In the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor's office, Sherlock spoke confidently to Professor Lupin.
"Harry's Firebolt has the fastest speed, so we need to build our core tactics around it, using its velocity to attempt a quick breakthrough.
Cedric has the most solid magical foundation among the three of us. As the only upperclassman, he can take on the task of attracting the dragon's main attention from the front, attempting to interfere with or even temporarily alter the environment to confuse the dragon.
Of course, this is difficult, but our goal is merely to draw attention and buy time, not to actually control the dragon, so it's not impossible for him to accomplish.
As for me... I can serve as the supporting and coordinating role.
The broomstick gives me sufficient mobility, allowing me to adapt to the rapidly changing situation on the ground and fill any gaps that may appear.
I can assist Cedric with interference or create opportunities for Harry's breakthrough.
Ultimately, since this competition has been changed to team mode, we should leverage each person's strengths and work together collaboratively, rather than fighting separately."
Remus listened quietly, hands clasped on the desk, his initially serious and worried expression gradually changing as Sherlock presented his clear explanation.
When he heard that the key to the plan was to utilize their individual strengths and gain advantage through the Summoning Charm, rather than trying to force a confrontation with the dragon's brute strength or defend against its impenetrable scales, a gleam of undisguised approval flashed in his eyes.
Remus leaned back in his chair, gazing long and earnestly at these four students, especially at Sherlock, who led them.
Finally, his face showed the first genuine smile since entering the office, tinged with relief and appreciation.
"Teamwork, playing to strengths while avoiding weaknesses, using rule-permitted methods to expand capabilities, clear division of labor with each person fulfilling their role..."
Remus commented slowly and clearly.
"Sherlock, I must say that for a fourth-year student to conceive such a tactical framework focused on your own advantages with clear objectives is quite outstanding.
This demonstrates an extremely calm and rational way of thinking.
As you and I just discussed, I cannot and will not give any directives or suggestions regarding specific steps for getting past the dragon—that would cross a line.
However, as your Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, I can honestly tell you.
The tactical direction you've described is absolutely feasible from a magical principles standpoint.
Using the Summoning Charm to gain aerial mobility advantage and establishing a collaborative coordination mechanism based on this—
I see no inherent magical theoretical obstacles that would prevent you from implementing such a plan."
He paused, then added with a mix of gravity and encouragement in his voice.
"Of course, feasible doesn't mean easy.
The casting distance and speed of the Summoning Charm, the precision of broomstick control and spell release during high-speed maneuvers, psychological stability when facing enormous threats, real-time coordination between team members...
These are all critical points you'll need to practice intensively and coordinate during the extremely limited time remaining.
You must hurry, because time is running out."
Professor Lupin's words instantly dispelled some of the gloom weighing on Harry and the others' hearts.
"Thank you, Professor!" Hermione's voice was full of gratitude.
Harry's eyes ignited with fighting spirit. "As long as I know the direction is right, I know where to focus my efforts!"
After the four left, Ron couldn't help but say.
"Sherlock, you're the one—if you hadn't convinced Professor Lupin, he definitely wouldn't have helped us."
"No, he was just looking for an excuse," Sherlock shook his head. "Even if I hadn't said anything, he would have helped us anyway."
"What do you mean?"
Harry and Ron both looked surprised, while Hermione showed a thoughtful expression.
"Think about what he just said," Sherlock smiled slightly. "As a responsible teacher, it's reasonable to eliminate some wrong answers for students and offer some well-meaning, general advice."
Harry and Ron suddenly understood.
"I think he must have already thought of a solution for us after learning about the first task, but he abandoned it after hearing my idea."
"Why would he do that?"
"Because my method is better," Sherlock said with full confidence.
"..."
"Alright, enough of that. Harry, go find Cedric. Before tomorrow afternoon, we must complete preparations for the first task. Remus's reminder was spot on."
Sherlock's gaze sharpened. "Time is running out."
The competition was scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.
So, before that time, both Sherlock and Harry had to master the Summoning Charm proficiently.
As for Cedric, being a sixth-year student, the Summoning Charm posed no difficulty for him.
