"Malfoy? He didn't go home for Christmas. Of course I've seen him in the Castle."
Sherlock folded his arms across his chest and stared intently at them.
"Why are you asking me this?"
Under the weight of guilt, Hermione subconsciously avoided his gaze.
"W-we were just curious, Professor. You know, people like Malfoy aren't usually very likable. Have you given him any greetings or... said anything to him recently?"
While Hermione asked the question, Harry and Ron, though avoiding eye contact, couldn't help but listen closely.
Sherlock raised an eyebrow slightly, momentarily failing to understand why she would ask such a thing.
"Greetings? Does punishing him by making him scrub toilets count?"
He suddenly seemed to realize something, and his eyes gradually narrowed.
"Don't tell me you suspect I'm behind all this?"
Hermione, Harry, and Ron blinked together, let out awkward laughs, and exchanged glances.
"How could that be, Professor? We were just asking."
"Yes, just asking, nothing else."
"Please don't misunderstand, Professor, we trust you completely."
Sherlock glanced at them.
"Is that so? Then would you like to try scrubbing toilets as well?"
The trio waved their hands frantically and stepped back.
"No, Professor, we'll pass on that."
"I suddenly remembered we haven't had dinner yet. We're going to the Great Hall now. Goodbye, Professor!"
Watching their hasty retreat, Sherlock curled his lip.
"They actually suspected me. What are these brats thinking?"
Just after this brief exchange, Snape arrived at Hogwarts with Draco Malfoy's father—Lucius Malfoy.
In Dumbledore's office, Sherlock stood with his arms crossed, leaning against the wall lined with portraits of former headmasters, silently watching the unfolding scene.
When Lucius was brought in, his face was dark and tense, as if covered in soot from a fireplace.
The moment he saw Dumbledore seated calmly behind his desk, he could no longer restrain himself. His clenched fists trembled as he spoke coldly.
"I entrusted my child to Hogwarts, Dumbledore—and this is how you ensure his safety?"
His emotions were clearly genuine; beneath the anger was real anxiety and fear.
Dumbledore folded his hands on the desk and looked at him steadily, his tone calm.
"Hogwarts does its best to protect its students, but neither I nor the professors are omniscient. There are things we cannot foresee."
"And you say that now? My son's fate is unknown, and you're already avoiding responsibility?"
Lucius's eyes burned with fury as he stared at Dumbledore.
"I will expose this! I'll call for a vote from the Board of Governors! I will have you removed from Hogwarts!"
At his words, Professor McGonagall and Snape both tensed visibly.
But Dumbledore remained completely composed. Leaning back in his chair, he said lightly,
"That is your right, Lucius. If you wish, you may do so. But will you?"
Lucius's eyes were bloodshot. Though he continued to stare at Dumbledore, the tension in his jaw slowly eased.
"You know I won't. If even you cannot resolve this, then no one else can."
Dumbledore's gaze grew more serious.
"Now is not the time for power struggles, Lucius. You should understand what truly matters. Among the petrified students in the Hospital Wing is your son."
Lucius fell silent.
He stood motionless, as if weighing his options.
The tension in the room lingered, and Sherlock took the opportunity to idly tease Fawkes, the phoenix perched nearby.
Fawkes, however, showed no interest at all, merely glancing at him coldly as if to say, foolish human.
After several minutes, Lucius finally seemed to reach a decision. His posture softened, and when he spoke again, there was even a trace of pleading in his voice.
"He is my only son, Dumbledore. Narcissa and I cannot lose him. Please… I beg you."
Professor McGonagall and Snape were both stunned; they had never seen Lucius lower himself like this.
Dumbledore, however, seemed to have expected it. He stood and looked directly at him.
"He is a student of Hogwarts. I will do everything I can to save him. But what I want to know is this—do you have any information that could help us end this? Is there anything you wish to tell me, Lucius?"
"How would I know anything happening inside Hogwarts?"
Lucius's voice rose again, though this time it sounded more like forced defiance.
"I mean perhaps… something that might be useful?" Dumbledore pressed calmly.
Lucius fell silent again.
This time, the struggle on his face was even clearer.
Finally, as if forcing the words out, he muttered,
"The youngest girl of the Weasley family… she's the problem..."
Dumbledore's furrowed brow relaxed slightly.
Professor McGonagall looked at Lucius in shock, while Snape's expression darkened.
"Phineas," Dumbledore said calmly, turning toward one of the portraits,"could you please bring Miss Ginny Weasley of Gryffindor here?"