[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-hp-i-am-sherlock-holmes":3,"chapter-hp-i-am-sherlock-holmes-hp-i-am-sherlock-holmes-chapter-398":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","HP: I AM SHERLOCK HOLMES",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1880225,2495,"Chapter 398: 0398 Questions","hp-i-am-sherlock-holmes-chapter-398",398,"\u003Cp>Harry felt he'd been busy to the point where his feet barely touched the ground lately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fire in the Gryffindor common room fireplace crackled, making his dark circles appear even more prominent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the Quidditch match, he had to suspend his morning training sessions with Sherlock once again—he'd already lost count of how many times this had happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He scratched irritably at his messy black hair. It wasn't that he wanted to slack off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was just that he felt his energy was like the potion in Seamus's cauldron, unknowingly draining out through the burned-through bottom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were only seven days in a week, and now five evenings were spent at the Quidditch pitch, where the wooden broomstick handle left shallow red marks on his palms every time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One evening was spent with Professor Lupin practicing the Patronus Charm, the silver mist always flickering uncertainly at his wand tip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The last evening had to be devoted to battling mountains of homework, ink drying in dark stains on his fingertips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under these circumstances, it would be strange if he wasn't exhausted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neville, who maintained perfect attendance, expressed his understanding and even proactively comforted Harry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's okay, once this match is over, you can join us for morning training again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That's precisely why Harry found it so puzzling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was already in this state, yet Hermione seemed even busier than him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After some time into the term, the reserve of relaxed holiday spirit she'd brought back finally seemed depleted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every evening she appeared nailed to an armchair in the Gryffindor common room, her table spread with a bewildering array of items.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Advanced Arithmancy lay open on star charts, her Ancient Runes dictionary had a quill stuck between its pages, Muggle Studies diagrams sat beside rolls of parchment covered in tiny, ant-like handwriting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her fingers constantly hovered above the parchment, her whole being in a state of extreme irritability. Aside from occasionally speaking in low tones with Sherlock, she barely acknowledged anyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Harry withdrew his gaze, his shoulders slumped unconsciously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He really couldn't understand why Hermione was pushing herself like this, but he had his own problems to deal with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The essay Professor Snape had assigned on Twelve Disguising Forms of Undetectable Potions had parchment edges that were already fraying from his grip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although Harry was grateful for Professor Snape providing him chocolate during the public trial, this did absolutely nothing to diminish his loathing for this essay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Incidentally, shortly after term began, the reporter Rita Skeeter—who had published that article titled Potions Master and Returning Hero Stage Custody Battle—actually printed an apology in the Daily Prophet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She claimed her numerous viewpoints in that previous article were purely subjective speculation without solid evidence to support them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, Potions Master Severus Snape and the Boy Who Lived Harry Potter had a normal teacher-student relationship, and there was no competition whatsoever with the triumphant hero Sirius Black.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She asked everyone to forgive the misunderstanding caused, and so on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gang all speculated whether Snape had gone to threaten or bribe Rita Skeeter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, why would she eat her words and slap her own face?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A classmate named Yuri Lane even boldly proposed a hypothesis—Snape must have gone and poisoned her!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Sherlock, he just smiled knowingly at this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How on earth does she do it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noticing Harry's gaze, Ron couldn't help muttering quietly, \"I genuinely don't understand how she manages to attend all her classes?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Hermione's face was almost completely hidden behind a precarious stack of books.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hard cover of Unfogging the Future leaned diagonally on How Muggles Invented the Light Bulb, with strands of brown hair poking out from between the book spines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her cheeks bore an unhealthy flush, and the shadows under her eyes were even darker than Harry's.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In contrast, Sherlock sat beside her, fingers dancing over the solar system activity model they'd bought together in Diagon Alley, occasionally taking a small sip from the hip flask, he pulled from his pocket after some time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One full of vitality, one increasingly haggard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the two sat together, forming an even starker contrast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ron continued in a lowered voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just this morning, I heard her talking with Professor Vector—you know, the witch who teaches you Arithmancy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were actually discussing yesterday's lesson, but Hermione couldn't possibly have attended class!