Moreover, he had been an honor student since first year.
It's no exaggeration to say that when Harry brought him to find Sherlock, his admiration for Sherlock flowed like a mighty river, endless and unceasing.
As soon as he saw Sherlock, he couldn't stop praising him.
"This is absolutely brilliant, Sherlock! You actually thought of using a simple Summoning Charm to solve the problem. I bet if Krum sees our performance, he'll regret it to death! He's a world-class Quidditch player! But I'm sure he won't think of this, since we're all thinking about how to use this little wand in our hands to deal with the dragon..."
After praising Sherlock, Cedric said sincerely.
"Honestly, Sherlock, I think you should really be the captain! This should have been my job."
He truly meant it from the heart.
That Sherlock and Harry had managed to discover the specific content of the first task before the official start of the competition was already a huge surprise.
Cedric imagined himself facing a dragon without any preparation.
He felt that if he could still remain standing in such circumstances, that would already be quite good.
Knowing the first task involved dragons gave them a full two days to figure out a solution.
Then Sherlock brought an even bigger surprise.
He had even devised a battle plan. Aside from perfect, he couldn't think of any other word to describe it.
"Besides earnestly executing the plan you've made, there's nothing left for me to do."
"No, there is still something," Sherlock said with a smile. "I'm afraid you'll need to guide us in mastering the Summoning Charm proficiently first."
"No problem, leave it to me!"
So they began to practice arduously.
Sherlock took them directly to the Room of Requirement.
This was undoubtedly the best place for practice—they didn't even need to run to the Great Hall for lunch, as they could solve that directly there.
Harry was relatively unfazed.
Though he felt the Room of Requirement was indeed a magical place, he had grown accustomed to the various miracles associated with Sherlock.
Cedric was different.
After learning the principle behind the Room of Requirement, his eyes nearly popped out.
"Goodness, the school actually has such a place! But... Sherlock, is it really okay for you to tell me about this so casually?"
"What's the problem with that?" Sherlock said directly. "Are you going to go around blabbing about it?"
"Of course not!" Cedric said hastily. "You telling me this represents your trust in me—how could I possibly go around spreading it?"
"Well then, there you go," Sherlock said with a laugh. "Alright, don't fret over these small matters. We're already short on time."
"Fine."
Cedric looked deeply at Sherlock, then began instructing the two in the Summoning Charm.
It must be said that Cedric was not only an excellent student but also a very good teacher.
Put simply, he was the type of talent who succeeded through effort rather than pure natural genius.
The latter might have stronger learning abilities than the former, but when it came to imparting experience to others, they fell far short.
"Harry, you're still not focused enough."
Noticing that the books, quills, ink, and other stationery prepared in the Room of Requirement always lost momentum halfway through flight, falling to the floor like stones, Cedric said to Harry with a frown, "You need to clear all distracting thoughts from your mind."
"I'm already very focused!" Harry said huffily.
The results of numerous practice attempts had been the same, which made him somewhat angry—angry at himself.
Seeing Harry like this, Cedric remained patient. He lightly waved his wand. "Accio textbook!"
The textbook that had just fallen to the floor immediately flew into his hand.
"In terms of the incantation, you have no problems. I think your issue is still with your mindset—you're a bit too anxious. My experience is that when you first use the Summoning Charm, you'd best empty your mind completely. At the moment you cast the spell, you must ensure that your mind is completely filled with it—let it pack your brain full.
After you become proficient, you'll be able to form a habit like mine, naturally achieving this when using the charm. You can't succeed now because you're definitely still thinking about other things."
Harry was silent for a moment, then said.
"You're right. Somehow, a particularly large dragon keeps popping into my head..."
"Don't worry about that dragon, Harry. Just try not to think about anything."
"Alright, let me try again..."
"No problem, believe in yourself—you can definitely do it!"
Compared to Harry, Sherlock was much more successful.
After all, he had already cast this spell back in first year.
Of course, back then he had succeeded, but not completely.
The key to open the door flew halfway before breaking free of the spell and running away directly.
But now three years had passed, and with Cedric's experience added, it was simply a matter of course.
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