Seeing Sherlock's expression, Gemma couldn't help but laugh, then seriously explained:
"Don't look like that, Sherlock.
As a Muggle-born wizard, your understanding of the wizarding world can't be completed and perfected in just these few short years.
Even many wizards from pure-blood families haven't necessarily seen these magical items by the time they graduate from Hogwarts.
The reverse is also true—a child raised in a wizarding family would be equally ignorant about Muggle items.
So, I've always believed Muggle Studies is a very important subject, unfortunately, many wizards are disdainful of it."
At this point, Gemma sighed softly, a complex expression in her eyes.
"In the past, wizards could still live in isolation and maintain their old ways, but over the past century, technological progress in the Muggle world has been absolutely tremendous.
Look at the enormous changes this technology has brought to people's lives—television, telephone, computers...
Wizards' living space is being squeezed smaller and smaller. If they continue being so conservative and closed-off..."
Here, Gemma shook her head repeatedly, showing regret.
However, she quickly resumed her usual elegant demeanor.
"If you can't change the world, then try to change yourself.
Sherlock, from now on I'll also work hard to adapt to this world.
Whether in the wizarding world or the Muggle world, I hope you can extend a helping hand when I need it. Can you do that?"
Gemma's blue eyes twinkled as she looked at Sherlock, awaiting his answer.
Sherlock nodded matter-of-factly. "No problem!"
Gemma: (＾▽＾)／
Time passed quickly. After Gemma finished dinner, her family came to King's Road to take her home.
This was Sherlock's first time meeting Gemma's mother.
Mrs. Farley was tall and slender, not very similar to Gemma.
She had an obvious academic air about her, giving the impression not of a wizard, but more of an intellectual.
Mrs. Farley expressed her gratitude for the Holmes family's hospitality toward Gemma and warmly invited Sherlock to visit their home sometime.
Mrs. Holmes immediately accepted on Sherlock's behalf.
"My mother is a Ravenclaw," Gemma said to Sherlock in a low voice just before leaving.
"My father is a Slytherin—a true Slytherin."
A true Slytherin.
Sherlock immediately understood what Gemma meant.
Not like the Malfoy family's kind of formalistic blood purity obsession.
This made sense—after all, a family capable of raising a girl like Gemma couldn't possibly be like that.
"A union of Ravenclaw and Slytherin?"
Watching Mrs. Farley disappear with Gemma before his eyes, Sherlock couldn't help but press his palms together under his chin.
Apparition truly was a convenient way to travel.
Unfortunately, according to Hogwarts regulations, only sixth-year students who would turn seventeen before August 31st of the following year could voluntarily sign up for Apparition classes.
So, he would have to wait at least three more years.
Hmm...
He'd need to think of a way to make something happen.
Just then, Sherlock's parents came to his side.
Noticing her son's gaze fixed on where Mrs. Farley and Gemma had departed, she felt moved and quickly asked:
"Sherlock, what do you think of this girl?"
Hearing his mother's question, Sherlock answered quickly without hesitation:
"Gemma Farley's very existence is an exquisite contradiction, like a Slytherin silver serpent clasp locking away a moon calf's soul.
Compared to other Slytherins, she has ground pure-blood arrogance into logical dust, using a prefect's authority to measure the subtle distance between rules and morality.
Whether her wisdom or rationality, she stands out among her peers, and being with her can indeed provide me with enlightenment to some degree."
"..."
"This child... who asked you about that..."
Mr. and Mrs. Holmes looked at each other in bewilderment.
For the couple, Gemma Farley had left an excellent impression.
This was the first time one of their son's female classmates had actively come to visit their home.
Hermione didn't count—she always came with her parents because her father was always worried.
But Gemma, three years older than Sherlock, was much more mature.
According to the wizarding world's established customs, after graduating from Hogwarts next year, Gemma Farley would be an adult!
Seeing Sherlock's earlier behavior, they had originally thought that with a female classmate actively visiting their home, perhaps Sherlock was finally becoming enlightened as he grew older.
But now it seemed they had been mistaken.
This couldn't help but make them worry about their son's future.
Although it was still early, their elder son had already set an example, so with the older one unreliable, they could only hope for the younger.
But now it seemed this younger one was also somewhat unreliable.
Sherlock's evaluation of Gemma contained none of the content they had hoped to hear.
What happened to adolescence?
What were they to do?
