In the Headmaster's office, Sherlock paced back and forth, speaking at double speed. "No one could have anticipated that Voldemort would become incredibly weakened by a mere child and disappear without a trace.
Under these circumstances, no matter how much Peter regretted his actions, it was already too late.
He was cornered by the furious Sirius Black, driven into a desperate situation.
It was at this moment that he finally demonstrated the 'cleverness and cunning' that had always been overshadowed by others' brilliance."
When saying "cleverness and cunning," Sherlock deliberately emphasized his tone.
"With eyewitnesses present, he deliberately spoke loudly, distorting the truth and framing Sirius for betraying the Potters.
Taking advantage of Sirius's rage, he suddenly struck, faking his own death and escaping in his transformed state.
Even Sirius, the avenging angel, was deceived.
Although I've never personally met Sirius Black, from the professors' descriptions and the events of recent years, I can tell he's a self-righteous fellow.
That's why when the Ministry came to arrest him, he didn't resist and willingly spent twelve years in Azkaban.
I believe he felt an inescapable responsibility for Harry's parents' deaths, especially believing Peter was dead, and chose this method of atonement."
"Holmes, you're absolutely right this time. Black is indeed a self-righteous, insufferable git."
Snape practically squeezed these words through his teeth.
McGonagall and Lupin both looked at him simultaneously, but Snape paid them no mind.
At that moment, only one thought filled his mind.
If Sirius hadn't suggested Lily to change Secret-Keepers, none of this would have happened.
Holmes looked deeply at Snape, then withdrew his gaze and continued.
"Having become a rat, Peter chose to go to the Weasleys, a pure-blood wizard family, to stay informed about the wizarding world's latest news, becoming their child's pet and lying low.
If Voldemort disappeared forever, he would contentedly live as a plump rat, eating and sleeping, sleeping and eating.
If Voldemort rose again, he could make a powerful comeback.
Twelve years later, Sirius discovered Peter's secret, his fury was ignited, and he immediately escaped to find Harry."
At this point, Sherlock turned to Harry, "Remember those words 'He's at Hogwarts'?
At the time, everyone, including myself, thought Sirius was referring to you, but in fact, he was talking about Peter Pettigrew.
What happened next is what we all experienced firsthand.
Sirius successfully escaped, and Peter lived in constant fear.
Finally, on Halloween eve, Sirius managed to reach Hogwarts.
Everyone thought he'd been imprisoned so long he'd forgotten the date.
In reality, he specifically chose a time when students wouldn't be in their dormitories, intending to find Scabbers, who existed as Ron's pet.
Unfortunately, without the password, he couldn't enter Gryffindor Tower and, in his frustration, slashed the Fat Lady's portrait.
In my view, this was just as foolish a decision as persuading the Potters to change Secret-Keepers without telling anyone else.
Of course, his behavior further confirmed for me that Scabbers was Peter.
After that, my friends and I brought Scabbers here and invited all the professors over.
As it turns out, my deductions were correct. This entire case is a logically connected, unbroken chain."
"Brilliant reasoning, Sherlock."
Dumbledore gazed at Sherlock intently.
"You've brought the truth that's been buried for twelve years back to light, not only bringing the real culprit to justice but also saving an innocent life. Hogwarts can now return to normal teaching order. On behalf of the school and the Order of the Phoenix, I sincerely thank you."
Professor McGonagall and Professor Lupin both nodded.
Like Dumbledore, they acknowledged Sherlock's tremendous contribution to this matter.
Only Professor Snape offered no opinion on this, instead asked directly. "Where is Sirius?"
"Still at the school."
Sherlock said with certainty, "He won't leave until Peter is captured.
So, my suggestion is to contact the Ministry of Magic as soon as possible and reveal the truth.
On one hand, to clear Sirius's name and revoke the warrant for his arrest, so he no longer has to hide.
On the other hand, to determine Peter's crimes, render judgment, and give justice to those innocent victims."
The professors looked at each other and nodded silently.
Sherlock's suggestion was indeed the most crucial matter at hand.
Just then, Dumbledore suddenly turned to Harry, "Harry, what do you think?"
"Huh? Me?"
Harry was stunned. He hadn't expected Dumbledore to seek his opinion.
"Although Voldemort was the true murderer of your parents, do you think this handling of Peter is appropriate?"
"Headmaster, you might as well ask Potter directly whether he wants to kill this vermin himself."
Professor Snape sneered, "You're being so subtle that Potter's dull brain can't figure it out!"
"No—no!"
Hearing Snape's words, Harry immediately shook his head, "My parents wouldn't want to see their friends become murderers, especially for someone like him!"
"I'm not your parents' frien—"
Snape blurted out instinctively, suddenly realizing his mistake and quickly stopped himself.
He looked at Sherlock. Sure enough, the perceptive young man was watching him with a meaningful gaze.
That look of seeing through everything made him increasingly irritated.
Sherlock couldn't help but find it somewhat amusing.
Was he already planning to take matters into his own hands?
And that instinctive protective behavior toward Harry just now—this professor really was saying one thing while meaning another!
However, Sherlock's eyes suddenly narrowed.
From the looks of it, Snape's secrets were far more complex than this.
Once this matter was over, he'd have to thoroughly investigate Snape.
Although he'd once promised Professor Flitwick not to probe into others' secrets, from the current development of the situation, Snape's secrets were closely related to his good friend's fate.
In that case, he couldn't just leave it alone.
Though he didn't know why, Snape suddenly felt a chill down his spine.
After Harry agreed to the method of dealing with Peter, what happened next was no longer the four young wizards' concern.
Dumbledore politely asked them to leave. What Sherlock had just described was merely an outline, they still had much to do.
However, just as they left the office, an urgent voice came from behind.
