Harry, praised by Sherlock, felt somewhat embarrassed and rubbed his head. "Sherlock, these are all things I learned from you. They're really nothing worth mentioning."
"Exactly right, which is why I suggest you write a letter to our big friend right now."
"Write a letter? To congratulate him on getting this position?" Harry asked with some confusion. "Isn't it still a bit early? Sherlock, I know him well. For someone like him who can't keep things to himself, the fact that he didn't mention this at all in my birthday card is completely unreasonable. I think he must be planning to surprise us when school starts."
"No, it's not about that." Sherlock shook his head. "Remember what you said last night? 'It's impossible for anyone else to think of this.' Harry, I ask you to use your imagination. If Hagrid discovers in his first Care of Magical Creatures class that the textbooks he carefully prepared are all bound tight by everyone, what would be the consequences?"
Harry couldn't help but gasp at these words.
"He would be crestfallen and extremely sad!"
Just as Harry had told Sherlock, he knew Hagrid very well. This giant appeared rough and burly, but was actually very sensitive inside, always bursting into tears in front of them over small matters. If the situation Sherlock described really occurred, it would be a disaster for him.
"I'll write immediately!"
Without another word, Harry promptly wrote a letter to Hagrid. First, he told him about today's events, congratulating him on successfully clearing his name and getting a fresh start. Second, he reminded him that not everyone could find a solution to this book problem like Sherlock had, so he needed to prepare countermeasures in advance.
"Please, Hedwig!"
After Hedwig carried off the letter, Harry finally breathed a long sigh of relief.
"Thank you, Sherlock. I thought you wouldn't care about these things!"
"Normally, that would indeed be the case." Sherlock's fingers tapped the table intermittently. "However, if that scene really appeared, it would inevitably affect Hagrid's teaching quality. Forgive me for being blunt, but while I don't question Hagrid's personal abilities, I'm not optimistic about his teaching level. I have some interest in this course, so to avoid wasting time, it's better to have him resolve this potential problem in advance."
Although Sherlock's words made sense, Harry always felt that Sherlock wasn't being entirely honest. He should actually care about Hagrid too, right? Harry stole a glance at Sherlock, thinking this to himself.
"Originally, I planned to write to him last night," Sherlock said in a flat tone. "But I thought it would be more appropriate for you to handle this matter."
Just as I thought! You have moments when you're not straightforward too.
"Let us return to the main topic, my friend." Sherlock took two newspapers from the table and handed them to Harry. "As I said before, reading newspapers helps you stay informed."
Harry took them with confusion and found that Sherlock had given him The Times and the wizarding world's Daily Prophet.
The Times featured the same news they had seen on television that morning, with the prominent headline.
PRISON BREAK
The content was similar to what they'd heard on TV. The escapee Black was armed and extremely dangerous with violent tendencies. The public was advised to call the hotline immediately upon sighting him. Then came Black's photograph, identical to the one on television.
Compared to The Times' somewhat vague "Prison Break" headline and content, The Daily Prophet was much more detailed.
BLACK STILL AT LARGE
The Ministry of Magic confirmed today that Sirius Black remains at large, quite possibly the most evil prisoner ever held in Azkaban prison.
"We are exerting every effort to recapture Black," Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge said this morning. "We ask the wizarding community to remain calm."
Some members of the International Confederation of Wizards criticized Fudge for informing the Muggle Prime Minister of Black's escape.
"Honestly, I had to do it, don't you understand?" Fudge expressed indignation and opposition to these comments. "Black is a complete desperado, dangerous to anyone who encounters him, whether from the wizarding world or Muggles. I have the Prime Minister's assurance that he won't breathe a word about Black's true identity to anyone. Besides, even if he did tell, who would believe him?"
Muggles have been told that Black carries a gun (a kind of metal wand that Muggles use to kill each other), while the wizarding world fears that the massacre of twelve years ago will be repeated.
P.S. Black once took thirteen lives with a single curse.
