Ron seeing that Gemma Farley had come for Sherlock only felt somewhat surprised and dejected.
Of course, he didn't think the Slytherin prefect would have a sister-brother romance with first-year Sherlock.
That would be too absurd.
The key point was that he had just been thinking Sherlock wouldn't find a girlfriend before thirty, and immediately such a beautiful young lady came looking for him.
This was somewhat awkward.
However, Hermione, who was with him, was on high alert.
If the Patil twin sisters were the most beautiful girls in first year, then Gemma Farley was among the most beautiful girls in all of Hogwarts.
Of course, girls like Cho Chang at this level might surpass her in two or three years.
But now, due to age, she hadn't fully developed yet and temporarily couldn't compare to her.
More importantly, Gemma Farley just had to stand there and she had a special aura that would involuntarily draw people's attention to her.
It was really hard to imagine that someone like her would be a Slytherin.
However, when she heard Gemma Farley propose to speak with Sherlock alone, Hermione immediately snapped back to attention and reflexively said, "No!"
Sherlock and Farley both looked at her.
Hermione appeared slightly embarrassed but still insisted, "Miss Farley, I don't mean to offend, but...
Gryffindor just achieved a reversal in House Cup points because of Sherlock, and broke Slytherin's attempt at a seventh consecutive cup.
I believe that at this time, he shouldn't be alone with you."
Hearing Hermione say this, Farley immediately smiled, her sea-blue eyes becoming crescents,
"Miss Granger, it seems you, like Mr. Potter, have deep prejudices against Slytherin."
"I don't think that's prejudice."
Hermione raised her head to look directly at Farley, saying in a stiff tone, "Their performance is indeed not praiseworthy."
At this time, Harry, who had been chatting with three Ravenclaw girls, also noticed this scene.
Seeing that Hermione and Farley seemed somewhat confrontational, he said something to Cho Chang and the others, then hurried over,
"Miss Farley!"
"Hello, Mr. Potter," Farley looked at Harry and gave him a friendly smile, "You seem to have recovered well."
"Yes, thank you for your concern," Harry nodded, then looked somewhat puzzledly at her and Hermione, "May I ask what this is about..."
"I came to find Mr. Holmes."
Farley said lightly, "It's just that Miss Granger is being overly nervous. She seems to think I would harm Mr. Holmes because of the House Cup matter—what do you think, Mr. Potter?"
Harry was stunned, "Hermione, I think Miss Farley isn't that kind of person."
Hermione: (ー`ー)
Which side are you on, you guy?
Just because you think she's pretty, you're jumping ships?
Farley nodded to Harry, "Thank you for your trust, Mr. Potter."
At this time, Cho Chang and her two roommates also followed Harry over. Seeing this scene, they couldn't help but be stunned.
Her elegant and composed movements combined with her beautiful appearance indeed gave people a pleasing feeling.
Just then, Sherlock, who had been silent, spoke, "Miss Farley is indeed not that kind of person."
Hermione looked at Sherlock in surprise.
No way...
Harry judging by appearance was one thing, but how did even you, with your honest clever eyes, also defect?
Didn't you speak very well when facing the Patil twin sisters just now?
Just when Hermione felt somewhat wronged and even angry, Sherlock, who had said this, suddenly changed his tone,
"However, if this prefect miss came because of Marcus Flint's matter, then there's no need to talk privately."
Hearing Sherlock's words, everyone except Farley was stunned.
Marcus Flint?
Wasn't he that fifth-year Slytherin student, the Quidditch team captain?
He had maliciously fouled Harry during the Gryffindor vs. Slytherin match, almost knocking him down from the air.
What happened to this guy?
"You indeed already know."
Hearing Sherlock mention this name, Farley's eyes became deeper. She looked around, "Mr. Holmes, are you sure you want me to speak directly here?"
Farley's meaning was obvious.
Besides herself and Sherlock, there were also four Gryffindors and three Ravenclaws standing nearby—quite a crowd.
As soon as she said this, Harry, Ron, and Neville didn't find it problematic, but the four girls simultaneously glared at her.
What, you find us an eyesore?
