https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-208-The-Chamber-of-Secrets-in-Knockturn-Alley/13458418/
Chapter 209: Past Events
Chapter 209: Past Events
"The disappearance of a Ministry of Magic employee is a serious matter, but it's especially concerning since Jenkins works for the Department of Magical Sports and Games, and this is happening right now."
Sherlock understood the implications in Kingsley's words.
The Quidditch World Cup was being held in Britain, so the Department of Magical Sports and Games was naturally responsible for the event.
An incident like this at such a time naturally raised suspicions.
At this point, Kingsley seemed to come back to his senses and shook his head.
"Let's not talk about this during the holiday. It's rare to have a break, and it would be a waste to spend it thinking about work."
Sherlock glanced at him, recalling the young man who had just joined the Ministry of Magic seventeen years ago, already showing great promise. He was just as much of a workaholic then as Kingsley was now, much like Eddie.
Neither of them found it childish to buy a Puffy Cotton Candy each on Diagon Alley's street. The candy, which could fly like a helium balloon, was held in their hands as they crouched in front of a pet shop, eating the sugary treat and teasing the aloof owl in the cage, chatting about the latest rumors and interesting stories from the Wizarding World.
"Who do you think will win this World Cup?"
Kingsley, almost losing his grip on the flying cotton candy, took a large bite, eating half of it in one go.
Like most Brits, he had an unusual fondness for sweets.
Sherlock tilted his head, thinking for a moment.
"I don't know much about Quidditch, and even less about the popular teams, but I do know that the Bulgarian team has a star player named Viktor Krum. They should be quite formidable."
"Krum is indeed a prodigy, the youngest Seeker to ever play in a Quidditch World Cup final", Kingsley remarked with a touch of admiration. However, he quickly added, "But that's also why I don't think the Bulgarian team will win. While their young Seeker is exceptional, his teammates are average. They've relied heavily on him in previous matches, and they might not be so lucky against a team like Ireland."
Unlike Sherlock, Kingsley was clearly a devoted Quidditch fan, well-versed in the strengths and weaknesses of the teams competing in the final.
Sherlock gave him a sidelong glance.
"What's the point of all this talk if you don't even have time to watch the match? You gave both your tickets and Mad-Eye Moody's to me."
Kingsley was unfazed by Sherlock's sarcasm.
"Priorities come first. My duties as an Auror take precedence over my hobbies."
"You're not getting any younger. Have you ever thought about settling down?"
"If I plan to stay in this position until retirement, I won't get married."
"Like Mad-Eye Moody? Devoting his entire life to the Ministry of Magic? But I heard he officially retired not long ago, right?"
At this, Kingsley's smile grew wider.
"Yes, that old lunatic managed to retire alive, which is a miracle. During the darkest years of the Wizarding World, very few Aurors survived from start to finish. Losing a leg and an eye, Mad-Eye Moody was considered extremely lucky."
"On the night of his official retirement, the department threw him a small party. But after a lifetime of being an Auror, he still had that same temperament. He never had a good word for anyone, always suspecting everyone of being a Dark Wizard."
"He has been an Auror for so many years, always the department's ace. The only person he ever truly respected was your mother, who wasn't even a professional Auror."
Mentioning Sherlock's mother, the atmosphere grew heavy.
Sherlock had a unique emotional connection to the original owner's mother, Sally Forrest.
Although the current Sherlock wasn't her biological son, he could feel her love for her child and held her in the highest regard.
Moreover, his most important magical technique, Control Magic, was only mastered thanks to Selena's research. The Crescent Mark she left behind still protected Sherlock as if he were her own son.
Sherlock never took these things for granted.
He didn't consider himself a good person, but he knew the importance of repaying kindness.
Regarding the changes in the original owner's family, Sherlock had tried his best to find clues during the time he traveled back.
However, apart from some traces left in the underground study of the small courtyard at Magnolia Crescent, he found nothing else.
He even went through the internal archives of the Ministry of Magic but found no relevant records. Selena's madness seemed to have no clear reason.
And those who knew the truth, including Snape, had all taken the Secrecy Charm, keeping the secret hidden forever. Unless Dumbledore gave his approval, even if the secret was right in front of Sherlock, he wouldn't be able to see it.
"So, when will you tell me about these things?"
Kingsley's face showed a look of regret, realizing he had said too much, but the words were already out.
"Not telling you was a decision made by all those who knew the truth. When you joined the Ministry of Magic as an Auror, there were suggestions to tell you the truth, but Dumbledore overruled them, thinking it wasn't the right time yet."
Sherlock didn't press Kingsley further, only sighed and looked up at the sky.
"So, when will it be the right time?"
There was a long silence before Sherlock spoke again.
"I can guess some of it. The problem must be with the Dark Lord. You're hesitant to tell me, probably because it involves him."
Kingsley hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"In the past, it was better that you didn't know certain things. But now that you've joined the Order of the Phoenix, Dumbledore will have to tell you, he just hasn't made up his mind yet."
Sherlock remained silent, recalling the dinner where he joined the Order of the Phoenix. Apart from Mad-Eye Moody, almost no one agreed with Dumbledore's decision. In the end, Dumbledore insisted and pushed through the decision.
Dumbledore must have already planned to tell him certain things from that moment on.
But Sherlock couldn't figure out what else Dumbledore could be holding back. He already knew about Voldemort's Horcruxes and had even destroyed two of them. What else could be so important that Dumbledore couldn't share it with him?
Just as he was puzzled, Kingsley changed the subject.
"Actually, this year, besides the Quidditch World Cup, there will be another major event in Britain, and it's taking place at Hogwarts."
(End of Chapter)
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