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You see, at that time she was with us in Hagrid's Care of Magical Creatures class!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also, Ernie Macmillan told me Hermione has never missed a single Muggle Studies lesson.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But half of them conflict with Divination class times, and the amazing thing is, she's with us for every Divination class!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry's quill scratched a crooked line across the parchment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn't have time to puzzle over Hermione's inexplicable schedule right now. Professor Snape's essay deadline was approaching fast, and he really needed to finish it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, he directly offered a suggestion. \"Why don't you just ask Sherlock? He definitely knows the answer!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You think I haven't asked!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ron said irritably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He'd specifically gone over to Sherlock and Hermione's side just now, but barely got started before Hermione snapped at him and drove him away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This left him quite depressed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hermione wasn't like this anymore, so why had she suddenly become this way again?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If that's the case, she must have some secret,\" Harry said, putting down his quill and rubbing his aching wrist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But we're friends!\" Ron said miserably. \"She shouldn't be hiding things from us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Everyone at Hogwarts has secrets, my friend,\" Harry sighed. \"Since she doesn't want to say, let's just leave it alone.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ron's eyes widened suddenly. \"You're copying Sherlock's way of speaking again!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry raised an eyebrow. \"I am not.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You are!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am not!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You are!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Please, my dear Ron,\" Harry pulled the parchment closer, ink spreading into a small blot on the paper, \"I still have homework to finish. Could you please not talk to me for now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fine, fine, fine, you're starting to find me annoying just like Hermione does. I'll go, I'll go, okay?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry: ...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tail end of January slipped quietly away, and February arrived with equally biting cold winds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow outside the castle froze solid as stone slabs, icicles hung from the eaves like crystal spears, reflecting the pale skylight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cold wind whistled through cracks in the corridors, sounding like countless invisible hands pounding on the windows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the Quidditch match against Ravenclaw approached day by day, the atmosphere in the castle seemed affected by the weather, growing increasingly tense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Weasley twins pulled a stunt—on the Gryffindor common room notice board, a countdown parchment was fixed with a spell, the numbers updating automatically each morning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry poured his main energy into Quidditch training, sweat soaking his team uniform, quickly crystallizing into tiny ice crystals in the cold wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps due to this shift in focus, his anti-Dementor training lessons became bumpy as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the following several lessons, when the Boggart transformed into a Dementor and drifted toward him with its rotting stench, he fainted twice more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry was angry with himself. Even though Sherlock had already spoken to him about it, he still secretly longed to hear his parents' voices again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Later, after painful soul-searching, he made up his mind, and this stopped happening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even so, the practice results weren't ideal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because whenever the Boggart-turned-Dementor advanced on him, even with all his might he could only produce a vague silvery-white shadow—call it a Patronus, for lack of a better term.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this Patronus was too weak, nowhere near strong enough to drive away the Dementor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It merely hung there like a semi-transparent cloud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry had already exhausted all his energy just keeping it from disappearing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet it still just hung there like a semi-transparent cloud, its edges constantly dissipating and reforming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're expecting too much of yourself!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the fourth week's training session, Professor Lupin lowered his wand, his expression serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For a thirteen-year-old wizard, an incorporeal Patronus is already a very remarkable achievement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, you're not fainting anymore, are you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I thought a Patronus was supposed to drive away Dementors,\" Harry said dejectedly, \"like you did on the train.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A true Patronus can indeed do that,\" Lupin said, \"but you can't manage that yet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps sensing he'd been too stern, Lupin's tone softened somewhat, speaking as gently as possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Harry, I'm not just trying to make you feel better. For two thirteen-year-old wizards, this is truly remarkable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm fourteen,\" Sherlock interjected from the side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His birthday was in January, while Harry's was in July.