Sherlock shook his head slightly, "I'm all ears."
Seeing Sherlock say this, Farley no longer insisted.
However, her first sentence made the others present unable to keep their composure,
"After the graduation ceremony banquet, some Slytherin students went to the Black Lake to drink."
Drink?
They were drowning their sorrows in alcohol, right?
But that was understandable.
Although Slytherin managed to keep the Quidditch Cup championship thanks to Ravenclaw's stable performance, they ultimately lost the House Cup, missing the chance for seven consecutive championships.
Farley continued. "Marcus Flint was among them, but he has poor alcohol tolerance and poor drinking behavior.
So, after getting drunk, he could only return to the common room alone."
Farley spoke simply, but the meaning was conveyed.
No one wanted to deal with a drunkard.
Hearing this, Harry immediately felt a surge of satisfaction.
You have this day too!
"...But he didn't return to his dormitory.
It wasn't until the next day that he was found lying by the Black Lake."
Everyone looked at each other upon hearing this.
"As expected, poor alcohol tolerance—he probably treated the grass as his own bed."
Ron sneered, "I said before that guy looks like he has troll blood. It's not surprising at all that this happened."
"Miss Farley, there's no need to consult Mr. Holmes about such matters, right?" Cho Chang couldn't help but say, "It's just getting drunk..."
Facing everyone's doubts, Farley shook her head gently:
"The problem is that when Flint was found, his school robes had been stripped off, and he was only wearing underwear.
He had a bruised and swollen face with obvious signs of being beaten.
On the grass beside him was a piece of parchment with a sentence written on it:
[Those who can't afford to lose must accept punishment]"
At this point, Farley paused and looked at Sherlock:
"Flint is still lying in the hospital wing. I came to find Mr. Holmes to ask you to investigate this matter."
Farley's words left everyone dumbfounded.
A fifth-year student, the Quidditch team captain, had been beaten up like this?
It was really...
Too delightful!
The phrase "well done" almost burst out from Harry and Ron.
"Is he seriously injured?" Hermione couldn't help but ask, "Why is he still lying in the hospital wing?"
"Although the attacker didn't go easy, with Madam Pomfrey there, these injuries aren't a problem.
The key issue is that he lay on the grass all night wearing only underwear."
"So what? It couldn't be that he caught cold because of this, right?"
Alicia couldn't help but interject.
"No, he was poisoned."
"Poisoned?"
Hermione felt baffled—what did wearing only underwear have to do with poisoning?
"Yes, poisoned—in that situation, he was bitten by various insects all night.
Due to the large number and variety of insects, various toxins mixed together.
Actually, detoxification isn't difficult, it just takes time.
In fact, when he was found, his face was so swollen it was unrecognizable—that was the result of toxin accumulation."
Hearing this, everyone's expressions were quite colorful.
Sherlock remained expressionless, as if all this had nothing to do with him.
Harry looked up at the sky, Neville looked down at his pet.
Hermione pretended to look around at the scenery, while the three Ravenclaw girls tried hard to suppress their laughter.
Only Ron couldn't hold back and burst out laughing.
"Pfft~!"
When he saw Farley looking at him, he immediately straightened up,
"Sorry, I just thought of something happy."
Farley looked at Ron meaningfully but didn't dwell on this issue.
She turned her gaze to Harry.
"Madam Pomfrey says Flint isn't in life-threatening danger.
But he needs to stay in the hospital wing for three more days—exactly the same amount of time Mr. Potter spent in the hospital."
"Ah?"
Harry looked at Farley in confusion, and thought. 'why are you telling me this?'
'I'm not interested in this kind of coincidence at all.'
After saying this, Farley looked at Sherlock again:
"We hope Mr. Holmes can help us investigate this matter.
During this period, I will do everything in my power to provide you with every convenience.
This one Galleon is a small token of my personal appreciation. I hope Mr. Holmes will accept it.
If you can find the culprit, we will reward you handsomely. In any case, we will definitely satisfy Mr. Holmes."
Hearing Farley's offered conditions, the nearby young wizards were all shocked.
Especially Cho Chang.
