Noticing Sherlock's expression after examining Ginny's notebook, Harry and Hermione exchanged glances, instantly realizing something was wrong. Hermione immediately asked.
"What is it?"
"It's different."
"What's different?"
"The writing on the wall wasn't written by Ginny."
Harry and Hermione exchanged glances again. "Why?"
Sherlock didn't answer, but both could see his visible irritation.
He flipped through the notebook several times before throwing it onto the table, speaking in the rapid pace he typically used during deductions.
"The line of text on the wall is one foot from the ground, which according to normal writing habits, perfectly matches the natural arm position of someone about five feet tall. If it were me or Ron writing, the text would be at least two inches higher.
The footprints left at the scene show deeper impressions at the front than the heel, indicating the writer was on tiptoe most of the time in a tense state. Additionally, I can tell these are size 36 women's boots.
The bracket hook is four feet three inches from the ground. To hang something precisely would require a levitation charm, but I checked with a magnifying glass—there are no traces of spellcasting here. Looking at the scratches on the bracket's edge, someone clearly hung it by hand.
However, the handwriting on the wall is completely different from her handwriting in the notebook.
Also, neither Ron nor Ginny are lying..."
"Sherlock, could it be that when she was writing, she intentionally disguised her handwriting..."
"Impossible!"
Sherlock said firmly, "For a person to completely change their handwriting requires long-term professional training. With Ginny's age and abilities, it's impossible for her to achieve this."
"Does that mean this incident has nothing to do with Ginny?"
Harry said quickly, "She has no motive to do such a thing!"
"The Chamber, the heir, the petrified cat... No, there are still too few clues!"
Sherlock paced back and forth in the classroom, trying to connect these pieces of information.
He questioned Harry and Hermione again about the detailed sequence of events from when they left for Nearly Headless Nick's deathday party until they returned.
Then he reconstructed the entire case in his mind palace.
Unfortunately, it was all in vain.
Under these circumstances, Sherlock first personally sought out Ginny, and after confirming she indeed had no involvement, he began searching the school for other people who met the criteria. He actually found quite a few potential candidates.
However, tracking down these people's whereabouts on Halloween night and obtaining samples of their handwriting was no easy task.
This left the case investigation temporarily at a standstill.
Meanwhile, Hermione began attempting to find information about the Chamber of Secrets.
Unfortunately, because she had helped Sherlock question Ginny earlier, her actions were somewhat delayed.
When she arrived at the library, she was told that all copies of "Hogwarts. A History" had been borrowed.
"The waiting list for borrowers extends two weeks out," Hermione said irritably one afternoon when they had no classes. "Oh, I really wish I hadn't left my copy at home, but my trunk was already stuffed with so many of Lockhart's thick books, there was no room for it."
"Ah! How could you possibly abandon Professor Lockhart's books?"
Although Professor Lockhart had now proven his expertise, Ron still greatly disliked his classroom manner, so he couldn't resist mocking him whenever the opportunity arose.
Hermione ignored this comment and turned to Sherlock. "Sherlock, do you have any way to get this book?"
Sherlock put away the Halloween cards he had obtained through special means, which contained handwriting samples from several suspects. "With all due respect, Hermione, I don't think your chances of finding the Chamber through that book are very high."
"Why?" Hermione asked, puzzled. "Have you already read the book?"
"Not exactly, but since all the books have been borrowed out yet no information about the Chamber has circulated, that already tells us something.
Besides, you said the Chamber's story is a legend, and perhaps the book's author didn't include legendary events in the text."
"But..."
"However, if you really want to read it, I could get you a copy."
Under Hermione's hopeful gaze, Sherlock said slowly.
"I heard from Gemma a couple days ago that she also borrowed a copy and probably hasn't returned it yet."
Hermione's smile immediately froze.
"Gemma? You mean Gemma Farley?"
"Of course it's her," Sherlock looked at Hermione with some confusion, "You seem very surprised?"
"Uh... I just didn't expect your relationship with her had become so close, especially since she's a Slytherin."
"Hermione, I've told you before that people like Gemma Farley are true Slytherins."
"Exactly! Percy told me too that although he really dislikes Slytherins, Prefect Farley is an exception."
Ron suddenly seemed to remember something and exclaimed.
"Oh right, Sherlock! On Halloween night, when Prefect Farley came to find you, wasn't it about this matter?"
Hermione: (°ー°〃)
"Not at all. She only borrowed the book after this incident occurred."
"I see."
"Wait, hold on. You're saying... on Halloween evening, Farley came looking for Sherlock."
"Yes, is there a problem?"