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Even at fourteen, it's remarkable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lupin paused, then smiled and shook his head, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness. \"You've already made tremendous progress in a very short time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, clearing his throat as if organizing his thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It seems you still don't have sufficient understanding of the Patronus Charm's difficulty. Let me explain again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In your fifth-year O.W.L. exams, the Defense Against the Dark Arts curriculum won't include this spell at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If anyone can cast it, they'll definitely receive substantial bonus points—even just an indistinct Patronus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even for most adult wizards, being able to summon a incorporeal Patronus is considered a mark of superior magical ability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even at Hogwarts, only the headmaster and the four House Heads can successfully summon complete Patronuses.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And you, Professor,\" Harry said immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Compared to the other professors, I'm nothing worth mentioning.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lupin waved his hand dismissively, his tone modest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to Harry's incorporeal Patronus, the one Sherlock summoned had a much clearer form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least you could make out the outline of a lion, its silver mane floating slightly in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, since Sherlock was practicing using Harry's fear of Dementors, the situation was somewhat troublesome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as he cast the Patronus Charm, the Boggart would transform into a paralyzed Sherlock, sitting in a wheelchair drooling, eyes vacant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then casting the Boggart-specific spell \"Riddikulus,\" the paralyzed Sherlock would become a spirited Sherlock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, he didn't know whether his summoned Patronus could actually dispel Dementors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even if it can't dispel them, with your current level you can temporarily control them,\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Professor Lupin said. \"I have complete confidence in you both.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that Professor Lupin didn't seem to be consoling them, and glancing at Sherlock who gave him an affirmative look, Harry finally relaxed, his tense shoulders easing somewhat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"All right, I see you haven't been to Hogsmeade this month, so I brought you some goodies from the Three Broomsticks,\" he said, pulling three amber bottles from his briefcase.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Excellent, it's Butterbeer!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry said without hesitation upon seeing them. \"I love this stuff!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sherlock tilted his head. \"I still prefer brandy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brandy has too high an alcohol content, this is more suitable for us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lupin said, handing the Butterbeers to them before raising his glass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well then—let's wish for Gryffindor to defeat Ravenclaw!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After saying this, he suddenly realized something was wrong and quickly added.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Er—as a professor I shouldn't show favoritism, so let's wish for both Gryffindor and Ravenclaw to give their all!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although Sherlock said he preferred brandy, Butterbeer was indeed quite good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three chatted while drinking their beers, and once they'd finished, Professor Lupin stood up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"All right, that's it for today. Harry, I'm afraid you'll have to return to the dormitory alone today.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry looked up with some surprise. \"Why?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Albus asked me to bring Sherlock to him after today's training ends.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Dumbledore wants Sherlock?\" Harry's eyes widened further; his tone full of surprise. \"Why?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don't know either,\" Lupin shook his head, spreading his hands to show he was uninformed. \"He didn't tell me the specific reason.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry looked at Sherlock somewhat nervously, but the latter gave him a slight smile, his expression calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's all right, my friend. I think I already know why Dumbledore wants to see me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry asked the same question for the third time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Professor Lupin looked at Sherlock curiously, a trace of inquiry flashing in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He too wanted to know the reason for the headmaster's sudden summons of this boy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn't lied—Dumbledore had merely asked him to bring Sherlock to the headmaster's office after today's training ended, without telling him why.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Sherlock was saying he already knew?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Remember what I told you on the train at the end of second year, my dear Harry,\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sherlock's eyes gleamed. \"The matter delayed by the Prisoner of Azkaban's appearance is finally about to begin!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You can read more than 40 chapters on:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>patreon.com\u002FMikeyMuse\u003C\u002Fp>",2082,"2026-06-10T06:27:24.273Z",1,"novelbin.me","61527cc68ec56494a92957b67449ee5b7cac4b9720e06e745af6a1d9629bbf7f","hp-i-am-sherlock-holmes-chapter-399","hp-i-am-sherlock-holmes-chapter-397",637,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fhp-i-am-sherlock-holmes-cover.jpg"]