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Chapter 12: Complex Relationships
Chapter 12: Complex Relationships
"Who is this guy? Why did Mom get so excited when she saw him? I remember even when Bill graduated from Hogwarts, she didn't look this way."
George Weasley, one of the twins, watched the heartwarming scene in front of him, where it seemed like the Weasleys had found another long-lost child, and whispered his confusion to Fred.
Fred gave Sherlock a thorough once-over, then said with a serious tone.
"Judging by his age, he seems about the same as Charlie. Maybe he and Charlie are twins, and our parents accidentally left him behind somewhere."
Their youngest sibling, Ginny, took her brother's words seriously and shook her head vigorously.
"No way! He doesn't look anything like Charlie! Besides, his hair is light blonde!"
"Didn't you know, Ginny?" George and Fred, known for their mischief, exchanged a look and said with feigned surprise, "Our family's hair is actually light blonde. We just dye it red every year with magic. Aren't you?"
Ginny stood there, completely stunned.
It wasn't until the twins burst out laughing that she realized they were joking. Her face turned red with embarrassment, and she chased after them with her small fists.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione also started whispering among themselves.
"I've seen him before", Harry said confidently.
Ron muttered, "If you've seen him, why haven't I?"
Harry explained, "This summer, on my birthday, when I was still at Aunt Petunia's house, he ran past the street outside. I saw him once."
"Earlier, when we were entering Diagon Alley, I think I saw him too", Hermione added. "I only saw his back, but it was easy to recognize him."
Ron looked puzzled.
"You all have seen him, and my parents acted like they were seeing their own son. Who is he, exactly?"
Sherlock was just as curious about his identity!
Currently, he was surrounded by the Weasleys, who were showering him with concern and warmth, making him feel extremely uncomfortable. However, he had to maintain a cold and distant demeanor.
So, what kind of background did the original owner have?
Just a Muggle father who was a wealthy businessman and a mother who was a madwoman in the Wizarding World, right?
It was one thing for Professor Mcgonagall to treat him like a younger family member, but why did the Weasleys act like they were even closer to him than their own children?
Despite the original owner's unpleasant and reclusive personality, neither Professor Mcgonagall nor the Weasleys seemed to care, which made it difficult for Sherlock to keep up his act, feeling like the ultimate ingrate.
Still, he had to maintain the facade.
"I'm fine, thank you for your concern."
To the untrained ear, Sherlock might have sounded polite, but his tone and expression made it clear that he was anything but.
The Weasley children, including Harry and Hermione, all wore disgruntled looks, forming a poor first impression of him.
However, the Weasleys themselves were unfazed by Sherlock's attitude.
"That's good to hear. It's nice for you to get out more. Do you have any other plans after today's visit to Diagon Alley? You could come over to our place this evening. And", Mrs. Weasley added, pulling Harry forward, "this is your Aunt Lily's son, Harry Potter. You must have heard of him. He's twelve this year and will be starting his second year at Hogwarts."
Sherlock felt a wave of numbness.
Well, it seems he also knew Harry Potter's mother?
The situation is getting more complicated. The original owner's background is far more intricate than he initially thought.
Looking at the thin and slightly bewildered Harry Potter standing before him, Sherlock greeted him first.
"Hello, Potter. I've heard of your name even when I was still a student at Hogwarts."
Sherlock had already mastered the rhythm of speaking in the original owner's identity.
His words were polite, but his tone was deliberately flat, making it sound quite grating.
Harry hesitantly extended his hand to shake Sherlock's, clearly sensing that this person might be difficult to deal with.
"Hello, Mr. ——"
"Given my current identity, you should address me as Professor Forrest."
Sherlock made no attempt to hide his identity; after all, the news would spread once Hogwarts reopened.
Upon hearing this, everyone present widened their eyes in surprise.
"Professor Forrest, which subject will you be teaching?" Harry asked.
"Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"Oh! That's fantastic, Sherlock." Mr. Weasley looked delighted and went up to give Sherlock a hug.
"You've finally achieved your dream. I heard that the originally appointed Defense Professor, Gilderoy Lockhart, turned out to be a criminal. I never expected Dumbledore's new choice to be you."
Mrs. Weasley, however, looked quite worried.
"But I heard that the Defense Professor position isn't very safe."
Before Sherlock could respond, Mr. Weasley shot her an annoyed look.
"How can you believe such nonsense, Molly? That's just a rumor. Every Defense Professor who had issues in recent years had problems of their own. It has nothing to do with the position itself!"
Sherlock remained silent. He knew there were significant issues with his own appointment as Defense Professor!
But Mr. Weasley was oblivious to Sherlock's thoughts and enthusiastically extended an invitation.
"We're about to take the kids to the bookstore to buy their new term textbooks. Come along, everyone has missed you since you left the Ministry of Magic."
He grabbed Sherlock's arm, giving him no chance to refuse, and they all headed towards Flourish and Blotts with the Weasleys and the Grangers.
The young wizards trailing behind murmured to each other.
"Lockhart's replacement is him." Hermione looked genuinely surprised. "He seems so young, barely in his mid-twenties."
After Lockhart's arrest, the Daily Prophet had revealed his intended appointment at Hogwarts as the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. A journalist named Rita Skeeter had also harshly criticized Dumbledore's judgment.
This had infuriated Lockhart's fans, including Hermione and Mrs. Weasley, who felt deceived.
Ron commented, "Lockhart isn't even thirty."
George and Fred exchanged a glance and bluntly said, "This guy looks just as pompous as Percy."
Percy glared at them angrily.
Harry, meanwhile, glanced back at the spot where Sherlock had been standing, lost in thought.
"Professor Forrest mentioned he was going to buy ice cream, but when he saw us, he changed his mind."
(End of Chapter)
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