Dumbledore stayed at Sherlock's house longer than expected.
Because he received enthusiastic hospitality from the Holmes family.
Facing Mrs. Holmes, even Dumbledore, one of the foremost wizards in the entire magical world, felt somewhat powerless to cope.
"I had originally thought you would let me drink something. Now it seems this expectation was pessimistic to the point of ridiculous."
Not until they reached the corner of King's Road did Dumbledore stop and speak to Sherlock.
He patted his belly, which was slightly more swollen than when he'd arrived at Sherlock's house.
"I must say, Sherlock, your mother gives me the feeling of being the Muggle world's Minerva."
Dumbledore said with a bitter smile. "You know, sometimes I'm even a bit afraid of her."
If not for the fact that they still had business to attend to, Sherlock's parents would have even wanted to keep Dumbledore for dinner.
Even so, that recent serving of desserts had let Dumbledore eat to his heart's content.
"Sir, I think it's your self-control that's too weak."
Sherlock said bluntly. "You can't walk away when you see sweets."
"Pfft~"
Harry couldn't help but laugh out loud.
But immediately felt this was somewhat rude and quickly suppressed his laughter, pretending to look at the scenery.
Sirius had no such concerns and immediately laughed heartily.
"Well said, Sherlock!
When we were in school, our dear headmaster was just like this.
Can't believe twenty years have passed and he's still the same."
Dumbledore shook his head gently and turned to Sherlock and Harry:
"You haven't passed your Apparition test yet, have you?"
Seeing that Sherlock had no intention of answering, Harry quickly said, "No, sir. I remember you have to be seventeen to take it."
"Very well, then you'll need to hold tightly to my arm..."
"Wait, Dumbledore!"
Sirius became anxious upon hearing this. "What do you mean? You're planning to Apparate them to see Slughorn?"
"That's right."
Facing the urgent Sirius, Dumbledore seemed very easygoing. "It's the most convenient and quickest method. Do you have a different opinion?"
"Of course I do!"
Sirius's eyes widened. "If you Apparate them over there, what am I supposed to do? Just stand here with my eyes wide open?"
"If you're unwilling, you can also close your eyes, Sirius."
"Pfft~"
Harry couldn't help but laugh out loud.
But immediately felt this was somewhat rude and quickly suppressed his laughter, pretending to look at the scenery.
"Outrageous!"
Sirius immediately became angry. The sense of déjà vu made him feel Dumbledore was retaliating for his earlier mockery.
"I'm coming too!"
"I don't recall saying I would take you to visit Slughorn."
"It's not too late to say so now."
"Sorry, Sirius, I don't think this matter is suitable for your participation."
"You say it's unsuitable, so it's unsuitable?"
"From my current perspective, yes."
"You..."
"Godfather, don't be like this." Harry, seeing the situation deteriorating, quickly spoke up. "If Professor Dumbledore says so, he must have his reasons."
Sirius frowned, looking at Dumbledore, then at Harry looking at him. Harry's green eyes were full of earnestness.
His heart immediately softened, and he turned to Sherlock instead: "Sherlock, what do you think?"
"I think Professor Dumbledore is quite right. This matter is indeed unsuitable for your participation."
The atmosphere instantly became incredibly awkward.
Harry trembled all over, covered in cold sweat on this hot day, hands and feet ice cold.
Sirius and Sherlock—one dared to ask, the other dared to answer.
However, contrary to Harry's expectations, after hearing Sherlock's words, Sirius didn't get angry but seemed rather dejected,
"Fine, if even Sherlock says so, then I'll wait for you at Grimmauld Place."
Harry immediately understood. It seemed that in his godfather's heart, Sherlock's status was extraordinarily high.
After saying this, Sirius looked at Dumbledore again: "Headmaster, since you don't want my help, please send them back after you finish your business."
"That won't be necessary. Next I'll send Harry to the Burrow."
Dumbledore said. "The Weasleys have invited Harry to spend the remaining days of summer vacation there."
"Are you joking!"
Sirius's reaction this time was even stronger than before. "Why would Harry go spend summer vacation at the Burrow? He should return to Grimmauld Place!"
"Because in a few weeks, there's the Quidditch World Cup." Dumbledore said calmly.
"Of course, I know about that," Sirius said impatiently. "But what does that have to do with Harry staying with the Weasleys?"
"Perhaps they think it would be more convenient for Harry to depart with them from the Burrow?"
Sirius turned his head. "Harry, did you know about this?"
"No," Harry shook his head honestly. "Ron mentioned the Quidditch World Cup to me before the holidays, but hasn't called me yet."
"See, Harry doesn't even know about this.
Arthur and Molly wanting to take Harry away should at least ask our opinion first..."
His words trailed off as the sound of flapping wings was heard.
An owl wobbled toward them.
Sherlock and Harry recognized this owl belonging to the Weasley family at once.
Errol.
He wobbled onto Sirius's shoulder, seeming thoroughly exhausted.
Sirius frowned as he removed a piece of parchment tied to its leg and read aloud:
Dear Sirius:
I'm sure you already know about the Quidditch World Cup taking place next Monday night.
This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—Britain hasn't won the trophy in thirty years, and tickets are very difficult to obtain.
Arthur, through his connections in the Department of Magical Games and Sports, managed with great difficulty to get several of the best tickets.
For this, I sincerely invite you and Harry to watch the match together.
I heard that Professor Dumbledore will take Sherlock and Harry on an errand, so we're asking him to send Harry to the Burrow after finishing their business.
Of course, Ron, Ginny, and all of us Weasleys are eager to have Harry stay through the end of summer vacation.
Hope to see Harry soon.
