[{"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-472":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},1879962,2495,"Chapter 472: 0472 The Incident","hp-i-am-sherlock-holmes-chapter-472",472,"\u003Cp>When Ludo Bagman heard that Fred actually wanted to withdraw his bet, he, who had been excitedly chatting with Mr. Weasley, was immediately stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at Fred in shock, asking in puzzlement, \"Why did you suddenly change your mind, boy?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sorry, Mr. Bagman, but we just discussed it and still feel our dad is right—we're too young and shouldn't participate in gambling.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fred naturally couldn't reveal Sherlock's deduction about him possibly defaulting on debts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, he simply found a reason that appeared proper and flawless on the surface.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When we get back, Mum will definitely kill us!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Bagman couldn't help showing a troubled expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Hermione had said, no one wants to spit out meat that's already in their mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, after hearing Sherlock's words, Fred had made up his mind—he had to get that money back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pressed his palms together, looking at Bagman with a sincere expression. \"Please, Mr. Bagman.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How can you go back on your word?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Percy became unhappy. He said to Fred in a low voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mr. Bagman was already very kind to accept your fake wand, and now you want to back out?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shut up, unless you're willing to return the money to us,\" Fred said without courtesy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He really couldn't believe his third brother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Always siding with outsiders against his own family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this time, Mr. Weasley also began to help. \"Ludo, you should give them the money back!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>George is right—once Molly gets angry, even I'm afraid!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that Mr. Weasley was also saying this, Ludo Bagman hesitated for a while, but still counted out thirty-six Galleons, eighteen Sickles, and nine Knuts and returned them to Fred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I haven't even warmed them up yet...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bagman said reluctantly, \"Oh, and that fake wand...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sir, please keep the wand!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fred noticed that Bagman was very interested in their invention and knew when to stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If we really lost it, Mum wouldn't be angry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well... alright then... I'll still count it as five Galleons for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Bagman spoke, he took back the slip of paper, wrote a new one, and handed it to Fred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Here you go, George.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thanks, but I'm Fred.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What? But didn't Arthur just say...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well, we're used to our own parents often not being able to tell us apart.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sorry, Ludo, Fred is over there.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr. Weasley also said apologetically at this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Forget it, let's talk about something else, Arthur. Can you help me with something?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that Fred had gotten the money back, Mr. Weasley also secretly breathed a sigh of relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He naturally didn't know that Fred had changed his mind because Sherlock had just made an analysis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was simply happy that his son hadn't participated in gambling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now hearing Bagman suddenly ask for help, he couldn't help asking curiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Actually, I've been looking for Barty Crouch.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bagman said somewhat gloomily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Bulgarian official with the same position as me keeps raising objections and making things difficult for us, but I can't understand a word he's saying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Barty will solve this problem—he speaks about a hundred and fifty languages.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mr. Crouch?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Percy had just been standing rigidly in place due to his dissatisfaction with Bagman, like a telephone pole.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, hearing the name Barty Crouch, he became excitedly agitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He can speak two hundred languages! Mermish, Gobbledegook, and Troll...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Anyone can speak Troll.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fred interrupted him dismissively. Still dissatisfied with Percy for just trying to stop him from reclaiming his stake, he said without mercy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You just point at it and make grunting sounds.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pfft~\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several young wizards nearby couldn't hold back their laughter when they heard this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fred really had a gift for sarcasm!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Percy shot Fred a vicious glare, then began vigorously poking at the bonfire, making the water in the kettle boil again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this time, Bagman also sat down on the grass beside them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This made it awkward for Fred, who had just returned to Sherlock's side, to share his joy with his companions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone simply exchanged knowing glances and watched Mr. Bagman and Mr. Weasley chat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ludo, would you like a sausage?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thanks, I'm a bit hungry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So... still no news of Bertha Jorkins?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not a trace.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bagman said casually while chewing on the sausage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But don't worry, she'll turn up at the right time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Poor old Bertha... her memory is like a leaky cauldron, and her sense of direction has always been terrible—she's probably gotten lost again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I think sometime in October she'll wander back into the office, thinking it's still July.