Sherlock Holmes at Hogwarts

Looking down at Marietta Edgecombe, Sherlock saw that her psychological defenses were on the verge of collapse.

After all, she was just a 13-year-old girl and couldn't withstand Sherlock's, an abnormal person's, interrogation.

But she quickly began to scream hysterically:

"Those expressions, those looks, that anxiety, it's all just your speculation! You have no proof!"

"Heh—not a slow reaction at all—of course, if I were to convict you based only on this, even I would despise myself."

Sherlock chuckled softly, "Miss Chang, please close the door to the common room. If anyone wants to come in, ask them to wait a moment.

Miss Clearwater, please keep an eye on Miss Edgecombe. If it's convenient, it would be best to use magic to control her movements.

Miss Case, please work with Miss Chang to ensure we are not disturbed for the time being. Don't worry, I'll finish this quickly."

After saying this, he returned to his seat, looked at the exasperated Edgecombe, and slowly said:

"In any case, this is the first real case for me since coming to the magical world, so it has special significance.

Last time, it was the Ministry of Magic that really played a role in the Miss Abbot case—even if they didn't realize it themselves.

But this case, although simple, has several points worth learning from."

"Simple?"

Hermione couldn't help but exclaim.

The other girls, including Edgecombe, looked at Sherlock with puzzled expressions.

Clearly, they didn't agree with Sherlock's view.

"Yes, very simple. It's hard to describe it with any other word."

Noticing the surprised looks on their faces, Sherlock couldn't help but laugh.

"You might as well think about it carefully. Apart from a little help from my friend, I actually caught the culprit within a day through ordinary reasoning. This proves that the case is essentially very simple."

"If you understand it that way, it makes sense—"

Hermione said thoughtfully. She had originally thought that Sherlock would spend several days or even a week to solve the case.

"Everyone, anything that looks or sounds extraordinary is usually not an obstacle. In my opinion, it's actually a clue.

When solving these kinds of problems, the most important thing is to be able to use the method of reasoning, layer by layer, backtracking.

This is a very useful skill, and it's also easy to do.

Unfortunately, people don't often apply it in practice.

Whether it's in the Muggle world or the magical world, forward reasoning is more useful in daily life, so we often overlook backtracking.

Since coming to the magical world, I've found that for wizards who aren't good at logical reasoning, if fifty people can comprehensively reason from all aspects of a matter, then there are probably less than ten who can reason using analytical methods."

"I'm not the culprit!"

As if she had had enough of Sherlock's self-aggrandizing display, Edgecombe shouted out again:

"You have no proof!"

"You want proof?"

Sherlock looked at Edgecombe contemptuously, "I'll give it to you now."

Looking at Edgecombe, who was trying to struggle but was being restrained by Clearwater, Sherlock walked back and forth in the Ravenclaw common room and slowly began to state:

"The second bed by the window in your dormitory, the light blue bed canopy embroidered with Chinese cloud patterns in silver thread.

There's no doubt that this bed belongs to Miss Chang.

There's a magical potted plant on the bedside table. I opened the cabinet and saw that the missing sandalwood box was originally placed on the third shelf.

Although the cabinet wasn't locked, there was still a trace of sandalwood fragrance in the lock hole, which was mixed with the scent of the scattered herbal sachets inside the cabinet.

For Mrs. Norris, this was as obvious as a beacon in the night.

Next to Miss Chang's bed, there's a dressing mirror inlaid with malachite on the cabinet top, with the initials 'A.E.' engraved on the edge of the frame."

Obviously, this is Miss Edgecombe's bed—because it's the abbreviation of the Edgecombe family.

I don't think Miss Edgecombe noticed that there's a small crack in the mirror surface, and a few strands of glitter on the crack are silver Floo Powder.

Of course, that doesn't mean anything, after all, your mother, Mrs. Edgecombe, works in the Floo Network Authority of the Department of Magical Transportation.

But it was precisely this that reminded me and made me aware of your motive."

Speaking of this, Sherlock glanced at Edgecombe, took in her expression, and then continued:

"As for the other two beds, there's nothing to say. They are clean to the point of being almost rigid—parchment rolls are arranged by date, and quill tips are always sharp.

It seems to reflect Ravenclaw's typical sense of order, but the corner of the crumpled 'The Quibbler' magazine peeking out from under one of the beds seems a bit absurd."

"No wonder you didn't ask us who the owners of the beds were."

Cho Chang revealed a look of realization.

"It's just the most basic reasoning, not worth mentioning at all."