Your faithful Molly Weasley
P.S.: Give our regards to Dumbledore, and to Sherlock too!
Harry, listening to Sirius read the letter, noticed Errol listlessly huddled up, apparently completely exhausted, and quickly explained,
"Errol is getting old and doesn't have the stamina, which is why he arrived so slowly.
Last year, if not for Hedwig and the school owls helping, he would have fallen on the road. He rested for three full days before recovering."
After reading this letter, Sirius's expression had already softened.
Hearing Harry's explanation, he felt even more that he had no reason to be angry.
"Getting old does make things harder."
He stroked Errol's feathers, a bitter smile appearing at the corner of his mouth, turning to Harry.
"The Burrow is indeed nice. If you want to stay with them, I completely understand."
At this point, Sirius's voice dropped.
"But... well... think about it.
Since last Christmas, I've spent considerable effort fixing up Grimmauld Place. If you want a different kind of home..."
Sherlock and Dumbledore exchanged glances, then looked at Sirius with half-smiles, saying nothing.
Harry tilted his head, looking at his godfather, "You mean you want me not to go to the Burrow and stay at Grimmauld Place instead?"
"Of course, I suppose you wouldn't want to."
Seeing that Harry had understood his meaning, Sirius immediately said.
"I can understand—after all, the Burrow is livelier.
The Weasleys are so good to you, and Molly's cooking is so delicious.
I just think I—"
Sirius suddenly seemed dejected.
Because he realized that apart from his identity as godfather, he couldn't even find a single attraction to compete with the Weasleys for Harry.
At this moment, he even had this thought:
If only he had a lovely daughter like Cho Chang or Ginny.
"Godfather, what are you saying?
Of course, I'm willing to stay with you—when it's close to the Quidditch World Cup, we can have the Weasleys come visit Grimmauld Place."
Sirius gazed at Harry, a trace of surprise in his eyes. "You're willing? Really?"
"Of course I'm willing!"
Harry said firmly. "The Burrow is indeed lively, and I'm more comfortable staying there, but Grimmauld Place is my home because you're there."
After saying this, he couldn't help feeling somewhat helpless.
The other person was clearly the adult, yet he needed to be comforted by this young boy.
It was simply topsy-turvy.
Sirius's eyes moistened.
He stared at Harry for a moment, then smiled.
His already handsome face made his smile at this moment full of infectious charm.
"Don't worry, Harry!"
Sirius said confidently. "I can also get Quidditch World Cup tickets, better ones than Arthur can find!"
After saying this, he couldn't help but look gratefully at Sherlock.
It was with the help of the Holmes brothers that he was able to win the Order of Merlin, First Class, giving him the confidence to demand better treatment from the Ministry of Magic.
"All right, Dumbledore, Harry and Sherlock are in your hands."
The completely relaxed Sirius turned to Dumbledore. "Remember to send him to Grimmauld Place after you finish your business, not the Burrow. I'll write to Arthur and Molly to explain."
Without waiting for Dumbledore's agreement, he turned to Sherlock again.
"Sherlock, come along too? It's been a while since you last visited."
"All right." Sherlock nodded.
Watching Dumbledore take Harry and Sherlock away with a crackling sound, disappearing before his eyes, the smile on Sirius's face never faded.
"The Quidditch World Cup, eh... Looks like I need to make a trip to the Ministry of Magic."
When Sherlock regained his vision, he found himself in a village.
"Are you all right? This feeling takes getting used to."
Dumbledore looked down with concern at Sherlock and Harry. His main focus was on Harry.
Because he found that compared to before the Apparition, Sherlock seemed to show no significant change.
Harry, on the other hand, was breathing heavily, apparently not yet adjusted to the sensation.
"I'm fine, much better than last time."
Harry rubbed his ears. He felt as if his ears had been very reluctant to leave King's Road. "But I still prefer flying on a broomstick."
"Last time?"
"When I went to the Wizengamot hearing. Mr. Weasley also used Apparition to take me to the Ministry."
"Was it Apparition?"
Dumbledore showed a smile. "Given Arthur's personality, I thought he would use the subway or something similar."
Harry thought to himself that if that were the case, missing their stop would be minor—without his help watching, they probably would have taken the wrong train.
"Is this Professor Slughorn's home?"
Sherlock looked around and found this area surprisingly nice—it was a scenic little village.
"This is the place left by his late parents. After Horace laid down the burden of teaching, he's been enjoying retirement here.
When he was still at school, this was where he vacationed during holidays. Now it has become his permanent residence."
Hearing Dumbledore's introduction, Sherlock immediately understood, "Seems our professor is living quite well. I imagine his home's stock must be very abundant."
Dumbledore smiled:
"You're quite right. Horace's home not only has a wine cellar but also a library.
Over the years, besides visiting old members of the Slug Club, he often hosts gatherings at home.
I have reliable intelligence that he just returned from Paris yesterday and shouldn't be leaving again soon."
At this point, Dumbledore hesitated slightly and took out a small bottle from his pocket.
"Sherlock, before entering Horace's home, do you need some of this?"
"Felix Felicis?" Sherlock took out a small bottle from his pocket. "I have some too."
Seeing this, Harry also took out a matching small bottle from his pocket. "Me too."
Dumbledore looked at the two boys in surprise. "This is Severus's work. How do you both have it?"
"Professor Snape gave it to me as a Christmas gift, to thank me for uncovering the real culprit."
"My Felix Felicis was also a gift from Professor Snape—a return gift for giving him the photo of him and Mum."
Dumbledore: (.﹏.)
At this moment, this headmaster over a hundred years old suddenly realized that his understanding of Hogwarts might not be as thorough as he'd imagined.
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