Chapter 230: Stubborn Pride
Chapter 230: Stubborn Pride
When Sherlock returned to the castle, Flitwick was already preparing the decorations for the opening feast in the Great Hall.
He put his things away in his office and used a spell to help Flitwick with a few minor tasks. Just as he was about to leave the Great Hall and wander around the castle, he ran into Professor Mcgonagall in the entrance hall.
"I heard about what happened at the World Cup, Sherlock."
As soon as they met, Professor Mcgonagall looked at him with concern.
"And the day after the incident, that contract was—"
Sherlock smiled at her.
"Yes, Professor. Professor Dumbledore told me everything about my mother."
Professor Mcgonagall took a deep breath, her eyes welling up slightly. Despite her usual strict demeanor, the head of Gryffindor House was a very emotional person.
"Knowing is one thing, but you shouldn't put too much pressure on yourself. Selena may be gone, but she never wanted you to be involved in these matters. I don't know if Albus did the right thing by telling you, but you shouldn't take on everything as your own responsibility. Your mother did more than enough; you shouldn't have to bear any more of the burden."
Sherlock opened his arms and gave the stern yet kind-hearted woman a warm hug, comforting her.
"Don't worry, Professor. You know me; I've always been smart. I know what to do and when to do it."
Professor Mcgonagall sniffed and looked at Sherlock with relief.
"I'm glad for Selena. You're doing well, Sherlock."
"Don't be too lenient with me, Professor. I might get too proud."
Sherlock and Professor Mcgonagall chatted for a while in the entrance hall before parting ways. She still had to prepare the first-year list and arrange the semester's schedule, which always kept her and Flitwick the busiest on the first day of the school year.
After leaving the Great Hall, Sherlock headed down to the dungeons and made his way to Snape's office.
Snape, the man who dressed and lived like a bat, was predictably holed up in his office as soon as he returned to the castle.
"Long time no see, Uncle Prince."
Sherlock greeted him with a playful smile. Snape, as always, remained cold, merely glancing at him before refocusing his attention on the potion formula in his hand.
Sherlock didn't mind the cold shoulder. If Snape had suddenly greeted him with a smile, he would have pulled out his wand to check if some dark creature had possessed the old bat.
"What do you want?"
Sherlock, feeling at home, started fiddling with the bottles and vials on the shelves, examining a golden potion that looked like a luck potion.
"You haven't forgotten, have you? I wrote to you during the holiday, asking for your help in brewing some Polyjuice Potion. I even paid the deposit."
Snape's expression remained unchanged.
"I never replied saying I would help you. And if you value your sanity, don't tamper with that bottle of madness potion."
Upon hearing the name of the potion, Sherlock quickly put it back.
The madness potion, similar in appearance to a luck potion, does not bring good fortune but instead causes temporary mental instability. Many dark wizards enjoy using it to torment others.
He sat down across from Snape, blinking his eyes and extending his hand.
"Just give it to me, don't waste time. You're acting like a child."
Snape's expression grew even darker. He glared coldly at Sherlock, but eventually retrieved a bag from his drawer and reluctantly handed it over.
Sherlock silently cursed "stubborn pride" in his mind, then snatched the bag.
He bent his head to check the quantity of Polyjuice Potion in the bag, finally nodding in satisfaction and putting it away.
There was no need to inspect the goods; the stubborn pride was reliable when it came to potions.
Just as Sherlock was about to leave with the item, Snape suddenly spoke up.
"Do you know about those things?"
His question was vague, but Sherlock understood what he meant.
"Not only do I know, but I've also clashed with them. You must be aware of what happened during the World Cup."
Snape's gaze remained on the potion recipe, but it became noticeably distant.
"You killed two people?"
Sherlock's smile faded, and he stared solemnly at Snape.
"Don't say such self-deceiving things. They were two Death Eaters. He has already begun gathering his followers, which means the day you've been waiting for is not far off."
Snape fell silent. After a long moment, he spoke again.
"Is there any chance for Lily to be revived?"
"I've already said, I don't know. But since she was awakened in Harry, you haven't even spoken to him, have you?"
Snape shook his head.
"I can't change my attitude towards Harry. The less time we have, the more I must not show any weakness."
Sherlock understood what he meant.
"So you choose not to see her? Afraid that if you do, you'll go easy on Harry? But what if you never get the chance to see her again?"
Snape clenched his fists tightly.
"She will know. She just needs to know."
Sherlock looked at Snape with a complex expression, a mix of admiration, pity, and regret. He sighed, then turned and left Snape's office.
He had just climbed the stairs from the basement to the first floor when he unexpectedly ran into someone near the Great Hall.
"Ha, what a coincidence, Sherlock."
Sherlock was a bit surprised to see Mad-Eye Moody, but he quickly remembered that Kingsley had mentioned during their encounter in Diagon Alley that Dumbledore had invited the retired Mad-Eye Moody to Hogwarts for the Triwizard Tournament this semester.
Although Sherlock didn't understand why the Triwizard Tournament required Mad-Eye Moody's presence, running into an old acquaintance lifted his spirits.
Mad-Eye Moody was known for his eccentric temper in the Auror Office, but he was also a trusted and excellent Auror.
He smiled and said, "Indeed, what a coincidence, Mad-Eye Moody. Kingsley mentioned you would be coming to Hogwarts, and I didn't expect to meet you here today."
(End of Chapter)
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