Sherlock waved his hand and held up three fingers: "There are three pieces of evidence that really made me identify the culprit."

Everyone perked up their ears at this moment.

"First, the spell.

With the help of a magical magnifying glass, I found weak magical traces on the surface of Miss Chang's dressing case and the wind chimes hanging on the head of the bed.

Normally, as the owner, Miss Chang wouldn't need to cast a spell when opening the dressing case or even the sandalwood box containing the eyeshadow.

Not to mention the copper wind chimes. As a magical item translated into musical notes, I don't think anyone would use it to practice.

So there is only one possibility—the magic was left by the person who took the eyeshadow.

Then why would he use magic on other people's items and wind chimes in the dormitory?

I can think of many possibilities, but the most likely is undoubtedly to cover up the opening action and interfere with the sound of the wind chimes.

In this case, the most suitable spell is obviously the Confundus Charm.

Although this is a very difficult spell, you must concentrate on a single target when casting it, and the spell will fail if there is a slight error.

However, if the object being cast on is a stationary object, then the difficulty is naturally greatly reduced.

Even so, it's still very difficult for a second-year student.

I'm afraid it takes multiple spells to succeed, so it will leave magical traces."

After saying this, Sherlock leaned forward slightly, put his hands together to support his chin, and looked at Clearwater with interest:

"Miss Clearwater, I think with your ability, you should be able to easily cast the Prior Incantato spell, right?"

Clearwater nodded confidently.

"Then please give Miss Edgecombe's wand a shot!"

Edgecombe's face turned pale instantly.

"Marietta, take out your wand."

"Head Girl Clearwater, would you rather believe an outsider than believe me?"

"Hand over the wand!"

Case, who was standing aside, couldn't stand it anymore and simply took Edgecombe's wand and handed it to Clearwater.

Clearwater didn't stand on ceremony and waved her wand at the target.

"Prior Incantato!"

As Clearwater chanted the spell, a flashing golden line was created between the two wands.

The next moment, the golden line split open, forming hundreds of arcs of light, eventually weaving into a domed golden net.

Looking at Clearwater's skillful casting of the spell, Hermione couldn't help but feel a little envious.

I wish I could be so proficient one day.

Soon, everything returned to calm. Clearwater was silent for a moment, then opened her mouth and said:

"The Confundus Charm was indeed cast, and—more than once."

"Marietta!"

Hearing this result, Cho Chang covered her mouth in surprise.

"Cho, you have to believe me!"

Edgecombe glared at Sherlock, "I have used the Confundus Charm, but that's because I've been practicing spells alone recently!

A difficult spell like the Confundus Charm can just train my subtle control of magic, is that not allowed?"

"Don't worry, Miss Edgecombe, this is just the first piece of evidence."

Sherlock stopped Edgecombe with one sentence and continued:

"Secondly, the smell.

The eyeshadow was placed with the scattered herbal sachets on the bedside table for a long time, and the scent of sandalwood mixed with it, making it easy for Mrs. Norris to notice.

Here I have to say one more thing, your spellcasting level is really too poor—even Mrs. Norris can detect the abnormality.

Why do you think it appeared at your feet just now? Don't tell me you think it likes you?

It easily discovered a small drop of liquid glittering with tiny lights left on the corner of that walnut table.

According to Miss Chang's description, that's the golden eyeshadow from the Seven Shades Eyeshadow.

Maybe out of excitement, maybe out of nervousness, after getting the eyeshadow, you couldn't wait to start using it in the dormitory—

Do you know? That cat's evaluation of you is even lower than mine."

Looking at Sherlock shaking his head constantly, Edgecombe couldn't say a word.

"Of course, you can still argue that all of this has nothing to do with you.

Unfortunately, Mrs. Norris can find the hiding place of the eyeshadow even with just its claws—this is the third piece of evidence."

Sherlock said as he stood up, "Miss Chang, you can open the door now."

Cho Chang nodded and opened the door to the common room, where many Ravenclaw students had already gathered.

However, with a sweep of Clearwater's eyes, they all flashed aside.

Only one tall boy was still standing in place.

He was Robert Hilliard, another Ravenclaw prefect.

When he saw Clearwater, a hint of joy appeared in his eyes: "Clearwater—"

However, he was rudely interrupted by Clearwater as soon as he opened his mouth: "I don't want to talk to you right now!"

After saying that, she signaled Sherlock and the others to leave first.

Sherlock shrugged.

Hermione followed closely behind.

