Hermione was very angry.
She was already dissatisfied that Sherlock hadn't contacted her during the holidays.
Now hearing that Sherlock had actually taken Harry to Privet Drive, she was naturally even more dissatisfied.
Such an interesting thing, why didn't he invite her too?
Unfortunately, it was too late to say these things now.
Finally, at Ron's strong suggestion, Sherlock played several violin pieces they liked as compensation.
This time Ron finally got his chance.
Sherlock played the violin very well, even able to play some difficult pieces.
But.
He just wouldn't play properly.
During his stay at Sherlock's house, Ron had endured Sherlock's piercing solos more than once.
Every evening, Sherlock would lean against the armchair, place the violin flat on his knees, close his eyes and play casually.
The sound was sometimes high-pitched and melancholy, sometimes strange and cheerful, sometimes harsh and grating, like sawing wood.
Ron found it unbearably difficult to endure.
Only Mr. and Mrs. Holmes seemed long accustomed to it.
Harry didn't say a word.
In this situation, Ron could only run to the bedroom and close the door tightly.
But Sherlock's violin sound was extremely penetrating; even through the door, he could still hear it.
It truly made him suffer.
Now with Hermione as reinforcement, he decisively seized the opportunity to make his request.
Finally, everyone got a satisfactory result.
Hermione's anger subsided.
Ron also breathed a long sigh of relief.
He was even thinking that if this situation had continued for a few more days, he might have exploded.
The Granger family of three left after dinner.
Hermione was still somewhat reluctant.
But she could only remind Sherlock again when leaving that he must call or send letters by owl.
A few more days passed, and the time finally came to December 25, 1991.
Christmas Day.
On this very day, Mr. Granger's angry words from a few days ago were vindicated.
The unbreakable alliance became a self-destructing alliance and truly became a laughingstock of the international community.
Without exaggeration, the collapse of the alliance was the most far-reaching major international event affecting the Muggle world order since World War II.
As for whether this event would affect the wizarding world, it remained unknown for now.
However, for young wizards studying at Hogwarts, this event obviously had little impact.
Not to mention that many people didn't know about it at all; even if they did, compared to this, they cared more about what Christmas presents they had received.
When Sherlock, Harry, and Ron woke up in the morning, presents had already appeared in their respective rooms.
This was also a benefit of the wizarding world.
Owls could replace that red-hatted, white-bearded old man in delivering Christmas presents to them.
Sherlock stared at a pile of packages in silence.
He was somewhat surprised.
So many people had sent him presents?
"Surprise!"
"Merry Christmas!"
Just as he was thinking, Harry and Ron suddenly burst through Sherlock's door.
Obviously, the two planned to give him a surprise.
However, when they saw the room packed with large and small packages, they couldn't help but gasp simultaneously.
"Hiss—..."
"Sherlock, you received so many presents!"
Actually, when Harry woke up in the morning and saw the small pile of packages at the foot of his bed, he was already very surprised.
Just then Ron knocked on his door, and he immediately excitedly showed these to the latter:
"Look, I received several presents!"
"What did you expect to receive? Cabbage?"
After Ron said this, he laughed himself.
His pile of packages was much larger than Harry's.
This was normal; compared to Harry, he had many more relatives and friends.
The two discussed and decided to find Sherlock first.
Then they saw this shocking scene.
After a while, Ron finally came to his senses, pointing at a bulging large paper bag and saying, "This must be from my mum."
"Ron, have you finally learned to deduce through observation like Sherlock?"
"I just saw the same present in your room."
Ron said with a pout, "She should have knitted each of you a Weasley family special sweater. Um, I think Hermione must have received one too."
At Harry and Ron's strong suggestion, the three brought their received presents together to unwrap.
As Ron predicted, Mrs. Weasley's gift to Sherlock was indeed a hand-knitted blue sweater with a large "S" embroidered on the chest.
Harry's sweater was green with an "H" embroidered on the chest, Ron's was maroon with an "R."
Along with the sweaters came a large box of homemade fudge.
