When Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge officially announced before all the students and staff of Hogwarts that the Dementors would be withdrawn from the school starting immediately, the entire Great Hall erupted in cheers.
Obviously, no one liked these hideous creatures.
They haunted the darkest, filthiest places, sucking peace, hope, and happiness from the surrounding air.
No one could guarantee they wouldn't be the next Harry Potter.
After all, once you fell from a great height, there wouldn't be Dumbledore beside you to help slow your fall.
The cheering from the Gryffindor table was especially loud.
It was well known that the little lions loved adventure most.
The Dementors' presence was far too restrictive for them.
Of course, this also had to do with Sirius Black being from Gryffindor.
Their house had lost an infamous Death Eater and gained a behind-the-scenes hero who had endured pain silently for twelve years for his friends—no matter how you looked at it, it was wonderful news.
Seeing the Hogwarts students giving him such face, Fudge was obviously very satisfied with the scene before him, and a sense of achievement arose spontaneously in his heart.
"Of course, I must also thank our Headmaster on behalf of the Ministry, Mr. Albus Dumbledore!
"As Hogwarts Headmaster, he assisted the Ministry with a high sense of responsibility in pinpointing Peter's hiding trail, and especially demonstrated unparalleled professionalism during the Hogwarts arrest operation.
It's precisely thanks to this coordinated effort inside and outside the system that justice was ultimately served."
"He really has the nerve to say that," Hermione said, seeing that Sherlock beside her had no reaction at all. She gently pushed him. "You're really not angry at all?"
"This morning in the dormitory, I told my roommates that as long as the truth is made public and the criminal can be brought to justice, I'm completely satisfied. Let others laugh or scold as they will; I do as I please. With treasures in my vault, I alone enjoy them."
"Your abilities should be made public so everyone knows." Hermione looked at Sherlock seriously. "I think you should publish this case. Of course, if you're unwilling, I'll publish it for you."
Harry and Ron perked up as soon as they heard about this.
"Yes, yes! Everyone should know this was actually Sherlock's achievement."
"And the case of Abbot's father being framed, Cho's stolen eyeshadow case, the Greek Translator case!"
"Even a big fraud like Lockhart could publish books. There's no reason someone with real ability like Sherlock should be buried!"
"Hermione, do it! We support you!"
Faced with Harry and Ron's support, Hermione still looked at Sherlock:
"Sherlock, what... what do you think?"
"Whatever you want to do, do it, Hermione."
Sherlock smiled slightly, looking at Fudge who was still pontificating.
"By unanimous vote of the Wizengamot, we will award Mr. Black the Order of Merlin!"
As fresh clamor arose in the Great Hall, Fudge didn't forget to praise himself a few more times: "Of course, this is thanks to the efficient emergency hearing process of this administration."
"When a bureaucratic system apologizes, every word is inversely priced."
Sherlock shook his head, not surprised by this.
"It doesn't matter. The complete truth is recorded in my brain," Hermione grasped Sherlock's hand, her face slightly flushed as she said seriously, "People will definitely know the real facts of these matters."
No one listened to what Fudge said next.
This inevitably made him feel somewhat regretful, but achieving such results was already quite good.
In fact, even he hadn't expected this matter would be so full of twists and constant reversals.
Two nights ago.
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry's Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, accompanied by Deputy Headmistress and Gryffindor Head Minerva McGonagall and Slytherin Head Professor Severus Snape, came together to the Ministry of Magic.
Although they had received advance notice from Dumbledore, when they actually arrived, Fudge and the Ministry members were still shocked.
Because besides these two headmasters and Snape, the youngest Head of House in history, they had also brought a shifty-eyed, cowering, wretchedly obscene bald man.
After Dumbledore's explanation, Fudge was shocked to learn that this person was actually Peter Pettigrew, who had been "killed" by Sirius Black twelve years ago.
But after Dumbledore finished explaining what had happened, Fudge was even more shocked.
Peter Pettigrew, who had been awarded the Order of Merlin, First Class by the Ministry, was the betrayer, while Sirius Black, treated as the betrayer, was the hero.
Their identities had completely reversed by 180 degrees.
Just as Sherlock had analyzed, Fudge and the Ministry were unwilling from the bottom of their hearts to acknowledge this.