For the Easter case, Penelope paid one Galleon after solving it, which Sherlock already thought was too much.
But Penelope gave so much because, in addition to the agreed payment, there was gratitude for Sherlock defending Ravenclaw's honor.
And hush money hoping they wouldn't speak about the matter—though this approach seemed rather embarrassing now.
Unexpectedly, Farley's performance today was even more generous.
Just to get Sherlock to agree to take the case, she was already paying one Galleon.
This highlighted her wealth and capriciousness.
One could imagine how generous the reward would be if Sherlock actually agreed to Farley's request and solved the case.
Of course, in Cho Chang's view, with Sherlock's abilities, achieving this was almost without question.
At this moment, everyone's eyes focused on Sherlock, waiting for his response.
Under everyone's gaze, Sherlock shook his head and said three words:
"I refuse."
When Sherlock firmly said "I refuse," Farley's face showed no trace of surprise.
She tilted her head, her smooth long hair swaying gently, her sea-blue eyes bright and deep, with a hint of inquiry,
"Mr. Holmes, could you tell me the reason?
If you're dissatisfied with the payment, we can certainly negotiate further."
As she said this, the corners of her mouth turned up slightly, revealing a confident shallow smile.
As if indicating to Sherlock that as long as he was willing, everything was negotiable.
"It has nothing to do with that."
Sherlock waved his hand. He looked up at Farley and said calmly,
"The reason I'm passionate about solving puzzles is because in this process, I can gain unique pleasure.
But this matter doesn't arouse any interest in me at all."
"Oh?"
Hearing Sherlock say this, Farley immediately showed great interest: "Please elaborate."
"Flint hurt my friend in the Quidditch match."
Sherlock said straightforwardly, "I think his current plight is well-deserved."
"Sherlock!"
Harry, who had been standing quietly nearby, suddenly looked up upon hearing this.
His eyes were moist, lips trembling slightly, filled with emotion and surprise.
Sherlock actually remembered!
He still remembered Flint's harm to him in the Quidditch match!
This feeling of being remembered and cared about made a warm current surge through Harry's heart, and his eyes became hot.
"I admit Flint's behavior in the Quidditch match was excessive, but Madam Hooch had already punished him then."
Farley frowned slightly, her eyes showing a trace of perplexity,
"Mr. Holmes, are you serious?
This kind of behavior constitutes private revenge, which is not advocated or allowed."
Sherlock looked at her unflinchingly,
"Miss Farley, I believe that when rules cannot bring justice to the parties involved, private revenge becomes legitimate and even noble from that moment.
So, this time, I've decided not to take this case."
Farley was stunned.
She had originally thought Sherlock's reason for refusing would be simple—perhaps insufficient payment, perhaps the case was too complex, perhaps what she thought was something else entirely...
But she never expected Sherlock would give such an answer.
After bowing her head in thought for a while, she suddenly looked up,
"Mr. Holmes, I must admit, your words have moved me."
Sherlock looked at her without speaking.
"I came here today also at someone's request. Whether to take this case was originally your freedom, but..."
Farley's gaze fixed intently on Sherlock, her eyes revealing a hint of cunning.
"Are you sure you want to use this reason to refuse?"
Her voice carried a hint of probing, as if giving Sherlock another chance.
Seeing Sherlock nod without hesitation, Farley suddenly smiled, like flowers blooming in spring, bright and moving.
She gently raised her hand and flicked her finger.
The Galleon that had been in her palm, glittering golden in the sunlight, flew directly toward Sherlock.
Sherlock reacted quickly, reaching out to catch the Galleon steadily.
"Prefect miss, I said I wouldn't take this case."
Sherlock frowned, not understanding what Farley meant.
"Keep it as a memento!"
Farley smiled charmingly again, her smile carrying a hint of playfulness and freedom:
"Refusing a gift from a lady is not gentlemanly behavior.
Also... I hope next time we meet, you can use a different form of address.
I won't speak of today's events. I hope you won't either."
As she spoke, she swept her gaze around the others present, her eyes carrying a hint of warning.
After saying this, Gemma Farley left with light, graceful steps.
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