study History of Magic seriously like you did with Astronomy?"
"Ron, times have changed."
Sherlock said quietly, "I once indeed said I would only learn knowledge useful to me, but after the Greek Translator case, I changed my mind.
In the magical world, much knowledge only reveals its purpose when you need to use it. If you don't understand a subject at all, you won't even know what it can do."
"So, you're abandoning your theory that the brain is an attic?"
"My dear Hermione, even now, I still believe the brain is an empty attic that needs regular clearing of useless rubbish.
For example, after reading Professor Lockhart's works, I'll remember his adventures but not his favorite color."
Hermione: (￣△￣)
Seeing Hermione's deflated expression, Harry and Ron exchanged glances and couldn't help but laugh quietly.
Indeed, only Sherlock could restrain Hermione.
After class, seeing Ron laughing continuously, Harry couldn't help but elbow him.
"Ron, what are you laughing about?"
"I thought of something happy."
"What happy thing?"
"Besides Astronomy, now I can copy Sherlock's History of Magic homework too! Hahahaha!"
Harry: (￣_￣)
Ron: (￣▽￣)/
On the third night after term began, Sherlock ventured alone into the Forbidden Forest for the second time.
Unfortunately, he didn't encounter the grateful unicorn this time.
Fortunately, the process went smoothly with good results.
Not only did he observe some new magical creatures and plants, further advancing his theoretical-to-practical knowledge, but he also uncovered more of the Forbidden Forest's map through his second exploration.
Without the unicorn's help, however, he returned to the dormitory later than last time.
Back in the dormitory, Sherlock fell asleep immediately.
This was also within his expectations.
After all, the Forbidden Forest was so vast—he couldn't expect to encounter a unicorn every time.
Even if he did meet one, it wouldn't necessarily be the one he had saved.
So, adjusting his Forbidden Forest visits to once every three days was still necessary.
Even the greatest detective needed adequate rest to maintain sufficient energy.
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