With 1993 approaching and nearly fourteen years old, Hermione's speech was gradually becoming less domineering than before.
In fact, given her personality, this change wouldn't normally occur for several more years. She never expected that at school she'd meet someone even worse at speaking than herself.
It was precisely this that made her realize the inappropriateness of her past words and actions. After consciously correcting herself, she became much more endearing.
At this moment, hearing the conversation between Sherlock and Luna, she couldn't help but think "that was close."
Because what she'd been about to say was. "Everyone knows The Quibbler is a load of ****."
Just imagine how awkward it would have been to say that in front of The Quibbler editor's daughter.
Hermione looked at Sherlock gratefully. Although she still had reservations about Luna Lovegood's attitude, thanks to Sherlock's interruption, she'd avoided making an inappropriate comment.
Sherlock naturally had no idea the girl was having such an internal monologue. His earlier action was completely unintentional. Now he browsed through the magazine with interest, and after glancing at it, he understood why Luna was reading the magazine upside down.
Because in the article "Ancient Runes Revealed," the author's viewpoint was exactly that. turn these ancient runes upside down, and you can see they're actually a spell—one that can turn your enemy's ears into kumquats.
While this seemed rather pointless, compared to other content in the magazine, it was relatively normal.
For instance, this issue's core article, the content of the cover cartoon, said this.
"When Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge was elected two years ago, he denied having any plans to take over Gringotts Wizarding Bank. He always insisted he only wanted to cooperate peacefully with the keepers of our magical world's gold. But is this really the case?
In fact, this Minister's strongest ambition is to control the goblins' gold reserves, and he wouldn't hesitate to use force if necessary.
A source who wished to remain anonymous indicated that in their circles, Cornelius Fudge is known as the 'Goblin Killer,' and he typically deals with Gringotts goblins through the following methods.
Including but not limited to drowning them, pushing them off buildings, poisoning them, and baking them into pies..."
Hermione, reading along with Sherlock, couldn't help but look puzzled. Were these obviously ridiculous articles really that interesting?
Even if this Minister really had many flaws, baking goblins into pies was surely too absurd?
To openly include and publish such articles, it seemed her earlier assessment was correct. The Quibbler was garbage.
But since she now knew Luna's father was the magazine's editor, Hermione certainly wouldn't voice this opinion. She'd just keep her thoughts to herself.
The Hogwarts Express continued south, the weather still changeable. Raindrops sporadically tapped the windows, then the sun lazily peeked out before clouds drifted over to hide it again.
Finally, after most of a day's long journey, the train left the countryside and entered the city.
By late afternoon, the young wizards took off their robes and began changing into sweaters and coats. Sherlock continued changing in the compartment, with neither Hermione nor Neville leaving.
Luna rolled up The Quibbler and carefully placed it in her bag. After doing this, she turned and stared fixedly at Sherlock, as if very interested in his clothes-changing process.
Sherlock naturally paid no attention to this. But seeing her expression, Hermione couldn't help asking. "Lovegood, what are you looking at?"
"I thought I saw a Wrackspurt buzzing around Sherlock just now."
"I'm sorry, what did you say?"
"Wrackspurts—they're invisible and float into your ears to make your brain go fuzzy."
Luna's explanation was identical to when she first met Sherlock. She clapped her hands at the air as if shooing away invisible moths.
Hermione and Neville exchanged glances again. Throughout this journey, they'd deeply experienced Luna's uniqueness, but didn't expect her to deliver another bombshell just as they were about to get off the train.
Both decided not to comment on this matter.
"Well then, Sherlock, goodbye—and you two as well."
When the train stopped, Luna proactively said goodbye to Sherlock and his two companions, then was first to leave the compartment.
Neville immediately let out a long breath.
"Finally, she's gone." He looked at Sherlock and Hermione. "You know, I hardly dared speak loudly just now."
"Understandable." Hermione nodded, then looked at Sherlock. "What are you planning to do this holiday?"
"Stay home and go nowhere."
"Uh—that's not what I meant." Hermione felt somewhat helpless. "I mean, aren't you going to continue investigating the Chamber case?"
Because of Luna's presence, she hadn't brought up the Chamber topic throughout the journey until now.