Even though Peter Pettigrew's resurrection was the most powerful evidence right before them, even though Snape emphasized that Peter's confession was obtained after taking Veritaserum, even though the facts matched all the reasoning completely.
What happened next was natural. After the Ministry held an emergency meeting, Fudge immediately reached consensus with the others and informed Dumbledore of the Ministry's decision.
For well-known reasons, Snape, who was with Dumbledore, immediately became angry.
He publicly rebuked Fudge in front of all the Ministry officials, pointing out that to maintain the Ministry's authority, he disregarded the facts and made such a low-level judgment, as if he had eaten shit.
This made Fudge's reasons for objecting even more justified:
"Dumbledore, I've always given you full freedom and always respected you. Perhaps I don't agree with some of your decisions, but I've always remained silent. Not many would allow you to hire werewolves, keep Hagrid employed, or decide what to teach students without consulting the Ministry.
"I now question the decision to remove Lucius Malfoy from the Board of Governors last year. This ancient family made generous donations for good causes. Dumbledore, I think it's necessary to discuss this school's management methods with other Board members."
With things developing to this point, the parting of ways between the Hogwarts Headmaster and the Minister of Magic, who had been on the same side, was almost a done deal.
"Albus, I told you long ago that I should have just killed that bastard directly!" After leaving the Ministry, Snape was extremely dissatisfied. "Now look—they're not even planning to announce that rat's crimes. Those idiots probably can't even hold onto him, and in a few days, he'll escape again!"
"Calm down, Severus."
Dumbledore said calmly, "Not everyone in the Ministry is like this. There are still quite a few trustworthy people. During the wizarding war back then, they fought alongside us.
Severus, you should know that we already anticipated Fudge's attitude before coming. We just didn't expect he would go to such extremes.
When he first took office, he practically bombarded me daily with owls. But as time passed, he became enamored with his position. Being in a high position for so long, receiving flattery from others, eventually made him wrongly believe this was his own ability, thus losing proper judgment."
Snape: "You're right, but that's completely meaningless."
McGonagall gazed at Dumbledore and asked: "Albus, what do we do now? Should we go find Sirius?"
"That's necessary. I trust him as I trust you and Severus. But we must also be prepared to part ways with the Ministry at any time."
Dumbledore said firmly: "The truth must be made public. If the Ministry is unwilling, then we'll do it ourselves."
"Must we really do that?" Professor McGonagall showed a worried expression. "Albus, if the Ministry insists on opposing us, Hogwarts could be greatly affected."
"You're right, so before that, I want to make one last attempt."
"Forget it. Counting on that idiot is worse than counting on the great detective Holmes you value so much."
"You're right, Severus."
"What?"
"The last attempt will start with Sherlock—Minerva, tomorrow you tell Sherlock and Harry about this."
"You really think that so-called detective can solve this?"
"Don't forget, this matter was led and exposed by Sherlock from start to finish."
"Hmph, but that doesn't mean he can solve the Ministry."
"Before the start of this term—when we all thought Sirius had escaped to find Harry, the Ministry required Harry and Sherlock not to leave their homes."
As Dumbledore spoke, a meaningful smile suddenly appeared on his face:
"The Ministry's original plan was to shop in Diagon Alley for Sherlock and Harry, then send them directly to the station when school started. But two days before term began, the Ministry sent Mr. Peasegood to personally drive them to Diagon Alley to purchase supplies.
"I have reliable sources that this change occurred because the Ministry came under pressure from the Queen's government."
"What? Muggles!"
"Precisely."
Dumbledore's smile became even more obvious. He looked at McGonagall and Snape, saying with considerable emotion:
"Minerva, Severus, it seems we all underestimated the power of this young detective!"
Both were talking about a detective, but when Snape mentioned it, it was full of sarcasm, while from Dumbledore's mouth it was clearly praise.
The next morning after breakfast, Professor McGonagall did as Dumbledore said and told Sherlock and Harry about this matter.
She immediately received an answer from him about "using magic to defeat magic."
One day later.
British Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge looked at the British Prime Minister's formally phrased official letter, and was too shocked to speak.
You can read more than 40 chapters on:
patreon.com/MikeyMuse