Cho Chang and Case stood on either side of Edgecombe.

When Edgecombe saw Robert Hilliard, her eyes darted around, and she was about to speak.

Clearwater was quick to act and waved her wand: "Langlock."

Edgecombe was still opening her mouth to speak, but she couldn't say a single word.

Robert Hilliard's face immediately darkened, "Clearwater, it's not good to cast offensive spells on lower-grade students."

"You will naturally know the reason after this matter is over."

Although she had basically determined that Sherlock's deduction was correct through the previous Prior Incantato and Edgecombe's performance, Marietta Edgecombe was the perpetrator of this case.

But only by finding the lost eyeshadow can it be considered a real capture of the stolen goods.

Before that, she really wasn't in the mood to deal with Robert Hilliard.

After saying this, she quickened her pace to catch up with Sherlock and the others.

Walking at the end was naturally to prevent accidents.

After all, Edgecombe had just planned to ask Robert Hilliard for help.

Robert Hilliard stretched his right arm forward, with his palm and five fingers open, wanting to call out to Clearwater.

But he finally gave up.

Walking in front for the second time in the girls' dormitory, Sherlock asked as if inadvertently, "It seems Miss Clearwater has gotten rid of your pursuer?"

"Not bad—wait, how did you know?"

As expected of a Ravenclaw student, Clearwater reacted almost instantly.

She looked at Sherlock in shock. Even in Ravenclaw, few people knew about Robert Hilliard's pursuit of her, but why would Sherlock know?

"Just look at his robes."

Sherlock said in a quick tone, "The collar is ironed so sharply that it can cut your fingers, and the cuffs are sprayed with perfume.

I don't remember the Ravenclaw prefect needing to dress like he's attending a wedding, unless he wants to attract a specific audience.

From the moment Miss Chang opened the door to the common room, he looked at you 27 times, and the number of times he looked at me was 0—even though I'm the key figure in solving the case.

His pupils dilated when you turned around, and the muscles in the corners of his mouth unconsciously lifted, which is a typical courtship instinct.

Also, your attitude towards him.

It's like avoiding a dung beetle. You didn't look at him directly at all when you were talking to him."

After saying this, Sherlock couldn't help but laugh: "You should thank this case, it gave you a perfect excuse to avoid this infatuated prefect."

"Mr. Holmes, I'm now starting to believe that you deduced that she did it from the first time you saw her."

Hearing Clearwater's praise, Sherlock didn't speak, but the arc of the corner of his mouth became more and more obvious.

Clearwater took a deep breath, "Now, please show us the third piece of evidence."

Entering Cho Chang's dormitory again, Sherlock released Mrs. Norris, who immediately ran to Edgecombe's bedside table and kept patting the cabinet door with its paws.

Except for Sherlock, everyone who saw this scene was slightly startled.

"Mrs. Norris can find the hiding place of the eyeshadow even with just its claws," they couldn't help but recall Sherlock's words just now.

Could it be that Cho Chang's eyeshadow is hidden here?

But Sherlock didn't go over immediately.

He first came to the walnut table and pointed out the drop of solidified golden eyeshadow to everyone.

"It's really my golden eyeshadow!"

Cho Chang exclaimed.

Hermione couldn't help but glance at Ackerly, noticing that she was now in a daze, seemingly no longer caring about anything.

It was then that Sherlock walked over to Marietta's cabinet.

Just as he had said before, a dressing mirror inlaid with malachite sat on top of the bedside table, the frame engraved with the Ackerly family initials, “A.E.”

Looking closely, one could see a faint crack in the mirror surface, with the silvery shimmer characteristic of Floo Powder glinting.

Sherlock tapped it gently with his wand, and Mrs. Norris quickly jumped aside.

The cabinet door opened, revealing a few articles of clothing at the bottom, with books, notebooks, and some simple cosmetics on the upper shelves.

However, the sandalwood box that Cho Chang had lost was not among them.

The crowd exchanged glances, and Penelope hesitated for a moment before casting a spell, instantly restoring Ackerly's ability to speak.

"Where is it?"

She stared into Ackerly's eyes, "Where did you hide it?"

"Heh, shouldn't you be asking our great detective that?"

Ackerly seemed to have come back to life, looking at Sherlock with a mocking expression as she said:

"Great Detective Holmes, didn't you say that Filch's cat could find it with just its claws?

I trouble you to tell me now, where is the thing that was 'stolen by me'?

Could it be that someone else used a Confundus Charm to take it away again?"