"How much did this cost?"
Ron took the Rat Tonic that Sherlock tossed to him, asking while starting to rummage through his wallet.
"Didn't cost a single Knut. The rat medicine came free with buying the cat."
"Still think Hermione shouldn't have bought the cat?"
Ron felt Scabbers trembling against his chest, then looked at Crookshanks comfortably nestled in Hermione's arms, feeling somewhat aggrieved in his heart.
"Although—but—Scabbers—"
"No need to worry. Crookshanks spends most of his time sleeping with Hermione in the girls' dormitory," Sherlock analyzed calmly. "Scabbers sleeps with you in our dormitory. They won't easily encounter each other."
"Well—alright—"
Ron was finally convinced.
Hermione secretly glanced at Sherlock.
In her view, Sherlock was clearly speaking up for her, and her heart grew increasingly sweet, her face slightly flushing red.
However, because of her tan, it wasn't noticeable.
Having received her desired birthday gift, Hermione's shopping trip to Diagon Alley with Sherlock's group of four had come to a complete end.
Now it was mid-July with cooling weather, and they had no desire to continue wandering around, so they returned directly to the Leaky Cauldron.
They found Mr. Weasley chatting enthusiastically with Peasegood.
Mr. Weasley was clearly happy to see the group of four.
"Hi, Sherlock, Harry, Hermione, how are you all?"
Peasegood also greeted them.
The four sat down beside Mr. Weasley and Peasegood.
Sherlock noticed that after greeting them, both men resumed their grave expressions, and immediately knew what they had been discussing.
"It seems the Ministry still has no news of Black, right?"
"Right."
Mr. Weasley said with a bitter smile, "The Ministry has already transferred all of us from our original positions to focus entirely on capturing him, but there's been no progress so far."
"If Black were so easily caught, he wouldn't have escaped from Azkaban," Sherlock shook his head. "Ron mentioned you're planning to stay here tonight?"
"Yes, we've rented rooms here so we can go directly to King's Cross Station tomorrow.
I was just discussing this with Arnold. He said he'd drive you and Harry home, but I actually think Harry could stay here tonight too—"
"That won't do, Arthur."
Peasegood shook his head repeatedly. "My task today is to take Holmes and Potter to Diagon Alley, wait for them to finish shopping, then safely deliver them back home.
If you want to change the itinerary, you'll have to speak to Minister Fudge."
"I just didn't want to bother him, that's why I'm discussing it with you. Fine, fine, you can take them back. Sherlock's house isn't too far from the station anyway. But staying a bit longer shouldn't be a problem, right? Molly and the others will be back soon."
Harry looked at Sherlock, who nodded.
Seeing this scene, Mr. Weasley and Peasegood exchanged glances, involuntarily recalling a topic they'd once discussed—the Gryffindor Lion King and his Savior sidekick.
Originally thinking it was just student banter, but now it seemed there might be truth to the rumors.
Even more so, the bond between Sherlock and Harry appeared deeper than they had imagined.
However, since Mr. Weasley had originally wanted Sherlock and Harry to stay here longer, he naturally had no objections.
Peasegood, rarely getting field duty, was more than happy to stay longer.
After sitting for a while longer, Mrs. Weasley entered the pub.
She carried bags of recently purchased items, followed by the Weasley twins, Percy (recently elected Head Boy), and the Weasleys' youngest child and only daughter, Ginny.
After a summer apart, Ginny had grown more mature and become even prettier. Her crush on Harry was practically known to everyone.
During the summer Harry stayed at the Burrow, she would knock something over whenever she saw him.
When she officially started at Hogwarts, she became so nervous around Harry that she dared not speak, managing at most a greeting.
Later, she sent Harry a Valentine's card through Lockhart's dwarf on Valentine's Day, for which she was targeted by Professor Snape for a long time.
Everyone knew the only thing Snape didn't hate about Harry was his green eyes, identical to his mother Lily's, but Ginny had unfortunately compared them to fresh pickled toads.
However, thanks to Colin Creevey, her relationship with Harry had normalized considerably by the end of last year.
During that period, Colin, having recovered from petrification, became extremely fanatical and constantly bothered Harry. Ginny took the opportunity of stopping him to increase her alone time with Harry.
So now when she saw Harry, she could shake hands and greet him normally.
Only when her small hand touched Harry's did her face still flush bright red in an instant.
