When Sherlock returned to the Castle, Flitwick was already busy preparing the decorations for tonight's opening feast in the Great Hall.
He put his things back in his office, helped Flitwick with a few small tasks using magic, and just as he was about to leave the Great Hall to wander around the Castle, he bumped 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 a worried expression.
"And the day after the incident, that contract..."
Sherlock smiled at her.
"Yes, Professor. Professor Dumbledore told me everything about my mother."
Professor McGonagall took a deep breath, her eyes slightly reddened. This Gryffindor Head of House, who was usually very stern and seemingly unapproachable, was actually a very emotional person.
"Now that you know, you know. You don't need to put too much pressure on yourself. Although Sally is gone, she never wanted you to get involved in these things. I don't know if Albus was right to let you know, but you shouldn't treat everything as your own responsibility. Your mother had already done enough back then; you shouldn't have to bear anything more."
Sherlock opened his arms, smiled, and hugged the stern yet gentle old woman, comforting her.
"Don't worry, Professor. You know I've been smart since I was a child. I know what to do and when to do it; I have my own sense of judgement."
Professor McGonagall sniffled and looked at Sherlock with relief.
"I am truly happy for Sally. You are excellent, Sherlock."
"You'd better be stricter with me, Professor. If you keep praising me, I'll get arrogant."
Sherlock and Professor McGonagall chatted in the entrance hall for a while before parting ways. She still had to prepare the list of new students and arrange the class schedules for this term; on the first day of school every year, she and Flitwick were the busiest.
After leaving the Great Hall, Sherlock first went down to the first basement level, to Snape's office.
Snape, who dressed like an old bat and shared similar habits, was, as expected, holed up in his office as soon as he returned to the Castle.
"Long time no see, Uncle Prince."
As soon as they met, Sherlock greeted him with a cheeky grin. Snape remained his usual cold self, merely glancing up at him before refocusing all his attention on a Potion recipe in his hand.
Sherlock didn't mind the cold shoulder. If Snape had suddenly greeted him with a beaming smile today, he would have drawn his wand to demand what kind of monster had possessed this old bat.
"What do you want with me?"
Without any hesitation, Sherlock fiddled with the bottles and jars on the shelf, examining a golden Potion that looked like Felix Felicis, and said,
"You haven't forgotten, have you? I wrote you a letter over the holidays asking you to help brew some Polyjuice Potion, and I've already paid the deposit."
Snape maintained his deadpan expression.
"I never wrote back saying I would help you. Also, if you don't want your mind to suffer any issues, don't mess around with that bottle of Madness Potion."
Upon hearing the name of the Potion, Sherlock hurriedly put it back.
Madness Potion was similar to Felix Felicis, but instead of bringing good luck, it caused temporary mental insanity. Many Dark Wizards liked such torturous things.
He sat down opposite Snape, blinked, and held out his hand.
"Hand it over, don't waste time. You're a grown man, stop acting like a child."
Snape's expression turned even sourer. He glared coldly at Sherlock, but eventually took a bag out of his drawer and handed it to him reluctantly.
Sherlock cursed "tsundere" under his breath, then snatched the bag.
He looked down to check the quantity of the Polyjuice Potion in the bag, nodded with satisfaction, and put it away.
There was no need to check the goods, of course; the tsundere was always reliable when it came to Potions.
Just as Sherlock had the items and was about to leave, Snape suddenly asked,
"You know about those things?"
His question was vague, but Sherlock naturally understood what he was asking.
"Not only do I know, but I've also clashed with those people. You should also know what happened at the World Cup."
Snape's gaze remained on the Potion recipe, but his eyes clearly became unfocused.
"You killed two people?"
The smile on Sherlock's face faded, and he stared solemnly at Snape.
"Don't say such self-deceiving things. Those were two Death Eaters. He has already started gathering his followers, which means the day you have been waiting for is not far off."
Snape fell silent, and it was a long time before he spoke again.
"Is there any possibility of Lily being resurrected?"
"I've said it before, I don't know the answer to that question. However, since she was awakened within Harry, you haven't spoken a single word to him, have you?"
Snape shook his head.
"I cannot change my attitude towards Harry. The less time there is, the more I cannot afford to reveal any flaws at this final stage."
Sherlock understood what he meant.
"So you've decided not to see her at all? Afraid that if you do, you'll go soft on Harry later? But if you keep avoiding her like this and end up with no chance later, what then?"
Snape silently clenched his fists.
"She will know. That is enough."
Sherlock looked at Snape with a complex expression—admiration, pity, and regret mixed in his eyes. Finally, he sighed and turned to leave Snape's office.
He had just climbed the stairs back from the basement and was near the Great Hall when he encountered someone unexpected.
"Haha, what a coincidence that we've run into each other, Sherlock."
Sherlock looked at Moody with some surprise, but quickly remembered that when he met Kingsley in Diagon Alley earlier, he had told him that because the Triwizard Tournament would be held at the Castle this term, Dumbledore had specifically invited the retired Moody to come to the Castle.
Although Sherlock didn't understand why Moody needed to be invited for the Triwizard Tournament, meeting an acquaintance was still pleasant.
Moody's temper was known for being eccentric in the Auror Office, but he was also a trustworthy and excellent Auror.
He said with a smile,
"It is indeed a coincidence, Mr Moody. I heard from Kingsley earlier that you would be coming to Hogwarts, but I didn't expect to run into you right here today."