It tasted very good too.
Next was Hagrid.
He gave each of them a handmade flute. Although the workmanship was somewhat rough, they were exceptionally sturdy.
Hermione's gift was quite interesting.
She gave Harry a box of horseshoe-shaped chocolates and Ron a large box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans.
Sherlock received a book.
What surprised Harry and Ron was that this book wasn't the "Magical Crime Case Collection" they had previously discussed, but—
Charm: The Art of Persuasive Speaking
There was also a note stuck on the cover, written in elegant handwriting: "Study hard."
Sherlock: "..."
Harry, Ron: "..."
Sherlock opened the title page and found this written:
[This book provides exclusive formulas for communication skills, making you a master speaker who, when silent, remains silent, but when speaking, amazes everyone]
Sherlock: "..."
Seeing Sherlock's silence, Ron finally couldn't help but ask: "Sherlock, what did you give Hermione?"
"Is it also a book?" Harry guessed.
"It is a book."
Harry and Ron perked up their ears.
"The title is 'Makeup for Beginners.'"
Harry and Ron immediately gasped.
'Good heavens!'
You two are mutually harming each other!
"I don't understand."
Harry expressed his incomprehension.
"Why would you give Hermione that kind of book?"
Clearly, the gifts Sherlock gave him and Ron were very practical—the wand was undoubtedly a godsend for Ron, and wizard chess for himself was acceptable.
How did the style suddenly change when it came to Hermione?
"When giving gifts, one must consider practical needs."
Harry: "..."
"Sherlock, let me ask you this—do you think Hermione needs to learn makeup and dressing up?"
"Obviously."
Harry and Ron exchanged glances.
So that's it.
No wonder Hermione gave you this book in return, even withdrawing the "Magical Crime Case Collection" she had prepared.
"Um—what gifts did you give others?"
Since they were on this topic, Harry became interested and asked another question.
"Professor Dumbledore gets three years of dental checkups and free cleanings.
Professor McGonagall gets a British-style tea set.
Professor Snape gets a small refrigerator that can store potions long-term.
Professor Flitwick gets a music box that can be charged or use batteries.
Professor Sprout and Hagrid both get books, 'Home Gardening Ornamental Guide' and 'Encyclopedia of Rare Wild Animals.'"
Hearing Sherlock answer without hesitation, Harry and Ron couldn't help but look at each other.
So, the question was:
Clearly, the gifts for professors, him, and Ron were all very normal. Why did the style suddenly change when it came to Hermione?
Why was this?
Why?
Well, things had come to this point, no use saying more.
Anyway, their gifts had been sent out. As for Sherlock and Hermione—
Whatever!
In the subsequent gift-opening process, the two understood why Sherlock had received so many presents.
"Dear Holmes, sincerely thank you for covering for me time and again in Charms class—your faithful Seamus Finnigan."
"To Holmes, thank you for recommending an excellent Seeker for the team. Of course, it would be even better if you could join us too—always welcome, Oliver Wood."
"Sherlock, thank you for helping me find Trevor every time—Neville Longbottom."
"Holmes, thanks to you, my father was able to clear his name. Merry Christmas—from the entire Abbott family, Hannah Abbott."
"Mr. Holmes, thank you for solving my troubles—Cho Chang."
Only then did Harry and Ron understand how many good deeds Sherlock had done behind their backs.
This might sound strange, but it was indeed the case.
"Um—Sherlock, have you ever considered becoming a detective in the future?"
"Dear Harry, my childhood dream was to become a pirate."
"Uh, this—"
Harry suddenly didn't know what to say.
"Wait, first tell me, what is a detective?"
Just like that, the morning passed peacefully in this calm conversation among the three.
After lunch, Mr. and Mrs. Holmes went out for a walk, leaving the three young friends indoors.
Harry and Ron resumed their wizard chess—for Ron, playing master-level games daily with an occasional bronze-level game was good relaxation.
Sherlock stared at the wall in a daze.
If no one reminded him, he might very well continue like this for an entire afternoon.
Until Hermione called.
