Chapter 51: Snape: My Rules Are the Rules

“Enough! Put away those boring tricks you use to fool Muggles!”

Upon hearing Sherlock’s deduction, Snape’s piercing gaze immediately shifted from Harry to Sherlock.

“Holmes, who do you think you are? Just a few glances and you think you can figure out what happened here? Do you really believe you’re some famous detective from a novel?”

“It’s ‘deduction,’ not ‘guesswork.’”

Snape’s cold aura did nothing to faze Sherlock, who even corrected him, “Actually, I can provide some useful insights into this case…”

“Shut up! I have no time for your tedious analysis, Holmes. What I want to tell you is…”

Snape sneered, “Because of this incident, Gryffindor will lose twenty points.”

Even with the head of Gryffindor nearby, Snape did not hesitate to make this decision.

Once those words were uttered, the three others besides Sherlock immediately looked displeased.

Especially Hermione.

After all, this matter started because of her.

As for Professor McGonagall, she seemed indifferent to Snape’s point deduction, as if she tacitly approved of it.

But the next moment, she said something that stunned everyone:

“Mr. Holmes, may I hear your opinion?”

“Professor McGonagall!”

Snape snapped, turning sharply toward her, “Are you sure you want to listen to a freshman rant? I think it would be better to put him in detention for a while…”

“Thank you, Professor Snape. I am fully aware of what I’m doing,” McGonagall said calmly, looking at Snape. “Mr. Holmes is a student in my house, and I am willing—and obligated—to hear his perspective.”

With that, she turned to Sherlock. “Mr. Holmes, you may begin.”

“This is a premeditated act.”

Under the intense scrutiny of three professors and three students, Sherlock wasted no time and spoke plainly:

“The blood-written message was left by a man, under six feet tall, middle-aged, right-handed.

He is agile and cunning, but currently troubled. This act was not his own intention but the result of someone else's manipulation.

Furthermore, he likely used a wand about nine inches in length…”

“Enough!”

As Sherlock’s words grew faster, the expressions on the listeners' faces became increasingly astonished.

Finally, a sudden voice interrupted his statement: “That’s enough.”

Snape looked at Sherlock coldly, his tone dripping with undisguised contempt and disgust:

“Heh, great detective Holmes?

I already told you, put away those boring tricks!

Maybe they work in the Muggle world, but in the magical world…”

Snape’s eyes darkened deeply. “I advise you to be more careful.”

After a pause, as if recalling something, he added, “Gryffindor will lose ten points as punishment for your nonsense in front of a professor.”

Upon hearing this, Harry, Hermione, and Ron were utterly shocked.

If the earlier deduction of points was a punishment for their wandering about, this was clearly a fit of pique.

Isn’t he the one babbling nonsense?

This is just a rule he made up on the spot!

Yet, since Snape was a professor, despite their anger, the three dared not voice it.

Otherwise, harsher penalties would surely follow.

Snape had always been so unreasonable.

So, in unison, they turned their gaze to Professor McGonagall.

Faced with such an obviously arbitrary point deduction, the just and fair McGonagall, head of Gryffindor, should surely speak up, right?

Unexpectedly, McGonagall looked at Sherlock and said deliberately:

“I am very disappointed in you.”

The moment those words were spoken, Harry and his friends felt their spirits plummet.

How could it be this way?

It seemed Sherlock’s performance this time had greatly displeased Professor McGonagall.

Understandably so.

After all, although Sherlock had put on an air of confidence, the details sounded too far-fetched.

Even those who had seen Sherlock’s talents many times found it hard to believe.

Let alone McGonagall, who didn’t know Sherlock well.

Still, for just this point deduction to be so severe?

Surprisingly, the already frail Professor Quirrell timidly said:

“Professor, there’s no such rule for point deductions…”

The three brightened immediately, looking at Quirrell with gratitude.

At that moment, even the pungent smell of garlic on him seemed less offensive.

But in the next moment, Snape coldly shot back:

“My rules are the rules!”

Quirrell: Σ(｀д′*ノ)ノ

That was not all. Snape looked coldly at Quirrell and continued:

“Also, what you should do now is leave as soon as possible.”

Quirrell: o((⊙﹏⊙))o.

Seeing that even a professor bowed to Snape’s dominance, Harry and the others dared not act out.

Only Sherlock remained unfazed, wearing a thoughtful expression.

McGonagall seemed not to notice, addressing the four:

“If you are uninjured, it’s best to return to Gryffindor Tower quickly—the students are enjoying the Halloween feast in their house.”

“This is outrageous! Absolutely outrageous!”

On their way back to Gryffindor Tower, Ron was nearly livid.

“Snape is way too much! What kind of excuse was that?

I bet he made it up on the spot!”

Harry and Hermione nodded vigorously.

After the troll incident, the rift between Harry, Ron, and Hermione had disappeared.

Now, faced with the common “enemy” Snape, the three united in condemnation.

Even Hermione, who usually respected professors, was no exception.

But to their surprise, Sherlock said at this moment: “Actually, Professor Snape is a good person.”

“Huh?”

All three turned their heads, eyes wide with shock at Sherlock.

He said seriously, “To be exact, Professor Snape is a despicably kind man.”

“……”

“???”

“HOLMES, how do you put those two words together?”

Hermione stared at Sherlock, utterly confused.

“These two words aren’t opposites. Why can’t they go together?”

Faced with Sherlock’s counter-question, Hermione was momentarily speechless.

Indeed… kindness and despicability are not antonyms.

But… putting them together feels strange, doesn’t it?

Ron also asked Sherlock why he hadn’t brought him and Harry along when he went to find Hermione.

Sherlock replied that he was worried they would delay the rescue.

Ron looked miserable. “You’re really honest…”

“I said, in most cases I don’t lie—unless necessary.”

“Well, thanks for your honesty!”

And so, chatting all the way, they finally arrived before the portrait of the Fat Lady.