Hearing Harry say that, Ron and Hermione couldn't imagine the seemingly unapproachable Sherlock eating ice cream.
"Maybe he just happened to be standing there? He doesn't look like he enjoys childish things like that," Ron guessed. (TN: How the heck is ice cream a childish thing?)
"You might be right." Harry shrugged, not giving it much thought.
Originally, Harry and his group planned to split up.
But after meeting Sherlock, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley obviously wanted to find an excuse to spend more time with him, so Harry, Hermione, and the Weasley children had to obey them and go to Flourish and Blotts together to buy books first.
"Kingsley has always expressed regret since you left the Auror Office. He said you were an excellent wizard, and if you had stayed in the office, you would have been promoted to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement within a few years, with a great future ahead of you."
Walking down the streets of Diagon Alley, Mr. Weasley talked non-stop to Sherlock about what had happened after he left the Ministry of Magic.
"But teaching at Hogwarts is also good. Every professor in the castle is a leading figure in their respective fields in the Wizarding World, and I am sure that you will become even better with their help."
"Of course, I will."
Compared to him, Sherlock's response was somewhat succinct, but this still didn't dampen Mr. Weasley's enthusiasm for conversation.
Meanwhile, Molly Weasley had also been proudly telling the children trailing behind them about Sherlock's glorious past.
"Professor Cavendish got O's in every end-of-year exam when he was at Hogwarts, and even scored twelve O's in his O.W.L.s. He also served as Head Boy of Hogwarts in his seventh year..." (TN: O's are Outstanding, the highest grade.)
Fred and George impatiently interrupted Molly Weasley's boasting, then quietly looked at Sherlock out of the corner of their eyes, lowering their voices as they asked their mother.
"Mum, who exactly is Professor Cavendish? How do you and Dad know him?"
As the twins asked their question, Harry, Ron, and Hermione also perked up their ears, wanting to overhear some gossip.
Hearing Fred's question, Molly Weasley's expression suddenly turned dim and sad. She looked at Sherlock's back with a gaze of sorrow mixed with a hint of pity and whispered softly.
"His mother was a very good friend of mine and your father's."
George and Fred's eyes lit up when they saw their mother's expression, which clearly indicated a story.
But before they could speak, Mrs. Weasley preemptively shattered their fantasy of prying further.
"This is adult business! You shouldn't concern yourselves with things that don't involve you. Don't think I don't know what schemes you're plotting! I'm warning you—from now on, you must respect Sherlock as much as you respect your own older brothers! Do you understand?!"
Her tone was stern, but the twins didn't take it to heart.
They drew out their words, answering feebly.
"We understand, Mum."
Then they winked at each other, saying with mischievous grins.
"We'll respect him as much as we respect Percy!"
Sherlock and Mr. Weasley were walking up front, so they didn't hear the conversation between Mrs. Weasley and the children behind them.
Their group entered Flourish and Blotts, and the kids dispersed to find the books they needed for the new semester.
Most of the Weasley family's children gathered around the used-book section; their financial situation didn't allow every child to have new textbooks.
"I see that this year's Defense Against the Dark Arts class textbooks are the same old ones. Why didn't you choose your published works?"
Hearing Mr. Weasley's words, Sherlock felt a pang of frustration.
He naturally knew that although his predecessor was not old, he had already published two magical books related to Defense Against the Dark Arts in the Wizarding World, and both had been well received by the magical community.
However, the magical knowledge involved in these two books was too advanced, beyond what the current Sherlock could comprehend.
If he used his own books as textbooks but couldn't explain the principles clearly during class, that would be a huge problem.
"What I wrote is still a bit too immature; using it as a textbook would hinder the students at Hogwarts."
Mr. Weasley was clearly surprised when he heard his explanation, and he said with some emotion.
"After nearly two years, you've changed quite a bit. But you don't need to be modest in this regard, Sherlock. The two books you wrote are in no way inferior to any other book."
Sherlock's heart skipped a beat. Then he composed himself, putting on a cold, expressionless face as he said,
"I'm not being modest; I just have high standards for myself."
"I know, I know."
Mr. Weasley said he understood, but the knowing smile on his face clearly indicated a misunderstanding.
After all, everyone understands the concept of saying one thing while meaning another.
Seeing him like this, Sherlock didn't continue to explain and instead fell into deep thought.
Because the Wizarding World has magic that can read other people's memories, ever since he transmigrated into the original owner's body, he had been cautious around everyone, fearing that someone would discover his secret.
If a wizard looked into his mind without him realizing it, he would truly be finished.
But the original owner's personality was too aloof and cold.
Before transmigrating, Sherlock himself had been a very normal person. Now, with his life at stake, he could pretend for a while.
But if it went on for too long, or if he had to be like this for the rest of his life, he definitely wouldn't be able to bear it or keep it up, and his own personality would eventually be altered.
Therefore, he had to change the original owner's personality step by step.
He needed to alter the ingrained impression of himself in the eyes of acquaintances like Professor McGonagall and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, so they would no longer perceive him as the cold and aloof Sherlock of the past.
Instead, he would completely replace Sherlock, so he wouldn't have to pretend every day in the future.
Of course, this change couldn't be sudden.
People do change, but without the passage of time or the occurrence of a major event, a sudden and drastic change in personality would certainly arouse suspicion from those with ulterior motives.
The cost of verifying such suspicion in the Wizarding World is also very low.
So he had to slowly change his personality and reshape the impression he left on the original owner's acquaintances.
For example, the habitually modest words Sherlock had just spoken would clearly not have been uttered by the Sherlock that Mr. Weasley was familiar with.
But it had been almost two years since he had last seen the original owner, and the current Sherlock's personality had changed somewhat in that time, which was naturally a perfectly normal occurrence.
And while Sherlock was pondering, an unpleasant drawl suddenly rang out from the side.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't Arthur Weasley. What's wrong? Did the Ministry of Magic raise your salary? Enough for you to get your children new textbooks?"