She stiffly told Sherlock that Mr. Granger had taken Mr. Holmes' advice and borrowed some rubles from the bank.
From the current situation, he would definitely profit from this transaction.
Just didn't know whether it would be a small, medium, or large profit.
When she found Sherlock responding dismissively and not explaining about the Christmas gift, she angrily hung up.
Soon after, the phone rang again, and Hermione talked at length about the other gifts she had received.
If not entirely satisfactory, at least acceptable.
However, Sherlock still showed no response.
Hermione angrily hung up again.
After that, Sherlock suggested going out for a walk and wouldn't let Harry and Ron follow.
As soon as Sherlock left, Ron spoke first: "Actually, sometimes I find Hermione annoying too. Sherlock must have left to avoid taking Hermione's calls."
"Obviously."
"Hey, buddy, don't learn to talk like Sherlock!"
"Did I?"
"Obviously."
"You still have the nerve to say that about me!"
While the two were arguing, the phone rang once again.
Harry and Ron couldn't help but look at each other, then made the same choice—ignore it.
However, to their helplessness, Hermione seemed determined, absolutely refusing to give up, insisting on getting this call through.
"Really persistent..."
Ron shook his head while nudging Harry with his elbow, "Go on, Harry, you know I can't handle this thing..."
Harry sighed deeply, stepped forward to pick up the receiver, and the previously stubborn ringing stopped abruptly.
"Hermione, Sherlock has already gone out!"
Contrary to Harry's expectations, there was first silence on the other end, then came an unfamiliar man's voice:
"Are you Harry Potter or Ron Weasley?"
Harry was startled, "Who are you?"
The strange man chuckled softly: "Me? I am the closest thing to a friend that Sherlock Holmes could ever have."
"What do you mean? What does that mean?"
Harry's heart jumped, and he quickly gestured to Ron.
Ron looked at Harry in confusion.
Harry was in great anxiety, gesturing and mouthing words until Ron finally understood his meaning.
Ron immediately went out to find Sherlock without saying a word.
The strange man on the other end seemed oblivious, continuing in a calm voice:
"Enemy—at least in his view, that's certainly the case.
If you asked him personally, he might say I'm his arch-nemesis. Heh heh, he just likes to make a big fuss about things. Am I right, Mr. Harry Potter?"
"How did you..."
Harry's surprise grew even greater.
This mysterious person knew about him and Ron right after answering the phone, and now further narrowed it down, directly identifying him personally.
"Didn't you just ask Mr. Weasley to leave?"
That voice laughed:
"It seems Holmes certainly didn't tell you that when people speak while doing other actions, it affects their vocal cords, did he?
Also, your friend's movements were rather too obvious—the sound of opening and closing doors could be heard from several feet away."
"Who exactly are you?"
"I told you, I'm Sherlock Holmes' arch-nemesis—so, do you plan to continue being friends with him?"
"That's none of your business!"
"That's debatable."
That voice laughed again, full of delight.
"I'm calling to tell you that I'm willing to pay you a considerable fee regularly, as long as you help me with one favor."
"What favor?"
The already alert Harry raised his guard even higher.
"Information! No need to pry into privacy, and it won't put you in a difficult position. Just tell me what he's doing."
"Why? Who exactly are you? What's your purpose in doing these things?"
This was Harry's third time asking about the other party's identity.
However, the other party continued to avoid this question:
"Because he always makes me worry, so I care about his life—but for various reasons, I hope you can keep this confidential—"
"I refuse!"
"Calm down, Mr. Potter. I haven't even mentioned the specific content of the payment yet."
"It doesn't matter. I'm simply not interested—and Sherlock is my friend. I won't help you do this kind of thing!"
Harry said decisively.
"Don't you trust anyone and only believe in Sherlock Holmes?"
Strangely, even though Harry had refused, the voice on the other end didn't sound angry but became even more cheerful.
"Or should I—go talk to Mr. Ron Weasley instead?
From what I understand, he's not exactly well-off financially. I'm sure he'd be happy to help me."
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