"Wait, just a moment!"
Professor Lupin hurried after them, "I asked Dumbledore for a few minutes."
He looked at Sherlock and bowed deeply to him.
This action greatly surprised the three besides Sherlock.
Harry couldn't help but ask. "Sir, what's this about?"
"It's gratitude."
Sherlock understood Lupin's thoughts perfectly and said.
"But I don't think you need to do this. Harry, Ron, Hermione—they're all my friends. Unfortunately, after this matter, Ron will lose his pet."
Hearing Sherlock say this, Harry's eyes immediately moistened, Ron's eyes also reddened, and Hermione directly grasped Sherlock's hand.
"No, you don't understand."
Lupin shook his head, "I knew Sirius and Wormtail, or rather, I thought I knew them. But I never imagined things would be like this.
Whether it was Sirius or Wormtail, either of them betraying their friends is something I cannot accept."
Hearing Lupin's words, the young wizards all fell silent.
Indeed, under Sherlock's forceful intervention, the truth had surfaced early, but the result was that the betrayer changed from one good friend to another good friend.
As Lupin said, whoever that person was, he felt terrible about it.
"You've cleared Sirius's name. I think he should be able to meet Harry soon as Harry's godfather."
Hearing Professor Lupin's words, Harry looked up in surprise, and Lupin winked at him.
"By the way, Sherlock, I imagine you knew my identity before Peter revealed it?"
"Correct."
"Did you discover it when writing the essay Professor Snape assigned?"
"No, I didn't write that essay at all."
Sherlock chuckled, "When he uncharacteristically called on me to answer questions in class, I already understood."
"He'll be pleased." Professor Lupin's smile was tinged with awkwardness, "He assigned that essay hoping someone would realize what my symptoms meant."
"Unfortunately, besides me, only Hermione figured it out."
"Sherlock, how did you—"
Hermione looked at Sherlock in surprise, "I haven't even told you yet!"
"You were checking the lunar phase table the other day."
Sherlock turned to her side, smiling, "Hermione, you're the only student who completed that essay."
Hermione: (⊙o⊙)
Harry, Ron, Lupin: (°ロ°)
Sherlock: "Actually, from before term started, some clues were already exposed.
On the Hogwarts Express, your physical condition wasn't very good, which was right around the full moon.
In the Boggart lesson, Harry also asked me why you'd be afraid of a crystal ball—in fact, no one realized it was actually the moon. Then there was the timing of Professor Snape substituting your class, and your weakened physical state when you returned.
So even if Professor Snape hadn't said anything, combining these clues together would lead to the same deduction."
"You're the smartest young wizard I've ever met, Sherlock."
Lupin said sincerely, "No, I should remove the 'young', even among adult wizards, there are few smarter than you."
"Thank you for the praise, Professor Lupin."
Harry and Hermione both noticed that when Sherlock saw Lupin's genuine admiration, he felt very pleased.
As for Ron, he was still immersed in the sad story of his pet being a grown man.
"Sir, I suggest you consider solving this problem as soon as possible. Even a fool, seeing you leave at fixed times every month, will eventually become suspicious over time.
If you were a woman, it would be more understandable having a certain time each month when you're unwell.
Not to mention, there are people like Professor Snape who can't wait for your identity to be discovered."
"I can understand him, actually."
Professor Lupin said with some emotion.
"He's actually helped me quite a bit. Since I started here, he's been helping me brew Wolfsbane Potion.
I'm sure you know this potion not only requires expensive ingredients, but is also extremely difficult to brew.
Although he's always opposed my teaching at the school and always believed I'd help Sirius enter the school, after Headmaster Dumbledore agreed, he still brewed this rare potion for me every month.
Without such a colleague, I'd be suffering much more than I am now.
Ah, it's almost time, I need to go back….
Today really is a wonderful day!
Rest early, sweet dreams!"
After Professor Lupin left, Ron looked around, then somewhat clumsily said to Hermione.
"I'm, I'm sorry, Hermione, about Crookshanks, I'm really, really sorry—"
Hermione was stunned, seemingly not expecting Ron to actually apologize.
She maintained composure for a few seconds, but seeing Ron's sincere expression, she quickly couldn't hold it in.
"No, I was wrong too."
Hermione looked at Crookshanks in her arms, "Although the result proved me right, I didn't consider things from your perspective."
"Who could have imagined Scabbers was actually a person in disguise, and such an ugly, disgusting man at that—"
Ron said with relief, "I think when Mum and Dad find out about this, they might buy me an owl?"
With the truth revealed, these two finally reconciled.
The four walked and chatted. Harry tried several times to ask Sherlock something, but the excited Ron talked non-stop along the way, giving him no chance to speak.
Even after returning to the dormitory, Ron still hadn't stopped.
Seeing it was getting late, Harry could only suppress this thought for now.
The next day, when Sherlock took Neville for morning training, the prepared Harry immediately said.
"I want to go too!"
"But, Harry—Sirius Black—"
Neville looked at Harry in surprise, weakly saying, "Didn't the teachers say you shouldn't go outdoors?"
"The ban's been lifted!" Harry said spiritedly, "It's safe now!"
"What?"
Neville looked at Harry in confusion, then at Sherlock.
"Let's go. You haven't trained in quite a while—let's see if your boxing and swordsmanship have deteriorated."
"Alright!"
Harry said confidently.
Although he hadn't been able to participate in Sherlock's morning training during this time, thanks to Wood, Quidditch training also served to exercise his body.
So, after resuming morning training, his performance was fairly satisfactory.
While Neville practiced fencing alone according to Sherlock's instructions, Harry finally found the opportunity to ask the question he'd wanted to ask since yesterday.
You can read more than 40 chapters on:
patreon.com/MikeyMuse