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Whether you believe it or not, I do.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What's the story with Bertha Jorkins?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hearing their conversation, Sherlock turned to ask Ron.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ron shook his head and looked at his two brothers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She's a witch in the Ministry, under this Mr. Bagman's Department of Magical Games and Sports.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bill said in a low voice, explaining to Sherlock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"During this summer holiday, she went on vacation to Albania and never came back—it's been over a month now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sherlock raised an eyebrow. \"Someone from his own department has been missing for a whole month, and that's his attitude?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uh... her situation is a bit special. Everyone in the Ministry knows that Jorkins has a notoriously bad memory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over the years, she's been transferred from one department to another, treated as a burden wherever she goes, and finally ended up in Magical Games and Sports.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that Sherlock was still frowning, Charlie added.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You can't really blame Mr. Bagman for not taking it seriously—similar things have happened before, and she always wanders back after a week or two.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sherlock listened to Bill and Charlie's explanations, but also kept every word of Mr. Weasley and Bagman's conversation in mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He saw Mr. Weasley tentatively suggest to Bagman. \"Don't you want to send someone to look for her?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this time, Percy perceptively handed Bagman a cup of tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ha, thank you, Percy—actually Barty Crouch keeps saying so, but under the current circumstances, we really can't spare anyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ha—speak of the devil! Barty!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as he finished speaking, a distinctive crackling sound was heard, and then a wizard suddenly appeared by their bonfire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to Ludo Bagman, this was Barty Crouch, Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation, and also Percy's direct supervisor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With just one glance at Mr. Crouch, Sherlock understood why Percy had shown that expression when hearing his name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Percy Weasley was someone who always advocated strict adherence to discipline.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Barty Crouch had taken this to the extreme.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially compared to Ludo Bagman, who wore the old Wasp team robes and sat lazily on the grass, the contrast was striking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a man in his fifties, Crouch stood straight with stiff movements, wearing an immaculately pressed suit and tie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His short black hair was groomed without a hair out of place, the part in the middle so straight it seemed almost unnatural, and his narrow mustache looked as if it had been trimmed with a ruler.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His shoes were also polished to a high shine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without exaggeration, judging solely by Barty Crouch's appearance, no one would think he was a wizard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He looks just like a bank manager,\" Harry said to Sherlock in a low voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sherlock nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, compared to other wizards he'd seen at the Ministry, Barty Crouch was distinctive and quite the anomaly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In just that brief encounter, Sherlock had already detected that Crouch was unsettled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another secret?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was one thing for everyone at Hogwarts to have secrets, but why were Ministry members the same way?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, seeing Mr. Crouch arrive, Bagman happily patted the grass beside him and said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sit down and rest a while, Barty.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No need, thank you, Ludo.\" Though Crouch was expressing thanks, his voice carried a hint of impatience. \"I've been looking everywhere for you—the Bulgarians insist we add twelve more seats to the Top Box.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, so that's what they want!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bagman said, \"I thought the fellow was asking to borrow tweezers—their accents are so heavy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Twelve seats and tweezers did indeed sound somewhat similar, and if a certain syllable was pronounced differently, the confusion wasn't strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mr. Crouch!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, seeing his direct supervisor, Percy became so excited he could barely breathe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He leaned forward, making a bowing gesture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The movement was so exaggerated that he looked like a hunchback. \"Would you like a cup of tea?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did Mr. Crouch notice Percy. He looked him over in surprise for a moment, then nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well—thank you, Weatherby.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, and the others almost laughed out loud but managed to hold it in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bill and Charlie had better self-control, but still kept their faces tightly composed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fred and George weren't so polite—the two burst out laughing, nearly spraying tea from their cups.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Bagman had said, Crouch had even gotten Percy's surname wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scene became somewhat awkward for a moment, with only Sherlock and Sirius unmoved by it all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sherlock considered such things not worth making a fuss over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Sirius, he had quite a history with Barty Crouch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the moment he appeared by Apparition, Sirius had folded his arms, watching him with a meaningful gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You can read more than 40 chapters on:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>patreon.com\u002FMikeyMuse\u003C\u002Fp>",1554,"2026-06-10T06:27:24.274Z",1,"novelbin.me","b4a351251dacc970057f18787ca085fb310669f5090dc746f9547434a160e99b","hp-i-am-sherlock-holmes-chapter-473","hp-i-am-sherlock-holmes-chapter-471",637,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fhp-i-am-sherlock-holmes-cover.jpg"]