"Myrtle was clearly wearing glasses, so why did she still die after seeing the Basilisk's eyes?"
When the three discussed Myrtle's death, Harry immediately raised this question.
Ron's mind sparked, and he quickly expressed agreement. "Harry's right!"
"Unfortunately, Harry, glasses cannot save your life when making eye contact with a Basilisk."
Sherlock smiled and pointed at Harry's round-framed glasses.
"We can explain this from an optical perspective. even if you wear glasses and make direct eye contact with the Basilisk, your gaze can still pass through directly. This is completely different from the optical phenomenon of reflection through mirrors, cameras, water surfaces, or even ghostly bodies."
Harry nodded after a moment's thought.
Ron frowned and pondered for a long time, still wearing his half-awake, half-confused expression.
In any case, with Myrtle's help, Hermione successfully found the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets.
However, the result was somewhat embarrassing.
Because the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets was located in the girls' bathroom where Myrtle resided.
"Mr. Riddle is quite thorough," Sherlock expressed genuine admiration, "he could find such a place."
Harry, Hermione, Ron: "..."
Additionally, Gemma had commissioned Ron to bring Pansy Parkinson's handwriting to Sherlock. It didn't look very similar to the writing on the wall.
But due to the sufficient samples, Sherlock determined through analysis that the line of text was indeed written by her hand.
Now everything was ready except for the final step.
Once Dumbledore pretended to leave as he did last year, they could charge into the Chamber and wreak havoc!
Before they knew it, Easter holidays had arrived.
Like last year, the vast majority of students didn't plan to go home.
Compared to last year, besides the massive amount of homework, second-year students had something new to consider.
They needed to choose their third-year courses.
In Hermione's view, course selection needed to be treated seriously. "This will affect our entire future."
This statement wasn't an exaggeration.
Upon entering third year, they would no longer be considered lower-year students, and their course choices would significantly influence their future career directions.
Harry just wanted to pass Potions, while Ron planned to drop Defense Against the Dark Arts.
However, this was impossible.
Because the original courses from first and second year were mandatory subjects.
At least until sixth year, they would continue.
Upon reaching sixth year, if one wanted to continue advanced studies, it would depend on each subject teacher's requirements.
For example, Professor McGonagall's Transfiguration class only accepted students who achieved "E" (Exceeds Expectations) or higher on their O.W.L. exams. Without achieving O or E grades, even if one's personal desire was strong, Professor McGonagall wouldn't allow them to continue advanced Transfiguration studies.
This seemed like differential treatment, but it was actually fair and reasonable.
Without the proper skills, don't take on tasks beyond your ability.
After all, Transfiguration was the most complex and dangerous subject.
Other subjects were similar, with some teachers possibly—
Unlike sixth year's combination of active and passive electives, current second-years only needed to choose two or more new courses.
Since these were entirely new courses, there were naturally no grade requirements.
In such situations, wizarding children from pure-blood families had advantages, as their family elders could provide advice and suggestions.
But having too many relatives and friends wasn't necessarily good either.
Take Neville Longbottom, for example.
As a member of the Sacred Twenty-Eight pure-blood families, male and female wizards from his family all sent him letters, offering many different opinions and suggestions regarding course selection.
However, Neville was an introverted boy who lacked self-confidence, and the courage buried deep in his heart couldn't help in this situation.
So, these incoming opinions and suggestions instead left Neville at a loss.
Especially since some relatives' opinions were completely opposite.
"Dealing with Muggles is the Weasley family's degraded behavior; the Longbottom family should maintain purity."
"Nonsense! Muggle Studies is the future trend. Wizard-Muggle interactions are increasingly frequent, and mastering Muggle knowledge can enhance competitiveness."
"Ancient Runes is the core of magical history and pure-blood culture. Learning this course can continue the family's research tradition in ancient magic."
"Wrong! Ancient Runes is meaningless. Studying a bunch of dead letters is not as useful as learning something practical."
Under these circumstances, Neville could be said to be extremely busy.
He sat in place, comparing his family's suggestions while looking at the course list, nervously asking around whether Arithmancy was harder to learn than Ancient Runes.
But compared to other students, Neville's performance was actually quite good.
At least he was thinking.
Like Sherlock, Harry, and Hermione, Dean Thomas had grown up in a Muggle family.
His course selection method was unique. closing his eyes and randomly pointing at the list with his wand.
Others pointed at what they didn't know; he selected whichever course he pointed at.
Seeing this situation, Harry couldn't help but smile bitterly.
Although his relationship with the Dursleys had been repaired, if he were to discuss his magical career with Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia, who detested magic, he knew they wouldn't have anything good to say.