Since he'd started morning training and fencing with Sherlock, and attended the deathday party with Hermione and Harry, Neville's relationship with the quartet had made great strides.
The Chamber topic couldn't be discussed with Luna, but there was no problem discussing it with Neville.
Hearing Hermione ask this question, Neville immediately perked up his ears. He'd been wanting to ask this earlier, but his first question had triggered Luna's laughter, so he'd held back the whole way.
"I have some leads, but I can't be certain my deductions are correct." Sherlock said slowly. "Frankly speaking, the key to this matter doesn't lie with me."
Hermione immediately understood. "You mean Professor Dumbledore?"
"Exactly. As long as he can tell me some information, it will play a decisive role in advancing the case."
"Unfortunately, Professor Dumbledore won't return until after the holidays..."
Hearing this, Hermione sighed. "I just hope that before he returns, there won't be any more monster attacks at Hogwarts."
Sherlock: (-_-)
"What's wrong, Sherlock? Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Generally speaking, whenever someone says what you just said, nine times out of ten that very thing will happen."
"Exactly! My grandmother says the same thing—good things don't come true, but bad things do. Many things can't withstand being mentioned."
"Please, you two, don't be so superstitious!" Hermione said helplessly. "It's one thing for Neville to say that, but Sherlock, aren't you the most devoted believer in science?"
"You're talking to me about science in a world with magic?" Sherlock found this rather amusing.
Hermione protested. "Magic is also a kind of science!"
"My dear Hermione, even if you want to discuss science with me, then according to Murphy's Law, the more you don't want something to happen, the greater the probability it will occur." Sherlock said quietly. "When you voice such concerns, the bad situation you don't want to happen has often already occurred or is about to occur."
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!" Hermione stood up suddenly. "How could there be such a coincidence?"
But Sherlock shook his head. "Hermione, it's absolutely possible."
Then the two began discussing statistics, Murphy's Law, small probabilities and major accidents...
Neville could only watch them silently from the side. Although he didn't understand what they meant, it seemed very impressive.
Fortunately, at this moment the voice urging young wizards to disembark sounded, forcing this topic to end.
The station exit still had the same grumpy old guard, responsible for preventing too many young wizards from passing through at once to avoid being spotted by Muggles.
"Sherlock, my dad and mum are here!"
"My grandmother's here too!"
"Oh."
When Hermione saw her parents, she temporarily set aside thoughts about the Chamber.
This time she didn't remind Sherlock to call her again, knowing it would be futile. Rather than spend time reminding him, she might as well take the initiative herself.
Neville had already run off, and Hermione was about to say goodbye to Sherlock when she suddenly noticed he was standing still.
"Sherlock, haven't your uncle and aunt arrived yet?"
Sherlock's expression was somewhat complex as he shook his head. "They won't be coming."
After saying this, he walked directly toward a certain direction.
Hermione found this rather strange, but at this moment Mr. and Mrs. Granger were waving at her, so she could only hurry toward her parents.
"What's wrong, Hermione? Why do you look distracted? Aren't you happy to see Mum and Dad?"
Mr. Granger paid close attention to Hermione's every move, so he immediately noticed something was off when they met.
"Of course I'm happy, it's just that Sherlock—"
"That brat again!" Mr. Granger immediately became annoyed when Hermione started with Sherlock's name. "It's one thing at school, but you have to keep mentioning him at home too?"
"Dear, what are you doing!" Mrs. Granger thought her husband was being unfriendly toward Sherlock and complained, "I think little Holmes is quite nice. Don't talk about him like that, especially since Mr. Holmes helped our family so much."
"I'm not saying he's bad, it's just—forget it, I won't say anymore."
"Speaking of which, why didn't we see Violet today? Haven't they arrived yet?"
"Mum, that's what I was trying to say. Sherlock told me his parents wouldn't be coming today."
"Oh my! What about little Holmes then? We should take him home with us!"
"Hmph, you don't need to worry about him. Even without his parents, someone else came to pick him up!"
"What?"
"Who else?"
"See for yourselves."
Mr. Granger stepped aside as he spoke. Looking in the direction he pointed, Hermione and her mother immediately saw the familiar Rover from Sherlock's family.
Just as Sherlock had told Hermione earlier, the person standing by the car wasn't Sherlock's parents, but a young man.
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