A young girl's blush surpasses all sweet words.
However, Harry didn't think much of it, treating it simply as a fan's admiration for an idol—like Hermione's toward Professor Lockhart.
After greeting Harry, Ginny wanted to say more, but Percy appeared.
He puffed out his chest high to let Sherlock, Harry, and Hermione clearly see his Head Boy badge.
"Sherlock, Harry, and Hermione, so good to see you."
He formally extended his hand as if meeting them for the first time.
"Hello, Percy." Sherlock calmly shook his hand while Harry and Hermione struggled to suppress their laughter.
"I hope you're all well. These have been troubled times, you must be careful—"
Ever since first meeting Harry in their first year, Percy would grasp Harry's hand and refuse to let go whenever he had the chance to shake hands—if Harry were a girl, the duration would have been classified as harassment long ago.
Only this time, perhaps to demonstrate his importance, Percy held Harry's hand for an exceptionally long time.
He wouldn't let go, and Harry was too embarrassed to pull away, making the atmosphere somewhat awkward.
If this continued, even though Harry was a boy, the duration could still be classified as harassment.
Fortunately, the Weasley twins came to his rescue.
"Hey, my buddy, how wonderful to see you again!"
Fred rushed forward, elbowing Percy aside, then bowed deeply to Harry.
Percy cried out in pain and glared at Fred.
Fred ignored him while Harry secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
"Absolutely marvelous meeting."
George followed suit, elbowing Fred aside and grabbing Harry's hand like Percy, shaking it vigorously. "I swear, if he rushes ahead of us next time, I'll definitely kick his arse with these boots!"
Clearly, the twins were mocking Percy.
"Enough!"
Mrs. Weasley couldn't stand it anymore. She rushed forward to pull George away, then gave Harry, Sherlock, and Hermione each a big hug.
"Sherlock, Harry, you both look so well!"
Mrs. Weasley showed a satisfied expression, then said to Hermione, "Dear, you've gotten quite tanned. Remember to use sunscreen next time."
After greeting all three individually, Mrs. Weasley immediately got to the point.
"Dear, I suppose you've all heard our big news?"
She pointed to the shiny silver badge on Percy's chest. "This is our family's second Head Boy!"
Sherlock, Harry, and Hermione could all understand Mrs. Weasley's overflowing pride.
However, someone didn't understand. Fred said in a low voice. "And the last one too."
"I have no doubt about that," Mrs. Weasley, sharp-eared, immediately responded after hearing Fred's comment. "Also, I noticed they didn't choose you as prefects."
Seeing Mrs. Weasley's frowning expression, Sherlock chuckled.
"Aunt, if I were Headmaster Dumbledore, I wouldn't choose them as prefects either.
Only one person can serve as prefect. Fred and George are equally excellent, making it truly difficult to choose between them, so it's better to select someone else."
Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Peasegood looked at Sherlock in surprise.
They could hardly believe such tactful words had come from Sherlock's mouth.
Hermione even wondered if Sherlock had read through "How to Be a Charming Speaker" during the summer.
In fact, Sherlock knew very well what to say to whom.
If needed, he could be like Voldemort—or rather, Tom Riddle.
Even stronger than him, making people feel delighted and happy with words alone, without using magic.
He simply preferred not to do so in most situations.
Being factual and straightforward was more effortless for him.
Mr. and Mrs. Weasley immediately showed pleased smiles upon hearing Sherlock's words.
"Dear Sherlock, perhaps you're right, but they still need to set a good example for their sister!"
Ginny couldn't help but giggle at this.
"Ginny has other brothers to set examples for her, Mum," Percy said proudly. "I'm going upstairs to change for dinner—"
After he left, George breathed a sigh of relief. He whispered to Harry.
"We were planning to lock him in a pyramid, but Mum found out."
Harry finally couldn't help but laugh aloud.
Meanwhile, Hermione curiously stared at Sherlock.
Because he had followed Percy upstairs.
"Sherlock!"
Percy had just entered room 12 when he discovered Sherlock had followed him up, startling him.
"How do you walk without making any sound?"
"Force of habit," Sherlock's gaze swept around the room. "I see you're sharing this room with Ron."
"You really can't forget your deductions at any moment."
Percy carefully removed his Head Boy badge, polishing it while saying to Sherlock, "Please sit. Did you come find me about something?"
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