After hanging up Harry's phone call, Sherlock showed a thoughtful expression.
The Weasley family had actually won first prize and 700 Galleons no less?
This was absolutely incredible luck!
Sherlock remembered clearly that before the start of last year's term, the Weasley family had been worried about purchasing school supplies for five children.
By the time school started, Ginny had to buy many things second-hand.
Of course, this was mainly because Gilderoy Lockhart's books were ridiculously expensive.
He had originally thought this year's books would be cheaper, but before the book list even arrived, the family had struck it lucky.
That old saying was absolutely right.
Everyone has their own misfortunes and their own happiness—who can say that one's misfortune won't become happiness?
For the Weasley family, 700 Galleons could indeed be called a fortune.
As for their choice to travel to Egypt after winning, one could only say that everyone has their own aspirations.
If it had been the Dursley family who won first prize, they would definitely prioritize using the money to improve their living conditions.
"Your friends are having quite exciting holiday adventures!"
Just as Harry had imagined, Gemma was lounging lazily on the sofa at this moment, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth.
Through Sherlock and Harry's conversation, she already knew what had happened.
"First Miss Granger went to France, and now the Weasley family is going to Egypt... Speaking of which, don't you plan to go somewhere too? After all, only half the summer vacation has passed."
Sherlock put down the phone and turned to look at Gemma.
Sunlight streaming through the gauze curtains left a halo on Gemma's golden hair, making her appear extraordinarily beautiful.
She spoke while elegantly poking at the lemon tart on her plate with a silver fork, her posture as graceful as if she were sitting in the Hogwarts Great Hall.
"Travel?"
Sherlock raised an eyebrow, looking at this uninvited guest. "I thought you'd be more concerned about next term's Quidditch Cup and House Cup."
"Sherlock, a prefect's duties don't extend to the summer holidays," Gemma said, leisurely swallowing her dessert, the fork tip making crisp dings against the porcelain plate. "Besides... knowing you as I do, you should be interested in Egypt's ancient magical ruins."
Her drawn-out voice was like cat claws lightly scratching, her blue pupils gleaming mischievously in the backlighting.
"I do find it quite interesting," Sherlock didn't deny it, "but that doesn't mean I must go there."
"Be that as it may, staying home throughout such a long summer vacation is bound to be somewhat boring!"
"I don't stay home all the time... sometimes I go out," Sherlock paused. "So, what exactly did you come here for today?"
It was early July now, barely more than a week since the summer holidays had begun.
Gemma's sudden visit was indeed unexpected for Sherlock.
"Can't I visit without having something specific in mind?" Gemma set down her porcelain plate and smiled playfully at Sherlock.
Even facing Gemma's mischievous smile, Sherlock remained expressionless.
"For any individual, actions have purposes. There are no purposeless behaviors in this world."
"Can't it be that I was bored and wanted to visit a friend's house?"
"That would be killing time, which is also a purpose."
"Killing time..."
Gemma looked at Sherlock somewhat helplessly.
This boy, three years younger than herself, possessed maturity and rationality far exceeding his peers. When interacting with him, one often forgot his age.
"Fine, you can consider my visit as killing time—tell me about the Chamber of Secrets."
Sherlock nodded.
That was more like it!
Even as friends, no one would travel halfway across England specifically to find him.
So, Sherlock had seen through it early on—Gemma had obviously come prepared this time.
This was quite normal, as Gemma, like himself, was someone with abundant curiosity.
At the feast before the holidays, he had promised Gemma and Luna that he would tell them about this matter, so when Gemma asked now, Sherlock didn't hide anything and described the entire incident in detail.
Although he noticed Gemma's expression seemed somewhat resentful, Sherlock didn't pay it much mind, assuming she felt he had told her too late, never considering other possibilities.
However, as Sherlock continued his account, Gemma's originally resentful gaze gradually became grave.
After finishing the entire story, Sherlock actually laughed.
"Gemma, compared to Harry, Hermione, or Ron, my description appears rather pale and powerless.
Although their descriptions are somewhat superficial and don't strictly adhere to facts and data, for listeners like you, they are quite captivating.
For instance, when I just mentioned key clues like Parseltongue, water stains, and spiders, I was very blunt and direct. If they were to narrate it, it would be much more engaging.
On the way back on the Hogwarts Express, it was precisely Harry's account that attracted everyone's attention in the compartment, and it also led me to new discoveries."
Gemma wasn't interested in Sherlock's praise for his three companions, but murmured to herself.