After reading the main text, Harry looked at Black's photograph. The magical world's characteristic moving picture effect made Black's image more prominent. His face was gaunt, his long hair tangled, and he was slowly blinking at them. Only those blurry eyes seemed somewhat angry.
Harry had never encountered a vampire, but he had seen their photographs in Defense Against the Dark Arts class. Now this photograph of Black with his wax-white skin reminded him of a vampire.
However,... Harry looked at the photograph more carefully and was surprised to discover that Black's appearance was unexpectedly handsome. As he grew older, Harry found himself quite sensitive to attractive things, regardless of gender. That's how he could discern Black's hidden good looks.
After reading this Daily Prophet report, Harry finally understood why a wizarding world escapee would appear on Muggle television, and why Sherlock had immediately identified him that morning as someone who had escaped from Azkaban.
"Sirius Black, member of the Sacred Twenty-Eight pureblood families," Sherlock suddenly spoke as he saw Harry had finished reading the report.
"What did you say?"
"My dear Harry, I believe you should remember the case we encountered during our first-year Christmas."
"Of course I remember." Harry nodded. It was that case that established Sherlock's reputation as the school's consulting detective.
"Then you should also remember that criminal's name."
Harry didn't have Sherlock's ability to directly search for information from his memory palace. After thinking for a while, he exclaimed. "Wright Black! Could he be related to this escaped Black?"
"I originally thought so too. Unfortunately, it now appears there's no connection between the two." Sherlock retrieved a book from the bookshelf. "I think you should know that in the wizarding world, Black is quite a famous surname."
No, I don't know, Harry said silently to himself.
"After Mr. Abbott's case last time, I discovered that Mr. Wright wasn't in the Black family tree—however, this Sirius is indeed a Black family member." Sherlock handed the book to Harry.
Harry took the book and saw its title was The Pure-Blood Directory by Cantankerus Nott. The Black family's initial was B, appearing only after the Abbott, Avery, and Bulstrode families, so Harry easily found their description.
The Black family history can be traced back to medieval times, and they claim all their ancestors were wizards.
This family places great importance on blood status, considering themselves as noble as royalty in the wizarding world, while showing great contempt for Muggles, Squibs, blood traitors, and Muggle-born individuals.
The Black family motto can be found on their family crest in French. "Toujours Pur," meaning "Always Pure."
Following this was the Black family roster. However, when Harry saw the last line, he couldn't help but frown. "Sirius Black III?"
"The Black family typically names children after stars, constellations, or galaxies. Names like Cygnus (Cygnus constellation), Regulus (Regulus star), Arcturus (Arcturus star) appear at least twice. As for Sirius (Sirius star), at least three generations have used this name, which is why this one is called Sirius the Third."
Hearing Sherlock recite these details like a treasure trove, Harry nodded. "So, he's dangerous?"
"Obviously." Seeing that Harry had finished reading the book, Sherlock pulled another book from his desk for Harry. "I suggest you also look at this."
A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot.
Harry immediately noticed the underlined text.
The Department of Magical Law Enforcement established a prison on a small island in the cold waters of the North Sea, called Azkaban Castle or simply Azkaban.
Azkaban is a terrible place, guarded by Dementors, fearsome creatures known as "soulless demons."
Dementors feed on human positive emotions. Once prisoners are held for a period of time, they lose all beliefs, good feelings, and thoughts.
The darkest and most terrible memories replay constantly in their minds. Some go mad, others die in despair.
Due to the Dementors' terrifying power, Azkaban, built in the 15th century, has never had a successful escape record.
"Obviously, after nearly three centuries, the perfect record has finally been broken." Sherlock's gaze showed a hint of interest. "I'm genuinely curious about what method this Mr. Black used to successfully escape from Azkaban."
Seeing that Sherlock didn't seem tense, Harry couldn't help saying, "Sherlock, you just said he was dangerous!"
"Correct," Sherlock nodded. "That's why the Ministry of Magic is cooperating with the Muggle world this time."
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