Ron looked at Hermione with confusion. "Prefect Farley found Sherlock and said she had something to discuss with him—hasn't this happened before?"
Sherlock also looked at Hermione with confusion. "Yes, what's the problem?"
Only Harry vaguely sensed where the issue lay.
However, he wisely chose not to speak up at this moment.
"You... never mind, there's no problem!"
Hermione had originally intended to say something, but looking at Sherlock and Ron's expressions, she ultimately gave up.
They acted immediately.
Sherlock wrote a letter and had Watson deliver it to Gemma.
In less than ten minutes, Watson returned triumphantly with "Hogwarts. A History."
Naturally, the book came with Gemma's reply.
Dear Sherlock.
Watson's speed is always remarkable—it seems the rapport between you two is truly unmatched.
Regarding your request for "Hogwarts. A History," I naturally have no reason to refuse—after all, compared to your contribution during the chaos following Halloween, this small favor is truly insignificant.
The book is enclosed with this letter. As for the return date, I trust that given your character, you'll handle it properly once matters become clear, without being bound by the library's rigid regulations.
Additionally, should Prefect Weasley deliver any more speeches about "Slytherin exceptions" to little Weasley, please remind him—my prefect badge isn't meant for Gryffindor honor students to wipe their noses with.
Wishing you success in your investigation.
Gemma Farley
At the end of the ink, she had drawn a simple snake with its tail curled around what looked like a very familiar Galleon.
When Sherlock read the letter, the three friends leaned in simultaneously—as long as Sherlock didn't refuse, it meant he allowed them to observe.
After reading the letter, Ron couldn't help but exclaim. "Sherlock, did you just tell Prefect Farley what Percy said about her?"
"I didn't," Sherlock shook his head, "but it's not hard to deduce."
"Why... never mind, I won't ask."
Harry looked at the book with amazement.
"Good heavens, no wonder people haven't found information about the Chamber after borrowing the book.
This book is incredibly thick—even the table of contents has so many pages!"
Only Hermione had a complicated expression. After a moment of silence, she spoke slowly with barely detectable strangeness in her voice.
"So, your friendship with Prefect Farley has become this deep?"
This time, even the usually oblivious Ron heard the oddness in Hermione's tone.
He instinctively looked toward Harry, only to find Harry looking back at him.
The two friends' eyes met, instantly understanding each other.
'Don't say a word!'
Sherlock paused slightly, glancing at Hermione with surprise, not understanding why she suddenly posed such a question.
"Hermione, the depth of friendship is always relative.
Compared to most people at Hogwarts, Gemma and I are naturally closer.
But in front of you close friends, my relationship with her isn't particularly good.
To me, she at least understands better than some professors that a prefect badge isn't just a key to the prefect's bathroom—it also means greater responsibility.
As for you, I think you'd do better to look elsewhere, to explore the Chamber's legend, rather than dwelling on old ground."
Hearing Sherlock's response, both Harry and Ron breathed sighs of relief.
Hermione wasn't entirely satisfied with this answer, but she understood that getting such a direct response was already quite something.
She collected herself, pushing aside those unnecessary thoughts, and pressed on. "Why should I look for the Chamber's legend in a different direction?"
"The logical chain is clear enough, isn't it?
If fifty students simultaneously scrutinize the school history yet no one exclaims 'Look! The Chamber is here,' it can only prove that our meticulous compiler left the legend outside his ink.
Of course, there's another possibility—as Harry suggested, given the book's thickness, they simply haven't finished reading it yet.
Regardless of which possibility it is, I don't think you should waste time on this book. You should choose a more efficient method."
"More efficient? Sherlock, you mean..."
"Go directly to someone who knows the truth."
"Who? Who would know the truth?"
"Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, and that ghost Professor Binns who has been teaching History of Magic since the school's founding."
"I can't speak for the others, but Professor McGonagall definitely won't tell us."
"Really? Last time Professor McGonagall even argued with Snape on my behalf, saying I shouldn't be removed from the Quidditch team. She should be even better to you, right?"
"You're wrong, Harry. Last term when I specifically went to see her about Quirrell and the Philosopher's Stone, she told me not to say things that weren't good for the group."
"Maybe she really doesn't know? Hermione, I don't think you should suspect a professor like this..."
"Harry, that doesn't sound like something you'd say."
"I'm just being honest!"
"You're starting to sound more and more like Sherlock—but even so, you can see her attitude from this incident. I don't recommend continuing to approach her."
"Then... should we ask Professor Dumbledore? Didn't he just tell Snape the day before yesterday, 'Severus, I am the headmaster'?"
"Ron, this isn't the time for jokes."
"I'm not joking—he really said that!"
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