"The Dark Lord, a basilisk, fifty years ago..."
Before coming to Sherlock's house, she truly hadn't expected this matter to be more serious than she had imagined. She asked further.
"So, last year's Quirrell and the Philosopher's Stone..."
"Also Voldemort."
"Can you tell me about it?"
"Of course."
Gemma: (;－＿－)
After Sherlock finished recounting his two encounters with Voldemort, Gemma fell into a long silence.
There was no helping it—the information was overwhelming, and she needed time to process it.
"Children, don't just chat—have some drinks!"
Just then, Mrs. Holmes approached carrying a tray.
Seeing that Gemma had finished the refreshments she had just prepared, her eyes immediately curved into crescents of delight.
Coming to her senses, Gemma immediately stood up and took the empty porcelain plate with both hands, passing it to Sherlock's mother: "Madam, you're far too kind."
"When treating guests, proper etiquette is essential."
Mrs. Holmes said as she set down orange juice for both of them and collected the empty plate.
As she turned to leave, she paused and gave Gemma a gentle smile. "Gemma, since it's already this time, why don't you stay for dinner before leaving?"
"May I?" Gemma's eyes lit up with delight.
"Of course! You're Sherlock's friend!" Mrs. Holmes smiled even more happily than Gemma.
"Then I'll impose upon your hospitality."
Mrs. Holmes returned to the kitchen with the tray and immediately began whispering with Mr. Holmes. From their occasional glances toward the sitting room, it was obvious their discussion concerned Sherlock and Gemma.
This was indeed the case.
Gemma's sudden visit today was certainly unexpected for Sherlock.
But for Mr. and Mrs. Holmes, it was a delightful surprise.
They had never imagined that besides Hermione, Sherlock had other female friends. And such an excellent girl at that.
Though it might be unfair to Hermione, purely in terms of appearance, Gemma Farley was completely superior to Hermione Granger.
Of course, judging by appearances was shallow, but if someone possessed excellent qualities while also having remarkable looks, that was 1+1>2.
Gemma Farley was precisely such a person.
The only thing that gave the couple a slight headache was that their son's attitude toward Gemma was exactly the same as his attitude toward Hermione.
Fortunately, all three children were still young, so there would be plenty of opportunities in the future.
Watching Mr. and Mrs. Holmes, Gemma showed an envious expression.
"Uncle and Auntie are truly wonderful people... My father and mother also have a good relationship, but because of work, they're often apart more than together."
"I can see that," Sherlock said without looking up.
Gemma immediately showed curious interest. "How can you tell? Is it deductive reasoning again?"
"Are you sure you want me to explain?"
Seeing Gemma nod lightly, Sherlock picked up his orange juice and took a small sip.
"Actually, it's nothing remarkable, because you've revealed rather too much information.
You've told me more than once that your Christmas presents from your parents came from different locations.
Of course, that's just one reason. Your behavior today alone is sufficient to reveal certain things:
The thread on your shirt's second button is crooked and twisted, completely different from the neat stitching on the other buttons. This indicates you hastily mended it yourself.
Under normal circumstances, this would be done by your mother, unless she's often not around.
Your hair is trimmed very neatly, but the ends show slight splitting.
Knowing you as I do, you wouldn't overlook such details, unless the person who usually styles your hair can't be by your side regularly.
Also, your watch face has three obvious scratches, while the band is brand new.
This situation usually occurs when an old band is replaced only after severe wear.
But judging by the distribution and depth of the scratches, this damage accumulated over at least six months.
You never replaced the band until recently, indicating that in daily life you lack parental reminders to maintain your personal items.
The most reasonable explanation is that they're often apart due to work commitments, and therefore cannot always attend to the details of your daily life."
Gemma rested her chin on one hand, watching Sherlock speak eloquently, her eyes full of admiration.
When Sherlock mentioned the watch, she looked down at her own wrist, the corners of her mouth turning up slightly.
"Actually, most wizards hold prejudices against Muggle items, or simply aren't interested in them. Pure-blood families are especially like this.
They prefer using magical items to maintain their pure connection with the wizarding world and avoid contamination from Muggle lifestyles. As for the watch you mentioned..."
Gemma gracefully raised her wrist, extending it toward Sherlock, her smile becoming more noticeable:
"It's actually a Sneakoscope—a type of magical device that can prevent thieves from stealing items."
Sherlock: (━┳━ _ ━┳━)
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