Fortunately, he still had Sherlock and Hermione to consult.
However, before he could speak, Percy urgently began teaching him as a prefect and someone with experience.
"The final choice depends on where you want to go, Harry.
Everyone needs to plan for the future early, so I recommend Divination to you—it can help you see the future.
Some say choosing Muggle Studies is foolish, but I personally believe wizards should have a comprehensive understanding of non-magical society.
Especially if they want to engage in work closely connected with Muggles—look at my father, he must deal with Muggle affairs constantly.
As for my brother Charlie, he always liked outdoor activities, so he chose Care of Magical Creatures.
So ultimately, you should play to your strengths, Harry."
Harry thought it over and felt his only real skill was Quidditch, but that had nothing to do with the courses they needed to choose.
Then he was surprised to discover that Hermione hadn't followed anyone's advice and had signed up for all subjects.
He hurried to Sherlock's side, "Sherlock, look at this—"
"Percy's words make sense, boy."
Sherlock naturally knew his good friend's thoughts, and without waiting for him to speak, he proactively explained.
"You don't need to be too nervous about this. Just focus on two points. your interests and your strengths."
"But I feel my only skill is Quidditch, and as for interests—I actually find every course quite interesting."
Facing Sherlock, Harry could easily say things he'd be embarrassed to tell Percy, without fear of being laughed at.
"Then it's even simpler, you can follow her example."
Sherlock pointed at Hermione.
"Take everything?" Harry's eyes widened in surprise. "Sherlock, are you joking?"
"Actually, I also selected all courses."
Seeing Harry's surprised expression, Sherlock played with the Easter egg in his hand, turning the smiling face toward Harry.
"Like this Easter egg, before it's cracked open, you never know what's inside. Rather than listening to others' opinions, why not experience it yourself?"
Harry looked at Ron and found his other good friend was much more straightforward.
The school's requirement was at least two elective courses, so he chose exactly two.
Harry instinctively wanted to follow Sherlock as before, but worried he didn't have the same abilities as Sherlock and Hermione.
If he chose the same courses as Ron, at least if these two courses proved difficult, there would be someone willing to help him in a friendly manner.
But on second thought, Ron's friendly help didn't seem very effective.
After all, this friend usually completed homework by copying from Sherlock.
Only for those courses where copying would obviously be detected by professors would he join Harry in asking Hermione to check their work.
So, after careful consideration, he also chose everything.
"All three of you are taking all courses?"
Ron's eyes were wider than Harry's had been. "Are you crazy! Do you all plan to get twelve O.W.L. certificates in fifth year?"
"If necessary."
Hearing Sherlock's answer, Ron was completely speechless.
'Even if it's necessary, I still can't do it!'
"Ron, why don't you also take everything? Sherlock says we can select everything first and then eliminate courses later." Harry coaxed.
"Wait until after selection to give up if it doesn't suit? That's not impossible..." Ron pondered for a moment, but ultimately shook his head under Harry's expectant gaze.
"Forget it. Knowing I can't do it, I shouldn't force myself—I'll support you three spiritually!"
Finally, Sherlock, Harry, and Hermione selected all five elective courses.
Muggle Studies, Ancient Runes, Divination, Arithmancy, and Care of Magical Creatures.
Ron only chose Divination and Care of Magical Creatures.
The four friends' choice of third-year courses ended with Ron's enthusiastic encouragement.
Besides the heavy homework load, each house's Quidditch teams followed tradition by scheduling training during Easter holidays.
Under team captain Oliver Wood's leadership, Gryffindor was no less intense than other houses.
He first changed training from once every three days to once every two days, then during the latter half of Easter holidays, changed it to daily training after dinner.
Under these circumstances, compared to other second-year Gryffindor students, Harry had almost no time to do anything else besides training and completing homework.
However, it must be said that training became increasingly smooth, or at least he wasn't getting soaked in rain anymore.
They say objects evoke memories, but for Harry, it was spells that evoked memories.
His ability to stay dry during training was entirely thanks to the Impervius Charm that Cho Chang had taught him.
Every time this happened, Harry couldn't help but think of the petrified Cho Chang, and his hatred for Voldemort would increase another degree.
Fortunately, the Mandrakes were nearly mature, and Harry knew he would soon be able to thank Cho Chang personally.
Perhaps Cho Chang could even make it to the final Quidditch match between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw.
Harry felt that if he and Cho Chang could compete on the same Quidditch field, it would be a very interesting thing.
Little did he expect that just as Easter holidays ended, terrible news arrived.
You can read more than 40 chapters on:
patreon.com/MikeyMuse