[{"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-4":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},1879644,2495,"Chapter 4: 004 The Diagon Alley","hp-i-am-sherlock-holmes-chapter-4",4,"\u003Cp>The ability to see through phenomena to essence, to discover truth in minute details, is certainly a talent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it must also be forged through continuous practice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Initially, Sherlock started with relatively simple problems.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For instance, when meeting a stranger, determining their history and profession through observation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such training might seem childish and boring, but it could sharpen one's observational abilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As time passed and practice continued, Sherlock's skills in this area became increasingly proficient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now he already knew where to observe and what to look for.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had summarized his own deductive method.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though not yet perfect, observation and analysis had become instinctive for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he were in a train car, he could even tell the occupations of all fellow passengers through observation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Unfortunately, no one would bet with him, or he would surely make a fortune.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Sherlock questioned the pub owner Tom, the latter led Sherlock and his parents through the bar to a small courtyard surrounded by walls on all sides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sherlock's gaze quickly swept the surroundings, finding nothing but a trash can and some weeds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So... the problem was with the trash can?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sherlock stepped forward two paces, approaching closely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, Tom made his move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He slowly drew his wand, preparing to do something, when he suddenly turned back to smile at Sherlock, reminding him:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Once you have a wand, you'll need to come in yourselves—remember this brick's position. It's above the trash can...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Third brick up, second brick across.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sherlock said calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tom turned to look at Sherlock with surprise: \"You... how did you know?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because only it was different from the other bricks on the wall, whether in color or the degree of wear around its edges.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For someone skilled in observation, discovering this wasn't very difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Truly amazing observational ability!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tom, upon hearing Sherlock's explanation, couldn't help but express sincere admiration, then gently tapped the brick three times with his wand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Holmes family stared intently at the brick.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next, something astonishing happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tapped brick began to shake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, a small hole appeared in the center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the bricks on both sides moved rapidly, and the opening grew larger and larger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, a wide archway appeared before them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The archway led to a cobblestone street that seemed to go on forever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to the originally dim and cramped Leaky Cauldron, this street appeared exceptionally bright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One could say that their view suddenly opened up completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Welcome to Diagon Alley.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tom's voice rang out at just the right moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was their destination: Diagon Alley.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sherlock turned around to see the archway narrowing, the wall returning to its original state, and Tom waving goodbye to them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That short man... he has no money on him. He should be preparing to run now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sherlock thought for a moment and decided to give a warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing his words, Tom's face immediately changed, as if remembering something. Without even thanking them, he ran back inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then they heard sounds of \"Stop!\" \"Stop right there!\" \"Catch him!\" faintly coming from inside the pub.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sherlock shrugged, withdrew his gaze, and walked onto the street with his parents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Diagon Alley formed a stark contrast with the Leaky Cauldron.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bright, wide streets, bustling shops, crowds of people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the well-traveled Mr. Holmes couldn't help saying, \"To think London would have such a place—it's truly unimaginable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mrs. Holmes nodded, agreeing with her husband's assessment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sherlock fell into thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since confirming that magic's existence wasn't fake news, the magical world's attraction for him had grown stronger and stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now it seemed that the Leaky Cauldron—Diagon Alley existence was somewhat similar to the mirror worlds of science fiction works.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the magical world shouldn't exist separate from the mundane world. Presumably, even if the city government didn't know, the Prime Minister and the Royal Family should be aware.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having such a place would certainly mean much less tax revenue for the city government.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sherlock thought to himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following McGonagall's instructions, the three first went to Gringotts Wizarding Bank on the north side of Diagon Alley.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They needed to exchange some magical currency.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, though somewhat unexpected, the magical world truly had its own monetary system.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gold coins were Galleons, seventeen silver Sickles made one Galleon, and twenty-nine copper Knuts made one Sickle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This exchange rate inevitably made Sherlock somewhat disdainful of wizards' mathematical abilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if they couldn't arrange it as decimal, they should at least make the exchange rates between the three currencies consistent!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Britain had once had the old system of 1 pound to 20 shillings, one shilling to 12 pence, since the 1971 currency reform abolished shillings, it had long since changed to 1 pound exchanging for 100 new pence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mundane world was constantly progressing—why couldn't the magical world keep up?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regrettable as it was, money still needed to be exchanged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to other buildings in Diagon Alley, Gringotts Wizarding Bank was quite distinctive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The towering white building made it stand out like a crane among chickens in the surrounding low buildings, and its bronze doors gleamed in the sunlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, what attracted people most was the fellow standing at the door in a scarlet and gold uniform.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Short in stature, with long arms and legs, a dark face, and a long, pointed beard—that was...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A goblin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this scene, Sherlock's eyes lit up—another creature from legend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you here to exchange money? Don't wander around, follow me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Probably recognizing the non-wizard status of the Holmes couple, the goblin immediately guessed the trio's purpose, bowed to them, and spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sherlock noticed the other's distant attitude and rather cold tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Tsk, still having such an attitude in the service industry—the magical world really should train them properly.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Holmes parents weren't in the mood to consider this. Mrs. Holmes even looked somewhat worried:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tarquin, I wonder if the money we brought is enough? Sherlock seems to need quite a lot of things. I wouldn't want him to suffer in such a distant place...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't worry Violet, Trust me, there's no problem.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr. Holmes quietly reassured her. The Holmes family foundation was quite solid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sherlock's grandfather was a hereditary country squire—in Victorian times, that would be proper nobility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even in present-day London, they belonged to the upper tier of the middle class.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So as long as the magical world's currency values weren't too outrageous, Mr. Holmes was confident in his family's purchasing power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When following the goblin through the second silver door, the text carved on the two doors caught Sherlock's attention.\u003C\u002Fp>",1087,"2026-06-10T06:27:23.966Z",1,"novelbin.me","dc80dd0a34afeb071caa984dcab2a6e1829e30974bad354f24af34c5dee047ee","hp-i-am-sherlock-holmes-chapter-5","hp-i-am-sherlock-holmes-chapter-3",637,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fhp-i-am-sherlock-holmes-cover.jpg"]