Just a Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor

Harry's Occlumency learning was proceeding in an orderly manner.

His talent in magic is actually very high, otherwise he wouldn't have learned the Patronus Charm in less than a semester.

Therefore, Sherlock's teaching was not difficult and did not add much pressure to him.

Time flies by quickly and it’s already December.

The conflict between Aurors and Death Eaters in the wizarding world has been fully revealed.

This makes many older wizards feel like they have returned to the magic world in the 1970s, when the situation was so turbulent.

Almost all wizards who are not pure in blood are in danger. In the past three months, the number of Muggle wizards persecuted by Death Eaters has exceeded double digits.

This made the atmosphere in the magic world even more tense.

Scrimgeour did not sit still and actively directed the Aurors to launch operations. During this period, there were several small-scale battles with the Death Eaters.

Both sides have their own victories and defeats, and the current situation is still anxious and unclear.

Compared to the outside world, the past three months in Hogwarts can be said to have been much calmer.

Harry even felt that this year could be the calmest year since he entered Hogwarts.

In addition to regular classes every day, he had to learn Occlumency from Sherlock, so he was no longer bothered by anything else.

Hogwarts Castle, which has always had problems in previous years, has become the only pure land in the wizarding world this year.

It was under this situation that Sherlock received a new mission from Dumbledore.

On the first weekend of December, after today's after-school Occlumency teaching, Sherlock said to Harry.

"You won't come tomorrow. The classes will be suspended for one day. I have something to do and I may not be able to make it back in the evening."

Harry became very interested in what Sherlock was going to do, but he still refrained from expressing this interest.

After a long period of instruction from Sherlock, he at least already knew the principle of "ask less about adults' matters and speak more about your own questions".

After Harry left, Sherlock also got up and walked out of his office, and went to the principal's office to find Dumbledore.

"Badley Barberton Village, this is the hiding place where I recently found him. He has been rented to live in a Muggle's home, so as to provide him with some small sense of security."

As soon as he entered, Dumbledore spoke first.

Sherlock sat down opposite him, with a confused expression on his face.

"Why are you so sure, Professor, that it was he who taught the Horcruxes to Voldemort?"

Whenever he asked a question, Dumbledore was never stingy with his answers.

"You have been in contact with Horace several times, and he helped you not long ago, but you know nothing about him, Sherlock."

"He likes to communicate and contact with prestigious and talented people. When he was the dean of Slytherin, he once founded a 'Slug Club'. Those who can join it either have a prominent family background or are extremely talented. People, and those mediocre students, he may not even be able to remember their names.”

"It is precisely because of this that Tom Riddle, who was extremely talented in magic, handsome in appearance, and had a leadership temperament, was almost the perfect student in his mind, and he did not hide his love for Riddle at all."

Gu Hu

"The diary is a Horcrux made when Riddle was a student. At that time, I don't think there is anyone else but Horace who knew about this magic and was willing to teach it to him."

Dumbledore's analysis was reasonable and well-founded. Even if Sherlock had a good impression of the timid old fat walrus man, he had to admit that based on the analysis of the situation, he was the most likely suspect.

He sighed softly.

"Okay, then I will go to the village tomorrow to find him and talk to him. I hope he can give me the memory of that time."

As if seeing Sherlock's somewhat disappointed mood, Dumbledore comforted him.

"People will not be completely rejected just because they have made mistakes unintentionally. I have never doubted Horace's character. He may have some flaws in his character, but he is still a better person than most people. an honest person."

Sherlock did not dwell on this matter for too long, but after a moment of silence, he asked another question.

"Will I succeed in persuading him?"

Dumbledore's bright blue eyes looked at Sherlock very seriously.

"No one is more qualified than you. Your mother is also his favorite student. It's not just because of talent. Horace never got married. He treated Sally as his biological daughter. After you were born, He was so excited that he almost became your godfather."

"Although you have only met a few times so far, he still treats you as his closest relative, and you should be able to feel this."

Of course Sherlock can feel it.

So far, he and Slughorn have only met twice in total. The most recent time he didn't even reveal his true identity, but both times he helped him a lot.

Whether it was the bottle of elixir or Mrs. Matthew's help, Sherlock would never forget it.

"So, if you can find him tomorrow, have a good chat with him. Regardless of whether he agrees or not, you should go and meet him."

After getting the specific location from Dumbledore, Sherlock finally got up and left the principal's office.

He walked toward his office with a heavy heart. As soon as he walked around the corner of the stairs, he saw Hilke standing quietly in front of the office door, waiting for him.

When she saw Sherlock, her eyebrows subconsciously curved like a crescent moon, and a slight smile appeared at the corner of her mouth.

"I was just in the kitchen making some cookies."

She raised the brown paper bag in her hand, like a little girl showing off her new work.

Silke's character is undoubtedly much more lively and cheerful than when Sherlock first met her.

Two years ago, she wouldn't have shown such an expression anyway. Why would she cook by herself and still make cookies and other foods?

Sherlock's originally gloomy face smiled unconsciously after seeing her.

He opened the office door, took the brown paper bag from Hilke's hand, and walked in with her.

The two of them usually chatted about topics related to the school's courses. After chatting for a while, Sherlock suddenly asked.

"Do you have anything else to do tomorrow?"

Silk shook his head.

"Then come with me to meet an elder." Sherlock said, "An elder who is a little timid, but is very good to me and you."