However, over the following month, things seemed to gradually turn in a positive direction.
Gemma visited Sherlock's home twice more.
The first time, she came with her father.
Upon learning that the Holmes family had wizard chess and that Mr. Holmes was a master at it, Mr. Farley immediately engaged Mr. Holmes in an enjoyable battle.
The second time, Gemma's entire family brought gifts to the Holmes home.
This delighted the Holmes couple immensely.
A family should be complete together!
Mr. Holmes even actively suggested he could drive them out to see the sights.
Mr. Farley was also very interested in automobiles, and hearing of such an opportunity, readily agreed.
However, just as they were about to depart, Sherlock received a phone call from Harry, who made a request he had never expected:
"Sherlock, could I stay at your house for a while?"
"Of course, no problem, my dear friend."
Sherlock agreed without even asking for the reason.
When he told his parents about this, he unsurprisingly received their support.
Originally, Vernon Dursley had planned to drive Harry directly to Sherlock's house.
But when Mr. Holmes communicated with Mr. Dursley and learned that after dropping off Harry, he still needed to go to King's Cross Station to pick up relatives, he generously told him not to go to such trouble.
Mr. Dursley need only drop Harry at the station, and he would drive to pick him up, then Mr. Dursley could go find his relatives.
For this convenient arrangement, Uncle Vernon naturally had no objections.
Learning that the famous Harry Potter from the wizarding world would be staying at Sherlock's house for a while, the Farley family was also quite interested.
So, after discussion, they decided that Mr. Holmes and Mr. Farley would take Sherlock and Gemma together to the train station to meet Harry.
Mrs. Holmes and Mrs. Farley would stay home to prepare for welcoming their guest.
"Muggle technology is truly amazing."
On the way to the train station, Mr. Farley, sitting in the passenger seat, showed great interest in this four-wheeled metal contraption.
"Mr. Farley, another wizard once said the same thing, though he was much more excited about it than you are."
"The other wizard you mentioned—wouldn't that be Arthur Weasley?"
"Yes, exactly! You know him too?"
"Of course, as a member of the Sacred Twenty-Eight pure-blood families, he's quite famous.
I've heard about his affairs—apparently this Mr. Weasley is interested in everything Muggle.
Because of this, for some extremists, his behavior is heretical."
Here, Mr. Farley paused, then smiled: "But... those who consider the Weasley family extremist, aren't they just another kind of extremist themselves?"
Mr. Holmes looked at Mr. Farley with some approval.
Sherlock wouldn't voluntarily discuss magical school matters.
But when he as a father inquired, Sherlock wouldn't hide anything.
So, he was quite clear about the divisions between pure-blood, half-blood, and Muggle-born wizards.
"Speaking of which, Mr. Farley, you should be considered pure-blood wizards, right?"
"Yes, Mr. Holmes," Mr. Farley looked at Mr. Holmes with some surprise. "You're interested in this too?"
"I know a little," Mr. Holmes said modestly. "I happen to have a question I'd like to ask you."
"Please, I'm all ears."
"If a wizard marries a Muggle, then their wizard offspring would be half-blood, right?"
"That's correct."
"My question is, if in the future my Sherlock marries a pure-blood wizard, would their children be considered pure-blood or half-blood?"
"Hmm?"
Mr. Farley turned to look at Mr. Holmes.
This question... seemed to have implications.
However, seeing Mr. Holmes's focused driving, Mr. Farley raised an eyebrow—perhaps he was overthinking?
He didn't notice that his daughter, sitting in the back seat chatting with Sherlock, had also quietly pricked up her ears upon hearing this question.
Only Sherlock maintained his usual calm and composed appearance.
Mr. Farley had already given his answer:
"Broadly speaking, the situation you describe should be considered pure-blood, but narrowly speaking, it would still be half-blood."
"Pure-blood is divided into broad and narrow definitions?"
Seeing Mr. Holmes's surprised expression, Mr. Farley couldn't help but show a bitter smile:
"The so-called concept of pure-blood was originally proposed by a famous wizard a thousand years ago, referring to a wizard or wizarding family possessing pure or nearly pure wizarding bloodlines.
A thousand years later, in the magical world, there are still quite a number of wizards who maintain this understanding—true pure-blood means never having any Muggles appear in the family tree.
In fact, I believe this notion is completely self-deceptive."
"Oh?"
Mr. Holmes was obviously interested. "I'd like to hear more."
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